MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2020

Stock Market Gains N350bn on Interest Rate Cut

Goddy Egene

The Nigerian equities market gained a record N350 billion last week as investors swooped on stocks in search of higher returns following a cut in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of

the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a surprise move last week, the CBN’s MPC had resolved to reduce the MPR by 100 basis points to 11.5 per cent from 12.5 per cent.

The move is expected to encourage more bank lending in order to stimulate economic

activities.

The MPR is the rate which the apex bank lends to commercial banks and often determines the cost of funds.

The cut in MPR by 100 basis points to 11.5 per cent is expected to further drive down yields in fixed income securities, hence, investors

shifted to the equities market where they hope to reap higher returns.

The renewed demand for equities lifted the market capitalisation by N350 billion to close at N13.755 trillion, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 2.92 per

cent to close at 26,319.34. The NSE ASI has crossed the 26,000 points for the first time since March 2020.

Also, volume and value of trading rose by 46.3 per cent and 68.9 per cent 1.567 billion shares worth N20.559 billion exchanged in 18,396 deals, from 1.139 billion shares

valued at N12.692 billion that were traded in 17,109 deals the previous week.

The MPC last week further eased monetary policy by cutting the MPR by 100 basis points to 11.5 per cent, the third rate cut in 2020.

Continued on page 9

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Strike Averted as FG, Labour Reach Compromise on Palliative Suspend electricity tariffs increase Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The nationwide strike by organised labour scheduled to commence today will not happen as the unions and the federal government reached an agreement this morning on the contentious issues over the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry and electricity, which led to a rise in petrol price

and electricity tariffs.

The meeting of the disputants which was adjourned last Thursday till today was, however, rescheduled for yesterday in a desperate bid to reach an agreement in order to avert the strike.

Yesterday’s meeting among the Nigeria Labour Continued on page 9

Let’s Mend Cracks on Our Wall, Osinbajo Urges Nigerians Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday appealed to Nigerians to pray for the unity of Nigeria, saying the cracks of the country’s wall could still be mended if properly addressed.

The vice president spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, who represented him at the inter-denominational service at National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja held to commemorate

the 60th independence anniversary of the country.

"Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken but there are obvious cracks that could lead to break if not properly addressed,” he said.

Quoting copiously from the Bible, he told the story of Nehemiah and his role in rebuilding the broken-down walls of Jerusalem.

He encouraged Nigerians to study the story of Nehemiah and replicate same for a better Continued on page 9

THANKFUL HEARTS...

Wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (left), and the deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, during a thanksgiving service, to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary in Lagos…yesterday

Akeredolu, Mimiko Clash over Alleged Poor Performance in Office...Page 5

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

Akeredolu, Mimiko Clash over Alleged Poor Performance in Office Sanwo-Olu rallies support for APC candidate

Segun James in Lagos and James Sowole in Akure Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, have accused one another of performing poorly in office.

While Mimiko described Akeredolu’s administration as a disappointment and antipeople based on its policies in education and health sectors, Akeredolu said some actions taken by Mimiko while in office actually negated the welfarism his government preached.

Mimiko spoke at Ile-Oluji, headquarters of Ile-Oluji/ Okeigbo Local Government Area during the campaign tour of the governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Mr. Agboola Ajayi.

The former governor described his successor's government as anti-people because of the cancellation of free health services and increase in tuition fees paid by the students of tertiary institutions in the state.

Mimiko, who said he had worked with three governors before becoming governor for eight years, said Akeredolu’s government has failed the people of the state in all critical sectors affecting their well-being.

According to him, the government of Akeredolu's claim to performance is nothing but falsehood as all indices showed otherwise.

He said: "There is no person that will say he has not performed. But how do we differentiate performance?

Any government that has not democratised education is a bad government.

"This government that hiked school fees is a bad government.

Akeredolu's government is an enemy of the people. Anybody that votes Akeredolu is selling his children’s future.

"Any government that does not make health free is your

enemy. Akeredolu's government is an enemy of the people by cancelling mother-and-child and free health for children.

"Any time they come here to campaign for votes ask him, where are our shuttle buses?

Where is our abiye? The government that cancelled trauma centre is your enemy."

Mimiko said the utterances of Akeredolu have clearly shown that he is not part of the state as he had vowed to go back to his base if not voted for.

The former governor lamented the failure of his successor to build on the successes recorded in the health and education sectors during his tenure as governor.

He urged the people to vote out the anti-people government and vote for Ajayi and Mr. Gboye Adegbenro as governor and deputy governor on the platform of the ZLP. Reacting directly to Mimiko's utterances, Akeredolu in a statement by the spokesperson of his campaign organisation, Mr. Richard Olabode, said the former governor, had done more damage to the state than his successor.

He said: "It is unfortunate that a governor that sacked over 10,000 workers in Ondo State is calling the Akeredolu administration an anti-people government. It’s on record that Akeredolu since inception in office has not sacked anyone in the state workforce either at the local or state level.

"The Akeredolu administration came and realised that Mimiko only had two mother and child hospitals in the whole of the state. The governor has now expanded from two to seven and they are now across the three senatorial districts of the state.

"As we speak, work is ongoing at the teaching hospital both in Ondo and Akure.

Akeredolu has introduced the contributory health scheme, which has also brought about

free health care service for children under the age of five and pregnant women.

"Those lecturers that were sacked unjustly at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko are still alive to bear witness to the anti people government of Mimiko in this state.

"These workers were only reinstated by Akeredolu.

Because of politics, Mimiko killed the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH). What’s more anti -people than the actions of Mimiko in abandoning the various projects left behind by the late Olusegun Agagu?

"So, on health, Akeredolu has surpassed Mimiko in achievements, just as the Akeredolu administration has recorded significant stride in education and people’s welfare."

Sanwo-Olu Rallies Support for APC Candidate Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ondo State governorship election and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital solicited support for the APC and its governorship candidate, Akeredolu.

Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by some members of the party’s National Campaign Council, met with APC leaders and critical stakeholders in Ondo State in preparation for the October 10 gubernatorial poll.

Apart from meeting with the APC stakeholders, Sanwo-Olu also joined the campaign train of Akeredolu and his running

mate, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to rally support for the party in some towns and local government areas ahead of the gubernatorial election.

Penultimate Saturday, Sanwo-Olu had joined other party leaders, who defied the downpour, to flag off the governorship campaign for Akeredolu.

Speaking on the election, Sanwo-Olu said the APC in Ondo State had performed creditably to defeat all the other candidates.

He said: "There is no gainsaying that our candidate has done well in his first term as Governor of Ondo State. “Without sounding immodest, Akeredolu will defeat his closest rival by more than thirty per cent of the ballots.

"The people of Ondo State know our party and I dare say that we are the only party they trust to deliver the goods

to them. That's exactly what the government of Rotimi Akeredolu has been doing in the last three and half years.

"Therefore, Ondo people will come out on October 10, to cast their votes knowing full well that Akeredolu needs to be given a chance to continue with all his good work."

Sanwo-Olu said his last visit to Akure where he witnessed a monumental support and a display of affection for Akeredolu by the residents was an eye-opener.

The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker and ExtraOrdinary National Convention Planning Committee of APC had on Saturday, August 15, inaugurated the 104-member APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election led by Sanwo-Olu with Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, as deputy chairman.

PRAYER FOR NIGERIA @60 L–R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Yemi – Esan; and representative of President of the Senate, Senator Ajayi BoroďŹƒce, at the 60th Independence Inter-Denominational Church Service in Abuja‌yesterday godwin omoigui

NAFDAC Engages Chinese, Indian Agents against Importers of Fake Medicines Ejiofor Alike The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has announced the agency’s readiness to eliminate substandard and falsified medicines in the country through partnership with pre-shipment agents in China and India.

In a statement issued yesterday, Adeyeye said the move is part of the agency’s efforts to take the war against importation of illicit drugs to the source countries.

Adeyeye said: ‘’Safeguarding the health of Nigeria means making sure that all regulated products that NAFDAC is in charge of have the expected quality. This means ensuring robust control of the manufacture, the distribution, the advertisement, the sale and the use of these products using international standards, in line

with our mandate.

Speaking on ‘’NAFDAC And Your Health,’’ in Abuja, against the background of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, Adeyeye noted that 70 per cent of the medicines used in Nigeria are imported while only 30 per cent are produced locally, stressing that attention must be paid to both imported and locally made drugs by the agency.

She said imported drugs used in Nigeria are mostly from China and India, noting that ‘’NAFDAC is now going to the source to ensure that we do pre-shipment analysis.’’ She noted that although pre-shipment analysis had always been there even before she came on board as the DG of NAFDAC, there were loopholes in that process that are now blocked.

She stated that she travelled to China and India with a few staff last year to meet the agents

that were given the responsibility many years back, adding that the riot act was read to them and they now understood that they are responsible for making sure that the products samples and analysed by them in their home countries are of quality.

The laboratories were approved based on the analysis they do on the products that are shipped to Nigeria.

The NAFDAC boss, however, said loopholes were found in the process, saying NAFDAC had to withdraw the approval granted to one of the Clean Report Inspection Agents (CRIA) and several laboratories.

She further stated that in the past, the laboratories used to be under the control of the agents, adding that her team visited about 19 laboratories across China and India. “And we gave them the criteria that they must meet before we choose them as laboratories that can be analysing

products that will come to Nigeria,’’ she said.

Adeyeye stated that both NAFDAC and the agents are now on the same page, adding that the CRIAs now work closely with the laboratories, insisting that they have to ensure that the laboratories have the equipment and wherewithal to do the analysis.

She explained that NAFDAC now receives CRIA agents’ reports almost daily on consignments that are suspect, saving the country the huge impact of being turned into a dumping ground for counterfeit medicines.

Adeyeye noted that this stringency has started yielding dividends as NAFDAC now has encouraging reports from the CRIA Agents, and NAFDAC now deals directly with the laboratories used in China and India by the pre-shipment agents. ‘’We are starting from the

source to ensure that the medical products or drugs that come into Nigeria are of quality,� she said.

Adeyeye said even now, few unscrupulous merchants of death would sometimes get their shipment without the approval of the CRIA agents by doctoring CRIA approval.

She, however, sent a strong warning to such unscrupulous elements that they would meet their waterloo at the ports here in Nigeria where NAFDAC’s Port Inspection directorate officials are working round the clock to intercept illicit consignments. ‘’We wait for them at the port. Many times, we intercept them because the CRIA agents would have told us about those companies that ought to have gone through them for inspection but did not go,’’ she said.

According to Adeyeye, a staff of NAFDAC has developed a software that helps the agency to track and monitor ships on

the high sea. She said this has assisted the agency in apprehending defaulting importers of falsified medicines at the point of entry in Nigeria. ‘’The point is that we are tackling the issue of substandard, falsified medicines from the source. These are the ones coming from China or India,’’ she said.

A major achievement of her leadership, following her relentless efforts, she said, was the return of the Agency back to the Ports in May 2018, coupled with rigorous inspection and enforcement activities.

She disclosed that because of this, the agency has, in collaboration with Nigerian Customs Service, seized and destroyed unwholesome foods and other regulated products worth over N4billion in exercises across the nation. She also stated that Tramadol with estimated street value of N1. 7 trillion has also been seized.

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Again, Boko Haram Attacks Zulum’s Convoy APC govs pledge support Kingsley Nwezeh, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, was again attacked yesterday morning by Boko Haram terrorists around Baga.

The latest attack, which recorded no death, happened when the convoy was on its way back to Maiduguri, the state capital.

The attacks caught the attention of his colleagues in the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body of governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) who yesterday condemned last Saturday's assault and pledged to support the governor to end insurgency in the state.

However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed that 10 policemen, four soldiers and many civilians were killed in the earlier attack on the governor’s convoy, which reportedly claimed 30 lives.

Zulum’s convoy was again attacked at 10.30am yesterday, about two kilometres away from Baga.

The convoy, according to some of the people who returned back to Maiduguri yesterday evening from the tour, was shot at by Boko Haram.

One of them said: “There was no death recorded this time around except some minor injuries. “The windscreen of some vehicles were scattered; some vehicles had their tyres punctured by gunshots, including the Government House Press Crew bus. “The military gun truck was also shot at and a soldier had his shoulder scalded with gunshot.�

THISDAY gathered that the latest attack happened minutes after the governor had resettled some IDPs in Baga town.

The governor resettled 521 households displaced from Baga as part of the government’s plan at returning live back to the commercial border town with riverine environment.

Zulum distributed food items and cash support to each of the 521 displaced but returned households.

Each household was given a cash support of N10,000 to assist them in resettling back.

While distributing the food items and cash support to the returnees, Zulum reassured them and those to return later that his government will do everything in its power to ensure their safety.

He, however, charged them to continue to be watchful on their children and monitor their movements to avoid them falling victims to land mines that might still be scattered in the bushes.

He warned that some parts of Baga town are still dangerous to walk in as there are still IEDs planted by the Boko Haram which might not have been completely evacuated.

Meanwhile, the APC governors have called on the federal government to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno State to ensure speedy return to normal life in the state and the whole of North-east.

The Chairman of the Forum, and Kebbi State Governor, Mr. Atiku Bagudu, in a statement yesterday, said APC governors were saddened by the dastardly

attack, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of lives of security personnel and innocent citizens.

According to him, "We commiserate with the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate attack on Saturday, September 26, 2020 on two convoys along Maiduguri/ Baga Road of Borno State – one belonging to His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum, and the second belonging to the Committee on Baga reconstruction.

"We join our brother, Governor Zulum, our leaders in Borno State and all Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives. “In this painful period, Nigerians should be strengthened by the determination of Governor Zulum to expedite peace building process in Borno State and indeed the whole of North-east."

The APC governors said the strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno State and security agencies are very effective, adding that last Saturday's attack was to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in the state.

APC governors urged Nigerians to support the laudable initiatives of the Borno State government to return citizens in the state back to normal life.

"We must rise in support of the people and government of Borno State to end all activities of Boko Haram insurgents, which promote trade and tax administration that fund their heinous activities,� Bagudu said.

civilians were lost during the sad incident," he said.

Enenche said troops on hot pursuit of the insurgents successfully recovered three vehicles, adding that two of the vehicles belong to the Nigeria Police and that they were those earlier carted away by the terrorists during the attack.

He said one BHT gun truck was also captured.

He said the Nigerian Army has since deployed bomb and IED disposal teams to ensure effective route scanning and clearance to forestall future occurrence.

In a related development, the DDMO said sequel to sustained aerial bombardment and aggressive intensive clearance operation by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-east, 13 suspected terrorists, six women and 17 children from Kodila village surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The update said the suspects and their family members who

surrendered on 26 September 2020, were receiving medical attention at the 21 Special Armoured Brigade Medical Centre.

"The suspects are currently undergoing thorough profiling and investigation in line with global best practice in handling such cases.

"The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remain resolute, determined and committed to sustaining the tempo of the operations," he said.

Military authorities have also said air strikes executed by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole under subsidiary Operation Hail Storm 2 killed scores of fighters of terrorist group and destroyed many camps of the insurgents in Borno State.

A statement issued at the weekend by the DDMO said the air strikes destroyed Boko Haram camps, killing scores of their fighters in a night attack at Tongule and daytime raids at Bone and Isari B Musa.

It said the air interdiction at

Tongule was undertaken after surveillance missions revealed continued assembly of the terrorists within the settlement at night time.

Accordingly, the Air Task Force dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter gunships for a night attack on the location, with their barrage of rockets neutralising several of the terrorists.

Bone, a settlement along the Yale-Kumshe axis, on the other hand, was attacked by a force package of NAF fighter jets and helicopter gunships after credible intelligence reports established that the location served as a staging area from where the terrorists launch attacks.

"The NAF attack aircraft engaged the location in multiple bomb and rocket runs, destroying several of their structures and neutralising scores of terrorists.

"Similarly, at Isari B Musa, several terrorists, who were observed both within and in bushes surrounding the settlement, were taken out as the NAF attack aircraft took

turns in engaging the target area", it said.

In another development, following credible intelligence on the possible regrouping of some elements linked to the late Benue militia leader, Tewarse Akwaza, aka ‘Gana,’ at a hideout around Kwaghaondo village in Chanchanji council ward of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, troops of Sector 2 said they conducted a dawn raid operation at the identified hideout.

The military said the gallant troops made contact with the armed militia elements who opened fire and fled as troops closed in on their position.

Troops swiftly responded with superior firepower which led to the killing of two bandits while one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

The update signed by Enenche, said troops continued to dominate the area with aggressive patrols and ambushes to deny bandits freedom of action.

DHQ ConďŹ rms Killing of Eight Soldiers, 10 Policemen, Others Meanwhile, the DHQ yesterday confirmed that 10 policemen, eight soldiers and civilians were killed during last Saturday’s attack.

DHQ said the high casualty figure was as a result of the explosion from the multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted on the road by the terrorists.

The attack also precipitated massive air strikes by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole under subsidiary Operation Hail Storm 2, which killed scores of terrorists and destroyed many camps of the insurgents in the state.

A war update issued by Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said 18 persons, including 10 policemen, four soldiers and four civilians were killed during the attack.

It said troops repelled the attack, pursued the terrorists and recovered a gun truck and three vehicles belonging to the police earlier carted away by the insurgents.

"The convoy of the Borno State Civilians Relocation Committee comprising Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force and Civilian Joint Task Force was ambushed by members of the BHT/ISWAP at Barwati village on 25 of September 2020.

"The attack/ambush was, however, successfully repelled by the gallant troops. Sadly, a total of 18 lives including four soldiers, 10 Policemen and four

CELEBRATING NIGERIA...

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; state Chief Judge, Justice Monilola Dipeolu; and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, during the church service in commemoration of Nigeria's 60th independence anniversary in Abeokuta‌yesterday

With 14 Days Left to Challenge Obaseki’s Victory, Ize-Iyamu Weighs Options Alex Enumah in Abuja The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recently conducted Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and the other candidates that lost in the election have continued to weigh their options as they have 14 days left to challenge the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki at the poll, according to Section 285 (5) of the constitution as amended, THISDAY has learnt.

The election was a straight fight between Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, who was defeated by the Edo State governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The election was adjudged to be free and fair by the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Both the APC and Buhari have since congratulated

Obaseki, but the party’s candidate, Ize-Iyamu has insisted that he was yet to decide on the next line of action.

Relying on a dependable party source, THISDAY had reported that the leadership of APC was mounting pressure on its candidate to accept his defeat by Obaseki.

Ize-Iyamu had last Wednesday in Abuja met with the Chairman of the APC Caretaker/ExtraOrdinary National Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, and his Kogi State counterpart, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

THISDAY gathered that the closed-door meeting with IzeIyamu took place at the Abuja residence of Buni.

The APC governorship candidate has since denied being under pressure from party leaders to accept defeat.

THISDAY gathered that since he has not accepted the outcome of the September 19 election, he has 14 days left to challenge Obaseki’s victory at the election petition tribunal, out of the 21 days provided by law.

The law provides that the contestants have 21 days to challenge the results from the day of the announcement of the winner, which is September 20.

According to a senior lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), any contestant in a governorship election who has grievances or complaints about the conduct of the election can seek redress at the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The senior lawyer told THISDAY that the contestant must file his or her complaints or petition within 21 days from the day the electoral umpire announced the results of the

poll or declared a particular candidate winner of the election.

"Section 285(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that an aggrieved party in a governorship election of a state in Nigeria must file his or her complaints at the State's Governorship Election Petition Tribunal inaugurated to hear such matters not later than 21 days from the announcement of results of the governorship poll by INEC. "In the event of failure to file the petition within 21 days after results were announced the petition would be said to have become statute barred, that is it is forbidden by law, dead, has no benefit to the petitioner or at best a mere academic exercise,�

Raji explained.

Obaseki got 307,955 votes against his closest rival, IzeIyamu, who got 223,619 votes.

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PDP Consults Obasanjo, Babangida, Mark over Loss of 2019 Election

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The committee set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unravel the circumstances responsible for the party’s loss of 2019 presidential election has met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); and a former Senate President, Senator David Mark.

The committee headed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed had on Saturday met Babangida.

Also, the governor tweeted in his verified tweeter handle

that the committee also visited Obasanjo yesterday.

The governor wrote in his tweeter handle: "Today, I led a delegation from the @ OfficialPDPNig 2019 General Election Review on an advocacy visit to meet with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR).

"The delegation included former governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa State; Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; former Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of PDP Ministers’ Forum, Mr. Tanimu Turaki; and Mr. Dan Gwandu, (SAN) among others.

"The visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, (GCFR) is

to intimate him on the activities of the committee and to seek his input and suggestions towards achieving our collective goal."

The committee also yesterday visited a former Senate President, Senator David Mark.

"Today, I led a delegation from the @OfficialPDPNig 2019 General Election Review Committee on an advocacy visit to meet with former Senate President, David Mark (GCON)," Mohammed also tweeted.

The committee had on Saturday met with Babangida.

Mohammed told reporters at the Minna airport that the meeting’s purpose was to strategise on how to move

the party forward.

He said the committee was set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to see how the PDP could maximise the gains it has made in recent elections, including in Bayelsa and Edo States.

The visitors, who were led by the former governor of Niger State, Aliyu, arrived Minna airport in a chartered aircraft with registration number N604WL at exactly 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.

The meeting with Babangida lasted for over three and a half hours.

Aliyu said: “We came on a National Working Committee

assignment to look at the problems and challenges of PDP generally and how we can maximise our fortunes; how we can move forward, coming out of the rubbles of loss in 2019 with dignity and humility, to be able to carry ourselves and provide the necessary leadership for this country to move forward. “PDP is the darling of the country because we have learnt our mistakes in the past and we have admitted that, and you can see what happened in Edo. And by the grace of God, we will in Ondo, not by imposition, arrogance, exclusion, and what have you, but by best practice.

“And that is why the National Working Committee, under the chairmanship of Uche Secondus, set up this committee to review the causes of our loss in 2019 and to see how we can maximise our fortunes and our gains that we are making so far within the Nigerian political landscape.�

The PDP had in a statement

by Mohammed and the Deputy National Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Agbo, who is serving as the secretary of the review committee, said that the reopening of the review was in line with the resolutions of the National Executive Committee of the party.

Nigerians.

According to the communique, "To address (1) above, NNPC is to expedite the rehabilitation of the nations four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and to achieve 50% completion for Port Harcourt by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive Steering Committee.

"To ensure commitment and transparency to the processes and timelines of the rehabilitation exercise, the management of NNPC has offered to integrate the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) into the Steering Committee already established by the corporation.

"A Validation team comprising the representatives of the NNPC, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), NUPENG and PENGASSAN will be established to monitor the progress of the rehabilitation of the refineries and the pipelines/ strategic depots network and advice the Steering Committee periodically."

It said that post-rehabilitation, NNPC shall involve the PENGASSAN and NUPENG in the process of establishing the operational model of the nation’s refineries.

The federal government also said that it will facilitate the delivery of licensed modular and regular refineries, the involvement of upstream companies in the petroleum refining and establishing a framework for

financing in the downstream sector.

"NNPC is to expedite work on the Build Operate and Transfer framework for the nations pipelines and strategic depots network for efficient transportation and distribution of petroleum products to match the delivery timelines of the refineries as agreed,� it said, adding: “The federal government and its agencies are to ensure delivery of 1 million CNG/ LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable the delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel.

It said a governance structure that would include representatives of organized labour shall be established for a timely delivery.

With the general intervention, the federal government agreed to cushion the impacts of the downstream sector deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector.

It said that a specific amount is to be unveiled in two weeks time which will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund and be accessed by Nigerian workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture. The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting.

Also, the federal government said it will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.

It agreed to also make available to organized labour 133 CNG/

LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major cities across the country on a scale-up basis, thereafter, to all states and local governments before December 2021.

"10% of housing be allocated to Nigerian workers under the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance initiative through the NLC and TUC," it stated.

In his remarks, NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, expressed the belief that the resolutions will be implemented to the letter.

TUC President, Olaleye, said the strike has been suspended for two weeks for both sides to implement the resolutions.

He, however, said the strike was only being suspended, adding that labour reserved the right to go back to the strike without notice if any of the resolutions is not implemented.

Labour had pushed for a commitment by the government on a roadmap for revamping of the country's refineries.

On the issue of electricity tariff, both federal government and labour seem to have agreed on principle to reconsider the new tariff regime.

The federal government team was led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, Ngige, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammad; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Sylva; Keyamo, and Jedy-Agba.

While summing up proceedings at the meeting, Mustapha thanked organized labour for its understanding.

He assured it that the federal government will try to meet its own part of the bargain.

today. And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desire to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer opposition which will come in torrents. It can only be diffused by consistent focus and prayers."

He, however, expressed optimism that the 60th independence anniversary could

herald a rebirth of the Nigerian nation, saying no group is more prepared for this task than its religious bodies.

He charged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to provide quality leadership to its faithful and properly guide them in making Nigeria a great country that it has been destined to be.

and also the negative impact of the pandemic on household income. We also note that the CBN did not address the issue of the exchange rate, and forex illiquidity, which in our view, are major hindrances to any meaningful economic recovery,� they said.

The shift of investors to the equities market for higher returns is understandable when the gains posted by some stocks last week are compared with yields in fixed income that are below three per cent.

For instance, Nigerian

Breweries Plc appreciated 25.1 per cent, while Cornerstone Insurance Plc chalked up 16.3 per cent. Lafarge Africa Plc gained 15.7 per cent, just as Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc appreciated by 9.6 per cent. Trans-Nationwide Express Plc appreciated by 9.3 per cent just as International Breweries Plc and Prestige Assurance Plc added 9.1 per cent apiece. Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Presco Plc and LASACO Assurance Plc garnered 8.5 per cent, 8.1 per cent and 8.0 per cent in that order.

STRIKE AVERTED AS FG, LABOUR REACH COMPROMISE ON PALLIATIVE Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the federal government agreed on a twoweek thaw for the rejig of the implementation of the policy on deregulation.

Specifically, measures to alleviate the impact of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry was agreed upon, while the federal government committed to a two-week suspension of the implementation of the electricity sector’s cost-reflective tariffs, which came into effect on September 1.

Among the agreements reached after several hours of talks which ended in the wee hours of today were palliative measures to cushion effects of the deregulation of the downstream sector, the timeline for revamping of refineries, suspension of newly introduced reflective cost regime in the electricity tariff.

In a communiquĂŠ signed by federal government side and labour representatives, it was agreed that based on the agreement that the strike and protest earlier scheduled for today be suspended.

"Consequently, the NLC and TUC agreed to suspend the planned industrial action, "Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who read the communiquĂŠ said.

The communique said that after exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by Labour Centres, the federal government stated: "That it has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments and

deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

The palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support."

It said after negotiations on various issues raised by all parties, the following resolutions were reached and mutually adopted: On electricity tariff, the parties agreed to set up a technical committee comprising ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), NLC and TUC, which will work for a duration of two (2) weeks effective Monday 28th September 2020.

The committee is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields, which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC; and metering deployment, challenges as well as a timeline for massive roll out.

Members of the technical committee are Minister of State, Labour & Employment as chairman Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of State Power, Mr. Godwin Jedy-Agba; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof.

James Momoh; Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari as Secretary, Dr. Onoho Ebhohimhen (NLC); Mr. Joe Ajaero (NLC); Mr. Chris Okonkwo (TUC); and a representative of DISCOS. The terms of reference (ToR) include examining the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments; to look at the

different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff vis-Ă vis NERC order and mandate; examine and advise the government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters; and look into the NERC Act under review with a view to expanding its representation to include organized labour.

The technical sub-committee is to submit its report within two (2) weeks.

During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments.

The meeting also resolved that the following issues of concern to labour should be treated as stand-alone items: "40 per cent stake of government in the Discos and the stake of workers to be reflected in the composition of the Discos boards; an all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MOU to be undertaken before the end of 2020, with Labour represented. “That going forward, the moribund National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) be inaugurated before the end of 2020 to institutionalize the process of tripartite and socio dialogue on socio-economic and major labour matters to forestall any crisis.�

On the downstream sector deregulation, the communique said all parties agreed on the urgency for increasing the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the overdependence on the importation of petroleum products to ensure energy security, reduce the cost of finished products, increase employment and business opportunities for

LET’S MEND CRACKS ON OUR WALL, OSINBAJO URGES NIGERIANS country.

According to him, "The story should be a challenge to every Christian in Nigeria who is desirous of following the part of Christian way of life.

"It's only that kind of Nehemiah's love that will make us as Nigerians to rebuild the cracks we have in our walls (Nigeria) today. For us in Nigeria,

Nehemiah should be taken as a metaphor for that Nigerian who either reside in Nigeria or outside, to cry to God to use the abandoned opportunities in Nigeria to address our challenges of nation-building.

"Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken but there are obvious cracks that could lead to break if not properly addressed.

Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the Face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls. Because wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It signifies the essence of the state of the nation.

"There's urgent need for Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria,

STOCK MARKET GAINS N350BN ON INTEREST RATE CUT

This propelled a shift from fixed income securities to equities market due to lower yields in the former.

Market analysts said they anticipate a sustenance of the positive performance in stock market going forward. “We expect the market might continue to benefit as domestic investors seek alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market. However, we advise investors to trade in only fundamentally justified stocks

as the weak macro environment remains a significant headwind for listed companies,� analysts at Cordros Research said. “When the MPR cut was announced, Cordros Research had said the “fixed income market was likely to see a downward adjustment in yields as a consequence, making the equities market even more attractive and worth a second look,� they stated.

The analysts had said that combined with the recent decision to lower the savings deposit rate, the rate cut firmly

establishes the CBN’s dovish stance, with output growth as the priority, and all but pushes any focus on inflation to the sidelines. “Though lower rates are intended to compel banks to extend more credit to the real sector, we note that banks concerns will still lie around asset quality and systemic risk. Consequently, we do not expect any significant growth in domestic credit or aggregate demand, especially given the historical ineffectiveness of the MPR in stimulating output

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % NIGBREW 4.70 52.55 9.8 CORNERSTONE 0.06 0.71 9.2 ARDOVA 0.80 11.10 7.7 PRESCO 3.50 53.00 7.0 LAFARGE 0.95 53.00 6.7 TOP LOSERS NGN % NNFM 0.45 4.05 10 OANDO 0.22 2.03 9.7 UNIONDAC 0.02 0.25 7.4 ROYALEXCH 0.02 0.27 6.9 WAPIC 0.02 0.34 5.5 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,175.00 Volume: 335.749 million shares Value: N4.277 billion Deals: 4,231 As at Friday 25/9/2020 See details on Page 37

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NEWS

Laycon Wins Big Brother Naija Season 5, Clinches N85m Prize Peter Uzoho Olamilekan ‘Laycon’ Agbeleshe has emerged winner of the fifth edition of the Big Brother Naija

(BBNaija) reality TV show.

The 26-year-old was announced the winner on last night after polling the highest votes of the five remaining housemates.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 126 to 58,324 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 126 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 58,324 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Federal Capital Territory

This means he will go home with the show’s N85 million grand prize.

The breakdown of the grand prize for BBNaija season five includes: “a N30million cash prize; a two-bedroom apartment courtesy Revolution Plus; a top of the range SUV from Nigerian automaker, Innoson Motors; a trip to Dublin, courtesy of Guinness; home

appliances courtesy Scanfrost.”

Others are “a trip to Dubai packaged by Travelbeta; a year’s supply of Indomie noodles, Munch it and Colgate toothpaste; a year’s supply of Pepsi, a branded chiller and a trip to watch the UEFA Champions League finale; and a brand new Oppo mobile smartphone.”

Dorathy Bachor emerged the

second runner-up at the show.

Vee was the first housemate to be evicted from the ‘Lockdown’ house yesterday followed by Neo and then Nengi.

The last five housemates were Nengi, Dorathy, Vee, Neo, and Laycon.

The Cable reported that this year’s BBNaija has so far lived up to expectations when it comes

to controversies and the usual social media frenzy.

This is despite the early fears that greeted the airing of the reality TV show as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mercy Eke had won the 2019 edition — the first female to achieve the feat since the commencement of the reality TV show in 2006.

(FCT) recorded 30 new cases; Lagos, 24; Rivers, 23; Ogun, 13; Katsina and Plateau, nine each; Ondo, six; Kaduna and Kwara, four each; Imo, two; while Bauchi and Edo recorded one each.

It said: “So far, Nigeria has recorded 58,324 cases of COVID-19. 49,794 patients have been discharged, while 1,108 persons died.”

IG Condemns Killing of Policemen on Zulum’s Convoy Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has condemned the attack on the security convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum,

by Boko Haram.

He said the Nigerian Police and other security agencies remained undaunted by the attack, stating that the incident would strengthen the resolve of personnel to combat terrorism.

The attack by the terrorists killed 10 policemen, four soldiers and four civilians.

A statement issued by Force PRO and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, said the IG directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Medical Services, Olubunmi Ogunsanwo, to work with the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Bello Makwashi and the

Police Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) towards ensuring adequate provision of medical care for the officers injured during the attack.

While condoling the families and friends of those killed during the attack, the IG “reassured the country, particularly the people of Borno State that the morale of police officers and other security agencies involved in providing security, especially in the state has not and will not be dampened by the incident.

“Rather, the incident has further served as impetus in strengthening the resolve and commitment of the personnel of the force in the fight against insurgency and other crimes”.

The IG called for the continuous support and trust of the public in the Nigeria Police Force as it strived to make the country safer and more secure.

Osinbajo: We Hope to Reopen Land Borders Soon Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has said the federal government may reopen the land borders soon.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in October 2019 ordered the closure of the borders to check the menace of smuggling goods and arms and ammunition into the country and protect local businesses.

The closure was, however, greeted by mixed reactions from professional organisations, economists and individuals.

Heads of countries like Ghana and Benin Republic had also appealed to the President to reconsider the closure, but the President maintained that the borders would remain closed until the final report of the committee set up on the matter was considered. He added that neighbouring countries must also show commitment to curtailing smuggling from their ends.

Meanwhile, Osinbajo, responding to a question on the continued closure of the land borders especially at a time the African Continental Free Trade

Agreement (AfCFTA) is being prepped for take-off, said on Thursday that the government was working with neighbouring countries on the terms of reopening the border.

Osinbajo, who spoke during a webinar organised by The Africa Report, themed, ‘Bouncing back: Nigeria’s post-pandemic recovery plan’, stated, “We are working with our neighbours to see on what terms we would reopen those borders. At the moment, we are undertaking joint border patrols to control smuggling along the borders and we think it is working and I’m sure that soon enough we should have the borders opened.

“We are committed to the AfCFTA but we are concerned about threats to security and the economy and we had to take certain actions that would satisfy the immediate needs of our country. It (border closure) certainly wasn’t meant to be permanent and we are looking forward to reopening as quickly as possible.”

GLORIFYING GOD...

L-R: Wife of Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Mrs. Beauty Esiso; her husband, Mr. Kingsley Esiso; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro; member of National Assembly representing Delta South senatorial district, Senator James Manager; and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, during a victory thanksgiving service by the PDP chairman in Sapele, Delta State...yesterday

APC Most Likely to Zone Presidential Ticket to South-east in 2023, SaysVON DG Peter Uzoho The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will most likely zone the presidential position of the party to the South-east zone in 2023. Okechukwu disclosed this yesterday at the expanded caucus meeting of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Enugu, in preparation for the Isi-Uzo State Constituency by-election fixed for October 31.

He noted that the zoning of the presidential ticket would enshrine equity, justice and good conscience, which the party was known for.

The VON DG noted that a president of Igbo extraction would

bring his entrepreneurial spirit to transform the country’s economy.

Okechukwu, however, commended the state’s party chairman for his efforts in uniting the party and bringing back aggrieved members like the pioneer chairman, Chief Adolphus Ude and pioneer women leader, Mrs. Queen Nwankwo, amongst others.

He said that APC had only one executive committee in the state led by Dr. Ben Nwoye and enjoined members to work to consolidate the new found peace and unity.

“At home I want you to embrace the agricultural project of the federal government as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s

agro-revolution.

“The federal government will provide the necessary incentives like seedlings, fertiliser, tractors as well as agro-processing centres,’’ he said.

Addressing the meeting, Nwoye said that for the first time the party was poised to produce the state constituency member from Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.

He called on all party faithful and stakeholders to use the upcoming by-election to demonstrate their support for the party.

“People hoping to grab political position in 2023 are dreamers. We have to first take over Isi-Uzo LGA as a demonstration of our readiness to take over Enugu State

in 2023. So, every hand must be on deck to achieve this. “There is a difference between political associations and political party.

Political associations are noise makers, but political party are those who participate and support candidates in elections,’’ he said.

The immediate former National Vice Chairman of APC South East, Chief Emma Eneukwu, expressed happiness for the peace initiatives of Nwoye, which he said saw to the reconciliation of aggrieved party members.

Eneukwu also urged for unity of purpose to make the party win the upcoming state constituency bye-election and other elections in 2023.

SERAP Gives FG 14 Days for Trial of 103 Corruption Cases Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) to take steps to expeditiously, diligently, effectively and fairly prosecute over 103 high-profile corruption cases.

The organisation said Malami should also be made to publish details of the whereabouts of allegedly missing case files, as well as the status of prosecution of all the cases being handled

by his office.

It said if does not hear from government about the steps being taken in this direction within the next 14 days “the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to pursue prosecution of these longstanding high-profile corruption cases to their logical conclusion, and to regularly report to Nigerians on the progress of prosecution.”

The request was contained in an open letter dated September 26, 2020, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Mr.

Kolawole Oluwadare and sent to President Buhari.

The organisation said: “The high-profile corruption cases include 103 cases reportedly sent by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2017, and the 15 allegedly missing case files sent by the now defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, [SPIP] in 2019 to Malami.”

The organisation argued that: “The authorities’ failure to diligently and expeditiously prosecute high profile corruption cases amounts

to a fundamental breach of constitutional and international obligations. Continuing failure to prosecute these cases may create the perception of a deliberate effort to protect those considered to be very influential and powerful.

“The fact that these cases have been pending for several years suggests that your government has not carried out its public, constitutional and international obligations, including the obligations to show that no one is above the law as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.

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COMMENT

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

BUILDING A MORE COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY As Nigeria marks its 60th birthday, Noah Dallaji urges closer relations between government and civic organisations

T

his is a momentous time in our nationhood as Nigeria marks 60th year anniversary. This is a milestone. In spite of all the odds, the country has remained a united entity. Nigeria is a beautiful country with great potential for greatness. It could have been worse but God in His infinite mercy has made it possible for us to witness this event as a united nation.

The inherent challenges that have militated against our potential as a nation are surmountable.

For now while the adulations and conviviality of our celebrations are justified, one is inclined to advocate the utmost need for a more compassionate society as we move into the next phase of our evolution as a country. Of course, this tendency has gotten much attention from the government over time, spanning different administrations. The issue now transcends that of government at any level but dovetailing to the fabric of our society, to let each and every one of us come to terms that we need to do more by being our brother’s keeper. We need to pay more attention to the role of the variegated non-governmental and non-profit organizations scattered all over the country to see how, through improved partnerships, they can better perform than we have seen over time in solving myriad of socioeconomic problems around the country. Adjunct to this is the critical factor of funding as a prerequisite to performance. Here, we have seen how effective and impactful the various works by leading NGOs like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, CARE International, Medicines Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders), Save the Children, etc. And back home, we can also relate with the outstanding efforts of Dangote Foundation and Tony Elumelu Foundation in adding some great value to humanity and I duly recognize all they’re doing.

But not all NGOs have such level of funding to work with even with the vigour, ideals and values of earnest attention to the common good and especially in our kind of environment where there is high incidence of poverty. As I pointed out earlier, government cannot do it all and hence the need for greater level of partnerships with governments and the private sector as well as public spirited organizations to tackle the challenge of making our society a better place for all.

According to a GlobeScan poll of experts on public policy sustainability, the point was validated thus in terms of the leading role in achieving sustainability will be played by business (35%), followed by NGOs (30 %) and government (24%). This is at the nexus of the thinking here for a greater role for the NGOs in fixing sustainability relative to government in particular. No doubt, the traditional role of the NGOs will continue to subsist; basically in global social development reckoning which it helps to facilitate in human development as measured by the UN Human Development Index. Here we are concerned about such effects on the importance of promoting sustainable community

WE ARE ENJOINED AND INSPIRED TO ‘SEEK OUT WHAT EACH OF US, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, AVAILABLE TIME, AGE AND SKILLS, CAN DO TO HELP, TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS’

development, accomplished through service delivery, welfare, education and public policy advocacy.

At the African Children Talent Development Foundation (ACTDF), these values are at the core of our operations in the last 20 years where we have functioned as a formidable platform for discovery and nurture of talented young Nigerians to stardom in areas such as music and entertainment, sports and the movie industry, where majority of the leading lights, popularly referred to as Nollywood, have been ACTDF ambassadors.

At various times, we have also intervened as exigent measures in strategic cases of education and health related dysfunction, individually or institutionally, and we are well focused to do more depending on available resources. Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic was an eye opener to ACTDF team on the frontline during the peak of the crisis as we went round the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and environs to distribute palliatives (mainly food items) to the people who were under lockdown and in desperate need. We saw in greater dimension the extent of vulnerabilities the people, particularly the poor in society, face in times of national crisis. Therefore, we must all be concerned about this situation which we must note will continue to recur as a factor of nature and other causes.

So beyond such pandemic, natural disaster is a possibility at intervals like the recent massive flooding in Sudan which the UN recognized as humanitarian crisis and the sad occurrences in northern Nigeria where many lives were also lost to flooding.

Issuing from the above is the critical need to localize utilities and platforms to cater for the people at the grassroots, a function which non-profit organizations are adept at and could be more effectively carried when the need arises especially in times of crisis. We then return to our earlier thesis that though everybody looks up to government as savior, the real deal is with the non-governmental entities and others in the private sector whose activities reflect a commitment to serve humanity without reservations. We at ACTDF are keen to see more robust partnerships in response to challenges faced by government, especially in articulating policy decisions. We believe it is high time government found ways and means of integrating and involving deserving NGOs more in decision making and implementation. This philosophy has been adopted by the UN and other multilateral institutions. As former US President Bill Clinton posited in his remarkable work,’ Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World’, we are enjoined and inspired to “seek out what each of us, regardless of income, available time, age and skills, can do to help, to give people a chance to live out their dreams�.

Dallaji, founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation, wrote from Abuja

COVID-19 AND THE NIGERIAN INFORMAL ECONOMY Toyin Adeniji canvasses the need to equip the informal sector with the necessary tools to foster growth

N

geria’s informal economy has grown considerably over the last decade. These are the individuals and microenterprises whose economic well-being is birthed and buoyed on the fringes of the formal economy; business activities that remain unregulated, and oftentimes, completely unknown. Initially, much of the rhetoric centered on the need to ‘manage’ this ever-expanding behemoth that the informal sector was becoming. This narrative has since evolved into one that seeks to formalize these businesses, by catering to their needs and providing them with much-needed support.

This is what we have focused on through our Bank of industry capacity building initiatives, and our microcredit schemes, which are designed to provide no-interest micro-loans to microenterprises to support their growth. As a result of these initiatives, we have been able to gain a better understanding of what these micro- and small businesses in the informal sector truly need: firstly, access; secondly, skills; and thirdly, tailored service delivery and channels of access. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic however, the challenges we had previously begun to understand have been magnified considerably.

The sector is vast and encompasses a host of activities, ranging from agriculture and food production to mining, trade, transportation, accommodation, and even recreation services, amongst many others. Various reports over the past few years have surmised that the sector, which accounts for over half of global employment[1], could be worth approximately N40 trillion in Nigeria. In Lagos state alone, the informal economy employs about 5.5 million people - about three-quarters of the state’s 7.5 million labour force. A study released in 2016 revealed that the informal sector made 41%[2] of contributions to Nigeria’s national GDP; a few years later, in 2018, this portion had risen to 65%. If one were to proffer an estimation, it could very well be posed that with steadily increasing growth and activity, the informal sector’s contributions to our 2019/20 GDP would potentially surpass 70-80%.[3] However, this year is unlike any we could

have imagined - and for those whose welfare are reliant on the daily income of the informal sector, and who cannot “work from home�, the reality is bleak. Despite the delayed onset of the virus in the Nigerian environment, compared to the West, the impact of government measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, though necessary, have affected almost all micro businesses.

Take Salewa, for example. She runs a small market stall at Mushin, selling cosmetic products; for years, this has been a reliable source of sustenance for Salewa and her growing family. With the income from her shop, Salewa contributes to funding the education of her two sons and cares for her ageing mother. As the population of Lagos has steadily increased, so has demand for her products, and ultimately, her revenue.

Identifying the benefits that business expansion could create, she acquired a small loan early this year, and invested in a second stall at another market; it wasn’t long before she began to see returns on her investment. That was in February. Today, however, despite the end of government imposed lockdown and restricted movement measures across the country, demand for her products has declined and restocking any previously sold stock is proving difficult and more expensive.

In less than two months, Salewa’s household has become a single-income household. Her husband, who runs a private taxi service, has gone from approximately 20 customers a day, to about three to four customers a week. Still, despite this harsh reality, Salewa and her family are in a better position than the millions of individual construction workers, tradesmen and women, restaurant service workers, street vendors, market salespeople, and the millions of low-income Nigerians whose livelihoods have disappeared.

The latest Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers report revealed that the pandemic has increased extreme poverty in Nigeria and seven other countries by 7% as 37 million people were pushed below the extreme poverty line of $1.90 a day. Since the informal sector remains incapacitated, we can expect more people to regress into abject poverty in the coming months, undoing much

of the progress that may have been made in recent years.

The challenges are multi-tiered, and the current outlook looks bleak, but the road ahead will be determined by the responses of various stakeholder groups today. There is no doubt that for these microenterprises and entrepreneurs in the informal sector, the rebuilding process will outlast the existence of the virus. So, where do we begin?

It goes back to my earlier statements regarding the needs of the informal sector: one, access; two skills; and three, tailored service delivery and channels of access. The government has rolled out important relief measures, which includes the provision of financial palliatives to over 11 million Nigerians listed on the National Social Register and a N75 billion palliative for 1.7 million MSMEs; but, considering that the estimated need potentially cuts across nearly 100 million people, there are still significant lengths left to be taken.

In South Africa, the government has launched a Debt Relief Fund to help small businesses; this is not dissimilar to the $136 million credit relief fund set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is also designed to support small businesses affected by the pandemic. However, the difference is, where the approach in South Africa has adopted the input of both public and private sector stakeholders, Nigeria’s has not. Also in South Africa, the country’s National Empowerment Fund is providing support to entrepreneurs to manufacture products to support in the fight against COVID e.g. PPE, thus creating new business models that can thrive in the current climate, and furthermore, driving enhanced innovation and increased private sector participation alongside government efforts[4].

What the border closures have resulted in is an increased need to look within our shores for the goods and services we require - from an individual and a business perspective; there are increased opportunities to create business linkages between the formal and informal sector.[5] Tailored support and service delivery looks different now. Taking into consideration the current state of these businesses, many financial service providers have adopted

moratoriums and reduced/no interest rates for small businesses. The same approach has been adopted on the Tradermoni and Marketmoni initiatives of the federal government, being executed by the Bank of Industry. Furthermore, the bank is overseeing the FG special intervention fund which aims to provide subsidised loans with a 9% inclusive interest rate to MSMEs. But even beyond this the Bank of Industry is driving a series of other microcredit and intervention programmes, such as the North-East Fund as well as special funds targeted at states.

The fact is, due to the size and fragility of our informal sector there was no resilience to act as a buffer against the economic shocks that occurred following the lockdown period.

So our efforts must shift quickly and concertedly towards encouraging and enabling the safe operation of our informal sector through this pandemic - as we await the discovery of a cure and vaccine. It is imperative for actors in our informal sector to understand the measures required to protect themselves and their customer bases, and have increased access to these measures and tools - i.e. access to PPE, sanitary infrastructure for hand washing and sanitizing, and access to health kits for frequent health checks.

Beyond this, there is also the need to adopt new skills to enhance the ease of operations.

One significant revelation of this pandemic is the strength and importance of leveraging digital tools across the entire value chain: from financial transactions and services to customer service and beyond. Capacity building will need to include efforts at upskilling micro- and small businesses in the ins and outs of digital transformation, to enable them to engage directly with their clients and customers, and limit physical interactions as much as is realistically possible.

Tomorrow’s business world looks radically different from today’s. However, one thing is certain: our micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses can become a harnessed economic force if we make the concerted efforts to empower them.

Adeniji is Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, Bank of Industry

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EDITORIAL

THE WASTEFUL REPAIRS OF REFINERIES The authorities should stop the cyclical waste called turnaround maintenance of refineries

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n one of those usual frank admissions of failure for which this administration is familiar, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said last week that “if the refinery is left in the hands of the government, it will continue to experience the same problem it is experiencing now.� He said it is not the business of government to run the refineries. Against the background of the current negotiation with organised labour over the recent hike in fuel prices, the federal government must summon the courage for a full deregulation of the sector which should include putting an end to the regime of wasteful turn around maintenance (TAM) of the moribund refineries.

After reportedly spending about N276 billion to repair and maintain the refineries between 2015 and 2018, and without any appreciable results, talks about another N600 billion planned FOR AS LONG AS OUR expenditure on repairs to REFINERIES REMAIN get them back WITHIN GOVERNMENT’S up on stream ABSOLUTE CONTROL, should not be NIGERIA WILL CONTINUE TO accommodated.

The refineries LOSE VALUE FROM THEIR have not worked EXISTENCE for a long time now and have remained insolvent from lack of production. From experts’ point of view, the problem with them isn’t that they are old or outdated; or that they cannot be fixed. Their problem is simply about poor governance processes linked to the government’s firm control over them.

Nigeria built its first refinery in 1965 at Alesa Eleme in Port Harcourt. When it did, the plant’s initial production capacity was 38,000 barrels a day (bd) which was enough for the domestic economy’s consumption then. This was later expanded to 60,000bd as demand surged.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which ran the refinery subse-

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quently built another in Warri in 1979 with a 100,000bd production capacity; it did this because demand for refined petroleum products continued to grow and it had to import to augment. The Kaduna refinery and a second in Eleme, were again built and added to the NNPC’s refinery outfits within the 1980s, collectively raising Nigeria’s oil refining capacity to 445,000bd. They also adequately met her domestic demands for refined products at the time, and even portions exported. But from the 1990s, their outputs began to decline while the country’s population grew. At some point, the four refineries were unable to meet domestic demands for refined petroleum products and the NNPC fell back on importation.

For as long as our refineries remain within government’s absolute control, as the vice president has admitted, Nigeria will continue to lose value from their existence, scarce financial resources will be wasted on their repairs, salaries will be paid to hundreds of workers for doing nothing, and the country’s downstream petroleum sector will remain untapped to move millions out of poverty. The many years of idleness, financial insolvency and burden on the country are enough reasons to consider them for alternative use. It’s either they are sold to private operators through a privatisation exercise or put into a transparent joint venture ownership and operatorship arrangement with trusted private investors.

The reality is that Nigeria is fiscally broke and should spend scarce money wisely. The times we live in demand of governments across the world to be economically thoughtful and we have seen a lot of Nigeria’s fellow oil producing nations consider and take proactive economic decisions and choices. We cannot continue to rely on imported petrol to survive – it is bad for our energy security. And we cannot equally spend scarce resources on phony refineries’ repairs. We need a clear and sensible solution to the country’s refineries’ dilemma. And such sound solutions are not impossible to initiate.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c 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.

NIGERIAN GRADUATES AND THE CHALLENGES OF UNEMPLOYMENT

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ducation remains the most important tool for behavioural reform and economic emancipation. It is not only a leveler in the society, it is the only legacy any parent or country can bequeath their children and citizens. The importance of education can never be overstretched. It covers everything. In fact, it is everything.

Both the rich and the poor pursue knowledge. The world would have been nothing without knowledge. Human beings would have been nothing without education.

Unfortunately, education is being bastardised in many African countries particular in Nigeria where I have a direct experience. It is important to state that going to school is not limited to securing jobs (either white, grey, green or blue collar) after graduation. It is unforgivable to reduce years of rigorous educational development to securing job somewhere.

Of a truth, the type of society we are have made us to believe that automatic employment from government or private sector should follow graduation. This is a half-truth. In short, it is a quarter truth today. This was marketable when there was a dire need of white-collar staff at the early years of independence and when the population of graduates was growing at

arithmetic progression. In today’s world, it is a complete waste of academic years to limit graduation from universities and other tertiary institutions to securing paid jobs.

The mentality of running after good grades in school for the purpose of securing jobs after graduation is unfortunate.

Pursuing knowledge is the ultimate. With a good knowledge of your field of study and a layman knowledge of fields outside your field of study, the sky will be the beginning of one’s greatness. With these, one will create, innovate and solve societal problems through one’s space of influence. In return, one will smile to the bank.

The first and major thing education should do in a person is behavioural reform. Everyone should be able to see and say that one is educated through one’s behaviour. One’s actions, decisions making process and choices should reflect behavioural reform.

Secondly, as an educated fellow, securing a government or private job is a plus. If this does not come or has not come, it does not mean that your education is a waste. Rather, look deep into your wealth of knowledge and figure out what you can do. Humanity needs your ingenuity. Skills and skill acquisition are and have always been key.

Any skill or trade one has, your education

should boost your chance of success in it.

Everything in today’s world is packaging. Also, your personality comes into play. There is no skill that is not fruitful.

Shoemaking, hairstyling, tailoring, farming, catering, food and beverages among others are examples of viable skills.

Packaging water in nylon (ice water) used to be the order of the day. Later on, sachet and table water took over. All is packaging.

What we are taking still remains water packaged in different forms. This is a huge source of income which is a product of innovation that is made possible by education. Other examples of these are numerous out there.

Shoemaking for instance is a cool business. Everyone wears shoes. Someone, somewhere makes shoes for presidents, governors, lawmakers, ministers, commissioners and other well to do people. Dear brothers and sisters, these persons are shoemakers just like the common ones in your neighborhood. The difference is just that they package their businesses which is the edge education will give you over others who are in the same line of business with you.

Tailoring and fashion design is another skill. Just like shoemaking, everyone wears clothes. Both readymade clothes and others

are made by tailors. The rich and the poor wear clothes. The person that sews these clothes is a tailor. Whether he/she sews for the president or the lawmakers, he/she remains a tailor. How you package your business will determine the type of people you attract to it. This is the edge education will give you over others. Because with your knowledge, you will be able to think and proffer solutions to what others see to be difficult.

This cuts across every skill and trade one put forward to do. Even when one is in a paid job, it does not guarantee success. In today’s world, one cannot succeed with just one source of income. Everyone must learn at least, a skill or set up a trade. This will grow and yield better. This, one can leave behind for their children. Every paid job has a retirement date while one’s established skill or trade continues after one’s exit.

Thus, it is important we change our mindset about securing job. If government or paid job comes, good, if it does not or has not come, nothing spoil. Endeavour to learn at least a skill or trade. It is never late to learn. One can learn after graduation irrespective of the years after graduation.

Qudus Adewale Lawal, alaniadewale@yahoo.com

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MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E Inching Its Way Back to Power at the Centre Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Chuks Okocha write that the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party in the recent Edo State governorship election confers on the party an advantage of exercising control over an entire geopolitical-the South-south, which further strengthens its chances of regaining power at the centre in the 2023 national elections

Buhari

Obaseki

Secondus

Ize-Iyamu

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hole, the immediate past Governor of Edo State fell cheap for it and forgot that in Nigeria, popularity, attraction and more importantly influence usually comes to an end or is drastically reduced once you are out of office.

The best Oshiomhole could have done was to lead the campaign only in his Edo North senatorial zone and stop at that.

Another factor that played itself out at the just concluded gubernatorial contest was the plot ahead of the 2023 national elections that has brought about a serious division within the APC. Various interest played out. Both the Kayode Fayemi and the Nasiru El-rufai, Chibuike Amaechi and Bola Tinubu factors were all out to entrench themselves. The inter-play of these power blocs contributed to fall of the APC at the September 19 Edo State governorship poll.

Unfortunately, some APC governors miscalculated in their understanding of the situation. It was clear that the APC was a house divided against itself unlike the PDP that was united and focused. The APC Campaign Council dismantled itself as one of the members-Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi joined the El-Rufai, Fayemi and Amaechi’s group in mobilising against Oshiomhole and Tinubu.

While the Campaign Council of the PDP was in full force, that of the APC was reduced to only Governor Ganduje of Kano State and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State as the

other members tactically withdrew.

Another misadventure in the election was committed by the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu. His unnecessary and totally unwarranted broadcast succeeded in not only reversing some of tbe gains of the campaigns recorded by Ize-Iyamu but made nonsense of it. The PDP quickly cashed in and harped on it, gaining unquantifiable traction for the “Edo No Be Lagos” phrase.

At the end of the day, the much feared Federal Might was not brought to bear in the election. President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for ensuring the neutrality of all security agents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) picked back pieces of its shreded reputation and put it together convincingly by introducing systems that were novel particularly in the collation and transmission of results.

of an entire zone in the country.

No other political party can boast of such a feat. In the remaining five geopolitical zones, the PDP and APC have a presence that cannot be ignored in key states. In the South-west, for instance, the PDP is in control of executive power in Oyo State with Governor Seyi Makinde at the helm. The visibility of the PDP in Ondo State, where the party won majority of votes cast in the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections can’t be ignored.

In the South-east, the party governs in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu, leaving Imo and Anambra for the APC and APGA respectively. The loss of the APC in Zamfara State is what the leadership of the party is still sulking about.

Then Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State switched political party loyalty to the PDP, giving the state to the major opposition party. The PDP has established a strong foothold in Adamawa and Bauchi states in the North-east. Benue State also enthroned a PDP leadership in the 2019 general election. With the new leadership in Edo State, the South-south has gone back to the PDP as a bloc, like it stood when the current democratic dispensation began in 1999. One of the political implications is that apart from the expected bulk votes that they are known for, the South-south states with their huge revenue from oil will speak with one voice.

Even Obaseki acknowledged that his re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would pave the way for regional cooperation and development with all the governors in the South-south belonging to one political party.

uch of the ammunition with which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deployed to end the reign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State in the just concluded governorship election in the state was unfortunately supplied by the latter. Interestingly, Edo has provided the much needed shot in the arm that the PDP needed to return into strong reckoning in national politics, by registering an unequivocal intention to return the party’s flag back to the Presidential Villa in Abuja and to establish again its much advertised reputation as the biggest political party in Africa.

From the self-destructive fight for the control of Edo State between factions loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, the hate lines became too deep and the differences irreconcilable. This eventually led to APC denying Governor Obaseki the first right of refusal of its governorship ticket in Edo, forcing him to seek the fulfilment of his second term dream in the PDP. The overriding thought in many quarters is that Oshiomhole tried to dictate how the state should be run and this was resisted by Obaseki.

This perception was a key factor that determined the governor ’s reelection.. The Bini people of Edo State felt insulted and decided that a minority could not dictate to the majority who should govern the state. Had IzeIyamu, also a Bini taken charge of his campaign and not allowed Oshiomhole to be in charge, the outcome would probably have turned out differently.

Incidentally, Oshiomhole had mounted a vicious campaign of calumny against Ize-Iyamu in the 2016 Edo governorship race when he held the PDP ticket. Many of those resentful statements were simply dug up by the PDP and though Oshiomhole cried and knelt down and even tried a judicial process to recant the damaging words, it was too late, asthe PDP amplified the notion that Oshiomhole was unstable and could not be trusted.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) understood the temperament of Oshiomhloe and the Bini hegemony by making the people believe that it was a contest between Obaseki and Oshiomhole. Unfortunately, Oshiom-

Positive Signs No doubt, the just concluded Edo state governorship election won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) points to positive signals for the main opposition party in the journey to the 2023 general election. The victory of the PDP in the Edo governorship election indicates that the South-south geopolitical zone will once again cast a bloc vote for the PDP in the 2023 general election. PDP, as it is, remains the only political party that is in control

The just concluded Edo state governorship election won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) points to positive signals for the main opposition party in the journey to the 2023 general election. The victory of the PDP in the Edo governorship election indicates that the South-south geopolitical zone will once again cast a bloc vote for the PDP in the 2023 general election. PDP, as it is, remains the only political party that is in control of an entire zone in the country

Status of PDP in the South...

The former governor of Imo state, Roachas Okorocha has given an incontrovertible verdict of the APC in the South-east zone. He explained the predicament of the APC in Imo state declaring: “it means we don’t have APC in the South-south, that is a bad sign. In the South-east, literally we can say we don’t have APC; we just managed through the ‘Ben Johnson’ way to get one state and that does not make our image good.”

Literally speaking, the Southeast zone, belongs to the PDP. The party is in control of three out of the five states in the zone. The PDP is in control of Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

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MONDAY DISCOURSE

Ganduje

Yakubu

Tinubu

Oshiomhole

Anambra state is controlled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

A governorship election is billed to take place in the state by 2021 and anything could happen. It was formerly a PDP stated not until Peter Obi swept Dr. Chris Ngige and Senator Andy Ubah out of Government House in Awka.

So, by and large, PDP can be said to be in control of two out of the three zones in the south. The party swept off the APC in Oyo State and Engr.

Seyi Makinde is holding sway now in the state. Ondo state is billed for a governorship election on October 10, this year and again, there is the likelihood that the Edo state scenario might happen.

The problem with the APC controlled state government in the state is apparently due to allegations of non-performance by the incumbent governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The governor is being accused of personalising governance in the state among family members. Free education for which the state was known has been abolished and students now pay exorbitant fees. In the last general election, the PDP has two senators and won the state for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. So, if the zeal which was used to prosecute the Edo governorship election is maintained, PDP could win Ondo state

APC would have collapsed, if not for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with journalists in his Abuja home, Okorocha stated that it was the respect some APC stalwarts have for Buhari, that is keeping the ruling party together.

According to him, unless the party goes back to the four pillars that formed the APC, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP), APC will continue to struggle.

He said, “There is no more APC. What we have is respect for President Muhammadu Buhari, that is what is keeping us together. What we have is our respect for the person of President Buhari and we still believe that something can be done.

“That trust and respect are what we still call APC. Outside that respect for President Buhari and the trust and belief that he could wake up one day and correct all these injustices and make it fine, nothing is happening.

“If not that, I don’t think there is anything like APC, because people are beginning to get fed up. Again, PDP is not even better, the party has its own challenges,” Okorocha said.

This is the true situation of the position of the APC. This is coupled with the performance of the President Mohammadu Buhari. His performance in office has demarketed APC. What is expected therefore is for the PDP to use the euphoria of the Edo state gubernatorial election to move into the next stage

Secondus is gradually and steadily working its talk of due process in all affairs of the party. Secondus will quickly tell any one that cares to listen that the PDP should be judged by the presidential convention of the party in Port Harcourt in 2018.

Many expected the party to explode at the Port Harcourt convention because of the class of presidential aspirants in the persons of former vicepresident Atiku Abubakar , former senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambawul, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, Sule Lamido among others, but with a transparent presidential election, it came out unhurt.

As the PDP consolidates towards 2023, the basic lessons to be learnt from the Edo state governorship election is to stick to due process coupled with a transparent primary election, as this is the cesspool of all crises. Governor Obaseki was swept out with the APC’s broom, but he found shelter under the PDP umbrella. His being schemed out of the APC has today become the albatross of the ruling party.

Another issue that the reelection of Governor Obaseki has thrown up is performance. The PDP as a political party should ensure that all its elected officials that have executive powers should execute viable projects that they can lay claims to during election.

Obaseki campaigned throughout the electioneering campaigns with his record of achievements that are verifiable despite what his opponents claimed.

The NWC of the PDP should take advantage of the crisis within the APC and showcase the party as a unified party. For instance, the Secondus team should make haste to reconcile members whereever there are crisis.

For a start, the party should move in quickly and reconcile all those that contested against Eyitayo Jegede for the governorship ticket in Ondo State, just as it was able to do successfullyin Edo. For in any contest, winners and losers will emerge A budding crisis that is capable of tearing the PDP in the South-west is between Governor Mkainde and the former governor of Ekiti state,

Ayo Fayose is brewing. This should be quickly nipped in the bud before it is own out of proportion. It is all about who leads the PDP in the South-west.

Many perceive the Makinde versus Fayose face off as a clash of egos.

Truth be told, Fayose must submit to Makinde as he is a serving governor.

Apart from the South-west, the PDP should once and for all endeavour to reconcile the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. It is indeed long over due. The fight between Ndudi Elumelu and the party should be addressed, so as to enable the party play its role as a minority in the House.

An agreement has been reached to make Kingsley Chanda leader of PDP House caucus, while Elumelu is the minority leader of the House. The NWC should speak publicly on this.

Delay is not good.

The PDP should also look into the problem gradually gaining attention between the Cross River state and the PDP members at the National Assembly. The noise coming from the state is becoming too loud for comfort.

One of the things that the election of Obaseki has thrown up is the need for an improved synergy among governors, party leaders and the NWC. Though, the chairman of the PDP Governors forum, Aminu Waziri Tambawul is doing much, he needs to bring in some of the governors that have remained docile in the affairs of the party. More PDP governors should fund the party.

Way to go for PDP Under the circumstances, the best way that the PDP candidate harvest fully to its advantage is to ensure that there is a level playing ground to all members.

It should therefore abandon any culture that could lead to imposition and manipulations in primaries . If the party would continue in the part already identified, the 2023 general elections could see it moving in once again to the Presidential Villa, Abuja PDP should not allow one person or a group to dominate the affairs of the party as Oshiomhole exhibited during the Edo gubernatorial election.

It should endeavour at all times to remain the peoples party as the name suggests.

The lesson to be learnt for the PDP is that God will always help those that help themselves. The party has to be courageous and take its destiny in its hands. Be fair to all the people. Don’t allow any to play God or attempt to hijack the party. The unity exhibited by the PDP governors during Edo state governorship election should be encouraged . A lily-livered party would have chickened out. Obaseki offered himself as the torch bearer of democracy.

The Edo Governor showed that he is a democrat and on the side of the people. If you are on the side of the people and the people are on your side, then victory is assured. The people saw Obaseki as a bastion of hope, as a torch bearer of democratic light and he seized the opportunity ran with it. The final outcome in the Obaseki versus Oshiomhole saga has indeed shown power belongs to God and to the people.

Status of PDP in the North From the northern flank of the party, unlike what happened during the 2015 general elections that made it to lose, Adamawa and Bauchi state in the North-east, the confidence engendered by the Prince Uche Secondus leadership of the PDP at the national level by winning the two states back is commendable. Now, the party is on equal strength with the APC in the zone. Both parties have three states each.. Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba, while the APC has Borno, Yobe and Gombe. This means a lot if the momentum can be sustained.

The PDP has also a strong stake in the North-west zone. The party controls Sokoto and Zamfara states.

With what happened in Kano state during the 2019 general elections, it could be said that with a little push, the impact of the Kwankwansiya, the political aggregation of Senator Kwankwaso could turn the table in favour of the PDP. It is only in the North Central zone that the PDP is not well represented.

It has only Benue state. The zone is typically PDP. The party once held sway in Nasarawa, Kwara, Plateau and Niger states before the Buhari-Change Tsunami of 2015 swept it away from the zone. The party lost these states because of the Buhari bandwagon influence. And now that the APC has recorded, what many Nigerians consider a disappointing performance, while wallowing in perpetual crisis, again, Buhari will not contest again, the PDP could use the euphoria of Edo state governorship victory to shore up its fortunes.

Okorocha’s Verdict on APC Senator Rochas Okorocha has said it all. He claimed, rightly so that the

Lessons for PDP Implications for all these for the PDP is that it must adhere strictly to due process and avoid the impunity of the past, especially in its primary election.

Primary elections are usually seen as a veritable source of crisis in any party due to lack of internal democracy. But the PDP seems to have turned a new leaf from its chronic past history of impunity.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP led by Prince Uche

Implications for all these for the PDP is that it must adhere strictly to due process and avoid the impunity of the past, especially in its primary election. Primary elections are usually seen as a veritable source of crisis in any party due to lack of internal democracy.

But the PDP seems to have turned a new leaf from its chronic past history of impunity.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP led by Prince Uche Secondus is gradually and steadily working its talk of due process in all affairs of the party

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

IN THE FIRST PERSON

In Gombe, Yahaya Rises to the Challenge Ismaila Uba Misilli, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State ties the justification for celebration of 24 years of creating the state to the current administration’s lofty goals of providing critical infrastructure and development initiatives

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overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State arrived Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday from Benin City in Edo State, where he had just delivered on his assignment as head of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for the 2020 Edo State governorship election.

The mood nationwide is genial as Nigerians celebrate 60 years of nationhood.

To analysts and commentators alike, the situation is not different except the expected divergence of opinion on our level of success, depending on perceptions and may be convictions. While some would claim there is not much to celebrate, others are wont to believe that in spite of all the challenges facing the country right now, there is so much to celebrate particularly the fact that we are still together as an entity and hopeful that the lofty height of greatness we covet is still within our reach to accomplish. Perhaps, affirming this confidence, the Federal Government has actually sequenced the 60th anniversary as a year-long event, underscoring the importance attached to it.

For us in Gombe State, it’s a double celebration: we are marking our 60th independence as a nation and the 24th year anniversary of the creation of our drear state.

It has been a long journey now, relatively, from the inception when the state was administered by the military running into the civilian administration and the new vistas being heralded and engineered by the current leadership in the state.

At both national and state levels, issues arise as to the extent of success we have achieved or should have attained in maximizing our potentials just as we take stock of the challenges we need to surmount in order to make our desired marks in the future.

For Nigeria as a country, it is apt to say that it has been a mixed feeling.

As juxtaposed earlier, many believe that we could have done better than the prevailing socio-economic and political situation we find ourselves today. But there are so many others, including yours sincerelywho hold the view that Nigeria has made real progress considering the circumstances of birth and challenges of nationhood compared with other nations of similar background and realities. Indeed that the future is quite great as we continue to work on our drawbacks and being realistic to cope with the issues of socio-economic and political development. Aside, it is unarguable that the current situation is not peculiar to Nigeria but exigent challenges nations around the world are trying to cope with in varying dimensions of success.

Somehow, the situation in Gombe State is one of exhilarating joy of triumphs, not only on the import of the creation of the state out of the old Bauchi State as a necessity to bring development closer to the people but also on the fundamental issue of real growth and development over time especially by some distinct leaders at the helms at different times.

In critical evaluation, the military eras were mainly devoted to laying the foundation for proper building of the state as we have it today. The respective military administrators made some noticeable impact upon which the successive leaders, mainly civilians, built and amplified the vision of the founding fathers.

Accordingly, it is imperative to salute the pioneering roles of military leaders like the then Group Captain Joseph Orji and Mohammed Bawa both of whom had some short stay in office.

Yahaya

And from 1999 when the 4th Republic took off, one is bound to reckon with the modest stewardship of Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu, relayed and bolstered when Governor Mohammed Danjuma Goje took over amid tremendous efforts made to really move quicker to the mission and vision of why Gombe was created. Admittedly, Goje realized early the challenges faced by the relatively new state especially in terms of development, and worked hard with his team, which Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was a key member as Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, made it possible to have a modern state where critical infrastructure and development initiatives hallmarked his administration.

Goje remains an illuminating leader of modern Gombe, one who showed the way for a competitive stewardship and possibilities after his illustrious tenure. From him to the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo administration, we also saw some gleam of contributions to the development of the state even in varying dimensions.

But many discerning minds are wont to believe that the coming in of the current governor of the state, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is a turning point in some distinctive leadership, a situation which actually makes the celebration of

Gombe State at 24 the more enthusiastic because of the innovations and extent of reforms that are reshaping the essence of development as basis for the creation of the state on October 1, 1996.

Governor Yahaya has in a revolutionary manner created a template that has modernized administration with major in-built mechanisms to foster effective, efficient and inclusive administration.

We now have a formidable governance structure that is so institutionalized and working to deliver the goods.

We can see the critical concern to make governance work for the people as envisioned by the founding fathers of the state and in consonance with the dictates of democracy as a form of government.

In this regard, we are most certain on the landmark achievements of the government in the areas of education, health, environment and infrastructure, ensuring that government fulfills its promises to the people as a basic responsibility.

Other major indices of good governance as indicated in the quest to industrialize the state and serious citizen engagement and empowerment are particularly exciting and futuristic. So much is happening now with specific implications for the future greatness

It is arguable that the foundation of Gombe State is now cresting to the founding vision which, in most calculations, rest on the extent of leadership commitment and actual delivery on the wellbeing of the people, to live a better life within the basic index of development. Governor Inuwa Yahaya is moderating a new clime of conscious idealism placed side-by-side with realism on the journey so far and the way forward on how best Gombe could be a model state

of the state.

But beyond the various admirable outlooks as we now see in the state, there is the greater accolade that Gombe is steadying towards a major revival in outstanding relevance in the comity of states in the country in no distant time with the vision of the current leadership being carried to a logical end. Besides being the economic cum political epicenter of the North-east, the critical issue here is the question of leadership which Governor Inuwa Yahaya has so far imbued in the entire echelon of the administration, which he leads with distinction.

It is arguable that the foundation of Gombe State is now cresting to the founding vision which, in most calculations, rest on the extent of leadership commitment and actual delivery on the wellbeing of the people, to live a better life within the basic index of development.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya is moderating a new clime of conscious idealism placed side-by-side with realism on the journey so far and the way forward on how best Gombe could be a model state.

The key pillars of this reality would inevitably be in the realm of economic prosperity and political stability, raising hope that the essence of good governance as defined by Plato is being actualized in the context of his valid argument that “politics needs expert rulers, and they cannot come to it merely by accident… that political decisions require good judgment.”

From this perspective, then we could possibly find answers to the Almajiri question through modern and practical education, which also addresses the high incidence of out- of- school pupils, including the girl child education concern, curb the insecurity challenge, reorder debilitating effect of gully erosion and desert encroachment especially in the northern part of the state as the ongoing massive tree planting could solve, water provision as a human right and in relation to its challenge in this part of the country, rural electrification, fighting poverty in all forms and making agriculture more profitable as the mainstay in the state.

Above all, Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s burning quest to industrialize Gombe State going by the ambitious industrial park in Dadin Kowa utilizing the huge Hydropower project there with strategic economic benefits is most salutary.

Achieving further on these areas relative to the current levels of development will certainly help to make Gombe State a model state and for which the Yahaya administration is striving to accomplish.

What will count in the years ahead, however, is the quality of leadership, vision and commitment which can only make the required difference in not only building on the legacies of the succeeding leaders with particular reference to the Yahaya model spirit but also grasping with the realities of modern governance structure and the invaluable need to make the people centre of public policies that clearly address the crucial indices of development in society.

These are fundamentals of measuring and assessing Gombe at 24 and the implication for the future in relation to where we are coming from, where we are now and where we hope to be in the nearest future.

So far, the state has prospered relatively with concomitant perception that with continuity in leadership vision and aspirations, much can still be achieved in the nearest future to the greater good of the people and we could hopefully be fulfilling the lofty ideals for which Gombe State was created. For the moment, it’s double cheers in Gombe.

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

Survival Agenda for Kebbi Flood Victims With over 14 out of 21 local government areas in Kebbi State flooded, resulting to loss of lives, houses, farmlands and livestocks, Eromosele Abiodun writes that the victims, who have been displaced from their homes and farms, need urgent help to survive

Kebbi State governor explaining a point to Minister of Agriculture

Kebbi State governor consoling victims of the disaster

Houses in Augie LGA covered in oods

Residents heading to IDP camp

A

growing number of communities across the world, both coastal and inland are finding themselves underwater. Extreme weather, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts are increasingly to blame.

Floods are the most common and among the most deadly natural disasters the world over. In Nigeria, they have brought destruction to communities and in many areas they are getting worse. As global warming continues to exacerbate sea level rise and extreme weather, Nigeria’s floodplains are expected to grow by approximately 45 per cent by century end.

Nigeria’s climate experts opine that there has been changes, which is evident in the increase in temperature, variable rainfall, rise in sea level and flooding, drought and desertification, land degradation, more frequent extreme weather events, affected fresh water resources and loss of biodiversity.

The durations and intensities of rainfall have increased, producing large runoffs and flooding in many places in Nigeria.

Rainfall variation is projected to continue to increase. Precipitation in southern areas is expected to rise and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate flooding and submersion of coastal lands. Droughts have also become a constant in Nigeria, and are expected to continue in Northern Nigeria, arising from a decline in precipitation and rise in temperature.

Lake Chad and other lakes in the country are drying up and at risk of disappearing.

Recently, following heavy rainfall, dams and rivers over flowed their banks resulting to flooding of several communities in Kebbi State. Kebbi, which is one of the poorest state in Nigeria had 15 of its 21 local

government areas under water. Houses, government facilities such as general hospitals, prisons, farmlands, and livestock were totally submerged with floods. Also, countless human lives were lost, with many who were able to survive now sheltered in internally displaced persons camps.

Compromised Dams From Sabon Gari in Birnin-Tudun, a border between Sokoto and Kebbi down to Tugga Bridge in BagudoLocal Government, an area of about 350 kilometres, to River Rima, all are submerged with floods. Residents told THISDAY that Guranyo and Bakalori Dams located in Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively were built to protect the Kebbi State from being flooded. However, the dams that were built over 40 years ago has been covered with sand. The sand, they said, were not evacuated for 40 years meaning that the original depth and the capacity of the dams were reduced. “It is no more up to its original depth.

That's why whenever the water comes, the volume of water the dam is supposed to contain will be less and that's why they sometimes open some doors for water to flow. Don't forget, if you take a geographical map of Nigeria, Kebbi is just like a valley- we're just like a pipe conduit for water. The Bakalori and Guranyo dams discharge water in Kebbi, “said a local, Amaru Jato.

The Deputy Chairman Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA), Sani Dododo told THISDAY that the dams were constructed to provide water for irrigation (dry season farming). “After discharging the water, the water will continue from Augie LGA, down to Argungu, then to BirninKebbi. From Birnin Kebbi down to Bunza, down to

SuruDakingari, to Bagudo, to Koko Bese, to Shanga, from Shanga Yauri, to Ngaski, which is the discharging point, very close to Kainji Dam in Niger State. From here to Tugga is 350km, from Tubbe Bridge, i.e. the end of River Rima, from Tugga down to Ngaski, which is the beginning of River Niger, so, we have two rivers or three discharging water in Kebbi. “Then there's another dam in Niger Republic discharging water through Dandi Local Government at Ndolekena, border of Kebbi or Nigeria and Niger Republic. All of these dams are also discharging water in Kebbi State. So, that's why Kebbi is just like a conduit of water, which is why we have this problem of flooding. “So, if this problem is to be solved, there must be a contact between the federal government about these dams, then the neighbouring countries Cameroon and Niger Republic, i.e. Lake Chad authority, then Kebbi, then Niger State. All these must be on the table for negotiation, to see how we can find a solution. Kebbi is like a conduit for water, that is what is happening now,� he said.

The 350km, he stated, runs through 11 of the 21 local governments in Kebbi. They are: Augie, Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Kalgo, Bunza, Suru, Bagudo, Shanga, Ngaski, Yauri, Koko Besse. “That is why NIMET gave out the warning that 11 local governments are going to be affected. That was the focus. But now we are about 15 high-risk local governments in Kebbi State and the number may increase at any time. Even those ones that are not part of the focus are also affected. There is no local government in Kebbi State, which is not affected by the floods, but the degree varies, “he said.

Flooding, he revealed, occur in the state

every year since 1980, “almost yearly, but this year’s flooding has been the most serious.

We can't say how many farmlands have been affected, because the number keeps increasing. We have lost human lives. A boat capsized in Geheru in Jega Local Government while 10 passengers were on board; all of them, females and children.

We were able to rescue only two. We have discovered eight bodies now. Two are yet to be found. Then we have another six people who died recently in Arewa Local Government, a whole family; husband, wife and children as a result of the floods and rainfall. “Then we have another body at Yabo in Yauri. Another person died at Kende.

Another at Koko Town in Koko Besse Local Government, we are yet to find the body. Three more bodies were recovered at Dankowasogu. In all, we have recorded about 31 deaths caused by the floods.

Whether the number will increase, we don't know, because we are still experiencing more flooding and rainfall.�

Destroyed Farmlands A farmer and resident of Duku, Birnin Kebbi, AbubakarMaidana told THISDAY that he and members of his community lost everything to the disaster. “I'm a farmer. I plant rice and millet on more than five hectares. I was around the day the water reached my farm. I was able to quickly harvest some millet, but the water has destroyed everything else.

I can't quantify the loss I have suffered.

I've been a farmer all my life. About 10 years ago, we experienced something close to this. “It is a painful experience for my family and me. We pray that God will give us succour. I'm appealing to the government

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Rice farm covered with oods and the international community to come to our aid. We are also calling on the government to construct more bridges across the waterways.�

Executive Chairman Kalgo LGA, Mohammad Shamsudeen Kalgo told THISDAY that more than 200 houses were lost in one community. “We call this area Shia Danfili and the other side is Shia Antunula where we lost more than 150 houses. Some of the victims are staying with their relatives. We have had had meetings with stakeholders and traditional rulers. More than 100 persons are homeless. Some are seeking shelter with their relatives. We thank God that there was no loss of life here. All of these places have been destroyed by water. “It is the first time that we are having destruction on this scale. For more than 100 years, nobody can say they've seen any flooding like this in Kalgo Local Government; this is the first time that we're seeing all of this. The state government has given us approval to provide relief materials for the victims. We've started distributing it, “he said.

He added, “this is not the only place that was affected. There is a village, Hirinshi, it is under Badaria Maganzaward. We lost more than 100 houses there. There is a place we call Badaria. We have two Badaria in Kebbi. There is Badaria Kalgo, it is a ward, and we lost houses there. Even the Imam of Badaria is taking shelter at a primary school. Both the Imam and the District Head are in Model Primary School in Badaria. They lost their houses.�

On his part, Chairman of Radio and Television Theatre and Art Workers, Kebbi State Chapter and resident of Shia Damshili, in Kalgo LGA, Umar Abubakar Kalgosaid his family house and more than 20 houses were destroyed by the flood. “I was here when the water came in.

Throughout the three days, I was working here, trying to figure out what was going on with the chairman of the local government.

The water destroyed my family house. My family members have moved in with our relatives elsewhere. My rice farms were also destroyed, “he said.

At Bunzo LGA, the village Head of Raha community, Haruna Mohammed Raha, who is also a farmer, said he lost his entire farmland to the floods.

He said, “I'm a farmer. Before the floods came, I planted rice, millet and guinea corn. Everything is under water. All of our farms, our crops in the village have been destroyed by water. We don't know what to do. We are seeking help from the government or anyone else that can help�.

At Jega LGA, the Secretary of Rice Farmers Association,Major Muawuya Aliyu (Rtd.) said the incident happened just about when farmers were about to start harvest. “In fact, if the floods had delayed for just two weeks, a majority of the farmers would have harvested their crops. The water came suddenly. We were aware there was going to be flooding, but we never thought it was going to be this extensive. So, people were trying to see what they could rescue before the flood came. Usually the floods come slowly, it takes about three to five days. But, this one came overnight.

Road linking Nigeria to Benin Republic covered with ood

Bagudo LGA General Hospital submerged in ood “We learnt about it, but when we woke up in the morning we just saw water everywhere. So, it took everyone by surprise and that is why nothing could be rescued.

It is very difficult to estimate what we have lost in monetary terms, because, you see, it is a very extensive area. The losses are quite huge; I don't want to put a figure to it. “We have about 50,000 farmers in Jega LGA alone, that are affected and if you say you will put a figure to the losses; assuming each farmer has just one hectare, and a hectare takes a minimum of five tons. So, that's quite a large monetary value. There is nothing our members can do. They are just waiting for the water to subside and they'll start all over again,� he said.

He added, “Individuals have been assisting, the government has promised assistance and yesterday we started seeing trucks coming in with relief materials but they have not stated distributing yet. I learnt they want to start today. We believe succor will come. Some have also lost their homes.

All those living around the riverbanks, their homes are gone. Yesterday, somebody said about 500 lost their homes in Jega Town alone, but it should be more than that. We have not considered the villages.�

Lamentation Galore Relating his experience, a resident of Birnin Tudu, Abubakar Umar said the area has never witnessed flooding of such magnitude since they were born.

He said several neighbouring villages have been submerged and rendered desolate.

He said though he was not around when the flooding actually happened, but his wife and entire family managed to run out the house. “We are seeking assistance from federal government and international agencies to assist us, the state government has been doing their best but we need more help, “he said.

On his part, Sardauna of Bubuchi District, Augie LG, Samaila Mane said the flood has shattered so many things within the area, “majority of our farmlands, crop have

been washed away and people devastated because of the buildings that have collapsed on them. We actually need help more than before when you get to the primary school there, you’ll see women and children taking refuge right there, without food eat. There is nowhere for us to sleep, it is a pitiful situation. We need food, shelter, clothing, medicine and other assistance, since about 4,000 residents were affected.�

He said all their farms were actually submerged, leaving them with nothing.

Chairman, Bagudo Local Council, Muhammadu KauraZaga, said, “it is just unfortunate because in the past 100 years we have never witnessed flooding of this magnitude. Majority of our people are badly affected, both their farmlands were completely destroyed, only one person died so far. All the districts under this council were affected, 98 per cent of villages were affected.�

He wants the federal government and international communities to come to the aid of the council, adding that the council was still managing COVID-19 before the flooding, asking for food, seedlings, as alternatives to what they have lost.

He said cows disappeared suddenly, livestock lost and houses collapsed. He said the people were enlightened about the NiMET warning, “In this council area, we have three IDPs camps�.

In the same vein, a resident of Kende, Umaru TugarBeertu, said the natural disaster has dealt the area a deadly blow, as majority of the houses were destroyed, farmlands submerged adding that they have nothing to fall back on.

He said for over 100 years, they have never experienced flooding of such magnitude.

He called on the federal government to provide them food and shelter, which is their immediate needs, noting that seedling and other inputs should also be provided.

Head, Tuga Village, Abubakar Muhammed said the level of flooding in the area was caused due to the fact that the area is the confluence of River Niger and River Rima at the Tuga Bridge, which was submerged, cutting of the communities

from its neighbours.

He noted that economically it has negatively impacted his people from trading in fishes and food.

He appealed to the federal government to assist the communities to overcome the losses incurred.

Chairman, Koko Besse Local Council, Yahaya Bello said 45 communities were affected by the flooding in the area. He noted that the council has so far constituted a committee on how to better the lives of already displaced people in the six IDPs camps in the council and how to address the dilapidated state of the camps.

He added that currently they have provided them with food, mats, buckets, medicine, mosquito net and other necessary facilities. He pleaded for assistance from both the state and the federal government to alleviate the suffering of his people.

District Head, Dutsi Mani District, Muhammed Koko, said the flooding, which spread across 21 villages, have displaced majority of the residents and destroyed farmlands, along the river side and upland, destroying all the crops.

He appealed to the federal government to give them bed and beddings, food and medicine, which are their immediate needs, appealing that government should relocate majority of those who were hard hit by the development.

Chairman, Shanga Local Council, Yisa Abdullahi said the losses incurred in the council area is about N700m, with more than 10,000 household affected.

He said though the displaced persons were moved to the IDPs camps, “but when the camps were submerged, they were forcefully evacuated family houses�. He said the state government has provided them fund to cater for the IDPs. Dugu District Head, Yau Abdullahi, said virtually all their farms, especially rice farms have been badly affected. He said other crops were also affected, posing a serious threat to availability of food in the area.

Secretary to Yauri Local Government, Alhassan Adamusaid the flood affected over 1,000 hectares of farmlands, as over 150,000 were affected. He said the waters are from neighbouring communities, noting that the flood is yet to abate.

He appealed to the federal government to provide them with necessary assistance for the affected farmers to survive. He called for the provision of fertiliser, inputs and others to improve the livelihood of the farmers, adding that there are plans to set IDPs camps within the council.

According to the Leader, rice farmers in the area, Ibrahim Numa, the destruction were enormous, adding that water from the hills flooded the entire rice plantations.

Chairman, Ngask Local Council, Abdullahi Buhari, said the farmers were seriously affected in the council area and the state at large, adding that the council, which is the major producer of rice in the state, has been badly affected.

Though he couldn’t quantify the losses incurred, he said most of the farms were submerged, as five IDPs camps have been set up. He added that the farmers are considering yam and cassava cultivation as alternatives to losses incurred on rice so far.

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

S E P T E M B E R

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

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Quick Takes Wema Bank Upgrades Mobile App

THIS IS OUR SCORECARD

L-R:Director,TotalNigeriaPlc,Ms.TejiroIbru;ManagingDirector,Mr.ImraneBarry;ActingChairman,ChiefFelixMagekodunmi,andCompanySecretary,Olubunmi Popopoola-Mordi,atthe42ndAnnualGeneralMeetingofTotalNigeriaPlcheldinLagos...yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Lagos Set for Ehingbeti Economic Summit Obinna Chima and Nume Ekeghe The Lagos State government has revived the state’s economic summit popularly called Ehingbeti, six years after the last edition was held.

The 2020 edition of the summit is expected to hold on November 10th and 12th.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos yesterday, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Mr. Sam Egube, said this year’s edition would be held virtual.

According to him, most of the developments recorded in the states over the years were from ideas and recommendations gathered from previous editions of the summit.

He said the summit which is a collaboration between the state and private sector operators has seen the government implement 109 out of 119 resolutions suggested to the state government

ECONOMY in past editions.

For instance, Egube, pointed out that the rail line projects, the Lekki toll gate, among others, were recommendations from Ehingbeti.

Speaking further, Egube who is also the Co-chair of the summit said: “The summit has a rich history and is firmly established as a credible forum for stimulating economic growth for Lagos state.

It is our belief that you cannot lead a place like Lagos with one mind you have to bring together all the minds. “The first one was hosted in 2000 making this the 20th year since the first summit was held.

The first three editions were deliberately diagnostic but by the fourth one, we had started to create a blueprint and have started to implement it from the early decisions that had been made. “So far about 119 resolutions

were taken in the history of Ehingbeti, 109 of them have been implemented.�

He added: “The good thing about the summit is that the government is responsible for the decisions taken and we are obliged to report back to the next Ehingbeti what we have done with the decision we took and if there are challenges, we highlight what those challenges were and take other decisions on how to repair those challenges. “To some it appears the ambitions are too high, because how do you put private sector in the lead and collaborate in that manner. They have wondered whether government can be trusted to follow through with this idea of collaboration, but the performance shows that yes, we follow through.�

According to him, with the summit, what the Lagos state government is trying to do is stimulate contribution from the private sector, get them interested in the governance of the state

and lead the way in terms of the outcomes. “For example, the whole idea about the blue line, the red line, the rail master plan are things that came out of Ehingbeti. Today we see the rail line is on its way those are big projects that sometimes it is difficult to take such decisions on your own but when the private sector comes together and say let’s do this, it increases confidence in taking such leap. I can tell you that we are on our way to deliver the red and blue line,� he added.

He further added that the entire Lekki-Ikoyi toll bridge project came out of Ehingbeti discussion. “The fact that we are trying to expand our activities on the waterways is also Ehingbeti.

Lagos homes ownership scheme rent to build scheme, all of these came out of Ehingbeti,� he added.

Co-chair Ehingbeti, who Continued on page 24

APCON to Align Industry Review with New Policies, Global Trends Raheem Akingbolu In view of the recent amendments to some government policies, especially as it related to the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has disclosed its decision to put into consideration some new amendments in government policies before proceeding with a review in the marketing communications industry.

APCON Registrar, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, in an interview with THISDAY said even though the review was important to fully harness the potential of the industry and make it contribute maximally to the GDP, he pointed out that the review exercise which was embarked upon few years ago,

INDUSTRY would be thoroughly evaluated to be sure steps being taking are in agreement with current government policies and global practice.

He pointed out that communication has a strong role to play in revitalising the nation’s economy but emphasised the need for practitioners to play by the rule. “Stakeholders in the marketing communications industry have always shown interest to the industry review. It was fully embarked on few years ago but due to some hitches could not be completed. Between then and now, a lot have changed, which naturally must prompt the new

leadership of APCON and leaders of various sectoral groups to go back to the drawing board and compare notes. “Just recently, federal government released a new government policy on ease of doing business and as well amended the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which must all be put into consideration. With the new amendment, the criteria for application of corporate licence have changed. The provision for two shareholders has been changed to one and there is also a provision for liability partnership, which was not there before,� he said.

On the need for practitioners to play by the rules, Fadolapo, who once served as secretary of the Advertising Industry Reform

Committee, admitted that there is a standard operating framework that guides the relationship of every stakeholder in the industry in other countries, which Nigerians must also respect to raise the bar for the industry. “Communication is key to economic revival but players in the industry will earn local and global recognition when they play by the rules. In Nigeria, there are many frameworks that need to be put in place to earn our deserve recognition. “Going forward, APCON will come out with a standard operating manual for the entire advertising industry that will touch on many things, including mode of contract and payment

ALAT by Wema Bank has introduced its upgraded mobile app - ALAT 4.0 - to enable customers remain connected to do much more. The bank disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the app provides seamless access to an array of exciting features and serves as a platform where customers can personalise oerings to meets their frequent ďŹ nancial and lifestyle needs. “Beingacustomer-centricďŹ nancialinstitution,theupgradedappserves as a one-stop platform that gives customers the option to create unique experiences for themselves; this includes dashboard personalization where customers can decide to hide and unhide their account balance as well as to display most frequently used feature on their dashboard,â€? the statement added.

Deputy Managing Director, Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, was quoted to have said: “We made a promise earlier this year to improve customer experience by introducing improved unique features to the app. Based on feedback from customers, a lot of eort was put together to ensure we deliver on our promise to ensure this upgrade aords customers a delightful and memorable service experience.â€?

As part of the new features is the card control option which enables customerstoputalimitontheirspendinghabitandthereintroductionofthe virtual dollar card which gives customers the ability to make international payments irrespective of the currency, it added.

PlusTV Appoints Ogunbanwo MD/CEO

TheGeneralNewsandEntertainmentCompany(GNEC)MediaGrouphas announcedtheappointmentofMr.LekanOgunbanwoasthenewManaging Director/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of its 24 hour television station, PlusTV. The announcement was made by the Chairman of GNEC, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi.

In his congratulatory announcement, Fagbemi, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Ogunbanwo to the helms of aairs of PlusTVAfrica. As an organisation, we know that the experience which he brings to bear will help position and enhance the station’s creative and premium content delivery.â€?

A statement quoted Ogunbanwo to have said: “I am delighted to be a part of the PlusTV Africa family. I am prepared to up-skill the station and ensure that we have a channel that is the pride of Nigeria and, by extension, Africans.�

The PlusTV new boss brings to bear over 40 years’ experience in the broadcast industry.

He started out as a Trainee Announcer from the defunct Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC) in 1980; he was the General Manager, Radio Lagos/ Eko FM between 1997-2002; and later became Permanent Secretary, Lagos TV/ Radio Lagos and Eko FM between 2005-2014; Permanent Secreatary, Parastatals, Monitoring OďŹƒce, OďŹƒce of the Governor 2014-2015.

NAPE Holds Workshop for Media

TheNigerianAssociationofPetroleumExplorationists(NAPE)ishosting a workshop for media professionals covering energy and the oil and gas sectorsoftheNigerianeconomyaswellasoilandgasprofessionalsworking in the corporate communications departments in oil and gas companies.

The theme of the workshop is, A ‘ ccessing Quality Information & Data Journalism for Oil & Gas Media Professionals,’and it is scheduled to hold virtually on Tuesday, September 29.

ThePresidentoftheassociation,Mr.AlexTarka,saidNAPE’srationalefor hosting the workshop was to enrich the quality of the reportage of events in the oil and gas space by facilitating in depth deliberate conversations to address and close the gaps and opportunities in interviews, messaging, reporting and overall coverage of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria by media professionals.

He added: “The oil and gas industry is highly technical in its processes and operations. It is important that the reportage of events in the oil and gas space by oil and gas media professionals is delivered accurately, in context and with the appropriate degree of details.’’ ThePublicitySecretaryoftheassociation,Mr.AbdullateefAmodu,stated thatNAPEwouldcontinuetopartnerwiththepressandotherstakeholders in providing platform for learning, nurturing best practices, evolving new solutions, industry advocacy and enhancing economic development.

“So, there is no need for anybody to go into undocumented export activities in the country. We have seen situations where people get into undocumented export activities and the CBN will be working with the Nigeria Customs Service and the shipping agencies to ensure that when you conduct an export activity�

CBN Governor,

Continued on page 24

Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele

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LAGOS SET FOR EHINGBETI ECONOMIC SUMMIT also doubles as the Chairman Citibank Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, stressed that the state continually outshines others in the country because of its continuous dialogue and collaboration with the private sector.

Cardoso said: “It is timely that this happening and I say that because Covid-19 and its aftermath has wreaked havoc in economies around the world and we are no exception to that and when it going to end nobody knows. “All we know is that countries around the world, pay dearly from being on lockdown and for any lockdown, you have a corresponding loss in Gross Domestic Product. “With the challenges ahead and Lagos being the economic nerve center of the country, there is a large responsibility to ensure that they protect the citizens of the state and this is something that can’t happen unless it is planned for.

APCON TO ALIGN INDUSTRY REVIEW WITH NEW POLICIES, GLOBAL TRENDS

policy. To this end, I’m talking to all the sectoral groups on challenges and possible solutions in preparation for the manual,� he added.

The new Registrar also allayed the fear of practitioners over the recent amendment to broadcasting code, which appears to infringe on some of APCON functions to the disadvantage of practitioners. He pointed out that the act that established APCON and other government agencies gives room for collaboration on issues. “While I appreciate the concern of marketing communications practitioners over their feelings towards the overlapping functions, I want to assure all that it will not create any problem. As government agencies, there is provision for collaboration and this would be fully explored. Already, meetings are going on to address all the perceived knotty issues but as far as I’m concerned, it will not have negative impact on the industry.�

NNPC Records 67% Decline in Crude Oil Export in July Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The export of crude oil by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) dropped by 66.95 per cent in July 2020, compared to June 2020, the corporation’s monthly financial and operation report has revealed.

However, the national oil company explained that despite the shortfall, the crude oil export sales contributed about 65 per cent of the dollar transactions in the month under review.

It stated that in July the corporation remitted N70 billion to the federation account, while total export receipt fell considerably to $122.44 million as against $378.42 million in June 2020.

According to the corporation: “A total export sale of $84.63 million was recorded in July 2020; decreasing by 66.95 per cent compared to last month (June). “ Crude oil export sales contributed $55.29 million (65.34 per cent) of the dollar transactions compared with $219.58 million contribution in the previous month. “While the export gas sales amounted to $29.33 million in the month, the July 2019 to July 2020 crude oil and gas transactions indicated that crude oil and gas worth $3.91 Billion was exported�.

The corporation added: “In July 2020, NNPC remitted the sum of N70.15 billion to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

“From July 2019 to July 2020, total NNPC remittances to FAAC is N1, 867.09 billion; out of which federation and JV with government priority projects received the sum of N821.37 billion and N1, 045.72 billion respectively.�

On dollar payments to JV cost recovery, it disclosed that total export receipt of $122.44 million was recorded in July 2020 as against $378.42 million in June 2020, noting that contribution from crude oil amounted to $54.98 million while gas and

miscellaneous receipts stood at $27.72 million and $39.74 million respectively. “Of the export receipts, $67.45 million was remitted to the federation account while $54.98 million was remitted to fund the JV cost recovery for the month of July 2020 to guarantee current and future production. “Total export crude oil and gas receipt for the period, July 2019 to July 2020 stood at $4.41 billion, out of which the sum of $2.73 billion was transferred to

JV Cash Call as first line charge and the balance of $1.68 billion was paid into federation account� it explained. In the downstream petroleum product distributions sector, NNPC noted that a total of 1,036.16 million litres of white products were sold and distributed

by PPMC, its subsidiary, in the month of July 2020 compared with 1,345.27 million litres in the month of June 2020. “This comprised 1,021.53 million litres of petrol, 14.37 million litres of diesel and 0.26 million litres of

kerosene. There was no sale of special product in the month. “Total sale of white products for the period July 2019 to July 2020 stood at 18,362.84 million litres and PMS (petrol) accounted for 18,243.77 million litres or 99.35 per cent.� In July 2020, the NNPC stated that 1.37 billion litres of petrol were supplied into the country through the Direct sales Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement as against the 767.42 million litres of petroleum supplied in the month of June 2020.

SUPPORTFORPRIVATESCHOOLOWNERS

L-R: Executive Secretary, Lagos State EmploymentTrust Fund (LSETF), Mrs.Teju Abisoye; Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Member, Board ofTrustees, LSETF, Mrs.Tatiana Moussalli- Nouri, during the signing ceremony oftheLSETF-FirstEduLoan,apostCOVID-19supportprogrammetargetedatlowcostprivateschoolsandvocationaltrainingcentresinLagos...recently

OPGAN Commends Buhari, CBN for Empowering Smallholder Farmers James Emejo in Abuja The newly-elected President of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), Mr. Joe Onyiuke has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for empowering smallholder farmers under the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP).

He said the current administration has so far demonstrated that its seriousness to elevate agriculture to bring the economy out of the woods.

He said: “Other associations have been accessing the CBN

interventions and they’ve been doing very well.

If you look at cotton, cotton has transformed this country again: our uniform men are now buying cotton grown from this country. This was done by both the CBN governor and the Buhari-administration.�

The new OPGAN leadership came on board over the weekend following the dissolution of the erstwhile exco by its trustees over an alleged incompetence and illegally overstaying its tenure.

Onyiuke said the inability of the previous leadership to create

solid structure and properly organise the association had limited members from accessing the oil palm development funds recently unveiled by the apex bank.

He said though the CBN governor has had meetings with oil palm stakeholders recently, OPGAN had failed as an association to organise itself in order to access the funds.

Yet, he noted that the oil palm value chain had enormous potential, “to bring Nigeria back to where it should be in the world of palm oil market,� stressing that the association

needed to be well organised going forward.

The OPGAN president said the country has the potential to control 80 per cent share of the oil palm of every household is proper educated and mobilised to grow the commodity.

He further called on the federal government to provide adequate funding for the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) as this represented the bedrock for repositioning the sector for greater output.

In his preliminary remarks shortly after the newly elected

exco was sworn in, Onyiuke thanked the board of trustees which had taken it upon themselves to reposition the association.

He also expressed gratitude to the association for the trust reposed in the new leadership and assured that it would not fail in anyway.

He said: “We will do everything possible to run a very transparent administration.

We will do our accounting system the way it is done all over the world. All of us are united by one religion here- oil palm.�

FCTA, AfDB Parley on Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising)

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are presently engaged in the process of fine-tuning modalities for the smooth take-off of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) as well as the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

The FCT Minister of State, Dr.

Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, made the commitment when she flagged off sales of buffer stock comprising 7,200 bags of maize and 2,500 bags of guinea corn of 50kg bags each at 50 percent subsidised rate to residents of the territory and distributed motorcycles to agriculture extension agents.

She maintained that the decisions of multi-national companies and the AfDB to

invest in FCT was to boost productivity and integrate production, processing, distribution and most importantly, create jobs and wealth for the teeming youths.

She also reiterated that the FCT Administration has been making efforts to open-up the Agricultural landscape and attract suitable investment, adding that the efforts were beginning to yield the desired results.

“This is in addition to a number of local and multi-national companies that are in the process of finalising investment commitments in various agricultural value chains within the FCT,� Aliyu said.

She vowed the commitment of the administration towards job creation through the agriculture value chain, stressing that a number of local and multi-national companies were in the process of finalising investment commitments

in various agricultural value chains within the FCT. The minister assured that the administration has placed priority on the agricultural sector in order to unlock its abundant potential.

In a related development, the minister also flagged off the harvest and sales of products by beneficiaries at FCT Aquaculture and Allied Trades center for youth and women in Kwali Area Council.

Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

FG Restates Commitment to Mining Sector Ugo Aliogo As part of efforts by the federal government to revitalise the mining sector, the Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, has revealed the plan of his ministry to improve

geo-science base, data accessibility for investors, data gathering, data dissemination and archiving.

Delivering the keynote address, at the NES26 Pre-summit with the theme: “The ‘New Normal’Opportunities for the Nigerian Mining Industry,� Adegbite said

many countries have leveraged and developed their mining industry, adding that Nigeria should take advantage of the opportunities presented by the sector.

He also stated that the mining industry can supply minerals used

in production of mobile phones, batteries and a wide range of gadgets if properly harnessed. “We can’t afford to overlook the opportunities in the mining industry. On-going reforms in the sector are geared towards revamping the sector and the

reforms will help improve and serve both the domestic and export market. “Our roadmap is focused on strengthening our geo-science base, data accessibility for investors, data gathering, data dissemination and archiving,� Adegbite said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MONDAY INTERVIEW

Nuhu: NCAA’s Autonomy has Guaranteed Effective Regulation The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, in this interview says the regulatory agency has been able to efficiently regulate the industry because of lack of interference in its regulatory functions. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts: Many industry stakeholders said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lost its autonomy and is now controlled by the Ministry of Aviation. What is your take on this?

Yes, NCAA has autonomy in terms of regulations but NCAA cannot totally remove itself from the Ministry of Aviation. The Ministry is responsible for policy development for the industry and we implement those policies through our regulations.

So we must have a line of communication and consultations with the Ministry and also if you look at the organizational structure of NCAA, we have the Minister, the board and then the Director General, so we cannot totally isolate ourselves from the Ministry but l can assure you in term of implementing regulations and otherwise, NCAA is the only body that is doing that and we are doing that without any interference from the Ministry.

There are some regulations that will be difficult to implement without the political support of the Ministry. In the past, when aircraft are grounded, the owners, usually highly placed, went over above the Ministry, they even went to the Presidency and have those decisions taken by NCAA reversed, but this time around, it is not so, we implement our regulations irrespective of who is involved and with the support of the Minister, the political support has made our work easier within our regulations. So anybody that wants us to divorce completely from the Ministry is not being realistic, it is the Ministry of Aviation. Aviation goes beyond NCAA; we have other public service providers like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. Then there is the private sector, airline operators, ground handlers all under the Ministry. We regulate them, so there must be some connection between the Ministry and us.

You cannot say because we are independent in implementing regulations, we must not have some relationship with the Ministry. It happens everywhere in the world. In the US, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has some connection with the Department of Transportation (DOT). What is important is for the regulatory body to be able to do its statutory responsibility of effective oversight of the system without interference and we are doing that.

What is the economic health of Nigeria’s domestic airlines?

The economic downturn of airlines is not only in Nigeria; it is a global thing. In the airline industry, the profit margin is very minimal, if you make five percent profit margin in the business, you are considered to have done excellently well, but however, with the COVID-19 and the difficulties, airlines financial positions are not the best, it is a global phenomenon and there are so many other issues that affects the financial health of airlines that is neither in the control of the Ministry of Aviation nor in the control of the civil aviation regulatory body.For instance, the provision of foreign exchange does not come from us. If a country’s foreign earning goes down, the central bank prioritizes, and you can understand due to the lack of aircraft maintenance organisations in Nigeria, pilot recurrent training institutions in Nigeria they have to go outside to do these and that entails a lot of foreign currencies, so it is not easy. Also is the issue of the availability and cost of Jet A1 (aviation fuel), which is a major factor that airlines have been having difficulties with.

Sometimes we see induced scarcity and escalatory price, so there are factors that affect the health of the airlines that are not in our direct control. The Ministry has tried; it went to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when this government came on board. Then Nigeria owed foreign airlines about $600 million in arrears, the Minister through consultations was able to get that off our back and all the foreign airlines were paid. We visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to see what kind of arrangement can be made for the production of Jet A1 and in addition, there is the challenge of interest rate. When airlines go borrowing at a very high interest rate, which we know is very high in Nigeria it affects their profit margin. If my profit margin is 5 per cent, explain to me if l takes a loan at 20 per cent

survives, and to put measures for the industry to survive, it certainly delayed our plans but now with the successful resumption of domestic flight and we have not had a significant spike and contamination cases, so all the plans have been delayed but we have successfully resumed the domestic operations, perhaps one or two minor hitches there, nothing significant, and I know you will all agree with me that it is so far so good and the response from the public complying with the protocols have been excellent.

We started the international flight operations, with time we are going to increase the number of flight coming in as things stabilize. We identified hitches that were rectified and we hope things will get much better going forward. So part of the plans we had is repositioning the regulatory body to make it leaner, more resilience and a body that is flexible to react to changing situation and part of the restructuring we have had is part of this process and in the coming months, we will see the organisation in a good position to deal with challenges and the emerging challenges and as you are all aware, the COVID-19 has changed the global industry. The rapid changes in technology is also changing the industry, not only aviation but also the ways businesses are conducted, so we have to reposition ourselves to fit into that so that we can really effectively conduct our regulatory responsibilities.

Has any of the countries whose airlines were barred from operating into Nigeria, approached the NCAA for negotiation?

I as the Director General of NCAA, I am not aware of any approach by any of these foreign countries. They might have been approaching the Ministry of Aviation or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they might also be contacting PTF on COVID-19. I am not aware of any but I have heard a lot of complains but no country have approach NCAA for this.

Nuhu interest rate, how I can break even and pay the bank and make profit? So these are the micro and macro factors that affect the health of the airlines.

We try through our economic regulations to do the financial audits of the airlines and advise them where we see areas of economic difficulties and see how they can be tackled. One of the things we are doing is that we want to really strengthen the function of the economic regulation through more training of the staff of the directorate. As you are aware, we are having some restructuring going on, it is to reposition the regulatory body to be able to carry out its responsibilities in a more effective and efficient manner.

In line with the Oronsaye Report, there were plans to merge NAMA and NCAA. What is the update on this plan?

I read the report in the papers the same way you did, nobody has informed me of any merger.

I have enquired from the Ministry if there have been any confirmation of that. I understand this is an old report done over ten years ago, somebody just sat down and brought it out. I am not aware of any merger between NCAA and any agency and I cannot comment on what seems to me an unofficial matter. And by the way, in the US, FAA is the regulatory body and it runs the air traffic services, which is the equivalent of NAMA, so it depends on how you run it. I am not saying we are going to do it here because I don’t have anything official; but there is this misunderstanding that there is something like that, no Sir. FAA has a specific structure design in its own case to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. I am not aware of any merger in Nigeria because I have not been given any document officially.

Some Nigerian airlines that planned to operate into some countries said they faced hostility, none or delayed response by some of the countries. Is there any way NCAA can tackle this problem?

The advice I will give the airlines is this: if you are going to another country to negotiate your services, you should involve the regulatory body, the Ministry of Aviation and also Nigeria’s embassy

in that country. If you as a private organisation you go and negotiate with a government entity that is trying to protect its own airlines, you are going to run into difficulties, but if you involve the Ministry of Aviation officials, NCAA officials and embassy officials, the country would know that if they make things difficult for our airlines, we will apply the same reciprocity measures to their airlines, so it makes a big difference.

But a lot of airlines go and do the deal themselves.

They should involve us, carry us along, brief us; we are here to help our airlines grow both domestically, regionally and internationally. I hear them talking about aeropolitics, yes, an airline from Nigeria want to go compete with an airline of another country on their route; of course, they will make it difficult for you but when you carry NCAA officials along, it make a difference, if you make unreasonable demands on my airlines, I will apply the same to your airlines coming into my country, so it is to the benefits of our airlines to carry everyone along to come out with good terms for all the airlines.

You took over at the cusp of Coronavirus pandemic. How is it affecting your job as Director General of NCAA? The meeting I had after my hand over from the acting Director General, the discussion I had was on COVID-19, by then it was not yet declared a pandemic but we could see the trend coming, so we had started putting measures in place, firstly, how we are going to run the NCAA as an organisation and business continuity plans put in place; how our staff would be working with the development to ensure that whatever happened, we would have people that would be running the organisation regardless of the COVID-19 challenge.

We ensured we had somebody who would step in, we prepared to reduce the workforce coming to the offices, a lot of them would stay at home and we have what we determined was enough that would run the organisation. We were already working on that when the government came out with the directives. Basically, at that time, it was the issue of survival, whatever plans had to be put in place, because whatever plans you have, if you didn’t survive, your plans were of no use. First of all, we have to survive, ensure the organisation

Why did NCAA scrap its Consumer Protection Directorate?

I think there is a misunderstanding. Consumer protection has not been scrapped; it was just downgraded from a full directorate to a unit under the Directorate of Air Transport Regulation, which is what it used to be. Consumer protection exists in full with all the function it has, so we still have consumer protection. It has never been scrapped.

If you go to the airports you still see the staff from the unit carrying out their job without any reduction in their scope.

What is the update on the impounded aircraft in Dubai, which is being operated by a Nigerian airline?

It is not a Nigerian aircraft; it is a US registered aircraft that was brought to Nigeria to operate under the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) of Nigeria.

We have started investigation and forwarded the documentations from our investigation to the authority in Dubai and the US FAA. They asked for additional information, which we have given them and I think I saw an email from Dubai, communicating with the US where the aircraft is registered. We have done our own part and our report has been submitted and we are going to take sanction against those who have violated our regulations. That is all I can say for now.

Is the NCAA better off with the merger and reduction of directorates?

In fact that is the whole idea of the reduction of the directorates, to make it a more resilient, more flexible and a much more effective organisation in the conduct of its oversight responsibility of the industry. Also we have to take cognizance of the changes in the global world aviation industry both caused by the Coronavirus and the rapidly changing technologies, including information technology; so certainly, yes; l see that.

What strategies do you advise airlines should adopt in order to run successful operations?

Each airline has its own business model. In running an airline there could be a number of issues that can impact on the business. One of these issues is corporate governance, which is the separation of ownership from the day-to-day management of Continued on page 26

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INTERVIEW

NUHU: NCAA’S AUTONOMY HAS GUARANTEED EFFECTIVE REGULATION

NEPZA Boss Cautions against Imposition of Tariffs, Others in Economic Zones James Emejo in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, Prof.

Adesoji Adesugba has warned that the imposition of tariffs, duties and other sundry taxes could harm the noble objectives of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in the country.

Speaking when he received the Managing Director/Chief Executive, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Dr. Adesola Adetuntan, who paid him a courtesy visit on Abuja, he noted that the concept was aimed at encouraging local production, stimulating job creation, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and igniting industrialisation process.

He also reiterated the need for the approval of offshore banking for enterprises operating in the zones, adding that the current practice where they competed with firms outside of the zones for foreign exchange was affecting their operations.

Nuhu the airline business. For a lot of airlines in Nigeria, that is a very blurred line because there are no definite guidelines separating the owners of the airline from it management. Over the years it has contributed to the difficulties and challenges a lot of airlines have. But once the Civil Aviation Act is passed by the National Assembly and we have a new mandate, we intend to look at that regulations. We may also work with the Corporate Affairs Commission. We will sit down and see how we can apply some of these corporate governance issues in our regulations, strictly and resolve some of these difficulties we have been facing. One of the things we are going to do is that the Directorate of Air Transport regulations will be empowered and also enhanced with skills and knowledge to really study the business models and plans of airlines and see how effective they can be and we can have a more positive regulatory function. We are doing it now but I believe we need to build more capacity in that department.

Has NCAA been intervening on labour issues, as there is growing loggerhead between airlines and their personnel over welfare?

The challenge of financial health of airlines is not peculiar to Nigeria, gentlemen. It is a global thing.

The airlines that have received billions of dollars of subsidies from their nations’ governments are still laying off hundreds and thousands of workers.

The entire travel and tourism industry has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 in a negative way. Airlines have had to sack people in order to save cost, even the major airlines. British Airways is reported to have plans to lay off a third of its workforce, that is about 10 to 12 thousand people, Lufthansa is going to ground all its entire airbus A380 fleet and its Boeing B747 fleet. That is a significant number of redundancies. Emirate has laid off people, likewise Etihad and in the US the same scenario plays out.

Let us not make it a Nigeria thing but rather see it as a global challenge. I know the policy of the government through the Minister of Aviation is working to see if some king of palliatives can be given to the airlines. On the issue of relationship between management and the unions, on Monday (last week) Arik Air had issues with members of the unions who barricaded the airline’s headquarters.

We had some fruitful discussion and we had some kind of mediation between the Receiver Manager of the airline and the unions. We all agreed that they are going back to sit and discuss again. They will take each other’s concerns into considerations and the union members have to understand the very precarious financial situation of Arik Air and other airlines. The Minister has also had meetings with various airlines and the unions trying to settle similar challenges. We are working hard to see how we can maintain industrial harmony while resolving these challenges.

Telecom companies have been having issues concerning height clearance with NCAA. What is the situation now?

Height clearance is a regulatory function of the NCAA, which is in our regulations that has been signed and passed by the government. We are

dealing with all the communication companies.

We are in contact and we are having deliberations with them. Some of them have made part payment and we are working toward getting the remaining payment. Part of our statutory responsibility is to identify obstruction within and around the airports. In the past, there is all kind of erected masts constituting obstructions all around and we directed them to come to us to obtain a height clearance certificate. We are not using it to rake in money; it is based on cost recovery. These masts have constituted a lot of safety hazard for us. We are trying to do a better job to prevent accident by this oversight. Currently we are building a database called the electronic terrain and obstacle database.

If we can implement it and go live, that will enable the federal government helicopter to fly at night.

We are trying to capture all the obstruction that is out there because everybody flies.

How has your experience at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and under the Nigerian and past President of ICAO Council, Dr Olumuyiwa Aliu’s inuence on you contributed in enhancing your job as the Director General of NCAA? It was a rare privilege to be nominated and to serve on the ICAO council as Nigerian representative for about three and half years from 2016 to end of last year, it was an amazing experience. I don’t know how I can explain it. ICAO Council, which is the governing council constitute of 36-member states, which are elected every two years. Nigeria has been on that council nonstop since 2016, members come from different background, some have been ministers in their countries, retired generals, career ambassador and Director Generals and you have people like me who are technocrats from the industry.

Generally, Nigeria has always been represented by people from NCAA. You got to meet and discuss with people from corners of the world and you see the same problem, everybody has his own solution and ideas; we had our disagreement and agreed on issues. On the Council, we have eight members from Africa, we have the Afri-group where we sit down to strategise to protect and promote the interest of the Africa continent. Before I left I was the coordinator of that group. We were able to achieve a lot for the benefit of Africa. Dr. Aliu was the representative of Nigeria for about eight years from where he was elected president of ICAO. He was also a director in NCAA when he was sent to represent Nigeria in the council of ICAO. I was blessed to have something like that, having gotten into the Council with little knowledge of the working of the council.

Once in a while when I have issues I went to him and he would refer me to document to go look at. He had a good influence on me and I appreciate it and I was lucky to have a Nigerian as the President of a global organisation like ICAO; it is not easy. Also at the other end, everybody expecting me to perform like Dr Aliu, you find people like him once in a lifetime, there is no way I can fill his shoes, they are too big for me.

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

According to him: “The zone cannot function without the presence of banks that provide the enterprises with peculiar needs such as seamless access to forex.

The zone is a peculiar business community. In fact it’s like a country of its own that requires the presence of all types of financial institutions to function optimally. “I am aware the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is working to ensure that happens. We are hoping that the committee handling that process could expedient action on it.�

In a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh, Adesugba, said the authority was prepared to partner with the private sector for speedy execution of outlined strategic plans.

He added that the zones could attract more investors and work better when enterprises operating in therein are not threatened with all manner of taxes.

He however, pointed out that the huge investments by private

operators of the zones remained positive for the economy and demonstrated the capacity of the zones to significantly contribute to growth and development.

He said: “NEPZA will remain strategic in executing its plans to ensure smooth transition of our strategic plans. From the indices before us, we can do better. Our staffers have been made to understand that the government relies on us to show the direction toward the industrialization of the country.

On his part, Adetuntan had expressed delight over Adesugba’s appointment as the NEPZA chief executive, adding that he was an accomplished investment promotion expert.

He pointed out that many countries had leveraged on the free trade zone scheme to steer growth and development, adding that Nigeria was on the right track to achieving same and expressed the bank’s willingness to partner with the authority for mutual benefits.

Sanofi, GSK Initiate Second Phase trial of Protein-based COVID-19 Vaccine Raheem Akingbolu Pharmaceutical giants, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline have jointly announced the commencement of phase II clinical trial for an adjuvant COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine candidate, jointly developed by the two global companies, uses the same recombinant protein-based technology as one of Sanofi’s seasonal influenza vaccines with GSK’s established pandemic adjuvant technology.

In a recent statement, President of GSK Vaccines, Roger Connor, disclosed that the randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immune response of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate. “Moving this vaccine candidate

into clinical development is an important moment in the progress towards addressing the global pandemic we are all facing. “This builds on the confidence shown by governments already in the potential of this protein-based adjuvant vaccine candidate, which utilises established technology from both companies. “We now look forward to the data from the study, and if positive, beginning a phase III trial by the end of the year,� he said.

A total of 440 healthy adults are being enrolled in the trial across 11 investigational sites in the United States. Connor disclosed that both companies anticipate the first results in early December 2020, to support the initiation of a Phase III trial in December 2020. “If these data are sufficient for licensure application, it is planned to request regulatory approval in the first half of 2021,� he said.

The Executive Vice President and Global Head of Sanofi Pasteur, Thomas Triomphe equally noted that Sanofi and GSK have brought proven science and technology to fight the global pandemic as well as to deliver a safe and effective vaccine. “The initiation of our clinical study is an important step and brings us closer to a potential vaccine which could help defeat COVID-19. “Our dedicated teams and partner continue to work around the clock as we aim to deliver the first results in early December.

Positive data will enable a prompt start of the pivotal phase 3 trial by the end of this year,� he said.

Triomphe further stressed that both pharma giants are scaling up manufacturing of the antigen and adjuvant with the target of producing up to one billion doses in 2021

‘Why Kwara Adopted FG’s Tradermoni Programme for Petty Traders’ Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend said his administration decided to adopt the federal government’s Tradermoni programme for petty traders and vulnerable in order to lift as many people as possible out of extreme poverty in the state.

Speaking at the official transfer of the first tranche of N10,000 each to 21,623 to market women especially petty traders held at Ipata Market in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq said, “This scheme is to assist our market men and women, particularly petty traders. But it is important for beneficiaries to pay back the loan to get a double of the first tranche.�

According to him, “I was with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he launched the social investment scheme in Kwara and we have seen the huge benefits of the programme. “That is why we decided to

do same here. I saw the impact and I believe in it. This is one of the best programmes of the federal government.�

AbdulRazaq said he favours empowering the poor with public funds in a sustainable and transparent manner without subjecting them to inhuman treatment in the guise of giving them handouts.

He said, “This is not a personal money but government’s funds which belong to all of you. We don’t believe in converting public funds to private properties and then give out crumbs in the pretense of giving you free money. “We are giving you the money (which is called Owo Isowo) to do business and repay in a relaxed manner. We are starting with 21,623 market men and women to scale up their businesses. “Once they pay the first tranche, the money will be doubled because of its trickle down effects. This will help the poorest of the poor.� “During the lockdown, we supported transporters and we will extend the gesture to the aged

very soon under Owo Arugbo. “So, in all, we are looking at about 100,000 beneficiaries of the social investment programme in the first phase. The programme will roll on as beneficiaries (Owo Isowo) pay back,� he said.

The Governor said many donor partners and the federal government have hailed the Kwara model which he said has improved on the experiences of the federal government. “The World Bank and the federal government are urging states to replicate this scheme to lift people out of poverty and this is the best way to go about it,� AbdulRazaq said.

Also speaking at the event, Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi, said the social programme showed how committed the administration was to the welfare of the poor.

He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and repay within stipulated time to enable them benefit more from the scheme.

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‘Experience Centre Will Boost Tech Adoption’ Emma Okonji Microsoft and Dell Technologies have said the Tech Experience Centre that is billed for launch October 1, will save huge costs and will boost faster technology adoption in Nigeria.

The Director, Central and West Africa, Dell Technologies, Nicholas Travers, who expressed delight over the expected launch of the Tech Experience Centre, said: “It is an ambitious technology project that will bridge the gap to cuttingedge technologies for millions of Nigerians. The project will save the huge costs and capital flight while also boosting technology adoption in Nigeria.�

The Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Akin Banuso, said the planned launch of the Tech Experience Centre, a mega technology project, would see Nigeria play host to cutting-edge technologies from the biggest global brands.

Travers who hailed TD Africa, for the landmark initiative, said Dell Technologies, a partner on the project and one of the global tech giants expected to occupy the centre, was proud to be associated with the unprecedented development. “This is a fantastic initiative

by TD Africa, perhaps the first of its kind in the region and we are proud to be part of it. With expected visitors spanning CEOs, MDs and Heads of Technology from different sectors of the Nigerian economy, we believe the Tech Experience Centre will

help reduce the decision making cycle and save huge costs and time of traveling to locations outside our continent to visit and experience these technologies at work,’’ Travers said.

Travers revealed his excitement with the strategic nature of the Experience Centre, which he believes will go a long way in helping Dell Technologies showcase its suite of cutting-edge technologies.

The launch of the Experience Centre would support the growth of technology in Nigeria and the West African region. Also, it provides a fantastic platform for Dell Technologies to showcase the very many technologies we offer, he said.

Banuso added: ‘‘The Tech Experience Centre will play an extremely strategic role in enabling us in Nigeria to build and work with our customers to envision solutions that will move us forward to the future we require. This ought to help with showing our customers what I would call ‘The art of the possible. ‘‘TD Africa is a key partner for Microsoft in Nigeria to enable us reach the breadth of the market.

We hope to collaborate with the TD team to enable the Centre to host Microsoft Technology envisioning sessions that will be like a window into the future and present of possibilities,’’ he enthused.

The Microsoft Senior Executive further hopes the centre will serve as a strategic resource point for various classes of visitors.�

Ondo, Private Firm Float N4.2bn Egg Processing Company James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, has flagged off the construction of egg processing factory worth N4.2 billion.

The company, Sunshine Food Processing Concept Limited, located at Emure-Ile in Owo Local Government is being promoted by Imperial Capital, with 45 per cent equity and Ondo State Government, with 55 per cent shares. On completion, the factory would have the capacity to generate not fewer than 10,000 jobs.

Akeredolu, at the ceremony, said the factory if completed would be of immense benefits to Nigeria as whole, saying it is capable of saving the country not less than $30 billion being used to import eggs on yearly basis. According the governor, no fewer than 10,000 jobs would be

created by the company while not less than 500,000 eggs would be needed per day for the operation of the industry.

He added that the federal government would have to ban importation of eggs when the industry becomes operational.

The governor stated that the industry would be the biggest ever in the state when completed.

He, therefore, asked farmers to start investing in poultry farming, saying the industry would be an available market for poultry farmers.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, Mr. Akinboye Oyewumi, explained that the investors are Imperial Capital with 45 per cent stake while the state government has 55 per cent shares.

Oyewumi added that the state government would sell its shares when the company become operation fully, noting

that’ll the government was not in the business of running enterprise.

He said the project would be completed within 12 months, explaining that both partners provided the money for the company’s take off which he said was in a bank already.

Similarly, Mr. Akin Olotu, the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Agri-Business to the state governor, said the benefits inherent in the investment were not only meant for the state but the country.

Olotu, explained that it would have great effect on Nigeria’s foreign exchange by reducing pressure on dollars, saying the investment would also address annual challenges being faced by poultry farmers.

The Special Adviser stated that the industry would ensure industrial usage of eggs which called for poultry value chain through a lot of groups benefiting

from the investment. “We will have egg powder, pasturised liquid eggs and the shells will be utilized for poultry feeds and a lot of things. “What Governor Akeredolu has succeeded in doing is the development of the poultry value chain. We are looking at production, we are looking at processing, we are looking at marketing and we are looking at foreign exchange earnings. “So, it is a full circle. The implication is that more people will come into poultry business, more jobs be created. So the advantages are so numerous,�

Olotu stated.

Similarly, a member of the Board of Directors of the company, Mr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said the industry had great economic gains to the state and the country.

Oyedele noted that multiple effects of the establishment would cut across all human endeavours

‘Soybean Consumption, Answer to Protein Deficiency in Nigeria’ Raji Rajman Premier Agribusiness Academy (PAA), an agribusiness training institute in Nigeria has reiterated its commitment towards the development of soybean production through its strategic partnership with USSOY, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Health, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Nigerian Soybean Association (NSA), Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other critical stakeholders across the soybean value chain.

The Director General of Premier Agribusiness Academy, Mr. Toromade Francis, made this known during its first Nigerian Soy Excellence Centre (SEC) advisory council meeting which held in Lagos recently.

Toromade, explained that the country is challenged with high protein deficiency amongst both children and adults especially under-five children, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age which results in malnutrition and other health hazards like stunted growth, underweight as well as infections.

While making reference to a research conducted in the United States of America, Toromade pointed out that, an average Nigerian consumes only one kilogramme of soybean per year whereas in the United States, its 55kg per person per year which could explain the difference in life expectancy.

He further explained that the contribution of soybean to protein intake cannot be overstressed as protein consumption is currently inadequate in Nigeria as a result of low production, high cost of production and importation. “High-quality protein such as soybeans should be available, affordable and accessible by the high and low-income classes in the country especially to the vulnerable class who are mostly affected by protein deficiency and malnutrition. “To overcome the challenge of protein deficiency and its accompanying health problems, USSOY and PAA as well as other critical indigenous stakeholders across the soybean value chain have agreed that proper, strategic training is of importance. “The reason why we have such low rate of soybean production in Nigeria is knowledge gap. if people are properly trained in soybean production, they will know when and how to plant, what, how and when to apply which will result in better yield.

Our agronomy practice is also a major reason for the deficiency which the Nigerian Soy Excellence Centre (SEC) have developed a curriculum to address,� he said.

He added: “Also, farming will become attractive and more profitable especially to the young because they would have been equipped and trained with the needed skills needed to profit from the production of soybean through the guidance of all critical stakeholders and at a subsidised rate.�

PROMOTINGINNOVATION

L-R: Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote; Advisory Board Member, Eko Innovation Centre, Doja Ekeruche; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajiide Sanwo-Olu; Founder, Eko Innovation Centre, Mr. Victor Afolabi, and Special Adviser on Housing to the Governor,Mrs.TokeBenson-Awoyinka,attheunveilingofwinnersoftheLagosSmartMeterHackathonheldinLagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

UNN Alumni Honours Outgoing CBN Spokesman, Okoroafor James Emejo in Abuja The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Alumni Association, Abuja Chapter has conferred an award for excellence on the outgoing Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Issac Okoroafor.

He will be retiring from the apex bank on October 1, 2020 after clocking the 60- year mandatory retirement age.

According to the association’s president, Mr. Uche Obasi, Okoroafor was among other things recognised for his selfless service to humanity and his numerous contributions to national development as well as his commendable efforts towards to “restore the dignity of man�.

He said having been conferred with a degree in both character and learning by the university, the CBN director had further demonstrated exemplary leadership and professionalism as spokesman for the apex bank, adding that he also brought goodwill to his Alma mater during his service in the public sector.

Okoroafor, who is an alumnus of Nigeria’s first indigenous university graduated from the

economics department in 1984.

However, speaking to journalists during the award ceremony which held over the weekend, the CBN director expressed fulfilment in the service of the nation, adding that, “the greatest fulfillment a man could aspire to is service to nation and ordinary people that lack opportunities.�

He said: “I look at my service years in public sector from the point of view of national service.

National Service comes above every other thing after the worshipping of God. National service takes precedence over every other thing and it’s been like that about 15 years plus. “I came from the private sector and I told my people before I left Business Day that I was going on national service; and that I have done. Our country needs to be served whether we like it or not; whether we are happy or not we must continue to do whatever we can to make sure that the people of Nigeria, especially the ordinary people who do not have the opportunity some of us have; we must continue to work for the betterment of their lives.

He said: “That is the greatest service anybody can give. As you serve the nation and ordinary

people, you serve God. As for me, it is service to people that will lead me into service for God. I am very happy; I am much fulfilled that I am coming to the end of my service in the public service. But national service continues and I will continue to do that until all of us come out to serve this country.�

Reliving his experience as the apex bank’s spokesman, he said likened the office to a battle front.

According to him: “Running a corporate communications is like being in a battle front every day. There is no weekend, no holiday; there is no vacation. If I traveled outside the country my phones will be ringing and I must operate from there. It has been a whole lot of work; it denies everything even your private life, community life. “At a time my town union granted me leave, that I should come whenever I felt like coming because they understood what I was going through. Corporate communication management is a very tough battle, you must be strong physically, you must be strong and alive mentally; you must be somebody who must move on -the go; to be able to keep up with the pace especially

social media. You have to also manage stakeholders.�

He said: “There are people who do not see well in what you are doing. Of course, there is contending interest, they are always there. It is your job to manage them and make everybody feel happy. “You might not succeed in making everybody feel happy, but you strive to make most of the people understand your point of view so that they can buy into your policies and initiatives, you can make some progress. It has been a very exciting thing.�

He however, attributed his successes to his hardworking staff.

Okoroafor said: “I couldn’t have done all this without the gentlemen who have worked with me. We have established a pattern. No matter the time of the day or night we worked, we issued press releases at times 2 a.m in the night. We all know once a phone call goes, people don’t sleep. I will continue to pray for my colleagues that I leave behind. It has been a very resounding experience of team spirit working with them; and I continue to pray for them and stand by. Any time there is a problem they think I can come in to help I will be there�.

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‘Cross River to Harness Economic Potential in Gulf of Guinea’ Cross River State said it is poised to harness economic potentials that abound in the Gulf of Guinea. To this end, the state government is facilitating the establishment of a new Commission to enhance trade between the state and the 13 countries that make up the Gulf of Guinea.

The State Governor, Ben Ayade, disclosed this at a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Calabar, after a visit to several companies at the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Calabar. The governor expressed optimism that economic opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea, if properly tapped would go a long way in creating jobs for the people

of the state, adding that Cross River was well suited because of its geographic location, to play a leading role in the gulf.

Ayade: “We are here today because the entire Gulf of Guinea has become a new trading centre with a trade value in excess of $1trillion. Nigeria has to take a major share of that and Calabar presents itself as the most strategic in terms of municipal suitability to play the role as a municipal centre for the Commission. “So, given that background, we are looking at EPZ, looking at NPA, looking at NIWA and looking at the possible collaborative facilitation on how we can be in synergism with all these public sectors, work together

with the private sector to use Calabar as the main export hub to be able to bring back life into the Export Processing Zone again using NPA as our mother support system in terms of the maritime travels. “We are here for you (NPA) to tell us the bit that you know other than the liquid items , the dry board items such as pepper, cashew nuts , matrasses, and so on that we can export from here to Gabon, Cape Verde, Equitorial Guinea and Angola.�

According to him, the proximity of Calabar to most of the Gulf of Guinea countries makes it imperative that Cross River maximizes the advantage. “Just 15- 20 minutes flight and you are on the other side and

those countries basically depend and rely on European countries to get goods as simple as soap, toothpaste yet we produce all of these in excess here. “So we are looking at most of the factories that have shut down in EPZ, we are looking at the Ayade Industrial park which is also in the final stages of getting a free zone status, we are saying we need to get more and more Cross Riverians in the private sector to come in, take advantage of some these empty factories that we have got and see how we can produce. “But what do you produce?

We need to talk to NPA because they have an idea of what is being taken out of Cross River

State or out of Nigeria and what is really coming into this country. We are talking about legal trade now with our emphasis not on Petroleum products because there is too much illegality in that trade. “We are looking at things that can create jobs for our people, things like growing your yams, processing it into yam poundo and exporting it, growing your maize and processing it into feeds and exporting it.�

Earlier, the Manager of Calabar Port, Marie Asein, said the governor’s visit was timely as it afforded her the opportunity to enumerate challenges facing the facility. She commended Ayade over the Gulf of Guinea initiative, saying it would go a

long way in breathing life into the Calabar port. “This is a long awaited project that we have been eagerly waiting for, this is because people out there feel there is nothing going on at the NPA. “So seeing that the Cross River State government is eager to ensure that export of goods between Nigeria and countries in the Gulf of Guinea begins, especially in the agricultural sector, is very encouraging and once these goods are available, then we are ready to start. “We can now encourage those shipping companies who are skeptical about coming in due to not having outbound cargo to take with them as they are exiting the our shores.�

NNPC, Total Donate Science Laboratories to Delta School Peter Uzoho The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Total Upstream, and their partners, have handed over a block of five science laboratories fullyequipped with state-of-the-art science apparatus to St Pius X Grammar School, Onicha Ugbo, Delta State.

The facilities were aimed at enhancing the learning of chemistry, physics, biology, home economics and agricultural science by the students of the benefiting school. Speaking during the handover ceremony which was held virtually, the General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Total Upstream, Mr. Ajukwura Wokoma, said the project was one of the numerous projects embarked upon by NNPC, Total Upstream and partners since 2016.

He said that so far, Total and partners have awarded 84 projects in its three-phased corporate social responsibility projects, adding that some had been inaugurated while others were yet to.

The Delta State Commissioner for Education, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Samuel Dietake, commended Total, NNPC and partners for their gesture, promising that they would make proper use of the laboratories.

The Project Manager, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ukpaka, said the fully-equipped science laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities were arguably the best in the state.

He also said the facilities would be of significant benefits to the school because of its proximity to students for their practical examination. According to him, students from other schools not privileged to have such equipped laboratories will also benefit if properly harnessed.

Also, the Principal of St Pius X Grammar School, Rev Fr. Anthony Banye, described the facilities as answer to prayers that will change the narrative of science students as well as improve not only the school’s physical environment but also its learning culture, infuse the vision and passion and interaction between teachers and students.

Olam Wins Award for Empowering Smallholder Farmers Maduabuchi Ubani Olam has been recognised for making a difference in farmers’ lives through its Olam Direct platform at Innovation Leader’s 2020 Impact Awards.

Now in its third year, Innovation Leader’s Impact Awards honour companies with corporate innovation initiatives that have run for at least a year and delivered extraordinary outcomes with measurable business results.

Olam’s entry for ‘Olam Direct’ emerged as a winner in the Impact Award category, having earned the recognition of an esteemed judging panel from organisations including Verizon, Philips Healthcare, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, CME Group, Dover Corporation, Duke Energy and Cambia Health Solutions.

Powered by apps, a portal and an analytics dashboard, Olam Direct is a holistic platform connecting farmers with Olam to ensure a fair and transparent sourcing process for all. “The app empowers farmers to get prices and transact directly with the company rather than

going through intermediaries, which yields not only higher prices for farmers but cost savings on their expenses, as Olam manages ‘last mile’ collection. “The highlights of Olam Direct include that the initiative registered and benefited over 70,000 farmers across 12 countries, allowing them to transact with or without internet; each transaction is geo-tagged and time stamped allowing for traceability and consistency; unique value proposition provides traceability, allowing customers to get greater transparency on farmer activities and created new employment opportunities for rural communities by appointing former intermediaries as micro-collectors for Olam Direct,� a statement explained. The Group Head of Digital, Olam International, Siddharth Satpute said: “We are honoured by this recognition. Our aim is to bring transparency and traceability to the agriculture supply chain. Many under-estimate how difficult it can be to establish direct buying relationships with farmers in very rural areas; and, equally, for farmers to connect to large exporters.

AWARDWELLDESERVED

MD/CEO,AfricaOperations,Inlaks, FemiAdeoti(left),receivingthe‘NextBulls’awardsfrom Editor,BuinessDayMediaLimited,PatrickAtuanya,atInlaks head office in Lagos ...recently

Royal Exchange Announces N14.21bn Gross Written Premium Ebere Nwoji Royal Exchange Plc has announced a Gross Written Premium of N14.21 billion from its business activities as at end of December 31, 2019.

Making this announcement, at the 51st virtual Annual General Meeting of the company held in Lagos, the Chairman of the company, Mr. Kenny E. Odogwu, said net premium income for the period amounted to N8.72 billion, while net underwriting income was N9.19 billion, after the addition of fees and commission income, which was N479.6 million.

He said a further analysis of

the company’s operating results showed that total assets of the group stood at N32.1 billion as at December 31, 2019, with net claims paid to policyholders for the period under review amounted to N3.17 billion.

He said Royal Exchange with interest in general insurance, life insurance, finance, healthcare as well as micro finance banking, was seeking to take advantage of synergies, as a financial conglomerate in its new drive for growth.

Addressing the shareholders, Director of Royal Exchange, Alhaji, Rufai Mohammed, who stood in for the chairman told shareholders

that the future of the company was bright.

According to him, the present management has done very well in growing the business and bringing stability in her operations. “As always, Royal Exchange will continue to stay abreast with many of the initiatives it has put in place to grow its market share and attain market leadership position,� he said.

According to him, the group is currently streamlining major components of her business, service delivery, processes and operations to deliver superior returns in the short-term to the shareholders.

“This we believe will reposition our great company as not only a major industry player, but as potential game changer,� he added.

Speaking further, he added that the group was able to grow its top-line figures by participating in large-ticket financial transactions, as well as playing in the retail insurance market-a key growth driver of the future of the company. “And we envision a portfolio rebalancing, whereby retail insurance market contributes 40-50 percent of our revenues seeing that we have a largely untapped market� the Royal Exchange Chairman stated.

PTAD Expresses Worry over Rise in Pension Fraudsters James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme has expressed worry over the increasing activities of fraudsters who defraud unsuspecting pensioners of their retirement benefits.

She said the pension industry had before now been replete with complaints of extortion by fraudsters and calls demanding for money in order to quicken

computation and payment of outstanding liabilities.

Speaking at the opening of the 2020 sensitisation and capacity building workshop for antigraft and other related agencies on the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in Abuja, she said these fraudsters take advantage of the desperate and unsuspecting pensioners to defraud them of their meagre benefits.

The PTAD boss also said the directorate had been inundated with complaints

of scammers impersonating or posing as staff of PTAD usually conveying wrong information and misleading write-ups.

She said the agency had deemed it fit to engage its stakeholders in order to continually re-strategise and come to terms with the realities of fraudulent activities as it pertains to the management of the directorate’s pensioners.

She pointed out that it was against this backdrop that PTAD

had launched the maiden edition of the workshop themed: “ZeroFraud Pension Administration in Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS)�.

Nonetheless, Ejikeme said the PTAD had been liaising with security agencies including the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) in order to curtail the menace.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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‘Why Kwara Adopted FG’s Tradermoni Programme for PettyTraders’ Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend said his administration decided to adopt the federal government’s Tradermoni programme for petty traders and vulnerable in order to lift as many people as possible out of extreme poverty in the state.

Speaking at the official transfer of the first tranche of N10,000 each to 21,623 to market women especially petty traders held at Ipata Market in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq said, “This scheme is to assist our market men and women, particularly petty traders. But it is important for beneficiaries to pay back the loan to get a double of the first tranche.�

According to him, “I was with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he launched the social investment scheme in Kwara and we have seen the huge benefits of the programme. “That is why we decided to do same here. I saw the impact

and I believe in it. This is one of the best programmes of the federal government.�

AbdulRazaq said he favours empowering the poor with public funds in a sustainable and transparent manner without subjecting them to inhuman treatment in the guise of giving them handouts.

He said, “This is not a personal money but government’s funds which belong to all of you. We don’t believe in converting public funds to private properties and then give out crumbs in the pretense of giving you free money. “We are giving you the money (which is called Owo Isowo) to do business and repay in a relaxed manner. We are starting with 21,623 market men and women to scale up their businesses. “Once they pay the first tranche, the money will be doubled because of its trickle down effects. This will help the poorest of the poor.� “During the lockdown, we supported transporters and we will extend the gesture to the aged very soon under Owo Arugbo.

“So, in all, we are looking at about 100,000 beneficiaries of the social investment programme in the first phase. The programme will roll on as beneficiaries (Owo Isowo) pay back,� he said.

The Governor said many donor partners and the federal government have hailed the Kwara model which he said has improved on the experiences of the federal government. “The World Bank and the federal government are urging states to replicate this scheme to lift people out of poverty and this is the best way to go about it,� AbdulRazaq said.

Also speaking at the event, Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi, said the social programme showed how committed the administration was to the welfare of the poor.

He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and repay within stipulated time to enable them benefit more from the scheme.

Blue Band Unveils ‘Spreading Smiles’Initiative Nume Ekeghe Blue Band, a consumer brand, has announced an additional response to the economic disruption posed by Covid-19 through its ‘Spreading Smiles’ Twin Tub Pack Campaign with up to N5,000,000 cash rewards for consumers.

The new initiative involves the participation of Blue Band consumers, offering them an opportunity to nominate a family in need, to receive financial rewards up to N50, 000. For every Twin Tub Pack of 250g, 450g or 900g purchased, consumers are to win instant gifts and also get the chance to nominate a disadvantaged family that they believe would greatly benefit from financial assistance using a code provided on the Twin Tub Pack.

At the end of the promo period, 100 disadvantaged families across Nigeria would have benefited

from the cash relief which would go a long way in aiding the nourishment and wellbeing of their children and families.

Speaking about the campaign, Upfield Head of Marketing West Africa, Francis Afoani said: “We are deeply concerned about families and children who are vulnerable to the economic and health impact brought on by Covid-19. As a food company, we recognise our heightened responsibility during this pandemic to provide solutions that support disadvantaged families while ensuring our nutritious, quality foods are consistently available to our consumers. “We are positive that this initiative will further demonstrate our commitment to help parents grow healthy and happy kids.�

The Blue Band Twin Tub Pack can be purchased at selected Modern Trade stores and neigh-

bourhood supermarkets across key cities in Nigeria.

The pack would be easily identifiable by consumers in the spreads section of the stores by the iconic bright yellow, blue and red colours of the Blue Band brand.

According to the Brand Manager, Blue Band Nigeria, Titilope Reju, “We thought it was important to involve our consumers in this impactful initiative as we know they are also concerned about families, friends and loved ones who have been impacted by the pandemic. “We stand as one with every family who has been impacted during the pandemic and need support to care for their kids.

We are therefore challenging our consumers and presenting them with an opportunity to make a difference and ultimately be part of promoting the ‘Spreading Smiles’ campaign.�

Popoola Calls for Obtaining of Credit History for Intervention Fund Disbursement Maduabuchi Ubani The access, impact and prospects of the intervention funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) formed the basis of discussion at a recent webinar organised by the CRC Credit Bureau.

The webinar was part of the firm’s CSR initiative that serves as an avenue to enlighten members of the public on issues around financial literacy and the Bank’s policies. The Managing Director/ CEO, CRC Credit Bureau, Dr. ‘Tunde Popoola, said: “As at now most of the intervention funds, especially by the state governments are disbursed without reference to the credit bureaus. Even after disbursement, such data are not submitted to the credit bureaus. “What happens is that wrong people or non-targeted platforms may be the beneficiaries of the intervention funds�

Popoola further advocated that data of beneficiaries be submitted to the credit bureau, saying it would help in collection and repayment, alongside improve access to non-government funds for credit beneficiaries as well as

instill discipline to the repayment process.

Presenting the intervention funds as one of the key mandate of the CBN, Dr. Chinedu Zephaniah, of its Development Finance Department, said the Bank was positioned to promote a sound financial system, stimulate key sectors and facilitate investment in critical infrastructure that will assist development alongside deployment of finance to specific focal centres.

For him, the grand aim of development financing is to increase impact, achieve employment elasticity in some sectors of the economy and diversify the economic base of the economy. “Our focus is on agriculture, manufacturing, specialised products for MSMEs, infrastructure and then power. These are the sectors that when we intervene, we have a wider range of effects to the economy. “In all, CBN has disbursed over N1.5 trillion in terms of facilities. CBN will continue to focus on the priority sectors of the economy using particularly agriculture and manufacturing

through a range of direct policy and indirect policy interventions, alongside direct funding of these sectors. “We will take advantage of the COVID-19 and turn its difficulties into opportunities,� he explained.

Presenting fund management and project implementation as some of the duties of Bank of Industry, the Executive Director of Bank of Industry, Mr. Simon Araronu, during his session moved on to explain that BOI also plays a monetary role in overseeing that the funds are returned back to the fund owner, the CBN as at when due.

According to Araronu, the four core intervention funds managed at the BoI include power and airline, SMes, industry finds and textile intervention funds. “Following the COVID-19 development, there was need for palliative. CBN was very proactive and offered a reduction in interest rate. “Right now, the interest rate for the aforementioned intervention funds have gone down from nine per cent to five per cent for one year.

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IMAGES

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L-R: Acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr Victor Muruako; Deputy Director of Finance, FRC, Mrs Adunola Oshunmakinde and Lead Consultant, ECOWAS Commission, Prof. Ken Ife, during a Capacity Building on Fiscal Responsibility Act organised by FRC in Abuja...recently

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R-L: Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed A. Adamu, and Emir of KeďŹƒ/Chairman Allumni Association of University of Dundee in UK, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, during the Allumni’s of University of Dundee visit to IGP, at the Force headquarters, in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Public Relations OďŹƒcer, LUTH, Kelechi Otuneme; , Public Relations Specialist MultiChoice Nigeria, Timothy Okwu; Head, corporate aairs MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma; Chairman Medical Advisory committee, LUTH, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, and CSI Executive MultiChoice Nigeria, Akaoma Onyeonoru during the presentation of Protective Gear and face masks to Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi Araba Lagos (LUTH) by MultiChoice in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

33

New British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones (left), and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the visit of the commissioner to the governor in Lagos...recently

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and the National Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors 40th AGM/ ScientiďŹ c Conference, “Delta 2020â€? in Oghara ,Delta State...recently

L-R: Chairman, Leadway Holdings, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; ; MD/CEO, Leadway Capital & Trusts, Mr. Ayodeji Wuraola; MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure, Mrs. Aderonke Adedeji; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Leadway Asset Management, Mr. David Alao Executive Director, Leadway Assurance, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi, and MD/CEO, Leadway Assurance, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, at the oďŹƒcial unveiling of the 50th Anniversary logo of Leadway Assurance Company Limited in Lagos...recently

Co-convener, New-Nigeria-is-Possible (NNIP), Dr Henry Debem(left) and Representative of the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Idonije Obakhedo, during the visit of the members of NNIP to NAN Headquarters in Abuja...recently

L-R: Managing Director, Outori Limited (Lead initiator of Fly Africa), Mr Wole Olagundoye; Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Lagos State, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf; Special Adviser on Tourism, Art and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku; and Marketing Manager, Baker’s Choice/Princess Cakes, Ms Dolapo Adebisi, during a press conference on the partnership between Lagos State and Fly Africa on Nigeria’s 60th independence celebration tagged ‘Sweet 60� in Lagos... recently PHOTO: DAN UKANA

L-R: Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Akinwunmi Ricketts, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Chairman Governing Board of NIMASA, Hon. Asita O. Asita during the 2020 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos..recently

L-R: Chairman, Investments and Securities Tribuna,l Mr Amos Azi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed; and Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission Mr Lamido Yuguda, during the Inauguration of the IST Board Members by the Minister of Finance in Abuja...recently

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

CITYSTRINGS

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ë›Ă?äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͙͔͙͚͚͓͖͑͑͑͒

Passion for Girl-child Empowerment In a society governed by superstitious beliefs and adherence to age-long traditions which effectively condemn the future of the girl child to the kitchen and childbearing, a voice appears to have arisen in the wilderness to break the unwritten code of silence, reverse the trend and bequeath the girl child her rightful preeminent position in society. In this report, Ugo Aliogo mirrors the activities of Princess Genevieve Ikenchukwu, who narrates in unambiguous terms her own experience and the motivation behind the current efforts by the Queen Grace Foundation to empower the girl-child

“W

hen I was being abused in my marriage, it was difficult for me to speak out until it became physical within a week of being married and this was because people saw the bruises. When I was being called names that nobody called me prior to marriage, it was difficult to tell anybody because I was only a few days married.�

When I heard these words from Princess Genevieve Ikenchukwu, they sent cold shivers right down my spine. The excerpt is also a stark reminder of the harrowing experience she went through in her marriage. Princess, as she is fondly called by her friends, is not alone in this ship. There are other women who are victims of abusive relationships and marriages but are not able to speak, solely because they do not have the right platform or they are holding on to the age-long African tradition that women are only allowed to be seen and not heard.

Despite the changing trends including various policies and treaties to protect and promote the rights of women, the cultural belief of women being relegated to the background is still holding sway. On the flip side, Princess or “Gene�, as she is fondly called by friends and family has been able to summon the courage to challenge the status quo and won a victory over her trials. It is her success in overcoming these old traditional beliefs and practices that have propelled her into establishing the Queen Grace Foundation (QGF) to create a veritable platform to help others who are victims of violence speak out and seek help.

In addition, she explained that her background in the legal profession has also helped to build the legal framework to walk the talk. According to her, "the core mandate of QGF is to promote the welfare of orphans and female victims of violence with a focus on the girl-child. The QGF is an offshoot of the Obi Ikenchukwu Foundation (OIF), established in 2013 and launched in 2015."

Princess pointed out that, "the focus right now is to split the foundations into two, whereby one arm, the QGF, will focus on the humanitarian aim, the same being the welfare of the vulnerable in the society, i.e orphans and female victims of violence; while the OIF is to focus on the promotion of Arts and Culture.

QGF is registered in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.�

She said both foundations were established in honour of her parents, the late King and Queen of AgborKingdom - QGF in honour of her late mother, HRH Queen Grace Ikenchukwu and the OIF in honour of her late father, HRM. Obi Ikenchukwu I of Agbor Kingdom. She emphasised that the core mandates of both foundations, particularly QGF, go beyond the kingdom of Agbor.

According to her, "originally, my intention was to establish ONE Foundation to honour my late parents which incorporated the two limbs of our aims and objectives and it was called the OIF at the time. However, it became imperative for me to change the name or split the foundation in order for us to be able to function more effectively.

"A major concern for me under the OIF was the somewhat myopic view of our people who found it very difficult to accept that the OIF was a charity with general application. It was always seen as an Agbor thing, hence, it became difficult for me to secure sponsorship/support.

Everywhere I went, I was faced with the question - "why is this person not involved? What is this person doing for the OIF? Is so, so and so a part of the OIF"? This went on for years and it became more and more difficult for me to explain why certain prominent Agbor names were not supporting our work just by virtue of its name, i.e being a charity in honour of a Monarch and a First Class Monarch at that."

Volunteers of Co-Give20 Project Walk Challenge in Sussex, United Kingdom heed the call to support the girl-child

Princess Genevieve Ikenchukwu, promoter of the Queen Grace Foundation(QGF)

She further explained that "following the 2018 launch of 'our voice... the change' in Agbor, I knew it was time for a change, hence, the establishment of QGF in London. Another challenge I faced was often being told by my people that I was expecting too much from them.

I did (and still) struggle with this notion because I genuinely believed I was doing something that my people would be proud of and willing to support not only financially but morally.

"It is important to note that I do get moral support from some of my friends and family members but key members of the society that are naturally expected to be onboard the charity are showing little or no interest despite its focus on community development. I used to be hurt but with the establishment of QGF, I feel fulfilled and no longer expect but always thankful to those who support and appreciate our work", she stated.

On what still keeps her going despite the lack of support from prominent people in Agbor, Princess said "The motivation for me is because I grew up as an orphan girl-child. My mother had girls and the kingdom wanted a boy. So, as a young newly married woman and playing such a huge role within a culture that is predominantly in support of primogeniture law, I can only imagine that it must have been a lot of pressure on her as well, trying to please her husband, his people and then his culture all at once. So, the focus for me will always be on the orphan child because I grew up as one and, the education of the girl-child, also because I grew up as one".

Speaking more on her why her marriage failed and the lessons she learnt, Princess explained that “In relation to the protection of female victims of violence, this sprung from my abusive marriage. I got married into a family I always thought loved and cared for me because they knew me before I met my ex-husband. In fact, his sister introduced me to him and his parents were in full support.

"I particularly loved his father but when he constantly abused me within their home, I was told not to tell anyone but to keep it within the marriage. He called me names I had never been called. He told me things about my parents I never heard of before. He physically abused me and all the while, I had no one to talk to because his parents often told me marriage meant keeping everything within our home�.

She narrated that in a society with a predominant culture of silence, she "suffered in silence until one day, barely a week into the marriage, he beat me so badly, his father and siblings broke down the door and found him on top of me literally strangling me. It was then, they took it seriously and I ran out of the

the Monarch and supported his culture even to death. It is also my way of helping WOMEN seek redress, be it legal or moral.�

house. I moved in with my aunty who saw the bruises and arranged an initial meeting with his family at their home. A few days later, an emergency family meeting was called at my uncle’s residence in Surulere (Prince Adams Gbenoba). “Present at this meeting were some of my Agbor uncles and his own family at which his conduct particularly the constant abuse within such a short marriage evident from the bruises on my body was discussed. To say my uncles were shocked would be an understatement.

Guess what? He had the backing and support of his parents and siblings regardless and to date, not a single one of them including the one who used to be my best friend and who introduced us ever contacted me to even ask me what happened. They still believe I was wrong and that I deliberately left the marriage because that is what he told them.

"No one has considered it necessary to ask me my version of events. Do you think this would have happened if my parents were alive? Absolutely not. They probably would have precluded me from marrying him in the first instance because they would have been able to identify certain traits and behavioural issues that I failed to notice or understand at the time," she lamented.

Asking rhetorically: "How do you explain that in less than a week of marriage you are being abused and running for your life? I think that there are so many women subjected to violence within their homes and marriages but choose to remain mute not because they do not have a VOICE but because they are not encouraged to use their voice or to express themselves. In retrospect, I can see that that is what my mother went through. She had a voice that was suppressed by culture. I call it Cultural Violence and it must be stopped�. “It would probably have been worse in those days because if 20 years ago, I found it difficult to express myself properly except when they saw the bruises on my body, just imagine what it would have been like in my mother's time in the 60s and 70s. She was happily married until the issue of male child/heir to the throne reared its ugly head (although I understand that the culture needed that for succession purposes).

What I do not understand or accept is the need to abuse an innocent girl or indeed any girl/ woman just to achieve that goal," she queried.

According to her, the establishment of QGF, therefore, is "my way of adding a VOICE to that of the victims of violence, both domestic and general, and to honour my mother for her role in the development and growth of her Culture and Community despite her experience. She did all she did because she loved her husband

The Christmas Party Since the establishment of the OIF in 2015, organising the Christmas party has formed one of its core activities at the close of every year. The party is being organised for participants who are students and pupils drawn from selected schools in Agbor, Delta State.

The Christmas party has become a platform for her to connect physically and emotionally with the school children. It also affords her an opportunity to continue in the traditions of her father (HRM, Obi Ikenchukwu) whom she said often organised parties for his community and people whilst he was alive. "He believed in community spirit and the need to keep everyone together and the way to achieve this was to throw impromptu parties within the Palace grounds to the delight of his subjects�. “The segment of our annual event known as 'our voice...the change' where we organise Christmas party is therapeutic for me. When I mingle with the children and see the delight on their little innocent faces, I feel more connected to my parents, particularly my father, and that makes me very happy. What I get from this is the fulfilment and for it, I am grateful to GOD�.

"So, it no longer matters to me whether or not I am being supported by others. I do not mind putting in my own resources just to make the children happy, expecting nothing from them but the smiles on their faces. That is bliss to me. We have been doing this since the inception of the OIF and I am grateful to God for bringing good friends my way who believe in what we do and support us. I have learned over the years not to expect anything anymore from obvious sources and make do with whatever I have and get from my friends�.

"This has been our story to date. It is my hope that the younger generation will see our action as worthy of emulation and carry on the tradition even when we are no longer around especially girls and women. I am also thankful to God for giving me this opportunity and a platform to be a blessing to others particularly my girls of Agbor Kingdom and beyond," she enthused.

She said 'Our voice...the change' 2019 Christmas party was organised in three selected schools namely, Hedson Primary School, Baptist Girls High School, and Obika Primary School, all in Agbor.

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

35

T H I S D AY Ëž SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

CRIME&SECURITY

IG Reiterates Importance of Intelligence in Tackling Security Challenges Sylvester Idowu in Warri

T

he Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has reiterated the importance of intelligence gathering in tackling the various security challenges across the country.

He therefore solicited for the cooperation of other security agencies and members of the public in the fight against crime in Nigeria.

Speaking weekend during the Handover of State Intelligence Investigation Bureau building built by a Non Governmental Organisation, Centre For Justice And Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), at Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force, Adamu said the numerous security challenges faced by the country could be pro-actively tackled with the adoption of community policing, timely intelligence and cooperation of members of the public.

The Inspector General of Police who was represented by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, stressed that the various security challenges could largely be tackled through effective intelligence generation by the state intelligence bureau and sought for collaboration of sister security agencies and community leaders.

Acknowledging that intelligence is the bedrock of modern policing, he noted that the building donated would position the Intelligence Wing of the Force to be at its best.

"It will contribute immensely in keeping the Police ahead of the criminal elements in the society and as such pro actively nip in the bud the nefarious activities of the men of the underworld", IG Adamu assured.

He commended the partnership between CEPEJ and the Nigerian Police adding "the importance of this your partnership with the police and in particular the SIB cannot be overemphasized as it is only peaceful and harmonious coexistence between or among communities that can guarantee meaningful development in the society".

L-R: National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Chief Sheri Mulade; Director General, Institute for Peace and Conict Resolution, Prof. Bakut Tswah Bakut; Delta State Commissioner of Police, who represented the IG, Mr. HaďŹ z Inuwa and Warri Area Commander of NPF, ACP Abubarka Argungu during the donation of a building by CEPEJ to Intelligence Unit, Warri

The new building donated by Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) to the Intelligence Unit, Warri Area Command, Warri

National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Peace and

Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief Sheriff Mulade, said the organisation

remains committed to the promotion of peace and justice in the country.

He noted that the need for infrastructure investment in the country motivated CEPEJ to pool resources together to support the activities of security agencies and particularly the Police because of the enormous challenges confronting them.

Warri Area Commander of the Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Argungu, commended the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa for all the support to Warri Command.

He also expressed appreciation to CEPEJ for donating and equipping the building with modern fittings and furniture and urged other organisations to emulate the NGO by giving support to the police in the discharge of its responsibilities.

ACP Argungu assured that the building will be properly used and maintained for the benefit of the people of the state.

Man Arrested for Unlawful Possession of Arms in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A

young man identified as Tega Dafe has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for unlawful possession of arm and ammunition.

The suspect was said to have been arrested with a locally made cut to size gun and three live cartridges by men of the Enerhen Police Division around 9:30 pm recently.

The suspect reportedly stormed the residence of one Favor Oghenwruemu, threatening to cause harm.

However, he was grabbed from behind

by Favour’s mother who hid behind the door and screamed out for help until the arrival of sympathizers and Enerhen Vigilante members.

Security sources said the suspect had gone to the house to claim his child, who

was birthed by Favour.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, said the suspect was arrested at Favour’s residence with the gun and ammunition and intent to commit a crime.

"The matter is under investigation", he said.

AVM Alao Bags AISSON Fellowship

A

ir Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Lagos, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Lawal Shittu Alao has been awarded the Fellowship of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria (AISSON) in recognition of his leading role in promoting security, safety culture and consciousness in Nigeria.

Announcing the award in Lagos, industrial security veteran and the President of AISSON, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, commended AVM Alao for helping in service fight against terrorism, insurgency and militancy in Niigeria.

Air Vice Marshal Alao was formerly the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and currently, the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management as well as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply of the United Kingdom.

Ekhomu also commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar and other top commanders of NAF for governing the battle space in the fight against insurgency

in Nigeria.

He said: " Aside providing overhead platforms that identify threats and guide ground forces in the combat space, the NAF is also bringing kinetic force to the battle space through bombing missions and staffing missions.

"Through your special forces, you are also now enabled to engage hostiles on ground. NAF is now a truly modern force with legendary capabilities and superlative performance.�

While saluting the AOC and the top hierarchy of their service for keeping the country safe, he maintained that the new threat environment would need a new solution to eradicating terrorist in the country as the enemy are now targeting command and control capabilities, targeting power, information, infrastructure and the people.

He noted that "We must pursue viable solutions by partnering knowledge-led organisations like AISSON that will support the vision and mission of NAF. We are critical state-holders.

We live here and we are involved and we desire peace for our country".

AVM Alao receiving his plaque from Dr. Ona Ekhomu

36

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱ͜˛ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Orji: Second Niger Bridge Has Achieved 57% Completion Rate Obinna Chima The Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji has disclosed that the ongoing construction of the Second Niger Bridge has achieved a completion rate of 57 per cent.

Speaking during an interview at the weekend, he expressed optimism that the project would be completed in 2022. “Work is going on at the second Niger Bridge and it is over 57 per cent completed. It is a public-private partnership. The Ministry of Works awarded that contract, but the full concession agreement would be signed very soon that would hand it over to the NSIA,� he explained.

According to him, the NSIA would also be fully involved in the proposed InfraCo by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which also would involve the

Africa Finance Corporation.

Orji said the proposed infrastructure company which has been approved by the President, would be a vehicle to support the development of infrastructure in the country. Commenting on how the pandemic affected the operations of the NSIA, Orji said: “Year-to-date, many things have affected our programmes and our plans. I don’t think anybody I know has executed the plan they had.

Whatever they planned to do in terms of project in February or March, has not happened and if they have done, it would have been different from whatever the intention was. “On the Infrastructure Fund, we have executed a lot of projects and we have done very well. In our healthcare projects, we have commissioned two diagnostic centres, one in Kano and another in Umuahia. We have many more

projects in the pipeline and over the next 12 months we expect to execute three more of such projects – one in Abuja and we are yet to decide on the centre for the other two. “In terms of healthcare, we have 14 projects. Along with The Global Citizen, we have created the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund, which is a fund that is going to be used in developing the healthcare centre. This is a fund owned

by Global Citizen and the NSIA is the fund manager. “In agriculture, we have a number of interventions and we are the manager of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI).

We also have a demonstration farm in Nassarawa State and a couple of others. Our PFI suffered the full impact of Covid-19, such that transportation was affected.

Things are back to normalcy now, but it affected during that period.�

orji

MARKET INDICATORS

CIBN Recertifies NDIC’s Academy The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Academy has been recertified and its accreditation renewed as a training service provider for various professionals in the banking industry for the next three years effective June, 2020, by the Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

The recertification, according to the Head of the five-man CIBN Accreditation Team, Mr. Saubana Ogunpola, followed the exemplary performance of the NDIC Academy since it initial accreditation in 2016 and the satisfaction of the stringent conditions for the recertification.

He noted there would be periodic monitoring to ensure that quality standards are being adhered to.

A statement quoted Ogunpola to have commended the NDIC for its consistent efforts toward meeting high standards for the

benefit of the banking industry and the larger economy.

He described the NDIC’s readiness to subject itself to the rigors of the Institute’s accreditation process as a testimony of its Management’s commitment to capacity development for all stakeholders.

Reacting to the development, NDIC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Umaru Ibrahim described the recertification as another milestone in the NDIC efforts to consolidate the position of the Academy as a center of academic excellence in the nation’s banking industry and on deposit insurance in Africa.

Ibrahim disclosed that the Academy had so far trained a total of 13,368 participants cut across the NDIC’s workforce. It had also trained 135 participants from relevant stakeholders, including the EFCC, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC),

Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

On the international front, 19 employees from sister deposit insurance agencies in African had benefitted from the expertise of the Academy.

He stated that the NDIC Academy has been designated to host the African Centre for Studies on Deposit Insurance System (ACSDIS) recently established by the Africa Regional Committee (ARC) of the International Association of Deposit Insurance (IADI).

Ibrahim reiterated that with the recertification, the NDIC Academy is positioned to fulfill the NDIC’s goal of serving as a center of excellence for capacity building on Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS) for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fidelity Bank Restates Support for SMEs Fidelity Bank Plc has pledged its continued support for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) sector whose activities were disrupted in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bank made the disclosure recently at the 13th edition of the Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Speaking at one of the panel sessions, Divisional Head, SME Banking Division, Osaigbovo Omorogbe, said the bank’s commitment was borne out of the realisation that SMEs are the engine room of any economy.

“The ability of MSMEs to stay on sustainably at this time, and even become more attractive for various types of funding support will undoubtedly be strengthened with deepened capacity building support, both on the back and front office ends�.

He explained that there was a compelling need for relevant stakeholders to deepen capacitybuilding support for MSMEs in various areas, ahead of funding support, to enable them position more strongly to stay afloat and even grow in the new normal.

While insisting that a one-sizefits-all capacity building model/ approach for MSMEs would no longer help, Omorogbe stressed

the need for more tailored capacity building support that will take into account the peculiarities and challenges MSMEs are facing; first on account of the pandemic and secondly because of the respective economic sectors they play in, their supply and distribution chains, the geographical locations they operate from and cover, etc.

He advocated for stronger collaboration amongst all stakeholders who have roles to play in ensuring MSMEs get and enjoy the much needed support they require at this time, in various areas, to further ensure the MSME segment not only survives the times but also gets set firmly, on the path of sustainable growth.

ICAN Unveils New Examination Syllabus, Seals Deal with Tertiary Institutions The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has launched a new syllabus for its professional examination. The new syllabus which takes effect from March 2021 was developed in line with the, “institute’s resolve to continue to produce futureready Chartered Accountants with skills and competences desired by the market.�

ICAN disclosed this in a statement obtained at the weekend.

The ICAN President, Onome Joy Adewuyi, who unveiled the new curriculum said the revised syllabus captured subjects on emerging technologies that are disrupting the accounting profession, such as block chain technology, artificial intelligence, machine

learning and internet of things, among others.

She explained further that new trends in the Nigerian environment such as the Finance Act 2020 which introduced new developments in the country’s tax system and the new Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA 2020) also presented added impetus for the review.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͰͲ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $41.22 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $41.40 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

37

T H I S D AY ˞ Ͱ͜˛ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

‘Investment and Securities Tribunal Has Given N868bn Judgment in 14 Years’ Goddy Egene The Investment and Securities Tribunal(IST) has given judgment in assets of over N868 billion from 2003 to 2017, the new chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Amos Azi, has said.

Azi disclosed this shortly after he was sworn in as chairman and Nosa Osemwengie as a member of the tribunal by Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed

in Abuja. “The tribunal was established as a critical infrastructure in the ecosystem of the Nigerian capital market and indeed Nigeria as a whole. The tribunal has not failed in its statutory responsibility, it has carried out its assignment with candor and integrity and I will improve on that. The administrative and labour related issues we are already working to address that. I am happy to report that we have so far made very

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

meaningful progress,� he said.

Azi said the tribunal is equipped and properly situated to look into all financial issues in the country and expressed the hope that it can be transformed so that it can look at all issues arising from the entire financial sector.

Speaking at the event, Ahmed said their appointments have come at a time when all hands are needed to build our economy. “As you all may be aware,

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

the IST was first inaugurated in December, 2002. It is a specialised fast-track court, established for the settlement of disputes in the capital market,� she said.

The minister noted that since its establishment, the tribunal, has made some strides, particularly in its adjudicatory role which has gone a long way to sanitize the capital market and build investors’ confidence.

She highlighted the chairman’s responsibility,saying: “Let me

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

stress here, that the chairman’s responsibility is to provide good leadership that would galvanise the human and material resources at the tribunal’s disposal on the path of stability towards achieving its mandate in a consistent manner. I call on all members of the IST to cooperate with the new chairman, so that the vision of the tribunal which is ‘to be a world class capital market tribunal that is fair and transparent, dispensing justice without fear or favour,’

O F

could be attained.�

According to her, within its short time of its existence, in view of the dynamism in law, “the tribunal has reviewed its Procedure Rules with the publication of the IST (Procedure) Rules 2014. “Also worthy of note is that the tribunal has partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review the enabling law with the enactment of the ISA, 2007,� she said.

2 6 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

38

DKE z͕ ^ Wd D Z Ϯϴd,͕ ϮϬϮϬ ŽŵĞƐƟĐ

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ

DĂƌŬĞƚ͗

^ƚƌŽŶŐ

ĞŵĂŶĚ

ƵŽLJƐ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͙ ^/ 'ĂŝŶ Ϯ͘ϵй ǁͬǁ

dŚĞ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƌĞǀĞƌƐĞĚ ůĂƐƚ ǁĞĞŬ͛Ɛ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů-^ŚĂƌĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ Ϯ͘ϵй ǁͬǁ ƚŽ Ϯϲ͕ϯϭϵ͘ϯϰ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ

ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ

;нϮϱ͘ϭйͿ͕

DdEE

E/' Z/ E

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Z t Z/ ^

;нϯ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ E' D

;нϯ͘ϬйͿ͘

^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ േϯϵϬ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϭϯ͘ϴƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ƐĞƩůĞĚ Ăƚ -ϭ͘ϵй͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂƐ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϯϳ͘ϲй

ĂŶĚ ϲϮ͘Ϭй ƚŽ ϯϭϯ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϰ͘ϭďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, ;ϭϱϱ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ E/d, ;ϭϯϬ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ

DdEE

(േϱ͘ϳďŶͿ͕

'h Z Edz

(േϮ͘ϱďŶͿ

ĂŶĚ E/d, (േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ŝŵƉƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ ǁͬǁ ĂƐ Ăůů ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1,168.39

1.11%

-20.4%

16.8%

16.7%

3.7%

3.9x

0.5x

6.9%

17.4%

1 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

124.00

0.0%

32.2%

18.1%

13.8%

163.8%

12.2%

12.8x

18.1x

5.6%

7.8%

2 Airtel Africa PLC

380.00

0.0%

18.2%

27.1%

27.1%

9.4%

3.1%

29.4%

4.7%

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

27.00

3.8%

10.1%

-9.1%

-7.5%

4 Zenith Bank PLC

17.30

1.2%

6.1%

-7.0%

-7.5%

1,175.00

0.0%

4.0%

-20.1%

-20.1%

106.4%

139.00

2.3%

4.5%

-2.1%

-2.1%

6.70

2.3%

2.9%

-33.0%

-33.7%

5 Nestle Nigeria PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC

ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ ^d Z>E E< ;ϭϲϭ͘ϴŵ

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

7 Access Bank PLC

3.1% 4.0x

1.1x

10.4%

25.2%

2.4x

0.5x

16.2%

41.2%

23.1%

22.6x

29.4x

5.6%

4.4%

26.9%

12.0%

11.4x

3.2x

11.8%

8.8%

15.3%

1.3%

2.4x

0.4x

9.7%

41.7%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

6.10

0.0%

2.5%

-14.7%

-15.3%

13.0%

1.2%

2.8x

0.3x

15.9%

35.2%

9 FBN Holdings Plc

5.15

2.0%

2.3%

-16.3%

-20.8%

14.2%

1.4%

2.5x

0.3x

7.4%

40.3%

10 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

52.55

9.8%

2.5%

-10.9%

-10.9%

7.8%

3.3%

50.1x

2.4x

4.1%

2.0%

11 Lafarge Africa PLC

15.05

6.7%

2.8%

-1.6%

9.1%

44.7%

24.1%

10.6x

0.7x

7.0%

9.5%

400.00

0.0%

1.5%

-39.2%

-32.4%

2.5%

1.5%

19.2x

0.4x

9.4%

5.2%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

40.50

3.6%

2.1%

-1.2%

1.3%

27.7%

3.5%

5.2x

1.3x

5.9%

19.2%

14 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

21.50

6.7%

1.1%

9.1%

9.1%

0.6x

6.5%

12 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

15 International Brew eries PLC

3.60

0.0%

0.4%

-62.1%

-62.1%

-30.1%

-8.6%

16 Ecobank Transnational Inc

4.10

0.0%

0.6%

-36.9%

-37.4%

11.0%

0.7%

1.6x

0.2x

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.90

2.7%

0.7%

-7.3%

-5.9%

10.9%

1.2%

2.2x

0.2x

10.6%

45.7% 10.2%

-75.1% 61.5%

195.10

0.0%

0.9%

31.9%

31.9%

18.7%

8.5%

9.8x

1.7x

4.2%

19 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

78.00

0.0%

0.9%

40.3%

40.3%

23.5%

15.8%

10.6x

2.4x

2.5%

9.4%

ĨŽƌ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;нϮϱ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ /Ed Z t ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ͘

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

12.30

-1.6%

0.5%

-9.6%

-12.1%

21.2%

11.5%

6.4x

1.2x

8.9%

15.5%

0.58

-1.7%

dƌĂŝůŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ

0.3%

-41.4%

-45.8%

0.4x

1.7%

22 Unilever Nigeria PLC

13.60

0.0%

0.3%

-38.2%

-34.3%

-11.5%

-7.2%

1.2x

23 Guinness Nigeria PLC

14.00

3.3%

0.2%

-53.4%

-53.4%

-15.5%

-8.3%

0.4x

ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƉĂĐŬ͕ ƵƉ ϲ͘Ϭй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĚĞŵĂŶĚ

18 11 PLC

0.6x

21 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

ϯ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ Ϯ͘ϰй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂĐĐƌĞƟŽŶ ŝŶ &/ >/dz ;нϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ 'h Z Edz ;нϲ͘ϱйͿ͕ t W K ;нϭϱ͘ϴй Ϳ ĂŶĚ E' D ;нϯ͘ϬйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ

ŝŶ DdEE ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ ^ W> d ;нϯ͘ϵйͿ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ;нϭ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ;нϭ͘ϮйͿ

ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ KZE Z^dKE ;нϭϲ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ > ^ K ;нϴ͘ϬйͿ͘

24 FCMB Group Plc

2.10

0.0%

0.4%

13.5%

15.4%

9.8%

1.1%

2.1x

0.2x

6.7%

47.7%

1.16

0.9%

0.2%

-41.7%

-38.9%

8.7%

0.8%

3.2x

0.3x

2.6%

30.9%

26 UAC of Nigeria PLC

6.10

-3.2%

0.2%

-29.1%

-31.5%

-11.2%

-5.5%

2.5x

0.3x

1.6%

40.5%

27 Custodian and Allied Insurance

5.00

0.0%

0.2%

-16.7%

-16.7%

13.9%

4.9%

4.8x

0.6x

9.0%

21.0%

28 Presco PLC 29 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 30 Total Nigeria PLC

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϯdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϵdž ůĂƐƚ

ĂŶĚ t W K ;нϭϱ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ Z ^d Z y (ϭϲ͘ϵйͿ͕ K E K (-ϭϭ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ , DW/KE (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŝŶŐ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ǁĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƌĞŶĞǁ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ

ůŽǁ LJŝĞůĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĮdžĞĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ƐƉĂĐĞ͘

7.1%

0.3%

11.6%

11.6%

17.6%

7.6%

10.1x

1.6x

3.9%

9.9%

5.00

0.0%

0.2%

-16.7%

-17.4%

7.7%

1.0%

6.3x

0.6x

5.0%

16.0%

80.00

0.0%

0.1%

-27.9%

-27.9%

5.7%

1.1%

18.3x

1.1x

8.3%

2.03

-9.8%

0.1%

-49.1%

-49.1%

14.5%

2.6%

0.9x

0.1x

10.40

4.0%

0.1%

-19.7%

-19.7%

16.7%

5.2%

7.2x

2.2x

3.8%

13.9%

15.70

4.7%

0.1%

-5.3%

-21.1%

10.8%

1.2%

6.2x

0.7x

10.6%

16.1%

0.55

-1.8%

-19.1%

8.3%

0.6%

2.9x

0.4x

7.3%

34.5%

7.8%

0.1% 0.1%

-25.7%

11.10

-38.7%

-38.3%

-3.0%

-1.0%

34 Wema Bank PLC 35 Ardova PLC

#N/A N/A

-3.7%

#N/A N/A

37 Beta Glass PLC

55.40

0.0%

0.1%

3.0%

3.0%

13.5%

9.1%

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-13.1%

-3.6%

39 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.84

-0.5%

0.1%

-7.1%

-7.1%

17.6%

5.0%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

4.00

0.0%

0.0%

-18.4%

-18.4%

-6.4%

-3.2%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

0.8x

0.0%

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

ST ER LN B A N K

79.6

Z EN IT H B A N K

50.7

FB NH UB A

6.1x

4.1x

0.8x

0.0x

16.5%

1.6x

-6.7%

0.6x

24.5%

0.6x

0.0x

-11.7%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

P ric e

0.9%

NB

52.55

9.8%

1.2%

C OR N ER ST

0.71

9.2%

34.2

2.0%

A R D OVA

11.10

7.8%

26.7

0.0%

P R ESC O

53.00

7.1%

A C C ESS

22.2

2.3%

WA P C O

15.05

6.7%

ST A N B IC

13.0

3.6%

F LOUR M ILL

21.50

6.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

13.0

2.7%

J B ER GER

15.70

4.7%

OA N D O

11.3

-9.8%

N A SC ON

10.40

4.0%

D A N GC EM

11.0

2.3%

GUA R A N T Y

27.00

3.8%

WA P C O

10.9

6.7%

ST A N B IC

40.50

3.6%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

5.5% 114.4%

32 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

ǁĞĞŬ ĂƐ ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ƚŚĞ Ϯϳ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;нϮϱ͘ϭйͿ͕ KZE Z^dKE ;нϭϲ͘ϰйͿ

53.00

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

36 Continental Reinsurance PLC

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

-41.0%

25 Sterling Bank PLC

31 Oando PLC

ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͘ &ŝŶĂůůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ϭ͘ϭй ŚŝŐŚĞƌ

-10.6% 10.9%

P ric e C hg %

T o p 10 L o s e r s

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

D A N GC EM

1497.1

2.3%

NNFM

4.05

-10.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

878.6

1.2%

OA N D O

2.03

-9.8%

ST A N B IC

526.3

3.6%

UN ION D A C

0.25

-7.4%

GUA R A N T Y

213.6

3.8%

R OYA LEX

0.27

-6.9%

FB NH

176.2

2.0%

WA P IC

0.34

-5.6%

UB A

163.1

0.0%

C A D B UR Y

7.00

-5.4%

WA P C O

159.3

6.7%

M B EN EF IT

0.20

-4.8%

A C C ESS

147.9

2.3%

C OUR T VILLE

0.20

-4.8%

ST ER LN B A N K

92.3

0.9%

UA C N

6.10

-3.2%

M TNN

57.1

0.0%

WEM A B A N K

0.55

-1.8%

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 Florence Warikam | fwarikam@afrinvest.com

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

39

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

NSE Lifts Suspension Placed on R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)

has lifted the trading suspension placed on the shares of R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc. The company

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

was on September 1, 2020, suspended along with six suspended by the exchange for contravening

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 24Sep-2020, unless otherwise stated.

filing rules on September 1, 2020.

However, NSE last Friday said that in view of the R.T Briscoe

Nigeria Plc’s submission of its outstanding financial statements the suspension has been lifted.

The exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of the exchange.

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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 5.49% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.09 3.18 26.09% 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 100.00 100.00 2.35% Anchoria Equity Fund 102.56 102.91 0.61% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.32 1.32 13.64% 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 14.74 15.19 -3.76% ARM Discovery Fund 345.83 356.26 0.12% ARM Ethical Fund 30.81 31.74 5.94% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.12 1.13 12.73% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.09 8.94% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.16% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 98.86 99.56 2.90% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.54% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.19 2.19 19.11% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.90 1.88 9.46% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.97% Paramount Equity Fund 11.70 11.92 -6.49% Women's Investment Fund 111.92 112.94 1.38% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.01% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 109.40 109.85 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 120.90 121.79 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 104.00 104.00 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 3.36% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.97 0.98 4.47% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.60 1.60 20.50% 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 3.71% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.21% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,190.33 1,203.74 7.31% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,425.20 1,426.86 16.66% FBN Balanced Fund 154.86 155.92 5.48% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 0.00 0.00 0.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.34 120.78 3.61% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 116.41 118.20 -10.54% 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 3.02% Legacy Debt Fund 3.83 3.83 4.71% Legacy Equity Fund 1.15 1.17 1.80% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.12 1.12 3.68% 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 3,206.06 3,242.41 5.44% Coral Income Fund 3,198.26 3,198.26 3.98% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.98% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.03% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 120.45 120.90 9.20%

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 3.76% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.26 2.31 3.35% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.28% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.03 151.77 5.37% 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 1.27 1.29 8.78% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,141.50 1,141.50 7.77% 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 1.33 1.35 9.16% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.92 11.89 5.41% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.14% PACAM Equity Fund 1.08 1.09 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.27 110.85 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 119.24 121.59 -4.54% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 7.28% 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 7.38% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.27% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 1.67% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.07% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 6.30% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.65% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -1.48% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.07% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.59 109.59 5.16% 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 N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 10.47 10.58 1.80% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.65 11.75 0.20% Zenith Income Fund 24.42 24.42 6.79% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.51%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

118.13

5.31%

53.51

2.80%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.89 87.84 68.06

8.99 89.73 69.30

6.62% -7.01% -9.42%

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

3.09 4.44 12.25 1.00 11.33 190.73

3.13 4.52 12.35 1.00 11.53 192.73

-13.02% -24.75% 1.00% N/A 9.00% 1.10%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

15.02%

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.

40

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

INTERNATIONAL

Switzerland Rejects End to Free Movement within EU Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to end an accord with the EU allowing the free movement of people.

With all referendum votes counted, nearly 62% said they wanted to keep free movement, while 38% were against.

Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has a series of interdependent treaties with Brussels which allow it to access to Europe’s free trade area.

The move to rein in immigration was proposed by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), but opposed by the government.

A similar initiative to introduce quotas on immigrants from the EU to Switzerland narrowly passed in a 2014 referendum, damaging Swiss-EU relations.

Swiss people are given a direct say in their own affairs under the country’s system of direct democracy. They are regularly

invited to vote on various issues in national or regional referendums.

Supporters of the anti-free movement plan said it would allow Switzerland to control its borders and select only the immigrants it wants.

Opponents argued it would plunge a healthy economy into recession at an uncertain time and deprive hundreds of thousands of Swiss citizens of their freedom to live and work across Europe.

Trump Asks Biden to Take Drug Test Before or After Debate US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that his Democratic rival Joe Biden take a drug test either before or after the pair’s first debate on Tuesday, in his latest salvo against his opponent’s mental acuity.

“I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, the Debate on Tuesday night,” Trump tweeted.

“Naturally, I will agree to take one also. His Debate performances have been record-setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy???” he continued, without offering any evidence for the claim.

Meanwhile, the US President said Sunday the Senate will “easily” confirm his Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett before the election, despite furious Democratic opposition to his bid to steer the court rightward for years to come.

Trump has nominated Barrett, a darling of conservatives for her religious views, to replace the late liberal justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in a lifetime seat on the top court,

potentially impacting some of the most partisan issues in America, from abortion to gun rights to health care.

His decision to push her nomination through just weeks before the tense and potentially disputed November 3 election, in which polls show he is the underdog, has galvanized Democrats, who are calling for the decision to be made by the winner of the vote.

His election rival, Democrat Joe Biden, has led the charge.

“The Senate should not act on this vacancy until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress,” Biden said Saturday, just moments after Trump announced Barrett’s nomination.

But Trump expressed confidence Sunday in an interview with “Fox & Friends.”

“I think we’re going to have it done easily before the election,” he said.

“I think it would be nice to do. Get it out of the way,” he continued, adding: “We have

plenty of time.”

Barring a huge surprise, Republican senators, who have 53 out of 100 votes in the upper house of Congress, are expected to confirm Barrett.

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has already announced that a vote will be held “this year.”

Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate accused president of rushing to install a new Supreme Court justice to “eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act,” known as Obamacare, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump and the Republican Party are pushing to confirm conservative Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett before the November 3 vote because they “see an opportunity to overturn the Affordable Care Act on their way out the door,” Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, again urging the Senate to delay the confirmation until after the election.

South Africa Minister Reprimanded for ANC Trip on Airforce Jet South Africa’s defence minister has been reprimanded and will lose three months of salary after ruling party officials took an air force plane to Zimbabwe earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

The African National Congress (ANC) delegation’s presence aboard the flight sparked widespread criticism over the use of state resources for party business.

Their trip to Harare was for crisis talks with Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF ruling party aimed at helping tackle the country’s political and economic woes.

But they tagged along aboard Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s plane, rather than travelling privately.

She had a scheduled meeting in Zimbabwe to discuss regional issues following a recent summit of the Southern African Development Community bloc.

Mapisa-Nqakula will not receive her salary for three months from November 1, and the money will instead go to a fund to support

the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Ramaphosa said in a statement.

The defence minister did not act “in the best interest of good governance”, the statement said, adding that the incident showed “an error of judgement”.

The president, who had himself dispatched the ANC delegation, also said he expected the party to reimburse the government for use of the airforce jet.

South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), immediately called for the minister’s resignation, saying the presidential reprimand

was “a mere slap on the wrist” and showed that Ramaphosa does not hold his government to account.

“The DA views these transgressions as a gross violation of (MapisaNqakula’s) oath of office, a dereliction of duty and a complete disregard for ethical standards.

Minister Mapisa-Nqakula must therefore be fired immediately,” the party said in a statement.

The opposition also accused the ANC delegates of breaching lockdown regulations, as South Africa’s borders are shut to control the spread of coronavirus.

A landlocked country that has observed neutrality for centuries, Switzerland has over time veered between seeking closer engagement with the EU, and preferring a more isolationist course.

Sunday’s referendum could have forced the Swiss government to unilaterally void its free movement agreement with the EU by invoking a so-called guillotine clause.

This clause would have impacted other bilateral deals on transport, research and trade with the EU, disrupting economic activity.

The president of the right-wing SVP, Marco Chiesa, conceded that his campaign had struggled to garner enough support for a proposal which was opposed by the government, parliament and tradio unions.

Given that opposition, Mr Chiesa framed the campaign as a “fight between David and Goliath”. “But we will continue to fight for the country and take back control of immigration,” he said.

Opponents of the proposal said the result was an expression of Swiss support for open, bilateral relations with the EU. They said

voters were worried about the economic cost of ending free movement during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The bilateral path is the right one for Switzerland and for the EU,” Justice Minister Karin KellerSutter told reporters. “The Swiss people have confirmed this path again today”.

“Today is a great day for the relations between the European Union and Switzerland,” tweeted European Council President Charles Michel. “The Swiss people have spoken & sent a clear message: together we have a great future ahead of us.”

EU Calls for ‘Immediate Return to Negotiations’ over Karabakh The European Union called Sunday for a halt to fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani separatists over the Nagorny Karabakh region and an “immediate return to negotiations”.

The worst clashes since 2016 broke out on Sunday between arch-foes Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been locked for decades in a territorial dispute over the Armenia-backed breakaway region.

“Military action must stop, as a matter of urgency, to prevent a further escalation,” European Council president Charles Michel tweeted, calling for “an immediate return to negotiations, without preconditions”.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed the urgency of relaunching negotiations over Nagorny Karabakh under the auspices of the so-called “Minsk Group” led by France, Russia and

the United States.

“The European Union calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, de-escalation and for strict observance of the ceasefire,” he said.

A major conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia could draw in top regional players Russia and Turkey.

The conflict over Nagorny Karabakh has been fuelling regional tensions for 30 years.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

42

NEWSXTRA

Incompetent Investors Acquired Power Assets, Says FG The federal government has said that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan created the problem in the power sector by selling the power generating and distributing companies to incompetent investors.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, stated this at the weekend in Lagos at a meeting with the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria. Mohammed, who was responding to questions on the adjustment in electricity tariff, said that the federal government had spent N1.7 trillion to supplement electricity tariff after the previous government sold and handed over to the investors.

He said that the government could no longer afford the cost of the subsidy, especially under the prevailing economic conditions.

The minister noted that the

revenues and foreign exchange earnings by the government had fallen by almost 60 per cent due to the downturn in the fortunes of the oil sector.

“Before we came in, the power sector had been privatised by the previous administration, but the people they sold to them are incompetent.

“When we assumed power, we met the mess.

“Apart from the fact that the Distribution Companies (Discos), could not meter the people, they also could not pay for the electricity generated by the Generation Companies (Gencos), from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Companies.

“We had two options – cancel the entire sales or to get the Discos to recapitalise.

“We took over the debt of the

Discos, which was about N701 billion, because of the effect the cancellation of the sale will have on the country and international investors.

“The people are simply incompetent and if we did not provide the money that means they will not distribute power to anybody,” he said. The minister noted that the government did not have the resources to continue along the path of subsidising electricity

tariff to private companies.

“To borrow just to subsidise generation and distribution, which are both privatised, will be grossly irresponsible,” Mohammed stressed.

To cushion the effects of adjustment of the tariff, the minister said that government was providing incentives to local manufacturers of meters through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said that companies

importing meters would get incentives through tax waivers.

Mohammed added that in order to protect the large majority of Nigerians who could not afford to pay cost-reflective tariffs, only customers with guaranteed minimum of 12 hours of electricity would have their tariffs adjusted.

He said that the industry regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), would ensure that those who

get less than 12 hours supply experience no increase.

In addressing the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing, he said that mass metering programme was being undertaken to provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians.

The minister said that the government was also taking steps to connect Nigerians not yet connected to electricity at all, to the facility.

Coalition Seeks Extension of US, UKVisa Ban to Corrupt Judges A civil society organisation, Save Democracy Coalition (SDC), has called on the authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and countries in the European Union (EU) to extend their travel visa ban to Nigerian judges found to have compromised the integrity of the ballot through miscarriage of justice in election petitions they presided over.

The coalition, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said the recent visa ban imposed by the US and UK on some politicians for their roles in electoral violence can only achieve the desired results if such sanctions are extended to errant judges who commit judicial rape in the handling of election petitions brought before them.

The statement, signed by the National Coordinator of SDC, Mr. James Ifeoluwa, observed that restricting the visa ban to perpetrators of political violence alone would not check the ugly trend, stressing that such unscrupulous political actors might still achieve their sinister ends, with the aid of compromised judges.

The group also canvased

the extension of the ban to compromised electoral officials who connive with politicians or political parties to falsify election results for pecuniary gains.

The SDC said: “We welcome the recent travel visa ban imposed by the US and the UK on Nigerian politicians found complicit in the electoral violence that occurred in some states in the 2019 general elections and during the electioneering campaign in the run up to the September 19 Edo State governorship election.

“However, we are of the opinion that the visa ban can only achieve the desired effect if the same measure is extended to judicial officers who collaborate with unscrupulous politicians to compromise the integrity of the ballot through controversial judgments in election petition cases.

“Similarly, electoral officials who collude with politicians or political parties to falsify election results in favour of the highest bidders, should also be included in the visa ban wherever and whenever they are identified.

Malami’s NGOs to Provide Boreholes to Displaced Kebbi FloodVictims The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said his two nongovernmental organisations will partner to provide water project (boreholes) at the camps of the people displaced by the recent flood in Kebbi State.

Malami made the pledge in Bagudo, the headquarters of Bagudo Local Government Area in the state while on a sympathy visit to the victims of the flood in the area.

This pledge is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, and made available to journalists yesterday.

According to the statement, Malami urged Khadimiyya for Justice and Development Initiative, and Khadi Malami Foundation to

liaise with relevant authorities to identify the victims of the flood, pay visits for direct contact with the victims and provide boreholes (water) at the camps of displaced flood victims in the area.

The statement added that the two NGOs have a record of constructing 139 boreholes in the states, while efforts are being made to construct additional fifty more boreholes within the shortest time possible.

Responding, the Bahindin Bagudo, who was represented by the Magajin Bagudo, Alhaji Mainasara Magaji, thanked the minister for the visit, and appreciated the philanthropic gesture the minister has been consistently rendering to the people of the state.

According to the statement, Malami has been on a-threeday sympathy visits to the victims of the recent flood in the state.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE...

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude; Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu; and his wife, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, during Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State Chapter-organised thanksgiving service to celebrate the re-election of Obaseki and his deputy, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City...recently

FG Targets 50% Broadband Penetration by the End of 2020 The federal government has said going by its projections, digital economy would contribute more than 45 per cent to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) given that the contributions of the ICT sector to the GDP stands at 17 per cent.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, who disclosed this at the weekend, noted the COVID 19 pandemic is fast-tracking adoption of digital technology in the country.

Pantami spoke while addressing

participants at the virtual Nigeria Internet Governance Forum 2020 (vNIGF) with the theme: “Achieving Inclusive Digital Economic Development in the Post-COVID 19 Era”.

He disclosed the broadband plan 2020-2025, which focused more on broadband penetration, has started yielding the desired results given that as at July 2020 the level of broadband penetration peaked at 42.0 percent.

Pantami expressed hope that at the end of the year, it will reach at

least 50 per cent.

“We are making use of the covid-19 era to achieve digital economy development,” the Minister said.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by the Director, e-Government Development and Regulation Dr Vincent Olatunji described the event as apt.

Abdullahi said COVID 19 presented a new era whereby “it is important for government to ensure

that the infrastructure it need to keep governance up and running are on ground and functioning untill when all government organisations fully come on board”.

Abdullahi maintained the campaign to move government businesses online which is eGovernance has now become a reality, adding that there was no other choice than for government to deliver its services online which could only be achieved with corporate internet governance.

Polish, 119 Others Urge Buhari to Release Boy Sentenced to Jail in Kano Peter Uzoho The Director of the AuschwitzBirkenau State Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Dr. Piotr Cywiski, and 119 other volunteers across the world have offered to be jailed in exchange for the release of a teenager imprisoned for blasphemy in Kano State.

The museum, on the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp

in Owicim, Poland, is a research centre in memory of the 1.1 million people, including 960,000 Jews, who died there during World War II and the Holocaust.

In a letter of appeal he wrote to President, Muhammadu Buhari, Cywiski said he and the 119 others were offering to each serve a month in a Nigerian prison for Omar Farouq, whom a Sharia court in Kano State in August

sentenced to 120 months in jail for blasphemy during a conversation with his friend.

Farouq’s jailing has generated concerns from many Nigerians and human rights organisations.

In his letter dated September 25, 2020, Cywiski asked Buhari to pardon Farouq as he (Farouq) could not be treated as fully aware and responsible for his utterances, given his age.

The Polish historian also offered to sponsor Farouq’s education should Buhari pardon him.

“As the director of the Auschwitz Memorial, that commemorates the victims and preserves the remains of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, where children were imprisoned and murdered, I cannot remain indifferent to this disgraceful sentence for humanity.

Archbishop Obinna Lauds Uzodimma’s Programmes The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna has commended Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for his pro-people programmes, despite the teething challenges the government faced in the early days of the administration.

Obinna spoke yesterday during a thanksgiving service

by Uzodimma at the Maria Assumpta Catholic Cathedral Owerri, to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

In his homily, Obinna enjoined

Nigerian leaders to remember the joy and funfair that characterized the day of her Independence in 1960, and help Nigerians fill same once more.

Obinna decried the state of insecurity in Nigeria today, the killings, banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram, and regretted that at the time of Independence Nigeria was not so bad.

He acknowledged the efforts of Uzodimma towards doing things right in Imo State, especially his policy of reconstruction,

rehabilitation and recovery and assured him of the fervent prayers of the Catholic Church to enable him succeed. He however appealed to the governor not to derail from his vision and disappoint Imo people.

It was an event where the governor took stock of Nigeria’s journey so far in the past 60 years of her independence, and concluded that the occasion afforded Nigerians the opportunity to identify those areas they have not done

very well and make efforts to correct and make the necessary amendments.

According to a statement by the Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Oguike Nwachuku, the Imo State governor acknowledged the damage done to Nigerian democracy by the civil war and the military regimes, which created atmosphere of dis-orientation and distorted the original plans of our founding fathers who got independence for the country.

43

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Falana Urges IG to Provide Security for Protesters A human rights activist and Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Mr. Femi Falana, has charged the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to provide security for protesters in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

In a statement issued yesterday, the senior lawyer disclosed that in exercise of their fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the members of the ASCAB and other concerned citizens have resolved to participate in the public protests scheduled to take place throughout Nigeria with effect from September 28, 2020.

Falana disclosed that the peaceful protests would be

conducted within the ambit of the COVID-19 regulations.

According to Falana, “However, we are compelled to call on the IG, Commissioners of Police in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to provide adequate security for the protesters.

“This call is anchored on the case of All Nigeria People Party and Ors (2006) CHR 181 wherein the Federal High Court struck down the provisions of the Public Order Act which requires permit for public meetings and rallies. “Consequently, the court proceeded to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant (the Inspector-General of Police) whether by himself, his agents, privies and servants from further preventing the plaintiffs and other aggrieved citizens

of Nigeria from organising or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings and rallies against unpopular government measures and policies.

“Completely dissatisfied with the epochal judgment of the Federal High Court, the police authorities appealed to the Court of Appeal. In dismissing the appeal in the case of IG vs All Nigeria People Party & Ors (2008) 12 WRN 65, the Court of Appeal upheld the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens to assemble

freely and protest without any inhibition whatsoever. In the leading judgment of the court, Adekeye JCA (as she then was) held that the Public Order Act should be promulgated to compliment sections 39 and 40 of the constitution in context and not to stifle or cripple it.”

He said a rally or placard carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state. “It is a tread

recognised and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilized countries. It will not only be primitive but also retrogressive if Nigeria continues to require a pass to hold a rally. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience,” he added.

Falana, therefore, said: “In view of the clear and unambiguous provision of section 94 (4) of the Electoral

Amendment Act 2015, we urge the Inspector General of Police and other police authorities in the country to maintain neutrality and ensure that the role of police personnel is limited to the provision of adequate security during the peaceful rallies, processions and marches. In particular, police personnel should be instructed not to attack citizens who may wish to protest against economic programmes considered inimical to their interests.”

NAHCO Aviance Partners Raven Hygiene on Provision of Aviation Biosecurity Services The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), West Africa’s leading ground handling service provider, has received clearance from aviation regulatory authorities to commence the provision of biosecurity services.

Operating a revitalised hygiene and cabin appearance unit, the services to be carried out are in line with recent IATA Aviation Biosecurity protocols and NCAA guidelines operating as NAHCOAviance (Biosecurity).

Under a framework agreement with Raven Hygiene (a subsidiary of Raven Resources), the integrated petrochemical and biochemical group, NAHCO-Aviance, will have access to the region’s single largest offering of globally recognised biomedical products and services.

“The alliance between NAHCO and Raven will have them invest in multi-layered infection control biosecurity systems to ensure compliance with passenger safety protocols as prescribed by global aviation advisory bodies and regulators.

“The IATA document,

‘Biosecurity for Air Transport: A Roadmap for Restarting Aviation’, specifically offers recommendations for airline pre-flight, in-flight, and post flight measures, and is tasked with developing the global standards needed for the safe restart of aviation,” the company agreement stated.

It said the services are being offered and provided to third party regional and international airline operators at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) (IATA: LOS, ICAO: DNMM); Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (IATA: ABV, ICAO: DNAA); Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (IATA: KAN, ICAO: DNKN), and Port Harcourt International Airport (IATA: PHC, ICAO: DNPO).

On her own, the Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO-Aviance, Mrs. Olatokunbo A Fagbemi, said: “Expanding our operations in Nigeria to include biosecurity services underlines our strategic plans as we continuously look for opportunities to serve our clients and to add value to our portfolio for our investors.”

Bagudu Hails Buhari’s Agricultural Policy Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies and style of leadership have begun to bear the desired fruits in the country.

The governor expressed delight that the policies as well as the modus operandi on which Buhari in running the country has put it on a more formidable economic footing.

According to Bagudu, the investment drive of the president in the rice value chain, from among the myriad of challenges, within the last few years, was also bearing fruits in Nigeria’s economy.

Bagudu, accompanied by his Jigawa State counterpart, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, made the assertion yesterday while on a visit to a private rice mill in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, owned by a business mogul, Alhaji Sahabi

Lolo.

He declared: “What you saw here today is one of the many investments that have come up in the last few years under President Buhari’s administration.

“The president coined the adage that: ‘let us grow what we can eat and let us eat what we grow’, and now we are seeing Nigerians processing what we produce.”

He further pointed out that even with the flood incidence that had ravaged many areas, the prices of food items have started to go down.

Bagudu also expressed delight that more people were hugely investing in the agriculture sector.

He said: “Private money from the small scale farmer to the small scale fisherman and animal husbandry, many people are putting more money into agriculture.”

The governor commended Alhaji Sahabi Lolo, an indigenous investor, for believing in the policies put in place by President Buhari.

CELEBRATING MERITORIOUS SERVICES

L-R: Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda; Chairman, Investments and Securities Tribunal, Mr. Amos Azi; wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Hadiza Mahmoud Isa-Dutse; her husband and outgoing Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, during the send forth ceremony of the outgoing permanent secretary in Abuja ...weekend

PDP Asks Akeredolu to Account for Ondo COVID-19 Funds Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for Ondo State governorship election yesterday asked the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to speak out on the alleged diversion of billions of naira COVID-19 intervention funds received by the state.

Specifically, the PDP is asking the governor to account for the over $10 million received from foreign donors as palliative for the COVID-19 and other funds for the payment of 15 months unpaid health workers salaries.

The PDP said the demand is predicated on alleged diversion of COVID-19 palliative funds by certain officials of the Akeredoluled administration.

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, “This is especially given the conflicting denials by members of the state COVID-19 response team over the whereabouts of over N700 million intervention fund.”

The PDP campaign described as indicting, that Akeredolu, on whose shoulders the burden of the wellbeing of the people lies, had failed to speak out on the alleged fraud.

The spokesman of the main

opposition party said: “Indeed any clean, transparent and upright administration that had not soiled its hand and which has the interest of the people at heart would have ordered an open investigation, secured and channeled the resources to the wellbeing of the people.

“Given its penchant for condoning corruption and wicked embezzlement of public funds, the APC administration in Ondo State had remained less forthcoming, while officials continue with conflicting denials and endless buck passing.”

The PDP campaign charged Akeredolu not to wait till after the election to end the corruption

in his administration by ordering an open investigation into the N700 million as well as the truth or otherwise in the allegations in the public space, that the state received $10 million from foreign donors.

According to the party, “This is in addition to the circumstances surrounding the failure of the state to pay certain health workers in the past 15 months, despite their participation in the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

“We challenge Akeredolu to within three days, set up an independent inquiry into these allegations if his administration has no skeleton in its cupboard.”

Balogun, UI, UCH Sign New MoU on Mgt of National Paediatric Centre Sunday Ehigiator

The Chairman and Founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun; the University of Ibadan (UI); UI College of Medicine, and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating a smooth day-to-day running of the Otunba Tunwase National Paediatric Centre, Ijebu-Ode, which was donated by Balogun several years ago.

The new MoU, which now clearly spells out that the clinical and medical services, and the day-to-day running of the centre should be handled by UCH, was

signed after a meeting between all parties involved over the weekend in Lagos.

Speaking on why he donated the centre in the first place, Balogun, said, “I took over the children’s hospital in the UCH Ibadan, and I was exposed to the plight of sick children.

“The late Prof. Olukoye RansomeKuti attended a function at which I was being honoured for all my philanthropic activities. So, he said Otunba, ‘You have impressed me, you have done so well, one thing you can do for this country is, give us a prototype of the great Omond Street Hospital in London, which is talked about everywhere in the world.’

“And I asked him how much

do you think it was going to cost, and he was like, ‘by the time you spend N50 million, it will be this.’

“And the good Lord provided me with the wealth needed to execute it. I recall one year, I just got my dividend, and I decided I could devote N250 million into it. I, therefore, made it my annual hobby to donate towards the construction.

I think it was the almighty God that inspired me. It was only when I was handing them over that I knew the total cost.

“When I gave out the place as a gift, it was Prof. Mike Grage, the former health minister, and the former provost of the place who said, ‘the way this place is growing, you better hand it over to an institution that will continue

it beyond your life.’”

He said although some other institutions requested to manage it, the former minister suggested that he gives it to UI, that the university will bring UCH into managing it.

Addressing journalists on the lingering management challenge prior to the new MoU, after the signing, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof.

Idowu Olayinka said there was no crises but a mere administrative discrepancies arising from previously signed MoU. “As you are aware, Otunba Subomi donated the Otunba Tunwase National Paediatric Centre at Ijebu Ode to the University of Ibadan a long years ago, almost 10 years ago.

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FCT Administration Lifts Suspension Order on Masts, Towers Emma Okonji The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has finally lifted the suspension order it earlier placed on telecoms masts and towers in Abuja metropolis.

The FCTA has therefore asked telecoms operators to commence fresh moves to regularise, update and settle all outstanding bills on their masts and towers to enable them resume installation of masts and towers in the territory.

Relieved of the burden of the suspension of telecoms masts installation in Abuja, the Chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY that the suspension order would enable telecoms operators resume telecoms masts and other telecoms infrastructure

rollout in Abuja, a situation, he said would address the issue of poor telecoms services in Abuja and its environ, having suffered from poor telecoms service delivery in the territory since the suspension order in February this year.

The FCT Administration had on February 3, 2020, placed a suspension order for the installation of telecoms masts and towers in the federal capital territory and communicated same to all telecoms operators through a letter.

In a recent letter dated September 25, 2020, written to all telecoms operators through their association, ALTON, which was obtained by THISDAY, the FCT Administration lifted the suspension order and asked telecoms operators to commence masts installation after seeking

the necessary approvals.

Part of the letter with reference No: FCDA/ES/460/Vol.1, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Olusade Adesola, read: “I wish to refer to our letter dated February 3, 2020, which conveyed the suspension of the grant of permits for the erection of telecoms masts/towers in the FCT and the series of correspondences by you dated April 30, July 14,

and September 8, 2020, wherein you appealed for reconsideration of the directive to facilitate prompt resumption of the issuance of the build permit process.

“After carefully studying your concerns, the FCT Administration is delighted to convey the lifting of the suspension of the processing/ grant of permits for telecoms masts and towers in the FCT, with effect from the date of this letter.”

Reacting to the letter, Adebayo

said: “For some time now, telecoms operators in Abuja have not been able to provide adequate capacity to carry the load of Abuja subscribers because of the non-approval of the expansion of telecoms masts and towers by the FCT Administration.

The implication is that those who travelled into Abuja from other states and from other countries were not able to have uninterrupted telecoms services,

which was a reputation issue for the country, because travelers will leave the country with the impression that telecoms services are poor in the country. But with the lifting of the suspension order, telecoms operators will be able to install more masts that will lead to better user experience of telecoms services in Abuja. The government agencies will also have better user experience and service delivery.”

Military Battles Bandits in Katsina Forest, Nabs Six, Kills One in Zamfara Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Nigerian Army yesterday said its troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have arrested six suspected bandits at Dan AJi forest in Yar Mallamai village of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operatives of the anti-banditry operation also massacred one notorious bandit at Dayau village in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State after a serious gun duel with the marauders who invaded the village.

The acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Brig. General Bernard Onyeuko, who stated this in a statement issued to journalists at the Special Army Super Camp IV Faskari, Katsina, said the miscreants were nabbed after an ambush by the troops.

Operation Sahel Sanity was launched by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Tukur Buratai, on July 6, 2020, to support Operation Hadarin Daji in tackling banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and incessant killings bedeviling the North-west zone He said: “Following a reliable information about movement of unknown persons suspected to

be bandits on six motorcycles at Dan Aji forest around Yar Mallamai in Kankara LGA in Katsina State, troops immediately mobilised and laid ambush in the area and consequently arrested the six suspects.”

The Defence acting spokesman added that the Nigerian soldiers apprehended two bandits and recovered two mobile phones, one knife and cannabis sativa at Yankara market and Angwan Boka in Faskari LGA of the state.

The suspects, Haruna Hassan, and Kabiru Abdullahi, according to Onyeuko, are members of a bandit group launching mayhem on communities in Faskari and other neighbouring local government areas of the state.

He, however, said the troops of Operation Sahel Sanity deployed in Dan Ali village, acting on credible intelligence, arrested nine suspected bandits collaborators at Sabon Garin Dan Ali in Danmusa LGA of the state.

Onyeuko explained that on September 19, 2020, troops deployed in Dandume, while acting on credible information, thwarted what he said could have been a massive attack on locals by bandits in the area.

Obi Urges FG to Intensify Efforts against Boko Haram David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to intensify efforts against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Obi was reacting to the recent attack on Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, by the sect, in which his convoy was attacked, resulting in the death of some security aides.

He urged the federal government to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and intensify efforts against terrorism in the country, describing the attack on Zulum, a serving governor, as shocking.

According to him, “The attack underscored how monstrous and bold terrorism has become in the country and how vulnerable the poor masses are.

“Terrorism knows no tribe, culture nor religion, but affects everybody equally. I urge the federal government to intensify efforts on the fight against terrorism and employ the country’s security architecture to keep Nigerians safe.”

Condoling with Zulum, Obi urged him to take heart while praying to God to give him the fortitude to bear the loss of his men. Obi also consoled the families of the victims with a prayer to God for their peaceful repose.

DEEPENING TELECOMS INNOVATION...

L-R: President of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Teniola; Director, Research Planning and Administration, National Universities Commission, Dr. Fumilayo Morebise; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Director, Research and Development, NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu; Deputy Director, National Board for Technical Education, Dr. Fatima Kabir Umar; and the Chairman, Telecommunications-based Research Evaluation Committee, Prof. Mu’azu Bashir, during the inauguration of the Evaluation Committee for the 2020 Telecommunications-based Research Innovation from Academics in Nigerian tertiary institutions in Abuja... recently

Nigeria at 60: Abiodun Urges Nigerians Not to Lose Hope Kayode FasuainAbeokuta As Nigeria is getting set to celebrate its 60th Independence Day on October 1, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday called on Nigerians not to be despair, saying a greater Nigeria is possible in the foreseeable future.

Abiodun said no matter the prevailing circumstances, the country had proved to be an enigma, defying all predictions by pundits that it would not survive.

According to him, “Nigeria has always wriggled out of the most difficult situation better.

“I have no doubt that Nigerians should be hopeful, and we all must be ready to contribute to that future which we desire. Be hopeful. As a country, we are moving towards a better Nigeria.”

The governor expressed this optimism at the special church service to mark the 60th National Day Celebration held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peters in

Ake, Abeokuta, the state capital.

He also noted that the task ahead “is a collective one. We shouldn’t allow prophecies of doom to define us. With prayers, and given the human and material resources available, believe that things would get better.”

The governor recalled that many countries that gained independence with Nigeria were no longer together.

“They have either been balkanised by their internal

realities or civil war. We have survived many vicissitudes, and in Nigeria’s case, despite its numerous challenges, especially in the area of economy and security, the country is still together and would move forward more prosperously.

“Despite all predictions, Nigeria is still standing. Our diversity is our strength. We are a resilient and confident people. We surmounted the civil war and Boko Haram insurgency.

CHESTRAD Leads Conversation on Women’s Economic Empowerment at the UN Vanessa Obioha

At the ongoing 2020 United Nations General Assembly, a non-profit organisation Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development (CHESTRAD), recently held a side event to discuss the various ways to ensure financial inclusion for women.

Using its new initiative ‘Tariro’ a health and financial inclusion programme, which gives and

expands the access of children, girls and women to financial and health products and services, the NPO hosted seasoned experts to plumb the theme ‘From Aid to Trade: Transformation of African Financing for Children, Girls and Women’. The session was moderated by the Executive Director, Public Health Partnerships, Merck & Co Inc., Joan Benson.

At the centre of the discussion was the sustainability of financing

for women and the availability of data to ensure no one is left behind as highlighted by the Founder of CHESTRAD, Lola Dare during her presentation.

One of the panellists, Monique Vledder, the Practice Manager for the Global Financing Facility (GFF) in her submission echoed Dare’s suggestion for the need for blended financing.

“It is not always that private sector investments have the same equity that we have collectively. So

by blending grant financing and private sector financing we (GFF) have been able to focus more on those marginalised populations that have been left behind to ensure that there is quality health care.”

She, however, noted that it is important to identify women who are paying out of their pockets for services that are usually not given to them in high quality. That way, the women will not have a financial burden on getting these services.

Nigeria Leadership Initiative Holds Inaugural Webinar on Rebuilding NationalValues Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), an international, nonpartisan organisation that is registered as a charity in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom will hold its inaugural webinar series, with the theme: “Rebuilding Our National Values System,”on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Bashir Ibrahim Yusuf and the Founder

of NIL, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the members of the NLI are highly accomplished Nigerians living at home and in the Diaspora.

NIL members, the statement said, are committed to playing a significant role in helping to transform the country, promoting an understanding and appreciation of its foundational values, while also highlighting the importance of values-based leadership and followership. It said NLI has

about 400 highly accomplished members in its network, including former and serving members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), CEOs of MDAs and private corporations, in and outside Nigeria.

“There is a growing consensus that our National Values System has broken down and that this has become a threat to values leadership and our national development. History has shown

that the most successful companies and countries in the world are built on a set of core values. These become the foundation on which the nation is built. We cannot achieve sustainable economic growth and development unless we build on a solid foundation and develop community-spirited Nigerians who live these values.

It is an investment in our greatest asset-Our People,” the statement explained.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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CAN Blames Corruption, Mutual Suspicion for Nigeria’s Lack of Progress Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle has said that the ills of corruption, injustice and lack of equity have denied Nigeria the opportunity of realising its dream of greatness.

He also cited a lack of true love among Nigerians as being responsible for division and animosity along ethnic and religious lines.

Ayokunle said this in Abuja yesterday at the 60th Independence Anniversary Inter-denominational church service with the theme:

“Come, Let us Rebuild…”

The inter-denominational Christian Church service was organised by the federal government in collaboration with CAN. Ayokunle said Nigerians need to overcome corrupt ways of life and love each other in order to achieve the much cherished greatness.

“Corruption, which the federal government is waging war against wouldn’t have been there if there is love. Let us use our position to build Nigeria and stop being selfish and divisive,” he said.

He also called for religiosity to reposition the country and

Anambra Community Begs Obiano to Intervene in Looming Crisis David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The protracted leadership tussle in Nanka community of Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has escalated, with one of the seven villages in the community, Amakor, begging the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to wade into the crisis.

Amakor Njikoka Development Union, an umbrella body for Amakor village, in a statement made available to journalists at the weekend, said the claims by the monarch of the community, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo, that peace had returned was false, and meant to receive the people of Nanka.

The Chairman of Amakor Njikoka Development Union, Mr. Obinna Ilo, who signed the statement, begged Obiano to prevail on some leaders of Nanka community, who he said were bent on seizing the reins of power, to do the right thing.

He warned that failure to wade into the crisis may cause a

breakdown of law and order in the community.

Part of his statement read: “It is obvious that in Nanka, some individuals have hijacked the peaceful community and introduced divide and rule kind of disorder that is rocking the boat of the town for years now.

“They suppress accountability and stifle opposition to suit their misadventure. In place of liberty, they instill oppression and suppression, then turn around to paint a picture of peace where there is none. We are calling on the governor to quickly wade into the matter to avoid bloodshed.”

Nanka community has for a long time been embroiled in crisis over the choice of traditional ruler.

The enthronement of Igwe Ezeilo has also not been acceptable by some members of the community, including members of the Ezeokweghi/Ezeofor royal family of Nanka, who insisted that the last monarch was yet to receive his final rite, as such, a new king cannot emerge.

Ex-NECO Boss, Gana Denies N368.8m Fraud Allegation Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The erstwhile acting Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Abubakar Gana, has denied the embezzlement allegation levelled against him of N368.875 million while he held sway at the examination body.

He, however, said the alleged sum said to have been generated during the June/July 2018 registration of SSCE was discovered missing before his tenure.

Gana, in a statement he personally signed and issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, insisted that contrary to the online media report, his hands are clean.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, I was appointed as acting Registrar of NECO on May 10, 2018, while the purported incident occurred on December 18, 2017, at least, five months before my appointment.

“It must, however, be put on record that the infractions were uncovered by the Council in 2017 under the watchful eyes of former Registrar, Prof Charles Uwakwe, but nothing was done to bring the perpetrators to book.”

According to the statement,

“My attention has been drawn to a malicious report of September 25, 2020, in which the online platform alleged that I siphoned N368, 875 million generated during the June/ July 2018 registration of SSCE, while I was acting Registrar of NECO. “Ordinarily, I would not have bothered to dignify the half-truths and fabrications contained in the publication with a response, but for the purpose of setting the records straight.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I was appointed as the acting Registrar of NECO on May 10, 2018, while the purported incident occurred on December 18, 2017, at least, five months before my appointment.

“It must, however, be put on record that the infractions were uncovered by the Council in 2017 under the watchful eyes of former Registrar, Prof Charles Uwakwe, but nothing was done to bring the perpetrators to book.

“When I took over the affairs of the Council in 2018, the misappropriation was officially reported to me, a development that led to the setting up of both management and board committees for investigation.

overcome its corrupt way of living, which has almost become a national shame.

The CAN president, who lamented the insecurity and the spate of killings of innocent Nigerians, questioned the rationale behind the killing of fellow countrymen in name of ethnicity and religion.

He also said the claim of Nigerians of being religious people with knowledge of God is deceptive because of manifest ethnic and religious chauvinism and bias of the leadership in all places, adding that for the country to sustain peace and unity, equality and justice must be upheld. ‘’However, from the practical experience of the way we behave in different places and at different levels, our love for God is superfluous and hypocritical and

our faith or religiosity is empty.

It has not reflected in the life of holiness and impeccable integrity at work or in the market place in general,’’ he said.

The CAN President cited a high level of selfishness as one of the causes of pains in the country, while noting that where there is selfishness, love for one another cannot be there.

He also frowned at the spate of killings in the country in the past 10 years, saying it has never happened before. ‘’Equally, a nation that is religiously plural like ours requires love in practice so as to co-exist without fighting one another.

What is sane in using the name of God or hide under the cloak of religion to kill a fellow human?

If God wants all of us to be of one ethnicity or race or religion

doesn’t he have the power to do it? Why do we want to play God and wickedly terminate the lives of others on account of religion?’’ he asked.

Ayokunle maintained that government and leaders must subscribe to the doctrine of equal opportunity for all Nigerians, noting that lack of trust and mutual suspicion have been preventing the country from achieving lofty heights.

The cleric advised current leadership in the country to harness abundant God’s given human and natural resources for the benefit of the people.

Prayers were offered for Nigeria’s growth by various priests and the religious during the one and a half hour church service held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.

In his message, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, urged Nigerians to remain together and build the nation.

Mustapha said the moment called for deeper reflection.

He charged the leadership of CAN to provide the needed leadership to build modern Nigeria, which all the citizens are craving for.

He said the partnership between the federal government and CAN will lead to the development of the country.

He also expressed optimism that the anniver s a r y w i l l l a y a solid and good foundation for the future o f t h e c o u n t r y.

PROMOTING TRADE...

L-R: Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr. Kayode Pitan; Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Wamkele Mene; and Director General of Nigeria Office of Trade Negotiation, Mr. Victor Liman, after a meeting with the management of the bank in Lagos... weekend

LCCI Urges Labour to Suspend Planned Strike DikeOnwuamaezeandChrisUba The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has made a strong appeal to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to jettison the nationwide strike planned to commence today to protest against the recent hikes in petrol and electricity tariffs ‘as the Nigerian economy could no longer sustain the subsidies on these products’.

The chamber pointed out that it would be more productive for the unions to engage the government on how to provide palliatives that

would cushion the hardship the tariffs hike has on the citizens than fighting to retain the burdensome subsidies on the country.

It stated that Nigeria is already on the throes of economic crises, warning that the economy might not withstand another disruption of economic activities soon after the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Director-General of the LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, stated yesterday in a public statement that: “The LCCI appeals to labour to engage the government on poverty or hardship mitigating measures to cushion the effects

of the price and tariff hike. The LCCI urges the labour unions and the government to scale up the dialogue and negotiations to avoid another round of disruption of economic activities in the country,” warning that “if the country continues with the current trend of monstrous and opaque subsidies, it could slip into bankruptcy.”

The chamber argued that the continuation of the subsidies would be counterproductive as it would deprive the country the private capital investments needed in the strategic sectors of the economy.

The Nigerian economy, according to the LCCI, is currently stumbling having suffered a significant contraction of 6.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, and is yet to recover from the devastating shocks wreaked by COVID-19.

“The economy needs to be urgently pulled back from the brink through the adoption of appropriate policy reform measures. The reversal of the current reforms would exacerbate the challenges of the faltering Nigerian economy.

Obaseki’s Re-election is Reward for Merit, Says Group Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city As the re-election of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for a second term in office continued to elicit reactions, a group, Edo Citizens in Diaspora, has said Obaseki’s victory has finally put a nail on the activities of godfatherism in the state.

The group added that the outcome of the poll was a clear reward of hard work and a demonstration of acceptability by majority of the Edo people.

They noted that the governorship election has set a precedent in Nigeria, adding:

“The victory of Governor Obaseki marks a new dawn in Nigerian politics, and we feel there is need for us to come together to dine and wine and appreciate God for the victory.”

Speaking under the auspices of Edo Redemption Movement (ERM), the Coordinator of the group, Prince Idemudia Okojie, congratulated the governor for his re-election recently.

Okojie said what transpired was an indication that Edo people can no longer be taken for granted by self-styled godfathers, who don’t mean well for the development of the state.

He added that Obaseki’s victory has further united not only the state but also foster regional unity especially in the Niger Delta region, just as he urged the governor to continue with his populist policy for the people.

“Your victory is a victory for the Esan people, Edolites and the United States of Niger-Delta. You promised to end godfatherism and you did. ‘Really ‘Edo no be Lagos’, as you have silenced the self-acclaimed national leader of the party.

“The Edo people voted massively and stood firm to defend their votes, which shows

that the hand of God is truly on our dear state. The lions and the tigers have been finally caged in the zoo where they belong.

“Your victory is a major pointer that politics today is tilting towards meritocracy and not godfatherism.

“The best way to thank the good people of Edo State that gave you this mandate is by giving it your best shot and delivery on your campaign promises. A lot of trust and confidence has been bestowed upon you, and we expect that you do not disappoint,” the ERM coordinator said.

47

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MONDAYSPORTS

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

Gusau Faces World Athletics Life Ban

As AFN board members drag former federal lawmaker before AIU

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau risks being slammed with a life ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a petition by nine members of the present board of the federation accusing the former member of the House of Representatives of violating some articles of World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct.

Gusau was affirmed president of the AFN by the Appeal Court in Abuja last Friday but is accused among other things of causing money belonging to the federation to be paid into

Ibrahim Shehu Gusauâ&#x20AC;Śdragged before World Athleticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; AIU

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a private account belonging to Mr. Sunday Adeleye who at the time was an elected member of the board of the AFN. The money in question was paid by PUMA as contractual fee for an equipment and licensing agreement reached with Mr. Gusau and Mr. Adeleye in July 2019, purportedly acting on behalf of the AFN, without the knowledge of majority of its board members.

Mr Adeleyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s firm, Dynamic Sporting Solutions was unilaterally appointed by Mr. Gusau to serve as consultant to the federation for the project, a clear case of Conflict of Interest and a breach of World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct Article 3 (Integrity Standards), sub-section 3.3.5 (Conflict of Interests).

If found guilty, Mr. Gusau will be the second high profile African athletics official and member of a World Athletics member federation after Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Okeyo to be slammed a life ban by the AIU. Mr. Okeyo, for the records was banned for diverting money meant for Kenya Athletics Association paid by sportswear and equipment company, NIKE into his private account for his personal use. Mr. Okeyo who at the time was the Secretary General and Vice President of Kenya Athletics Association was banned for life in 2018.

Mr. Gusau is also accused of dragging the AFN to court, a decision frowned at by the Chief Executive Officer of World Athletics, Mr Jon Ridgeon in his letter to the Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare on August 27, 2020.

This, according to the petition is

UFC: Adesanya Dedicates His Victory over Costa as Gift to Nigeria at 60 Femi Solaja Ultimate Fighting Championship ((UFC) Middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has dedicated his victory over Paulo Costa of Brazil in the early hours of yesterday morning as the best gift to Nigeria ahead of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60th independence anniversary.

New Zealander Adesanya who hails from Odogbolu in Ogun State, in a telephone chat with THISDAY shortly after dispatching the Brazilian in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fight Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Abu Dhabi, United Arabs Emirates, said he actually worked very hard to earn the win against his opponent who had also enjoyed a winning streak before the epic clash. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a dream come true for me. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really worked hard to maintain my winning streak at 20-0 now and what other gift can I offer millions of Nigerian youths out there who want to excel with their talents? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My win today I think will motivate them and will want to aim higher with hard work to reach their respective goals,â&#x20AC;? Adesanya gushed with excitement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very happy to overcome my opponent considering the fact that we should have fought about two years ago but he kept avoiding

me until now as the champion.

He had no choice but face me and I have proven to be the better guy out there. I will want other youths to follow this trend,â&#x20AC;? Adesanya tasked Nigerian youths.

He was also happy that with this win, he wants to visit his country of birth in the post Covid-19 time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, it is my dream to visit the country (Nigeria) as soon as possible. I want to visit some of the government officials to see how we can partner to help our teeming youths. I also want to hold clinics with young boys and girls who want to go into the mixed martial art sports as well,â&#x20AC;? he pledged.

As the self-proclaimed leader of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fighting revolution, Adesanya backed-up his bold claims with a massive win against Costa for his UFC middleweight belt at UFC 253 which was broadcast live on DSTv in the early hours of Sunday.

AsideAdesanya, other Nigerian fighters to have proven their worth in the sport include Kamaru Usman, Francis Ngannou and Sodiq Yussuf.

Another Nigerian Hakeem Dawodu won his undercard bout against Zubaira Tukhugov in the featherweight division.

The bout went through the distance but the Nigerian was adjudged the winner in a split decision by the judges.

also a violation of both the World Athletics constitution Article 84 on Disputes and Appeals and Athletics Integrity Code of Conductâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Article 1,section 1.3 and sub-sections 1.3.1,1.3.2 and particularly 1.3.3 which states thus: â&#x20AC;&#x153;All applicable persons will be deemed to have agreed not to bring any proceedings in any court or other forum that are inconsistent with the foregoing submission to the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Tribunal.â&#x20AC;?

The AFN president is further accused of dishonestly presenting himself as the Secretary General of the AFN before World Athletics after he changed the password of the official email account of the federation

thus preventing the Secretary General from performing his lawful duties as enshrined in the constitution of the AFN (article 8.7,section 8.7.2).

This, the board members allege is not only a violation of the federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitution but also that of World Athleticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Integrity Code of Conduct Article 3 (Integrity Standards),subsection 3.3.1.

Mr. Gusau, in the petition is alleged to have forged documents purporting to be proposals for the amendment of the 2017 constitution of the AFN and presented to a Congress in Awka in December 2019 convened in violation of Article 6.1.4 of the AFN constitution.

The AFN president disregarded the procedure for not only convening a Congress of the federation but also that of amending the constitution as spelt out in articles 10.1.2 and 10.1.3 of the AFN constitution.

The alleged forging of the documents presented before the illegal Congress, according to the petition by the board members is a violation of World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct Article 3 (Integrity Standards),sub-section 3.3.1. which specifically requires any and all applicable persons â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;...not to forge any document, falsify any authentic document or use a forged or falsified document.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mr . Gusau, without the

consent of the board attempted to register the AFN as a limited liability company. In doing so, he allegedly presented cooked up minutes of the board of the AFN wherein he (Gusau) and Mr. Adeleye were purportedly elected trustees of the AFN. This, the board contended in the petition as not only a fraudulent and criminal act but also a violation of World Athleticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Integrity Code of Conduct Article 3 (Integrity Standards),sub-section 3.3.1 which requires all applicable persons to act with honesty and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;not to forge any document, falsify any authentic document or use a forged or falsified document.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Israel Adesanya (being decorated with the UFC 253 middleweight belt) shortly after he defeated Brazilian Paulo Costa early hours of yesterday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Prince Stanley Williams: The Making of a Global Boxing Promoter Before venturing into boxing promotions, Prince Stanley Williams had achieved successes with his different companies in the Monarch Group with interests in construction, music and sports promotions.

Monarch Promotions is licensed in USA, England, Germany, Ghana and Nigeria and working on getting licensed in Pakistan as Prince expands to being a global boxing promoter as he desires.

On April 7, 2018, Monarch Promotions debuted in Lagos Nigeria and on that night there were hard fought victories for his fighters, Sule Olagbade and King Davidson; Prince Williams seated at ringside flanked by two prominent former World Heavyweight Champions, Riddick Bowe and Ray Mercer who were his guests.

He had brought renowned fighters from all around the globe to be part of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boxfestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Stephen Okine, Ishmael Tetteh, both of Ghana, Heavyweight Eugen Buchmueller of Germany, Paul Valenzuela Jr of Mexico, Aaron Coley of USA, Patrick â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;El Eleganteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lopez of Venezuela and De Marcus â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chop Chopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Corley of USA. With what was arguably the biggest boxing night in recent years in Nigeria, Prince Williams

stepped gingerly into boxing in Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous Nation.

He had penetrated boxing in USA, co-promoting cards in different cities before deciding to bring it home to fight-fans.

His second promotion in Nigeria in December 2018 had four WBU world title fights and was tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;King of The Ringâ&#x20AC;? where he continued to merge his love for Music and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sweet Scienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; even as all his boxers that featured made him proud.

Ring-side guests were two-time former WBO Word Heavyweight champion, Herbie Hide and former WBF Cruiserweight Champion Bash Ali. The World Boxing Union (WBU) awarded him their Promoter of the year 2018 for achieving so much.

President of the World Boxing Union (WBU), Thorsten Knille, while decorating Prince Williams with the honorary belt said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;WBU has chosen you as our Promoter of the Year for promoting six world title bouts in 2018, no other promoter achieved this feat.â&#x20AC;?

In 2019, he made history with a bold statement of an entry into English boxing promotions.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Homecomingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Card was a sell out and it took place

at the historic St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall in Bradford, hometown of his key fighter, Tasif Khan, who defended his World Boxing Union (WBU) Super Flyweight title in the main event.

The iconic St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall was hosting a boxing event for the first time in its history.

His fighters as usual never

disappointed as Khan, Davidson, Olagbade and new acquisition, Braimoh Komoko aka Bukom Banku of Ghana all retaining their WBU world titles and Bukom Banku fighting away from home country, Ghana for the first time won the WBU International Heavyweight title.

Prince Stanley Williams (left) and legendary boxing promoter, American Don King during the WBC 57th Convention in Cancun, Mexico

Monday September 28, 2020

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MISSILE

PDP to FG

“Our party is alarmed by the frightening situation where insurgents now have the temerity of repeated attacks on the armed convoy of a state governor. This highlights the nightmare being witnessed by ordinary compatriots, as soft targets, in various troubled areas across our dear nation. Mr. President should rejig the nation’s security apparatchik by replacing his service chiefs with fresh hands to effectively confront the security challenges facing our nation” – The PDP condemning the attacks on the convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum by insurgents resulting in the killing of some security operatives.

ABDUL SAMAD RABIU GUEST COLUMNIST

Africa, AfCFTA, Private Sector and the Way Forward

I

start by congratulating African leaders on the opening of the AfCFTA secretariat last month. I believe the secretariat will further help to facilitate the prompt actualization of the AfCFTA vision.

As it is well-known, BUA is in the business of Foods, Mining, Manufacturing, and infrastructure. The fact that our manufacturing and mining businesses are mostly located in areas that are potentially primed for exports makes the continental free trade area attractive for us here at BUA. For instance, our Cement business in Sokoto, Nigeria is about 1,000kilometres to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and less than a 100kms from the border with the Niger Republic, and also our upcoming project in Adamawa is situated at a border town in Adamawa – very close to the Cameroonian border.

We are already doing some exports and are putting up a third line in Sokoto with at least 70% of its output expected to be dedicated to Niger Republic & Burkina Faso. Based on these, we are, therefore, well positioned to take advantage of the agreement and this will also help drive the AfCFTA vision.

However, for the agreement to succeed, we believe a lot, including the following needs to be done and addressed.

Status of Current Regional Agreement There is still a high level of distrust despite the overwhelming support for the AfCFTA. One of the causes has been the poor implementation of previous agreements, for example, the ETLS – The ECOWAS TRADE LIBERALISATION SCHEME and the EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY A situation where people cannot move goods produced in African countries where over 90% value has been added to other African Countries is a cause of concern. How do we intend to address these issues? What is the status of these regional agreements scheme going into the AfCFTA and how do we fix the issues that have beset it especially with regards to the free movement of goods and services, tariffs amongst other things.

Free Movement of People Within the Continent For integration to be successful, we must facilitate free movement via liberalised air travel, operations, and visa-free regimes across the continent for businesses and individuals. Currently, it is more tedious to travel within Africa than from Europe to Africa. This is not the best for business or for integration.

The current situation where an Australian or European can easily enter an African Country unlike an African gives great cause for concern.

As it currently stands, only 25% of

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

Africans can travel visa-free to other African countries whilst another 20% can get visas on arrival. We understand that there are still pending issues with security amongst other things but the Free Movement Protocol of the AfCFTA needs to be pushed with renewed vigor.

Dumping The lessons learnt from operating the current regional economic blocs are some of the biggest hindrances to the full acceptance of the CFTA. For instance, Nigeria with its huge population and large economy is a prime target for dumping from smaller neighboring countries however, these same countries do not permit the importation of some 100% produced in Nigerian goods

whilst flooding Nigeria with goods/ food imported from outside Africa.

How do we protect import-dependent states and those with high populations from Dumping?

We understand the need to protect smaller nations and boost fair trade, however, measures must be put in place to prevent dumping and promote made in Africa by Africans for Africa trade rather than the current scenario whereby certain countries take advantage of these policies.

In Nigeria, we have seen it happen with rice and cheap imports from other countries being smuggled and dumped into the country. AfCFTA negotiations must take these into account. The final agreement should be crafted in ways to prevent goods produced and imported from outside Africa (above national consumption needs) benefitting from the pacts. This will in turn prevent the larger countries - and the continent, from becoming dumping grounds and make smaller countries with value on offer to be less protectionist in nature.

Proliferation of Small Arms & Illicit Drugs and Smuggling Whilst I am in support of liberalizing the free movement of persons across the continent, it is important to acknowledge the security challenges we face from the proliferation of small arms and illicit drugs. This was one of the main issues I believe led Nigeria to close its borders with its neighbors. I daresay that the proliferation of arm, drugs, and smuggling go hand-in-hand. Both are crimes against the economic, physical, and territorial integrity and security of African Nations. More needs to be done in this regard.

Private Sector AU Partnership

“Nigeria with its huge population and large economy is a prime target for dumping from smaller neighboring countries however, these same countries do not permit the importation of some 100% produced in Nigerian goods whilst flooding Nigeria with goods/food imported from outside Africa. How do we protect import dependent states and those with high populations from Dumping?”

& the TransAfrican Highway On private sector involvement, It is our opinion that the Private Sector should be invited by the Governments of Africa and the Secretariat to discuss the way forward for sustainable investments and partnerships.

For cross border trade to work, everyone – governments, private sector, and DFIs must be willing to collaborate fast to fix infrastructure to spur growth. BUA is interested in being part of a coalition that we urge the secretariat to put together on the development of the Trans African Highway, for instance.

As we all know, the Trans African Highway is a 56,600km road network conceived about 50 years ago to develop infrastructure and connect major African cities from North to South and East to West across 9 highways.

We can start by partnering with various governments and engage the Special Envoy for Infrastructure in Africa, H.E. Raila Odinga and take the Mombasa – Lagos Highway, for example, into consideration.

The Lagos-Mombasa Highway 8 is about 6,259kms or 3880miles and is contiguous with the Dakar – Lagos Route.

I am personally ready to mobilise likeminded businesses across the continent with the resources required (steel, cement, etc.) to do these roads at a concession and guaranteed by sovereign African nations. This can be done with the private sector with support from governments and the DFIs. If those roads are actualized, imagine the number of jobs that will be created as well as the amount of trade that will be facilitated as a result.

We are Interested in Knowing How BUA and the Private Sector Can Help Before AfCFTA Starts At BUA, we are more than excited about the possibilities of the Free Trade Agreement for us, Nigeria, and the entire continent of Africa – now more than ever. The Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, if actualized and harnessed properly, will help spur development and trade within Africa as we have never witnessed before. BUA is ready to partner with the secretariat and we are ready to pool our resources to see the continent succeed.

Finally, we are thankful for the visit of the Secretary-General to BUA. We pray the Almighty grants you success in your role and We are always ready to support the development of our dear continent. If AfCFTA succeeds, we all do. We are in this together.

RABIU, chairman of BUA Group, delivered this speech during the visit of the AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, to the BUA HQ in Lagos

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