MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2020

FG Disburses N195bn Export Grant to 270 Exporters James Emejo in Abuja The Debt Management Office (DMO) has said that a total of N195 billion has been disbursed to 270 exporters under the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) programme of the federal government.

However, the figure is lower than the N350 billion earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for disbursement to about 1,400 exporters.

Out of the initial beneficiaries approved, about 38 companies were reportedly

dropped, drawing criticisms from stakeholders.

DMO’s Team Leader, Securities Issuance Unit, Portfolio Management Department, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, however, defended the lower figure, saying: "What has been

approved by the National Assembly and sent to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and ultimately forwarded to the DMO for payment was about N195 billion for 270 exporters."

He said during a validation

roundtable held virtually in Abuja on the recently concluded study on "Analysis and Impact of the Export Expansion Grant on Export Potentials, Market Access and Export Competitiveness in Nigeria," that till date, only about N1.3 trillion had so

far been approved by the National Assembly out of the N3.3 trillion promissory notes approved by Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 to offset the federal government's indebtedness Continued on page 9

Rewane: Protests to Prolong Economic Recovery by Three Months... Page 8 Monday 9 November, 2020 Vol 25. No 9345. Price: N250

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Return Looted Firearms Now, Police Warn Hoodlums

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

SEARCHING FOR PEACE...

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed; Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Bichi; Governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; and Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo) during a meeting of South-west governors, ministers and monarchs with President Muhammadu Buhari’s committee on youths engagement in Lagos… yesterday

The committee set up by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to assess the level of damage to police formations during the #EndSARS protest has warned hoodlums who carted away firearms from 205 police stations in 17 states to return them or face prosecution.

The committee has also raised the alarm that the looting of the weapons at the end of the year when the rate of crime is potentially high is dangerous.

Speaking to THISDAY in Continued on page 9

South-west Govs, Ministers, Monarchs Urge Overhauling of Nation’s Security Demand special protection for region’s economic interests Seek reopening of borders, equal treatment for all citizens Want FG to use existing laws to check fake news Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Segun James South-west governors, ministers and monarchs yesterday called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security system and advised that a review and

implementation of reports of constitutional conferences, including the 2014 National Conference with respect to security, among other salient issues, would be the correct decision to make.

The leaders at a meeting in Lagos with a presidential

delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, also canvassed special protection for the region’s economic interests and assets.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the leaders said the review of reports of

constitutional conferences held in the past would facilitate the implementation of some of the recommendations, especially with reference to security, economy and equal treatment for citizens.

The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of the South-

west Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, noted that the prolonged closure of the border has caused economic difficulties and should be re-examined to alleviate

problems of the people in the border communities and the soaring prices of some essential commodities.

The South-west leaders also urged the federal government to use the

Trump Adamant, Accuses Media of Imposing Biden...Page 5

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

Trump Adamant, Accuses Media of Imposing Biden Pressure mounts on US president to accept defeat Bush, Atiku, PDP congratulate president-elect

Martins IďŹ jeh in New Jersey, USA and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The United States President Donald Trump has vowed not to recognise President-elect Joe Biden as the elected 46th president of the country, saying the election was not only clearly stolen from him by thieves but also that the media had imposed the president-elect on Americans.

There were strong indications last night that his wife, Melania; son-in-law and Senior Adviser, Jared Kushner; and some allies are putting pressure on him not to embark on any legal battle against the results as this would put a dent on the country’s democratic system, especially in the eyes of the world.

Trump, who in a tweet yesterday evening described the media as ‘lamestream,’ said: “Since when do the ‘lamestream’ media call who our next president will be? We have all learned a lot in the last two weeks.�

Biden won the election Saturday after polling 290 Electoral College votes as against Trump’s 214 votes. Results are still being counted from the three remaining states.

In a series of tweets yesterday, Trump, who is yet to declare his next line of action, said he clearly won the presidential election but that Democrats and big city machines were thieves and corrupt elements who clearly did not allow observers to see the manipulations done during the vote count.

He said: “We believe these people are thieves. The big city machines are corrupt. This was a stolen election. Best pollster in Britain wrote this morning that this clearly was a stolen election, that it is impossible to imagine that Biden outran Obama in some of these states.

Where it mattered, they stole what they had to steal. “We should look at the votes.

We are just beginning the tabulation stage. We should look at these allegations. We’re seeing a number of affidavits that there has been voter fraud. We have a history in this country of election problems. In Pennsylvania you had an order by how these ballots were authenticated, because if there’s a problem in the system about authentication, that would seriously affect the entire election - And what concerns me is that we had over a 100 million mail-in ballot in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit with a long series of election problems to put it mildly.�

In what appeared to be a consolation, he also tweeted that he had 71,000,000 legal votes – the most ever for a sitting US president, adding: “I won this election. I got 71 million legal votes. Bad things happened which observers were not allowed to see; this never happened before. Millions of mail-in ballots were sent to people who never asked for them.�

Bush Congratulates Biden, Says Trump Right to Request Recount In the meantime, a former US President, Mr. George W. Bush has offered his “warm congratulations� to Biden, describing the Democrat as “a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.�

The two-term Republican,

in a statement issued by his presidential center in Dallas, also congratulated Trump for his “extraordinary political achievement� in winning 70 million votes.

Bush’s statement made him one of the country’s most prominent Republicans to acknowledge Biden’s victory.

Bush agreed that Trump had “the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges.� “The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear.� “I will be praying for you and your success. Now is the time to heal deep wounds. Many are counting on you to lead the way,� “We must come together for the sake of our families and neighbors, and for our nation and its future. “There is no problem that will not yield to the gathered will of a free people.�

Will Trump Challenge the Results in Court?

While Trump has continued to share his displeasure with the outcome of the result, his delay in conceding defeat suggests he may head to the court to challenge the outcome of the contest.

But it appears some close allies of the president have started to discuss with his campaign team to concede defeat and accept the election outcome in good faith.

For instance, Trump’s sonin-law and Senior Adviser, Jared Kushner has told him to concede defeat in other not to put America’s democracy to ridicule, according to reports

by CNN yesterday.

There are also indications that the First Lady, Melania Trump is currently pressuring her husband to concede defeat and accept the election loss.

Though the first lady has not publicly commented on the election, she has privately weighed in with her opinion, a source also told CNN. Trump asserted in a statement from his campaign, moments after CNN and other networks projected that Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States, that Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner and that the race is far from over.

"I will not rest until the American people have the honest vote count they deserve and that democracy demands," Trump said in the statement, which explains that the campaign's legal battle may begin soonest.

Republicans Split over Trump’s False Claim to Election Fraud As Trump continues to make claims against the integrity of the presidential election, die-hard loyalists believed he is on track while some Republicans have subtly or vigorously condemned his claims, with some saying they were outrightly false.

According to a Republican senator from Kentucky, Senator Mitch McConnell, “Here’s how this must work in our great country. Every legal vote should be counted.�

Notably absent from Mr. McConnell’s statement was any suggestion that Democrats were stealing the election through an elaborate national conspiracy that included pollsters and the news media as Trump asserted with

no evidence in a rambling news conference.

It also implicitly rejected Trump’s calls for a halt to votecounting in states where his early leads have been threatened or eliminated.

In a stinging statement, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah said that Trump, while free to request recounts and present valid evidence of fraud, “is wrong to say that the election was rigged, corrupt and stolen — doing so weakens the cause of freedom here and around the world, weakens the institutions that lie at the foundations of the republic, and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions.�

Atiku, PDP Congratulate US President-elect, Biden Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have congratulated Biden.

In his congratulatory message, Atiku said he hopes that the election of Biden will improve bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States as well as present a united front against the fight on terror and global insecurity.

Atiku said Nigeria and the United States are two nations, united by a common language, stating that the first major trip by the leader of an independent Nigeria was the July 25, 1961 White House visit of the golden voice of Africa, the late Sir Tafawa Balewa, under President John Kennedy.

According to the former vice president, "Nigeria and the free world, have much to learn from your victory, especially your pronouncement that you would not be a president for only those who voted for you.

May such sentiments echo and re-echo globally.

"Not only do I congratulate you on your victory, but I also urge you to build on USNigeria relations, especially on widening the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for seamless interplay with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA)."

He explained that only by fair trade will Africa fulfill its potential, adding that a prosperous Africa is good for the United States and the world.

The PDP has also congratulated Biden and Americans for a successful and a peaceful election in strict adherence to democratic principles and extant laws of

their country despite the intense competition.

The PDP in a statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the election is a lesson to leaders that power resides with the people and that there is a limit to how any individual can hold a people to ransom.

It said: "Our party holds that the United States’ presidential election presents lessons to our emerging electoral system, particularly on the independence of the electoral body as well as showing respect for the rights of the citizens to democratically choose their leaders, irrespective of preferences or predilections of incumbents.

"Indeed, the manifest noninterference by the security forces and the judiciary in the US election calls out the current situation in our country where security agencies and compromised judicial officers are used to muzzle election and subvert the will of the people as largely witnessed in the last five years, particularly in the 2019 general elections."

PDP explained that the US election serves as a strong lesson to Nigeria on the need to strengthen its institutions while focusing on the processes and

rules instead of strengthening individuals.

The main opposition party charged President Muhammadu Buhari to draw lessons from the post-election remarks of the US president-elect by addressing the divisive tendencies, nepotism and marginalisation which characterise his administration as well as other actions and policies that threaten the stability, unity and development of the nation.

The PDP urged Biden to use his new office to promote world unity, peace, global economic, political and international trade collaborations with a focus on Africa as well as the developing world.

"Our party recalls that the United States and Nigeria have a long history of robust diplomatic relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation in critical sectors, with many enduring cultural, political, economic and social affinities, which should be strengthened for more global development," it said.

The party wished Biden a successful tenure and urged Nigerians to use the US election as a catalyst and preparatory template to consolidate on the democratic processes ahead of subsequent general elections in the country.

ON LIGHTER MOOD...

Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (left), and President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, at a wedding ceremony in Sokoto‌weekend

Rival ASUU Group Begs VCs to Reopen Varsities Nationwide Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A splinter group from striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), known as Congress of Universities Academics (CONUA), yesterday urged the Vice-Chancellors of various public universities in the country to recall students back to campus for academic activities, saying its members across the country are not on strike.

Already, CONUA, Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), has threatened to drag the Akure Zonal ASUU, being coordinated

by Prof. Olu Olufayo, to court over allegations credited to him that CONUA members in FUOYE have a secret pact with the management of the institution.

Addressing journalists in

FUOYE yesterday, Dr. Henry Oripeloye, who led CONUA members from various universities, said that apart from members of the body, there are lecturers who don't belong to any union who are willing to teach.

Oripeloye said: "We reject in strong terms, claims that we are members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); we are independent union on university campuses.

"We commend the National Universities Commission (NUC) for directing the opening of Universities nationwide.

"We want our universities to be reopened so that they will not be left behind in the scheme of things."

Oripeloye who is of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), lle-lfe, Osun State said

CONUA believes in constructive and objective engagement with the government rather than strike.

He added that they had enrolled in the IPPIS and their concerns were being addressed by the federal government.

He said one of CONUA's main dreams is that strike action as a weapon to force the government's attention should become history, saying: "We don't know anything about UTAS, we believe in fruitful interaction and possibly with government and also lobbying to achieve our requests from the government."

Oripeloye assured the government that should VCs recall their students now, academic activities will resume without any rancour in public varsities as many lecturers are ready to resume and have

complied with the government's directive on IPPIS. The OAU don said that CONUA has no conflict with ASUU, adding that the two unions only differ in terms of philosophy and ideology, which is reflecting in their approach to getting the government to accede to their requests.

In another development, CONUA FUOYE branch has given the Akure Zonal ASUU 14 days’ ultimatum to either retract or prove the allegation that it has secret pact within the management of the institution.

Briefing journalists at the weekend at Oye Ekiti the Convener of CONUA, Mr. Ayodeji Ige, said that the union’s counsel had been instructed to write the Zonal ASUU leadership to substantiate its claims or be ready to face legal action.

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Rewane: Protests to Prolong Economic Recovery by Three Months Peter Uzoho Nigeria’s economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the slump in crude oil prices will be stretched by three months because of the destruction of public and private property by hoodlums in the wake of the alleged shooting of peaceful protesters in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has stated.

Rewane, during the November edition of the Lagos Business School’s (LBS) monthly executive breakfast session, with the theme, “RE: ENDSARS – Class Struggle Versus Ethnic Conflict,� added that the government would need at least $6 billion worth of imports to cover looted, damaged and burnt inventory carried out by hoodlums during the protest. “The recovery path is now elongated by at least three months; companies will need to restructure their maturities and debt repayment; sales of FMCGs will be negatively affected, especially rosy Christmas projections; the exchange rate for replacement inventory will be at least 1015 per cent higher; foreign exchange rationing effect on Consumer Performance Index (CPI),� Rewane said.

However, he urged the federal government to look at the recent #EndSARS protests as a wake-up call for structural economic change and resetting the button for economic reform.

He said some analysts have

erroneously diagnosed the protests as symptoms of an ethnic conflict whilst it is fundamentally a class struggle of young people who have lost hope of prosperity.

Rewane, a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Committee, said: “The Nigerian masses have been afflicted with rational ignorance, which has mutated into rational irrationality.

The riots may erupt again if nothing is done to address poverty, debt and low productivity. New investment is necessary and urgently needed to keep hope alive.

"Based on anecdotal and momentum analysis, our model is projecting an estimated total informal and formal economic loss of approximately $15 billion in 2-3 weeks of mayhem. “Many traders and stores do not have insurance against civil unrest and commotion.

Christmas is fast approaching and they cannot find forex to replace lost inventory. This is in addition to the climbing COVID-19 infection rate.�

He added that the leading economic indicators (LEIs) in the country are presently under pressure as oil price fell by over 10 per cent in October, while Brent, the global benchmark for crude oil, currently stands at 41 per cent below its 2020 peak.

Based on this, he said the federal government would need to invest significant amounts in completing infrastructure and poverty allocations, adding that the foreign exchange rate of N379/$ may need an

adjustment and huge sales to replenish lost inventory.

According to Rewane, “At least $6 billion of imports is needed to cover looted, damaged and burnt inventory.�

On his outlook for Nigeria’s oil production, he said production and rig count would continue to decline, adding that October production estimate was 1.45million barrels per day (bpd).

He gave 1.42 mbpd as the estimated production

in November while noting that the number of active oil rigs has also dropped.

According to him, as Nigeria continues paying for cheating its quota, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies otherwise known as OPEC+ will maintain strict compliance to oil production cut and sanctions on oil cut cheats.

On the economic outlook, Rewane predicted that the 2021 national budget may be revised as a result of the

impact of lower oil prices and higher expenditure as well as the #EndSARS crisis – which, will deepen the economic crisis and delay the recovery.

He stated that total debt stock to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to 17.8 per cent while total external debt will rise to $52.2billion in 2020. “The budget will be reviewed drastically to accept lower oil prices as normal; OPEC+ will push for further cutbacks on quota;

Nigeria’s quota could fall to 1.3mbpd,� Rewane said.

The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had contracted by 6.10 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of the year (Q2 2020), according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The expectation is that the economy will slip into recession when the GDP figures for the third quarter are released this month, with the expectation of a rebound in 2021.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION...

L-R: Director, Legal and Regulatory Aairs/Company Secretary, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Shola Adeyemi; Director-General, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Dambatta; and Senior Business Development Manager, Northern Region Ing. Digital, Mr. Bala Ado, at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecom Awards (NTITA) in Abuja...recently

APC: We Can’t Go into National Convention in Crisis Outlines steps to rebuild party ahead of next election

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned that the main aim of dissolving the immediate-past National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will be defeated if the party goes into a national convention in a crisis.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, said the focus of the committee is on achieving and sustaining lasting unity, peace and reconciliation in the party ahead of the planned national convention of the party.

He spoke against the backdrop of a groundswell of opposition by APC members against an alleged plot to extend the tenure of the committee beyond December.

The ruling party, during an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on June 25, had dissolved the Adams Oshiomhole-led National

Working Committee (NWC) following a protracted leadership crisis. It set up a committee to manage the affairs of the party in the interim.

The 13-member caretaker committee, headed by Yobe State Governor, Mr. Mala Buni, was given six months to complete its assignment, including organising a national convention for new leaders to emerge and also to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

Due to the perceived inaction of the committee to roll out a timetable for the convention, a group, Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress, warned the caretakers not to stay beyond December.

It also threatened to approach the court for interpretation of the party's constitution, especially the composition of the committee, which it said violated section 17 (4) of the party's constitution.

Reacting to the developments in the party, Nabena said: "It is important that the APC conducts its

planned national convention to produce the party's national leadership as a united house. Otherwise the main aim of constituting the committee following the dissolution of the immediatepast National Working Committee (NWC) will be defeated.

"The planned nationwide registration, update, revalidation of the party's membership register will undoubtedly cement the APC's political and numerical status as Nigeria’s largest political party.

"Also, the committee has resuscitated the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms and has set up reconciliation committees for Oyo, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Ogun and Ekiti among other states chapters with reported disputes.

The committees are already meeting with the key stakeholders in the various states and have achieved substantial reconciliation in many states."

Nabena said ahead of the planned APC national convention and

the 2023 general elections, stakeholders should continue to support the committee's efforts to unite the party in order to make it formidable enough to consolidate on its national governing status and landmark achievements.

He added that the ruling party must not go into a national convention and general elections in crisis.

"We should take it one step at a time and ensure that the ongoing national reconciliation process being undertaken by the committee is sustained, successful and continue to yield results," he added.

PGF: Party Ahead of Others in Internal Crisis Management Meanwhile, the DirectorGeneral of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has rated the governing party far ahead of its political peers in terms of being liberal with strong internal contestations.

He, however, warned leaders of the party against

complacency, saying APC should be ideally encouraged to consider testing political proposals meant to deepen democracy.

Lukman, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, also stressed the need for the party to open up its structures and invite Nigerians to join it.

He said: “APC is far ahead of its political peers in terms of being a liberal party with strong internal contestation. “But such liberalism is yet to produce the corresponding requirement for interest representation and negotiation within the party, which is responsible for why our elected and appointed political leaders in the party estimate citizens’ demands as disagreement and subversive when it doesn’t correspond to their positions. “It is also why fellow party leaders would appear intolerant to positions of other party leaders regarding both citizens’ demands and internal disagreements.�

He said there is the need to appeal to Nigerian leaders at all levels, especially in APC, to liberate themselves

and shed off any fear of citizens’ engagement, internal disagreements, political negotiations, and the possible compromises that may emerge both within the party and in the country.

He said the fear of citizens’ engagement and political negotiations is largely what is emboldening political opponents whose credentials on this score are anything but attractive.

Commending the efforts of the party leaders at various levels of party structure, Lukman appealed to all members to support the efforts to retain its progressive status.

According to him, “Our leaders have broken the country’s political ice twice.

They have led us to negotiate the first successful merger of political parties in the history of the country. “They have also led us to successfully negotiate a major leadership crisis of existential magnitude, which is arguably the first of its kind that has not led to a breakaway and split in the party."

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PAGE NINE SOUTH-WEST GOVS, MINISTERS, MONARCHS URGE OVERHAULING OF NATION’S SECURITY existing laws, including the 2015 Cyber Act and those regulations benchmarked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news.

They thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration for their responsiveness to the initial demands of the #EndSARS demonstrators and for the firm handling of the aftermath of the protests.

They endorsed the call by traditional rulers for regular consultations with governors and federal authorities on challenges facing the states and for recognition of their role in the constitution. “The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country,� they said, adding: “There should be more police presence in communities in the South-west states.�

They said while there were legitimate concerns contained in the initial #EndSARS movement, they regretted that the protests were later hijacked by criminals and other elements with ulterior and negative motives, degenerating into anarchy.

The South-west leaders stressed the need for government to be proactive in preventing a repeat of what happened in the country following the demonstrations, adding that security needs to be strengthened in all states.

They said: “We wish to encourage the Nigeria

Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and property and enhance security all over the country.

We call for specific measures and proposals to repair the damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South-west. "[We call for]review of reports of constitutional conferences, including the 2014 National Conference, and implement some of the recommendations, especially with reference to security, economy, equal treatment for citizens all over the country.

"We believe that the prolonged closure of the border has caused economic difficulties and should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities.

"There is a need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities.�

They called for a programme to address youth employment, urging that empowerment should be prioritised.

The leaders said there should be closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the federal government and asked for a review of the curricular of tertiary institutions with an emphasis on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

Saying they recognised the damaging and negative impact of fake/false news

and worry about its destructive and dangerous potency of fake news, the leaders, however, called on the federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations benchmarked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. “The 2015 Cyber Act will also be fully used. The federal government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian security and not its destruction by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate-keeping should be fully employed. “We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest,� the leaders said.

Time to Retrace Our Steps, Says Gambari In his speech, Gambari said Buhari acknowledged that the country could not afford to ignore the yearnings of its youth population anymore.

He said it was the president's desire that participants at the conference would offer their frank opinions on what should be done to reduce youths restiveness According to him, the federal government is

adopting a multi-pronged approach to the problem of insecurity, youth unemployment, police reform, improvement in the conditions of serving police personnel and adoption of community policing.

"We have the vice president and the governors working at one level. We also have strengthened the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure that we are keeping all the promises we have made in terms of responsibility to the citizens.

Mr. President wants to establish unfiltered channels of communications through our natural rulers and the governors so that the voices of the people can be reported and heard by him directly," he stated.

On the federal government's delegation were Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of State, Health Ministry, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora; Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as well as Minister of State, Ministry of Mines and Power, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite.

Others were DirectorGeneral, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Bichi,

and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu.

In his speech, Akeredolu said: "We have gone through a lot as a people in the past few weeks. The past experience was most worrisome, though some kind of peace has returned.

We want to sustain that peace at all costs. “We have witnessed what our youths can do. When it started, no governor could walk down the road and say I am among my people.

Our people almost turned against us. We have to find a lasting solution to the youth’s unrest. “The South-west experienced a coordinated attack on our heritage during the #EndSARS campaigns, that is why we have to work out a stronger collaboration between our natural rulers, security agencies and the chief executives of states."

Other governors at the meeting were Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Seyi Makinde of (Oyo).

Oba Ogunwusi blamed the governors for seeking the cooperation of natural rulers only during elections.

"If we had this type of meeting frequently, the mayhem we witnessed recently would not have happened," he stated.

Referring to the unsavoury turbulence in the First Republic, the Ooni said: "The South-west has the reputation of the 'Wild,

Wild West.' It is not a good reputation. But if our governors are not far from us, we will be able to articulate views and opinions that will nip such ugly things in the bud."

He called for the abolition of the unitary system that was introduced into the country by the military and a return to a system of government that allows each region to develop at its own pace like in the First Republic.

Also, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, expressed similar sentiments, saying the “governors are overwhelmed because there was too much concentration of power at the centre."

"It is a complex and complicated matter. Our children are jobless and many are hungry and angry.

The problems are too much for the states. The states are not independent. The structure we run in Nigeria cannot allow state governors to do much for their states, there is the need for power devolution," he added.

Before going into a closed session, the host of the conference, Sanwo-Olu invited the audience to watch a short pictorial of the material losses recorded during the #EndSARS campaigns, including 500 public and private vehicles, 130 BRT buses, 26 police stations and scores of public and private buildings.

He said what is important to him now is to rebuild Lagos.

According to him, the IG led the committee to inspect sites of destruction in Lagos.

He said: "The inspection of some sections of the damage was undertaken by the IG himself. On the first day, the IG was able to go to Makinde, Ebute Ero and the destroyed palace of Oba Akiolu and some other places. We continued the next day because the damage in Lagos is extensive in 36 locations. So far, we have been able to see all.

It's a frightening scenario.

"Not only buildings were destroyed, police equipment, arms and ammunition were carted away.

"Carting away arms and ammunition when

the year is ending, not a normal time, but a time of potential higher criminality is dangerous.

"It's a grave situation but we have made some recoveries.

I think we are making progress."

He urged community leaders to assist the police to recover stolen arms.

"There are many ways of returning these things.

Community leaders could also help by reporting any firearms seen anywhere.

They should help because it is important to retrieve these things because it is for the safety of everybody.

If they are not checked, if we Nigerians do not react

collectively at the end of the day, they may move from house to house and order you to bring out all your property. We are in a Hobbesian state and we need to checkmate it before it consumes everybody," he stated.

Abutu said the committee would visit 17 states.

The terms of reference of the committee include physical visit of the scenes of incident and capture of pictorials of all damages done to police infrastructure and personnel; verify the fatalities suffered by the police; establish the weapons holdings that were lost during the incidents, among others.

other agencies of government to ensure that the National Assembly reconsiders those companies not passed by the legislature for them to also benefit from their legitimate claims."

However, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG), Chief Ede Dafinone, stated that there was no basis for the exclusion of the 38 companies, adding that some of the companies are currently the most profitable multinationals within the country.

"I want to reiterate that the fact that whether a beneficiary of EEG is a multinational doesn't mean that the money is going abroad.

"Again, a multinational that receives a super profit as a result of the EEG will be encouraged to invest in the Nigerian export market in order to earn future superprofits. And this is what we

need to expand growth in the non-oil market. Government has a commitment to settle a grant they have promised to pay," he said.

The report, which was authored by President, Nigeria Trade and Investment Centre Inc., Mr. Olufemi Boyede, among other things, called on the federal government to promptly settle all outstanding EEG claims as approved by FEC. The survey further called for the creation and legislation of the EEG as well as ensuring the full endowment of the Export Development Fund (EDF) to arrest the preponderance of policy somersaults as currently being experienced.

"We are at a point as a nation where we must either export (non-oil) or perish.

The only way to ensure forex supply (and shore up the exchange rate) is to encourage exports," it stated.

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RETURN LOOTED FIREARMS NOW, POLICE WARN HOODLUMS an exclusive interview at the weekend, the Chairman of the nine-member committee, Commissioner of Police (CP) Abutu Yaro, also urged parents to encourage their children in possession of the looted police firearms to return them.

Adamu had set up the nine-man committee to evaluate police losses during the #EndSARS protests.

Apart from Yaro, the committee has Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Atayero Patrick as vice-chairman and Adedeji Julius, a superintendent of police, as secretary.

Others are: ACP Sulaiman Gulma, ACP Samuel Dang, CSP Kehinde Ope, SP Chijioke Kalu, SP Ajibade

Sunday, and DSP Mahmud Haruna as members of the committee.

The committee, which has visited police formations at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos State, will visit Ogun State Police Command today.

Yaro told THISDAY that it had become imperative to alert members of the public on the need to return the looted firearms to the police, implying that those who voluntarily return the looted items immediately will be spared.

He said: "We need to alert members of the public on the need to return looted police firearms in their possession. If you see people

in possession of firearms, you should report to us.

"Parents, who see their children in possession of firearms, they should have the courage to report to us because we want to recover them. If they (hoodlums) make it impossible for us to recover them, if it's found with them at a later time or in other locations, it may have some severe consequences.

"It's important for you to help us educate some members of the public because anybody who is part of the arms’ loot can return it incognito because if it is found with them, there will be consequences.

They will face prosecution."

FG DISBURSES N195BN EXPORT GRANT TO 270 EXPORTERS in various categories.

In 2017, FEC had okayed a promissory note programme to settle outstanding debt obligations of the federal government worth about N3.3 trillion of which the EEG was only about N350 billion.

However, responding to questions from stakeholders on the role of the DMO in the non-payment of the approved grants to exporters, Mohammed said the debt office could not second guess why some of the claims were approved and while others were declined.

He said the DMO had acted in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) to ensure that only duly approved companies received their funds, adding that all the approved claims had since been settled.

He explained: "As I said, EEG claim was N350 billion; that is what was submitted

to the National Assembly as approved by FEC. "To that extent, the DMO doesn't know about any other exporter that is not in this 270.

"The Fiscal Responsibility Act is very clear; for DMO to issue any instrument there must be approval of the National Assembly.

That is what happened. We don't know why we have 270 companies instead of the large numbers of companies that were initially approved

by FEC. "There are 13 categories of creditors for that N3.3 trillion but only about three or four categories have been approved by the National Assembly to date worth about N1.3 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion.

"So, we don't know what happened but as it is, we have approval for those categories and we have settled including the exporters

which had been approved.�

Also commenting on the backlog of EEG claims during the roundtable, Deputy Director, Incentive Division, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Lawal Dalhat, explained that the National Assembly was supposed to approve what was agreed by the FEC, stressing that some companies were left out during the review process by the legislators.

But he said the commission is working with the finance ministry to see how the affected exporters could be included and paid within.

Dalhat said: “The situation is beyond our control and they (lawmakers) had their processes. We only received communication from the Ministry of Finance on approved and unapproved companies.

"But we are still working with the private sector and

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MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

South-East APC Stakeholders Block Umahi’s Defection Bid Gov’s defection imminent, say Ebonyi party chieftains

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki There are strong indications that the planned defection of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been blocked by the South-east bigwigs of the ruling party.

THISDAY gathered that the governor was billed to join APC this week.

But the stakeholders in Ebonyi APC yesterday insisted that the defection of the governor was imminent.

The blocking of the governor’s defection, it was gathered, was plotted by some members of the National Assembly and ministers from the South-east.

THISDAY was told that these stakeholders made it clear to the Ebonyi State governor that the APC presidential ticket is not for grabs by him.

It was also gathered that the defection move was perfected and sealed during Umahi’s recent visit to Abuja where he met with APC top hierarchy.

THISDAY also gathered that a lot of activities are being lined up at the PA Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, where the governor and others have perfected plans to officially defect, probably this week.

However, a source close to the Mala Buni-led APC said though the Ebonyi State governor is welcomed to the party, the APC cannot just give him the presidential ticket, adding that nothing indicates that the APC ticket has been zoned to the South-east.

“If anyone is promising him the presidential ticket, he should be careful because it is a Greek gift. APC cannot give him the ticket just because he defected to our party. ,”

a source told THISDAY, adding: “We have others with presidential ambition and no one, even President Muhammadu Buhari can grant him the presidential ticket like that.”

Continuing, he said: “Who told Governor Umahi that the ticket is automatically granted to the South-east and Ebonyi State for that matter. We have presidential aspirants like Senator Rochas Okorocha, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from the South-east.

“We also have Senator Bola Tinubu and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State from the South-west, which has more APC states under its control than the South-east. There must be something else that is pushing him than presidential ambition.”

The source said Umahi should be mindful of the treatment given to him when he purportedly nominated his brother, Mr. Austin Umahi as a ministerial nominee in the Buhari second term in 2019 and was dropped at the eleventh hour, stating that the same fate awaits him.

The planned move may have also pitted the governor with the top leaders of the two main political parties in the state.

While the APC has blocked his entry, the PDP is still keeping mum on the move by the governor.

It was gathered that the governor is already seeking a gradual U-turn to remain fully in PDP since APC leaders both in the state and in the South-east caucus are not enthusiastic about receiving him.

It was learnt that the APC leaders in the region like the Ministers of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, from his state; Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris

Ngige, from Anambra and Minister of State for Education, Chief Emeka Nwajiuba, from Imo State and others felt slighted as they were not consulted.

Members of National Assembly from the Southeast also echoed the same sentiment of not being considered for consultation over the movement to the ruling party.

THISDAY checks revealed that Umahi had negotiated his entry into the party directly with the presidency and decided to ignore other leaders from the zone.

It was gathered that none of the three blocks in the APC at the national level is willing to have Umahi whom they believe is coming for the presidential ticket.

Speculations about the governor’s defection grew stronger after his visit to the Presidential Villa last month and he was congratulated by

an APC legislator from his state.

Though he denied it, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, through its speaker, apparently acting on his behalf in a press conference, gave seven days ultimatum to the national leadership of the PDP to announce the zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South-east or face rebellion.

Sources close to the PDP told THISDAY that the Ebonyi PDP was asking for something that is impossible and was just trying to find grounds for the defection of its leaders as it is believed the governor was promised the presidential ticket in the APC. Ebonyi State PDP’s romance with the APC began before the 2019 general election when an Anambra billionaire summoned all Ebonyi State traditional rulers to tell them that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to hand over to their son, Umahi, in

2023 and, therefore, they should cooperate with him.

It was gathered that this was a dummy sold to them to let the president earn at least 25 per cent of the votes in Ebonyi State.

Umahi’s initial move to defect to the APC with members of his State Executive Council, State House of Assembly and PDP State Executive Committee was to get what the PDP cannot offer him, which is the presidential ticket of the party in 2023.

PDP’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, recently said that every zone is free to contest the presidency of the party in 2023 and this did not give the governor any hope.

THISDAY learnt that his APC friends have told him that he needs to cross over early enough to be able to benefit from the 2023 power game.

The whistle on the planned defection was blown on the

defection plans by the member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, when he said, “Yes, Governor Umahi’s defection to our great party, APC is a step in the right direction. We cannot afford to remain in opposition. We must join the ruling party to continue to reap the dividends of democracy.

“I am calling on other governors in South-east to toe the line of Governor Umahi and join APC. We have to be at the centre, we have to join the mainstream politics for the overall development of our zone and the country in general.

President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. Everybody should join APC to encourage him.”

But the Governor, in a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media and

Cont’d on page 47

PEACE PARLEY…

Akpata, Others Berate FG over Clampdown on #EndSARS Promoters Kano Govt Destroys N200m Beer

L-R: President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Nkem Okeke; Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike; and Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. David Umahi, during an interactive meeting between the Rivers State government and a delegation of Igbo leaders, at the Government House in Port Harcourt…yesterday

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata and an advocacy group, Access to Justice, have condemned the clampdown on EndSARS promoters by the federal government.

Akpata expressed displeasure at the federal government’s action against the leaders of the #EndSARS protesters.

The NBA president, in a post on his Facebook page, said the actions of the government were contrary to its earlier disposition.

Akpata wrote: “With all that’s going on in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, lawyers are definitely not smiling! @ djswitch_ has gone into hiding after receiving threatening phone calls, Moe Odele’s passport was seized and she has been prevented from travelling outside the country and Rinu Oduala and many others have had their accounts frozen by the CBN…this was not the deal.”

Access to Justice has also condemned the freezing of the bank accounts of 20 of the protest leaders by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday by its Convener, Mr. Joseph Otteh, the group described the freezing of the accounts of the #EndSARS protest leaders without a court order as an illegality.

“The CBN is transforming into a partisan political organ of the government and putting its vast regulatory powers into illicit partisan political uses for the purpose of suppressing the legitimate exercise of constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression. This is appalling for a Central Bank for many reasons,” A2Justice said.

The organisation also expressed its disappointment in Justice A.R. Mohammed for agreeing to issue an order freezing the accounts without hearing from the protesters.

“Asking those caught and crippled by the order to apply to court for review after the order was made is like medicine after death. They ought to have been heard in the first place, before the order was made!” the group said

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Hisbah Board has destroyed 1, 970, 000 bottles of beer worth N200 million confiscated within Kano metropolis.

Speaking yesterday during the destruction exercise at Kalebawa in Dawakin Tofa Local Government, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said that consumption of alcohol and all other intoxicants that can

distort the mental capability of a person is forbidden in Islam.

“Even in Kano, we have banned the consumption of beer in all parts of the state,” Ganduje said.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, he said the Hisbah Board was established with the aim of preventing evil social acts in society.

He explained that as part of his administration’s effort of enhancing the welfare of the

Hisbah, before this the year 2020 runs out, there would be a salary increase and new uniform for them.

“My administration is proud of the way you discharge your duties, therefore, I wish to urge all stakeholders to continue to give you all the support you need to succeed,” he said.

In his remarks, the Commander General, Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Haruna Muhammad Ibn Sina,

said that the beer confiscated is worth over N200 million.

He further said that the board got a court order to destroy over 20 trucks of alcohol.

Ibn Sina while expressing the appreciation of the support given to them by the state government assured the people that the Hisbah would not relent in its fight against immoral acts that are destroying society.

Zamfara LG Service Commission Boss Slumps, Dies Tragedy occurred yesterday at the Sokoto State Government House as the Chairman of the Zamfara State Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Malami Aliyu Yandoto, slumped and died while attending the wedding ceremony of former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima’s daughter.

THISDAY gathered that the wedding ceremony took place at Yarima’s resident in Sokoto.

However, immediately after the wedding, the guests were invited to Sokoto Government House for a luncheon.

Investigation revealed that Malami, who was in the company of other guests, rushed to the Government House for the luncheon, but slumped at the venue and died.

He was rushed to the hospital in Sokoto where he was confirmed dead.

Aged 57, Malami Yandoto was born in Tsafe town in 1962.

He attended Township Primary School, Tsafe from 1969 to 1976, Government Teachers College, Tsafe, from 1976-81, and went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied law.

He worked as a school teacher at Township Primary School, Tsafe, from 1982 to 1983; and became the Legal Officer, Warri

Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, from 1992 to 1994.

He was also the Executive Chairman, Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission, and later the Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture, Zamfara State, Governor Bello Matawalle appointed him chairman of the state local government service commission.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2020

COMMENT

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

YOUNG PEOPLE AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP Young people must play a role in political leadership and decision-making, writes Patricia Scotland

Y

oung people around the world are waking up to a growing list of new and harsh realities. Trapped in the shadow of a relentless pandemic, many are being robbed of the usual opportunities of youth and denied even the chance to socialise with friends and family.

Some are watching on helplessly as their dreams of entrepreneurship, employment and academic success edge further out of reach with every new headline. Others meanwhile are waking up to the horrors of conflict, afraid for their very lives.

The statistics are deeply concerning. An International Labour Organisation report shows the global youth population rose from one billion to 1.3 billion between 1999 and 2019. The same period saw young people engaged in the labour force drop by 71 million.

Other reports highlight the damaging and disproportionate impact of the pandemic on many aspects of young people’s lives. Their frustration and concern about their future are evident in the growing number of youth-led protests.

At their 2018 meeting, Commonwealth heads of government reiterated their commitment to including young people in decision making at all levels. As the world focuses on taming a raging pandemic, we must rally support from government and non-government institutions and groups to continue to make this pursuit a priority. Here is why.

In the Commonwealth, young people represent the bulk of our population. They are bright, innovative, tech-smart and have a unique perspective on our opportunities and challenges. We do a grave disservice to all in our communities when we fail to harness this exceptional talent and vitality.

Every year our Commonwealth Youth Awards unveil impressive feats and innovations, conceptualised and executed by exceptional young people. In our most recent cohort, a young Ugandan showed us how to deal with the global threat of plastic pollution. He found a way to turn plastic into eco-friendly energy. In the Pacific, a young woman showed us how to transform waste into furniture and empower girls and women in the process. Meanwhile, a young Pakistani found a way to bring clean water to poor communities.

Given the huge potential and ingenious proclivity of our young people, we simply cannot afford to exclude them from our decision-making. Or to equate their youthfulness with inexperience and ignorance. This dangerous and damaging discrimination will hold all of us back from achieving our full potential.

I believe it is just as important to ensure young people

GIVEN THE HUGE POTENTIAL AND INGENIOUS PROCLIVITY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM OUR DECISION-MAKING. OR TO EQUATE THEIR YOUTHFULNESS WITH INEXPERIENCE AND IGNORANCE

are part of decision-making as it is to fight for parity in the representation of minorities and genders in leadership.

Our youth are primed, ready and hungry for the opportunity to lead. This is explicit in their theme for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Forum, to be held at the 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). ‘Taking Charge of Our Future’ urges us to take action to ensure young people are truly represented in leadership and decision-making.

Most urgent is a stocktake. In this regard, we hope our Global Youth Development Index will inspire more datacollection initiatives to measure young people’s prospects and inform policy around education, employment, health and political participation.

Next, we need concerted action to tear down barriers.

Nothing should stand in the way of a young person’s access to quality education and training. Despite commendable progress, in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, literacy levels are at 64 per cent and 71 per cent respectively. We are also in a situation where remoteness or socio-economic background are still too large a factor in education outcomes.

Furthermore, we need education and training specifically geared to preparing young people for leadership roles.

This is why one of the planned outcomes of next year’s CHOGM is the launch of a Commonwealth Non-Formal Education Alliance for Quality Youth Leadership. We are inviting institutions and groups who work with young people to engage and support this alliance.

However, for these initiatives to translate into a real change we need political parties to clearly articulate their commitment to increasing the number of youth candidates and the level of real youth engagement, with a strategic and measurable set of actions and outcomes.

Finally, it will be impossible to take even one step on the journey towards youth empowerment without the mentors, coaches, advocates and counsellors who dedicate their lives to young people’s development.

So, this week, we are celebrating the achievements of our youth workers, recognising that they are critical to our youth development goals. Globally, we need to scale-up ongoing efforts to fill gaps in their support mechanisms and professionalise youth work through training and degree certification.

It is a strange, difficult and uncertain time for us all, but we cannot silence or ignore the voice and contributions of a population which represents our future and is, in many ways, disproportionately impacted by today’s global challenges.

Scotland is Commonwealth Secretary-General

THE TRIUMPH OF JOE BIDEN writes that the American President-Elect has run a good race

T

he then 13 colonies of the United States rose up in arms in unison against the brutal tyranny of King George III who was then the English monarch. George Washington was given the onerous responsibility of leading the army against the world’s most powerful army at the time as well as navy since the defeat of the Spanish armada in 1588 under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth I. The King’s words after the unexpected defeat was that the ‘world has turned upside down.’ One of George Washington’s comrade-in-arms, Alexander Hamilton offered to crown the former as the first King of the United States but the war general declined opting for the entrenchment of the Presidential System of Government. A constitutional conference soon followed and the Electoral College and Popular Vote were established with the former being the accepted path to the Presidency. The constitution drafters wanted the president’s popularity to be spread across the nation and so they gave each state votes according to the size of their population to ensure that only popular candidates emerged as presidents.

The 2020 presidential election would go down in history as the most bitter and divisive in the United States. Also it had the highest turnout as Joe Biden, former Vice President under Barack Obama won with over 74 million votes while the incumbent President Donald Trump lost with slightly over 70 million votes. The mail voting also saw over 100 million votes as Biden encouraged it as a way to curtail the spread of the dreaded corona virus as social distancing was taken care of through the system of electronic voting.

Donald Trump opposed it as he made

crude remarks of the virus, which he himself caught, not being an issue not minding the fact that over 10 million of his countrymen and over 200,000 of them were infected and died as a result of it.

This was most insensitive, but what do you expect from the rambunctious Trump who most times behaves like a Bull in a China’s shop? His capacity for gaffes is only equaled by that of Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh.

In fairness to Trump he made considerable progress in the economy and security. Millions of jobs were created in his tenure and the ethnic minorities were integrated into the workforce. His countrymen also trusted him a lot on security as the country didn’t witness any terrorist attack on the home soil. He was even nominated for the Nobel peace prize for his role in getting North Korea to shelve its nuclear war weapons production. He ensured that many jobs lost to cheaper labour in China were brought back as he slammed heavy sanctions on American companies that exported jobs abroad in order to save cost. He ensured that the Chinese Tik Tok was courted by an American company as a buyer and as at the time of writing this Oracle has been identified as the preferred purchaser for the social media network.

All these gains were however eroded in one fell swoop as a result of the corona virus which emerged from Wuhan, China.

Most Americans believed that he didn’t act fast enough to prevent the spread of it in their country. He was warned against it late last year but the abrasive Trump dismissed it with the wave of the hand as a mere flu that would go away soon.

He was caught napping. In the beginning of the year it became a pandemic and Trump showed the lack of capacity to

handle it effectively. He even spurned a conspiracy theory as he opined that the World Health Organization colluded with China to make it diffuse to Uncle Sam. He pulled the US out of the WHO in retaliation. Millions of Americans lost their jobs as the country went into a lockdown and palliatives had to be shared to the citizens and the most economically vulnerable. He himself and the First Lady even caught the virus and his theory of the use of hydroxychloroquine fell flat on his face. The reason why he pushed for the reopening of the economy was that he feared losing at the polls as the economy was his sturdiest weapon.

Joe Biden is a veteran politician who got elected into the US Senate at the young age of 29 and remained there for 47 years. This is his third shot at the Presidency having lost in 1988 and 2008.

He appealed largely to the working class whites who were tired of Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ 2016 campaign slogan that was at best a cover up for deep-rooted racism. He also appealed to the blacks, Hispanics since he is a practicing Roman Catholic as well as the Asians.

He appealed to the women by nominating Kamala Harris to be his running mate as well as the blacks and Asians as she is a cross-breed of both nationalities. Many of these ethnic minorities were alarmed at the fact that Trump was taking away what made America great through his nauseating racist immigration policies.

They were sad that Trump was dividing families in the name of immigration, blocking the best brains from entering the country under the auspices of ‘countries with travel bans’, making healthcare out of the reach of the hardworking folks as well as his plan to build a wall to take the country back to the gory days of the

Iron Curtain which set the world aback by centuries.

Former President Barack Obama also campaigned aggressively for Biden to emerge victorious. Unlike in 2016 when he took the back seat as Hillary Clinton did not want him in the fore front, he was very active in the campaigns of his erstwhile vice-president. Obama’s approval rating while in office was very high and this naturally rubbed off on Biden who convinced Americans that he was a better alternative to Trump.

Biden won by 290 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 214 according to Associated Press (AP) and he made history as having the highest popular vote in the history of the country, thumping Obama’s 2008’s 69 million.

Despite the handwriting on the wall, Trump blatantly refused to congratulate Biden and has instead taken him to court.

He has called the process a fraud and has called for a fresh recount of the votes.

It may end up in the Supreme Court where he made a substantial input in the nominations of the Justices. It is interesting to see how this would end.

One thing is sure: the inauguration on January 20, 2021 must take place. The only time that the constitution wasn’t followed was during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) who was elected four times because of World War II and the impossibility of conducting elections in the middle of the war.

Will Biden sustain his victory as America’s President-elect which is now reflected in his Twitter and Wikipedia status? Will Trump cause an upset in the courts?

Ademiluyi wrote from Lagos and edits www.thefederation.com.ng

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2020

EDITORIAL

AMERICA’S RESTORATION ELECTION The election of Joe Biden is a choice well made

T

he just concluded presidential election in the United States has numerous meanings for America and the rest of the world. In many respects, the outcome is a referendum on the controversial presidency of Mr. Donald Trump. On the eve of the election, there was a broad consensus that the bellicose style and uniquely curious policies of the Trump administration needed to be put to a democratic test. The jubilation across the world attests to the popularity of the choice made by the American electorate.

While a sizeable population of Americans may have seen some good in Trump’s rancorous style and divisive policy thrust, the groundswell of opinion both in the country and around the world was that a prolongation of his tenure to a second term would substantially degrade America’s domestic WITH BIDEN, AMERICANS peace and imperil HAVE OBVIOUSLY VOTED TO global stability. More specifically, the REUNITE THEIR COUNTRY cynical handling of AFTER A PERIOD OF COVID-19 which has DIVISIONS ALONG RACIAL ravaged and killed many Americans AND SECTARIAN LINES became an important issue. At a time leadership was needed to fight a deadly pandemic, the president of the United States was encouraging irresponsible behaviour that not only put his people at harm’s way but trivialised efforts to deal with the global health emergency.

Irrespective of the slant of dominant opinion, the strength of democracy is its ability to self-correct even when the electorate may have previously misjudged in its choice of a particular leadership. The rejection of Trump’s bid for a second term is therefore a vindication of this unique power of democracy.

The victory of former Vice-President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice President respectively is in many ways historic. So far, Biden’s popular vote tally of over four million is the highest in US history to date. Even then, outgoing president Trump received in excess of 70 million votes, an indication of his sizeable followership in the divided nation that he is bequeathing to his successor.

However, the obvious reversals in the followership of

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President Trump indicates a resounding rejection of the major outlines of what he represents by most Americans.

The spontaneous jubilations that have so far greeted Biden’s victory are symptomatic of the groundswell of popular support for an end to Trumpism.

The meanings of the Biden/Harris victory are many.

The choice of a moderate and more sedate leader against the tempestuous and erratic incumbent is a clear indication that America realises the need for a cooling off period and a restoration of its values of civility and respect for diversity. With Biden, Americans have obviously voted to reunite their country after a period of divisions along racial and sectarian lines. At the level of values and stability, the outcome also validates a renaissance that should restore America’s time-honoured values and essence in the world.

Meanwhile, the election of Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President in US history as well as the first woman of colour in that position is very significant. Her choice is one that the black populace in America is likely to step forward and own. It confirms the reality of America’s changing demographics and political dynamics. For all members of the minorities estranged and victimised by Trump’s undisguised bigotry, it is a refreshing relief.

For the rest of the world, the rejection of Trump by the American electorate has multiple good implications. It is first an opportunity for a reset of America’s leadership role in the world. Their traditional allies in Europe, Asia and other regions can breathe some fresh air that at least a modicum of rational engagement will replace the uncivil rhetoric that had become the hallmarks of the Trump era. And that the diplomacy of bad manners and bullish arrogance is about to recess.

With Biden as the 46th president of the United States, respect for global cultural diversity and the pride of nations is bound to return. For African and Third World nations, the imminent humbling of an American president who referred to the continent as “shithole countries� is a welcome return to the culture of mutual respect and reciprocal civility on which the international system is founded.

Ultimately, then, the American electorate has, by this outcome, reaffirmed the unique power of democracy in enthroning leadership that accords with both the aspirations of their people as well as the abiding values of all nations.

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.

THE ATTACK ON THE POLICE

he recent attack and destruction of police stations, instruments and killing of its men by hoodlums who hid under the cover of #EndSars protest stand condemned by all patriotic and peace-loving people of Nigeria. The attack by hoodlums appears to be the worst in Nigeria’s history. An attack that has, for more than a week kept the police off duty, demoralized and instilled fear into the body and soul. A peaceful protest by Nigerian youths in major cities of the country to demand for immediate action by the authorities to the killing, torture, extortion, maiming, and rape of some female victims by the police was hijacked by some unscrupulous elements in the society. The police, from media evidence, played a dirty role by sponsoring and ferrying thugs to the protest ground of these peaceful protesters. The sole intention of the police cannot be far from dubbing these youths as disgruntled elements, enemies of the state with the aim of disturbing public peace. The police did not realize they were planting what could also consume them at the end, and it indeed boomeranged.

A peaceful protest by some persons to attract attention of the government is a legitimate right. The usual approach of the police in civil disobedience is to suppress

peaceful protesters without respect to our laws. Nigeria is a country governed by rules, democratic rules that allow for decent ways of doing things.

Much as we condemn the hoodlums for the havoc in the last few days, we must not fail to also condemn the police for the role they played in attacking and sponsoring thugs to attack the peaceful protesters. Let us not forget that the call for scrapping of SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) began in 2017 because of their numerous evils without any action taken by the government other than mere public statements and apologies. We cannot forget the heart-breaking tales of extrajudicial killing, extortion, torture and rape that angered our young people to come out in this recent street protests. We remember Linda Nkechi Igwetu, who was reportedly shot at in 2018, by SARS operatives the day before her NYSC passing out parade. What has happened to her case, any justice? How many of us are doing anything to bring her killer(s) to book? We cannot forget Stella Ifeoma Abugu, another NYSC member that was reportedly raped and murdered while being unlawfully detained by SARS officials in Abuja. What about the case of Kolade Johnson, the young man who ran back to his fatherland for safety from South Africa only to be

killed here by his own country’s police for doing no wrong? What about the Awkuzu SARS killings and dumping of corpses in a river? We can go on and on. The government and police hierarchy must do a thorough surgical operation on its men and officers, their modes of operation to curb this unnecessary brutalization and waste of lives.

When the police are fighting crime we are aware and commend them for the good work. But, we can quickly distinguish between the criminality of some of the bad eggs amongst them. They have committed heinous crimes over the years with nobody calling them to order until the youths took to the streets in protest?

In like manner, we also remember those unsung heroes of the Police, men and women who, despite being part of an institution that has the worst welfare package, yet serve with courage and bravery.

Right now, what is needed is building of confidence between the police and the people. The Police Community Relations introduced by the first pragmatic Lagos State Police spokesperson, Alozie Ogugbuaja, must be re-organized for effectiveness and efficiency.

Uzodinma Nwaogbe, uzodinne50@ yahoo.com

THIS DREAM IS NOT FAKE NEWS

I

woke from a long nightmare and saw that in the light of day Democracy had conquered disorder and it was not fake news. Not only is it pleasing to see President-Elect Joe Biden but also, and uniquely, Vice President-Elect Harris, a woman of color. The future looks rosy and colorful and it’s about time.

Life is balanced, with the great speech by Biden against the disturbing tweets of, soon to be expresident, Trump. You cannot buy a victory, nor sue yourself into the role, you must be given it by the people, a reality, the loser Trump, must accept before he skulks back to his golf course.

The complexities of this electoral system have caused concerns and some delay and it may be time to consider how to simplify it so that it means the people, all of them, can make the decision and not a court.

It is time to look to the future and consign the few miles built of the “great, beautiful wall� to rubble as a symbol of the Trump presidency. The economy needs to be built up and COVID knocked down, the education system needs to be strong, equitable, available to all and preferably truly free. It can be done!

There is now hope and it is time for President-elect Biden to build a better, united country. Good Luck!

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 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

A Fresh Start for INEC’S Yakubu Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu begins a fresh five-year mandate today with an equal measure of criticism and applause

Buhari

Yakubu

Lauretta Onochie

Amina Zakari

T

not reached a logical end like in the Kogi State governorship election of 2015. This necessitated an amendment of the constitution in that respect.

Even the framers of the Nigerian constitution did not envisage such an occurrence.

Another deliberate novelty was introduced by Yakubu’s INEC for the first time in the Bayelsa 2015 governorship election and that was the simultaneous accreditation and voting. Previously, these two exercises were split, leading to extended voting period. Again, many who were accredited never bothered to come back and vote.

In the the Anambra governorship election of 2017, INEC introduced what is now known as the Peoples Result, whereby results are announced and pasted at each Polling Unit. This allows observerz like Yiaga Africa and CDD to self-collate and be able to project the winner.

Amajor achievement of the Yakubu first tenure as INEC Chairman was raising implementation of Continuous registration of voters as envisaged by the law. Before his tenure, registration of voters only took place close to a general election. But in April 2017 registration of voters began and ran till August 2018, when it was suspended to prepare for the 2019 national elections. During the period, a record number 14 million new voters were registered, raising the total number of voters across the country from close to 70 million to over 84 million.

With the recent EndSARS campaigns and the rejuvenated interest of Nigerian youths in the political process, it is anticipated that the interest in voters registration will be galvanised

when the exercise resumes.

Of all these elections, the 2019 general election comprising the Presidential and National Assembly Election on February 23, Governorship, State Assembly and the FCT Area Council elections on March 9 deserve a special mention.

It was the election in which Yakubu had come into himself and was ready to experiment with several suggestions and ideas put on board by different stakeholders in the electoral process.

The election was the largest electoral undertaking in Nigeria’s electoral history contested by 24,353 candidates nominated by 91 political parties for 1558 constituencies and with a voter population of 84,004,084 spread across 119,973 Polling Units nationwide.

Inauguration and institutionalisation of all-year-round Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) as prescribed by law at LGA and other designated level resulting in the registration of 14,283,734 new voters. Procurement of upgraded Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCMs) with fingerprint scanners and camera. Re-capturing of incomplete bio data of previously registered in previous CVR exercise. Quarterly display of claims and objections on Register of Voters during the CVR exercise nationwide. Increased transparency and accountability in the Permanent Voter Card collection processes. The reliability of this exercise has automatically elevated the PVC to one of the widely accepted means of identification in Nigeria.

Development and design of enhanced tracking and monitoring tools for political parties through the publication and implementation of: a) Regulations and Guidelines for Registration, Merger and De-registration of Political Parties; b) Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations; c) Regulations and Guidelines for Rallies and Campaigns by Political Parties, Candidates and their Supporters; d) Guidelines for Election Observation; and e) Code of Conduct for Political Parties. Capacity building for key officials of political parties to promote better understanding of INEC policies and guidelines.

Strengthening of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for intra and inter party disputes. Determination and enforcement of the requirements for registration of political parties based on their compliance with extant rules and regulations and performance in the 2019 General Election resulting in the registration 50 political parties and deregistration of 74 Political Parties with 18 political parties in existence. At the end of the 2019, national elections, Yakubu said at several fora that it was the most challenged election in the history of the Commission with hundreds of cases into which the commission was inextricably drawn into by political parties.

He blames the political parties for failing to play it by the rules and most times negating their rules and constitution, particularly in the selection process of candidates. Many of the political parties were also found to have flouted the laws regarding their finances, audited accounts and donations.

oday was supposed to be his last day in office as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having competed his tenure.

However, instead of bidding his staff farewell, Professor Mahmood Yakubu will be revving the engine to begin a new journey in the momentous task of overseeing the nation’s electoral processes. Depending on which side of the political divide one is, Yakubu is either the best thing that has happened to Nigerian electioneering or he is the devil who has set the hand of the clock back and/or stunted its movement.

The years 2015 to 2020 have recorded some of the most history-making and calamitous events in Nigerian electoral history. And this is the period Yakubu took charge. Having served as Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration at the 2014 National Conference organised by President Goodluck Jonathan, it was the vital interaction he needed to come close to Nigerian politicians. Jonathan later elevated him to his current office. Following the outcome of the 2015 presidential election in which Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an incumbent president lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), many stalwarts of the PDP chastised Jonathan for choosing an enemy who did him in. But this is in the nature of politicians; as many of them are bad losers lacking the spirit of sportsmanship. In their calculation, they can only picture themselves as the winner in an electoral contest. And if some reason, they suffer a defeat, then the electoral umpire has denied them a deserved victory.

Assuming duty in an election year put all eyes on Yakubu. Under his watch, there have been11 End-of-Tenure/Off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi (November 2015), Bayelsa (December 2015), Edo (September 2016), Ondo (October 2016), Anambra (November 2017), Ekiti (July 2018) Osun (September 2018), Kogi (December 2019), Bayelsa (December 2019), Edo (September 2020) and Ondo (October 2020). There were Bye elections into 163 electoral constituencies comprising 15 senatorial districts, 47 federal constituencies and 101 state House of Assembly constituencies occasioned by the death of the incumbent and nullification of the original election by the Election Petition and Appeal Tribunals. There was also the FCT Area Council Elections in April 2016.

Innovations by Yakubu’s INEC With each election, Yakubu showed willingness to incorporate lessons learnt from the previous exercise. Some of them were unexpected and tragic, catching the whole nation napping like the instance of the death of a candidate who was poised to win, but where the process had

Regulation of Political Parties and Monitoring of their Finances

With each election, Yakubu showed willingness to incorporate lessons learnt from the previous exercise.

Some of them were unexpected and tragic, catching the whole nation napping like the instance of the death of a candidate who was poised to win, but where the process had not reached a logical end like in the Kogi State governorship election of 2015. This necessitated an amendment of the constitution in that respect. Even the framers of the Nigerian constitution did not envisage such an occurrence.

Another deliberate novelty was introduced by Yakubu’s INEC for the first time in the Bayelsa 2015 governorship election and that was the simultaneous accreditation and voting. Previously, these two exercises were split, leading to extended voting period

Strengthening Electoral Administration and Management During his just ended tenure, Yakubu ensured a Revision of Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals to abolish separate accreditation and voting procedure, the introduction of the Continuous Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS) to address the possible disenfranchisement of voters; the mandatory use of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) for the accreditation of voters; the discontinuation of the use of Incident Forms to address fraud and the requirement by Poll Officials to paste results at each polling unit in a new Form EC60E. Progressive incorporation of the use of technology in elections through: a) Deployment of upgraded Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCM) and SCRs with enhanced functionality to improve voter turnaround time, Development and deployment of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), an online portal accessible by the general public for viewing of election results (EC 8A) uploaded directly from the Polling Unit (PU) by the Presiding Officer (PO) at the close of polls. c) Development and deployment of on-line portals. These are: INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff (INECPRES) for the recruitment

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020

18

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Prof. Bolade Eyinla, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Prof. Mohammad Kuna and Rotimi Oyekanmi; the INEC Chairman’’s Technical Team

of all election ad-hoc staff; INEC INEC CANDIDATE NOMINATION PORTAL (ICNP) to capture information and documents of candidates nominated for election by Political Parties; INEC MEDIA ACCREDITATION PORTAL (IMAP) for the accreditation of media organizations for the coverage of Election Day activities; E-LEARNING PORTAL for the training of all categories of Ad-hoc staff and Security Agents; INEC OBSERVER GROUP PORTALthat enables observer groups submit applications and details of accredited observers for specific elections; INEC POLITICAL PARTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM that allows political parties to submit polling agents for specific elections; and INEC Online Newspaper (INEC News).

The robust defence of Yakubu’s Development and implementation of the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan and Programme of Action, as well as the 2019 Election Project Plan to strengthen electoral managements and operations may have persuaded Buhari whose insistent promise is that he will leave a worthy electoral legacy for Nigerians to reappoint the INEC Chairman for another tenure. Part of this consideration is the Inauguration of a permanent election calendar scheduling the conduct a General Election on the third Saturday of the month of February of every election year to ensure regularity and certainty in the conduct of elections. Integration and transformation of Election Planning and Monitoring tools (ERM, EMS, EOSC) to a unified Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) for the effective management of elections. Strengthening the channels of distribution and retrieval for election materials. Inauguration of a Committee to advise the Commission on Delimitation and Reconfiguration of Registration Area Centres and Polling Units. Establishment of Voting Point and Voting Point Settlements (VPS), equal in status to Polling Units to cater for voters in new settlement areas. The introduction of the harmonized procurement procedure for a coordinated, timely and transparent procurement process. The establishment of a Collation Support and Result Verification System (CRSVS) at Constituency and LGA Collation Centres for accurate tallying of votes. Reactivation of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory and the Graphic Design Centre. xii.

Enhanced customization and securitization of ballot papers and result sheets. Counting, tallying and mandatory announcement and publication of election results in every Polling Unit on Form EC60E to enhance transparency.

Development and dissemination of the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty to guide the conduct of all security personnel on election duty. Development and dissemination of the INEC Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the first Supplementary to Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, the Supplementary Regulations and Guidelines for the Activities of Political Parties and Supplementary Guidelines for Election Observation in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Inclusivity in the Electoral Process Previously disenfranchised group of Nigerians have never had it so good. Under Yakubu, a lot have been done including Deployment of As-

sistive Tactile Voting Guide (ATVG) for visually challenged voters. Deployment of magnifying glasses for visually challenged voters. Design and Development of Special Voting Support systems for Vulnerable Groups. Development and implementation of the revised framework for voting by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) nationwide. Collaboration with CSOs to conduct baseline survey of Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) and the development and implementation of the INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process to promote the inclusion of PWDs in all aspects of the electoral process and reduce the barriers facing them as voters, aspirants, candidates, party officials and election officials. Revision of INEC Gender Policy to promote the participation of women in the political and electoral processes.

Development and dissemination of the INEC Policy on Conducting Elections in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Braille.

Engagement with Stakeholders At no other time in the history of election management has the umpire left its doors and activities to such open scrutiny. Yakubu has made it his policy to hold Regular and periodic consultation and engagement with stakeholders, including political parties, CSOs, Media, and Security personnel within the ambit of Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. Information dissemination and Press Releases to the public following the weekly Commission’s meeting and after any major decisions by the Commission to promote transparency and reduce the circulation of fake news.Compliance with relevant statutes including FOI Act including the establishment of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Unit, as well as the Public Procurement Act and Evidence Act. Production and dissemination of the Revised INEC Communication Policy to enhance internal and external communication and the expansion of communication channels and platforms with increased use of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

to promote civic and voter sensitisation programme. Launch of the INEC Online Newspaper (inecnews.com) to disseminate information on the activities of the Commission.Engagement with relevant stakeholders, including National Assembly, the Judiciary, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

Engagement with International Development Partners. Unveiling of the revised Standard Operational Guidelines for Police Officers on electoral duty to enhance professionalism of security personnel on election duty. Enhanced engagements with relevant stakeholders towards the peaceful conduct of Governorship elections. Internal debriefing and Stakeholder Engagements for the comprehensive review of the 2019 General Election. Retreat with members of the Senate Committee on INEC and House Committee on Electoral Matters to develop a common understanding on the proposed reform of the Electoral Legal Framework.

Enhanced collaboration with the National Population Commission, NYSC, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and other MDAs for support in the execution of various electoral activities.

Collaboration with the National Peace Committee for the promotion of peaceful election conduct of elections.

Professionalisation, Staff Development and Welfare Owing to the way, Yakubu has prioritised staff welfare, incidence of sabotage by INEC staff has reduced to the barest minimum. The summary dismissal of bad eggs has taught those who are privileged to work with the Commission to remain on the straight and narrow path because they enjoy, Training and re-training of staff through capacity building workshops, professional courses and in-service training programmes. Deployment of Staff on International Election Observation Missions.

Enhanced hazard allowance and mid-year/ end-of-year packages to boost morale and commitment. Provision of free basic health care, medical assistance and condolence/funeral

A major achievement of the Yakubu first tenure as INEC Chairman was raising implementation of Continuous registration of voters as envisaged by the law. Before his tenure, registration of voters only took place close to a general election. But in April 2017 registration of voters began and ran till August 2018, when it was suspended to prepare for the 2019 national elections. During the period, a record number 14 million new voters were registered, raising the total number of voters across the country from close to 70 million to over 84 million. With the recent EndSARS campaigns and the rejuvenated interest of Nigerian youths in the political process, it is anticipated that the interest in voters registration will be galvanised when the exercise resumes

grant. Regular promotion of deserving Staff members. Inauguration of INEC Long – Service Award Ceremony.

International Outreach, Engagement and Support to other EMBs While some section of the political class take delight in highlighting what they consider the flaws of the Commission, for instance “inconclusive elections, which first happened in the 2018 governorship election in Osun State and in 2019 in Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Kano, Plateau, Rivers and Kano, these critics fail, because of the partisan view to mention the fact that it was the insistence of INEC in Zamfara and Rivers that ensured a different outcome in the elections. However, these high scores are applauded abroad, therefore bringing the Commission into membership of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC); Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA); Commonwealth Election Professional (CEP) Initiative and Association of World Electoral Bodies (AWEB) with regular payment of membership dues. Collaboration with the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) and International Development Partners to organise and host two international conferences on the use of technology in elections and promoting inclusivity in the electoral process. Provision of a functional Secretariat for ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) Presidency of the ECONEC from 2017 to 2019 during which INEC strongly advocated for credible and peaceful elections in the ECOWAS Region and facilitated technical and material support from Nigeria to other Election Management Bodies in the ECOWAS Region and Africa. v. Engagement with, and support from International Development Partners within the Framework of the EU Support for Democratic Development in Nigeria implemented by the European Centre of Electoral Support (ECES), the USAID/UK AID Strategic Partnership implemented the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Yakubu is a Professor of Political History and International Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He is the first Northerner to obtain a First-Class in History from the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University). He is from Bauch State and also an alumnus of the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Some of the controversies trailing his tenure are arguably beyond him. For instance, the assignment of INEC National Commissioner who happens to be a relation of the President, Hajiya Amina Bala-Zakari, to duties which the opposition party thought could compromise the result of the election. Lately, Yakubu has to weather the storm arising from the appointment of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, a presidential aide on Social Media, as a National Commissioner with the electoral body.

However, INEC’s performance in the recent governorship elections in Edo amd Ondo states may doused criticism of Yakubu, as many stakeholders are willing to give him a fair chance, if only he shows commitment to making Nigeria the envy of other countries by securing more trust from all stakeholders in the electoral process.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020

POLITICS

Biden’s Victory Offers Hope to Africa Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha write that African-Americans and Africans generally should expect a good turn with the history-making Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris presidency in America

Buhari

A

fter four intense days of vote counting, Joseph R. Biden Jnr emerged winner of the groundbreaking United States 2020 presidential election according to US media reports, securing more than the required 270 votes from the electoral college needed for his presidency as well as over 74 million votes.

He is now the oldest president to be elected at 77 years, while President Donald Trump is the most recent incumbent to lose reelection in more than a quarter-century. His win brings to an end aTrump era that has been riddled with tumult.

The win sealed Biden’s long goal of occupying the Oval Office at the White House. It was his third shot at the presidency having attempted in 1988 and 2008 with no success. It is also coming 48 years after he was elected Senator from Delaware.

Perhaps, the most significant win for Biden is the history-making election of Kamala Harris.

For the first time in the 244 year-old country (after independence), a woman will be the Vice President resident. But not just a woman but a multiracial woman. Harris is the first black, South-Asian woman to occupy that office. She is also the first daughter of immigrants to occupy the position. Her late mother, Shyamala Harris was an Indian while her father Donald Jasper Harris is an Afro-Jamaican.

The significance of her win is not lost on her. In her first public speech after the results declaring Biden and she were announced, the former presidential candidate and senator from California warmed hearts when she said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”

Her speech instantly went viral, inspiring women across the globe not to give up on their dreams As much as democrats expected a landslide victory, the election turned out to be the opposite.

Seventy million American voters voted to keep President Donald Trump in office, showing how politically divided America has become.

Nevertheless, it didn’t dampen the celebratory mood of many Americans who have longed for, prayed for and waited with bated breath to see Trump lose the presidency. To these ones, Biden’s win is a soothing balm, particularly in a year that has seen the country gravely battered by the novel coronavirus and systemic racism.

They are not bothered by Trump’s claim that the election was rigged. The incumbent president always hinted that he would not concede defeat if he is not declared the winner of the election.

Analysts already said concession is not constitutional but a norm that has always been practised. They argue that Trump’s rejection of the election results has no impact on Biden’s presidency unless the Supreme Court rules overturn the election. The president had filed lawsuits in several states, contesting the outcome of votes.

Interestingly, Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is not among those who immediately congratulated Biden after the media reported his success in the election, at least, at the time of filing this report. According to him, it is too early to congratulate him.

Trump “With regard to the US election, we are going to wait until all the legal matters have been resolved,” he told journalists at a news conference.

President Muhammadu Buhari on the other hand was among those who reached out to Biden to congratulate him.

He sent his goodwill message to the presidentelect via a tweet: “Congratulations to US President-Elect Joe Biden on his election at a time of uncertainty and fear in world affairs. His election is a reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means.”

Still, Biden’s got a lot of pruning and cleaning to do when he assumes office. As most political commentators have already asserted, Biden winning the election is the first step to recovery of America’s economy and redemption of its name.

The president-elect still has a lot of cleaning to do when he finally assumes office in January 2021.

His first course of action will be to get rid of the pandemic that has claimed more than 200,000 lives. He already has a team of experts waiting, ready to tackle the challenge of curtailing the spread of the virus as the hope of a vaccine continues to linger.

“What is our mandate?” he said to his supporters at Delaware where he made his first remarks after he was declared winner. “I believe it’s this: Americans have called upon us to marshal the forces of decency, the forces of fairness, to marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time.”

He also indicates his keenness on reversing some of the policies by Trump. For instance, he said the US will join the Paris Agreement and join the World Health Organisation. Trump removed the US from these two organisations because of his skewed perception about their roles.

To African-Americans and Africans generally, Biden and Harris history-making victory calls for more than a celebration. It is a bold statement of their acceptance in a country that for long, regarded them as second class. The percentage of blacks in America according to Wikipedia is 13.4 per cent (2019), making them the second largest race in the country.

For African nations, it is a redemption of a

Biden strained relationship under Trump’s administration. If one should subtract Trump’s reportedly calling of African nations as ‘shithole’ countries, there is nothing much savoury about the USAfrica relationship.

Under the incumbent president’s tenure, some African countries lacked access to the United States due to his anti-immigration policies which were expanded earlier in the year to include Nigeria, Sudan, Eritrea and Tanzania.

As analysed on these pages last week, the US fraught relationship with Nigeria is prominent not only in immigration but in the nomination of Nigerian personalities in key positions on the global stage. Thus, the Biden/Harris ticket is a welcome for Africa’s most populous nation, except some of those in the Christian circle — notably former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode — who for one reason or the other strongly believes that Biden’s victory spells doom, not only for Christians but the world at large.

In showing his staunch believe in Trump’s victory, Fani-Kayode tweeted that “The blue wave has reached its peak and zenith. The red shall rise, swallow it up and overwhelm it. Joe Biden’s dreams shall be dashed, his “victory” annulled and his celebrations short-lived. Donald Trump shall do a second term and the name of the Lord shall be glorified.”

The tweet was also contained in an article he wrote on his website where he gave reasons for picking Trump over Biden. They include Biden’s love for abortion, same-sex marriage and his aim to persecute Israel.

“Love him all you like but I choose to despise him because I consider these three things to be evil, ungodly and against core Christian values,” he wrote.

Many Christians who supported and still support Trump share similar sentiments. But there are several cogent points that they have not been able to counter. The LGBTQ community became stronger under the Trump administration.

Besides moving the Merican embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump has done nothing of note to merit his much advertised love for Israel. The first country Trump visited after his swearing in was Saudi Arabia. In the public, Trump appears to have pitched America in a

Described as someone who plays a level playing field, Biden may indeed restore good diplomatic relations between Nigeria and America. As chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden understands the importance of foreign relations between Africa and America as China’s presence in the continent continues to grow. It is one side of the coin that deeply angered President Trump in his attempt to clip China’s soaring wings. According to a former Africa-based diplomat under the Obama administration, Judd Devermont in a Quartz Africa newsletter, there are many on the Biden team considering a more humble foreign policy and restoring our norms of leadership

trade war against China, but in private, it was revealed during the presidential debates that he kept a secret account in China, a country that has a state policy against Christians. His surreptitious relations with Russia has been blown open, as well.

Trump abused women, people of colour and openly promoted the notion that white people are a superior race. He tells bare-gaved lies and treated his lieutenants like scum. He refused to disclose his tax reords. Plus tons of other scandal linked to him and members of his family These are not things that any Christian worth his name will be proud of.

But Biden is not the devil they think he is. In his public address yesterday, he cited Biblical verses and a hymn.

“And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, and make you just sigh like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand. Now, together on eagle’s wings we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do with full hearts and steady hands. With faith in America and each other. With love of country, a thirst for justice.

Let us be the nation that we know we can be. A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. The United States of America, ladies and gentlemen. There’s never, never been anything we’ve tried we’ve not been able to do.”

Notwithstanding their stance, many Nigerians are looking forward to having a good relationship with the US under Biden. Even Buhari acknowledges this in a series of tweets.

“President-Elect Biden’s remarkable track record gives us hope that he will add value to the presidency and world affairs. We look forward to greater cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic, political and security levels,” he said urging “Mr. Biden to deploy his vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs—which have created divisions and uncertainties—and to introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respect and shared interests.”

Described as someone who plays a level playing field, Biden may indeed restore good diplomatic relations between Nigeria and America. As chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden understands the importance of foreign relations between Africa and America as China’s presence in the continent continues to grow. It is one side of the coin that deeply angered President Trump in his attempt to clip China’s soaring wings.

According to a former Africa-based diplomat under the Obama administration, Judd Devermont in a Quartz Africa newsletter, “there are many on the Biden team considering a more humble foreign policy and restoring our norms of leadership.”

The Director of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said, however, that he is not expecting an overnight reversal of foreign policies to pre-Trump era. He argued that what is needed is an incremental change in attitudes.

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

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FEATURES

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

Widespread Disillusionment over Spiraling Cost of Food Prices Chiemelie Ezeobi, Mary Nnah, Rebecca Ejifoma, Chiamaka Ozulumba and Oluwabunmi Fache write that the harsh economic downturn is taking its toll on ordinary Nigerians, especially with the spiraling cost of food prices

Traders pricing baskets of tomatoes in Lagos

"W

ith the current price of onions, there is no way you won’t cry when cutting it�. This was just one of the several jokes passed around last week in Nigeria over the alarming cost of foodstuff, especially staples like tomatoes, onions, pepper, rice, cooking oil, beans and yam.

In the face of the global slump in the price of crude oil in the international market and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many economies are battling depression, which in turn translates to limited access to funds but increase in the cost of living. Although some may argue that Nigeria is not depressed, but things are definitely not the same anymore given the high cost of living, especially the price of foodstuffs.

Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States, of which Nigeria is a part of, in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 new SDGs, which will guide policy and funding for the next 15 years, beginning with a historic pledge to end poverty. Everywhere. Permanently.

The 17 SDGs are integrated—that is because they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Through these pledge, Nigeria is supposed to- end poverty, ensure zero hunger, good health and well-being, provide quality education, ensure gender equality, provide clean water and sanitation, provide affordable and clean energy, provide avenue for decent work and economic growth, create industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequality, build sustainable cities and communities, ensure responsible consumption and production, act on climate action, ensure life below water and on land, provide peace, justice and strong institutions as well as build viable partnerships for the goals.

But five years down the line, the question that begs an answer is-how far has Nigeria gone in ending poverty while ensuring zero hunger?

Impact of COVID-19 When COVID-19 broke out globally, many opined that it would lead to economic instability and food inflation. Months down the line, those predictions have sadly proved to be true.

Across the globe, the pandemic has put global economies through the wringer, shrinking the economy, which in turn translates to reduction in the value chain of food supply.

During the heat of the pandemic, many nations shut down as lockdowns were imposed as one

Photos: THISDAY Photos of the measures to curtail the spread. Inevitably, this affected the food supply and consumption chain. While the cost of foodstuff skyrocketed, the standard of living dropped in Nigeria.

Following the lockdown to flatten the curve of COVID-19 pandemic, many bemoaned the lack of access to food, as well as the promised government palliatives. This is just as they bitterly decried the sudden drastic hike in price of essential foodstuffs like rice, yam, cassava flakes (garri), beans, sachet water, fish, and meat among other things. But months down the line, has anything become different or did they go from bad to worse?

Widespread Disillusionment From civil servants to traders, teachers, professionals and even the common man, the angst against the increase in the cost of food resonated.

The reason is not far-fetched- while the cost of these were increased, none of them experienced salary increase- some were even retrenched or took pay cuts.

Indeed, 2020 is a year to remember for hardship it imposed on Nigerians. Despite the hardship pioneered by the lockdown, Nigerians in several parts of Lagos are currently undergoing a second wave of hardship with the sudden hike in food prices.

When the lockdown was eased off, things seemed to have eased off a little but like a full cycle, the chickens have come home to roost.

Across the state, tales of woe have erupted as the prices of foodstuff have gone steep, further making food a luxury for the masses.

Even those that opted for Mile 12 Market in Lagos State to buy foodstuff cheap were disappointed as the price disparity wasn’t much. Known for selling staples like onions, tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, groundnut and red oil, as well as fruits, the Mile 12 market in Lagos is also renowned for being a rallying point for wholesale.

Cost of Basic Foodstuffs Giving a comprehensive breakdown of most foodstuff in the market at the moment, things to know (an online platform that can be accessed at thingstoknow.com.ng), posited that food has become one of the most important commodities in the market as people’s lives depend on it.

According to the platform, while 80kg bag of Ijebu Garri costs N10,500, the 50kg bag of the white and yellow garri cost between N6,500 to N7,500. Also, five litres of palm oil costs N2,200 to N2,500 whole the 20 litres and 30 litres cost N8,800 to N9,000 and N12,800 to N13,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, 500g of Dangote, Power and Golden Penny Spaghetti cost between N200 to N250 while that of Bonita cost N250 to N300.

A big basket of sweet potato cost between N500 to N650 while the small basket cost N300 to N400; a big basket of Irish potato costs N1,900 to N2,200, while a medium and small basket cost

Price of pepper has also skyrocketed

N100 per onion bought in Lekki

N1,000 to N1,300 and N500 to N700 respectively.

For unbranded groundnut oil, the five litres costs N2,300 to N2,500; the 20 and 30 litres cost N9,000 to N9,500 and N13,500 to N14,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, five litres of Wesson Oil cost N4,500 to N4,700; Kings Vegetable Oil costs N2,900 to N3,000; 3.8 litres of Mamador Vegetable Oil costs N3,000 to N3,200; and three litres of Power Vegetable Oil cost N2,400 to N2,600.

Coming to sugar, 50kg of Dangote Sugar costs N17,000 to N17, 300 while 500g of St. Louis Sugar cube and Golden Penny sugar costs N300 to N400.

A small loaf of bread costs N70 to N150; a medium size loaf costs N300 to N500; while the large loaf costs N500 to N1,000. Eggs are not left out on the price hike as a crate now goes for N1,000 to N1,300.

Meanwhile, a 50kg bag of local rice and polished rice costs N14,000 to N25,000 and N22,000 to N28,000 respectively. A five kg bag of Ofada Rice costs N2,800 to N3,500 while a 50kg bag of Ofada Rice costs N25,000 to N28,000.

Also, a 50kg bag of Mama Gold Rice, Royal Stallion Rice, Rice Master and Cap Rice cost N26,000 to N32,000, N25,500 to N31,500, N26,000 to N31,000 and N25,500 to N32,000, respectively.

But a 25kg bag of Master Rice, Cap Rice, Falcon Rice cost N13,000 to N16,500, N13,000 to N17,000, and N8,000 to N10,000 respectively, while the five kg bag of Basmati Rice costs N4,000 to N4,800.

For those that buy per cup, a cup of local rice costs N800 while that of polished rice costs between N100 to N130.

For beans lovers, the steep prices are also alarming. 50kg bag of Oloyin Beans costs N30,000 to N39,000 while its 25kg bag cost N15,000 to N19,000 and a cup cost N100. Also, 50kg bag of Olotun Beans costs N29,000 to N36,000 while its 25kg bag costs N14,000 to N17,500 and a cup costs N100.

The 50kg bag of Lima Beans costs N33,000 while the 25kg bag costs N16,500 and a cup costs N110. Also, a 50kg bag of White Beans costs N32,000 while the cup costs N80. For the 50kg bag of Brown Beans, it costs N32,000 while the cup of Brown Beans cost N90.

Bringing the pricing to yams, a medium size of yam size yams cost between N400 to N500; a large size yam N500 to N1,000 while Abuja yam costs N500 to 700 for medium size and N700 to N1000 for the large size. Benue medium size yams cost N250 to N450 and N600 to N800 for the large size.

brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Giving a breakdown of some foodstuff in her area, a resident of Ejigbo who spoke on anonymity said a bag of rice which was formerly sold for N18 000 has inched up to N28 000 while a paint of garri that was formerly pegged at N300 has now gone up to N800, and a fresh basket of tomatoes that cost N8000 before has skyrocketed to N30,000.

She also noted that a bottle of unbranded groundnut oil that costs N700 now costs N1,200 while a bottle of red oil that was formerly at N700, now costs N1000, adding that processed foods are not left out. According to her, a sachet of tomato paste that cost N50 before now costs N150.

Also speaking, Miss Chika Ukeagbu, a resident of Ikorodu said: “I am trying to survive, coping is a mild word. Onions are now referred to as 'Diamonds' 'Liquid gold'. A sachet of TastyTom tomato paste is N150, Vitali tomato paste is N120 and the fresh ones are expensive. I have embraced cooking coconut rice. A crate of eggs cost N1,400, while retailers sell N100 for one. “I had to start taking walks half of the way to cut down on transport fare since it tripled. I do not expect that the prices come down soon, because contrary to the laws of physics, here in Nigeria, what goes up doesn't come down.�

Another resident of Ikorodu, Miss Ahuekwe Chioma said: “It is very serious. Can you imagine Congo (cup) of rice has gone from N800 to N1,200.

And there is no hope for reduction in price as the yuletide season is almost here. Food is essential, so I cut the cost of other things that are not so necessary like extra perfumes or clothes and use the money to eat. The government should do something, before Nigerians starve.�

Also speaking, Mr. Ekim Inokon lamented that everything and not just foodstuff has tripled in price, while Mrs Chinwe Ezeoke, a baker also revealed that steep prices affected products used by bakers.

She said: “Everything is super expensive in Nigeria right now and it is very bad. I am a baker and core baking materials are almost going out of my reach and making me lose customers everyday as they can't keep up with the ever changing prices of cakes and pastries. “I bought a bag of Golden Penny Flour last month for N13,200 now it's N14,400; a bag of Dangote Refined Sugar is now N21,000 from N18,000; a bucket of margarine is now N12,000 from N9,000; a crate of medium sized eggs is N1,300 while a crate of jumbo sized eggs sells for N1,800. Let’s not even talk about the price of food stuffs.�

Another resident, Chisom Ani noted that “foodstuffs are getting expensive by the day.

Initially, foodstuff worth N50,000 would be enough for three months. But right now, N50,000 foodstuff lasts a month and my portion size didn't increase.

We might not be able to afford the next rent

Lamentations It was lamentation galore as THISDAY sampled opinions of Nigerians who bear the brunt of this anomaly. These Nigerians are those who can’t even afford to buy foodstuff in stock, rather, buy retail from traders. They all lamented on the same grounds, especially with the economic crunch

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N4,000 onions bought by Lazy Chef

The unbranded palm oil worth N500

at this rate. And there's no hope honestly. Just despair. Things are getting more expensive in this season. I wonder what would happen out of season. “Right now, in my area, a paint of garri is N900, a paint of beans is N1300. We are not even talking about rice.The price of corn is more than 200 per cent its former price. Legumes like fio-fio (pigeon pea), akidi (cowpea) and okpa (Bambara) have about 50 per cent increase in price, at this rate people might die of hunger.�

In a careful study in areas like Lekki and Okokomaiko, there was a loud difference in prices of foodstuffs in the markets and street trading.

In Lekki, a derica of rice is N550, a sachet tomato paste of N50 now cost a whooping N250, pepper is now from N200 above, a tiny bulb of onion formerly worth N20 is now N100, a bottle of vegetable oil of N400 is now N700 while a kilo of frozen chicken is now N1,700 from N1,400.

In Okokomaiko, the prices are even more considerate than Lekki. While prices of pepper, tomatoes and rice remains the same, others have taken a new form. Sachet tomato paste formerly worth N50 now costs N140, onions worth N10 before now cost N50, a bottle of groundnut oil is now worth N600 from its initial N450 while a bottle of palm oil is now N500 from N400.

portion of onions sold for N100 three weeks ago is what she sells for N500 now. She argued that onions are very expensive now, adding that just a day before, she went to the market and a bag of onions she usually buys for N20,000 was now sold for between N45,000 and N65,000 depending on the sizes. “We praise those who can still buy onions at the moment and they can’t help it because onions are something you can’t do without when cooking. Before now I use to buy a full bag but now I can only afford to buy a quarter bag for N15,000 and even at that, it was not as plenty as it usually was�, she added, noting that the lack of rain this year might have been responsible for the high cost of food items in the market.

Another food stuff seller at the market who sells gari, rice and beans said she bought a bag of foreign rice few weeks ago for between N28,000 and N30,000 but just a day before now, she bought it for N33,000. “Palm oil before now was between N8000 and N9000 but just two weeks ago, I bought it for N12,000 and then it was suddenly increased to N15,500. A 25 litre of groundnut oil is now sold for N20,000 instead of N15,000 that it was previously sold. A bag of beans sold for N17,000 previously is now sold for N30,000. This does not include transportation fee from where I buy them.�

Mummy Chiwendu who sells garri, semo, palm oil and groundnut oil, also reiterated that the prices for everything has changed drastically.

She said groundnut oil in Eva bottle which was previously sold for N800 was now sold for N1,200 while a bag of white garri, which was sold for N10,000 rose to N17,000 and a bag of yellow garri which previously sold for N6,125 has increased to N7,625.

Woes for Traders But while consumers lament, traders seem to be worse off as they battle with low sales and even making profit off the foodstuff they sell.

At the different markets visited on the mainland and the Island, it was the same tales of woe. From Oja market in Jakande Estate to the Isolo Market then the Anjorin market to the Odo market at Cele and Aswani Market, and other markets on the Island, with Lekki as the focus for highbrow areas, it was same tale of slow sales due to the high cost of foodstuffs.

Popularly known as Mama Ejima, the trader who operates several stalls at the Oja market with her husband, said they were forced to relinquish one of the stalls when they couldn't pay the rent for the year.

According to her, "we were really counting on making sales this year but we have been disappointed. In my shop, where I sell mostly grains and grounded cassava (garri), I hardly sell up to 12 bags a week. It wasn't like this before.

But I understand why people no longer buy bags of rice. The least bag of rice in my shop goes for N28,000. What people do now is that they buy the rice in cups and not bags and it's affecting us�.

Another trader at the Odo market, known as Dee, also a foodstuff dealer, told THISDAY that the only solution to the high cost of foodstuff is for the government to encourage more Nigerians to dabble into agriculture.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, a ram seller at the Oke-Afa bridge, also lamented low patronage.

He said, "There are virtually no customers and the few we had complained about the prices.�

At Sango Ota Market a portion of fresh tomatoes sold for N400 previously is now N700. Trying to justify the reason for increase in price, the seller, a young man from the North, said a basket of tomatoes he usually buys N1500 is now sold for N3000, adding that everything is very expensive and not just fresh tomatoes and pepper.

The sizes of baskets of fresh tomatoes, he said vary. “There are like five different categories of baskets of tomatoes and the sizes determine the price at which they are sold. They are all very expensive right now. We can’t just explain the reason why�, he said.

Another woman who sells onions said the

Foodstu at New Garage, Ikorodu

Likely Causes For the layman, the likely factors behind the steep prices of foodstuff might be the closed border, heavy rainfall that resulted to flooding, COVID-19 pandemic and inaccessible roads from the farms to markets.

Border-wise, Nigeria imports nearly $4 billion of rice and wheat annually, according to the government due to an underdeveloped manufacturing industry. To tackle this, Nigeria partially closed its border with Benin Republic, which was also an avenue for smuggling activities, especially of rice. Asides the positives recorded, the resultant effect saw the prices of foodstuff skyrocket as local production couldn’t meet up with the consumption demands.

One of those that ascribed the high cost of food stuff to the closure of the Nigeria borders, was one of the traders at Sango Ota Market, who further lamented that she hardly makes gains from her sales these days.

Also blaming the border closure, Mummy Precious, a wholesale rice seller, lamented that within six months, the price of rice jumped with no end in sight. According to her, she sold foreign rice six months ago at N18000 but has now upped to N28000. Dashing hopes that the price would crash before December’s festive period, she expressed fears that it might even increase because rice becomes a common staple at that point.

Another young man who sells onions at Ejigbo market when asked why onions are so expensive, mentioned that heavy rainfall was the main reason behind the sharp increase in prices that had settled at a reasonable rate since October last year. He explained that the price of onion might come down before December, because December is summer time which will

be good for preserving onion.

According to Mummy Chinwendu, the reason for the high cost was not far-fetched: many farmers boycotted cultivation in 2020 because of the difficulties experienced during the pandemic where they accrued huge loss. She also revealed that those that cultivate cassava was the worst hit as their farms were hit by glut.

Reminiscing that a basket of fresh tomato sold for N12,000 before COVID-19, Madam Bola, another trader at Boundary Market, lamented that it has skyrocketed between N28,000 to N30,000.

Giving likely reasons for this, she speculated that it might be because fresh tomatoes are very hard to transport.

But according to the federal government, aside the perennial flooding that wiped out farmlands across the nation, one of the major issues behind the hike in food prices was the exploitative behaviour by middlemen and other actors.

Government’s Efforts With all the woes surrounding cost of foodstuff, many would argue that the Buhari administration has done a lot in boosting local production of food.

Just after the heat of the lockdown, President Muhammadu Buhari had in August pledged to strengthen his administration’s focus on agriculture with policies that will support the cultivation and consumption of locally produced food items.

In September, one of such moves was the release of 30,000 tons of maize from the national reserves to animal feed producers to ease the current high cost of poultry production.

Also in September, Buhari directed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, not to release money for food and fertiliser importation henceforth. This was targeted at reducing food importation and promoting local production. But the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) warned that the directive could cause further inflation, as Nigeria was not in anyway sufficient in food production.

In October, the federal government unveiled plans aimed at providing interest-free loans to farmers in the country. As was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, his ministry would work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in providing the loans.

Existing Food Initiatives Also, there are existing food programmes and loans run by the government to assist those who want to veer off into agriculture.

In a recent article run on THISDAY titled ‘Turning Agriculture into a Wealth Creating Sector’ Managing Director/CEO Neo Media & Marketing Limited, Mr. Ehi Braimah, a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos, recalled that previous governments launched “Operation Feed the Nation� and “Green Revolution� but added that these initiatives, as laudable as they were, largely ended as mere slogans. “They were politicised because we went to bed every night on empty stomachs. But it shouldn’t be so if we plan properly. Nigeria is blessed with about 84 million hectares (304, 843 sq km) of arable land and natural endowments such as favourable weather, fertile soil and an energetic youth population. The agriculture sector has the potential of providing the largest employment in the country if we embark on mechanised farming. “Due to inefficiency in the process and because we have mainly small holder farmers who farm on less than half a hectare of land each, the volume per yield per hectare is small.�

But he commended the recent programmes on ground which include the CBN intervention economic programme that was aimed at reviving the poultry sub-sector including creating jobs and engendering inclusive economic growth.

He also cited the Anchor Borrowers programme, notinh that it was a worthwhile and productive intervention also by the CBN in the agriculture sector. With the loan, farmers can access soft loans at nine per cent interest rate through the Farmers’ Association or Co-operatives and increase their yield.

Also, he listed the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) under the auspices of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), which has ensured that farmers can now purchase a 50 kg fertiliser bag for N5,000, thus abolishing the racketeering activities of middlemen.

Ensuring Food Security In ensuring food security, the role of smallholder farmer in the agriculture value chain cannot be overemphasised as people will rely increasingly on locally produced food in the coming months.

Sadly, despite the important role they play in the agricultural chain, these smallholder farmers struggle to operate, achieve scale and contribute to the economy in line with their potential because of failures within the system to the success and sustainability of Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

This challenge and many more were the crux of a recent Zoom conversation during the heat of the pandemic, held by Kola Masha of Babban Gona Company, Uka Eje of Thrive Agric, Ndidi Nwuneli, who is the Managing Partner at Sahel Consulting, and Debisi Araba who is African Region Director, International Center for Tropical Agriculture and an environmental policy expert, of which THISDAY participated.

In tackling the challenges faced by these smallholder farmers, these experts focused on the key themes of identity, access to credit, and value chain optimisation etc. According to them, “how do we ensure that the primary drivers of the sector - the smallholder farmers - are included and empowered, and their economic outcomes enhanced?�

Tackling “Smallholder Farmer Inclusion; Nigeria, Data and the Path to Food Security�, Nwuneli said: �we need to know who needs what, where they are, what they need most, how that impacts the sector, the nation and much more. The reason this is extremely important can be seen in how fundamental and foundational it is, especially for resource allocation. �Different surveys have shown that poor access to market, poor access to finance, and inadequate knowledge of improved farming practices are the three biggest challenges to smallholders. While these findings form a step forward towards understanding the smallholder’s plight, quantifying the problem in statistics such as required investment to reach a possible solution per region or locale, the number of affected farmers per issues, etc, paints a better picture and brings a target solution closer.�

At this point, it is gainsaying to note that no matter how laudable all these government food programmes are, as long as they don’t translate to affordable food for the common man, then the objective has been lost.

On the policy restriction of food imports, Braimah noted that from all indications, the policy will continue even “when we cannot meet domestic demands. With shrinking oil revenue amid COVID-19 setback, investing in agriculture remains an attractive option amongst other government initiatives -- we must therefore till the land to feed ourselves“.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

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

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Quick Takes e-Govt Summit Holds This Week

ANNUALTAX CONFERENCE

L-R: Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; President/Chairman, Chartered Institute OfTaxation Of Nigeria (CITN), Gladys Olajumoke Simplice; Lagos StateGovernor,Mr.BabajideSanwo-Olu; DoyenOfTaxationInNigeria,ChiefDavidOlorunleke;and Chairman,22ndAnnualTaxConference,Dr.TitilayoFowokan, atthe22ndannualtaxconferenceoftheCITN,heldinLagos...recently ETOPUKUTT

FG Moves to Establish Aircraft Maintenance Facility

t1MBOT UP FTUBCMJTI BJSDSBGU MFBTJOH DPNQBOZ Chinedu Eze To make it easy, cheaper and timely for Nigerian airlines to maintain their aircraft, the federal government plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) in Abuja.

It has also concluded plan to establish an Aviation Leasing Company (ALC), in order to enable Nigerian airlines lease aircraft at cheaper rate.

Government said this was part of its efforts to optimise business opportunities in the Nigerian aviation value chain.

The government had earlier requested for pre-qualified bidders to submit their bids in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company (ALC) and establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

According to information from the Ministry of Aviation, the

ECONOMY bidders who had already bided for these projects were qualified having passed the Request for Qualification (RFQ) stage of the procurement process, disclosing that the RFP submission deadline closed on Friday, October 30, 2020 and Tuesday November 3, 2020, respectively.

The Ministry said the evaluation of the bids commenced immediately, after which the preferred bidders would be announced and invited for contract negotiations. “Thereafter the Full Business Case will be developed and submitted to the Federal Executive Council for approval and subsequent agreements will be signed between the investors and the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Ministry of Aviation,� the Ministry said.

According to the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the objectives of the projects are multi-pronged.

“These include curtailment of capital flight, easing the leasing process for domestic airlines, encouraging foreign investment (FI), enhancing technology transfer to Nigerians, improving aircraft maintenance turnaround time, localizing aircraft maintenance in compliance with regulation, and generally develop the aviation sector in the country,� the Ministry also said.

The Ministry explained that there is no Aviation Leasing Company in Africa at the moment, as the existing ones are owned and run by major international lessors who are reluctant, and rightly so, to lease aircraft to African airlines due to the perceived risks, principally revenue, maintenance and legal risks. “For the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, which will be sited at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the plan is to have in place an independent MRO facility that will cater to West and Central

Africa market. Also importantly, the MRO facility will service the proposed National Carrier and the Aviation Leasing Company. “The business justification for the proposed MRO is the fact that there is no facility of this nature in West and Central Africa to address aircraft maintenance challenges. Most airlines in Africa ferry their aircraft overseas for maintenance and the huge cost of scarce hard currency is enormous,� the Ministry also said.

According to Catamaran Nigeria Limited, one of the transaction advisers for the projects, the proposed ALC will be structured as a Joint Venture (JV) between the Federal government and the private investor.

The business model would be, in the short term, to lease aircraft from international lessors and subsequently sub-lease to African airlines while long-term plan is to acquire, own and lease aircraft Continued on page 24

Stock Market Value Hits N16.2trn on Sustained Bull Run Goddy Egene The stock market capitalisation hit N16.207 trillion last week following sustained demand for equities.

The unprecedented demand for stocks had lifted the market

by N1.93 trillion to close the month of October at N15.958 trillion.

Although some level of profit taking was recorded, the positive performance was sustained in the first week of November, driving indices to new highs.

Precisely, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index rose 1.56 per cent to close at 31,016.17, while market capitalisation added N249 billion to be at N16.207 trillion.

ECONOMY Consequently, the year-to-date (YTD) performance improved to 15.6 per cent, with analysts saying there was still scope for expansion going forward. “As the Q3 earnings season winds down, we expect investors to shift their attention to yet to be published results from the big banks in the week ahead. In the short term, we still see scope for expansion in valuation multiples as hunt for alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market remain positive for stocks. “However, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as

the weak macro environment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,� analysts at Cordros Research said.

Also commenting, analysts at Greenwich Research said: “Positive sentiment, boosted by impressive earnings performance continued to spur interest in the equities space, in the face of record low yields in the fixed income space. Notably, gains recorded at the start and the end of the week pinned the market in the green zone. “We expect this momentum will be sustained by positive Q3 earnings results, particularly from the banking space.�

In all, investors traded 2.067 billion shares worth N22.636 billion in 25,187deals last week in

contrast to a total of 1.909 billion shares valued at N23.610billion that exchanged hands the preceding week.

The Financial Services industry led the activity chart with 1.575 billion shares valued at N13.725 billion traded in 14,521deals. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 178.574million shares worth N3.609billion in 4,669deals while the third place was occupied by the Conglomerate Industry, with a turnover of 102.697million shares worth N155.195 million in 599 deals.

Meanwhile, 40 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 68 equities in the previous week, just as 24

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami; the ExecutiveVice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; the President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, among other notable Nigerians, will be discussing new e-Government strategies and policies at the Nigeria e-Government Summit, holding in Lagos next week.

Discussions and paper presentations at the summit will address the eectofCOVID-19ontheNigerianeconomyandhelpretooltheeconomyfor accelerateddeployment,designedtoboostgovernment’sonlinepresence.

Nami,whowouldbejoinedbysomeofthemanagementteamfromFIRS, including Dr. Zainab Gobir, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Other keynote speakers include: Chairman, Governor’s Forum and the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Board member MTN and former Minister of Communications, Dr. Omobola Johnson; Managing Director, GMT Energy and Chairman NAHCO, Dr. Sehinde Oladapo; and MinisterforCommunicationsandDigitalEconomy,Dr.IsaIbrahimPantami.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is the host governor.

The annual Nigeria eGovernment Summit, scheduled to hold on November 17, has the theme: COVID-19: Impetus for Accelerated Adoption of e-Government.

Dierent panel sessions have been lined up with sub-themes like:The Roles of Government Agencies in Advancing the National eGovernment Plan; The State of eGovernment and Critical Success Factors in SpeciďŹ ed Countries; Positioning Telecoms Infrastructure for eGovernment Deployment; Partnering Government for Development of Sustainable eGovernment Services; Datacentre and Co-location Infrastructure as Enabler of eGovernment Deployment, among others. Each panel will he made up of panelists from relevant ďŹ elds of studies and would be chaired by professionals with deep knowledge of the subject matter.

342 Firms Apply for Kwara Recovery Fund

No fewer than 342 business owners have registered for the Kwara State Government’s N500 million small and medium enterprise (SME) recovery funds.The funds was set aside to support those who lost assets in the recent looting in Ilorin.

TheactingGeneralManageroftheStateSocialInvestmentProgramme (KWASSIP), Alhaji Mohammed Brimah stated this in a statement.

According to the statement, “The application for the SME recovery funds closed midnightTuesday November 3rd with 342 business owners ďŹ ling varying claims of loss.â€?

He said, “The government will next appoint a committee comprising persons of impeccable character, including civic groups, to work with insurance adjusters to verify the claims and ensure a transparent disbursement of funds to claimants.�

The statement however said that the process would begin this week and everyone concerned will be contacted in due course.

Group to Organise Virtual Summit

The BusyBee Events Group is set to organise an international virtual summit aimed at helping event industry stakeholders in Nigeria and Africa position their businesses for success in the wake of the COVID-19.

According to a statement by the CEO of the BusyBee Events Group, Olabisi Sotunde, the summit themed: ‘The Rebirth of the Event Industry,’ is scheduled to hold on a dedicated Zoom platform, November 11, with over 200 conďŹ rmed participants. “Experts have predicted that due to this pandemic, some busineses will close shop, there would be loss of income and other things.We cannot aord to be left behind. We must be proactive. Hence, there is need to reinvent,innovateandpossiblypivotsoastoremainrelevant,â€?shedisclosed.

Sotunde further explained that the summit is the fourth in the series after, “scaling up, next level, and expanding your horizon in 2017, 2018 and 2019.â€? She added that this year’s summit is coming at a time when most event businesses globally are struggling to survive due to the prolonged eect of COVID-19 pandemic.

The international summit promises to be the biggest since its inception as evident in the array of international and local experts billed to speak.

“The threat of recession, increased national debt, increase in NPLs and potential financial crisis have put pressure on regulators to reassess their supervisory activities to strengthen their capabilities to address these challenges and forestall financial crisis, �

MD/CEO, NDIC,

Continued on page 24

Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim

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BUSINESSWORLD FG MOVES TO ESTABLISH AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE FACILITY directly to African airlines. “The proposed MRO which will also run through Public Private Partnership (PPP) using the Build, Operate and Transfer model is expected to have the capacity to service both Narrow Body (Jet and Turboprop) and Wide Body aircraft. “Government, on its part, is willing to support the initiatives by establishing a Free Zone at the airports and has initiated the process for approval. The MRO will also enjoy maintenance exclusivity for the proposed National Carrier and the Aviation Leasing Company as well as some land lease relief considerations,� the Ministry added.

STOCK MARKET VALUE HITS N16.2TRN ON SUSTAINED BULL RUN

equities depreciated in price, higher than six equities in the previous week.

Livestock Feeds Plc led the price gainers with 30.8 per cent trailed by Transnational Corporations of Nigeria Plc with 19.7 per cent. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc chalked up 19.5 per cent, while CAP Plc added 13.0 per cent. LASACO Assurance Plc garnered 12.5 per cent, just as Coronation Insurance Plc gained 10 per cent. Other top price gainers included: Portland Paints & Products Nigeria Plc (9.5 per cent); Regency Assurance Plc, Dangote Cement Plc (9.1 apiece) and Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (8.8 per cent). Conversely, International Breweries Plc led the price losers with 11.8 per cent. AXA Mansard Insurance Plc shed 9.1 per cent, while Linkage Assurance Plc shed 8.8 per cent.

Custodian Investment Plc went down by 8.2 per cent, just as NEM Insurance Plc and BUA Cement Plc 8.1 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively.

Other top price losers include: Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc (4.7 per cent); Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria (4.4 per cent apiece); and Union Diagnostic & Clinical Services Plc (3.8 per cent).

NEWS

NAICOM to Release Guidelines for Riots, Civil Commotion Risk Evaluation Ebere Nwoji Following the recent civil unrest in some states in the country that resulted to the destruction of businesses, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has directed insurance underwriters to commence rating and charging of adequate premium for insurance coverage on strike, riots and civil commotion.

But NAICOM disclosed that it would soon release guidelines to this effect. The Commissioner for Insurance, Sunday Thomas, disclosed this recently at the insurance professionals’ forum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, saying insurers would start charging standard rates on the riots, strikes and civil commotion risks.

He said this was to ensure that insurers have enough money to adequately compensate victims when such risks occur. “However, these incidents are likely to increase insurance claims, thereby exacerbating the already weakened liquidity and capability of insurance companies. This has reinforced the need for proper underwriting to ensure insurers are able to settle corresponding claims obligations to cushion the effect of losses on Nigerian households and businesses,� he said.

Speaking further, he said: “It is pertinent to note that insurance coverage for Strike, Riot and Civil Commotion (SRCC) clauses,

which were redundant in the past and which by competition are mostly offered free of charge must now be adequately rated as an important product for the survival of Nigerian businesses. “The Commission will be issuing directives to ensure that underwriting is strengthened to appropriately rate and charge requisite premiums so that profitability can be guaranteed and claims are settled promptly without financial strain on the companies.�

He maintained that the recent outbreak of protests and civil

unrest across the country and the resultant losses exposed the vulnerabilities in government, businesses and individuals to unforeseen events, adding that the incidents further reinforced the value and necessity of the insurance industry.

The insurance commissioner, noted that the widespread protests, civil unrest and destruction of properties, among others have created further socio-economic hardship and barriers for business profitability and growth. “As Nigeria reels in the pain of the destruction and losses

suffered this year, the Nigerian insurance industry must utilise the opportunity to lead in the quick recovery and restoration of the affected businesses and also showcase its role in reinforcing the economic resilience of individuals, businesses and the economy at large. Therefore, the theme of this year’s Professional’s Forum, “Defining the Future of the Insurance Industry,� is apt and timely�, he said.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed immense pressure on all businesses including insurance business, pointing out

that pressure faced by consumers in the form of reduced finance and business activities, lack of access to credit, expiration and wastage of perishable goods, temporary or permanent business closures and employee contract terminations, life threatening illnesses and deaths all combined to increase the propensity for claims.

Thomas, noted that one of the major challenges for insurers in the period of abrupt stop on businesses was the inability to market/sell insurance products to consumers which, in turn, reduced the premium income.

UNVEILING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

L-R: Country Manager Gree, Chibuzor Ogunka; Chairman, Choice International Group, Chief Diana Chen; Human Resource Manager - Gree|Lontor, Sarah Ebaloghemen, and Managing Partner - 3rdRetail Africa, Eze Igwe, during a media briefing to announce the brandshop investment opportunity for Lontor and Gree,heldinLagos...recently

Osibanjo, Awosika Urge Businesses to Embrace Ethics Dike Onwuamaeze The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo has called on Nigerian corporate leaders to view strong ethical and moral values as building-blocks for profitable and sustainable businesses.

Osibanjo made the call recently as the guest of honour at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria’s 2020 Annual Directors’ Conference with the theme, “Business Ethics, Leadership, and Sustainability as New frontiers of Corporate Governance.�

He said the theme of the conference would challenge Nigerian business leaders to conquer, in their own interest, the new frontiers of business ethics, ethical leadership and sustainability by believing, “the evidence that business ethics

are not just moral preaching but important foundation for profitable and sustainable businesses in the 21 century.�

The Vice President pointed out that sound, “business ethics is as crucial as the bottom line in delivering profitability and successful economy,� and warned that cutting corners and persistence in dishonesty and sharp practices could, “bring down a whole business enterprise as has been seen in the collapse of many Nigerian financial institutions in the banking sector in the 1990s and 2009. “Yes, it took a while for these institutions to unravel but the point has been made that on the long run unethical practices are unsustainable. “Companies must now show

that they are not only profitable but are good by their measures of character and concern for the environment and society.�

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, who spoke on: “The Nexus between Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance Practice,� during the conference, said that “business without ethics is destructive.�

Awosika said: “Without proper governance and ethical practice in an organisation you might succeed for a short while and even get away with it for quite a time but the moment of reckoning will always come when everything can fall apart. “As the chairman of a 126 year old organisation, I can say that

the only reason the First Bank has survived this far is that over time various people who steered the ship of the organisation are committed to doing things right by setting certain values and practices within the organisation that give it the strength and character to last for this long. “And every time our leadership has taken its eyes from the things that have helped us to build for this long, we pay a high price for those distractions. We, definitely, will tell you that it worth everything to build right, practice right and to continue to ensure that the organisation is well run by finding the right people to continue to keep the right practices of the organisation.�

In his welcome address, the President and Chairman of the

Governing Council of the IoD Nigeria, Mr. Chris Okunowo, said for the country to move forward from the crossroads it found itself, “we must find ways of removing market imperfections that make it easy for the few to amass wealth unfairly, while the weak and the poor are exposed to more vulnerabilities that deny them human security.�

Okonowo pointed out that this, “requires bringing professionalism back into our national life. What we see and condemn in Nigeria today, the mindlessly reckless impunity in state and society, is to a large extent because we have abandoned, as professionals, our professional ethics for the lure of crass materialism, setting the wrong examples to the rest of the society.

Tambuwal Lays Foundation for OCP Africa’s $13m Fertilizer Plant Group Business Editor

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Capital Market Editor

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has reiterated that the state is ready to support investments capable of developing the economic well-being of the people and lift them from poverty.

Tambuwal, said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of OCP Africa’s $13 million Sokoto Agricultural Centre of Excellence comprising a fertilizer blending plant with a production capacity of 200,000 MT per annum and training facilities for farmers, fertilizer blenders and other stake holders in the agricultural value chain He said Sokoto State

Obinna Chima Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

has one of the largest deposits of high-quality phosphate in Nigeria, which makes the establishment of the plant there a big step towards making fertilizer readily available and affordable to all farmers in the state and the Northern region.

OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the world’s leader in the phosphate industry and OCP Group, said the blending plant, which becomes operational in July 2021, has the capability to blend NPK with micronutrients. This project will contribute significantly towards the achievement of the food security goals of the country.

Previously, “farmers are known to apply any available fertilizer to

all plants but with the proliferation of modern blending plants in the country, specific fertilizer based on soil and plant needs can be made available,� he stated The Deputy Managing Director of OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Ltd, Caleb Usoh, said facilities that would be at the blending plant include the modern NPK fertilizer blending equipment, process building/warehouse, administrative building, trailer park, other ancillary facilities and a One Stop Shop for farmers to access training and all farm inputs Usoh, said the Sokoto Agricultural Centre of Excellence, which will be developed on 10 hectares

of land made available by the state government at Kalambaina industrial layout in Wamakko local government area of the state, would provide direct jobs for 75 persons and also serve as a center of training for fertilizer manufacturers, farmers, and other members of the agricultural value chain. He explained that citing the plant in Sokoto goes a long way in strengthening and expanding the relationship between the company and the government and people of Sokoto, saying other initiatives done in the state included the setting up of five one-stop shops in Wurno, Goronyo, Tambuwal, IIIelah and

Kware to enhance accessibility of inputs to farmers across the State.

Other interventions of OCP in Sokoto State included its COVID-19 Palliative Project where 8,453 farmers gained access to training and subsidised fertilizers at N4,500/50kg bag, the deployment of OCP School Lab Project; an innovative program aimed at increasing the yields and income of smallholder farmers through Mobile soil testing and effective agronomical trainings. The company had also, empowered 13 Agripromoters with Motorbike/ Tricycles and Electronic tablets to provide extension services across the state.

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Ayebae: Consistent Policies Required for Manufacturing to Thrive The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Fidelis Ayebae, in this interview with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria, held in Lagos, spoke about issues around the Central Bank of Nigeria intervention fund for the healthcare sector, Nume Ekeghe and Dike Onwuamaeze present excerpts:

C

an you speak on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) healthcare intervention fund and how it has impacted pharmaceutical companies and the manufacturing sector in a whole?

A lot of pharmaceutical manufacturers are not borrowing entities and we were not into too much of borrowing for the simple reason that pharmaceuticals is a specialised industry and it is an industry with very low profit margins especially if you are a manufacturer in Nigeria.

That is because importation has literally persuaded and not encouraged people to invest in this space. Therefore, at any given time, margins are very low.

So, if you now at the interest regime of the 25 to 30 per cent that it used to be a few years back, there was no way you were going to be profitable. So, owners and practitioners in the industry had always worked within the means that was available to them. And that is the reason why capacity utilisation is low and the share of the market for locally manufactured products is today about 40 per cent. Ordinarily, the share of local products should not be less that 75 per cent. And indeed, in most parts of the world, given the national security nature of pharmaceutical products, local manufacturers are responsible for above 80 per cent of the pharmaceutical needs of their people. But in Nigeria, unfortunately, today it is between 35 to 30 per cent and it can certainly go above that if the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) continues to reduce the incidences of fake and substandard drugs are being smuggled into Nigeria and by giving manufacturers a self-regulating environment to work as that is the second thing that would incentivise manufacturers to invest more. The third thing that has helped us is the Bank of Industry (BoI) and a lot of our members have accessed BoI loans before the advent of this CBN intervention funds. So, between not borrowing before and now accessing BoI loans and a few commercial bank loans, working capital of most of members already had a bit of liabilities to cater too. So, when CBN came and because most these companies were not borrowing companies, some of them did not understand what to do in order to access that fund. But as time went on, everybody has now perfected how it is and they can access these funds. As we speak, given the confidentiality companies work with in terms of their corporate governance culture, we are aware that 15 of our members especially the very senior members of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) have accessed this loan. We are also aware that another 15 to 20 applications are being processed by the CBN as we speak.

And as you know, the window CBN gave is about nine months for people to access these funds and I’m sure that over time, because I have accessed the fund through FIDSON Plc, where I am the Managing Director, I am sure that overtime everybody could access it especially if you apply. The fund is real and CBN is indeed eager to assist the Nigerian Industry to contribute its quota to nation building.

Can you speak on the pharmaceutical industry and what are the challenges your sector faces?

The pharmaceutical industry is a highly regulated industry for good reasons because these are products that are ingested and taken into your bloodstream and anything that goes in that is not compactable with your body system can lead to death. So, nobody can quarrel with the stringency of regulatory environment. However, the stringency of the regulatory by overbearing government operatives whom I do not know what drives them whether they have budget for revenue collection or are just unpatriotic Nigerians, but whatever the motivations are, these people are slowly killing the industry especially the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. In an era where Covid-19 has ravaged

Ayebae the entire supply chain, slowed down imports as access to forex have become terrible and we are also talking of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) regime coming up next year, in which Nigeria of over 200 million people should be highly competitive, but they have made us uncompetitive. Another challenge is policy summersault. One example of government policy summersault that is not helping manufacturers, not only pharmaceutical companies is the Value Added Tax (VAT). When VAT came in, in the 80s in the wisdom of people that brought VAT at that time, they exempted pharmaceutical products from VAT - whether it is imported or input for manufacturing of pharmaceutical products - they were all exempted from VAT, so that the prices of pharmaceutical products are affordable to the man on the streets. And it had remained like that up until three months ago when somebody in Federal Inland Revenue

The pharmaceutical industry is a highly regulated industry for good reasons because these are products that are ingested and taken into your bloodstream and anything that goes in that is not compactable with your body system can lead to death

Service (FIRS) announced that raw materials, and packaging materials which are an input in pharmaceutical product will now be subjected to VAT. And before we could even blink, they have started collecting 7.5 per cent VAT from local manufacturers. The same thing is not applicable to imported finished products. In a situation where, local manufacturers are playing catchup and where they are almost not competitive in terms of pricing with other countries who have huge capacities that have been built for competitiveness, how do you compete when 7.5 per cent is added to your cost which is already too high for the ordinary Nigerian? Today, the local pharmaceutical manufacturer is bedeviled with policy summersault even though we had reached out to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and NAFDAC. As we know, when these pronouncements have been made, the wheels of government is very slow to roll back.

In the last three months, importers are enjoying a duty-free window and local manufacturers are suffering a 7.5 per cent tax penalty. There are too many policy summersaults that are not helping the industry and if you must grow this country and provide jobs for young Nigerians, industry is the quickest and the easiest way to develop a nation.

Earlier in your presentation, you said banks are relaxing requirements for new borrowers in order to enable them access the intervention funds, but you also raised concerns by members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) with regards to third party access to forex, what DO you think should be the way forward?

The policy on the ban on purchasing from third party providers is a faulty policy. Again, it is one of those summersaults in our policy environment that is not helping the manufacturing industry as a whole. It is wrong policy, because

the CBN must have done it in the heat of the moment given the avalanche of demands that came up for foreign exchange. It is not a well thought out policy because everywhere in the world, big manufacturers do not sell directly to manufacturers, they sell to appointed and accredited distributors in various regions of the world. These accredited distributors, it is their jobs to cascade what they are supposed to distribute within the zone where they operate. If you take polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is the raw material for manufacturing plastic, which we use for packaging, they would sell to only a few accredited third-party agents who are then in the business of redistribution and they are the ones with the supply chain expertise to reach out to the end user of those products. And these are the ones that the CBN has completely eliminated form that supply chain process. We reached out to some of them to see if we can buy directly from them and they said sorry as they have never heard anywhere in the world where an apex bank or trade ministry is insisting that they should sell directly to end users. They are primary manufacturers of raw materials and do not have expertise to distribute therefore they outsource it to international distributors who are in the business of reaching end users. That policy is not going to work, it is hampering pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and many other industries. If that policy is not changed very quickly, the production of our manufacturing industry will continue to drop. You can see that the national output of the industry has already dropped because of foreign exchange alone and even when you now get the forex, you cannot open Form ‘M’ to suppliers because they are all third-party suppliers. So, slowly we are inflicting pain and death on industries that are not even sufficient. It is not easy to be a central banker because the pressures are enormous because you have to be tactical and strategically to respond to situations per time. So, it is a high-pressure job and I do not envy them. So, these guys are not doing this deliberately, they have done it under pressure. Now that they have seen the harm that it will bring to manufacturing and industry as a whole, they should quickly roll back something that they have done that is not helpful nationally. This is not only harmful to pharmaceutical industry, it is to all industry because every manufacturer needs raw materials to package or input to their business and these materials are offered today by third party providers not by the direct manufacturers.

And on loans?

It should remain a permanent fixture for industry because that is the only way countries and industry can grow. However, I think CBN should do, which they are already doing is to now create specialiSed banks. Also, firstly there should be an industrialisation policy which the National Assembly working along with MAN, Federal Ministry of Trade, Federal Ministry of Finance should sit down to look into our national industrial policy and update it to be more relevant to the 21st century rather than leaving at what it is when the law was enacted.

So, we can have a more useful law that governs industrial development in Nigeria and when that has been done, one of the tools to rapidly accelerate industrial growth is access funding. A lot of people would have been industrialists, but they choose to remain in a rent-taking formal or informal business because they were afraid of taking loans at 20 per cent and there is no way you can operate any industry in a high-interest rate environment and be profitable as well as rising inflation figure. So specialised banks should be created. We have the BoI, but the BoI alone is not enough as we need a manufacturing bank, manufacturing finance bank and other specialised banking outfits. An industrial policy is what would help us and deriving for that, we need Continued on page 26

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AYEBAE: CONSISTENT POLICIES REQUIRED FOR MANUFACTURING TO THRIVE institutions that would make that industrial policy work for Nigeria. And that for me are the additional steps that need to be taken.

Oluchi Chibuzor

Beyond the loans, what types of policies do you suggest to improve the manufacturing sector?

One of the biggest problems in Nigeria is that every single Ministry or Commission that government creates are going after revenue and they are all charging the same lean cow. So, tax on industry, tax on the workers that have jobs all amounts to taxing the industry. And is the industry buoyant enough? The thing to therefore do, is to de-emphasise taxation, levies, fees which are a lot. I sit in an office where every day I ask myself why I went into manufacturing. So, we need to focus on how we can make industry thrive and when that is done, the same industry that was once lean would give more when it is fat.

How much effort is going on into sourcing locally produced raw materials?

Some of our members at the beginning of the year began conversations to set up Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) factories which are basically primary pharmaceutical inputs for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

Right now, it doesn’t make any sense to start now because the exchange rate does not justify that kind of industry right now in Nigeria. That is because you would never be competitive with the imported materials. In an investment environment for industry which is very hostile, policy summersault has made Nigeria that ought to be a country that other West African and central African economies should depend become very uncompetitive. So, there should be a government policy that is consistent and can guarantee that for the next 10 or 15 years or 20 years, any government that comes, the regime under which you started that business would not change in terms of policy. For now, manufacturers are the mercy of importing raw material and it would take a few years to scale.

So the building blocks for getting to where you want us to get to, does not exists today.

What are the impact of the hike in VAT, forex scarcity and devaluation in exchange rate in the last one year on the sector?

The impact is clear and can be visibly seen in our statistics and data and it is driving inflation upwards because goods are getting more expensive.

Generally, across all industries, I am aware that people have had to increase prices in the last six months on the minimum of 10 per cent. And it is a double-whammy and to be honest, I don’t envy government. In the phase of dwindling resources, shortages and inability to export our main commodity that gives Nigeria about 80 per cent of our revenue, it simply means that you are not able to fund your import bills as at when due. And when you are not able to fund your import bills at when due, your partners abroad begin to be jittery and begin to withdraw their credit lines to you.

And therefore, the banks now go for more expensive avenues for getting foreign exchange and all of these spirals into increased cost production. The cost production then increases beyond the cost that can be accommodated by the manufacturers. The manufacturers then are now forced to increase the price of their product and then all of this ends up spiraling inflation.

How ready are manufacturers for the AfCTA commencing in 2021?

From my perspective as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, note that I am not speaking for other industries, I am speaking for pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceuticals is a specialised industry and for you to go and sell in someone else’s country, you have to go there and register your products and brands. And afterwards your brands most be competitive for those people to buy. If it is cheaper, to import into Nigeria, why would it be cheaper to export what is expensive to manufacture in Nigeria? The arithmetic does not add up. AfCTA has the potential if not properly managed to rubbish industry that has not gained traction in Nigeria. The Nigerian industry is bedeviled with deficits in infrastructure, therefore the cost of product output is high. Using a technical term, it’s not competitive. So, the only way we can then participate in AFCTA is to use the excess capacity that we have to try and compete which then means that you will be selling, what you are exporting, when converted to naira at a cheaper price than what you are selling locally in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Organises Investment Summit for MSMEs

Ayebae In other words, what that simply means is that Nigeria will be subsidising what other countries are buying from us. From a pharmaceutical perspective, we are not ready. If you look at the rule of origin for example, it is where other countries are going to kill us because we do not have the mechanism to monitor what they are doing.

Also, the rule of origin has not clearly spelt out what can be considered as made in a particular country and at what point is a product said to be manufactured in a country. If I go to the Republic of Benin and put a warehouse there, buy fish tablets from India or China like those countries are already getting ready to do and then just blister them or put them in plastic jars and export them as made in Republic of Benin, how can I be right compared to Nigeria where you have to buy 15-30 ingredients into making a tablet and where making a product spans between 24-48 hours compared to the man that is packaging it in Cotonou or in one of the countries that I think is going to benefit the most, which is Rwanda. I don’t know why African countries have chosen to buy all of these things that are not helpful to us, simply because we want to belong and we want to run the race that the rest of the world is running. Before China opened up themselves to the world they had prepared, at a time India locked itself in and were using made in India cars alone even for the Prime Minister of the country. I have been going to India for 25 years, so I know, they only opened their country for imported cars about 10 years ago. They were prepared and so when they finally came into the limelight, they had products produced cheaply and safely for their people to consume and they began to export to the rest of the world. And so, if they join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and they are talking about unfettered borders for products, of course they know what they are saying and you wouldn’t go and try to import into their country. If you will be competitive, you can’t compete, America cannot compete in India if you take pharmaceuticals as an example.

India is one country that consumes about 98 per cent locally of pharmaceutical products that are locally manufactured. If you go to Bangladesh about 85 per cent are manufactured there, if you go to China almost a 100 per cent are manufactured there, from scratch. We do not manufacture anything here from the scratch, that we believe stands us in good stead to compete. And if all of the countries are targeting Nigeria to the extent that Morocco suddenly declared themselves members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) - how can a North African country, suddenly become a West African country? That is simply because they looking for markets and Nigeria is a veritable market for consumption. So, if we must compete whether it is AfCTA or whatever, we must go back and rebuild this country from the scratch. It is the only country in the world where you know elected lawmakers wake up carry billions of naira to go and buy some imported cars when Innoson is there to be helped, where Peugeot is there to be helped, where some Chinese cars that are being assembled in Nigeria are there to be bought but you say it is because those cars are not reliable. If you don’t patronise them, how do you empower the people?

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stressed the need for MSMEs to harness the potential of trade and investment for the nation’s economic growth and sustainability.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, stated this in Lagos, recently, at the National Trade and Investment Summit, 2020, where she reiterated the importance of MSMEs in the development and growth of the nation’s economy.

A statement quoted her to have disclosed that NAFDAC alongside other national stakeholders on the National Action Committee (NAC) for the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), was fully committed to its successful implementation, once it comes into effect, probably by 2021. According to her, this is because of its advantages to Nigeria’s economy and healthy competition it will engender in the operations of MSMEs in the non-oil sector of the national economy.

Towards this end, Adeyeye pointed out that NAFDAC was on the train of the NAC Secretariat that is sensitising and building the capacity of stakeholders, particularly on AfCFTA Agreements on Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS). “This is in addition to her advocacy on the need to improve all the national and regulatory infrastructures that will reduce the cost of production and make the MSME products competitive in the AfCFTA Area. All our operations are set and ready to accommodate AfCFTA,� she added.

The NAFDAC DG noted that the economy of Nigeria is undergoing diversification from oil to Non-Oil products, stressing that the MSME sector would play a critical role to achieve this transformation.

Upon formalisation of processes, she said MSMEs would get involved in export of regulated products including Food - Shea Butter, honey to mention a few.

To enable a platform for trade to be seamlessly she further

explained that NAFDAC is involved in collaboration with sister Agencies.

Towards this objective, Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC in August 2019, held an interactive Stakeholder’s meeting on Effective inter-agencies collaboration to diversify Nigerian Economy through Export.

The staff of the Nigerian Customs Service, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Postal Service, Nigeran Shippers Council, and the Media attended the programme. Globally, MSMEs contribute up to 45 per cent of total employment and up to 33 per cent of National Income in emerging economies.

In a recent review of 2017 survey according to National Policy on MSMEs, it was revealed that in Nigeria there were 41.4 million MSMEs. To the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, “MSMEs are the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization and inclusive economic development; and the most important component of industrialization as set out in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.�

Firm to Incentivise GREE, Lontor Dealers As part of its expansion drive, Choice International Group (CIG), manufacturers of GREE and Lontor products has unveiled plan to reward distributors and retail dealers of the products across the country.

Through this initiative, the company is targeting 300 brand shops in Nigeria for the GREE and Lontor products through a retail franchise partnership with prospective investors.

Speaking during a media briefing, the Chairman CIG Motors, Chief Diana Chen, said: “From inception in the year 2000, CIG Motors has actively explored the international market and has opened more than 20 brand shops in Nigeria in the last 18 months and now set to open an additional 300.�

She said GREE leads in air conditioners, while Lontor is a renowned brand in household electrical appliances around the world.

She said the process would require investors to secure a store space to join. “This requires the investor

to simply secure a store size of 120-150sqm at any choice location, shopping mall, plazas, high streets and even residential neighbourhoods. Our Business Development partners, 3rdRetail Africa can assist with identifying a perfect location in all towns across Nigeria,� she added.

The company said it is offering two business models namely regional logistics centres and Gree & Lontor brand shops.

Speaking on the regional logistics centre model, the lead for Gree in Nigeria, Chibuzor Ogunka, said there are only six of such opportunities which are spread across the geopolitical zones, particularly in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Onitsha, and Jos. He said a capital outlay of $1 million was required with a return on investment (ROI) of at least 35 percent per annum. “There are only six such opportunities across the geopolitical zones of the country. This investor will become the mega distributor partner of the Gree & Lontor brand and service a network of

brand shops. The capital outlay for this model is $1 million,� he said.

Ogunka explained that the second model, Gree & Lontor brand shops, involves the creation of retail franchise stores with an investment of N20 million and ROI of about 35 percent. “This requires the investor to simply secure a store size of 120150sqm at any location, shopping mall, plazas, high streets and even residential neighbourhoods,� he said. “The initial capital outlay is N20 million. Gree & Lontor will provide marketing, sales and operations support through our highly experienced and innovative in house teams working closely with each investor or franchisee.�

On his part, the Managing Partner, CIG in Africa, said the investment opportunity was conceived after 18 months of study to establish trends.

He said the first phase will be the launch of 250 franchise brand shops while 600 shops will be established on a long term across Nigeria.

Access Bank Reiterates Commitment to Innovation Access Bank has expressed its commitment to advancing the frontiers of industry agnostic technological innovation across Africa with Nigeria in focus.

This position was entrenched

by Access Bank’s sponsorship of the Nigerian Fintech week 2020.

According to a statement from the bank, the week-long event sought to highlight fintech as a solution to problems across different industries including health, agriculture and logistics.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director for Information Technology and Operations, at Access Bank Plc, Ade Bajomo said: “Access Bank is committed to positively impacting lives and building the economy through technology. For years, the bank has invested in several initiatives geared towards improving ac-

cess to tecnological innovations while providing platforms for tech enthusiasts to innovate and make massive impact on the society. “One of such innovation is Facepay which is a pioneer solution in Africa that captures the face of an individual and leverages same to grant access to financial services for the unbanked, make instore payments seamlessly at merchant locations and subsequently build queless branches.�

Furthermore, Bajomo spoke about how various digital identity systems were leveraged across the world to provide economic inclusion for one billion people who are estimated to lack access to financial services because they do not have a form of legally recognised Identity.

The foremost example was how India’s Aadhaar identity manangement programme which has 1.2 billion indians has been leveraged for financial inclusion,direct beneficiary programmes, humanitarian assistance, AML compliance and cost savings in government processes.

Bajomo also added that, “By partnering with the Africa Fintech Foundry and sponsoring a momentous occasion like the Nigerian FinTech Week, the Bank is contributing to the strides that we are experiencing in the Fintech landscape and to the growth of the economy at large. “This is done through thought leadership, acceleration and incubation of tech start-ups, hosting of hackathons and delivering digital products tailored to the African market.

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NEWS

Report Alerts on Food Shortages in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe James Emejo in Abuja Over nine million Nigerians are at risk of hunger crisis, according to the October 2020 Cadre HarmonisĂŠ (CH) analysis.

It stated that about 14 million Nigerians could further face an acute food shortage unless timely measures are implemented to avert the situation.

The latest edition revealed that about 9.8 million people in Nigeria were expected to be in a hunger crisis or worse between October and December 2020, adding that the number could increase to about 13.8 million between June and August 2021, if immediate measures are not taken to mitigate the situation.

The report, however, revealed

that the North-east region covering the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, known as BAY states- are most affected by the crisis because of the decade-long armed insurgency, leaving millions of people without food and other livelihood.

The three states are classified as being in crisis and emergency phases of acute food and nutrition analysis.

The CH is the framework for consensual analysis of acute food and nutrition insecurity situations in the ECOWAS region and had over time emerged as a major yardstick for estimating the areas and population of vulnerable people in needs of humanitarian assistance in Nigeria as presented in the annual Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNOs) and

the Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs).

The report which is led by the federal government is facilitated through the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) with financial and technical support from FAO, the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), European Union, the French Development Agency and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Speaking during the presentation often report, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of

Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr. Mua’zu Abdulkadir, said the analysis was not just an early warning alert but an inevitable decision making tool to guide points of action for ensuring food security and nutrition situation across all the states involved.

Represented by the ministry’s Director, Policy and Planning, Zubairu Abdullahi, he pointed out that the October CH analysis came at a time when households in the country were faced with economic stress due to lockdown and restrictive measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

He said: “The results therefore,

are expected to reveal the number of those affected by the food and nutrition challenges for the period covered that is October to December 2020 and the projected June to August 2021. “Consequently, as a food security and nutrition early warning alert presented to the government and all the key stakeholders, the report lays a foundation for planning effective interventions to prevent further deterioration of the food and nutrition situation in those vulnerable areas.�

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Fred Kafeero, stated that the

COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown and other preventive restrictions contributed to low food production, access to markets as well as farm inputs for enhanced productivity.

He said: “This is compounded by the insecurity in some parts of the country, crop pest and diseases infestation among others. “Several households are still currently experiencing difficulties in assessing their basic food and non–food needs due to disrupted livelihoods resulting into reduced household income sources. It is good to see the government and other stakeholders are joining hands to take actions to mitigate these effects.�

FCMB Named ‘Best SME Bank in Africa’ First City Monument Bank (FCMB) said it has been voted as the ‘Best SME Bank in Africa,’ thereby consolidating its position as one of the dominant financial institution in the segment.

The bank, explained in a statement that it won the award at the Asian Banker Middle East and Africa Regional Awards held virtually, recently.

According to the Asian Banker, FCMB emerged as the Best SME Bank in Africa following, “series of online surveys across the region to gather feedback from thousands of customers per market. In the survey, we also asked customers to rate how well their main Banks have helped them during the crisis.

The results and rankings are a true reflection of the voice of the customers.�

The organisers further stated that, “FCMB has introduced various digital initiatives into the SMEs segment, such as digital loan products (Quickloans) and its New Mobile banking platform. “In addition, the bank launched a platform, which was a first of its kind, to help women owned businesses scale up, by leveraging access to financing schemes, mentorship programmes, as well as training and networking opportunities. “FCMB has equally helped SMEs to enhance capacity, thereby improving their business operations, connect with peers and access to trusted service professionals. “The bank has a 25 per cent market share in the SME business, and in 2019 had more than 300,000 new accounts in this segment. We commend FCMB

for its incredible contributions towards ensuring the growth and sustainable development of SMEs within the region.�

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru, described it as another milestone and a clear demonstration that the various strategic initiatives and solutions offered by the bank are yielding the desired results and appreciated in Nigeria and internationally.

According to him, “we are excited to have been recognised by the Asian Banker for our market leading propositions and support to SMEs, which continue to make real impact on businesses and the economy in general. “This award is another validation that we are on track in our customer-centric approach to financial services delivery. “We will continue to expand the frontiers of our innovation and go the extra mile to deploy offerings that consistently enhance customer experience. “We thank the Asian Banker and the respondents for considering us worthy as the Best SME Bank in Africa. We dedicate this award to our customers who have made FCMB what it is today’’.

Speaking while receiving the award, the Executive Director, Business Development, FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, said the emergence of the bank as the number one in the highly competitive SME category speaks volumes about its journey so far and its contribution to the success of businesses, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MEDIABRIEFING

L-R: Supply Chain Manager, So Fresh, Mrs. Ronke Fadeyi; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olagoke Balogun; Board Chairman, Mrs. Kehinde Olomojobi; and the Company’sChiefOperatingOfficer,Mrs.AbimbolaBalogunatthe10thyearanniversarypressconferenceofSoFreshNeighborhoodMarketLtd,heldinLagos‌ recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

‘Nigeria Positioned to Bridge Fish Demand Gap’ Oluchi Chibuzor The Executive Director (ED), Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Dr. Sule Abiodun has reiterated that the nation can meet the demand of its fish consumption considering the massive training of fish farmers in the country.

This is coming as fish contributed to the nation’s composite food index which rose by 16.66 per cent in September 2020 compared to 16 per cent recorded in August 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Speaking at a recent training for over 100 participants selected from different zones in the Niger State, North Senatorial District, the

ED said if the massive budgetary allocation for zonal intervention projects across the country by the federal government was sustained, the nation would meet its fish demand.

He said because the population of the country was heading towards 250 million people, training more fish farmers became paramount to reduce importation of fish in line with the mandate of the institute.

Represented by Mr. Ayabu Cookey, he explained that as more Nigerians are trained on fish production, the institute would leverage vast water resources available to engage into cage culture farming. “The increase in the fish army

that we are training is a simple economics because once supply outweighs demand the cost will fall. This is how we can approach the food inflation trend in Nigeria and the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. “As a world class institution, we have been into fish research especially in Aquaculture since 1975 and have a vision and mission to drive this industry and that is why we put a premium on international training of our researchers. All these farmers that are trained would help reduce the fish demand in the country,’’ he stated.

On their side, beneficiaries described the intervention project as a timely response in view of

the pandemic. “The programme is intensive as it would benefit us and the entire community. We were given fish for feed, scoop net, and other necessary things needed for the successful operation of fish farming business in these trying times of the Nigerian economy. “This will make us self-sufficient and self-reliant, with this training one can start something and train other youth within our community,� one of them said.

Commenting on the significance of the training on the fish value chain, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, stressed that the project was in line with the government diversification drives into agroeconomy initiative.

Automobile Firm Bags 2020 Autocar Awards Ugo Aliogo Geely Holding Group Executives and subsidiary brands have won accolades at the 2020 Autocar Awards, where automotive industry achievements from the past 12 months and outstanding career achievements were recognized.

In a statement, Geely Holding’s Executive Vice President of Design, Peter Horbury, was awarded the Autocar Lifetime Achievement award.

The statement said the Chief

Executive Officer, Volvo Cars, Hakan Samuelson, received Autocar’s top award - the Issigonis Trophy, while Volvo’s subsidiary, Polestar, was awarded the 2020 Game Changer award.

It stated that Horbury’s Lifetime Award reflects more than 50 years of dedication to design at leading automotive brands, where he helped develop some of the industry’s iconic cars.

According to the statement: “During his tenure at Volvo Cars in the 1990s, Peter was credited with introducing new

sleek design – an approach he extended after the Swedish company was acquired by Geely Holding in 2010. “At Geely Holding, Peter oversaw the growth of Geely Auto’s global design function which has now grown to five studios in Europe, America, China and south East Asia with more than 1000 members of staff. With a new confident, Chinese inspired but internationally focused design language, Geely Auto has seen its sales triple over the last eight years.

“The Lynk and Co-brand, a premium brand positioned between Geely Auto and Volvo Cars was also developed by Peter Horbury’s team in Sweden alongside Geely’s engineering unit, CEVT, and unveiled for the first time in late 2016 before going on sale in China in 2017, where the brand has sold over 300,000 units to date.�

The statement remarked that Hakan Samuelson was awarded the Issigonis Trophy for the major impact that he has had on Volvo Cars over

the past eight years.

The statement hinted that Samuelson had overseen major growth at Volvo Cars during his tenure as CEO with growing global sales, “an expanded manufacturing footprint in China and the United States, and fully committing to electrifying the Volvo range.�

The statement further explained that Polestar 1, uses Geely holding’s most advanced drivetrain to date that utilizes a 2.0 turbocharged and supercharged engine, “which is

mated to an electric powertrain that offers up to 124km of electric range and can produce a combined 609BHP and 1000Nm (738lb–ft) of torque.�

In his remarks, the Chairman of Geely Holding, Li Shufu said: “The recognition that we have received from Autocar are the results of more than two decades of continuous internationalisation at Geely Holding, where we have focused on developing our internal talent and bringing the best products and services to the consumers.�

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‘Farmers to Access New Drought Resistant Maize Variety by 2022’ James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku has said it is collaborating with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), to develop a new variety of maize crop with capacity for pest resistance and drought tolerance.

He said the proposed variety, known as Tela Maize- - a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)-

was expected to be released to farmers by 2022.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop organised for journalists on Tela Maize reporting, in Kano, over the weekend, Ishiyaku said the GMO maize which is a product of home-grown research, seeks to develop and implement effective strategy for environmental release of the maize variety in the country.

He pointed out that when eventually released, the crop would greatly enhance the food

security agenda of the present administration amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

Ishiyaku, explained that the new solution would also help to preserve the country’s foreign exchange amidst pressure on its foreign reserves, mainly as a result of the fall in global crude oil prices caused by the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as huge food import bill.

The IAR boss said the solution which is being developed through genetic engineering would

boost domestic maize yields by 50 per cent compared to the non-transgenic varieties due to protection from insect damages.

He added that the new crop would also reduce cost of production associated with use of pesticides and herbicides, limit health hazards as well as increase the income of farmers. Represented by the project Principal Investigator, Prof. Rabiu Adamu, Ishiyaku, further explained that the country loses about 80 per cent of annual maize production to devastating

impact of biotic and abiotic agents including the fall army worm and droughts adding that the new entrant would eliminate farmers constraints and preserve the maize value chain. He said with an estimated population at over 200 million, Nigeria required about 20 million metric tonnes of maize to meet consumption.

However, the country relies largely on importation with less than 11 million metric tonnes local production as scientists further pointed out that it requires urgent

adoption of biotechnology to meet demand.

Ishiyaku, however, he emphasised that the effectiveness of the GMO will be appreciated during droughts and pest outbreaks adding that the crop will be protected from the hazards compared to other less fortified varieties.

He added that Tela maize which was adopted in Nigeria in 2019 is currently being developed in six African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Brisk Capital to Empower Micro Business Owners Oluchi Chibuzor At least five micro and small businesses in the country will benefit from a $500 intervention fund set aside by Brisk Capital to boost their respective businesses.

The need to support young SMEs businesses according to the firm becomes necessary in the wake COVID-19 and the recent looting occasioned by protest encountered in some parts of the country.

Disclosing this to journalists in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Brisk Capital, a financial management and investment banking organisation, Mr. Dominic Joshua, said small businesses in the country needed every live-support they could get to survive the recent crisis.

He also said the initiative was part of the investment efforts to help emerging businesses stay afloat in this trying moment of budding entrepreneurs in the country.

He said he would give $100 each to five small businesses, while explaining that selection of the businesses would be at random as qualifying criterion was that they must have specific problems which to solve in the society.

According to him, “Each of the businesses to qualify for this should be able to answer the question. Why does your small business need support? For the remaining part of the year, I would be committed to empowering five business owners with $100 each every Friday.�

Joshua maintained that despite how tough the past couple of months in 2020 had been, small businesses kept pushing and therefore deserved to be supported. “We are pushing this through a campaign of hash tagged #Fundsfriday, for small business owners to compete. From all the Fridays in November to December, 2020 winners will be selected,� he stated.

Ecobank Advocates Increased Fintechs, Banks’Collaboration The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has said more collaboration is needed between fintechs, banks, and telecommunications companies to spur markets in health, agriculture, education, transportation, fashion and creative industry, commodities, and capital markets.

Akinwuntan, who stated this in his keynote address at the Nigeria Fintech Week, recently, maintained that for Nigerian fintechs to accelerate positive disruption for value, there was strong need to develop talents, solve problem beyond payments, monetise data and challenge the status quo.

Specifically, he made a case for the establishment digital school of fintech to groom talents, deepen skills for businesses and grow knowledge of the financial services industry.

He added that the industry is sitting on a trove of data as big data can be leveraged to create values for customers including adopting superior user experience and interface for affordable payment and improved credit access.

According to him, “we must take the lead to introduce a continent-wide Bank Verification Number (BVN) and Global Standing Instruction (GSI) for Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) Agreement, champion blockchain for cross-border payments in agriculture, education, and the

government, that is leveraging technology for better productivity.� Further, the Ecobank Managing Director stated that with a pan-African reach and a customer base of over 25 million, Ecobank enables and partners with fintech platforms across the continent.

He noted that Ecobank’s flagship pan-African switch connects countries where it operates across Africa. This centralised switch allows easy integration, enabling instant transfers between 33 African countries, while offering real-time settlement across Africa in 18 local currencies.

In his opening remark President of the Nigeria Fintech Association, Dr. Olusegun Aina, stated that with the economic vulnerability following the COVID-19, fintechs are undoubtedly the solution to the current disruptions.

According to Aina, businesses and stakeholders in general must appreciation changes in the customers’ behavior, which is the main thing that determines a company’s success.

He reiterated that regulation and funding is the main challenge hindering fintechs from occupying their space fully, as they are fully adapted to the need of customers in the present generation.

The Nigeria Fintech Week with the theme “Evolving Economic Disruptions; Fintech as a Solution,� had participants from all over the world.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R Past President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria(AAAN) and Lead Consultant/ CEO of Ladybird LTD, Mrs Bunmi Oke presenting Outstanding Consumer-Centric Seasoning Brand of the year award won by Onga Seasoning to the Category Manager, Culinary,Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Miss Sophiat Bello, at the Marketing Edge Brands & Advertising Awards of Excellence held in Lagos....recently

CITN Urges FG to Review Treaties with Developed Economies Sunday Ehigiator The President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Gladys Simplice, has harped on the need for the federal government to set up mechanisms to review existing treaties and enter into more pacts with other developed economies of the world. She made this recommendation amongst others, during her welcome address at the 22nd Annual Tax Conference with the theme: “Taxation and Economic Competitiveness: Imperatives for National Development,� held in Lagos, recently.

According to Simplice, the executive arm of government should, “set the tone from the top by making political leaders pay their fair share of taxes and ensure Ministries, Departments and Agencies account for taxes collected as part of galvanising prospective and existing tax payers; ensure government policies in generating revenue are matched with tax reforms that encourage growth through Executive Orders and sponsorship of legislative bills capable of promoting entrepreneurial development.�

He also stressed the need to

work with Business Enabling Environment Secretariat to simplify taxes on businesses to attract foreign direct investments; “set up mechanisms to review existing treaties and enter into more treaties with other developed economies of the world for synergy and release of additional Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaties to improve the Nigerian economy.�

She also recommended that the National Assembly should, “action all tax bills for purpose of allowing taxation to achieve its fiscal potency latent within it; enact pro-entrepreneurial laws to nurture and develop entrepreneurial initia-

tives for the achievement of full employment with concomitant creation of wider tax bases.�

Furthermore, he urged the federal government to address the regress nature of the Value Added Tax (VAT) by including more items under the exemption list and giving clarity to existing ones whilst also considering progressivity in the VAT burden through the taxation of the class of luxury items on graduated rates; and also, assist the Executive to close loopholes in taxation of the digital economy through the enactment of provisions that capture this commercial sphere.

Covid-19: China Imposes Fresh Ban on UK, Other Airlines Chinedu Eze with agency report China has barred non-Chinese travellers from the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Philippines, imposing new border restrictions in response to the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.

The Guardian of London reported that the Chinese embassy in the UK said recently that China’s borders are now closed to those arriving from the UK, including those with valid visas

and residence permits.

The measure, a reversal of recently loosened restrictions, comes as England began a month-long lockdown in an effort to stop a resurgent outbreak. The country has the highest death toll in Europe of almost 48,000 deaths. “This is a temporary measure taken by China in response to the current pandemic,� the Chinese embassy in the UK said.

The embassy in Belgium also released a statement announcing restrictions for nationals traveling

from Belgium, which has the highest per capita number of cases in Europe. Last Thursday, the embassy in the Philippines, which has among the largest number of cases in South-east Asia, followed suit.

The notices said the new restrictions would not affect those with diplomatic, official or courtesy visas or crewmembers of international flights, trains or other vessels.Beijing, which has for months largely contained the outbreak and seen the Chinese

economy begin to recover, also imposed new rules on those who are allowed in.

As of last Friday, all passengers from the US, Germany, the Czech Republic and France must have tested negative for the Covid-19 virus as well as for antibodies within 48 hours of travelling.

Passengers from Denmark are subject to the rule from November 7, while starting from November 8, those travelling from Australia, Singapore and Japan would be subject to the same rule.

Berklee, Afrinolly Creative Hub Partner MTN Berklee College of Music will take part in Y’ello Star, the latest music reality project by MTN Nigeria, with Afrinolly as Technical Partner.

Members of the Berklee community would serve in various capacities on the project, and the winner of the music reality project

would record their debut single at the Power Station at BerkleeNYC. “We’re excited to work with MTN and Afrinolly Creative Hub on the Y’ello Star Project,� a statement quoted Berklee President, Roger Brown, to have said. “This is a great opportunity for artists from the vibrant Nigerian

music scene to get advice and mentorship from Berklee’s knowledgeable professors while broadening awareness of Berklee in the region through MTN’s large audience. “We look forward to hearing all of the talents and welcoming the winner to the Power Station

at BerkleeNYC,� Brown added.

MTN Nigeria created Y’ello Star to search, discover, nurture and launch music talents in the young Nigerian community.

Over 10,000 contestants submitted entries for the project, and just the top 16 contestants will make it to the hub for the competition.

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

L-R: President, Chartered Institute of Txation of Nigeria (CITN), Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice; The Doyen of Taxation, Chief David Olorunleke; Governor of Lagos State, Mr.Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the CITN 22nd annual tax conference held in Eko Hotel Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chief of Sta to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Govermor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, during the arrival of the Presidential delegation, for a meeting with the South East governors and other leaders of the zone in Enugu..recently

L-R: Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Umar Jibrin; Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, and Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusola at the FCT 2021 budget defence in Abuja...recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: Former President , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; author/ former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and AIG Tunji Lapini (rtd), during the launch “Amazing Grace: the authobiography of Christopher Alao-Akala� in Ibadan... recently

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim; during a meeting in Abuja‌recently

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum (left) and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a commiseration visit over the endsars protest that resulted in vandalisation and killings in Lagos...recently

L-R: Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Aairs, Rep. Lawan Ali; and Clerk of the Committee, Mr Ifeanyi Abraham, during their meeting with the House of Representatives Press Corps, at the Media Centre in Abuja ...recently

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami (R), and the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, during the latter’s courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja...recently

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Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adeniyi Saliu (3rd Left) and the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Lekan Fatodu,(2nd right) anked by Nursing mothers, at the presentation of Procter & Gamble Pampers Diapers to Mothers during a Sensitization on Immunization, in Eredo, Epe...recently

L-R: Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Gambo Aliyu; Minister of Women Aairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Aairs, Mrs Ifeoma Anyawutaku during the Flag-O Ceremony on the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Project, Under UN Basket Fund Support to the National COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response in Nigeria held in Abuja... recently

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Wife of Kwara State Police Commissioner/Chairperson of Police OďŹƒcers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, during a courtesy call by POWA to the Government House, Ilorin ...recently

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos chapter looking dejected due to the cancellation of the council;s election in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chairman Senate Committee on the Navy, Senator George Sekibo (5th left) and Chief of the Naval Sta, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (6th left), in a group photograph with members of the committee, after the 2021 Budget Defence at the National Assembly in Abuja...recently

Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara (left) and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers at the burial of Opara’s Mother, Late Mrs Sarah Opara, in Port Harcourt ...recently

Residents of Ile-Epo, Oke-Odo in Lagos protest against estimated Electricity billings, they are demanding for prepaid Meters. in Lagos...recently

34

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

CITYSTRINGS

ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă? äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ 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 ͙͔͙͚͚͓͖͑͑͑͒

EndSARS Protest and Invading Unknown Youths To this day, almost all the governors across Nigeria who addressed their states over the activities of protesters have dissociated youths from their states from the wanton destruction, killings and arson. David-Chyddy Eleke in this report, asks where the youths came from

O

n October 24, 2020, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State in a statewide broadcast to address the destructions by youths said that most of the destructions were not by people of the state. He said, "Intelligence at our disposal shows that those that have been causing trouble these past days in the state are from neighbouring states. We will not allow them to destroy our infrastructure, including police stations and other government facilities, some of which we built through self-help and community efforts�.

The governor in doing so called on youths of Anambra State to unite and guard their communities, saying that the security agencies have been strengthened and will continue to maintain peace and order in Anambra.

He said enough was enough, and warned those who still plan to cause trouble in the state to desist or face the consequences.

Obiano is not alone in this claim. In Ebonyi State, Governor Dave Umahi said, "We leaders did not see anything wrong in the demands of our young children, however, it is very unfortunate that these wonderful young children have been infiltrated by hoodlums who now burn property of innocent citizens.

In my state, Ebonyi, I have noticed with sadness, how peaceful protest in the state has been hijacked by hoodlums and cultists who were shifted from outside the state into our very peaceful state�.

Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Cross River State’s Prof Ben Ayade; Rivers State's Barr Nyesom Wike; and Enugu State’s Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as many others in their broadcasts denied too that the youths were from their states. In Akwa Ibom, there have been insinuations that irate youths who embarked on destruction were from Calabar. But the Cross River government has denied that youths of the state were responsible for destructions in the state.

In Anambra, the news of the burning of the statue of former Nigeria President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, was first attributed to member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but later moved to youths from Ebonyi State. There was huge disagreement over the identity of the youths who perpetuated the violence in Anambra. The argument snowballed into a disagreement, with many people insisting that youths of Ebonyi, resident in Anambra were responsible to the destruction.

Though Obiano did not mention the identity or state of origin of the youths involved, but in his reaction to this, a public affairs analyst, Chima Christian described the argument as an attempt to make scapegoats out of Ebonyi youths in Anambra.

"I find a troubling thought pattern that needs to be addressed immediately.

Governor Obiano said last weekend that ‘over 85 per cent of the invaders came from neighbouring states’. He has repeatedly and, even more recklessly, publicly claimed that the destructions that visited the state was caused by non-Anambra indigenes. This is the same claim he made when Python Dancers shot and killed IPOB agitators not so long ago. He conveniently ignored that a lot of young men from Anambra are sworn IPOB loyalists and claimed the agitators that turned violent after the military gunned down some of them were ‘miscreants from neighbouring states’.

"This thinking resonates with a lot of people in Obiano's government. But they are hardly alone in this faulty, if not bigoted, thinking. A lot of Anambra people, including the super educated and exposed bunch believe and openly say that what happened in Anambra last week was caused by “Abakiliki people.� Let's look at the facts. In one of the social media videos I watched documenting the destruction of a police station in Ihiala, not only were the hoodlums speaking Anambra Igbo, they

The statue of Nnamdi Azikiwe burnt by irate youths in Anambra

Obiano were speaking highly concentrated Ihiala dialect�.

Similarly, in Lagos, governors of the South Western region who visited Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, after reviewing the level of destruction concluded that the destruction was a deliberate attempt to weaken the economic strength of the South-west. This implies that that the vandals came from outside the state.

There were also direct accusations at Igbo people in Lagos as being some of those who engaged in the carnage in Lagos State.

This also led to one Adeyinka Grandson, making a broadcast and asking Igbo people to leave Lagos within 48 hours, claiming that at the expiration of the 48 hours grace period, there will be massive attacks on them and their properties.

The broadcast, which was made in the form of a video and circulated on the internet may have been a fall out of claims

by Nnamdi Kanu that he commanded his boys to engage in the destruction; a claim that has been dismissed as false. But the video by Grandson sent a wave of fear up the spines of most Igbo people living in Lagos. Mr. Joe Igbokwe, an Igbo and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, is also a senior special assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu of

Lagos. He is one Igbo man considered to be close to the seat of government in the state, and also to the Yoruba race.

In a panic video broadcast made on the internet, Igbokwe who mostly spoke in Igbo language claimed that he had felt the pulse of the Indigenes of the state and concluded that all was not well. He attributed this to verbose claims by Nnamdi Kanu, while urging Igbo leaders to quickly; both individually and collectively disown Kanu as the mouthpiece of the Igbos, and also distance Igbo youths from the destructions that happened in the state. His plea may have been heeded, as Kanu was quickly dismissed by many, while Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the pan socio-cultural umbrella organisation housing all Igbo people also distanced themselves from Kanu's alleged command, thereby bringing relief to the people.

Enugu State was not left out in the claim, as a statement by the state governor, Ugwuanyi had also claimed that the vandals were from outside, and targeted the state for vandalism. The argument was taken far, when a picture of a billboard purportedly erected in Enugu State and sponsored by an aide to the governor, Hon Mrs Vivian Aniekwe surfaced on the internet.

The billboard had pictures of popular musicians; Flavour and Phyno, with an

inscription - Don't use EndSARS protest to blackmail Enugu State government, go to your state, our governor is working. The implication of the message was that both musicians who hail from Anambra State but have all their lives resided in Enugu were targeted for condemnation for leading EndSARS protest in Enugu State, before it turned violence.

Also, the duo of Rivers State Governor, Wike and leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu are still locked in bitter altercation, over the identity of those who destroyed public properties in Rivers State.

Governor Wike had placed a bounty on the head of the leader of IPOB in Rivers State, insisting that most of the damage was from IPOB members, who are not even from the state. In a bold address, Wike dismissed claims by the separatist IPOB members that the state was part of Biafra land.

In all the denials, one would be tempted to ask where the youths who destroyed public and private properties across the country came from if they were not from the respective states where the destructions were carried out as the governors have claimed A lawyer, Mr Chukwuemeka Okonkwo who spoke to THISDAY dismissed the claims of the governors, saying they were only trying to save face, and also not to annoy the youths of their states.

"If you ask me, every governor who tried to extricate the youths of their states from the destructions were only being diplomatic, also trying to placate the youths and then put blames where blames should not be, just to curry the some favour from the same youths. You remember that while the protest lasted, all hell was let loose and it was almost as if anyone who spoke ill of the youths is attacked. Do you think the governors themselves were not afraid of the youths? So, those comments by the governors were just face saving and meant to placate the youths. “Destructions in Anambra were not done by anyone else but Anambra youths.

Destructions in Rivers were not done by anyone but youths of Rivers State. You can say they are IPOB members, yes, but truth is that Rivers youths are also part of IPOB. In Lagos, the destructions in Lagos were not done by people who are not from Lagos.

Let these governors face the fact and know that such comments are divisive and can cause further trouble."

Also speaking, China Christian who spoke about the activities of looters in Anambra said, "We know the people who caused these destructions. We know our people have a hand in it. Some of us even cheered them on at the early stages. Abakiliki people are now the fall guys. I don't understand how we can in one breath claim Abakiliki people are responsible for the carnage in Anambra while at the same time calling Adeyinka Grandson and others blaming Igbos for what happened in Lagos bigots.

It appears we now feel our own bigotry is justified but when it is done against us we shout the loudest.

"I understand some people making the unfounded claims are shocked by the barbarism displayed last week. They don't believe our people can behead a police officer, for instance, and then dance with his head.

I say to those people “you know so little about contagion effect and what people can do in a turbo-charged atmosphere. Despite our relatively low unemployment rate, we still have a large swathe of unemployed and underemployed young people who are so angry and frustrated by the state of affairs. “Until we routinely address those issues, they will not hesitate to seize available opportunities to exact what they understand to be vengeance on the state. What happened was terrible but it will be naive to assume that we've seen the full destructive capability of our misguided young people."

35

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

CRIME&SECURITY

A CSP’s Power of Persuasion David-Chyddy Eleke profiles the DPO of Fegge Police Station in Onitsha, Anambra State, Rabiu Garba, a Chief Superintendent of Police, as one who stood out during the #EndSARS protest for successfully persuading rampaging youths, who were set out to burn the station, to down tools

R

abiu Garba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), is the DPO of Fegge Police Division in the very heart of Onitsha, Anambra State. On the fateful day when death came lurking during the days of the EndSARS protest, Garba, a Northerner from Bauchi, was able to successfully dissuade Igbo youths from carrying out their potentially destructive action.

This was at a point when many police stations in Anambra State had been burnt down, and many police officers killed.

A very pathetic case is that of Ogidi Police Division where the protesters surged into the police station and set it ablaze. The irate mob did not stop there, they killed a police officer from the division and proceeded to behead him, throwing his body into the burning police facility, while they took his head away, brandishing it as a sign of victory.

The Anambra State Police Command who took stock after the protest had been quelled stated that no fewer than 21 police divisions were attacked by hoodlums, while seven of them were burnt. Police officers were also not spared.

On the day the mob surged into Fegge Police Division, the environment was already tensed, and it was expected that what had happened to many other police divisions would happen, but Garba seemed too sure of himself, because instead of escaping, or ordering his men to repel the surging crowd of youths with gunfire, he told them to drop their guns, while he stepped out to speak to them.

THISDAY met and spoke to CSP Rabiu Garba, who bared his mind on how he felt on that fateful day. He said, "What happened that day was a nationwide issue. Just like everywhere else in Nigeria, there was a protest in Onitsha, and the protesters were charging and coming towards us. But from our training, I know we must try to calm them down, instead of using force on them. It is the duty of the police to try to calm protesters down and not to start shooting them. So, I told my men not to shoot at anyone.

"I must tell you the truth that I was disturbed when they were coming, but I told myself that nothing like shooting of the people must happen. It must not be shooting because it would be like shooting my own family. I have very many people in Fegge who are my own friends, and some of them I saw among the protesters, but still I was disturbed because everywhere was already charged, but I came out and addressed the people, and instead of hostility, they started supporting me."

Words of Persuasion On the fateful day, Garba who was not in his uniform, but dressed in a pair of blue jean trousers and black long sleeve shirt stepped on the back of a police patrol van which served as a podium to address the protesters.

He said, "My people, I welcome you all. We know it is your right to protest when you feel aggrieved about anything, even if it is about Garba himself. I sincerely appreciate your efforts to change Nigeria. The youths can not remain children forever. They used to say that the youths are the leaders of tommorrow, so we are the owners of tommorrow and must have to think of a way to change our country.

"You are right to protest, and the duty of the uniform people is to protect you and not to come and make people's life difficult for you. We are happy we don't have SARS here (Fegge Police Division), and we don't need them. I want to tell you that anytime there is a problem in

Garba

this community, please come and speak to us. It is not only about SARS, but anytime there is police brutality or arrest of a brother, instead of another brother, please come and talk to me, and I will definitely pass it to the authorities to address it.

"Let me ask you, this issue of SARS, is it a crime for a young man to drive a good car? Is it only old men that must drive good cars? We used to pray that our children will be greater than us, so why will they be arresting young boys because they are driving good cars? This must stop. We don't have SARS here, and we do not want them.�

Reaction Immediately after Garba finished his speech, the irate mob who had with them all manner of dangerous weapons dropped them and carried the Chief Superintendent of Police shoulder high, chanting the song - we want Garba, we want Garba!

What Motivated the Feat?

Garba is a graduate of Sociology and Anthropology. He also holds a degree in Law. He believes that his background as a sociologist has helped him to mingle well with people. As for studying law, he stated that since he is a law enforcement officer, it was only wise for him to have a good knowledge of the law, so as to be able to function effectively.

"Knowledge is power and each of my training has helped me to be able to function in the position I see myself. First, I studied Sociology and Anthropology as a first degree. This has helped me to associate and feel the pulse of the people. My training teaches me to know that the community you are serving, you should be able to feel free with them, if you are really serving them. “You have to be able to understudy

them and also be able to know the service to give them. It is the duty of the state to render them service and definitely, for you to be able to render service, you must be humble. Humility must be there for you to be able to serve them.

Police work is a right constitutionally, so I must not intimidate and brutalize people with the constitutional duties I have been bestowed with. I have to know where their challenges are and also bridge the gap through my service.

"I also studied law too because my duty is law enforcement and it is all about law, so I have to know where people's right start and where it ends, in the cause of enforcing law. And it made my job easier. Some people may say lawyers are arrogant, but there should not be. I think if you are arrogant to the people, you must not be. Anyone who is in anyway on to the law must be ready to be humble.�

Relationship with the People He said, "Everyone in this Fegge has my number. I always keep my door open, and it makes me to have vital information about this community, and by so doing, I am able to know what would happen here and I am able to take action quickly.

I want to serve humanity through the police force, so I must serve the people within the period I am here and that is what I am doing. “I am in Anambra today, I would not like to go to my state, Bauchi tommorrow and I will hear that women in my village were shot at, because they were protesting.

So, you must do to the people where you are serving, the same way you want the people serving in your place to do to your people. To me, police brutality doesn't show signs of knowledge on the side of the officer that engages in it.�

Choice to Become a Policeman For Garba, being a policeman was a choice he made, without any form of coercion. "From discussions we had during our aluta days in the university, people see police as a negative organisation, but for me, there is a need to intervene where there is a shortfall. I took it as a challenge. We used to tell ourselves that why a particular organisation is considered bad is because the right people have not entered it. If you think a particular organisation is bad, why not go into it and try to effect the change that you can? “ Let me tell you, police is the easiest way to make heaven. This is an organisation where you are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives of people. It is one organisation where people appreciate you, even for routine duties, which is even something that is the basic duty of every policeman, they appreciate you for it.

"All on my own, I became a policeman.

No one forced me, rather, I am here to make the change that I can. I usually tell my men, if you want to shoot someone, why not put the gun in your leg and fire it and test the bullet before you fire at other people?�

Garba got his appointment with the Nigeria Police in 2002 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, with his first posting to Rivers State and Bauchi State for training, while also having the privilege of an overseas training. He hails from Bauchi State and is married with children.

"I was posted to Mopol 54 (in Onitsha) in 2009, and in 2014, I became the DPO Fegge (Onitsha). Since then, I have maintained a good relationship with people here, and I operate an open door policy. Almost everyone in this Fegge has my phone number because I feel my mission here is to serve the people."

Testimonial A lawyer and human rights activist, Justus Ijeoma related the experience of his first meeting with Rabiu, very many years ago. He said, "On a particular day, 10 years ago, I was driving along New Market Road, Onitsha. Those who know Onitsha would know that New Market Road is “one way� (drive). So there was this Mobile Policemen in their van who were driving against traffic. They were breaking the law, and yet were harassing everyone. One of the officers used his gun butt to hit on the side of my car, inflicting a serious cut on my car.

I couldn’t take that so I trailed them to the bank where they were going, met the bank manager who told me that they were not his staff. The bank manager told me that they came from MoPol 54 Onitsha.

"I immediately went to their office at CPS and met their Oga who happened to be DSP Garba (as he then was) Garba was the 2ic at MoPol 54 then. After narrating the incident to him, Garba immediately summoned all the officers that went for the operation. And after listening to them, he not only reprimand them but he told them that they must repair the damage they caused, I wasn’t sure whether he meant it. “He asked me to call a panel beater and an auto painter to assess the cost for fixing the car. I did. And he told the officers involved to go and bring the money (about N18,000}. When I saw his genuineness and sincerity of intentions, I told him that I was not going to collect a dime as I was totally satisfied with his handling of the matter. At that time Garba did not know me but he just acted in good faith. He was only serving the course of justice."

36

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Elumelu: Improved Power Supply Will Lift Nigerians Out of Poverty Obinna Chima The Chairman of Transcorp and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu, has stressed that improving access to electricity remains the single most critical factor for lifting a lot of Nigerians out of poverty and job creation for the teeming youth.

He said this during the announcement of Transcorp Consortium’s 100 per cent acquisition of the 966MW installed capacity Afam Power Plc and Afam Three Fast Power Limited, at an acquisition cost of N105.3 billion.

According to Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group, bringing affordable, dependable power to the Nigerian people is core to Transcorp’s mission.

“Our significant investments in the power sector are demonstrations of our contribution to the economic transformation that I know Nigeria is capable of. Power remains the single most critical factor for lifting our people out of poverty and job creation for our teaming youth. “The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Transcorp in the pursuit of its corporate purpose of improving lives and transforming Nigeria. I am honoured to be working with the federal government and urge it to continue its policy of creating an enabling environment, which sustains the confidence of both local and foreign investors - and delivers the opportunities and aspirations that all Nigerians seek.�

Speaking at the event, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said: “Today marks a milestone

for the country with a return to private sector investment in the power sector. “This investment by Transcorp in acquiring ‘Afam Power Plc’ and ‘Afam Three Fast Power’ is the first of many new investments planned in the sector across the value chain. We expect that under Transcorp’s ownership the operational capacity of the facility will be raised to its full capacity.�

Speaking on Transcorp’s track record, the Director-General of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh said “Transcorp Consortium is one of the success stories of Nigeria’s Privatisation Programme.

Through its investments in Transcorp Hotels Plc and Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited, the consortium has consistently achieved its performance targets as contained in the respective post-acquisition plans.�

Elumelu

NIPCO Shareholders Approve N563m Dividend, Bonus Issue Goddy Egene Shareholders of NIPCO Plc, a major player in the Nigerian downstream oil sector, have approved the total dividend of N563 million recommended for the financial year ended December 31, 2019.

The dividend, which translates to N3 per share, was approved with a bonus share of two new 11 Plc shares for every 1,000 shares held by NIPCO shareholders at the 16th annual general meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

Speaking at the AGM, the Chairman, NIPCO Plc, Chief Bestman Anekwe, said the dividend was recommended by the board of directors in view of the remarkable performance of the company. “Our strong performance was the result of the successful execution of our strategic plans, increasing efficiency in our operations and the commendable efforts of our talented and resourceful employees led by an outstanding

management team,� he said.

According to him, even with the prevailing difficult environment in the downstream sector in the 2019 financial year, NIPCO was able to make a turnover of about N280 billion and a profit after tax of N1.3 billion.

Anekwe said the extension of the ownership of 11Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc) personally to NIPCO shareholders was to give them a sense of belonging.

In 2017, NIPCO Investment Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nipco Plc, bought ExxonMobil’s stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, which was later renamed as 11Plc. According to the chairman, the bonus shares issue is to reward shareholders for the confidence reposed in the management and for their dogged belief in the brand.

He said the company had strived to operate its business with a strong focus on the safety of the employees and the communities in which it operates. “This is a number one priority.

In 2019, we achieved our goal of zero fatalities without any serious accidents in our operations. We have strengthened our compliance with H.S.E policies and our Safety Model. “Our company received a special recognition as the ‘Best Health Safety & Environment Compliant Operator in the Hydrocarbon Industry’ within the Lagos Port Complex,� he said.

Anekwe disclosed that the company upgraded its distribution system at the Apapa Terminal, adding that it had further created value by strengthening and expanding its LPG operations through the deployment of skids across the country.

According to him, the company plans to further enhance its position in natural gas distribution and expand its LPG operations, especially in the northern part of the country by inviting offers from reputable land owners for the installation of LPG skids and establishment of gas plants.

FBNQuest Unveils Children Educational Trust Goddy Egene FBNQuest has introduced Children Educational Trust (CET) for children through a convenient and flexible plan.

The initiative is in line with the firm’s commitment to provide families the opportunity to secure the education of their children or wards.

The current economic realities have placed tremendous pressure on many families, and FBNQuest offers a dependable plan for saving for post-primary and secondary education of loved

ones.

Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of FBNQuest Trustees, Adekunle Awojobi, said: “In spite of the recent economic slowdown, most parents will agree that the importance of education is non-negotiable.

We are here to assist parents with designing a Trust Plan that will support the plans for their children or wards, while there are still here and after.�

According to him, the CET from FBNQuest supports a long-term investment plan with the added benefit of an estate

planning solution that excludes probate, unlike other education products. “In addition, the service is flexible and personalised, offering freedom that enables the settl or to pause or reduce contributions, or to transfer the benefits of the Trust arrangement to another beneficiary. The CET also comes with the additional benefit of a Trust Protector, who ensures that the Trust runs seamlessly in the event that the creator of the Trust arrangement becomes incapacitated or is unable to perform his/her role,� Awojobi said.

Investment One Launches New Funds on App Investment One Financial Services Limited has made three more of its investment funds, namely: Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF), Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) and Vantage Balanced Fund (VBF) on its trending mobile investment app-Ziing.

The Group, which boasts of at least eight thriving subsidiaries, earlier in the year, launched its

Mutual Fund on the Ziing App. Ziing is an app powered by Investment One Financial Services to ease savings, investments and reduce financial friction. The App was launched to the public more than one year ago, with about three features which are zSave, zPlan and Fixed Income.

Speaking on the new initiative, the Group Managing /Chief

Executive Officer, Investment One Financial Services, Nicholas Nyamali, said the purpose was to make available more investment opportunities for investors home and abroad.

He disclosed that the App has helped thousands of Nigerians save hundreds of millions of naira and become more investment savvy.

MARKET INDICATORS 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

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Íł Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $39.79 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $39.09 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 Ëž ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Dangote Cement Posts Impressive Nine Months’Results Goddy Egene Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s largest cement producer, has announced a revenue of N761.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, showing an increase of 12 per cent compared with N679.8billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

Domestic operations accounted for N535.51 billion which compared to N467.88 billion, up by 14.5 per cent, while Pan-Africa

operations contributed N232.61 indicating a9.1 per cent increase over N213.20 billion in 2019.

Profit before tax rose 37.6 per cent to N271.96billion in 2020, from N197.68 billion, just as profit after tax grew by 35.2 per cent from N154.35 billion to N208.69billion.

Commenting, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Michel Puchercos, said: “I am delighted to report that Dangote Cement experienced

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

its strongest quarter in terms of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and strongest third quarter in term of volumes.

Despite a challenging environment, group volumes for the nine months were up 6.6 per cent and group EBITDA was up 17.1 per cent , at a 46.6 per cent margin.

According to him, this quarter has really shown the ability of Dangote

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Cement to meet the strong recovery of the cement market in Nigeria and pan-Africa after a challenging second quarter (Q2. “In Nigeria, we have witnessed a strong appetite for real estate investment and the recovery of infrastructure spending – including more concrete roads. Sales volumes in Nigeria were up 40 per cent in the quarter and pan-Africa reached a record high EBITDA margin of 24 per cent in the quarter,� he said.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Puchercos said the company continued to focus on its export strategy and is on track to ensure West and Central Africa become cement and clinker independent, with Nigeria as the main supply hub. “Clinker exports have steadily been ramping up in Q3 after our maiden shipment in June 2020, whilst land exports have also resumed. Dangote Cement’s strategy to offer high quality products at competitive prices

O F

is meeting customers’ expectations in Nigeria and across the continent, where we continue to deploy excellent marketing initiatives and operational excellence across the continent.

We remain committed to protecting our staff and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation.

We are focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate,� he said.

0 5 / 1 1 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

˾ MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020

DKE z͕ EKs D Z ϵd,͕ ϮϬϮϬ ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ͗ dŚĞ ƵůůƐ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶ ŽŵŝŶĂŶĐĞ͙

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

^/ hƉ ϭ͘ϲй ǁͬǁ

The local bourse sustained previous week͛Ɛ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

momentum, buoyed by strong earnings results. As a result, gains were recorded on 3 of the 5 trading sessions which pushed the benchmark index higher by 1.6% w/w to 31,016.17 points. Similarly, investors gained േ249.0bn as ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ƚŽ േ16.2tn while YTD return ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ ϭϱ͘ϲй͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ĨĞůů ĂƐ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ǀŽůƵŵĞ and value traded declined 13.4% and 23.3% to 413.4m units and േϰ͘ϱďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ volume were ^^ (243.9m units), E/d, (146.0m units) and & E,

(128.3m units) while E/d,

(േ3.2bn),

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1,384.86

1.38%

-5.6%

38.5%

16.8%

3.5%

5.1x

0.6x

5.6%

12.9%

1 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

144.00

0.0%

31.6%

37.1%

32.1%

189.4%

11.9%

14.9x

25.0x

4.8%

6.7%

2 Airtel Africa PLC

410.20

0.0%

16.6%

37.2%

37.2%

7.7%

2.8%

ot Applicable

2.5%

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

33.50

3.7%

10.6%

12.8%

14.7%

29.4%

4.7%

4 Zenith Bank PLC

22.30

1.8%

6.7%

19.9%

19.3%

5 Nestle Nigeria PLC

4.9x

1.4x

8.4%

20.3%

3.1x

0.7x

12.7%

31.9%

1,421.70

0.0%

4.1%

-3.3%

-3.3%

83.0%

20.5%

27.6x

27.0x

5.0%

3.6%

174.50

3.3%

4.7%

22.9%

22.9%

26.9%

12.0%

11.7x

4.1x

9.1%

8.6%

7 Access Bank PLC

8.20

2.5%

3.0%

-18.0%

-18.8%

15.3%

1.3%

2.9x

0.4x

8.1%

34.1%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

8.15

5.8%

2.8%

14.0%

13.2%

13.0%

1.2%

3.8x

0.5x

12.3%

26.3% 30.3%

6 Dangote Cement PLC

9 FBN Holdings Plc

6.85

6.2%

2.6%

11.4%

5.4%

14.2%

1.4%

3.3x

0.4x

5.9%

10 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

52.00

0.0%

2.1%

-11.9%

-11.9%

6.6%

2.5%

38.6x

2.6x

3.9%

2.6%

11 Lafarge Africa PLC

19.50

4.8%

3.1%

27.5%

41.3%

6.5%

4.6%

13.6x

0.9x

5.1%

7.4%

0.4x

9.2%

-3.2%

5.9x

1.4x

5.2%

17.0%

0.7x

5.2%

12 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

h D Ed (േ2.3bn) and ^^ (േ2.0bn) led by value.

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

420.00

0.0%

1.3%

-36.2%

-29.1%

2.5%

1.5%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

46.00

0.0%

2.0%

12.2%

15.0%

25.8%

3.8%

14 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

27.20

-1.4%

1.2%

38.1%

38.1%

15 International Brew eries PLC

6.50

0.0%

0.6%

-31.6%

-31.6%

-26.3%

-6.2%

16 Ecobank Transnational Inc

5.60

9.8%

0.7%

-13.8%

-14.5%

11.0%

0.7%

2.2x

0.2x

Performance across sectors under our coverage was mixed

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

2.56

6.2%

0.8%

24.9%

26.7%

10.7%

1.1%

2.8x

0.3x

190.00

0.0%

0.7%

28.5%

28.5%

18.7%

8.5%

10.3x

1.6x

4.3%

9.7%

as 3 indices gained, 2 declined and the AFR-ICT index closed

19 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

80.00

0.0%

0.8%

43.9%

43.9%

23.5%

15.8%

11.9x

2.4x

2.4%

8.4%

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

16.50

6.1%

0.6%

21.3%

17.9%

30.8%

15.6%

5.8x

1.6x

6.7%

17.1%

21 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

0.85

9.0%

0.4%

-14.1%

-20.6%

0.5x

1.2%

22 Unilever Nigeria PLC

14.10

0.0%

0.3%

-35.9%

-31.9%

-9.8%

-6.5%

23 Guinness Nigeria PLC

18 11 PLC

ŇĂƚ ǁͬǁ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ gainers, up 2.9% and 2.5% w/w ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ

1.2x

-26.7% 45.1% 8.2%

1.3x

35.1%

-6.8% -8.4%

17.50

5.7%

0.2%

-41.8%

-41.8%

-16.2%

-8.4%

24 FCMB Group Plc

3.10

1.6%

0.6%

67.6%

70.3%

9.8%

1.1%

3.1x

0.3x

4.6%

32.3%

25 Sterling Bank PLC

1.82

0.6%

0.3%

-8.5%

-4.2%

8.7%

0.8%

5.1x

0.4x

1.6%

19.7%

26 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.95

6.0%

0.2%

-7.6%

-10.7%

7.8%

3.7%

112.8x

0.4x

1.3%

0.9%

gained 0.6% w/w due to buying interest in E'^h' Z

27 Custodian and Allied Insurance

5.55

-0.9%

0.2%

-7.5%

-7.5%

13.9%

4.8%

5.2x

0.7x

8.1%

19.3%

(+19.6%) and W (+7.9%). On the other hand, the Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ

29 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ h

(+5.8%),

& E,

(+5.4%)

and

E' D ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž

and

Insurance

indices

lost

0.8%

and

1.3%

28 Presco PLC

30 Total Nigeria PLC

w/w

31 Oando PLC

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ owing to sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ DK /> (-3.1%), K E K (1.8%), D E^ Z (-9.1%) and >/E< ^^hZ (-8.9%).

>/s ^dK <

(+30.9%),

dZ E^ KZW

(+19.7%)

releases to direct market performance in the coming week.

41.1%

41.1%

18.5%

7.7%

12.8x

2.2x

3.0%

7.8%

0.2%

-10.8%

-11.6%

7.7%

1.0%

6.7x

0.6x

4.7%

15.0%

129.90

0.0%

0.2%

17.1%

17.1%

10.7%

2.1%

15.7x

1.7x

5.2%

2.70

-2.2%

0.1%

-32.3%

-32.3%

14.5%

2.6%

1.2x

0.2x

0.0%

0.2%

8.5%

8.5%

18.4%

5.8%

9.2x

3.0x

2.8%

0.1%

2.8%

2.8%

10.8%

1.2%

18.4x

0.7x

9.7%

5.4%

0.64

6.7%

-13.5%

-5.9%

8.3%

0.6%

3.4x

0.4x

6.3%

29.7%

12.65

0.0%

0.1% 0.1%

-30.1%

-29.7%

3.1%

1.1%

30.9x

#N/A N/A

0.0%

37 Beta Glass PLC

55.40

0.0%

0.1%

3.0%

3.0%

10.3%

7.2%

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-13.1%

-3.6%

39 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.00

-9.1%

0.1%

1.0%

1.0%

21.5%

6.6%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

4.00

0.0%

0.0%

-18.4%

-18.4%

-10.4%

-5.0%

T ic k er

Vo lum e

0.9x

3.2%

P ric e C hg %

7.8x

3.4x

0.8x

0.0x

-6.7%

0.6x

29.5%

0.6x

0.0x

-18.7%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg % 9.8%

91.4

6.2%

ET I

5.60

ST ER LN B A N K

51.5

0.6%

C ILEA SIN G

4.34

9.6%

A C C ESS

47.3

2.5%

LIVEST OC K

1.06

9.3%

UB A

44.5

5.8%

T R A N SC OR P

0.85

9.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

29.5

1.8%

C H IP LC

0.37

8.8%

D A N GSUGA R

18.9

6.1%

NNFM

5.50

8.7%

ET I

18.1

9.8%

F ID SON

4.38

6.8%

FCM B

15.9

1.6%

WEM A B A N K

0.64

6.7%

F LOUR M ILL

15.0

-1.4%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.56

6.2%

ST A N B IC

14.3

0.0%

FB NH

6.85

6.2%

Value

12.8%

1.6x

FB NH

T ic k er

10.9%

#N/A N/A

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

6.4% 86.0%

0.0%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

E'^h' Z (+19.6%) led the top gainers while /Ed Z t

the decliners. We expect the trend in corporate earnings

0.3%

0.9%

14.05

and

(-11.8%), D E^ Z (-9.1%) and >/E< ^^hZ (-8.9%) led

1.7%

5.35

17.05

35 Ardova PLC

week as 38 stocks gained against the 24 that declined.

67.00

32 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

36 Continental Reinsurance PLC

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ 10.2x last

-34.0%

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Wema Bank PLC

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

0.5x

T o p 10 L o s e r s

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

ST A N B IC

656.1

0.0%

M A N SA R D

2.00

-9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

650.2

1.8%

P R EST IGE

0.53

-8.6%

FB NH

594.9

6.2%

N EM

2.05

-8.1%

F LOUR M ILL

395.9

-1.4%

J A P A ULOIL

0.23

-8.0%

43.00

-5.4%

A C C ESS

382.1

2.5%

B UA C EM EN T

UB A

356.4

5.8%

M B EN EF IT

0.20

-4.8%

GUA R A N T Y

347.2

3.7%

CHA M S

0.22

-4.3% -2.2%

D A N GSUGA R

299.1

6.1%

OA N D O

2.70

WA P C O

232.2

4.8%

C A VER T ON

1.94

-1.5%

D A N GC EM

202.2

3.3%

F LOUR M ILL

27.20

-1.4%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Oluwarotimi Ashimi | oashimi@afrinvest.com

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

39

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Law Union and Rock Insurance Delists from NSE Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)

has delisted the entire 4,296,330,500 outstanding ordinary shares of Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc from the

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

exchange. The delisting followed the conclusion of a scheme of arrangement in which Kanuri LUR Limited acquired

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 05Nov-2020, unless otherwise stated.

all the entire issued shares of Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc.

Prior to the delisting a full trading suspension was placed on the shares of Law Union and Rock Insurance to

prevent trading in the shares of the company beyond the effective date of the scheme of arrangement.

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 3.62% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.74 3.86 52.70% 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 0.46% Anchoria Equity Fund 120.55 120.98 15.45% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.46 1.46 21.92% 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 17.16 17.67 12.01% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 383.86 395.44 11.13% ARM Ethical Fund 32.70 33.68 12.43% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 17.17% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.12 11.68% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.36% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 116.05 116.86 20.78% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.06% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.31 2.31 23.57% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.19 2.23 44.82% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.81% Paramount Equity Fund 14.21 14.48 13.58% Women's Investment Fund 124.96 126.26 13.26% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.26% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 124.02 124.58 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 136.76 137.85 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.59 103.59 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 2.02% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.10 1.11 18.39% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.75 1.75 31.67% 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 2.21% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.48% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,187.54 1,203.54 7.18% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 171.84 173.27 17.04% FBN Halal Fund 109.78 109.79 9.78% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 117.70 118.13 4.41% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.70 118.14 3.90% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 140.39 142.59 7.88% 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 2.42% Legacy Debt Fund 3.85 3.85 5.27% Legacy Equity Fund 1.36 1.39 20.20% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.13 1.13 4.26% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.70% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 125.25 125.80 16.39%

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 2.50% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.63 2.69 20.48% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 154.09 154.95 7.53% 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 1.31 1.33 16.43% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,130.33 1,130.33 8.77% 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 1.48 1.50 20.36% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.77 11.86 4.74% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.44% PACAM Equity Fund 1.32 1.33 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.87 111.18 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 131.08 133.81 3.73% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 8.13% 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 20.70% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.92% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 18.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.99% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 22.59% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.88% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 14.67% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 4.73% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.32 110.32 5.86% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 9.75% United Capital Bond Fund 1.87 1.87 8.14% United Capital Equity Fund 0.77 0.79 9.11% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.12% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.63 115.63 5.80% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.04 1.05 -0.71% 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 11.64 11.78 13.28% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.91 13.03 11.10% Zenith Income Fund 24.61 24.61 8.31% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.41%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

126.41

12.27%

53.51

2.80%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.45 106.78 81.16

10.55 9.09 82.65

24.49% -39.32% 8.03%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva 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

3.80 5.42 14.49 1.00 13.55 234.18

3.84 5.50 14.59 1.00 13.75 236.18

10.98% -8.25% 18.94% 2.55% 30.16% 22.55%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

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.

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1. INTRODUCTION

vi.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), a Parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Transportation in compliance with the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, invites reputable contractors/fi / rms/companies with proven records of accomplishment to tender for the under-listed projects appropriated in the Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Budget.

vii.

-

2. SCOPE OF WORKS

-

LOT-1 LOT-2 LOT-3 LOT-4 LOT-5 LOT-6 LOT-7 LOT-8 LOT-9 LOT-10 LOT-11 LOT-12 LOT-13 LOT-14 LOT-15 LOT-16 LOT-17 LOT-18 LOT-19 LOT-20 LOT-21 LOT-22 LOT-23 LOT-24 LOT-25 LOT-26 LOT-27 LOT-28 LOT-29 LOT-30 LOT-31 LOT-32 LOT-33 LOT-34 LOT-35 LOT-36 LOT-37 LOT-38 LOT-39 LOT-40 LOT-41 LOT-42 LOT-43 LOT-44 LOT-45 LOT-46 LOT-47 LOT-48 LOT-49 LOT-50

Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in North East Geopolitical Zone Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in North West Geopolitical Zone Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in South West Geopolitical Zone and Federal Capital Territory Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in South South Geo-political Zone Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in South East Geopolitical Zone Provision of Educational Material to Primary/Secondary School in South East Geopolitical Zone Purchase of SME Machinery in Borno State Purchase of SME Machinery in Gombe State Purchase of SME Machinery in Yobe state Purchase of SME Machinery in Jigawa State Purchase of SME Machineryy in Sokoto State Purchase of SME Machineryy in Katsina State Purchase of SME Machinery in Kaduna Stae Purchase of SME Machinery in Kwara State Purchase of SME Machinery in Niger State Purchase of SME Machinery in Federal Capital Territory Purchase of SME Machineryy in Ekiti State Purchase of SME Machinery in Lagos State Purchase of SME Machinery in Bayelsa State Purchase of SME Machineryy in Delta State Purchase of SME Machinery in Rivers State Purchase of SME Machinery in Cross River Purchase of SME Machinery in Anambra State Purchase of SME Machineryy in Enugu g State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Borno State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Gombe State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Yobe state Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Jigawa State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Kaduna State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Katsina State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Sokoto State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Kwara State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Niger State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Federal Capital Territoryy Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Ekiti State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Lagos State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Bayelsa y State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Cross River Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Rivers Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Delta State Purchase of Relief Materials for IDP in Anambra State Purchase of Relief Materials forr IDP in Enugu State Engagement of Travel Agents Establishment of Online Portal for Marine Accident Investigation Unit of the Agency Provision of Microsoft License Provision of Multifunction Printters and Accessories Procurement of Laboratoryy Equipment q p Procurement of Laboratory Reagents and Glass Wares Cyber Security Implementation for 21 Locations of the Agency Provision of Internet Services

3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Prospective bidders are required to submit the following documents: Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Aff Affairs Commission (CAC), including Certified True Copy of Form CAC7 and CAC 2.1 or CAC1.1.

Copy of Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Income Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three years (2017, 2018 and 2019) valid till 31st December, 2020, with minimum average annual turnover of N20 Million; Evidence of current Pension Compliance Certificate valid till 31stDecember, 2020; Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2020; Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of valid Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring

viii. ix. x. xi. xii. xiii. xiv. xv.

31/01/2021 or valid Certificate issued by BPP; Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31stDecember, 2020; A Sworn Affi A davit: disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, Shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars; that none of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directors has been convicted in any law court for any criminal offence ff including fraud and financial impropriety; and that the company is not in receivership, bankrupt or insolvent.

Audited Accounts of the company for the last three years (2017, 2018 and 2019); Evidence of financial capability to execute the project by submission of Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; Documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs successfully executed/on-going within the last five (5) years including Letters of Award, Valuation/Job completion certificate etc.); Evidence of accreditation/registration with relevant professional body(ies); Company Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staffto ff be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications (in case of construction for Example: COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON etc.); List of Plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease (where applicable); Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; p y s Health,, Safetyy and Environment ((HSE)) p policy; All documents for submission must be transmitted d with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter Head Paper bearing am mongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Aff Affairs Commission (C CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Lettterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at th he bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4. COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUM MENTS

Prospective Bidders are requested to collect Bid Documents from the office of the Head Procurement, 5th Floor, Maritime House No.4 Burm ma Road, Apapa, Lagos, upon presentation of evidence of payment of non-refundable tendeer fee of Ten Thousand Naira (N (N10,000.00) (N only per lot. Payment shall be made to NIMASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reemita account in any reputable commercial Bank in Nigeria (Log in to NIMASA Account on Rem mita, select other income as name of service/ purpose, select others as item and input a unit pricce of 10,000.00 for each Lot). After payment, Teller shall be taken to the NIMASA Revenue Un nit for issuance of receipt for collection of Bidding Documents.

5. SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUM MENTS

Technical documents shall be enclosed in a seeparate envelope (marked Technical) and Financial Bid in another envelope (marked Financial). The two separate envelopes shall be enclosed in one sealed outer envelope clearly maarked â&#x20AC;&#x153;INVITATION TO TENDERâ&#x20AC;? stating the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lot Noâ&#x20AC;?, company name and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Project Titleâ&#x20AC;?. Th he technical bid and the financial bid shall be submitted in duplicate on or before 11:00a.m m. on Thursday, 7th January, 2021 to the address below: The Head Procurement,5th floor, Nigerian Mariitime Administration and Safety Agency, No 4 Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos. Submission on the last day shall be done at the BID OPENING Venue Multi-Purpose Hall of NMRDC, Kirrikiri, Apapa, Lagos. Late submission will be returned un-opened.

6. OPENING OF THE TENDER DOCU UMENTS

Only Technical bids shall be opened immediately after a the submission deadline att 11:00a.m. on Thursday, 7th January, 2021 at Multi-Purposse Hall of NMRDC, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos while the financial bids shall be kept un-opened.. Bidders or their representatives, Relevant Professional Bodies and Non-Governmental Org ganizations (NGOs) are invited to witness the opening exercise and shall register evidencing their attendance on the date of the bid opening. Only pre-qualified bidders will be invited d at a later date for financial bids opening, while the financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened.

7. ENQUIRIES

Enquiries regarding this advertisement should be directed to the Office of the Head Procurement, 5th Floor, The Nigerian Maritime Ad dministration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), No. 4 Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos, or through the fo ollowing telephone numbers during official hours (9am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5pm) only: 08062691690; 081557757 757

8. NOTATION: i.

The document should be arranged in the order listed at 3.0 above and clearly separated by dividers; ii. Failure to submit all the required documents stated d above shall lead to the disqualification of the Bid; iii. No bidder should bid for more than two (2) lots; iv. All CAC, PENCOM, ITF, NSITF and Tax Clearance Certificates submitted may be referred to Security Agencies, Corporate Aff Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Pension Commission and other relevant bodies for verification; v. This notice shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to award any form of contract to any respondent or entitle any Company/Firm submitting documents to claim any indemnity from the Agency; vi. Bid document shall be submitted in person and not through post. Any bid submitted through post shall not be accepted; vii. Bidders shall be responsible for all costs in preparation and submission of Bid; viii. Bidders are advised to read this solicitation carefully as failure to follow instructions may lead to rejection of bid. ix. NIMASA is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

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NEWSEXTRA

Presidency: Nigeria Enjoyed Good Relationship with Trump’s Administration The presidency last night declared that Nigeria enjoyed good working relationship with the administration of US President, Mr. Donald Trump.

The president’s spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu noted that President Muhammadu Buhari looked forward to a better relationship with the incoming administration of Joe Biden.

Shehu spoke while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics.

Buhari had on Saturday congratulated the Democrat candidate and US president-elect for his victory at the poll.

Shehu said prior to 2015 when Buhari came into office, so many windows and doors to access American assistance had been shut by past US governments but some of the doors were opened due to the improved relationship of Buhari with the US. Shehu said, “Nigeria and the United States have enjoyed very

N5tn Debt Recovery: Appeal Court President Rallies Support for AMCON Obinna Chima The President of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem and the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice RPI Bosimo, at the weekend stressed the need for speedy dispensing of judgment in cases involving the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and its recalcitrant obligors.

The duo however maintained that that justice must be dispensed within the ambit of the law.

The justices said this at the just concluded two-day Annual Seminar for Justices of the Courts of Appeal, held in Abuja. The event was jointly organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and Legal Academy (LA) with the full complement of AMCON management in attendance.

While welcoming participants to the seminar, Justice Bozimo

who threw more light in the expectations of the judiciary, which she argued will enable AMCON is to succeed said, “The role of the judiciary in the execution of AMCON mandate cannot be overemphasised. This is understandable considering that the distinguished bench is indispensable to the realisation of the enormous powers conferred on the corporation by the AMCON Act. “It is through these interactions that the judiciary will be sensitised on the complex role AMCON plays at ensuring the sustenance of the financial system stability in Nigeria. The level of financial stability currently enjoyed in the country is solely attributable to the role played by AMCON in offloading toxic portfolios from the balance sheets of banks thus enabling the banks to perform their intermediating role in the macro-economy.”

good relationship and it was even more so under President Trump who just lost the election.

“If you recall very well, this country had procured weapons to fight terrorism and internal security from United States and various world capitals. For some

reasons before President Buhari came to office, the United States government and several other nations of the world stopped the sale of weapons to Nigeria.

“To the credit of Mr Trump, he agreed, in fact, called President Buhari at a short notice and

said, Mr Buhari, you want to buy dozen Super Tucano (these are aircraft most suitable for fighting terrorism like the one we face in the North-east).

I give you two months, this is how much you will pay; we will give you. It’s a big

relief to us. We will soon start receiving some of the aircraft hopefully next year.

“So, we have had good relationship with Mr Trump but our hope is that this relation will even be better with President Biden.”

Ajimobi’s Widow Loses Supermarket to Fire Outbreak Tragedy occurred yesterday at the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, as Grandex, a supermarket belonging to Florence, wife of a former Oyo State governor, late Abiola Ajimobi, was gutted by fire.

THISDAY learnt that the inferno that started in the afternoon from the back office

of the supermarket later spread to the main store.

Those at the popular Osuntokun junction also saved the day as they rallied round to fetch water and bring fire extinguishers to fight the fire before the arrival of the state fire fighters.

Men of the Oyo State Fire Service

and the Federal Fire Service later put out the fire.

A part of the grocery and household store was, however, damaged in the supermarket.

An eyewitness, Bamidele Osinlowo, said, “The fire started at about 3pm. We called the Oyo State Fire Service. Within 10 minutes, they arrived with a truck. We

joined with our extinguishers.”

The widow of the former governor was said to have visited the supermarket.

Some of her aides later joined in evacuating goods from the stores with some personnel of Operation Burst on hand to repel hoodlums from looting the supermarket.

SOUTH-EAST APC STAKEHOLDERS BLOCK UMAHI’S DEFECTION BID Publicity, Mr. Francis Nwaze, in Abakaliki, denied Umahi’s defection to APC, saying that “the news is a product of a figment of imagination on the part of the carriers as Governor Umahi was, is, and is still flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is, however, difficult to observe how people are easily persuaded to believe in fake dummies in the name of rumours.

“If for any reason, Governor Umahi wishes to leave Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it will be officially communicated and can never be a product from rumour mongers,” he stated.

When also contacted for his reaction, the Ebonyi State APC Chairman, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, said that the party’s doors are open to welcome Umahi and others to the fold.

“We will not be against him joining APC, though nothing has suggested such to me or my office and none of our national leaders have communicated us to that effect. We, however, want our party to grow, spread its ideology over Nigeria and make Nigerians believe that it is the party to identify with,” he said

Gov’s defection to imminent, say Ebonyi

party chieftains

However, the stakeholders in Ebonyi APC yesterday insisted that the defection of the governor was imminent.

In a meeting held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, the stakeholders who noted that Umahi’s defection was imminent also described his defection as a big catch for the APC in the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country.

The Convener of the meeting

and Chieftain of the APC in Ebonyi State, Senator Julius Ucha, who called on party faithful to work towards the eradication of factions within the party in the state, noted that the governor’s defection to the APC has already materialised.

He further called on the governor to immediately join the APC as the party is eagerly waiting to receive him.

48

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NEWSXTRA

Lagos Orders Release of 253 #EndSARS Protesters Ejiofor Alike The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has urged the courts to immediately free 253 persons arrested by the Police in connection with the #EndSARS protest in the state.

Onigbanjo said the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) had assessed the temporary charges filed against them by the police and found no prima facie evidence that they committed any crime.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Director, Public Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, the Attorney-General explained the Police forwarded 40 case files in respect of 361 persons arrested in connection with the #EndSARS protests to the DPP for Legal Advice, between November 4 and 5, 2020.

Onigbanjo said: “Legal advice has been issued in respect of all the 40 case files received, and as at 6th November 2020, the Directorate has been able to dispatch Legal

Advice in respect of 81 persons that are being charged to the various courts, while others will be despatched to court on Monday, November 9, 2020.

“Out of the 361 persons, the Director of Public Prosecutions

shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder, while the office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-

disclosure of a prima facie case.

“In the meantime, two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the police”.

The AG assured the public that “the Office of the Attorney

General, Lagos State will ensure that those arrested by the police are treated in accordance with due process of law, while it remains committed to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring peace and order in the state”.

INEC: We Lack Power to Disqualify Obaseki over Alleged Certificate Forgery The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it does not have the power to investigate or disqualify the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State during the September 19 election of Governor Godwin Obaseki, over alleged forgery of the University of Ibadan’s (UI) certificate.

The electoral umpire noted that only a court order could disqualify a governorship candidate from participating in an election.

INEC stated that it could not investigate the originality, authenticity, or otherwise of the disputed UI’s first-degree certificate presented to the commission by Edo State Governor because it was beyond its responsibility.

The electoral commission, as the first respondent in the petition filed by Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Mr. Iboi Emmanuel, at the Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal in Benin, made the submissions in its reply, signed by INEC’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The electoral commission said: “The information given by the third respondent (Obaseki) in the affidavit and documents submitted by him as a candidate at the election in

INEC’s nomination form (Form C.F. 001) are presumed manifestly true or prima facie correct until and only if the contrary is proved and/or pronounced false by an order of the court.”

PDP, last week, claimed the photocopier omitted information in Obaseki’s UI’s certificate.

It also admitted that Obaseki committed errors while filling the forms for the election in 2016.

It claimed the governorship candidate “mistakenly” wrote 1976 as his year of graduation, which ought to be his year of admission.

The PDP said: “At the time Obaseki was completing his Form CF001 in 2016, he deposed to an affidavit, stating that he had misplaced the originals of all of his certificates, while changing offices, with the intention to apply for a re-issuance if his certificates.

“The original certificate was issued in A5 size. In order for the photocopy of the certificate to be attached to Form CF001, the size was reduced to A4 and in the process, leaving out some information on the certificate.”

Five petitions were filed at the tribunal chaired by Justice Abdulrazak Abdulkareem against INEC; PDP; Obaseki and his deputy/running mate, Philip Shaibu; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its standard-bearer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Fire Destroys N300m Goods in Ondo James Sowole in Akure No fewer than 10 entrepreneurs have lost goods said to be worth over N300 million by yesterday night when fire gutted shops at Ijomu area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

One of the victims, simply identified as Alhaji, is currently on admission in a private hospital having experienced heart attack when he saw his two medicine stores engulfed by fire.

Alhaji, the owner of Choices Medicine and Supermarket Stores at No. 20 Ijomu Street, Akure, Akure South Local Government Area of the state, was said to have unloaded two trucks of drugs into his two stores in the same complex last Saturday night.

Other occupants of the complex are dealers, fashion designers, electrical and electronics dealers.

Mrs. Modupe Daramola, a

fashion designer in the complex, lost three industrial sewing and embroidery machines and four sewing machines to the fire.

She disclosed that she also lost a heavy duty power generating set and a refrigerator to the inferno besides several fabrics belonging to her numerous customers.

Also, Sola Omorege, one of the youth leaders in the area, said it took their efforts to put out the fire, though they could not rescue any of the items in the complex.

He lamented that the fire service in the state couldn’t help when they went to their office on a motorbike due to lack of functional equipment.

An Akure High Chief, AFolabi Fayehun, who is the Edemo of Akure kingdom, described the incident as unfortunate.

Fayehun said the nonfunctional of fire services in the state capital made the loss to be much.

HONOURING CULTURE…

L-R: Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar; Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Yakubu Danladi; and Senator Sadiq Umar, representing Kwara North, during Ganni Festival, at Kaiama in Ilorin...weekend

Gunmen Hold Five Women Hostage, Demand N5m Ransom James Sowole in Akure Five of the 16 traders abducted at the weekend on the AkureOwo highway in Ondo State have remained in the captivity of the gunmen.

The 16 traders were kidnapped while returning from a meeting in Akure on their way to Akoko area.

The state Police Command, however, said it rescued 10 of the women from their abductors and arrested four members of

the gang.

It was gathered that one of the victims managed to escape.

The kidnappers, who initially demanded a ransom of N11 million before they could release their victims, have reduced the ransom to N5million.

One of the victims still in the kidnappers’ den is the Iyaloja of Isua, Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government Area, Chief Hellen Edward.

One of the children of the

Iyaloja, who gave her name as Mrs. Alaba, said her mother spoke to family members, and urged them to look for the ransom to pay for her release.

Alaba said they were happy when they heard news of the rescue of some victims by the police, but later discovered that her mother was still in captivity.

She said the N5million demanded by the kidnappers is too much for the poor families to pay.

The state police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the policemen and other security agencies were combing the forest to secure the release of the victims.

Ikoro said the state Police Commissioner, Salami Bolaji, has ordered all police divisions in Akoko area to deploy operatives to the forest as well as secure the highway in the area.

Jonathan, Diri Call for ElectronicVoting to Curb Thuggery Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State have called for the immediate adoption of an electronic voting system to curb the ugly trend of politicians using thuggery and cultism to win elections in the country.

The former president said over 50 per cent of the problems faced by the country, including insurgency, cultism, and corruption, will be addressed with the adoption and effective use of e-voting.

Jonathan blamed the rising insecurity in the country on the activities of politicians who were hell-bent on grabbing political power through the backdoor, against the popular wish of the

people.

He said: “Our political activities particularly the use of young people as militiamen and thugs and so on, to win elections have increased the security challenges facing our nation.

“Some of the youths they use are so protected that even the police cannot arrest them because they are ‘boys’ to powerful politicians who use them during elections.

“That is why I have always advocated that for us to move forward as a country, we must use electronic voting where nobody will use thugs to win elections’’.

“Immediately we use electronic voting, the issue of thuggery and cultism will drop by at least 50

per cent,” he added.

Jonathan and Diri spoke yesterday at the Third Synod of the Diocese of Ogbia at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Otakeme in the state.

Represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Bayelsa governor urged youths to shun politicians who only use them to achieve their selfish political goals and abandon them afterward.

He noted that the only way a youth could resist the temptation of going into thuggery and cultism was to love and appreciate him or herself, as a unique creation of God. Diri, also used the opportunity to call on people of the state to key

into the present administration’s prosperity agenda, by embracing agriculture and small scale businesses to better their lot.

“Just like our father (the former President) said earlier, I want to encourage our youths to resist evil politicians who do not mean well for them. If they invite you to carry guns, ask them, where are your children? You must learn to love yourself above any politician.

“For us as a government, we are determined to improve the lives of our people. And our focus is to see how prosperity can be engendered, he said, adding, “Prosperity is not engendered by coming to beg a politician to give you something to eat’’.

Wike, South-east Govs in Closed-door Meeting Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and his counterparts from the South-east were in a closed-door meeting last night at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Although details of the meeting were not known as at press time, THISDAY gathered that it might

not be unconnected with efforts by the Rivers State Government to reassure people from the Southeast that the clampdown on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state was not targeted at the Igbo people doing genuine business in the state.

The state government had

placed a 24-hour curfew on Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state following the killing of soldiers and policemen, and the burning of police stations and court buildings in the area by people suspected to be operatives of IPOB who hijacked the ENDSARS protests.

The action evicted concerns from some Igbo people who claimed it was targeted at them, a claim the state government said was not true as the proscribed IPOB was unleashing terror on residents of the state to the extent of hoisting its flag on the soil of Rivers State.

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Allegations of Hoarding Palliatives, Fallacious, Says CACOVID Chuks Okocha in Abuja Members of the private sectorled Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) have defended state governors over the allegation of hoarding of palliatives, insisting that the allegation was false.

This was contained in a document dated October 24, 2020, which was made available to journalists in Abuja at the weekend.

The document was signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank

Plc, Dr. Sola Adeduntan.

In the document, Adeduntan who is member of Steering Committee of CACOVID, disclosed that CACOVID had “successfully provided health facilities, diagnostic kits and medications to all the states and Abuja,” because they realised that the pandemic has destroyed the economic power of most Nigerians.

“We set up the coalition to pull resources together to support the government to combat Covid -19 pandemic.

Sanwo-Olu Orders Removal of Illegal Structures in Fagba Segun James The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (LSESO) has ordered the owners and occupiers of illegal structures and shanties in Fagba, Abbatior and New Oko-Oba to remove them immediately.

The order followed the inspection of the area by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to access the level of destruction that happened in the locations due to the aftermath of the EndSARS demonstration.

The task force, in a statement titled “#FAGBA: LASG Serves 7 Days Removal Order to Owners of Illegal Structures/Shanties around Fagba, Abbatoir, New Oko Oba,” gave the owners a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the affected areas.

According to the Chairman of the LSESO, Mr. Olayinka

Egbeyemi, “over 2500 illegal structures/shanties including ‘containerised’ shops were served removal order around the area.

“These illegal shanties were occupied by miscreants and hoodlums who burnt and destroyed both public and private properties along that axis during the last protest.

“It was an eye-sore with miscreants and hoodlums freely smoking Indian hemp, including underage boys around the area.”

Egbeyemi said the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, has “directed that immediately after the expiration of the seven-day removal order, any miscreants or hoodlums arrested will be charged to court for prosecution.”

The chairman maintained that the agency would not relent in securing a safe environment for citizens within the state.

Opposition Slams Ikpeazu over Pandemic Prevention Fee in ABSU Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State at the weekend slammed the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, over the way he handled the imposition of pandemic prevention levy announced by the state university, saying the levy was an insensitive anti-people policy.

The management of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, stirred the hornet’s nest following a compulsory N15,000 pandemic prevention fee it imposed on students with the full backing of state government.

But in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Benedict Godson, the state APC roundly blamed the governor and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP-controlled government for approving the “most ludicrous levy.”

In condemning the pandemic levy, the main opposition party in the state said it received the news “with deep regret and shock,” describing it as “the most absurd academic decision and another exhibition of administrative rascality and recklessness.

“It’s so dreadful and horrifying that while other state governments are busy cutting tuition fees and subsidizing other charges for students, Abia State is busy planning and executing disheartening extortionist policies

against its own students.”

APC further knocked Ikpeazu for allegedly defending the ‘obnoxious’ levy in a tweet when he should have promptly intervened and scrapped it to save the already financially-traumatised parents from an unnecessary additional burden The governor had during a town hall meeting with ABSU management and students last Wednesday approved the levy which he slashed down from the initial N25,000 to N15,000.

But in the wake of criticisms generated by the levy, he later made a U-turn and abolished it, saying the government would instead pay N30,000 bursary to support students who are Abia State indigenes and their parents.

However, APC countered that it was an afterthought, and doubted the governor’s sincerity, hinting that the support fund could be a Greek gift which parents would be made to pay back through a hike in school fees.

The party warned Abia people not be fooled by Ikpeazu’s attempt to redeem his image with the proposed N30,000 support for students.

It noted that he had all along looked the other way while ABSU management churned out anti student, anti-parents, anti-family and anti-education fees and levies.

“We decided to provide food to 1.7 million most vulnerable families across the country and we put substantial resources behind the initiative.

“The food items we intend to purchase included rice, pasta, noodles, garri, sugar and salt, etc.

“The challenge was how to purchase those items worth about N15 billion without driving inflation.

“We had to contract this out to various manufacturers and that took time for them to deliver the goods to us.

“It was only in September and early October that we handed the goods over to the various state governments and FCT. “It’s therefore a fallacy that the state governments or Dangote have hoarded those foodstuffs,” he said.

Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, had in another document issued on behalf of CACOVID, advised

those involved in the wanton destruction of public and private property to “desist from these raids, in order to allow the states to proceed with peaceful and fair distribution of these palliatives to the neediest and most vulnerable in our society.”

According to him, CACOVID had been working with state governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to procure and distribute food items to about two million most vulnerable families (and about 10 million Nigerians) across the 774 local government areas in the country, as part of the private sector’s support to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that CACOVID members decided to procure the food directly from the manufacturers, to avoid a distortion of prices in the market.

Nwasinobi said the sheer scale of the nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, which coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country, compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner, with states classified in three timed phases, to enable orderly delivery to the needy.

“The food package was designed such that each of the nearly two million vulnerable families received 10kg bag of rice, 5kg bag of garri/maize flour/ semolina, one carton of pasta, two cartons of noodles, 5kg of sugar and Ikg of salt.

“Unfortunately, the very large size of the order, and the production cycle required to meet the demand, caused delays in delivering the food items to the states in an expeditious manner; hence the resulting delay in delivery of the food palliatives

by the state governors.

“For instance, rice had to be milled, semolina and maize flour had to be processed, noodles and pasta had to be manufactured, and sugar had to be refined.

“As such, the first deliveries could not start until June.

“However, as of October 2020, a sizable portion of the items had been delivered but yet to be distributed by the governors.

“Although various states and the FCT had commenced flag-off of the distribution of the food items since early August, some could not conclude the distribution as they were yet to receive complete deliveries of the items allotted to them.

“In the interest of transparency and accountability, CACOVID will, in due course be providing the full delivery schedule and flag-off dates by each state.”

CHANGE OF BATON…

Outgoing Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar (left), and the new Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao, during the handover ceremony in Lagos…recently

Kano Multi-billion Naira Commodity Exchange Market to Open in 2021 Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmad Idris, has disclosed that Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited (GCMX) will open in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021.

Idris, who is the founder of the market, stated this when he received a delegation of Kano Concerned Citizens Initiative (KCCI) led by its Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, who paid a visit to bless the market yesterday.

He said he nurtured the idea of the market about five years ago with a bid to develop agricultural enterprises and other businesses in Kano and the country in general.

The AGF narrated that when he engaged consultants to conduct research in some major food markets across Kano, Jigawa and other states, the outcome of the investigation revealed that most of the farmers in the region do not benefit from the output they produce.

According to him, “Our research revealed that the majority of our farmers are not the determinants and actors of the major food markets. They have been reduced to small market traders, not major actors.

“Our youths have been left out in our food markets. Most of the major actors of these markets are foreigners. We said this is not

going to continue. We have to rise up to change the trend.”

The AGF disclosed that the majority of investors in the commodity and exchange market are from southern Nigeria, calling on the northerners to come and invest heavily in order to reduce the soaring poverty bedevilling the region.

He explained that the project is at the phase one stage of about five hectares, adding that it had reached 95 percent infrastructural completion.

Also in his remarks, Tofa expressed delight with the initiative, describing it as a pride of all northern region, not the founder alone.

He called on the people in the North to key into the investment as they stand to benefit a lot from the multi-billion naira business franchise.

He advised the founder to establish agricultural school for farmers within the market building, noting that “that will further enhance agricultural education and make them acquainted with modern farming.”

The 250 hectares market, first of its kind in Nigeria, is a business hub for farmers, commodity traders, manufacturers, commodity exchange, haulage service providers and all stakeholders in agro and exports value chain.

Matawalle Secures Release of 26 Girls By Bandits Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Bello Matawalle, has secured the release of 26 girls, all of them minors, from bandits without payment of ransom.

The girls, who were kidnapped by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, were taken to bushes in Zamfara

State but released through negotiations spearheaded by the state’s Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran.

Matawalle, who received the rescued girls, said his administration will not abandon the peace dialogue with bandits as firepower

alone cannot solve banditry.

He said: “This is a testimony to our vision for engaging the bandits in a peace dialogue.

“For those who believe we are wrong to dialogue with the bandits, the securing of these minors who are all girls, unhurt, is indeed priceless”.

The rescued girls, between

8 and 12, were medically checked and provided with new clothes.

Matawalle ordered their safe return to Katsina.

This latest rescue brings the total number of those released by bandits in the last one week to more than 40.

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WTO DG: Nigeria will Press the Right Buttons, Says Presidency Ejiofor Alike The presidency has assured that Nigeria will continue giving its unflinching support to ensure that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala wins the race to become Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Speaking last night on Sunday Politics, a programme of Channels TV, a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu stated that no stone will be left unturned as Okonjo-Iweala moves to make history.

The spokesman said President Muhammadu Buhari has been

reaching out to world leaders on the matter.

“President Buhari has been talking to all world leaders, at some point, Ngozi had a list of those to be talked to,

so President Buhari talked to them, some to thank for being so strong in their support, some may be to be encouraged to firm up their support for her candidacy and we are seeing the

result of this,” Shehu asserted.

Though the president’s special media aide was not certain if Buhari had recently spoken to President Donald Trump regarding Okonjo-Iweala’s

candidacy, he, however, noted that the Buhari-led government is determined to see that she (Okonjo-Iweala) will be the first African to clinch the DG position the WTO.

Gambari, MinistersVisit Tinubu in Lagos The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, yesterday led SouthWest ministers on a sympathy visit to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, at his Bourdillon residence in Lagos.

Among the ministers that visited are Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of State, Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora; Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammad, and Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare.

They were also joined by the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. During the EndSARS protest, thugs had set fire to several public and private property in Lagos, including Television Continental and The Nation newspaper, owned by Tinubu.

This followed the shootings of some protesters at the Lekki

toll gate plaza by soldiers on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Some of the protesters had alleged that Tinubu owned the toll gate plaza where the soldiers shot at them.

But the former Lagos State governor denied making money from the plaza, adding that the rumour of his ownership was politically-motivated.

He said he got prior information that facilities of both The Nation newspaper and TVC were going to be attacked by “certain malevolent elements” hiding under #EndSARS protests, yet he did not send soldiers or policemen there to prevent the attack, because he didn’t want anyone to die.

“There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the tollgate, where I have no financial interest, yet, choose to do nothing to protect my investments in The Nation and TVC,” Tinubu said.

FG Taking Positive Steps to Resolve ASUU Crisis, Says Lai Mohammed Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The federal government claimed during the weekend that more positive steps have been taken to resolve the lingering crisis between the government and the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, during a town hall meeting to intimate the stakeholders in the state of the federal government’s efforts to address the issues raised by the #EndSARS protest in the country.

Mohammed said: “the federal government is committed to the peaceful resolution of the crisis so as to allow our children to return to classes for their academic excellence.

“The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu have been working tirelessly with the leadership of the ASUU to put an end to the faceoff.

“And I know that the negotiation will yield positive results and our students would resume academic lectures so as to move the education forward in the country.”

Mohammed, who was bombarded with question on the state of economy, insecurity, youths unemployment, closure of country’s borders and road transportation problem among others, appealed to Nigerians

to bear with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges the country is facing.

He reminded his audience that the nation was just recovering from the ugly effects of the COVID-19 pandemic disease and the #EndSARS protests in many parts of the country and assured them that the federal government is committed to educational, economic, security and youth development, among other areas of growth.

He also said that the border closure was meant to find solutions to the nation’s nagging security issues, health, promotion of local industrial growth and economic development.

Also speaking during the town hall meeting was the Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who lauded the federal constituency policies put in place to address the issues that were brought to the fore by the recent #EndSARS protest in the country.

AbdulRazaq said that the federal government’s directive to the ministers and special advisers of the President to visit their various states would assist the government to collect the views of the people on the way to move the country forward.

He, therefore, said that the state government has put in place some policies that would ameliorate the sufferingsofthoseaffectedbythelooting that took place in the state.

SEEKING DIVINE BLESSING…

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri (left); and General Overseer, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, during the governor’s visit to the church’s headquarters at Ijesha, Lagos…yesterday

UN Deputy Secretary-General Begins OfficialVisit to Nigeria Sunday Ehigiator The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is leading a delegation of senior officials of the UN to Nigeria and three other West African countries, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Ghana to discuss with the governments and other stakeholders on strategies to rebuild after the devastations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the visit scheduled

for November 8 to 11, 2020, Mohammed would meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

A statement issued yesterday from the UN office in Nigeria explained that Mohammed would also join Osinbajo to launch the ‘Nigeria UN Plus Offer for SocioEconomic Recovery – 2020 -2022,’ as an offer for immediate and medium-term support to the government and people of Nigeria in response to the socio-economic challenges posed by the COVID-19

pandemic.

It said: “She will also join the Minister of Women Affairs to launch the Generation Equality campaign in Nigeria to raise awareness about the agenda of the Beijing Platform for Action and foster inter-generational exchange and dialogue to empower a new generation of women’s rights activists.”

Other members of the delegation are the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral, Head of the United

Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union, Ms Hannah Tetteh.

The members also include the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Africa, Ms Cristina Duarte and Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, the Assistant Administrator, Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Programme.

A’ Ibom Govt Sets Up Committee to Negotiate with Labour Okon Bassey in Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Government has set up a joint committee to look into issues raised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in order to douse the threat of indefinite strike.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Ini Ememobong, disclosed the constitution of the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) to look into the NLC ultimatum.

The State NLC had recently given the state government a 14-day ultimatum to urgently address issues bordering on workers’ welfare in the state among others or risk industrial action.

Ememobong said that the government representative on the committee is headed by the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Mr. Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, who would be assisted by the Head of the Civil Service, Mr.

Efiong Essien, and the State Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, amongst others.

He also said that the representatives of the labour union would be led by the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Sunny James.

Other representatives of the NLC in the committee are the NLC Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Iboro Ibara and Mr. Effiong Nya, respectively and the representative of the Joint

Public Sector Negotiation Committee, Mr. Tina Essien.

He explained that the committee would negotiate the 13 points demands of the NLC and to submit a comprehensive report within 30 days to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for necessary action.

Inyangeyen, who would be leading the government team, promised to apply utmost good faith in the pursuit of the objectives of the committee.

Katsina Installs Automatic Weather Stations in 34 LGs Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Government has installed Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in each of the 34 Local Government Areas of the state to generate agro-metrological data used in predicting weather information that guides agronomic practices, crops planting and harvesting time for effective farming activities.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Abba Abdallah, who disclosed this on Sunday in an interview

with THISDAY, said the automatic weather stations also predicts the varieties of seeds to be planted at appropriate time.

Abdallah reiterated that the weather stations also ascertained the time rain will starts and when it will stop, drought and growth period for major planting crops in each of the 34 local government areas of the state.

He said: “To further improve on the accuracy on weather predictions, the state government installed automatic weather

stations in each of the 34 local government areas.

They generate agrometrological data that are used in predicting related information that guides agronomic practices as well as crops planting time, seed varieties and harvesting time.”

He explained that the automatic weather stations had saved many farming communities and farmers from losses due to earlier cessation of rains as predicted, saying the World Metrological Agency has contacted the state

government for adoption of the project for African countries.

Abdallah, however, said the state government in partnership with Morocco, has established a mobile soil testing laboratory that moves from farm to farm in order to analyse soil nutrients status across the state.

He explained that the project covered 70,750 smallholder farmers in 152 farming communities of the state with focus on cassava, soya beans, maize, rice, millet, sorghum and cotton nutrient requirement.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Ekiti to Revoke Titles of Undeveloped Lands Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has given directive for the revocation and reallocation of the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) of all lands that have not

been developed for three years commencing date of allocation.

Fayemi, according to Executive Order 008, stated that, “For this purpose, the erection of a fence

Era of Dumping Projects on Universities over, Says Tetfund BoT Chairman The Chairman of Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Tetfund, Mr. Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, has declared that the era of dumping projects on the universities has gone.

He stressed that the agency would never fund projects not originated by the beneficiary tertiary educational institutions and their critical stakeholders, including the students.

This was even as Tetfund Board has committed to expanding e-learning and construction of hostel accommodation for the students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Ibrahim-Imam spoke during separate interactive sessions with the management and students of the Rivers State University and University of Port Harcourt as well as the Niger Delta University, Amassoma and Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, in continuation of the Board’s interactive and projects inspection tour of over 50 tertiary educational institutions across the country.

“In fact, there are only two projects that were designed in a way that had no inputs from either the universities or Tetfund, yet huge sums of money were expended on them in previous administrations.

“This is disheartening. It is the wrong way to spend public funds. But I want to assure you that, that era, which I consider as an era of impunity, is gone forever.

Nobody will sit down and just dump anything on the

universities. Tetfund under this Board will never recklessly invest in anything without first consulting the beneficiary institutions to determine their needs. It will never happen again”, he said.

He however, enjoined management of beneficiary institutions to do more to ensure that there is always value for every fund they receive from Tetfund, as Tetfund does not directly execute projects.

“Yes, we collaborate with the universities and other institutions to ensure that we get value for money, but we don’t have the manpower or mandate to execute projects.

We can only come on project inspection, to see for ourselves the quality of work, but the day-to-day supervision is the responsibility of the universities.

“The universities must, therefore, take ownership from conceptualisation to execution. We expect each university management to ensure that quality work is done and that the directors, deans, and students are part and parcel of every stage. If you are not getting value for money, if you notice corruption and poor handling, begin to raise the alarm very early during project conceptualisation, design, procurement, and execution, not after completion. Going forward, if any project fails after completion, the contractor must be held liable”, he added.

#EndSARS: Anambra Raises the Alarm over Resurgence of COVID-19 David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Dr. Vincent Okpala, has warned indigenes of the state and Nigerians in general to be careful as there is a seeming resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Okpala said the fear became stronger as more people are now showing signs of the disease, even as some patients have been found in school immediately after the #EndSARS protest, which he said exacerbated the spread of the disease.

The commissioner, who spoke during an event put together to celebrate the second anniversary of a group, I-Witness Crew, a citizen journalism platform, insisted that the coronavirus found a means to spread further through the just concluded #EndSARS protest.

According to him, “The #EndSARS protest was just a virus propagating and sustaining event. We must be very careful how we live.

We must go back to all the COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing of facemasks and washing our hands regularly.

“In United State, we thought they were getting their hands on the matter already, until when the George Floyd murder happened, triggering the #BlackLivesMatter protests. Now, in Nigeria, we already thought we were getting better, until the #EndSARS protests also happened.

“The protest has helped the virus to spread further, and states have started recording high numbers again. We (Anambra State) have remained relatively low, but other states have already started going high again in numbers. This virus seems to have found a way of spreading above all odds.”

He, however, thanked the Convener of I-Witness Crew, Chidiebele Obika, for using the citizens journalism platform to correct a lot of fake information put in public space during the height of the coronavirus lockdown.

around the property does not constitute development”.

In the Executive Order made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti by the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, the governor also directed the Bureau of Lands to “give a 30-day full payment timeline to land allottees that developed their plots without completing payment for their allocations.

“The allocation to such allottees should be canceled and property forfeited to the government at the expiration of the 30 days’ deadline,” it stated.

Fapohunda said Executive Order 008 on the “Establishment

and Implementation of the Ekiti State Land Administration and Management Project” was premised on the government’s concern about the increasing cases of land grabbing and other fraudulent land transactions and the need to curb immediately such unlawful activities in Ekiti State.

The Bureau is also to “give a 21-day full payment timeline to allottees who made only partpayment for the land allocated to them and have not developed it. Such allocations should be canceled and reallocated at the expiry of 21 days.

“Such allottees should further be advised to commence immediate

development or have their allocations canceled and reallocated.

Among others, they are also to “enforce the full payment of land use charge before processing applications for Certificate ofOccupancy’.

The state government has also established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Lands and Related Matters in Ekiti State to, among others, “receive and examine complaints from individuals and corporate entities on matters arising from the implementation of the Executive Order and where necessary make recommendations to the Governor for remedial

measures or any other measures as appropriate”.

The committee is also to “examine and ascertain whether government land or part of it has been illegally acquired /occupied/converted to private use and identify the persons responsible and make recommendations for recovery and appropriate sanctions.

It will also “examine complaints of fraudulent transactions by individuals, families, corporate entities concerning state lands and make recommendations for recovery and appropriate sanctions”.

CONDOLENCE VISIT…

L-R: Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Allen Bankole Oyediran; Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde; and Oyediran’s son, Mr. Olumide Oyediran,during the governor’s condolence visit to Oyediran over the death of his wife and Chairman, African Newspaper of Nigeria Plc (Publishers of Tribune titles), Rev. Omotola Oyediran in Ibadan…weekend

SERAP, Others Go to Court over Attempt on Twitter Censorship in Nigeria Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 365 concerned Nigerians have filed an application before the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking the court to “reject a suit by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which seeks to shut down Twitter, prevent it from operating within the Nigerian cyberspace, and ultimately restrict the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom in the country.”

SERAP and 365 concerned Nigerians are asking the court “for leave to be joined in the suit as parties, and to be heard as of right, as provided for under the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], the Fundamental Rights [Enforcement Procedure] Rules, 2009, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”

Following endorsement by Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Jack Dorsey of the #EndSARS campaign last month, a former Presidential aspirant of the APC, Adamu Garba, filed a suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1391/2020 seeking to compel the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in Nigeria.

But in the application filed last Friday, SERAP and 365 concerned Nigerians stated: “This application is brought in the public interest.

It is important to grant the reliefs being sought, for the sake of justice, and the fundamental rights of people to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom, and as millions of Nigerians will be affected by any orders that the court may make in this suit.”

According to the suit, “The Nigerian government has legal obligations under sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, and articles 9 and 11 of the African Chapter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights of everyone to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom.”

SERAP and 365 concerned Nigerians are arguing that “The determination of this suit will impact our capability to use Twitter social media platform to carry out our work to promote transparency and accountability, and respect for socio-economic rights of Nigerians, as well as seriously undermine people’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and media freedom.”

The suit filed on behalf of

SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi, read in part: “SERAP and 365 concerned Nigerians have shown sufficient legal interest to warrant the granting of this application, as this will serve the interest of fair hearing, guaranteed by section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, and natural justice rule of audi alteram partem, meaning that in any dispute the court must hear the other side.”

“SERAP, 365 concerned Nigerians and other Twitter users will be grossly affected if the orders being sought by Mr. Garba are granted by the court, as his suit is seeking to undermine the constitutionally and internationally recognised rights of people to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and media freedom.”

Youth Empowerment Catalyst for National Devt, Says Malami Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said Nigerian youths are precious assets which the country is proud of.

He said it was on this note that the federal government is committed to youth empowerment through various schemes and initiative.

Malami in a statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Umar

Gwandu, yesterday said the federal government has introduced youth oriented empowerment initiatives in order to amply utilise the talents and skills they are endowed with.

The AGF, according to the statement, cited examples of N-Power programmes; employment opportunities to 774,000 Nigerian youths; community policing; special loan for small and medium enterprises packages aimed at boosting the capacity and harnessing the

potential of the young people.

The statement disclosed that the minister made the remarks last Saturday in Birnin-Kebbi as part of outreach engagement to community leaders and youths in his home state of Kebbi when he witnessed the kickoff of a novelty football match between Azbir Arena of Kebbi State and Scorpion Arena of Katsina State.

The minister commended the organisers of the football match, which he said would

go a long way in fostering unity among Nigerians and encouraged them to always engaged themselves in meaningful activities for national development.

He, however, urged the youths to continue to be law-abiding and of good conduct expected of responsible citizens in the pursuit of their ambitions, adding that they should not allow themselves to be distracted by miscreants when ventilating grievances to the constituted authorities.

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Presidency: N75bn Survival Fund to be Evenly Distributed

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The presidency has once again assured Nigerians that the N75 billion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) Medium and Smallscale Enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund would be evenly distributed across the states of the federation.

It, however, added that Lagos,

Kano and Abia State would get slightly higher numbers of beneficiaries.

This was contained in an updated report of the federal government on the implementation of the Survival Fund scheme, as the ESP scheme continues to gain attention with the emergence of beneficiaries on the first set of

Anambra Police Return to Duty Posts as Cult Killings, Armed Robbery Cases Escalate David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka There is a rise in cult and other criminal activities in Anambra State as police officers abscond from their duty posts due to the #EndSARS protest, which later turned violent.

THISDAY gathered that no fewer than 10 persons suspected to be members of rival cult groups have lost their lives in Awka, the state capital, since after the protest.

It was also gathered that last Thursday alone, no fewer than seven persons were gunned down at Amaudo, Amaenyi and other parts of Awka, sending panic among residents of the capital city.

However, the state police spokesperson, SP Haruna Mohammed, refused to react to the incident when his confirmation was sought.

A source, who spoke to THISDAY, said: “All the people killed are cultists, and they are being attacked by members of rival cult groups. It is true that armed robbery has also increased in the area, but anytime killings happen, it is cult-related.

“Elders of Awka community know the people doing this, and

from what I gathered, they have held a meeting to see how this can be stopped. The killings are only happening within the Awka villages, and have not extended to areas habited by visitors. But those cult boys, once in a while, go out of their way to rob shop owners. That is when they need money. But for killing, the person killed must be a member of a rival cult group.”

Meanwhile, this reporter witnessed a clash between two youths, which would have resulted in death, save for divine intervention. Two youths, a bus conductor and a tricycle operator, were engaged in a physical fight when the tricycle operator disengaged from his opponent, reached for a sling bag he had over his shoulders and drew a locally made pistol. His attempt to gun down the conductor was futile as the trigger proved too stiff to be drawn after it was successfully corked.

It was gathered that most tricycle operators in the capital city of Awka are mainly cultists, while the prevalence of local technology has made it easy for them to access arms.

FG Cautions against Indiscriminate Exploration of Hydrocarbon Reserves Udora Orizu in Abuja The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, at the weekend said the exploration of the abundant hydrocarbon reserves must be done in an environmentally sustainable and friendly manner, adding that concerted efforts must be made to identify the potential negative impact of any exploration project.

Ikeazor stated this in her remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Ameshi and Enyi Field Development Project by Sterling Exploration and Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) in Anambra State.

She noted that the development and optimal utilisation of the country’s hydrocarbon resources to boost export earnings and provide employment opportunities for teeming Nigerians youths is one of the cardinal objectives of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The minister further said the ministry observed that SEEPCO did not obtain all the required regulatory permits before embarking on drilling at the site, in clear violation of section 62 of the Environmental Impact

Assessment Act, and consequently a stop-work order of July 6, 2020, was issued to SEEPCO. Ikeazor charged stakeholders at the meeting to come up with far-reaching ideas and recommendations that would assist in making the proposed Amechi FDP a development project that would be executed at the highest levels of environmental sustainability.

Earlier in his remarks, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was a follow up to a series of complaints from the state government on the exploration activities of SEEPCO in the state.

According to Obiano, “Honourable Minister of State your visit to Anambra State will give you first-hand knowledge of how SEEPCO activities have led to the disastrous environmental degradation of the Ogwu-Ikpele and Ogwu Aniocha communities in Agbaru Local Government Area. Their operations have further worsened the plight and living conditions of those communities, thereby creating palpable tension and restiveness that were uncommon before the company arrived.

states across the country.

The report revealed that the Steering Committee led by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, was working to ensure smooth implementation of the programme across the states and FCT as focal persons are enlisted by the Project Delivery Office (PDO) to drive the operationalisation of the schemes in communities within the states.

The report further explained that the scheme comprises five tracks namely: Payroll Support, General MSMEs Grant, Formalisation Support, Artisan

and Transport Grant, and the Guaranteed Off-Take Scheme.

It stressed that the payroll support track targets 500, 000 individual beneficiaries, adding that the scheme would support MSME payroll obligations by paying between N50, 000 (maximum) and N30, 000 (minimum) to between three and 10 staff of the business for a period of three months.

The report said target beneficiaries under this track include MSMEs in the hospitality industry, private schools, factory owners, law firms, hospitals

among others.

It noted that for the general MSMEs grants, N50, 000 one-time grants would be given to 100, 000 MSMEs, and target beneficiaries are qualified MSMEs. The report pointed out that under the Formalisation Support (free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration for new businesses), the federal government would formalise the registration of 250,000 new businesses with the CAC at no cost to the MSMEs. It added that individuals eligible to benefit from this track of the scheme must be Nigerians and

have verifiable BVN. For the Artisan and Transport Grants which is a one-off payment of N30, 000 to each beneficiary, the report said the target group includes mechanics, taxi drivers, hairdressers, tricycle riders, commercial motorcycle riders, plumbers, electrician among others.

The report noted that Guaranteed Off-take Stimulus Scheme is targeted at MSMEs in the production sector and the Objective is to protect and sustain the income of vulnerable Micro and Small Enterprises by guaranteeing the off-take of their products.

PROMOTING HOSPITALITY…

L-R: Chairperson, Board of Directors, Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, Mrs. Ugochi Madueke; Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and a former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (rtd), during the unveiling of the newly upgraded hotel in Enugu…yesterday

Ethical Leadership Will Address Nigeria’s Economic Crisis, Says Danbatta Emma Okonji The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta, has underscored the centrality of economic diversification and ethical leadership at all levels of government as panacea to the current economic crises in

Nigeria.

Danbatta stated this when he delivered a paper titled: ‘Ethical Leadership as an Instrument for National Sustainability in the Post-Oil Nigerian Economy. A Public Sector Perspective’, during a two-day hybrid Annual Directors Conference (ADC) organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria recently.

Danbatta emphasised that the

fourth industrial revolution (4IR) or the digital age would continue to promise greater revenue-earning potential to the country.

Danbatta, who discussed Nigeria’s economic shift to oil revenue following discovery of oil in the 1970s, leading to the relegation of agriculture, which was hitherto the source of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, said the federal government realised that

Nigeria cannot be solely dependent on oil earnings anymore, hence the decision to explore ways of diversifying the economy.

Economic diversification, according to Danbatta, remained the process of shifting an economy away from a single income source toward multiple sources from a growing range of sectors and markets.

South-South Leaders in Lagos UrgeYouths to Embrace Peace Leaders of the South-South geopolitical zone in Lagos have continued their visits to some government property destroyed during the EndSARS protest in the state and have tasked the youths on peace Some of the areas visited included Ajeromi LGA, Lagos Mainland LGA, BRT Terminal Oyingbo and police stations.

Lagos Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Lucky Egube, who is of Niger Delta origin, led the team.

The South-South forum’s chairman, Mr. Isaac Emiyede,

who is recuperating from surgery and was recently attacked during the #EndSARS protest, sent a message of solidarity.

Egube had earlier led a team to TVC Communications that was also attacked by the arsonists and other miscreants.

At all the places visited, Egube and Emiyede urged the youths and other Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving issues.

They said that youths should not destroy public property as leaders of tomorrow who will

inherit these legacies that they helped to build.

Egube said youths should resist the temptation of being used by self-seeking politicians to destroy government and other public properties that they helped to build, including the edifices and laudable infrastructure being put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “Since the return to civil rule, much has been achieved in Lagos under the administrations of Bola Tinubu and others and I enjoin everyone in the state to

protect such public property and support the current governor to achieve more,” Egube added.

Emiyede who also commiserated with Tinubu, the state government and others who lost property and their loved ones, urged security agencies to diligently fish out arsonists and looters.

Others in the delegation who spoke in a similar vein included Chief Lucky Oyakhire who stood in for Emiyede, S’South women leader, Mrs. Christine Emiko and Chief Frank Akata.

House Decries Kyari Refusal to Respond to Audit Query Udora OrizuinAbuja The members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) have expressed grave concerns over the refusal of the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari, to respond to the audit query issued to the corporation by the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) on the illegal withdrawals of $20.301 billion from

the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends account.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Wole Oke, and other members, who expressed the concern, observed that the need for the NNPC group managing director and other relevant agencies to appear before the committee is to clean up the matter immediately, noting that they hold all Nigerians the duty of care.

The details of the fund were contained in the document submitted

to the House Committee on Public Accounts by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on the need to ‘investigate the illegal withdrawals from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends account by the management of NNPC’.

According to the document, “From the total sum of $21.686 billion revenue accrued into the NLNG dividend account from 1999 to 2020, NNPC expended a total sum of

$20,300,772,850 from the account leaving a credit balance of $1,384,875,073.39 as at June 30, 2020.”

The report stated that the sum of “$100 billion was generated

by NLNG in sales revenue since inception. The company also has paid over $18 billion as dividends through NNPC and $6.1 billion as Company Income Tax (CIT) through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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House: We’ll Adjust N’Assembly Expenses to Hasten Constitution Review To present police reform bill in two weeks Udora Orizu in Abuja The Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has announced that the National Assembly would adjust its expenses in order to support the activities of the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and make sure that its objectives

were met.

Kalu also revealed that a new police reform bill would be laid on the floor of the House of Representatives within two weeks.

He told THISDAY during the weekend that the constitution review is one of the top legislative agenda of 9th assembly, which the lawmakers would ensure it

Police Reform: Graduate Policemen Call for Review of Botched Promotion Exercise Seriki AdinoyiinJos Following general agitation for reform in the Nigeria Police Force to end Police brutality and intimidation, some inspectors and rank and file of the force numbering 1,850 have urged the Police authorities to re-visit their botched promotion exercise, adding that there cannot be any genuine reform when professional personnel are discarded after going through rigorous promotion exercise.

The group called on the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi and the Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Musiliu Smith to look into their plight as part of the current reform exercise.

In a statement signed by one Inspector Abdul Majeed Lukeman, the graduate policemen argued that having been shortlisted after rigorous screening exercise, the Force simply abandoned them to their fate five years after.

The statement reads in part: “In the year 2015, the Nigeria Police leaders at that time in their wisdom saw a need to upgrade inspectors, rank and file with higher educational qualifications. Based on that, they called for aptitude test (examination) and screening of officers with university degrees and HND (higher national diploma) certificates to be upgraded to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), reference to Police Wireless Message (Signal) CB:7510/DTD/FHQ/ABJ/ VOL.7/11, DTO151800/06/2015 Promotion General dated 06/2015.

“The examination and the screening were done by the police authority in conjunction with Police Service Commission in various state and zonal commands, respectively. After the examination and screening, 50 successful candidates were shortlisted from each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, according to their states of origins and Local Government Areas (LGAs), which make up to 1,850 candidates.

“Eventually, in December 2015, the police authority called for the final screening at the FHQ (Force Headquarters), Abuja via signal No. CB: 7510/ DTD FHQ/ABJ/VOL.7/66 dated December 5, 2015. This final screening was not even supposed to come up again because we had already been screened by representatives of Police Service Commission and FHQ in both zonal and state commands. But to our utmost surprise, at the

peak of the screening exercise at FHQ, we were told by the police authority that, we should go back to our various commands/ formations for further directives.”

The aggrieved policemen also alleged that the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Police Affairs had said it was in custody of the names of the successful candidates to be upgraded to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) based on their educational qualifications .

“But while we were still waiting and hoping to be called, the police authority differed the laid down procedure of appointment into the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) as seen in Section 39 part IV of Police Act and Regulation by calling for recruitment of civilian graduates as cadet ASP, they are currently Senior ASPs awaiting DSPs. While we, the serving members with our experience and length of service, are still stagnated within the Inspectors, Rank and Files Cadre, without any recourse to us, who were earlier screened and waiting to be promoted.

“The above provision of the Police Act and Regulation provides that vacancies in ASP cadre can only be filled up with candidates from outside the police, by the reason of unavailability of suitable candidates from within the force”.

“Furthermore, for about four decades, Inspectors and rank and files who obtained Degree and HNDs relevant to police duties while in service were always elevated to the rank of ASP on a regular basis without interruption.

The records of the Police Service Commission (PSC) can attest to the truth of this assertion. Many of the senior police officers today were beneficiaries of this type of promotion in the past.

“All our original confidential files, service registers and other sensitive documents have been in the custody of the Department of Training and Development (DTD) Police Force Headquarters FCT Abuja unattended to. We appeal to the minister and PSC to look into their plight.

“We equally plead with the following: the Police Council, the Inspector General of Police (IG), the chairmen, of police committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives, the chairman of Police Fund, former IG Suleiman Abba, the traditional rulers in Nigeria, and all wellmeaning individuals to take a second look at this issue with a view to addressing it appropriately.”

comes to pass.

Kalu said: ‘’Like you know, paucity of funds has always been the problem of National Assembly, expectation is high, but I’m sure that because the 9th Assembly is placing the constitution review on the front burner, certain adjustments will be made to prioritise this particular objective. It’s one of the top in our legislative agenda.

Nigerians are looking forward to that and we will put our money where our mouth is in funding

this.’’

He said that the committee might finish its work by June 2021 but assured that the review would not be compromised by speed, as the members of the committee would ensure a thorough job.

He said: ‘’The committee is under a serious minded, well experienced chairman, that’s the deputy speaker, Hon. Idris Wase. If you know him very well, you know that he operates with the speed of light when

he’s handling responsibilities. So I can assure you that he’s the right person for this all important committee. He has the leadership skills to be able to advance the constitution review expectations of Nigerians. So June or July, whatever it is, it’s going to be fast, as fast as possible. ‘’This is line with the resolution we raised in October.

We also hope to use the Bbudget to support Mr. President in actualising some of these five point demands of EndSARS

protesters. We’re using this budget to make sure that the youth element is captured in it.

It may not have been so rosy for the youths in the country, but let us also give credit that not too young to run bill was passed by this administration in his first tenure in office.

What we’re trying to do now is to see how we can energise and enable these youths to be positioned to even enjoy the benefits of this not too young to run bill.’’

LETTER OF RECOGNITION...

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left), and Deputy Executive Secretary (Academic), National University Commission, Dr. Babatunde Ramond Yusuf; during the collection of Letter of Recognition for Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere- Ekiti, at the NUC office, Abuja…recently

Organise APC Convention by December or Quit, Marafa Tells Buni A former senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, has advised the Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, to organise a convention or quit.

Buni’s committee was inaugurated in June following a leadership crisis that ensued in the party.

In response to the crisis, the party’s national executive committee (NEC) dissolved the national working committee (NWC) led by Adams Oshiomhole.

“Don’t overstretch your luck; we are not afraid of you. Many of us are aware that your appointment is unconstitutional, (Section 17(iv) of our party’s constitution is very clear).

We only kept quiet because of the respect we have for Mr. President, and the belief that the party needs to open a new page,” he said.

“Be informed that any action you take outside your primary mandate of organising a convention that will usher in a new set of executives will be null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

You have up to December to do the

needful or we chase you out.

“Your state needs you more than the party; go and administer your state, you can’t be governor and chairman of APC at the same time; it’s unconstitutional. You equally can’t accuse Chief Oshiomhole of any wrongdoing, because you were part and parcel of all the decisions he took. If there is any mess in APC today, you are part and parcel of it.

“We are eager to witness the emergence of a responsible leadership, a leadership we all can trust, a leadership that will carry

every member, every section, every tribe along, not the type that leads by deceit and lies.”

Marafa asked Buni to focus on Yobe which he claims is in more crisis than the APC. “Your state, Yobe, is in deeper crisis than APC. The state needs you more than the party; emulate your senior brother and colleague in Borno. Your agenda will collapse in a similar way the ones before yours collapsed,” he said.

Osun Public Work Selection Committee Disowns List of Beneficiaries The Special Public Work Selection Committee in Osun State yesterday disowned the list of beneficiaries selected for the federal government’s 774,000 jobs in the state.

In a public service

announcement signed by the chairman of Osun Special Public Works Selection Committee, Ambassador Abudulyekeen Abilagbo, the committee said the list released in local government areas was not

from the body.

It also said the committee had yet to conclude the collation of list of beneficiaries from the state.

“This is to inform the general public that the lists spreading all

around local governments and banks are not from the Osun Special Public Works Selection Committee.

“The state committee is yet to conclude on collation of the state lists. Please disregard in totality.”

Online Technology Medium Launched in Lagos Sunday Okobi An independent online media platform, which specialises in technology reporting mostly from Africa, AskIfa, has been launched as TechUncode in Lagos.

At the event which took place in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer of the platform, Mr. Charles Edosomwan, described TechUncode as a unique tech news platform that would communicate everything about technology in

a simplified and interesting way that will inspire world-renowned technological innovative solutions from Africa.

According to him, “There is a need to tell the story of Africa from an African view.

“All over the world, it is believed that Africans consume technology rather than invent it. It is thought that most world-leading software and hardware solutions are primarily from other continents of the world. This may be true

or not.

“However, what we seek to do is to change the narrative about Africa and technology. Our goal is to inspire world-leading technology solutions in Africa through our simplified content.”

Edosomwan added that: “TechUncode has taken the mantle to light up the path leading to a technological revolution for a continent hungry for possibilities.”

He emphasised that with TechUncode’s rich content, in-

depth analysis, events, webinars, and exclusive interviews, the platform would put past and current tech heroes in the spotlight.

Speaking on the launch of the platform, the General Manager, Arinola Gelor, said the rebrand was initiated to further emphasise the unique essence of TechUncode, and to ensure its content and events create a sustained transformative impact that will resonate with the audience.

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Ë&#x153; Î Ë&#x153; ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

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

Aribo Fires Brace in Rangersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eight-goal Wallop of Hamilton Femi Solaja with agency report Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; midfielder, Joe Aribo, fired warnings to Sierra Leone yesterday ahead of their

AFCON 2022 qualifier with Nigeria in Benin City as he gave a five-star performance in Rangers 8-0 mauling of Hamilton at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. He scored two of Rangers goal.

Golden Eaglets Beg Ayade for Pledged House Gift The FIFA U-17 World Cupwinning Golden Eagletsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of 2013 have again called on Governor Ben Ayade to redeem the Cross River Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pledge of house gifts to players and officials of the cadet national team.

Yesterday was the seventh anniversary when the Coach Manu Garba-led side extended the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grip on the cadet trophy with her fourth title.

That feat that made Governor Ayadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke, during the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s banquet for the team at Government House in Calabar on Saturday 15th November 2013, to announce the house gifts to the 21 players and 10 officials.

Imoke said at the time that the houses would be located in the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new housing estate in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frankly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unbelievable that we are yet to be given these houses almost 10 years after we won the FIFA U-17 World Cup and celebrated by everybody,â&#x20AC;? explained a crestfallen coach Garba.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, we were most impressed when Senator Imoke said in the presence of

the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; former NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari and members of his cabinet, that he preferred house gifts as a lasting legacy than monetary rewards ; but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unfortunate that after all these years, we are still waiting for the houses to be delivered to the players and officials.â&#x20AC;?

Garbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant and former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, said it was incumbent on Governor Ayade to fulfil the promises since they were made on behalf of the people and government of Cross River State, adding posterity will be kind to him if he redeem pledges expressively given to the Golden Eaglets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no way you want to write the story of the 2013 Golden Eagletsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; World Cup-winning squad without mentioning the people and government of Cross River State because they were part of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success story,â&#x20AC;? noted Amuneke who is also yet to be given the house gift pledged to the Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.

Barca Legend, Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o, in Road Accident in Cameroon Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o is in stable condition after he was involved in a road accident around NkongsambaDouala road in Cameroon.

Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o was said to be returning from a wedding celebration when his car was hit by a public transport bus on Sunday morning.

Although the car was badly damaged in the front, the 39-yearold was immediately moved to a hospital where he is doing well under the doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; watch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The crushed car Samuel Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o was in. I can confirm that he is fine, we spoke again.

Doctors taking care of additional examinations,â&#x20AC;? a Cameroonian journalist tweeted.

According to France Football, the Barcelona legend suffered a

head injury but no life was lost in the crash.

Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o who is a special adviser to Caf President Ahmad Ahmad, announced his retirement from football in September 2019 after a playing career that spanned 22 years.

He won several laurels across Europe which include four La Liga crowns, three Uefa Champions League titles, two Coppa Italia, the Fifa Club World Cup amongst others.

On the international scene, Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o is the all-time top scorer in the Indomitable Lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; history with 56 goals and the second-most capped player with 118 appearances after Rigobert Song (137 caps).

Osimhen Grabs Winner for Napoli, Move up Third Spot Victor Osimhenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 23rd minute goal against Bologna clinched 1-0 victory for Napoli yesterday.

Napoli are now lifted to third spot in the Italian Serie A, just two points behind leaders AC Milan.

Napoli, given a roasting after their 2-1 at Rijeka in the Europa League on Thursday when coach Gennaro Gattuso said they played as if they were on an excursion, quickly took control and went ahead after 23 minutes.

Hirving Lozano got free on the right and the Mexican curled over an inviting cross which the

unmarked Osimhen headed in at the far post, his second goal since joining from Lille in the summer transfer window.

Napoli thought they had scored a second when defender Kalidou Koulibaly had the ball in the net following a goalmouth scramble after halftime but it was disallowed following a VAR review because the ball brushed Osimhenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand in the build up.

Bologna finally managed their first shot on goal after 73 minutes when Musa Barrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-range effort was comfortably held by Ospina.

Aribo and his Super Eagles teammates are expected in the Edo State capital as the camp formally open for the double header clash with Sierra Leone.

The win was Rangers biggest win under Steven Gerrard to go nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Scott Arfield struck the opener while Kemar Roofe headed the second and Joe Ariboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deflected shot made it three.

Ariboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second of the night also took a nick off a defender as bottom side Accies toiled.

Roofe tapped in after the break before substitute Brandon Barker slotted in and James Tavernier contributed a penalty and another strike.

Gerrardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side have played two games more than nearest challengers Celtic and are yet to concede a league goal at Ibrox

this season.

The margin of victory makes it the biggest win since the top flight was rebranded as the Scottish Premiership in 2013, which was also the same as last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rangers 8-0 crushing of Stenhousemuir.

The hosts showed attacking intent from the outset and Connor Goldson, Ryan Kent and Tavernier were all denied by goalkeeper Ryan Fulton early on.

The pressure told on 16 minutes when Jermain Defoe stole possession just inside the Accies half and released Kent with a reverse pass - the winger squaring for Arfield to apply the finish.

Tavernier then crossed for Roofe to head his fourth goal of the season. And it got worse for Hamilton when Aribo worked the space to get a shot away,

with the ball spinning off Scott McMann and Hakeem Odoffin into the net.

There was no let-up from the home side and Roofe set up Aribo again, the midfielderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot diverted over Fulton by Will Collar.

Arfield fancied another and drew a save from Fulton in added time and the keeper was called into action again early in the second period when Tavernier struck.

McMann almost scored an own goal when preventing Arfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross reaching Defoe, the ball hitting the post and presenting Roofe with an easy chance for his second goal of the afternoon.

Defoe set up Kentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement Barker to slide home and the striker was then fouled by Odoffin to give top scorer Tavernier the

chance to score his 11th goal of the season.

And Tavernier soon made it 12 for the campaign, reacting quickest in the box after Fulton had blocked Roofeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort.

Rangers had let a two-goal lead slip in Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3-3 Europa League draw with Benfica and they showed a hunger to make amends for the late lapses in Lisbon.

The movement of their front players consistently stretched Hamilton and, but for Fulton, the rout could have made it into double figures, while Bongani Zungu made his debut as a second-half substitute.

For Hamilton it was a far cry from Marchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-0 win at Ibrox as their run of league defeats stretched to four, during which they have conceded 20 goals.

Joe Aribo celebrating his brace in Rangers 8-0 mauling of Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership...yesterday

Gov Wike Cup: 10-man MFM Secure First Win Olayinka Yusuf was the hero for 10-man MFM FC of Lagos as they secured their first victory at the ongoing Governor Wike Pre-Season Championships at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

MFM defeated Bayelsa United 1-0 to make it four points from two matches after they were forced to a 2-2 draw against Goddosky FC on Saturday.

Yusuf pounced on a through pass from Udor Godwin to sidefoot home in the 13th minute of the game after Bayelsa had lost a penalty to put the Lagos-based side ahead.

However for the second game running, MFM collected a red card in the second half of the game as Alimi Adebayo was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Despite playing with a man down, MFM continued to pill up the pressure and they were able to repel all efforts by their Nigeria National League counterpart.

Speaking after the game, MFM Coach, Tony Bulus, said despite losing so many players during the transfer window, the technical crew are working so hard to get a good team for the new campaign. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has become a tradition

here at MFM for other clubs to poach our players at the end of every campaign, but we are working hard to get new team that will perform well in the new season,â&#x20AC;? the coach said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am happy with the win but the truth is we are still far away from the team we are targeting for the new campaign, hopefully at the end of this glamorous preseason, we will get closer to our goal.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, the second game was a delight to watch as Ndala FC secured a 2-1 win against Goddosky FC despite playing with 10-man as the captain of the team

was given the marching order as early as the first half of the game.

The competition continues today with four matches.

Udala FC will take on Abia Warriors in the first match of the day while it will be a battle between Ottasollo FC against Cynosure FC in the second match.

Bayelsa United will trade tackles against Goddosky later in the afternoon while the host team Rivers United will hope to secure their first win of the competition when they take on Akwa United in the final game of the day.

42nd CBN Tennis Championship Serves off in Abuja Action will begin today in the main draws of the 42nd edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Annual Tennis Championship which serves-off at the Package â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The Championship will run till November 14 when the final will take place.

Ag Director, Corporate Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Osita C. Nwanisobi, made this known while representing the Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele at the media unveiling of the championships held in Abuja He hinted that the

championship which has over the years served as a good platform in removing Nigerian youths from the streets, has equally succeeded in giving them more meaningful life, discovering their God-given talents.

Several players from previous editions of the tournaments represented Nigeria in International events.

The senior tournament is coming up just few weeks after the conclusion of the 14th edition of the CBN Junior Tennis Tournament held in Lagos The junior event was coordinated by Godwin

Kienkaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Tennis Academy for boys and girls U-10, U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories.

Mr. Nwanisobi pleaded with participants to maximize the opportunities being provided by the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apex bank in developing their talents since the CBN is committed to continous sponsorship of the annual championships.

Meanwhile, not less than 250 players drawn from across the country registered for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event which holds in six categories (men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles, men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles, and the men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wheelchair singles

events).

The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles event will be played in the round of 64 chart with the winner smiling home with N700,000 while the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles players would slug it out in the round of 32 draw with the champion getting N700,000 as well.

Some of the seeded players in the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s category include the defending champion, Oyinlomo Quadri, Christy Agugbom, Blessing Samuel, Blessing Anuna, Aanu Aiyegbusi, Patience Onibamhion, Ibironke Oladipo, Omolayo Bamidele, Arhunwande Osariemen and Bukola Oluwa among others.

Ë&#x153; Î Ë&#x153; ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

55

MONDAYSPORTS

The National Sports Festival: A Hasty Decision?

M

embers of the National Council on Sports ended their meeting over the weekend proposing that the National Sports Festival holds from the 3rd December to the 18th December 2020. The Sports Festival has been embroiled in jump start position for a long time now. The biennial event has undergone postponement and hiccups especially the last year.

On the eve of the opening ceremony, the pandemic struck.

The National Sports Festival, Edo 2020 had to be suspended as the nation went into lockdown because of the COVID-19 spread.

Though the decision was late in coming, it was a smart and sensible one. The virus was not well understood and reports of its deadliness was spreading across the globe.

Since then there has been uncertainty of the dates of the National Sports Festival.

When it was reported by the press to have been postponed indefinitely, the Ministry of Sports denied this.

Sports Minister, Sunday Dare had described as false and unfounded news reports that the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival had been postponed indefinitely. There were media

reports that the 20th edition of the sports festival would no longer hold this year, but the Ministry told news reporters that it had not made a final decision then.

A statement by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Media office clarified that consultations were ongoing between the Ministry, the Edo State Government, the PTF on Covid-19, and the National Council on Sports to decide on a new date to host the Festival. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like we did by consulting with the PTF on Covid-19, when we lifted the ban on non-contact sports and later contact sports, discussions are ongoing to decide on a new date for the Festival. The fake news that the Festival has been postponed indefinitely must have emanated from a false source.â&#x20AC;?

The statement further stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are considering a staggered Festival spanning several weeks and athletes in batches, no fans and strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocol. While we are committed to holding the Festival, we do not want to endanger the lives of athletes and officials. Be rest assured that a decision would be taken in line with the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guidelines in the best interest of the common good of our

sports and the athletes.â&#x20AC;?

However, with the announcement over the weekend that the festival will be held in the next five weeks, it is seen as a decision not made

date is fixed immediately.

This enables athletes to prepare adequately and coaches to design training programmes again so as to make sure athletes peak at the right time. When

Ese Brume...bearing Team Delta flag at the last edition in the interest of the athletes or sports.

An athlete needs to prepare for a competition for optimum performance. And preparation takes time and process. With sporting activities suspended for the past five months and training facilities locked up due to the pandemic, athletes have not been preparing.

Also, when sporting events are postponed, a proposed

the competition date is not known early, they cannot plan their meso and micro training cycles. So just announcing competition dates giving only a few weeks was definitely not one decision taken in the interest of sporting performance. When the decision to postpone the Olympic Games was made, the International Olympic Committee immediately gave an alternate date, giving the athletes

a whole year to prepare. The National Sports Festival was postponed without a proposed date fixed.

Observers believe that one of the failures to set a date or to postpone the festival for a year (or for a reasonably adequate time) was based on the political uncertainty of the host state.

With Edo State going through a hostile and unpredictable election, hosting of the festival seemed only certain when the political climate was settled.

The December announcement seems also like a non-sporting decision. With the Olympics coming in the summer of 2021 and a host of qualifiers still going on, the National Sports Festival would have been a perfect preparation for our athletes.

The most convenient date would have been between March and April, the same months that it was previously scheduled to hold. This would have given the athletes time to prepare and also made sure that those going for the international competitions have top quality competition to help them prepare.

Also, reports around the nation

do not give full confidence that the COVID-19 virus has been contained. With rising numbers of positive cases around the country and a second wave spreading worldwide, caution may be the best action yet for the health of athletes and fans.

So the promise of making a decision in the interest of sports and the athletes seems to have been broken as there really is no reason to rush the hosting of the festival before the end of the year. Adding to the reasons listed above, the general unrest of youth across the country, state of security, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;emberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; month celebrations and the current economic hardship, it perhaps would have been a good idea to make things stabilize before requiring mass movements of athletes and fans from all over the country.

Sometimes the interest of the athletes, sports and even the nation is best served by some caution and delay.

* EneďŹ ok is an author, Speaker, administrator, Life coach, businessman and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ONLY Male two Time Olympic Medalist

PREMIER LEAGUE

Lookman Apologises for Failed Panenka-styled Penalty Miss John Terryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slip in the 2008 Champions League final shootout, Simone Zazaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bizarre run-up and miss for Italy against Germany at Euro 2016 and now Ademola Lookmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fluffed Panenka-style spot kick.

The 23-year-old Nigerian player had the chance to earn Fulham a last-gasp point at West Ham United on Saturday night but his spot-kick, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, was a horror show that left his manager Scott Parker seething.

Attempting the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Panenkaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chip made famous by Czech player Antonin Panenka and imitated by the likes of Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo, Lookman got it all wrong.

He appeared to kick the ground before contact and his effort spooned up weakly into the grateful arms of Lukasz Fabianski. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After yesterday (Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) mistake, I take full responsibility and onus for it,â&#x20AC;? Lookman tweeted on Sunday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To my teammates, manager and the supporters I vow to put the next one in. I will not let one failure hold me back.â&#x20AC;?

Understandably, Cottagers boss Scott Parker was not best pleased after the match, having seen his team fail to rescue a point having conceded a Tomas Soucek strike in the 91st minute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to shirk away from the penalty miss, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m angry,

and he (Lookman) is as well.

You just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a penalty like that. If you take one like that, you have to score,â&#x20AC;? Parker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappointed and rightly so. Everyone can miss penalties of course but in a certain way.

This is football, growing as an individual and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn from this.â&#x20AC;?

Parker was also disappointed that Tomas Soucekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stoppagetime goal for West Ham had not been ruled offside.

(Sebastien) Haller was clearly offside and was interfering,â&#x20AC;?

Parker, whose side have lost six of their eight games in the Premier League, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have liked to have thought the linesman or the VAR could see

it as interfering.â&#x20AC;?

Lookman also received sympathy from team mate Tom Cairney, who won the penalty, and even West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, but Parker could not hide his feelings after the howler that condemned his side to a 1-0 defeat in a game in which

they deserved a point.

Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opposite number David Moyes was relieved that his side had earned a first win in four games without playing well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It says a lot about the players. We are going to stick at game, if we have to win ugly

-- not that we were too ugly -- but the last 20 we tried,â&#x20AC;?

Moyes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was furious with the way we played after we scored the goal. We had to manage the game better and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do which led to a penalty kick, which was disappointing.â&#x20AC;?

Late Kane Winner Sends Spurs to Top First Time in Six Years Harry Kaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 88th-minute header was enough to send Tottenham to the top of the Premier League for the first time since August 2014.

A game of few chances seemed destined to end goalless after Hugo Lloris had kept out Karlan Grantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-half header and a flurry of Tottenham chances had come and gone without reward.

But, as has been the case so often in the past, Kane punished West Bromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minor lack of concentration for the 1-0 away win.

West Bromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defence failed to track the England skipperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run into the box, allowing him to leap unchecked to meet Matt Dohertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross and nod a 150th Premier League goal over goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Tottenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead at the summit may only last a matter of hours, but it was the kind of narrow win that is the hallmark of champions.

For West Brom, who

have now scored once in their last five games, it was a result that keeps them in the relegation zone and already facing a tough battle to retain their top-flight status.

Harry Kane celebrating his late winner against West Brom...yesterday

Ademola Lookman (centre) was devastated after the penalty miss...on Saturday night

City, Liverpool Share Points as Leicester Move Top of EPL Manchester City were left to rue Kevin De Bruyneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s missed penalty as Liverpool escaped from the Etihad with a point for the first time in four seasons after a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blitz from the whistle was rewarded with Mohamed Salahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13th minute penalty, but Gabriel Jesus levelled for Pep Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men before De Bruyne failed to hit the target from the spot three minutes before halftime.

The scoreline puts former champions, Leicester City, to climb to the top of the Premier League, after a highly contentious penalty by Jamie Vardy was enough for the Foxes to beat

Wolves at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy took his tally for the season to nine goals after sending Rui Patricio the wrong way, with Wolvesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; players incensed the spot-kick was given after Max Kilman handled Dennis Praetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross.

Wolves claimed Kilman had no time to move his hand out of the way but referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Portugal keeper Patricio saved a second Vardy penalty with his leg before half-time Leicesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eighth Premier League spot-kick of the season - after Rayan Ait-Nouri brought down

James Justin.

Wolves threatened an equaliser after half-time, 19-year-old Wesley Fofana producing an excellent challenge to deny Pedro Neto a certain goal, Kilman fired over from close range, while Kasper Schmeichel made an outstanding flying save to keep out Ruben Neves.

Leicester replace Tottenham, who beat West Brom earlier in the day to go top, at the summit.

Leicester had to dig deep in the second half as Wolves came back strongly but Brendan Rodgersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side head into the international break on the back of six straight wins.

TR

Monday November 9, 2020

UT H

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Ohanaeze to FG

“With the act of freezing the alleged #EndSARS promoters accounts, the Muhammadu Buhari government has demonstrated no remorse and sincerity to tackle the unfortunate incident of over 500 innocent Nigerian youths extrajudicially murdered by the SARS” – President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Igboayaka Igboayaka, blasting the federal government and the judiciary for freezing of bank accounts #EndSARS promoters.

FEMIFALANA GUEST COLUMNIST

Legal Competence of Panels on Police Brutality

A

t the emergency meeting of the National Economic Council held in Abuja on October 15, 2020 the members unanimously resolved to institute judicial commissions of inquiry to deliver justice for all victims of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.

The judicial panels to be set up in all the states, would include representatives of youths, students, civil society organisations and would be chaired by a retired judge.

The Council also resolved and directed state governors to immediately establish State-based Special Security and Human Rights Committees to be chaired by the Governors in their States.

The Committees are to supervise the newly formed police tactical units and all other security agencies located in the States. The idea of the Special Security and Human Rights Committees in all States and the FCT is to ensure that police formations and other security agencies in the State consistently protect the human rights of citizens.

As a sequel to the aforementioned resolutions, state governors, have in exercise of the powers vested in them by the Tribunal of Inquiry Laws, instituted Judicial Commissions of Inquiry to probe complaints of human rights abuse and make appropriate recommendations to the governments. The resolutions are perfectly in order as the Tribunal of Inquiry of each State qualifies as an existing law under section 315 of the 1999 Constitution.

See Williams v Dawodu (1988) 4 NWLW (PT 87).

It is submitted that by virtue of Section 1 of the Tribunal of Inquiry Law each governor is vested with the power to constitute a tribunal of inquiry to inquire into the conduct of officers or of any chief officer or of the department of the government and related issues including “any matter in respect of which in the opinion an inquiry would be for the public welfare.”

It cannot be disputed that the investigation of police brutality is designed to promote the welfare of the people.

Indeed, majority of the allegations of police brutality pertain to extra judicial killing or murder, attempted murder, false imprisonment and assault occasioning harm which are offences created by either the criminal code or penal code applicable in the states.

To that extent, the governors have the power to cause these complaints to be investigated with a view to preventing police brutality in all its ramifications.

Regrettably, in spite of the several decisions of the Supreme Court on the constitutional powers of state governments over law and order including crime control, many lawyers have continued to believe that state governments are appendages of the federal government as was the case under the defunct military junta.

CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad

AGF, Abubakar Malami

Hence, the powers of governors to institute judicial commissions of inquiry to probe police brutality has generated a needless controversy. With respect, tribunal of inquiry is not one of the items in the Exclusive List or the Concurrent List to the Constitution. Therefore, it is a residual matter within the exclusive legislative competence of state governments.

This was the bone of contention in the celebrated case of Fawehinmi v.

Babangida (2003) WRN 4 where the Supreme Court held that: “When it is remembered that the 1999 Constitution has made no provision for tribunals of inquiry as did the 1963 Constitution in Item 39 of the exclusive list and Item 25 of the concurrent list, it follows that, to repeat myself on the point, the power to make a general law for the establishment and regulation of tribunals of inquiry in the form of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 1966 is now a residual power under

the 1999 Constitution belonging to the States. However, in regard to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, the power resides in the National Assembly.”

It has also been contended that the judicial panels lack the vires to summon police officers who are in the public service of the federal government.

In Fawehinmi v Babangida (supra) the Supreme Court dismissed such spurious contention. Speaking for the apex court, Uwaifo JSC (as he then was) asserted that “Sections 5 (c), 10 and 11(3) of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents were constitutional and valid in so far as they applied to the Federal Capital Territory”.

In view of the categorical pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the validity of Section 5 (c) of the Tribunal of Inquiry Law it is submitted that the power of all state governments to set up judicial

Having regards to the state of the law on human rights protection in Nigeria the judicial commissions of inquiry set up to investigate allegations of police brutality have the undoubted power to compel the attendance of private persons and public officers whose evidence will be of assistance in the delivery of justice to all victims of human rights abuse traced to members of the disbanded SARS and other police units

commissions of inquiry to probe human rights abuse arising from police brutality is well grounded in law.

In the same vein, the power of the judicial commission to summon police and military personnel as well as other officers in the public service of the federal government to testify in respect of allegations of human rights abuse cannot be questioned on solid legal grounds.

Indeed, it is in the interest of all persons accused of violating the human rights of citizens to defend themselves in exercise of their fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed by section 36 (1) of the Constitution.

Another objection is that the judicial commissions of inquiry are not competent to probe human rights abuse because the National Human Rights Commission has been empowered by the National Human Rights Commission Act to investigate all allegations of human rights in any part of the country.

With respect, this argument is a red herring as the National Human Rights Commission has not been clothed with exclusive power to investigate all allegations of infringement of human rights in Nigeria. Hence, the human rights committees of the national and state legislative houses as well as the human rights desks in many police stations do investigate complaints of human rights abuse from time to time.

In fact, in order to institutionalise the observance of human rights in all the states the governors have commendably resolved to establish human rights committees on a permanent basis.

In State v Mathew (2018) 9 NWLR (1625) 399 it was the argument of the respondent that the power to assign a defence counsel to an indigent accused person is the exclusive preserve of the Legal Aid Council. In rejecting the argument the Supreme Court held that notwithstanding the existence of the Legal Aid Act a counsel assigned from the Office of the Public Defender of Ogun State was competent to defend the defendant who had been charged with armed robbery committed in the State.

Having regards to the state of the law on human rights protection in Nigeria the judicial commissions of inquiry set up to investigate allegations of police brutality have the undoubted power to compel the attendance of private persons and public officers whose evidence will be of assistance in the delivery of justice to all victims of human rights abuse traced to members of the disbanded SARS and other police units. However, the proposed State Human Rights Human Rights Committees to be established in the states should not be headed by governors.

For the purpose of independence and impartiality the Committees should be constituted by representatives of credible professional bodies and mass based organisations.

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