FRIDAY 31TH JULY 2020

Nigeria’s Top 10 Highest-earning CEOs Received N3.5bn in 2019 MTN’s Moolman - N585.94m; Oando’s Tinubu - N568m; Seplat’s Avuru - N440m; GTB’s Agbaje – N399.7m Obinna Chima Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of top 10 leading private sector organisations in Nigeria received a total of

N3.478 billion ($8.918 million, at the I & E exchange rate of N390/$) as remunerations in 2019, data compiled from a report by Proshare Nigeria Limited, has shown.

The report, titled: “CEO Remuneration: Paying the CEO in a Pandemic, the Unanswered Questions,” which was obtained yesterday, showed that the top-earning

CEOs are from diverse sectors of the economy.

It showed that at N585.94 million ($1.502million) per annum, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdinand

Moolman, received the highest remuneration in the country in 2019.

He was closely followed by the Group CEO of Oando Plc, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, who

earned a total of N568 million ($1.456million) per annum.

The outgoing CEO of Seplat Petroleum Development Continued on page 10

FG Approves Seventh Evacuation Flight for Stranded Nigerians in US... Page 8 Friday 31 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9244. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

TODAY'S WEATHER

ABUJA 25°C-33°C

MAIDUGURI 31°C-31°C

UT H

& RE A S O

ENUGU 25°C-28°C

N

KANO 27°C-33°C

LAGOS 24C-27°C

PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C

Multiple Explosions in Maiduguri Leave One Dead, 16 Injured Borno gov blames military saboteurs for convoy attack Army probes incident Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Panic gripped residents of Maiduguri, Borno State capital yesterday as multiple explosions from mortars fired by suspected Boko Haram insurgents hit the troubled town, killing one person and injuring 16 others.

The explosions occurred a day after gunmen, believed to be terrorists, attacked the

convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum at Baga.

The governor yesterday blamed the attack on military saboteurs, threatening to call the civil populace to take their destiny into their own hands if the soldiers fail to secure the important trading town.

Confirming the explosions, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, said one person was Continued on page 10

Buhari Calls for Understanding over COVID-19 Restrictions Gowon, others preach peace Deji Elumoye, Omololu Ogunmade and Udora Orizu in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appealed to Nigerians for their understanding over the restrictions imposed on them to

curb the spread of COVID-19, saying they were not intended by the federal government to inconvenience them.

He specifically appealed to Muslims and Christians to remain patient over the Continued on page 32

NEW NBA PRESIDENT...

Olumide Akpata, Senior Partner at Templars, elected Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President...this morning

Story on page 33

Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu, Others Mourn Afenifere Chieftain, Fasanmi... Page 5

2

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

5

FRIDAY, ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu, Others Mourn Afenifere Chieftain, Fasanmi

Deji Elumoye, Omololu Ogunmade, Udora Orizu in Abuja, James Sowole in Akure, Segun James in Lagos, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, have joined governors and the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, to mourn a chieftain of the organisation, Senator Ayo Fasanmi. Fasanmi, who was at various times a member of the House of Representatives and Senate died on Wednesday night at Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The deceased senator, who hailed from Iye-Ekiti, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Ekiti State, was 94 years old.

The Osun State Government broke the news of his passage yesterday in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode.

She said the elder statesman’s passage was confirmed by his first son, Justice Obafemi Fasanmi, on behalf of the family.

“Pa Fasanmi was an epitome of humility, selflessness and integrity.

“He made enviable and remarkable contributions to his profession, to the socio-political development of Yoruba land, and to the nation at large,” she said.

In his condolences, Buhari described Fasanmi's death as a big loss to the nation.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president condoled with the people and governments of Osun and Ekiti States, family members, friends and associates of the elder statesman.

Buhari said Fasanmi’s wise counsel, borne out of humility, deep reflection, diligent studies and experience would be sorely missed by governments at

different levels.

According to him, the deceased regularly and willingly listened to leaders and always offered good advice on the way forward.

He said: "As an ardent follower and prodigy of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the president believes the fearless and consistent leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation lived to serve his people and the nation, and the progressive ideals that he projected impacted greatly and provided a road map on development at state and federal levels.”

Lawan said Nigeria would miss the forthrightness of Fasanmi.

In a condolence message yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Ola Awoniyi, he stated that Nigerians would miss the deceased’s forthrightness, consistency, wise counsel and wealth of experience.

He commiserated with the government and people of Ekiti State and the Yoruba people over the demise of a leader who, he said, throughout his life was committed to the cause of his people a Gbajabiamila expressed sadness over the demise of Fasanmi, saying the progressives have lost a worthy comrade.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the speaker said though the demise of Fasanmi would be felt by the nation, the progressives and his family, solace would, however, be taken in the fact that his footprints had been firmly entrenched in the polity.

He said: "As a federal lawmaker at the national level, first as a member of the House of Representatives and later a senator, Pa Fasanmi came across as a symbol of humility, selflessness and integrity. These attributes have continued to inspire lawmakers across the country. It is my prayer that his soul rests in perfect peace, and may God give those he left

Fasanmi behind the fortitude to bear the loss.''

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; and the APC also mourned the elder statesman.

Fayemi described the late Afenifere leader as one of the heroes of democracy being enjoyed in the country today.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described Fasanmi as a steadfast Awoist and a committed progressive who was a torchbearer for younger progressives in his lifetime.

He noted that Fasanmi was a politician who was consistent with the progressive ideology as demonstrated in his membership of the Action Group, Unity Party of Nigeria, Social Democratic Party, Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigerian and the APC. Obaseki, in mourning Fasanmi, described him as a grounded leader and thoroughbred politician, who was committed to the welfare of his people and the development of the country.

According to him, “I received the sad news of the passing of Senator Ayo Fasanmi with a heavy heart. He was one of the finest politicians around who prioritised the needs of the people above all else.

“He made indelible marks in the political development of the country that would not be forgotten in a hurry. His wise counsel would be greatly missed.”

Afenifere also described the deceased as a principled fighter for the cause of its leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the days of siege.

Afenifere, in a tribute titled: "Farewell to Senator Fasanmi," issued by its Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, commiserated with the bereaved family and the government and people of Ekiti State on his death.

Akeredolu also yesterday described the late Afenifere leader as a patriot whose positive exploits would not be forgotten in a hurry.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, the Ondo State governor described Fasanmi as “one of the few men standing, personified integrity and exemplified

altruism.”

"Baba lives on because of his positive exploits and demonstrated capacity to lead a people. He bequeathed courage, planted love and displayed an insatiable quest for a just, equitable and egalitarian Nigeria,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu also expressed sadness over the death of the elder statesman whom he described as "a great nationalist, passionate leader and humility personified."

The Lagos State governor, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the death of the nonagenarian came at a critical period when his wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom were most needed.

Sanwo-Olu, who also described the late Fasanmi as a complete gentleman and a selfless leader said he contributed immensely to the development of the South-west region in particular, and the nation in general.

Oyetola described the death of the elder statesman as a big loss to not only the Yoruba race but also Nigeria.

He said the late senator would be greatly missed and

remembered for his love for and service to Nigeria and its people.

Tinubu commiserated with the family, associates and the progressives throughout the country, over the passage of the eminent politician.

He said: “With his passing, we have lost someone special and excellent in every way. Papa’s long sojourn on earth was for the good of all. He walked at the vanguard of all democrats, freedom fighters and believers in true federalism.

“To have lived to the age of 94 was God’s gift not only to him and his family but to this nation he loved so deeply. A colourful personality, Papa was principled, courageous and honest. He was a loyal and dependable ally of the indomitable Chief Obafemi Awolowo. For all his life, Pa Fasanmi practised and advanced the virtues he learned at the feet of his leader.”

On its part, the APC, in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, said the Yoruba and the nation at large had lost a father in the death of Fasanmi.

The party said he was a frontline politician whose indelible strides would be forever remembered.

NNPC to Sue Mexican Firm, Samano, Labels Officials Extortionists

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Lawyers to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Afe Babalola and Co., yesterday said the corporation had concluded arrangements to drag an oil trading firm, Samano Sa De CV, before the courts for making several unsubstantiated claims against it.

The national oil company described the entire matter as a failed attempt by the officials of the Mexican firm to extort, intimidate and defraud the corporation and the federal government, describing it as “an international crime syndicate.”

The company had written the NNPC demanding a five per cent reward for ‘exposing’ an alleged diversion and theft of 48 million barrels of crude oil valued at over $2 billion.

It said despite the assurances of the reward, some government and NNPC officials sold the products with the proceeds not remitted to the government’s coffers, while the corporation also refused to pay it a five per cent commission.

But in a statement signed on behalf of the NNPC by the law firm, the corporation noted that the entire episode was replete with falsehoods, offensive and a failed move at gold-digging.

According to the corporation, Samano first contacted officials of the federal government sometime in 2015 indicating that it had been approached by an unnamed group in China to buy 48 Million barrels of Nigerian crude oil, which they believed to have been stolen from Nigeria.

It said that Samano requested that it be allowed to purchase the stolen crude after its recovery, adding that shortly after, the company indicated that it was no longer interested in buying as it only obliged the government with the information to assist the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s fight against corruption.

The NNPC maintained that it was impossible, based on the operations and state of the international crude oil market in 2015, to ship 48 million barrels of crude oil from Nigeria to China without any record or trace of the same.

“For context, as of 2015, the daily production of crude oil in Nigeria was below 1.6 million barrels. Therefore, 48 million barrels of crude oil would have been the total production capacity of the country for a whole month.

“It was and remains simply impossible for one-month crude oil production for the entire

country to disappear without any record or trace from the shores of the country.

“NNPC was also aware that as at the material time and considering the fact that the People’s Republic of China is one of the most regulated economies in the world, the export of crude oil from Nigeria to China was exclusively undertaken by four known companies approved by, under the control, ownership, and management of the Chinese government.

“It would, therefore, have been impossible to transport 48 million barrels of crude oil from Nigeria to China without the active involvement of the said companies. Again, from an economic perspective, it made little sense that anyone would store that volume of crude oil in China for such a considerable period having regard to the attendant significant storage costs” NNPC argued.

The NNPC added that it is noteworthy that the Chinese government had, through its officials, stated emphatically in response to the allegation at different fora that there was no stolen Nigerian crude oil stored in any port or terminal or storage facility in China.

It said that despite the reservations and in view of

the fact that transparency remains an integral component of state policy under President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal government set up the Presidential Committee on Recovery of Stolen Nigerian Crude Oil in response to the claims made by several companies including Samano.

The NNPC explained that when Samano was asked to present evidence in proof of its allegations to enable it to investigate and verify its claim, it refused, neglected or failed to provide the committee with any cogent and verifiable evidence in support of its allegations.

It added: “Notwithstanding the failure of Samano to produce verifiable evidence in support of its allegations, for completeness, relevant officials were mandated to pay an in-person visit to China and further investigate Samano's claim.

“During this fact-finding trip to China, it was discovered that Samano's claim was false as there were no 48 million barrels of stolen Nigerian crude oil or any stolen Nigerian crude oil in any port, terminal or storage facility in China.

“It was also discovered that all the documents previously presented by Samano in support of its claims were not genuine.

A report of this finding was issued by the committee to Mr. President.

“Consequently, the federal government terminated all communications with Samano as it became apparent that its claim was a hoax.”

According to the corporation, when Samano realised that the government was no longer interested in the non-existent stolen crude, it resorted to blackmail and intimidation of key officials of the government.

The NNPC stressed that the company threatened that it would publicise the fact that the non-existent crude had been recovered, sold and proceeds looted by senior government officials and other personalities when it knew this was absolute falsehood.

Samano made several demands, including the demand that it be paid the sum of $125,000,000:00 by the government officials to prevent it from disclosing this false information to the public.

As a result of the constant harassment, NNPC revealed that it was constrained to make a formal report to the Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Police while other victims wrote petitions in respect of the same subject to

the Attorney-General of the Federation.

After a thorough investigation, the corporation explained, it was discovered that the allegations of conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence, blackmail and extortion were well-founded and that some of the fraudulent activities of one Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Jose Salazar Tinajero (both agents of Samano) constituted a threat to the national security of Nigeria.

“During its investigation, the Nigerian Police discovered that Samano is part of a notorious crime syndicate that habitually intimidates, blackmails, and defrauds government officials and other high-profile persons.

“For instance, it was discovered that Mr. Ramirez, Samano’s representative, was indicted by the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas as the mastermind of a scheme leading to the loss of several millions of dollars through various mail and wire frauds between 2010 and 2013.

“The police became aware that Mr. Ramirez fled the United States of America and settled in Nigeria where he continued his criminal activities in conjunction with Samano and its managing director," the national oil said.

6

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

FRIDAY, ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

8

NEWS

FG Approves Seventh Evacuation Flight for Stranded Nigerians in US 256 evacuated from Morocco, Niger Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The federal government has approved the seventh evacuation flight for stranded Nigerians in the United States.

This is coming as 256 Nigerians have been evacuated from Morocco and Niger Republic between Wednesday and yesterday.

The Consulate General

CCB Yet to File Charges against Magu, Says CCT Suspended EFCC boss awaits service, says counsel Kingsley Nwezeh and Alex Enumah in Abuja Following reports that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) may move against the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, over alleged non-asset declaration, his counsel and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), have said no charges have been filed against him.

Magu’s lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, has also stated that he was yet to be served.

Spokesman of CCT, Mr. Ibraheem Alhassan, told THISDAY that no charge against Magu has so far been filed at the tribunal.

"As at today no charge has been filed against Magu," he said.

A source at the CCB, however, said he was not aware the bureau was preparing any charge against Magu.

However, another source at the CCB dismissed insinuation of charge against Magu as a rumour, saying that the presidential panel probing corruption allegations against him was yet to conclude its assignment or made any report against Magu.

"Nothing of such; it is just rumour. After all, the Salami-led committee is yet to submit its report. The committee has not finished their assignment; they have not submitted a report. If at all the report is submitted, then we can begin to speculate something like that", he said.

According to the source, the bureau cannot act without a formal report or complaint, stressing that investigations must also be carried out before a charge can be filed.

"I learnt that the committee has questioned his (Magu's) assets declaration form, they have asked for it, but until he is indicted the bureau cannot do anything.

"So for now, there is nothing of such, we are not saying it cannot come up tomorrow, but for now nothing of such," he added.

Shittu has also denied knowledge of any charge being prepared against his client.

He dismissed it as media speculations on the grounds that Magu was yet to be investigated by the CCB, a condition necessary before charges are filed against anyone.

"I am really not aware. It remains speculations in the papers. Magu has not been investigated by the CCB,"

Shittu said.

He added that contrary to the belief in some quarters, Magu was only suspended, not removed from office.

He also said he could hold brief for the EFCC and Magu contrary to criticisms that assuming such dual capacity was unethical.

Shittu said Magu had not been served any court process regarding non-asset declaration.

"I am not aware of that. We have not been served", he said.

Shittu, in response to a charge by a group of lawyers that his status as counsel to EFCC and Magu amounted to a conflict of interest, said he won five landmark cases in the same capacity.

A group under the auspices of League of Abuja Young Lawyers (LAYL), had on Wednesday called on the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel probing the Magu-led EFCC to sanction Shittu over allegations bordering on conflict of interest.

President of the group, Mr. Nwoko Clems, had told journalists in Abuja that Shittu as a prosecutor to the EFCC could not continue to appear on behalf of Magu before the panel as his personal lawyer.

But in response to the charge by the group, Shittu said: "This issue arose in the proceedings of Hon. Justice Salami's panel and was argued and resolved.

I have always appeared as counsel to EFCC as counsel in several proceedings.

"I have five landmark judgments obtained in favour of Magu and EFCC in which l appeared as counsel to both in the referred proceedings.

Secondly, l have represented Magu in several libel matters as his counsel of choice.

"As a private counsel, I'm not retained by EFCC but serves as external counsel to EFCC based on cases assigned to me by the commission.

"There is no agreement between l and EFCC that I am not entitled to handle cases against EFCC as private counsel. I have, however, as a matter of honour, refrained from taking up cases against EFCC. "It is my personal decision.

Significantly, Magu has not been removed as EFCC chair, he is only suspended. There is no breach of ethics in representing Magu who is only suspended but not removed, especially in the context that he remains the acting chair of EFCC at the time l took the brief.

of Nigeria in the US in a statement dated July 29, but made available to journalists yesterday, said the flight was scheduled to depart George Bush International Airport, Houston, Texas on August 15 and would arrive in Abuja on August 16.

It added that the flight would thereafter arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on the same day.

The Consulate said all prospective evacuees duly registered with any of the three Nigerian Missions in the USA could purchase their one-way ticket from Ethiopian Airlines.

It noted that the fare is $1,500 for economy class and $3,000

for business class for adult/ child fare, including all taxes, with the usual percentage reduction for infants under two years.

The consulate added that the prospective evacuees who purchased tickets, should forward a copy of their evacuation ticket, together with the name, phone number and contact address of the Next-of-Kin to the consulate.

It noted that the sale of tickets would be done on a first-come, first-served basis.

The consulate added that in accordance with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 protocols, all prospective evacuees must present the original copy of

a COVID-19 negative test result, not older than 14 days on the day of departure and preferably not less than five days on the day of departure.

It said the evacuees would also undergo a temperature check five hours before departure, adding that any intending evacuee without the stipulated test result or a body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade or any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, would not be allowed to check-in.

The consulate stated that while onboard, prospective evacuees must wear face masks, use hand sanitisers throughout the journey and strictly adhere to all

instructions of Port Health Services (PHS) officials and observe other entry screening protocols on arrival in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, 256 Nigerians have been evacuated from Morocco and Niger Republic between Wednesday and Thursday.

The flight from Morocco departed at about 9 am with 98 Nigerians on board of the Royal Air Maroc and arrived in Nigeria yesterday.

Morocco returnees are mainly professionals and students from various institutions.

The158 evacuated from Niger Republic had arrived in the country on Wednesday night.

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD...

L-R: Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (left), and Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, during the eighth-day Fidau prayers for AbdulRazaq’s father in Ilorin…recently

Kaigama Urges FG, States to Support Schools to Reopen Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama, has asked the federal and state governments to urgently provide funds to enable schools to reopen after the long closure necessitated by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Speaking in an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Abuja as part of activities to mark his 62nd birthday celebration, Kaigama lamented that the educational facilities in many public schools are not in line with global best practices.

He said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools globally to switch to online learning. Nigeria must not be left behind.

“A targeted response is a matter of urgency. Education should be given a high priority by the government, even though educating our students in the present circumstance will not be easy.

"I believe strongly that the needed funds could come from the generous donations received, part sacrifice of salaries and earnings, savings from the humongous cost of governance, part of funds lavishly used by political parties before and during elections, and recovered looted funds."

Kaigama said the funds could be used to improve or create structures for students in public, private and faith-based schools so that their academic life is not truncated.

He argued that Nigeria

cannot afford the adverse consequences of leaving students idle for such an undetermined period of time.

On corruption in the country, the Archbishop expressed concern that the issue is still not being addressed sufficiently.

“The social cancer of corruption must give way for Nigeria to speed up her journey to join the league of developed nations. Well intentioned anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC and EFCC do not appear to have performed optimally, with the allegations of high-level corruption in the news,” he said.

Kaigama also spoke about efforts and interventions to contain health challenges especially the pandemic.

He said that pandemic has led to the realisation that “we are not masters of our own fate.”

He said God wanted Nigerians to draw good lessons out of the evil of the pandemic.

According to him, “Nigeria is blessed with enormous natural and human resources and should be very ready at such critical times to provide and efficiently distribute palliatives to the poor and needy.

“Ideally, well equipped and functional medical facilities should be available and accessible in all the 774 Local Government Areas of our nation. We must resolve, as a country, to make access to health care possible for all."

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

9

10

FRIDAY, ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN NIGERIA’S TOP 10 HIGHEST-EARNING CEOS RECEIVED N3.5BN IN 2019 Company, Mr. Ojenekwu Avuru, who steps down today, after leading the company for 10 years, came third with a cumulative paycheck of N440 million ($1.128 million) per annum as remuneration.

The report listed the CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, with a total of N399.7 million ($1.025m) yearly earnings, as occupying the fourth position. He is also ranked as the highest-earning bank CEO in the country.

The Proshare report showed that the CEO of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, who earned N302.52 million ($775,692), was placed on the fifth position, while Lafarge’s CEO, Mr. Michel Purchercos, with a total pay of N282.380 million ($724,051) was the sixth highest earning chief executive in the country.

Others are Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, Nigerian Breweries Plc, N271 million; Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, Nestle, N218.08 million; Mr. Lars Richter, Julius Berger, N217.07 million; and Mr. Baker Magunda, Guinness at N193 million.

However, the report did not include other benefits such as bonuses and allowances earned by the CEOs, which are a lot more.

The report also revealed the weakness of the Nigerian economy compared with their counterparts in some advanced and developing economies who manage smaller firms but earn much higher.

For instance, findings by THISDAY showed that the highest-paid CEO in South Africa in 2019 was Mr. Alan Clark of SABMiller, who was paid 122 million rands ($6.782 million) per annum, about $2.136 million less than what the entire top 10 highest-earning CEOs in Nigeria were paid.

A sectoral analysis of the CEOs’ compensation showed that the top three highest-paid executives in the banking sector in 2019 were Agbaje; Mr. Emeka Emuwa of Union

Bank of Nigeria Plc and Mr. Yinka Sanni of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. According to the report, Emuwa earned N172 million as remuneration while Sanni’s was N155 million the same year.

“In contrast to previous years, the highest-paid executives' remuneration in the banking sector was not closely knitted to the profit generated in the year. The only exemption was GTBank, which recorded the second-highest profit before tax of N243billion in 2019 and consequently paid its director the highest remuneration in the sector.

“It is expected that the higher the profit a bank generates, the higher the remuneration that accrues to its executive directors. But this narrative has been incorrect for the banking sector in 2019. Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank, which recorded a relatively lower profit before tax of N90.93 billion and N24.84 billion respectively in 2019, climbed up the ladder of the highest-paid executives in the sector,” the report stated.

For the oil and gas sector, it noted that even though financial result for the year ended 2019 was yet to be released for most firms in the sector, as at the time the report was compiled, financial results for 2018 was used instead with Tinubu as the highest-earning CEO. “His compensation was 42.11 per cent higher than the highest-paid executive director in the banking sector, Agbaje of GTBank. The second-highest paid executive in the oil and gas sector was Avuru. Avuru took home an annual pay of N440 million, which was 29.1 per cent lower than Oando's Tinubu, but 169.24 per cent higher than the third highestpaid executive director in the oil and gas sector, Mr. Imrane Barry of Total Nigeria Plc. “Information on Ardova Plc (formerly Forte Oil Plc) CEO's pay could not be ascertained as at the time this report was

written. Therefore, the next in line was Mr. Imrane Barry of Total Nigeria Plc. Barry was the third-highest-pay earner in the industry with an annual remuneration of N163.42 million. Barry's earning was 5.43 per cent higher than the third highest-paid bank CEO in Nigeria, which was Stanbic IBTC's Yinka Sanni. In comparison with the banking sector, the oil sector still stands as a better rewarding sector,” it stated.

For the ICT sector, Moolman led the highest earners’ chart.

James Agada of CWG Plc came in second place as the highest-earning CEO in the ICT sector. Agada's annual remuneration was N47.2 million in 2019, which was 1,141.39 per cent lower than the remuneration earned by Moolman, it explained.

On the other hand, UACN Plc’s CEO, Mr. Abdul Bello, earned the highest among the listed conglomerates on Nigeria Stock Exchange, the Proshare report stated.

Bello's annual remuneration in 2019 was N127.6 million, a significant rise of 212.36 per cent from his last year's annual earnings.

According to the report, Mr. Adim Jibunoh lost his top spot to end second place as the highest-earning CEO among conglomerates listed on NSE in 2019. His annual remuneration, which was unchanged from 2018, was N100.21 million.

However, the report said CEOs in the healthcare sector recorded the second-lowest pay amongst the various categories of sectors listed on the NSE. The highest-paid executive in the sector was Fidson Healthcare Plc CEO, Mr. Fidelis Ayebae, who earned an annual remuneration of N40 million.

His annual remuneration grew significantly by 14.28 per cent in 2019. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc's CEO, Mr. Kunle Oyelana, was the second-highest earning CEO in the healthcare sector. Oyelana's appointment as the new CEO

of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc took effect from June 1st, 2019 and he earned an annual remuneration of N36.96 million in 2019.

Also, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc’s CEO, M.O Azoji, was the third highest-paid CEO in the healthcare industry. Azoji earned an annual remuneration of N28.34 million in 2019.

His annual remuneration was 41.14 per cent lower than Ayebae's remuneration and 30.4 per cent lower than Oyalana's remuneration in 2019.

“Corporate CEO's in the agricultural sector listed on the Nigeria Stock received the lowest annual remuneration in the year under review.

The highest-paid CEO in the sector was Mr. Graham Hefer, CEO of Okomu Oil Palm Plc, who earned an annual remuneration of N11.55 million. Hefer recorded an increase of 15.5 per cent in his annual remuneration, toppling CEO of Livestock Feeds Plc who was the highest-earner in the sector 2018.

“There was a change in management in Livestock Feeds Plc. Mr. Solomon Aigbavboa resigned on 31st July 2019.

While Mr. Adegboyega Adedeji assumed office as the new CEO on August 1st, 2019.

Adedeji received an annual remuneration of N10.03 million, which was 15.15 per cent lower than the annual earnings of Hefer, CEO of Okomu Oil Palm.

“Dr. Lars Richter, the managing director of Julius Berger, was the highest-earning CEO in the construction and real estate sector. He received an annual remuneration of N217.07 million. Richter's pay was 32 per cent lower than his predecessor's pay.

“There is a large variability among executive pay in the construction sector. The variability is largely attributed to differences in the size of the companies, assets, turnover, profit, etc. Ms. Folasope Aiyesimoju, managing

MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS IN MAIDUGURI LEAVE ONE DEAD, 16 INJURED Gusua said he was not in killed in the attack, while 16 Bornu Gov Blames there is complete sabotage; others were injured.

Military Saboteurs for the problem is not with the governor’s convoy when President Buhari or General it was attacked, adding that He said the casualties were Buhari but the command and before Zulum embarked on the recorded in three explosions Convoy Attack at the outskirts of the state capital.

Aliyu said the explosions occurred in Mairi, Custom and Gwange areas of the metropolis.

He said the actual cause of the explosions was yet to be ascertained, but that police teams had been dispatched to the areas.

He said: “We have dispatched our Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD) to investigate the incidents and to determine whether it was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Right now, I am at the Specialist Hospital where we have 16 casualties and one dead so far,” the commissioner said.

The sounds of the explosions were heard all over the town, sending many into a panic.

Security personnel comprising the army, police, Rapid Response Squad, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen moving to the scene to restore normalcy.

Speaking on the explosion, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, who preferred anonymity, said mortars were fired at the town by Boko Haram.

He said the explosions from the mortals shook the town and killed two persons, injuring about 20 others.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum, yesterday blamed Wednesday’s attack on his convoy by gunmen, believed to be Boko Haram terrorists, on military saboteurs, saying he did not believe there was any insurgent in Baga where the incident occurred.

The Nigerian Army, which is also probing the killing of an officer by an apparently depressed soldier, has, however, launched an investigation into the attack on the governor.

Zulum apprehended military saboteurs as the brain behind the incident, contending that there were no Boko Haram fighters in Baga, in view of the large number of troops in the town.

He threatened to mobilise the local populace to secure Baga if the military is unable to do so.

Narrating the incident to reporters in Monguno yesterday, Zulum said: “As far as I am concerned, what happened in Baga was complete sabotage by the military. There is no Boko Haram in Baga.

“I wonder because we have over 1,181 soldiers in Baga, 72 officers, 107 soldiers; 400 soldiers in Mile 4 and 1,900 soldiers in Monguno. I see no reason why only five Boko Haram will stop them from occupying Baga town.

“The troops have been in Mile 4 for over one year;

control structure. There is a need to look into the command structure.”

On why he visited the area, he said: “We have over 80,000 IDPs in Monguno; they cannot continue to depend on NGOs and others for food.

We have created opportunities for them to go back to their communities and continue with their business and farming activities.

“After Sallah, we are going to allow people to go back to Kukawa and we will give time to the military.

“If they will not clear Baga, we will mobilise our hunters, CJTF and vigilantes to recapture Baga. We cannot continue like this. People have taken their destiny in their hands.”

Zulum's Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Isa Gusau, narrated how the governor and his entourage escaped the attack, saying they crawled for some metres to escape, adding that some of them sustained injuries.

Gusau, in an interview on BBC Hausa Service yesterday, said the governor had embarked on a humanitarian trip to the Baga area of the state based on information provided by soldiers that they had liberated the town from Boko Haram insurgents.

He, however, said the governor and his team were in good condition.

trip, the soldiers had assured the governor that the town was no longer controlled by the insurgents.

“I was not there physically.

The governor was heading to Baga from Monguno because the soldiers told him they had liberated Baga from the control of Boko Haram.

“But along the way, the insurgents opened fire on the governor’s convoy and everyone scampered for their lives," he added.

Gusau explained that some of those in the convoy including policemen and other government officials sustained injuries.

“They crawled for a distance on their knees. They sustained injuries. The Boko Haram insurgents were shooting,” he said.

Army Launches Probe, Vows to Apprehend Attackers Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, in a statement issued yesterday by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Col. Sagir Musa, said it was probing the accident, adding that the governor's convoy came under fire from terrorists while visiting Baga town.

It said Zulum had earlier visited the Commander of the 19 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Super Camp Baga, where he was fully briefed about the

director of UAC Property Development, received an annual remuneration of N19.62 million in 2019.

“She was the secondhighest-paid CEO in the construction and real estate sector. Aiyesimoju earned 1,006.37 per cent lower than Dr. Richter's annual remuneration of N217.07 million, which reflects the large disparity in earnings in the construction/ real estate business,” the report said.

For the consumer goods sector, Mr. Baker Magunda of Guinness Nigeria Plc was the highest-paid CEO in 2018. This narrative was different in 2019, as Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh of Unilever Nigeria Plc earned the highest-annual remuneration. Nsarkoh earned an annual remuneration of N302.52 million. His earned remuneration declined by 8.6 per cent, as his remuneration declined from N331 million in 2018 to N302.52 million in 2019, the report added.

“Mr. Maurico Alarcon of Nestle was the second-highestpaid CEO in the consumer goods sector. Alarcon received an annual pay of N218.08m in 2019. His earnings grew by 4.19 per cent in 2019, as his earnings increased from N210 million in 2018 to N218.08 million in 2019.

“Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc, was the third highest-paid CEO in the consumer goods sector. His earnings rose significantly from N190 million in 2018 to N271 million in 2019, an increase of 42 per cent. Surprisingly, Guinness Nigeria Plc CEO, Mr. Baker Magunda, was the fourth highest-paid CEO in the consumer goods sector.

Magunda recorded a significant decline in his annual earnings by 58.13 per cent, as his annual earnings declined from N461 million in 2018 to N193 million in 2019,” it added.

Proshare stated that the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic gave credence to the necessity to study the trends

of executive remunerations in Nigeria and how CEO remuneration was likely going to be impacted.

The firm anticipated that the pandemic would affect the revenues of firms listed on the NSE and hence eat deep into CEOs' remuneration of top firms in Nigeria.

“Unlike in the previous year, where a majority of the top firm CEOs saw a rise in their annual remuneration, it is expected that these top firms will adjust pays from the top executives to the bottom staff to meet up with current realities of the economy.

“Measuring results against absolute goals is more common than relative performance measurement. The size of the average top corporate executive's wallet has had a fairly mixed relationship with the size of corporate turnovers and their profit before tax (PBT).

“The basis for the remuneration of executives could not be ascertained, as there was no distinct relationship between executive pay and the financial performance of organisations.

For example, firms like Seplat recorded improvements in Profit Before Tax (PBT) while its highest CEO's pay declined.

Similarly, Unilever recorded a loss as high as N10 billion but its CEO remained one of the highest-paid executives in Nigeria.

“Most companies use more than one metrics to measure performance in their annual incentive plans. There were no major changes in the top highest-paid business executives from last year in Nigeria.

“Some of the notable changes include the spring forth of Nigerian Breweries executive as among the highest paid in Nigeria while Dangote Cement CEO did not make the list as its Group Executive Officer, Joseph Makoju, retired as a board member of the cement maker,” it added.

prevailing security situation in the state.

"The unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the governor and his entourage departed the Super Camp to visit other parts of Baga town. The incident forced the governor to abort his planned movement to Baga," it added.

Musa said although details of the incident were sketchy and under investigation, efforts were ongoing to comb the area where the incident occurred with a view to tracking and dealing decisively with the attackers.

He said: "An investigation is also in progress to identify the circumstances that led to the attack.

"Regrettably, this is an isolated and most unfortunate incident that occurred in a territory where normalcy has since been restored with socio-economic activities picking up.

"The Nigerian Army wants to reassure the general public that this will be interrogated with a view to forestalling future re-occurrence."

He said the Nigerian Army would continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally with respect for the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians and in compliance with the extant rules of engagement.

"The good people of Baga town and indeed the entire Borno State are enjoined to continue to provide credible information that will assist the security agencies to successfully

combat terrorism as well as apprehend and flush out the perpetrators of the attack," he said.

Depressed Soldier Kills Officer The Army Headquarters has also said a trooper serving in 202 Battalion of 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama, Borno State went berserk at about 10.30 hours on July 29, 2020, and fired at an officer (a Subaltern), which led to his death.

Musa said the incident occurred when the soldier approached the officer who was standing in front of the unit's headquarters and was making a phone call.

"The soldier has been arrested. He is in custody undergoing investigation.

The general situation in the unit is calm.

"The remains of the deceased officer have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital," he said.

He said the investigation into the case was instituted to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.

He stated: "The family of the deceased has already been contacted. The Nigerian Army sympathises and condoles with the family at this trying moment and pray to the Almighty God to repose the soul of the departed and grant his family and other loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in peace."

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

11

12

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱͯ˜ 2020

COMMENT

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

MAHMOUD DICKO: MALI’S ALBATROSS The Malian crisis must be nipped in the bud, writes Victor C. Ariole

“No quarrel is ever small” - Amadou Hampaté Bâ

T

he Malian debacle is bound to explode if it is not quickly nipped in the bud. Like the great sage Bâ says, it is better to avoid a quarrel before it turns to a conflagration that could destroy both humans and their long-sought freedom. At independence, a Keita was the president of Mali and it was in respect of tradition that the reigning dynasty in Mali is the leader. He was Modibo Keita. Modibo aligned himself very well with the people as per the adoption of socialist principles which endeared him to the most powerful neighbour, Senegal, to form the federation of West Sudan toward convincing the stretch that traverses Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, to have a common Sudanese government that could link them to the Arab world. That federation failed because external forces, USSR inclusive, had wanted to, as they so much pampered Modibo Keita to believe in the supremacy of Mali in that kind of arrangement; hence, the intervention of lesser clans in the “kingdom” seen in the army taking over. Their names give them out as belonging to the lesser clan – the other Mandé clans that must hedge against the Keitas, the Mandigo side of Mande. Beyond Modibo Keita (1960 – 1968), Mali had been turbulent with them; till democracy was restored and recalibrated again as soldiers intervened and were made to retrace their steps.

Moussa Traoré, Toumani Touré, Oumar Konaré, Toumani Touré (again), Amadou Sanogo and Dioncounda Traoré; they all seem to be hedging against the other groups including the Fulanis (Peul or Fula).

However, between the other groups and the current President, Boubacar Keita, a new hedge platform led by Iman Mahmoud Dicko had surfaced and they are demanding their “pound of flesh”.

According to Imam Dicko from his interview in Jeune Afrique, the ECOWAS heads of state who met on the 23rd July made empty recommendations as what they said was mere repetition of what his group – Rassemblement des Forces Patriotiques (M5 – RFP) – had already made known to the President, Boubacar Keita. He furthermore stated that what brought Keita to his second term was an agreement Keita reached with his group which he would rather die as a martyred upholding, than to betray his people. His group is blaming the president for leaving the Presidency in the hands of cabals who are not committed to the agreement they reached in bringing him to power. In effect, it seems to be what is pervasive in the whole ECOWAS as even Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic not to talk of Nigeria look like.

For Imam Dicko, faithfulness to agreement reached must be the only condition for peace. To him, Mali government must not condone external influences that infest the Malian space with debauchery – especially sexual immorality. Indeed with over 15,000 stationed UN troops notwithstanding French troops watching over their longest stretch of the border with Algeria, notwithstanding other border engagements

THE ROAD TO HONOUR IS FOR BOUBACAR KEITA TO TOE THAT LINE OF HONOUR TO SET A PRECEDENT AND ALLOW ECOWAS TO MONITOR A NEW BEGINNING FOR MALI

that include that of Mauritania, and the lesser concerned one, for that of other francophone countries like Niger (Nigeria’s neighbour also), Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal. In all, seven borders are at stake; greater than Nigeria’s that is four and remains quite difficult to control as Boko Haram keeps on menacing the country. Mali is a haven, for now, for the fundamentalists, with its vast land, almost 1½ of Nigeria.

The good thing about Mali is that it could not be said that it is divided along religious lines. Islam is the main religion and the other minority religions like Christianity, and African traditional religion adherents, seen in their borders with Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, must just remain cowered; and they are rarely factored into the power equation. Burkina Faso seems to be the country suffering from their surreptitious outburst now as it is a mixed country of Christians and Muslims.

To Imam Dicko, everybody matters as long as you abhor debauchery, electoral malpractice and cryonism.

Cryonism, like interest-based nepotism, is why the 31 people in the parliament and the speaker of the parliament are being asked to resign for fresh elections, devoid of malpractices that pick people and make them forced representatives of none identifiable people.

In effect, they are asking the president to assume full control of power. Even when they run the France-type of Presidential system, the prime-minister seems not to be in control of the constituted government.

The current Prime Minister, Soumeylou Boubèye Ma ga, seems to be a pupette of the falcon group of the cabal in order to reduce the strength of the other group that are interested in keeping faithful their agreement with M5 of Imam Dicko.

When you have people like Dicko leading a group of hybrids that reason only along what caused the destruction of UNESCO world’s heritage in Timbuktu, then ECOWAS intervention should know that it is embarking on wild goose chase if it fails to call on Boubacar Keita to peacefully resign and allow a well constituted National Assembly’s head assume the interim like it was done in Mauritania.

Already, by dissolving the Constitutional Court, Keita has dissolved the institution that ought to stand against all odds in the democratic dispensation; hence he himself had to step down the way General de Gaulle stepped down at the dissolution of the France’s 4th Republic to usher in the 5th Republic which, in effect, vindicated General De Gaulle, and still allowed him to return to be President.

The road to honour is for Boubacar Keita to toe that line of honour to set a precedent and allow ECOWAS to monitor a new beginning for Mali. The ECOWAS heads of State should allow that as against allowing the external influences intervene.

Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

FAREWELL, ISMAILA ISA FUNTUA Mikail Mumuni ÚËãÝ ÞÜÓÌßÞÏ ÞÙ ÒÓÝ ˩ËÎÙÚÞÏÎ ÐËÞÒÏÜ˪˜ ÚßÌÖÓÝÒÏÜ ËØÎ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ×Ëؘ Ý×ËÓÖË ßØÞßË

M

allam Ismaila Isa Funtua (1942-2020) who died in Abuja on Monday, July 20 at the age of 78 evokes different emotions in different people.

To many, he was just a friend and ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, while others would simply tag him as a member of the ‘Aso Rock cabal’, consisting of himself, Mallam Abba Kyari ( the late Chief of Staff to President Buhari) and Mallam Mamman Daura.

To me however, Alhaji Funtua was a father. This is despite the wide physical gap between Funtua, Katsina State where he hailed from and my own Abeokuta, Ogun State My interaction with this departed great Nigerian dates back to 1987 when he, as the Managing Director of the Kaduna based The Democrat newspapers, now defunct, gave me my first job as a journalist, two months to the end of my youth service, in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.

I had gone to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Samaru main campus, on a particular day, to carry out an assignment given me by Mallam Siraj Abdulkarim, then the Head of Administration, of my place of service.

On getting back to our premises, I saw a van branded in the name and colors of The Democrat and I went straight to the office of Mallam Abdulkarim, now a professor in the Faculty of Administration, ABU. Seated opposite him was a man he introduced to me as “Mallam Guasu Ahmad, an editor with The Democrat.” I greeted the visitor and sent a non-verbal gesture to Mallam Abdulkarim. He decoded my message and asked “Would you want to

work with The Democrat? “I said yes and Mallam Ahmad asked me to quickly write an application letter which I did and gave him before he left.

Mallam Ahmad who later became our Sunday Editor and Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua were among those who interviewed me for the job. The late Mallam Funtua told me that Mallam Abba Kyari,( the late Chief of Staff to the President) the Daily Editor designate too would have been on the panel, but that he was absent because he had some engagements in the UK. Mallam Funtua took immediate interest in me and asked me how soon I could join The Democrat. I was pleasantly surprised and immediately welcomed the offer.

I later moved from Zaria to Kaduna town to commence an orientation program at The Democrat which lasted for about one month.

I approached Mallam a few days before the end of that program and requested transfer to the Lagos Bureau. He was not too pleased about this, he nonetheless said I could go if that was my preference. Just as I rose up from the chair to leave his office, he said “Lagos boy, you can go back to your Lagos, but just know that I can recall you back to the Head office any time I feel like.” I told him that was okay by me, but I guess he knew I did not mean what I said. “Just go, your letter of transfer will be ready before the end of your orientation,” he said jokingly.

I left Kaduna for Lagos at the end of the orientation program and The Democrat soon hit the streets. I was covering ‘General Beat’, usually reserved for greenhorns in journalism.

Few months after, I got a phone call from Mallam Funtua: “ Mikail, I am sending you to Dodan Barracks as the State House

Correspondent. I know that beat is for senior journalists, but I know you can cope,” he told me.

He soon sent to me from Kaduna, three letters. One on my appointment as The Democrat State House Correspondent and the two others that I would take to Dodan Barracks to get accredited– one to Chief Duro Onabule, Chief Press Secretary to President (General) Ibrahim Babangida and the other to Mallam Yusuf Mamman, the Chief Press Secretary to Vice President (Admiral) Augustus Aikhomu.

The first person I visited when I got to Dodan Barracks was Mallam Yusuf Mamman and he told me I was welcome. Chief Onabule a.k.a Double Chief was however curious to know what qualified this young man before him to be sent to the seat of power. “How long have you been practicing journalism?’’, he asked. “Six months”, I answered without hesitation.

He took a deep breath and said “This place is for people with long years of experience in journalism, but I cannot deny you accreditation since your MD feels you are up to the task. Your Oga is also my Oga’s friend, so you are welcome.”

That was how I joined the elite corps of Dodan Barracks Correspondent, thanks to Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua. Like the mother hen however, Mallam kept following my career progression, and was always asking if there was anything he could do to make my job easy. He called for me one day in February, 1989, when he was in Lagos. When I was ushered into his sitting room at his residence located at off Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, he asked “Mikail, are you aware the president is travelling to Japan next week for the burial of the late Emperor Hirohito?” I answered in the

affirmative and he asked if I was on the list for the trip. I told him I wasn’t and he demanded to know why.

I told him only NTA, NAN and Radio Nigeria correspondents were on the list because there would be no advance party and everyone one on the trip would be in the Presidential Aircraft with President Babangida. “Don’t worry, you are travelling with the president on that trip. I will talk to the president,” he told me.

I got to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Press Centre, Dodan Barracks the following day around 12noon and was told that an aide of Chief Onabule had been there about three times to ask after me. “Hope your paper has not written something he found objectionable?’’ some of my colleagues asked in genuine concern.

I went to Chief’s office and he asked why I was coming that late. “Do you have your travelling passport with you?” he asked. I feigned ignorance about why I had to be with that document and told him that I did not, since I had not been told to do so. “ Make sure you bring it tomorrow and come early. You are traveling with the president to Japan and we have to send your passport to the protocol department for issuance of visa,” he said.

I did as instructed. On our way to Japan, President Babangida left his VIP section of the plane to throw banters with other members of his entourage. He was closely followed by Chief Onabule. When the president got to me, Chief Onabule told him ‘’ Sir, this is Mikail Mumuni, The Democrat Correspondent,” whereupon the president responded, “Thank you Chief, I know him.”

Mumuni is Group Corporate Affairs Manager of Dr. Wale Babalakin’s Resort International Limited

15

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020

EDITORIAL EID MUBARAK! The festival offers another opportunity for a life of obedience and love

T

oday is Eid al-Adha, better known as Eid-el-Kabir, an annual Islamic festival that calls for sacrifice and sharing. As Muslims all over the world therefore celebrate, the season offers yet another opportunity to adherents of the faith and indeed all Nigerians to live the true meaning and essence of this occasion: sacrifice, obedience and love. What makes the festival particularly significant is that it is rooted in the scriptural accounts of both Islam and Christianity about how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God, offered his son as sacrifice before divine intervention. But this is an unusual time.

Religious festivals like Eid al-Adha usually come with social gatherings--huge receptions where food is shared, hugs between family members and friends and general group prayers. But the current global coronavirus pandemic has forced many to rethink the way they celebrate the festival this year with certain restrictions. Obeying those regulations is important for all Muslims in NiBY ALLOWING OTHERS geria even when they TO PARTAKE OF OUR should not in any way limit the spirit of WEALTH, WE HONOUR THE ONE WHO MADE THE the season. In several countries, Muslims PROVISION IN THE FIRST are adopting novel PLACE methods to reach out and share with the needy while still maintaining social distancing and other Covid-19 protocols.

In Saudi Arabia, the authorities have announced that Eid prayers will take place inside mosques and not outside while the Ministry of Islamic Affairs recommended adhering to the usual precautionary measures such as keeping two metres (six feet) of social distancing and bringing one’s own prayer rug.

All these are important if we must limit the spread of a lethal virus that has infected more than 16 million people across the world and has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands.

Meanwhile, there is perhaps no period in history

Letters to the Editor

that offers a better opportunity to share than now.

The lockdown and restrictions of the past few months have impacted negatively on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. By paying attention to their plight, especially at a time like this, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbours as important as ours.

Besides, by allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the One who made the provision in the first place. This happens to be at the heart of all religions, but a virtue that is particularly at the heart of this festival.

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

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

owever, even for this season, there should be more to sharing than some portions of ram meat. There is the need to share love, between and among individuals, religions, ethnic groups and political leanings.

Because there is too much hatred in our society, love across these artificial divides that our politicians have erected will foster harmony and promote peace and development in the country. It will also help the process of healing the deep wounds sparked off by politics and the manipulation of religion and ethnicity.

This year’s celebration, like in the past few years, is coming at a particularly difficult and trying time for our nation. The authorities may quote fancy statistics about the economy but they do not reflect in the living standards of the people. But by far the most worrying is the brutal killings that now define several theatres across the country, most especially Kaduna State. Critical stakeholders must come together to end the spiral of hate that is responsible for the violence and makes reconciliation and peaceful co-existence difficult.

Therefore, as we celebrate this special festival, we must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and tolerance for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country. We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to those with whom we may have lost contact.

To our numerous Muslim readers, Eid Mubarak!

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

Stella Immanuel, Hydroxychloroquine And Covid-19

I

n a viral video, Stella Immanuel, a US-based Nigerian-trained medical doctor, confirmed the facts that experts are vulnerable to naïve realism, and could be instrumental to promoting the rule of cognitive biases. By describing studies, which question the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine as “fake science”, and alleging that there is a conspiracy by pharmaceutical practitioners against the treatment of COVID-19, she presented herself as a naïve realist.

Her inferential biases, anecdotal evidences, disrespect of regulatory authorities and peer inputs as well as hasty labeling of experts with alternative views, point to the warped logic of naïve realists. Her anti-scientific stunt offers instructive lessons on the ruinous effects of naïve realism. Naïve realism is a theory of perception. It involves three basic postulates. One, it is an inclination to regard our views as objective, unbiased, and in consonance with reality. Two, it flows from a conviction that people will reach the same conclusion with us, when they have similar information, and rationally process it. Three, it makes us to consider people who disagree with us as uninformed, irrational, and biased.

Data science and predictive analytics cannot foster good governance when leaders and experts exhibit elements of naïve realism. It is extremely difficult to forge multilateral cooperation when naïve realists are at the helm of affairs. Their false sense of superior knowledge stirs unhelpful controversies, antagonism, and destroys bridges. Nothing buttresses this point like the reactions of Kogi State’s government to the disclosure by NCDC that the state was not COVID-19 free.

In knowledge economy, leadership requires data intelligence.

However, when the credibility of purveyors of knowledge for national transformation is needlessly attacked, it becomes extremely difficult

for leaders to make data-based decision. This paves way for political entrepreneurs to unleash sentiments, and manipulate the decisionmaking process of leaders. Stella Immanuel has inadvertently politicised the fight against COVID-19, thereby, she has made big wins more difficult, and remote in the horizon of possibility.

The lack of stakeholders’ cooperation to stop the killings in Zamfara and Southern Kaduna demonstrate how naïve realism could jeopardise national security. Leaders across ethno-religious and political divides in the region are unable to agree on measures to end the criminal and serial wastages of lives and property, because of needless exhibition of I-amright-you-are-dead attitude. Naïve realists focus on points of differences, and pay no attention to points of similarity, thereby exacerbating crises.

Experiences have shown that in addressing perennial national problems, we do not have polite ways to disagree without sowing seeds of disunity and acrimony. Hence, leaders across partisan divides cannot set aside their differences and form alliances for common good. They politicise national issues that require the spirit of sportsmanship, because, they are more loyal to their biases than to Nigeria.

A close look at Nigeria’s public square shows that naïve realists consider fellow citizens who disagree with them as “useful idiots” on the payroll of merchants of delusion. This mental attitude is antithetical to the democratic temperament underpinning pluralism of ideologies, cultural differences, freedoms of conscience and expression. If unchecked, it would make public spaces unsafe for transformational civic dialogue.

Dr. Stella Immanuel dramatised how naive realists engage in stereotypical group characterisation. She said, “So if some fake science, some persons sponsored by all these fake Pharma companies come out to say it doesn’t work, I can tell you categorically is fake science.” Naive

realists think that by attacking the integrity of anyone that disagrees with them, they are logically establishing the facts of their claims. For example, power mongers shoehorn public intellectuals that decry banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, et cetera into the pigeonhole of wailers.

It is unwise to cast gatekeepers of knowledge in bad light, because of partisan interests.

Naïve realists tend to conflate feelings and fact. They use feelings to validate facts. It is unscientific and a recipe for social chaos. Social harmony and economic progress are elusive where biases and anecdotal evidences are ranked above veritable facts. Facts make people to cohere; biases divide them.

Many leaders are not drivers of social change. For they do not see the nature of things the way they are; rather, they see things in the light of their nature. Blindfolded by arrogant biases, they do not see and empathise with people wallowing in the squalor of poverty. Therefore, they fail to provide life-improving opportunities to people.

Naïve realism causes tribal alliances on social media. Digital natives animated by conspiracy theories and deft at constructing reality with alternative facts are the fastest-growing tribe in Nigeria. Fact checking is a luxury they cannot afford. Substituting hunches for facts is their pastime. Sadly, democracy cannot flourish where facts are subservient to sentiments.

It takes comprehensive knowledge of oneself and others to live peacefully and prosperously in a multicultural and polarised society. Naïve realism is an impediment to cultivating such knowledge. As a result, Nigeria’s public squares are battlefields of jaundiced-tribal warlords, instead of locus of noble contestations of ideas.

Osamwonyi Gabriel Omozuwa, aceomozuwa@gmail.com

16

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020

18

POLITICS

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

This Election is Ize-Iyamu’s to Lose Ifeanyi Nwaneri who writes from Abuja posits the odds in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State favours, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress

A

midst the din and disgrace that heralded Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his high profile guests into the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, Saturday, July 25th, as part of his second term electioneering, some voices echoed loudest; they were that the governor is a total failure and an irredeemable liar.

Echoes of ‘Obaseki, Ole (thief)’ reverberated around the hallowed grounds of the ancient kingdom. These were not paid thugs at a random political rally; they were the voices of everyday indigenes and subjects at the palace of a most revered king and father of the state.

The people of Edo State idolise their King, as such, if they were not harried and frustrated with Obaseki and his administration, they would not have chosen the Oba’s palace to vent their anger, frustration and disappointment.

So, the shared sentiments could never have been bought. Interestingly, what happened last Saturday was not an isolated case.

In September 2019, while attending the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America, alongside other governors and government officials, Obaseki, on his way into the venue, was heckled and booed by disgruntled natives, who had laid siege to him.

They hurled expletives at him for his below-par performance in office while chanting, yet again, ‘Ole’. The video of the embarrassment made the rounds on the social media for several days.

It is instructive, therefore, that the ignominious welcome of the governor and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) acolytes, was a ringing testament to how badly the people want him out of the Government House.

And, they cannot be blamed. This was a governor that they unanimously voted for just four years ago with the mandate to take the state further than his predecessor, the intrepid Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole had set the state on a path to prosperity, as many acknowledge across the state and beyond.

Obaseki was just supposed to build on the legacy of his predecessor. However, he whimsically derailed and plunged the state into retrogression, while battling his benefactors and depriving the people of quality governance.

The widespread opinion in the state is that the people have not had it so bad in terms of his reprobate and regressive leadership. From Egor to Etsako, Agenebode to Auchi and everywhere in between, it is the same story of Obaseki’s underwhelming performance, promotion of insecurity, brigandage, unemployment and divisive politics.

Largely deemed to be suffering from a narcissistic personality disorder, Obaseki, the people of Edo believe, has evolved into an imperious and intolerant governor. It is either his way or the highway.

Now, the chickens have come home to roost.

The people of Edo State are on a mission to rewrite their narrative by pitching their tents with a man they affirm understands their plights and what needs to be done to better their lots from the first day in office. So, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19th governorship election has his work cut out for him.

Beyond his pastoral calling and heritage, and meritorious service to the state

since 1999, Ize-Iyamu is widely popular and seen as very grounded.

The people reckon that more than the incumbent governor, who lost the plot long ago and has seen his administration careening to the craters, Ize-Iyamu

understands, where the shoe pinches them and has the personal and political resolve and readiness to right the wrongs of Obaseki. What has further convinced the people is his thoughtful and thorough blueprint for the development

The Dexterous Gangsterism of Our Economic Hitmen Iboro Otu weighs in on the alleged scam perpetrated by an aide of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State

S

omething rather interesting happened two weeks ago in my state. A certain personality and politician cum Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State got involved in a contract scam where he allegedly left several state contractors =N=500 million out of pocket after a contract-for-a-fee entanglement. The whole exploit reads like a mafia crime novel. He allegedly used the fleeced money to buy cars for himself and his girlfriends, but that’s not the interesting part of the story as these kinds of unabashed organized-crime style abuse of power happen very often when dealing with Akwa Ibom state government from time imo-river. What got me interested was that the said politician cum Special Adviser’s name was ‘White BumBum’.

One couldn’t make this up. After a while I thought, “wait a minute, who gives =N=500 million, to a guy named ‘White BumBum’, representing the state government, money meant as a birthday gift, for the wife of the Commissioner of Works?” If that doesn’t script like a Quentin Tarantino-type organized crime syndicate deal meant to go wrong, then I don’t know what does! This is one of the dodgiest deals I’ve ever heard! But it isn’t new, it only went wrong because value wasn’t delivered at both ends probably! Earning a mention in some reputable blogs gave the news credibility. Further investigation actually revealed the guy is completely fair, in complexion I mean, as his dealings and the rest of the story is as dark as it gets.

Akwa Ibom politicians have really funny nicknames though, jokes

apart; we have a sitting senator who is popularly known as ‘the crocodi(l)e’, we have a ‘hippopotamus’, a ‘carving knife’, a ‘mountain lion’, all sorts of wild animals in vernacular, no kidding.

There are those who bear names of ISIS war zones too; itched on their official complimentary cards like a badge of honor; the territory is as derogatory as it sounds. I think it kind of fits the purpose when reputational bid to seem larger than life also ends up being unnerving.

To be fair, the Italians started it, Frankie ‘Two Shots’, Frank ‘The Dasher’, Frank ‘Cut Fingers’; but c’mon, that was the mafia era. African Americans joined in later, but majority of them bore names of luxury brands. That all changed with time too. These days Americans are happier with stuff sounding like fruits instead; like Apple, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, etc; they have grown up. We too. We have all grown to understand that names somehow project what they represent but be that as it may, our politicians still have the right of way so who am I to say…

Names are as old and as useful as the era they represent, they stand as beacon stones and boundary lines of time. Some act as reminders of troubling pasts and others a point of turnaround. Nigeria is at this point; a point where we either have to step into a glorious future, or.

With a new future, is a demand for transformational baptismal identity but what good is a nickname if the attitude remains same?

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

of the state aptly titled: ‘The Simple Agenda’, which by every definition a manifesto of hope.

Therein, he clinically analysed the problems besetting the state and proffered practical and profound solutions.

According to him, the potential of the state are huge in terms of the ability to attract tourists, investments and quality jobs, but the current security situation in the state makes the realisation of these potential unrealistic and unattainable.

“The state of insecurity assumed its peak, when Governor Godwin Obaseki cultivated and nurtured the habit of fanning the embers of divisive politics by making unguarded statements, particularly with words and phrases as ‘crush,’ and ‘my second term is non-negotiable.’

His determination to physically assault any fellow party faithful, who aspires to run for governor or is not willing to support his ambition has created a tense and volatile environment.”

To this, the APC candidate avers: “Edo State under our charge will build brand new security architecture,” Ize-Iyamu said, while also accusing the governor of failing to address the high rate of unemployment, which he posited had resulted in youth restiveness in the state.

“Youth unemployment and underemployment is a huge nightmare in the state, with eight out of 10 qualified youths unable to find jobs. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Edo State has a high rate of youth unemployment at 25.1 per cent. The rate of unemployment in Edo State increased from 19.6 per cent to 25.1 per cent in the same quarter of 2019. This is contrary to the promise of creating 200,000 jobs.

“The unemployment situation largely accounts for the prevailing incidence of youth restiveness, which manifests in high rates of armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery and cultism. Edo State is now literally a sanctuary for disgruntled youths, who invariably vent their frustration and anger over their social marginalisation of law-abiding and hardworking citizens,” he said.

He has also stated unequivocally that the dangerous situation in the state could only be reversed by a change in the leadership that would be tolerant of different views, accommodating and committed to peaceful engagement. And, the people believe him wholeheartedly.

In ‘The Simple Agenda’, Ize-Iyamu asserts that the change that the state requires is not premised on mere sloganeering or rhetoric, but contended that, “We have analysed the challenges facing our state, consulted widely across the 18 Local Government Areas, and based on the APC manifesto, we have come up with a robust blueprint to launch Edo State on the path to sustainable prosperity and holistic development.

“Ours is a genuine road map to transform our state from its present unacceptable condition of underdevelopment to an attractive state with a vibrant economy.”

Indeed, the purpose of government is the pursuance of happiness for the greater majority of the people, which is why Pastor Ize-Iyamu has said his administration would strive to meet this purpose at all times, “and serve the needs of the good people of Edo State efficiently, effectively and fairly through good governance that is geared towards solving social problems in Edo State.”

He simply does not understand the issues and clearly is unable to sell them.

Never again will Edo walk the path of Obaseki in her political trajectory. It’s a definite goodbye to leadership misfortune.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020

19

PERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM

AMERICA

chido@usafricaonline.com@Chido247

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Why Biden Should Pick Immoral Proposals on Susan Rice for VP Immortalisation

Chido Nwangwu, Founder of USAfrica multimedia Anthony Kila questions the practice of naming public buildings networks and public policy organization, makes a strong and institutions after politicians and military administrators case for former American National Security Adviser, t. Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila Susan Rice to pair, Democratic Party presidential I have no doubt that you know candidate, Joseph Biden, as Vice President by now, but for the benefit of

R

A

s the U.S presidential campaigns enter the first week of August 2020, a very important decision will be made by the Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Joseph Biden.

It will be his choice of a vice presidential running mate. It is familiar territory for him having served as vice president to the first African-American president of United States, Mr. Barack Obama.

The position of VP has been described in various ways. One of my favorite quotes is the one by John Nance Garner which describes it as “A spare tire on the automobile of government.”

In terms of options, Biden has promised Americans that he will pick a woman. Biden should not only pick a woman; he should pick a very capable woman.

It is important to note that the November 3 presidential election will be impacted by the inevitable mix of the high death tally from coronavirus with harsh business climate. I will separate the trees from the forest, by noting that the election, in the context of health security and the devastating economic impact, will become a national security election.

Consequently, my first pick for Vice President is the 55 years-old, ready-to-lead African-American woman who served from 2013 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama as the 24th United States National Security Adviser.and the 27th ambassador to the United Nations, from 2009 to 2013.

She is Susan Elizabeth Rice, born November 17, 1964. She is, in my view, an excellent and familiar and trusted deputy for Joe Biden. She’s a realistic and battle tested international security specialist fit for these complex and especially dangerous environments .

I recall that the first time I met Ambassador Rice was in March 1998; I was in South Africa on assignment as Publisher of USAfricaonline.com reporting then President Bill Clinton’s launch of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Plus, Clinton’s historic, joint tour with the late, great Nelson Mandela of the jail cell and prison yard of the Robben Island where Mandela had been jailed by the racist apartheid rulers.

She was, during that trip, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Those events are analyzed, contextually, in my forthcoming November 2020 book,

‘MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity. 3GreatMen.com’ At the end of the day, the top of the ticket determines the electoral advantages and outcomes.

Rarely, if ever, do Americans insist that the vice presidential candidates are determinative and fundamental factors regarding how they vote.

Therefore, presidential candidates and their strategists/ handlers mostly follow the Number Rne Rule inside campaigns and politics: it’s a competitive game of addition, not subtraction.

The choice of a vice presidential candidate could be elevated as a signal to influential social, faith, ideological, racialregional regional or economic segments of the society. That is, a move targeting a potent demographic. However, for an election so close, statistically, a complicated, “wrong pick” could be a drag on Biden.

Consequently, my first pick for Vice President is the 55 years-old, ready-to-lead African-American woman who served from 2013 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama as the 24th United States National Security Adviser.and the 27th ambassador to the United Nations, from 2009 to 2013. She is Susan Elizabeth Rice, born November 17, 1964. She is, in my view, an excellent and familiar and trusted deputy for Joe Biden. She’s a realistic and battle tested international security specialist fit for these complex and especially dangerous environments

the few distracted, let us remind ourselves that after rumours in country clubs and anticipations in news rooms across the country, just a few days ago we all finally got the official news through the Minister of Transportation that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the naming of some railway stations along the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe/Ajaokuta/ Aladja/Warri corridors after some Nigerian leaders. The list we are told is made up of deserving citizens that have contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation at large.

A cursory look at the names of these deserving citizens gave a stale taste and a rancid smell that made me spit out what was said over a hundred and seventy years ago: Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose: the more things change, the more they continue to be the same thing.

Of the twenty-three names that will henceforth be known as people and stations only three have never held political positions in Nigeria.

They are Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Wole Soyinka and Michael Ibru. Mrs Ransome-Kuti was an educationist, activist and suffragist that personally pioneered various female emancipation projects and initiatives. We must add here that she did all not as wife of a public office holder or with government money.

Prof. Wole Soyinka is a ..., please finish that yourself.

Chief Michael Ibru was a businessman, industrialist and philanthropist that popularised and endeared to many the Urhrobo nation’s royal title, Olorogun, and by so doing, fulfilled the appellation of being “the knighted one that makes knighthood attractive.”

In the list of the immortalised by rail, Segun Osoba stands out as the only one that has held political office and also excelled in a known profession where he has served and influenced others. Aremo Segun Osoba is a renowned journalist that has trained and mentored many other influential reporters.

The rest of the eternalised by rail are all politicians and military administrators.

That is the way we have always done it in Nigeria: Our major roads, monuments, schools and government houses are named after politicians and military administrators. Successive governments and various administrations have done the same of the same in the same way.

Today’s epistle is to offer some immoral proposals on immortalisation to save us all from the monotony of same. They are immoral proposals because they do not conform to the accepted standards and practice of immortalisation of politicians and military administrators. Naming assets of the commonwealth after politicians and military administrators is done by politicians and military administrators, but is that good for the country?

Today, we suggest that we need a new mindset and laws that guide public immortalisation.

I am addressing this epistle to you dear Speaker, not only because you are the chief legislator of the land but also because you preside over a chamber that is truly the most representative of the people. I have no doubt that most of your

colleagues will not like my suggestions but I am willing to argue that reasonable people do and through you I make the case to the people that it is time we stop prioritising politicians and military administrators in the naming of the assets of the commonwealth.

In a sane society of truly civil free citizens, streets, buildings and monuments are named after those who have accomplished outstanding feats for the benefit of humanity. Their names are placed on plaques to immortalize them as a sign of recognition and a source of inspiration for the rest of us, so we can aspire to greatness borne out of vision and sacrifice.

Looking at the events and personalities that make up the history of Nigeria and comparing our achievements with our potentials, I submit that it will be very difficult to argue that politicians and military administrators deserve the amount of immortalisation they get.

Amongst truly civil and free citizens, the honour of being immortalised with resources of the common wealth should be reserved to martyrs of the republic, innovators, inventors, and people of outstanding talents like artists, artistes and athletes.

We can even use dates of significant events. Everyone should be able to aspire to such immortality based purely on measurable merits. Elected and nominated public office holders should be excluded from such honours because regardless of their performance, they will always have a place in history. If we exclude the influence of greed and an exorbitant ego and a desire to self-applaud, a place in history is enough for any human being.

Where we must immortalise politicians, let us calmly wait till they depart this world full of temptation where they can still fall and err. The rush to immortalising those in power is embarrassing and demeaning for the profile of the nation.

If politicians and other public office holders do not have the decency and discipline to curb their appetite for ridiculous behaviours, then we, the people, need to find the courage and voice to say enough of this Banana republic style of governance. We, the people, owe such courage to our children, if we want science and arts to thrive, thinking and diversity to flourish, we owe it to ourselves as a nation if we want to be taken seriously.

Prof. Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos and can be reached at @ anthonykila

20

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

21

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 31, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 1.60 % 2.20 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

3% 4% 6%

J U L Y

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

2 4 , 2 0 2 0

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

587.32 % 0.00 % 4.35 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 4.35 % YEAR TO DATE 22.06 %

EXCHANGE RATE N381/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes NANTA Launches Capacity Devt Programme

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: General Secretary, Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Mr. Adesoji Olasoko; Board Chairman, Ms. Folakemi Fatogbe; President, Mr. Magnus Nnoka and Executive Secretary, Mr. Victor Olannye, at RIMAN’s 20th Annual General meeting held in Lagos... recently

Apapa Gridlock: Customs Agents Petition FG over 500% Increase in Costs Eromosele Abiodun Some Customs agents in the country have called on the federal government to immediately address the deficiency and high cost of clearing goods at the ports.

In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, the agents stated that the cost of doing business at the Lagos ports have increased by 500 per cent as a result of the intractable Apapa gridlock.

National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), a body of customs agents in Nigeria, Lucky Amiwero, in the petition, decried the increased cost at the ports as a result of inaccessibility to the ports in Lagos.

This, he stated, was apart from demurrage on containers to shipping companies, rent to terminal operators, empty contain-

MARITIME ers, “and loaded containers that consume deposit of containers and incur additional demurrage while empty containers cannot access the port.”

“An average expenses of N140,000.00 to N155,000.00 is given for 20 feet 20(TEU) truck before entering the Port. An average expenses of N215,000.00 to N250,000.00 is given for forty feet 40(FEU) trailer before entering the port .

“The return of 20 feet and 40 feet empty containers to holding bays costs about N 50, 000.00 to N65,000.00 and N80,000.00 to N100,000.00 respectively, facilitated by government agencies.”

Giving a breakdown of local transportation from Tincan Island port to bonded warehouse and within Lagos, he said: “From Tincan Island to Clarion Bonded

warehouse- N330,000.00 to N400,000.00. From Tincan Island to Classic Bonded warehouseN380, 000.00 to N400,000.00.

From Tincan Island to Handover bonded warehouse-N120,000.00 to N150,000.0.

“From Tincan Island to Ladipo –N750, 000.00 to-N800,000.00, from Tincan Island to Alaba – N700,000.00 to N 750,000.00, from Tincan Island to Ijora – N550,000.00 to N400,000.00, from Tincan Island to trade fair-N700,000.00 to N750,000.00.”

On the cost of transportation from Apapa port to within Lagos state, he said, “Apapa to Ijora: N350,000.00 to N450,000.00, Apapa to Iddo: N470,000.00 to N500,000.00, Apapa to Lagos Island: N470,000.00 to N500,000.00, Apapa to Ladipo Mushin: N600,000.00 to N650,000.00, Apapa to Ikeja : N650,000.00 toN700,000.00 and Apapa to Alaba: N750,000.00 to N850,000.00.”

The agents also called on the federal government to address the breakdown of scanners at the port adding that it cost more to scan manually.

“The breakdown of scanners to facilitate inspection of goods, which is now done manually by human labor, is laborious, constitute delays, and necessitates high cost, destruction of goods unstuffed and security of our port for arms, ammunition and unwholesome goods due to non-availability of scanners.

Scanning/ customs examination 20ft Containers-N28, 000.00, custom examination service 40ft- N4100.00,”the agents pointed out.

The group added that shipping companies are double agent, “who represent their principals here in Nigeria and still charge local shipping Continued on page 22

‘African Nations’ GDP May Shrink by $33bn’ Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African nations to adopt safety measures before restarting international operation.

It also estimated that the aviation industry in the continent was at risk of collapse, putting about 3.3 million jobs in jeopardy, while also predicting $33 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contraction for African economies.

IATA also advised African governments to unlock bottlenecks so that urgently needed financial relief pledged for air transport and tourism can reaches the distressed businesses.

The global body called on African government to restart international flights and also implement the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) take-off guidance to ensure safe restart to aviation.

AVIATION IATA said as a consequence of the pandemic and associated restrictions; African airlines could lose $2 billion in 2020.

IATA said to date, the governments of Sub-Saharan Africa Rwanda, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso had pledged a total of $311 million in direct financial support to air transport.

A further $30 billion has been promised by some governments, international finance bodies and other institutions including the African Development Bank, African Export Import Bank, African Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for air transport and tourism.

However, much of the relief is yet to reach those in need due to institutional bureaucracy, complex application and creditworthiness processes, as well as cumbersome

conditions to secure finance.

“Over $30 billion in financial support has been pledged to aviation and tourism in Africa.

Some of this money has been allocated by governments, but far too little of it has reached its intended recipients.

“Governments and lenders need to urgently un-choke the bottlenecks so that the money can flow quickly, otherwise it will be too late to prevent closures and job losses. There will be no point re-opening the borders and skies if there is no industry left to speak of that is capable of supporting trade and tourism, which are the key components of any thriving economy,” said IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Muhammad Albakri.

IATA said resuming aviation safely in Africa was essential to get the continent’s economies up and running.

“With African governments tentatively planning and considering the resumption of regional and intercontinental scheduled passenger flights, IATA is advocating for the harmonized adoption of the ICAO Take-Off guidance which outlines recommended biosafety measures.

“It includes adequate physical distancing, wearing facemasks or coverings, enhanced sanitation and disinfection, health screening, contact tracing and the use of passenger health declaration forms. It also calls for testing, where rapid and reliable testing is available.

“Air Transport is at the core of the Travel & Tourism value chain.

Combined the sectors support the livelihood of 24.6 million people across the continent, contribute $169 billion to Africa’s economy and represent 7.1 per cent of the

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, (NANTA) has launched a capacity development and accreditation programme to empowertravelagents.Speakingduringthelaunchoftheprogramme duringanonlinemeeting,theChairperson,TrainingCommittee,Uloma Kemabonta,saidtheobjectiveoftheprogrammewastointroducethe trainingcoursesandinsightsintohowNANTAplanstochangethenarrative oftheindustryandproducetravelandtourprofessionalsovertheyears tocome.Kemabonta,explainedthatknowledgegapintheindustrycould causealotofproblems,addingthattheprogrammewasputinplaceto empowermemberswithskillsthatwillhelpthemthriveintheindustry.

Shefurtherexplainedthatthetrainingwasdividedintothreestages.

These are the basic training, the core training and the professional training.Shesaidthebasictrainingwouldfocusonthefoundationwhile the core training will address the core management business and the professionaltrainingwillgivetravelagentsalltheempowermentneeded forleadership,emotionaldevelopmentandstaffmanagementamongst others. KemabontasaidtherewasneedtopositionNANTAmembers toadapttochangesintheindustry.

Also speaking during the launch of the programme, Susan Akporaiye, national president, NANTA said the programme for her was a dream come true as capacity development was very paramount to her and heragendaaspresident.

Arik Resumes Kano, Yola Flights

ArikAironTuesdayresumed flight operations to Mallam Aminu Kano InternationalAirport,KanoandYolaAirport.Bothserviceswouldoriginate fromNnamdiAzikiweInternationalAirport,Abujawithconnectionsto andfroMurtalaMuhammedAirport,Lagos.ArikAirwouldbeoperating separateflightsfromAbujatoKanoandYola.FlightsfromAbujatoKano would operate four times weekly on Monday,Wednesday, Friday and Sunday,whileflightsfromAbujatoYolawouldoperatethreetimesweekly, onTuesday,ThursdayandSaturday.PassengerstravelingfromLagos canconnectseamlesslytotheseservicesfromAbuja.Theairlineassured passengersoftheirsafetyandwell-beingateverystageoftheirflight, as the airline has put various measures in place in line with COVID-19 health protocols as recommended by the World HealthOrganisation (WHO), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the federal government.The airline alsoreiteratedtheneedforpassengerstousetheirfacemasksatevery stageoftheirflightsandarriveatleastoneandahalfhoursbeforetheir scheduleddeparturetime.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu said: “We aredelightedtorecommenceservicestoKanoandYolafollowingthe approvalforthereopeningoftheairportsbytheNCAA.“Weshallcontinue toreviewouroperationsasmoreairportsaregivenofficialpermission toreopentoensureweserveourcustomersefficiently.”

Qatar Airways to Resume Helsinki Flights

QatarAirwayshasannouncedthatithasresumedthreeweeklyflights toHelsinki,becomingtheonlyGulfcarriertoservefourNordiccapitals.

TheresumptionofHelsinkiflightswillseethenationalcarrieroftheState of Qatar operate 22 weekly flights to the Nordics, with daily flights to OsloandStockholmandfiveweeklyflightstoCopenhagen.

Theairline’smixofmodernfuel-efficientaircrafthasmeantitsnetwork has never fallen below 30 destinations throughout this crisis and has enabledtheairlinetoadaptitsplansandquicklyresumeroutestorebuild itsglobalnetwork.ByoptimisingitsmixofaircraftandgroundingitsA380 fleet,theairlinecontinuestoflyonlytherightsizedaircraftonallroutes totheNordics,reducingitsenvironmentalimpactbyofferingsensible andresponsiblecapacitytomeetbothpassengerandcargodemand.

QatarAirwaysGroupChiefExecutive,Mr.AkbarAlBakersaid:“Weare gladtoseeHelsinkireturntoournetwork,asignificantindicatorofthe recoveryoftheNordictravelmarket.Withatotalof22weeklyflightsto theregionwearedelightedtobethefirstGulfcarriertoofferflightsto thefourNordiccapitalsofCopenhagen,Helsinki,OsloandStockholm.

“WhilethedropinairtraveldemandduetoCovid-19forcedustotemporarily suspendservicestoHelsinki,weareproudtohaveneverstoppedflying toCopenhagen,OsloandStockholm.Aswepasstheworstofthecrisis, welookforwardtoincreasingourservicestotheNordicregiontosupport therecoveryoftourismandtradeintheregion.”

“Low passenger traffic problem will be solved when the government lifts ban on international flights.

This is because international flights feed passengers to domestic airlines” Managing Director, Finchglow Group and former President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA),

Bankole Bernard Continued on page 22

22

T H I S D AY ˞ ͹ͯ, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

APAPA GRIDLOCK: CUSTOMS AGENTS PETITION FG OVER 500% INCREASE IN COSTS

FG to Check Temporary Import Permit Abuse

charges, on container for no port duty, they don’t perform any function like provision of plant, Terminal, Energy or Labor, but charge almost the same rate with terminal operators due to absent of federal government control. “All government agencies operate independently on cost and procedure in contravention of international best practice of one-stop-shop process, which necessitates the increase in cost and delays in the release of goods.�

The customs agents added: “The external intervention from other Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Strike Force etc, with the extension of activities of customs procedure, examination off-loading containers at the federal operation unit, where containers are left for days, weeks and months, consume deposit for containers and incur additional demurrage on trucks that the containers are on. “There is another double handling, outside the port in contravention of treaties and protocol (WCO) Kyoto convention on harmonisation and simplification of Customs procedure and 40 miles radius that set up the FOU unit.�

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to join forces to close loopholes in the Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) system that importers often exploit to avoid levies due to the government.

The declaration was made when the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh visited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) in Abuja.

At the meeting, Jamoh said the temporary import permit issue was one of the biggest challenges faced by the maritime sector, stressing that it has denied the federal government huge revenue.

Jamoh stated: “The biggest issue we have has to do with temporary importation. What we observed is that people capitalise on the good gesture of government policies. “Those that are benefiting from this temporary importation bring in their own ship and after one year they will take it back to their country and import back with a different name. They do it constantly and this is to the disadvantage of our Nigerian shipowners.�

He said Cabotage trade, which falls within the core functions of NIMASA, was suffering as

‘AFRICAN NATIONS’ GDP MAY SHRINK BY $33BN’ continent’s GDP. “Containing the pandemic is the top priority. But without a lifeline of funding to keep the sector alive, and a roadmap to restart aviation safely as soon as possible, the economic devastation of COVID-19 could take Africa’s development back a decade or more. Aviation supports livelihoods, trade, education, good health and wellbeing, quality education, reduces hunger and poverty and ensures access to essential medical supplies and humanitarian aid, as proven throughout this crisis.

Without an air transport industry, the people of Africa are at risk of not being able to realize their dreams and aspirations,� said Albakri.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the federal government may lift international flights before the end of August.

THISDAY learnt that as at Wednesday top officers of PTF COVID-19, the Minister of Aviation and other top government officials have engaged in crucial meeting on how to reopen international travel.

Group Business Editor

Stories by Eromosele Abiodun

a result of the abuse of the temporary import permit, and, “At the end of the day, it is indigenous shipowners that bear the brunt.�

The DG said the Merchant Shipping Act provided that vessels used in importation should be registered with the Nigeria Ship Registry, but in most cases, the importers did not.

He called for greater synergy between NIMASA and NCS as well as all agencies in the maritime sector, to address

pertinent issues and improve the sector.

Jamoh, said it was in pursuit of such cooperation that a regular meeting of heads of maritime agencies was recently initiated. The meeting debuted on July 7 in Lagos at the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).

It had in attendance Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman; Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority

(NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu; and Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Commodore Emmanuel Effedua (rtd).

Jamoh, said the essence of the meeting was to identify and speedily tackle challenges faced by operators in the sector without the impediments of official bureaucracy. He invited the NCS Comptroller-General to join the heads of maritime agencies meeting. “After the meeting, we decided to incorporate the Freight Forwarders’ Regulators

to be on board,� Jamoh stated.

Responding, Ali pledged the commitment of the service to pooling resources with NIMASA to address the TIP issue and other problems in the sector.

He said there was need for both agencies to design a common framework for tackling the issues.

Ali said such approach would ensure that if Customs registered a ship and gave it a TIP, NIMASA would also have records of that registration on its own platform.

SUPPORT FOR REMOTE LEARNING

L-R: Head IT, Old Mutual, Mary Aworetan; Executive Head, Marketing & Customer Experience, Alero Ladipo; Director, PublicPrivate Partnerships, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr. Olufunke Oyetola and St. Francis Junior Grammar School Student, Gbenga Adeosun, during Old Mutual’s presentation of remote learning aid materials to students in Lagos...recently

‘Negligence Costing Nigeria Jobs in Maritime Industry’ Despite the huge natural and human resources in Nigeria’s maritime sector, negligence on the part of government is seen as responsible for the country’s inability to reap the economic gains from the industry and maximise its potential.

Managing Director/CEO of GOG Marine Limited, Bem Ibrahim Garba, who made this assertion, alleged that the Nigerian government, despite having full knowledge of the potential and economic benefits in the maritime sector, deliberately failed to recognise

its importance or apply the knowledge to the development of the economy.

Garba, also lamented that Nigeria still lags behind Greece despite having similar opportunities in the industry and has to depend on many other seafaring states including the smaller European state to meet her maritime and logistics requirement “If you are like me, and you think about situations like this deeply, you will find that the difference is not about a lack of resources, a lack of man

power or one country being better endowed than the other.

The difference actually lies in what each country knows and how she chooses to make use of that knowledge,� he said.

He added: “As a country, the Nigerian government officials responsible for the shipping industry’s development theoretically know and understand the significance of a well-developed indigenous shipping industry. “They know about the millions of good paying jobs that this industry can create for local Nigerians. They know about the

valuable taxes that the country could earn if this industry was fully optimised. “They know about the pride that Nigeria would derive from having our national flag, proudly hoisted amongst the committee of well represented seafaring nations. The challenge lies in how well we have we choose to utilize this well-articulated knowledge?�

Garba pointed out that unlike Greece, Nigeria is not taking the issue of maritime business serious and have been unable to exploit it’s natural advantages.

According to him, “these two nation states have the natural advantage of proximity to the sea, giving their indigenous people (coastal people) the natural advantage of seeking employment, trade and wealth creation from trades associated with the Sea, yet these gains only accrue to one of the two states�. “This story is about two countries knowing and understanding the importance of what they have, and applying that knowledge to the development of their economies� he said.

Unity Bank Posts N23bn Half-year Earnings Unity Bank Plc has declared gross earnings of N22.8 billion in the period between January and June 2020.

According to the lender’s unaudited financials submitted to the Nigeria Stock Exchange, the half-year gross earnings rose 11 per cent to N22.87 billion, up from the N20.55 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2019.

Its profit before tax grew by seven per cent, from

N1.05 billion in half-year 2019 to N1.12 billion in the period under review. This is even as its profit after tax equally rose by seven per cent to N1.03 billion, from N967.51 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Similarly, the lender’s interest earnings recorded a 15 per cent increase to N19.79 billion within the period, up from N17.27 billion in the corresponding

period in 2019, while its total operating income also grew by 14 per cent to N12.14 billion from N10.69 billion in the same period in 2019.

Earnings per share stood at 17.64 Kobo for the period ending 30June 2020.

The bank’s half-year report also showed a huge boost in asset, which saw a 48 per cent growth to N445.95 billion from N293.05 billion in the same period in 2019.

This followed the growth

of the bank’s loan book which rose by 53.7 per cent to N131.48 billion, from N70.62 billion in Q2, 2019.

Commenting on the result, the Managing Director/CEO, Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun said: “Despite the inclement economic conditions occasioned by the global pandemic which almost paused or at best put activities at a slower pace in virtually all sectors of the economy, the bank

has been able to ride the waves to maintain its growth trajectory looking at the key performance indicators. “The assessment, therefore, is that the repositioning efforts which have taken root before the headwinds are equally able to withstand shocks.�

She further attributed the growing health and strength of the bank’s balance sheet to the fact that it has remained focused on its niche market, which is agribusiness.

Obinna Chima

Sterling Bank, Stakeholders Seek to Enhance International Trade

Capital Market Editor

Nume Ekeghe

Comms/e-Business Editor

Sterling Bank Plc recently held a webinar for customers in the business of import/export of goods and services.

The Executive Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Sterling Bank, Mr. Raheem Owodeyi, told participants at the online forum that the bank would continue to support import and export businesses with access to foreign exchange.

Owodeyi said: “Those who

Goddy Ogene Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT)

go all out to obtain the foreign exchange outside of the official channels tend to incur higher than required costs, and in a bid to reduce the constraints of its customers, the bank decided to put together the seminar to educate customers on how they can manage the changes created by the pandemic, dearth of foreign exchange and how they can source foreign exchange through the right channels.�

Also speaking, the Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Export

Promotion Council (NEPC), South West Regional Office, Lagos, Mr. Samuel Oyeyipo, in his paper titled, ‘Export trade in Nigeria, Opportunities and Requirements, said exporters engage in their business to earn forex, gain access to bigger markets and increase profit levels. He explained that there are several opportunities in non-oil exports for leather, cashew, cocoa, rubber and manufactured products, among others, saying they all have potential to contribute to

the nation’s non-oil foreign exchange earnings.

He also listed some of the major destinations for Nigerian exports as Europe, US, Asia, other parts of the African continent and the Middle East, adding that steps taken to export products include an export plan, decision on the product or service to export, business registration with appropriate regulatory bodies like CAC and NEPC, and opening of foreign currency domiciliary

account to receive FX earnings.

Other requirements include adequate packaging and labelling of products for export, which must meet certain international standards of containment, protection and preservation.

The regional coordinator also said NEPC was engaged in some intervention projects such as collaborations with Sterling Bank to train interested individuals and enterprises on export business, human capital development, among others.

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

23

Caverton’s Half-year Revenue Drops by 5% to N16.1bn Stories by Chinedu Eze Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, (COSG) has announced its unaudited first half year results for 2020.

The results showed that the company’s revenue dipped by five per cent to N16.1 billion, compared with the N16.9 billion recorded in June 2019. Its operating profit, (excluding other income) also fell to N2.6 billion, as against the N3.2 billion realised in June 2019.

The results also revealed

that the company realised profit before tax of N889 million as well as profit after tax N766 million in the period under review.

Commenting on the recent events, COSG’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bode Makanjuola said: “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have adverse effects on our economy, the petroleum and aviation sectors have borne the major brunt. In addition to the pandemic woes, revenue from aircraft contracts dropped during

the period as a result of the decline in hours flown due to severe weather conditions and we have had to implement downward review of our existing contracts as a result of contraction in oil production. “Despite the drop in revenue, we remain resilient in weathering this storm and look forward to finishing the year on a much stronger footing as we look forward to ease on travel and work restrictions and completion of some of our capital projects.�

As Ibom Air Expands Operation

Covid-19: Bristow Pledges Commitment to Safety Bristow Helicopters Nigeria has said it is doing everything to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said that in accordance with safety measures and efforts to halt the spread of the virus, it had instituted temperature checking across all its bases in collaboration with its primary aeromedical provider.

In addition, nurses were provided throughout the working day to provide staff and clients going offshore with the safety assurance that every passenger transiting their facilities in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

With zero case of Covid-19, “Bristow is leveraging the wealth of experience garnered dur-

ing the Ebola outbreak of 2014 and their experience with Search and Rescue operations worldwide.� “Bristow has also taken a bold decision to outfit a primary and ‘back up’ helicopter dedicated to providing ‘best in class’ COVID Rescue for the offshore Industry. To date this is the only service of its type available in Africa.�

The offshore helicopter firm debut with a specially retrofitted a Leonardo AW 189 aircraft which is equipped with two isolation pods and 2 seats for a doctor and a nurse, which boost to be the first of its type to be operated in Africa.

Also, Bristow Managing Director, Capt. Dapo Oyeleke said, “Bristow has once again demonstrated

its commitment to leading from the front when it comes to safety and the provision of proactive solutions to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. “This service has brought a layer of additional safety to the Industry as COVID-19 cases can be transported without any risk of infection to crew and support personnel. The patient is transported in a fully sealed and ventilated isolation pod. “We are proud to have been able to offer this service and remain grateful to the Oil & Gas Industry for recognizing the value this service brought at a time of heightened risk� said Mayowa Babatunde the Senior Manager Business Development for Bristow Helicopters Nigeria.

Emirates Expands African Connections Emirates has announced it will resume flights to Nairobi from August 2, 2020, Baghdad and Basra will follow from August 10.

The airline is thus expanding its growing network, and offering customers in Africa and around the world more convenient connections to Dubai, and via Dubai. “This will take the airline’s passenger network to 67 destinations in August, including seven points in Africa and five points in the Middle East. This underscores the strategic importance of Africa to Emirates,� the Dubai based carrier said.

According to the airline, flights between Nairobi and Dubai and Basra and Dubai would operate three times a week while flights between Baghdad and Dubai will operate four times a week. The flights would be operated with the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER and can be booked on the airline website or via travel agents.

Customers from across Emirates’ network can now to travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for business and leisure visitors with

new air travel protocols that safeguard the health and safety of visitors and communities.

Emirates has also committed to cover all COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel. “This cover is offered by Emirates free of cost to its customers regardless of class of travel or destination. It is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until October 31 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. “This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination. “Customers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel, and they are not obligated to utilise this cover provided

by Emirates. Any impacted customer who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

during their travel simply has to contact a dedicated hotline to take full advantage of the assistance and cover. “The hotline number, and details of what COVID-19 related expenses are covered, is available on the Emirates website,� the airline said.

With the gradual reopening of borders over the summer, Emirates said it revised its booking policies to offer customers more flexibility and confidence to plan their travel.

Customers whose travel plans are disrupted by COVID-19 related flight or travel restrictions, can simply hold on to their ticket which would be valid for 24 months and rebook to fly at a later time. “Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes.

Ibom Air Chinedu Eze The major reason why many Nigerians are skeptical about the plan by the federal government to establish a national carrier is that it would not be insulated from interferences by politicians and top government officials who were instrumental to the demise of similar businesses in the past.

This has been a challenge not only in Nigeria but in the world. How government can establish and run a business that is fully autonomous with full corporate governance.

But Akwa Ibom government is showing a good example with the airline, Ibom Air, it established two years ago. With the right aircraft, the right managerial personnel, the airline has shown so much promise.

What is remarkable about the airline is that its day-to-day operations and decision-making are fully insulated from the government of the state, which set it up and picked the best hands from every part of the country and beyond.

Ibom Air has deliberate plan towards route development and expansion and last week the airline extended flight service to Calabar, a short distance from its operational hub in Uyo. The airline, which has distinguished itself in on-time departure and efficient service delivery to travellers, said that it decided to make Calabar its nest destination because of the cultural affinity Cross River has with Akwa Ibom.

One of the passengers in the airline’s first flight to Calabar was the former governor of the state, Donald Duke and his wife.

Duke who was obviously excited about the flight commended Ibom Air’s decision to extend its operations to Calabar and noted that it would enable travellers to move in and out of Calabar at their convenience. “What is even more exciting is that it is coming from a sister state. I am always excited when I heard them speak the local dialect in the aircraft. It gives me some nostalgic feelings.

Ibom Air is noted for its ability to meet international standards in the industry. It departs in time and does its things the right way.

Even though it is new in the industry, it has kept a very high standard

“Ibom Air is noted for its ability to meet international standards in the industry. It departs in time and does its things the right way. Even though it is new in the industry, it has kept a very high standard. We want to encourage then to maintain those standards and I also want to encourage our people to patronise the flights,� Duke said.

The airline’s Marketing Manager, Mrs. Essienette Aniekan, said besides its affinity with Calabar, what prompts the choice of destination for Ibom Air is where there is need.

Aniekan who made this known when Ibom Air landed at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar said, “We want to position ourselves as regional airline of choice for people travelling in Nigeria that requires safety, reliability and comfort. Our paramount objective is to give anyone travelling with us a different experience. Ours is schedule reliability, on-time departure and superior service,� she said.

On apprehension of passengers over COVID-19 fears, she assured travellers on Ibom Air and explained that the operating aircraft Bombardier, CRJ 900, which is modern equipment, is designed to rejuvenate the air in the aircraft “Our aircraft is fortified with high efficiency particulate air filters which filters air every two to three minutes; in fact, our aircraft provides the best kind of air you can breathe right now and you can take that to the bank.

And when you know we can get you to your destination safely and securely, it would give you the confidence to fly,� Mrs. Aniekan said.

She disclosed that Ibom Air has expansion plan which cuts across the entire Nigeria and what the airline is doing is looking at the various locations where there are needs and then go there first.

Mrs Aniekan disclosed that the paramount aim of the airline management for now is to give Nigerian travellers and everybody traveling within the Nigerian airspace a different experience and that experience is scheduled reliability, on time departure and superior services.

Also speaking at the brief ceremony to mark Ibom Air inaugural flight to Calabar, the airline’s Director of Services, Amaka Echetabu said Ibom Air flight to Calabar is remarkable for the airline because the two sister states have a lot in common. “This is a big event for us. This is spreading our wings especially in these unprecedented times; so it is a leap in fate and a lot of confidence in what we are doing. And no matter how much the market shrinks or expands, people still need to get from point A to point B. We want to do this for them. Offer them on time departure, schedule reliability and superior service. We want people to feel good and be satisfied when they come to fly with us. We want to treat people very well. So this is what Ibom Air stands for: efficient and satisfying customer service,� she said.

24

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

The Return of Wharf Rats

Eromosele Abiodun writes on the alarming rate of pilfering at terminals across the nation’s seaports

L

ast week, vehicle importer, David Okanlawon discovered that the vehicle he imported into Nigeria and discharged at the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) had most of its components looted inside the terminal.

Speaking to newsmen, Okanlawon claimed that his vehicle - Toyota Camry, that was imported from the United States of America (USA) and discharged at the PTML terminal had all its component looted inside the terminal.

According to him, the vehicle battery, air condition compressor, side mirror, and extra tyres among others were all pilfered within 72 days that the vehicle spent at the terminal.

Okanlawon, who said the vehicle was discharged from MV HOEGH XIAMEN on the 28th March 2020, explained that he was surprised that vehicles could still be pilfered after terminals were concessions to private operators.

He said: “My woes started on 28th of March, 2020 when my vehicle was discharged at PTML terminal. It was the second day the federal government begin enforcement of lock down so, the clearing agent that was supposed to clear the vehicle out of the terminal was unable to access the ports.

“But, after the lock down was relaxed in Lagos and he went to the port to clear the vehicle, an invoice of N353,990 was raised with N269,600 slammed on me as demmurage for the 72 days the vehicles spent in their terminal.”

Okanlawon, who has a car mart in Port Harcourt, said he was surprised that despite paying huge amount on demurrage as charged by the shipping line, his vehicle was still pilfered to that extent.

“I never knew Nigeria seaport has a terrible security architecture like this because vital components in the vehicle were pilfered, the battery, compressor, side mirrors and even some components of the engine were stolen.”

Okanlawon, who showed the before and after picture of the vehicle to journalists, said he was disappointed at the level of pilfering in the terminal.

His claims were corroborated by the Association of Nigerian Liscenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), PTML chapter, that confirmed vehicle pilfering at the terminal.

The Public Relations Officer, PTML chapter of ANLCA, Ayo Sulaiman, said wharf rats have returned to PTML damaging importers vehicles.

According to him, the management of the terminal has always been living in denial about the development.

He said: “The wharf rats that were once defeated at the seaports have returned and we know that a whole container was burgled in Port and Cargo terminal some time ago. But, I know pilfering of vehicles happen mostly at mile 2 annex of the terminal and the chapter have instance of remotes of vehicles missing and they tell us it get lost on transit but, we are collating lists of burgled vehicles to present to the management because this has to stop.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Manager at PTML, Steve Okoh, told THISDAY that Okanlanwon’s vehicle was not pilfered at PTML. He claimed that things of that nature cannot happen at PTML because of the way the terminal is structured.

According to him, “Out terminal is a moving terminal, vehicles are not kept at one spot.

We have CCTV cameras all over the terminal.

Car components like side mirror theft used to happen but since security was enhanced it has stopped. We used to have cases of sensor keys missing but importers now hide their keys and are very difficult to find.

“We investigate incidents of that nature if they are reported and ensure that the stevedoring company who employ the staff that discharged the vessel involved pay for any missing item.

However, what Okanlawon has complained of did not happen at PTML, he is out to blackmail us.”

Rising incidents of pilfering It is not just Okanlawon that is complaining.

Last year, many importers expressed deep concern over rising incidents pertaining to theft of imported goods during examination

frustrating the National Single Window(NSW) project meant to hasten cargo clearance process at the nation’s ports.

The NSW is a platform meant to integrate all agencies involved in the clearance of cargoes at the ports with view to ease the inspection calculation and payment of all import duties, levies and other charges on line.

Amaechi had made the accusation during the inauguration of the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence System, a marine operation and surveillance centre, at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos.

“Very soon Nigerians will protest against the seaports. People are already importing through Benin republic. Everyone has a single window. Niger who used to import things through Nigeria is doing so through another country. This is because we are charging both official and unofficial charges,” he said.

President, Seaport Terminal Operators Associan of Nigeria (STOAN), Vicky Hastrup and clearance from the Tincan Island ports, which have resulted in severe losses to them.

Some of the importers, who spoke to THISDAY on the issue, said imported goods were constantly being stolen at the Tincan Island ports but the theft has been on the increase in recent times.

The urged the authorities to take stringent steps to secure imported consignments in order to save the business community from suffering severe losses.

To stem the menace, the importers suggested that, besides intensifying security arrangements of imported consignments, the federal government should urgently replace dilapidated scanners at the ports across the country, pointing out that importers have continued to lose billions of naira owing to the physical examination of goods by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Some clearing agents, who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, blamed customs officials at the Tincan port for the peculiar rise in theft of imported goods. The agents alleged that the officials open imported sealed items and remove most items, including personal effect in the imported consignment.

The customs, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) are some of the agencies that carry out examination of imported goods.

In recent months, the theft has been on the rise. Clothing, foot wears, wrist watches, and jewelry are some of the personal effects stolen on a daily bases at the Tincan Island port,” the importers lamented.

When contacted, the Chairman of Tincan Island Chapter of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mattew Eseota, confirmed that importers have suffered huge losses in recent times.

“I can confirm that we have experienced high cases of loss of personal effect running into billions of naira. However, the matter has been reported to security agents at the port.

They are currently working on some cases and have also put plans in place to check the menace, “he said.

Some importers who decried the situation called on the Comptroller General of the NCS, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) to take urgent steps to stem the tide.

However, the Public Relations Officer, Tincan Island Command, Uche Ejesieme, denied the allegation, insisting that customs officers at the port carry out their duties professionally and diligently.

“It may interest you to know that the Customs is not the only agency at the port, neither is it the only agency that participates in examination of cargoes. The service has rules of engagement which guide examination of cargo,” he said.

He claimed that the command has not received any report of such theft from any importer.

“We therefore challenge anybody with a genuine case of such to bring it up as no stone will be left unturned in dealing decisively with such, “he stressed.

Breakdown of Scanners The President of NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero had recently called on the federal

Hameed Ali government to constitute a committee to probe the breakdown of scanners at the ports and the need to evaluate them for possible repairs.

In a petition to President MuhammaduBuhari, Amiwero said the present state of the scanning equipment at the ports was a result of total neglect by the NCS personnel who supervised the transfer of the equipment from the providers.

He said the acquisition of the scanners was contracted under the Destination Inspection Scheme between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some service providers. The service providers include: Cotecna, SGS and Global Scan, who were contracted on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis, for a period of seven years from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2012, which was finally extended for one year by the federal government.

“The agreement for the provision, installation, operation and management of x-ray scanning equipment and software for examination of goods between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cotecna Inspection Limited, Societe general de surveillance (SGS) and Global ScanSystems Limited is as contained in Articles 4 to 4.3 which provides for ownership of equipment during the duration of the contract and the transfer to federal government,, “he said.

He added: “As draft committee chairman of the Reconstituted Presidential Task Force on the Reform of Nigeria Customs Service (RPTFCR) in 2010 and also member of the Presidential Committee of Destination Inspection (DI), in 1999/2006, I am obligated to advise on the need to critically look at the breakdown scanners in the port for possible repairs.”

Docile Customs Service Apart from the breakdown of scanners, the docility of officers and men of the NCS has caused a lot of damage at the ports across the country. Last year, Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, accused officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of not coming to office on time for examination of cargoes thereby frustrating the ease of doing business policy of the federal government.

Speaking at a public lecture on the ease of doing business with the theme: “The Gains and Challenges of the Presidential Order on Ease of Doing Business in the Nigerian Maritime Sector One Year After” organised in Lagos, Osinbajo, had said the Police and Customs had become stumbling blocks to the order.

Osinbajo, who was represented by an official in the Presidential Environmental Business Enabling Council (PEBEC), Mr. John Oboh, agreed that there were challenges in carrying out the presidential order on ease of doing business, identifying some customs operatives and the Police as not helping matters.

He criticised the Customs for incessant interception of goods cleared at the ports, saying it is against international best practices.

According to him, there is no reason why operatives of the Customs should be stopping containers on the way, particularly within few meters after the port gate for another round of checks.

Also in late 2017, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi accused the NCS of

Lateness to Examination Bays Late 2018, clearing agents operating at the Apapa Port accused the Apapa Command of the NCS of lateness to examination of cargoes.

The Apapa chapter Chairman of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Emeka Enwelu, said that examination of cargoes at Apapa has gone down from 300 to 200 containers per day due to the officers’ attitude to work.

He said: “Customs officers come for examination around 12p.m-1p.m daily; that is the actual time they come for examination and we have discussed so much on the need for them to come early for examination to know what to be done, and for us to get our cargoes out in good time. Instead, we spend a whole day on examination before coming the next day for release. That is not trade facilitation, except they can start by 10a.m as advised by the government.”

Enwelu further stated that because of the delay experienced, clearing agents find it difficult to examine and release goods the same day. He said that agents are forced to return the following day for the release of their consignments, thereby causing increase in storage charges.

“If customs conducts examination and write the report, we can get our cargoes, but when they start late they find it difficult to write the report because the whole day has already been wasted,”he said.

Another clearing agent, Chijioke Ebuka, however, urged the federal government to ensure that customs adhere strictly to the implementation of the executive order.

He also stated that delay experienced at the examination bays affect the number of cargoes released daily.

He said: “Doing away with delay is part of the vision of PEBEC but the Apapa Customs officers are making the gains disappear. We want officers to come in good time so that goods can be released same day after examination.”

He alleged that customs had written to be exempted from the executive order, stating however, that, “customs cannot be bigger than the country and the law of the land because they are a creation of the law.”

Meanwhile, the Command Public Relations Officer of the command, Nkiru Nwala, refuted the claims, stating that for the avoidance of doubts, the examination bays are not owned by the customs but the terminal operators, just as there are other federal agencies involved in the cargo examination process.

Specifically, she said: “As the custodians of the examination bays, the terminal operators position the cargo for inspection and notifies the customs, which in turn informs other relevant agencies to assemble for examination.

“This has been particularly so since the implementation of the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business at the Ports, which empowered customs to coordinate the other examining agencies.”

Nwala explained that there are many terminals in the Apapa Port Complex, wondering how the agents came about the statistics being bandied about that released containers dropped from about 300 to 200 allegedly because customs officials do not arrive early for inspection,” he said.

25

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

INTERVIEW

Lifeline for SMEs Dike Onwuamaeze Despite a raft of measures put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) since the outbreak of the Covid-19, the Bank recently introduced intervention schemes to cater for non-interest financial institutions (NIFIs).

The initiative was also part of efforts to increase access to NIFIs, promote financial inclusion and enhance economic activities.

Clearly, small businesses across the globe are facing an existential threat. Owing to this, analysts have continued to stress the need for policymakers to focus on measures to ensure that these businesses remain as going concerns.

According to them, for small businesses to come back after the pandemic abates, and continue to serve as an engine for economic growth, they need aid.

The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mrs. Onome Adewuyi, advised that MSMEs should be given enough support, especially with interest free loans, for the informal sector of the economy to rev up again.

“The MSMEs contribute about 50 per cent to the GDP. Thus, they hold the key to the economic recovery of the nation. The government must place greater premium on this sector to achieve a quick exit from the inevitable recession which would occur,” she explained.

The Non-Interest Schemes The schemes under the NIFI include Non-interest Guidelines for the Accelerated Development Scheme (AADS); Non-interest Guidelines for Intervention in the Textile Sector; Guidelines for the Operations of the Agri-Business, Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) for NIFIs; Guidelines for MSME Development Fund for NIFIs; Non-interest Guidelines for Non-oil Export Stimulation Facility; Non-interest Guidelines for Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and Non-interest Guidelines for Real Sector Support Facility Revised Guidelines.

Others are Non-interest Guidelines for the operation of the Credit Support for the Healthcare Sector; Modalities for the implementation of the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (Non-interest version); Non-interest Guidelines for the implementation of the N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility.

Under the AADS, the CBN listed the objective to include engaging a minimum of 370,000 youths in agricultural production nationwide over the next three years in order to reduce youth unemployment. It said the broad objective of the AADS was to increase agricultural production towards food security, job creation and economic diversification.

“The specific objectives are: promotion of national food security in each state through sustained interactions amongst stakeholders in the agricultural value chain; collaboration amongst state governments, the CBN and relevant other stakeholders to create jobs in the agricultural sector, with strong focus on crops where states have comparative advantage; and provision of short and medium term funding windows for the implementation of the scheme,” it stated.

According to the CBN, the target group is Nigerian youths within the ages of 18 to 35 years and the focus would be on two agricultural commodities where the state has comparative advantage.

Under this scheme, the state government is expected to mobilise prospective young farmers with representation from all senatorial zones while state governments/FCT are to provide agricultural land in contiguous locations in all

CBN building

the senatorial zones.

A minimum of 100 hectares per cluster are to be provided.

“Prospective entrepreneurs (that meet the eligibility criteria) shall be grouped into clusters by commodity to be produced. State government to allocate 2-5 hectares of land per beneficiary.

“State government to provide access roads, water sources and other infrastructure that will enhance agricultural production on the land “States may charge a rental on land (maximum. of N10,000 per ha) to defray the cost of land clearing and other infrastructure provided. Rental charged will be embedded in the Economics of Production (EoP) of the farmer,” it added.

The guidelines also stated that the participating financial institutions (PFIs) would act as agents of the CBN in disbursing the financing to the beneficiaries, which shall be in kind.

The PFIs shall purchase the inputs for on-selling to the beneficiaries, using CBN approved noninterest financing contract of Murabaha, Istisna’, etc at an all-inclusive rate of return of nine per cent per annum.

“For the financing of labour, the PFI shall use Service Ijarah or any other appropriate CBN approved contract for NIFIs with the same all-inclusive rate of return of nine per cent.

“Financing tenor is six months for grains and broiler production (rice, maize, soy bean etc); 18 months for cassava; 24 months for egg production and ruminants; five years for plantation crops, etc “Average financing size of N250,000 per ha for arable crops; N500,000 per unit for livestock; and N1.5 million for plantation crops like cocoa, cashew and oil palm,” it said.

It explained that diversion of funds by the PFI shall attract a penalty at its maximum financing rate at the time of infraction, among other penalties.

Non-Interest Guidelines for Textile Sector The CBN in a bid to resuscitate the textile industry also put in place a N50 billion special mechanism for restructuring of existing facilities and provision of further facilities for textile companies with genuine need for intervention. This, it stated was the result of the meetings between the Governor and owners of textile mills in Nigeria on August 7, and September 29, 2015. Among the resolutions reached were that the Textile Mills articulate the status of their BOI CTG Loans stating their outstanding loan balances, tenure, interest rate, interest payment and the assistance being sought from CBN. The activities to be covered under the intervention shall include operations in the CTG value chain as follows: Cotton ginning (lint production); spinning (yarn production); textile mills; integrated garment factories (for military, para-military and schools and other uniformed institutions). It listed the facilities under the scheme to include refinancing of existing projects; long term financing for acquisition of plant and machinery and working capital.

For textile companies to be eligible to participate in the scheme, the Bank stated that any textile company with an existing facility in the books of BOI under the CTG scheme (emphasis will be on facilities that are indicating weakness arising from tenor, structure as well as facing cash flow difficulties).

The financing amount is a maximum of N2 billion for a single obligor in respect of new facilities and N1 billion for refinancing. The fund is to be administered at an all-in rate of return of 4.5 per cent per annum payable on quarterly basis and the intervention allows for a maximum moratorium of years in the facility

repayment schedule.

“Existing benefiting companies would submit requests to BOI for consideration on case by case basis. The BOI’s consideration of the applications shall be subject to approval by the CBN,” the guidelines stated.

According to the CBN, Each request must be accompanied with request from banks seeking to transfer the facilities to the BOI; three years financials including the latest management account of the obligor; copies of duly executed offer documents between the bank and the obligor evidencing existence of a facility; six months loan account statements showing the current exposure, as well as an abridged business plan of the underlying project for which the facility was initially approved, among others.

“Within 14 days of the receipt of the banks’ requests, BOI shall inform the companies of the status of their application and also advise each company of the amount of its facility that shall be refinanced. BOI shall forward the applications to CBN for approval and release of funds,” it added.

Guidelines for AGSMEIS for NIFIs The AGSMEIS supports government’s policy measures and efforts for the promotion of agricultural businesses, MSMEs as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation. The objectives of the Scheme are to improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by Agri-businesses, MSMEs, create employment opportunities in Nigeria and boost the managerial capacity of agri-businesses. Financing under the Scheme shall be for start-ups, business expansion or revival of ailing companies and shall be in compliance with provisions of BOFIA (1991) as amended and the principles underpinning operations of NIFIs.

CHI Supports CBN’s Backward Integration Programme CHI Limited has announced that in partnership with the Niger State Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it is investing in massive infrastructural development, upgrade of the existing and construction of new facilities at the Bobi Grazing Reserve, a pilot grazing reserve in Maringa Local Government in Niger State.

A statement disclosed this, adding that with the acquisition of over 4,000 hectares in the reserve, the company would

be partnering with existing pastoralists to provide 2,000 hectares to allow for settlement and grazing for their cows.

“It has made available 1,200 hectares to subsistence farmers for grain production and another 300 hectares for growing some of the best breed of pasture - Napier grass, an essential fodder known to improve milk yield in cows.

“The final stretch of 800 hectares has been set aside for development of support facilities, specifically a milk collection and

processing center where all the milk produced from the cows will be collected and processed in a hygienic manner.

“CHI Limited has also invested in the rehabilitation of the 15 kilometres road leading to the grazing reserve to improve access and reconstruction of its dam to ensure collection of adequate water for grazing the cattle, irrigation for farming, and other purposes on site,” the statement added.

Speaking on the recent devel-

opments, Managing Director of CHI Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, thanked the central bank for the initiative and the Niger State Government for their support and co-operation thus far.

“We are proud of our strategic partnerships and investments in the backward integration project of the Central Bank of Nigeria. With the support of the Niger State Government, we would work towards ensuring that this pilot scheme achieves its medium

and long-term objectives of job creation, strengthening the supply chain of the dairy category in which we play, provide good raw materials to support our local company, provide Nigerian consumers with more access to nourishing, healthy dairy products, and be the model for successful dairy backward integration”, he said.

In July 2019, the central bank of Nigeria rolled out a new policy to encourage backward integration for the

local production of select items including dairy products to save depleting national reserves, revive local production capacity and create employment. The new policy offers opportunities for major manufacturers of milk and dairy products in Nigeria.

Despite the challenges of dairy backward integration policy like the incessant herders/farmers clashes, the opportunities in the value chain are numerous. CHI Limited decided to key into the initiative.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Nimi Ekere: At the Forefront of Addressing Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria

27

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ˜ 2020

COVER

Nimi Ekere: At the Forefront of Addressing Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria Dr. Nimi Stephnie Ekere is a wife, mother and consultant family physician and fellow of National College of Family Physicians. She also wears the toga of child’s rights advocate, parenting enthusiast, life coach, mentor, public speaker and teacher. Passionate about effective and intentional parenting, Ekere who is an author in her own right, in this interview with MARY NNAH, says her NGO, Smile and Shine Children’s Foundation, is at the forefront of addressing issues of child sexual abuse in Nigeria and why her two recent books on sexual violence are a must read for everyone

H

ow easy is it to work with children in terms of advocacy given the circumstances in Africa where Child Rights is not really on the front

burner?

It really is no walk in the park but when your passion drives or propels you, you have a seamless journey. My profession as a medical doctor and consultant Family Physician makes it a lot more interesting as people tend to naturally trust their doctors.

This has helped me a great deal in relating to the children and being a voice for them. Most parents listen to their doctors and children are quick to open up to their doctors who they see as role models.

Even if it is a lot of work to be a child Rights advocate, I find it fulfilling because I love children with everything in me and remember that I am a mother too. As much as it is not a very easy road especially in a country like Nigeria, I must say that I haven’t had much difficulty at all.

Most child rights advocates have complained incessantly about how parents obstruct justice for their children in cases of abuse. What’s your take on this?

That is so correct. A lot of parents in this part of the world are not ready to own up to issues of child abuse especially if the perpetrator is someone within the family or a rich and powerful person. You hear things like, ‘’Dr, it is a family matter’’ or “we don’t want the matter heard outside’’, etc You also run Ekom Charity Foundation, What’s that about?

I decided to start Ekom Charity Foundation to mentor young children and care for the less privileged, especially women because of my love for children and the empathy I feel for women who are economically disadvantaged. What we have done in the area of mentoring is go to schools to teach children about charting a good course for their lives. They are taught to avoid peer pressure, drugs, all forms of vices and we counsel them too. And to further strengthen our give-back culture for children we have organised events like Christmas parties in slums with Santa Claus giving wonderful gifts to the children. Most of these kids had never had a Christmas party in their lives and the excitement on their faces remain indelible, to say the least. On a wider scale, the foundation also does free medical outreaches and health campaigns. So far, we have carried out numerous free medical services for the less privileged.

What really is the focus of your foundation, Smile and Shine?

Smile and Shine was birthed out of a burning desire to end child sexual abuse. Being on the field I have seen children become medically and psychologically traumatised because of child sexual abuse (CSA), while some even committed suicide. I have seen parents lose their children to the deleterious effects of CSA. I have also seen people blame the victims or survivors rather than give them the help that they deserve while the perpetrators walk the streets like heroes. I want to stop this.

Ekere

I want to be able to help prevent abuse in the first place and in the sad event that it happens, we want to make sure that help is proffered and these children are subsequently reintegrated back into the society and become healthy adults regardless. I am responding to a profound need to also break the silence that is attached to CSA. I call it the “don’t tell anyone” phenomenon which is common in this part of the world. I believe that if victims are allowed to speak up, help would come faster and so, healing would also be faster and long lasting.

With the current rape pandemic we are experiencing in the country, what is expected of the health sector in playing its role to curb the menace?

The health sector both public and private must be fully prepared to handle cases of sexual violence. Primary health centres should ideally have all it takes to handle cases of rape, rather than continue to refer patients to higher facilities or centres. Similarly, the private clinics and hospitals must be ready to handle rape cases at all times. Knowing that the earlier the patient is attended to after the incident, the better the outcome, it is imperative to have all centres fully equipped to handle cases of rape.

As a doctor, what are the first three things you’d advise a rape survivor or the parents of a rape survivor to do immediately it happens?

As a doctor, these are the first three steps

I would advise a rape survivor; first, you don’t have to feel ashamed. It was not your fault. You are and will always be a hero or heroine. Thank you for speaking up and confiding in me or anyone else.

Secondly: you would need to go to the hospital as soon as possible, or at least within 72 hours of the occurrence of the incident, as this would help prevent STDs/AIDs, pregnancies(as the patient is at risk of these) and treat any other accompanying ailment .

It is advisable not to wash or change clothes if the rape has just occurred as this would help in the event of a forensic evaluation, this would help as samples would be taken for analysis.”

And thirdly: counseling for the victim and the family would be advised and implemented immediately.

level must ensure that there is availability of enough rape kits, the private sector and NGOs because of the rising prevalence of rape cases.

Also, the government, private sector and even individuals should do well to sponsor health personnel and even the staff of the investigative unit of the police force on trainings in forensic education as this would help in cases where the perpetrator is not known. The worrisome question on everyone’s lips would be “ how prepared are we for DNA and forensic analysis? Well, with the introduction of the BVN, we are on the right track.

The truth remains that there should always be availability of rape kits in every facility as it is advocated that rape cases be seen in the hospital as early as possible.

Why don’t we have rape kits in Nigerian hospitals at this point in history?

This is a matter of concern and such, who should we hold responsible for the unavailability of these kits?

We do have rape kits in some hospitals, however a lot of centres have incomplete kits while some others do not have at all and refer patients to tertiary heath. I would not say that there is unavailability of rape kits but I would rather say that we could do better. For instance, there is no reason why primary health centres should be referring victims to higher facilities. Rape kits should be readily available in every hospital. All government hospitals at every

Tell us about the books you’ve published I have published four books for Preschoolers and young children, older children and preteens, teenagers and young adults and parents. There’s a collection of books for the family on how children can prevent sexual abuse and how they can build a formidable relationship. So they basically teach children and parents all they need to know about child sexual abuse. They include; ‘Some parts are special’ for pre-schoolers and young children aged two to seven years, ‘Setting boundaries’ for older children , ‘Sparkles at dawn’, for teenagers and young adults and ‘Into the light’ for parents and guardians’.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

TRIBUTE

Celebrating Nigeria’s First Elected Female Local Government Chairperson REBECCA EJIFOMA chronicles the life and times of Regina Achi Nentui, Nigeria’s first elected female local government chairperson

M

adam Regina Achi Nentui was born on the 31st December, 1929 to Chief NentuiOdu, a farmer and fabled Chief of Bokomo and Mma Eguri Ojong Nentui of Assenasen, Ikom Town.

She was the only child of her mother’s seven children who survived.

It was her father who gave the land where the initial Roman Catholic Church establishments and institutions were built in Ikom to the Church. These include St. Martins Primary School, Holy Family Catholic Church, Holy Family Joint Hospital, the Leper Colony, Holy Child Convent School and Holy Child Secondary School. In appreciation, the Roman Catholic Church asked Chief Nentui Odu for one of his children to be brought up in the ways of the church in other words, in the whiteman’s ways.

Since the girl called was thought to have ‘’little value’’ in those days, he gave them Regina. Fortuitously she became amongst the first four Ikom (Ekpache Nkome) women to receive western education joining Mrs. Marcelina Enemeba Etta, Mrs. Getrude Bassey Njar and Mrs Rosa Aiyegbe Ekuma all of blessed memory. Mama was the youngest.

Her mother was among the earliest converts to the Roman Catholic faith. She took the name Teresa at her baptism. The conversion, along with the serial loss of her children, cost her her marriage.

Education-wise, she started her primary school in Ididep, Ibiono, attended St. Theresa Covent Primary School Edemekpat, Etinan and thereafter proceeded to Modern School, Ifugho in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She then proceeded to Teachers Training College, Afikpo, Ebonyi State where she obtained her Teachers Training Certificate. She much later attended the University of Benin, Benin City for a certificate course in social work.

Known as a career woman, she began as a teacher with the Roman Catholic mission

Nentui

from 1941 to 1969 and was headmistress of Schools in Assiga and Ugep (in today’s Yakurr Local Government) and Ikom (Holy Child Convent School) and Edor(in Ikom Local Government).

She was also the first Parish Secretary of the Holy Family Parish Ikom and served for many years before handing over to the late David Ebi Assima. In between she contested elections for the Chairmanship of Ikom County Council (now Ikom, Boki and Etung Local Governments) of the platform of the defunct National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC) in 1960 and won.

She was Chairman of the then Ikom County Council between 1960-1963 making her the first female Chairman of a County Council(now

Local Government) in the then Eastern Region, and indeed, the entire Country.

Her legacies include Holy Family Joint Hospital( built by the Roman Catholic Church in collaboration with the Council) County Secondary School now Government Secondary School, Ikom (Govisco), Ikom Water Works, Hospital Road, UAC-Four Corners Road, Ikom Town, the first tarred roads in Ikom. She had previously been elected as Councillor for Ikom Urban, the first woman to be so elected.

She transferred her service to mainstream civil service of the then South Eastern State (now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States).

She worked as a Social Welfare Officer until retirement in 1992. She spent many years at the Remand Home, Ogoja as pioneer Matron

reforming deviant youths.

As a family woman, she cherished her family both immediate and extended. She saw every child as hers and her home became home to all.

She encouraged girl child education and did everything for her brothers, sisters, relatives and friends children to acquire education.

She was the rallying point for all her relations and their children.

She was loving but strict, firm but fair and had very clear moral boundaries. She was strong, hardworking, resourceful, courageous and friendly and had a keen sense of justice.

To her integrity, character and the fear of God were the bedrock of a proper life. She was totally indifferent to material things.

In her social life, she was a true and authentic EkpacheNkome daughter. Both parents were originally Ekpache Nkome and of royal lineages. She was a member of the Girls Guide, Catholic Women Organisation, Society of Saint Jude among others and held the traditional title of Okim Mgbe which she inherited from her father and also got in her own right. She was a member of Lion Club International.

Mama retired in 1992 to a quiet life in Ikom and devoted her time to Roman Catholic Church activities, community service, farming and enjoying the company of her her numerous relatives. She performed the Chirstian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. She was a fervent Catholic who went to mass every day until she took ill.

In her lifetime, she bagged several recognition- she was among 100 Cross Riverians inducted into ‘’The Cross River State Roll of Honour’’ by the then Governor Donald Duke.

On June 6, 2019 she was also inducted into the Nigeria Hall of Fame by the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja. She was represented at the occasion by Amaka, her daughter-in-law who received her insignia from the Director General of the Centre Mrs Mary Ekpere Eta, and Roy. The Ikom Chapter of the National Council of Women Societies also honoured her with a Life Time Achievement Award.

AGF: Tribute to the Illustrious Children Raheem Adedoyin The week closed with deadly force. Iconic lawyer and statesman, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulGaniyu Folorunso ( aka AGF) exited with grace.

It is heartbreaking and there will be plenty of wailing; but unlike the trending deaths, Baba’s departure was neither gory nor premature.

Alhamdullilahi.

Tributes have been pouring on the Great Man. Even if you don’t know him, there is enough to read about his awesome legal, political and entrepreneural conquests.

But I have chosen to pay tribute to Baba AGF from the prism of his illustrious children. They are a true reflection of the man’s grace, humility, candour, success and greatness. I have a personal experience in this.

Start with Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq. I supported his candidature and was with him on election day in 1999 when he was contesting for Kwara state governorship under the platform of the People’s Democratic party. It was an audacious thing for me to do because I was a public officer( Chief Executive of the Kwara State printing and Publishing Corporation, KWPPC) and political heavyweight Dr. Olusola Saraki’s All People’s Party( APP) was heavily favoured to win the elections in Kwara. I was with Dr. Alimi as results were coming in. He lost but it didn’t diminish his quest for political emancipation.

Folorunso

Dr.Alimi was pivotal to my election as national officer ( Deputy National Publicity Secretary) of the People’s Democratic Party( PDP) in 2001.

He was the one who took me and my friend, late Ahmad Ahman- Pategi( former Kwara State PDP chairman) to Chief Tony Anenih’s residence in Abuja for endorsement. That visit sealed the fate of the high- level conspirators against my election.

Over the years, Dr. Alimi has remained so engaging in developmental discourse on Kwara. He is a good listener and very quick to acknowledge your goodness. He took particular interest in the manifesto that a team I headed worked on for then APC candidate, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He calls regularly to express

appreciation for what people do, sends goodwill messages to my family ( especially his favourite, my son Abdulmojeed), shares his thoughts on and seeks information on Kwara and national matters. In today’s Kwara, Dr. Alimi is a steady hand and father figure.

Aunty Aira. That’s what I call Sen. Khairat AbdulRazaq- Gwadabe. She was an active Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) during the period I was PDP national officer.

I watched her from close quarters, including during the transition period for Gov.AbduRazaq.

Very cerebral and respectable.

Abdulrahman AbdulRahman, you already know: a successful entrepreneur, humble, focused governor of Kwara, good listener and very engaging.

AA’s WhatsApp display photograph was(and still is) permanently AGF’s picture. You need no convincing about the father and son’s close relationship.

Mallam Isiaka AbdulRahman ( MIA), incredibly, I don’t know much personally but his reputation as a Good Kwaran, facilitator of jobs , wealth creator and philanthropist is well- known in Kwara circles.

Through MIA, you will also know humility is a family trait. Early this year, we flew together on Overland flight from Ilorin to Lagos. He sat quietly at the back seat, alone , sipping coffee. I went to greet him and was saying he couldn’t see me in Ilorin again as promised. He didn’t say anything.

As soon as we alighted, I walked up to him and that was when he told me “ you are confusing me with my elder brother Dr. Alimi.”

And then added these remarkable words: “ The Governor says a lot about the good things you are doing with him. The family appreciates .” I was travelling abroad that night and promised to call him on my return. I have not done that but I will now.

Hajia Aisha Mohammed Lawal is also a chip off the old block. They all just look alike( no pun intended). I was still Editor- in- Chief/ Chief Executive of The Herald Newspapers when she married then Governor Mohammed Lawal. I attended the wedding ceremony in the family house in Ilorin. I still saw the achived photographs of the event this week.

I served with Hajia Aisha on the handover committee that Governor-elect AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq set up. Her contributions were so informed and she conducted herself so humbly.

The youngest of the siblings, Abdulrauf, I don’t know but those who do say he shares the family traits and values.

If you are blessed with the children that AGF was blessed with- all successful in their chosen fields, all maintaining the sterling reputation of the Patriarch and the heritage of the family- you will live for ever - in people’s memory .

I send my deep Condolences to theAGF family, the Ilorin Emirate and the Government and People of Kwara State.

MayAllah grant BabaAljanah Firdaus.Ameen.

29

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

POLSCOPE

LIFE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

While They Prey on Us….

O

ne of the liturgical elements I detest in the Anglican Communion (my church) is the part, during intercessory prayers, where worshippers are enjoined to pray for the leaders in authority at every level of governance.Although it is biblical, I am not sure the intendment of the Bible is to pray for those preying on us. I do not see the rationale of beseeching the good Lord to pour blessings and benison on the leaders who are visiting the led with the harshest and most wicked acts of deprivation, roguery and injustice.

I know that the Anglican Communion had copied the liturgy from the Church of England, where leaders—political or monarchical, are rather benevolent not malevolent.

Even the Catholic church, since 1998, has been offering ‘Nigeria in Distress’ prayers. But these leaders have refused to free Nigeria from distress regardless of the bounteous blessings God has bestowed in Nigeria.

I know of more radical prayer patterns in some latter day churches that will demand, in a fiery manner, that such club of leaders “fall down and die”.

If the argument is that the Bible commands it and so we should keep praying for them who inadvertently want our death and utmost discomfort, then all the prayers of the past should have touched their minds and altered their wicked ways. But no, it appears that the more they are prayed for, the more toxic they become in their bid to undo the rest of us. Were it not so, who can rationalise the load of evil deliberately perpetrated by most of those in government?

Every day we are regaled with endless and vexatious tales of how a few connive to corner our collective commonwealth while we are left in the lurch of lack, poverty, squalor and acute deprivation.

Who can rationilise the raw robbery that has been taking place at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), especially with the advent of the Interim Management Committee (IMC)?

Pray, what do sane and rational people need all those monies for? The raw heist is simply a pandemic. They are human beings, but are not being human.

How can a nation develop with such audacious crooks in the commanding height of governance?

As my people would say, you get to know what a man is carrying only when his load falls.

NDDC it is whose load has fallen and that is why the nation is aghast. When the load of the NNPC or CBN or AMCON or NIDB or TETFUND or NPA or NIMASA or EFCC or ICPC, PPRA, or just any such national institution falls, perhaps many Nigerians will have cardiac arrest. Every formal entity, almost, has its own temple of corruption.

It is as pervasive as air in the atmosphere.

While Dr Cairo Ojougbo, the IMC Acting Executive Director, Projects was busy hiring flying boats for N52 million to go assess awarded projects and the NDDC officials were settling themselves with N2.32 billion, Niger Deltans, nay, Nigerians are suffering and even dying because of bad roads.

Between Ologbo and Koko junction along the Benin-Warri road has totally collapsed on both sides of the road. Motorists literally burrow through bush paths, drive several kilometers in the bush just to cut off the bad portions of the Benin-Sapele highway.

But some Akpabio boys are spending N3.14 billion on COVID-19 palliatives! People can’t travel from PointAto Point B in the Niger Delta but NDDC under Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei and Senator Godswill Akpabio as acting Managing Director and Minister of Niger Delta respectively, are doling out N475 million to the Nigeria Police for Face masks and sanitisers, splurging N1.95 billion on Lassa fever, blowing N23.8 billion on Consultancy and even spending N85.6 million on foreign travels at

Akpabio

Gbajabiamilia

a time the whole world is on lockdown. The way the figures are being bandied, one would think they are discussing Zimbabwean dollars. But it is our dear Naira, the stealing of 20,000 of which, or less, has sent many to jail.

At the end of the lockdown, our dear leaders in the NDDC had splurged a total of N3.14 billion.

They say N40 billion is missing in a commission within seven months. But not a bridge was built nor a kilometer of road tarred anywhere, in a region starving of development. How can we be praying for such leaders who are preying on us?

All these are happening at a time that N100 billion is also missing from the coffers of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

The other day we were told that the Kaduna refinery in the whole of 2018 generated zero revenue but yet spent N65billion , some of it on staff training. Hey, what training? But no head rolled! Government is still funding that fraud.

Are we a serious country?

Or what do we say to the smelly bunkum from Dr Maikanti Baru, former GMD of the NNPC who claimed that the $9.8m raw cash found in his house are gifts from his friends. Friends my foot!

In this same country a former Petroleum minister, Professor Tam David-West was jailed for drinking tea and receiving the gift of a wrist watch.

These crooks sell short our collective intelligence and lie so cheaply. $9.8 million as gifts. Raw rubbish!

Just anywhere you turn, you are confronted with mindless acts of corruption as if there is a running promo on fraud and sleaze. It is perhaps the height of irony that corruption is peaking at a time the noise to fight it is loudest. What’s more, most of it are in the Ministry of Petroleum, headed

by Mr President as its substantive minister.

All these high scale fraud would give the impression to outsiders that Nigeria is highly solvent.

They would not know that the same Nigeria is neck deep in debts. As at April this year, our external debt has climbed over $25 billion. Yet these raiders masquerading as leaders are robbing the till blind.

How can they be stealing borrowed money?

It is interesting hearing the national lawmakers struggling to deny the accusation that they are part of the major contractors in the NDDC. Mr Godswill Akpabio had named some lawmakers,

some of whom are denying. But their denial is evidently weightless and beggars belief. If there was one truth Akpabio spoke at that public hearing, it is that lawmakers are major contractors in the NDDC. We all know they prey on the NDDC. It is very true that not only do they insert and execute many of the NDDC contracts at frightening costs, they indeed pad the NDDC budget every year.

They are one of the reasons the NDDC has failed to meet the needs of the region. They must be named and shamed. Enough of crooked cover-ups. We are not all under oath!

A job that can be done with N40 million would be awarded at N400 million or more, most times to the lawmakers. Hey, if it is untrue, how can it be explained that for years unend, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has remained the chairman of the senate committee on NDDC? No senate president dares removes him from that juicy committee. Or how is that Senator James Manager has, for over 12 years, been a veritable member of the senate committee on NDDC? What value have they brought to the funds and fortunes of the commission?

Was the story not told of how one senator uprooted the signboard of water project executed by the state government and passed the same project as NDDC-executed with a hurriedly ‘planted’ NDDC signboard when his colleagues came for over-sight functions? Did one of these senators, more than ten years ago, not get the NDDC contract for the fencing of the school in his village at the cost of N350 million? How much is the school itself?

Many of the lawmakers are clever crooks. They have been using the companies of their proxies like aides and family members to execute these huge contracts. That is why some of them are bold to challenge Akpabio to publish the names of those contracts and the CAC-verified name of the contractors. To expect that when the list of contractors is published, we would see companies belonging to Senator ABC or Hon XYZ is to expect the sun to rise from the west.

But anybody familiar with the wiles of these lawmakers in NDDC surely knows that they are a pest to the management of the commission. They harass, intimidate, blackmail, threaten and arm twist the management, all so they compel the latter to do their will.

In January I wrote “The greasy mess at the NDDC”. At the time, I didn’t even know the mess had become an oozing miasma.

Was it not revealed recently that the N3.4 billion contract for the supply of plastic chairs to schools, was awarded to fifteen different companies, all belonging to a certain senator? What is worse? When eventually the chairs were supplied, they ended up being delivered to an address which turned out to be the warehouse of the same contractor.

What an ungodly greed! Gosh, how can they be this wicked and crafty and still have the nerves to sleep and wake? Do such crooks deserve our prayers?

I actually look forward to the forensic audit unearthing the masquerades in the national Assembly. That is if the audit will not be edited by some beaded crooks. It is such devilry that defies description and understanding.

That is why many Nigerians demand that the public hearing must be properly concluded. It is surprising that the Speaker of the House, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila hastily ruled that Prof Pondei would no longer physically appear before the panel probing the financial heist at the NDDC. He should be brought back, whether he is wont to faint or not. The fainting drama cannot discount the financial rape.

It is not enough to ask them to refund N4.9 billion illegally paid out, there must be consequences for confirmed fraud. In China, it is met with capital punishment. We cannot be romancing fraud and not expect a spike in corruption.

If they can take brazenly and unlawfully “take care” of themselves, they should have the strength to explain their deeds.

Hon Gbajabiamila must reassure us that the whole idea of the probe is not mere legislative shenanigan. Nigerians want to see the end of it.

People who were given privileged appointments to preside over the affairs of the people cannot so brazenly indulge in barefaced financial malfeasance and they would be allowed to frolic with their loot.

The lawmakers must realise their credibility (or whatever that is left of it) is at stake. Those who do not know the boundary between public treasury and their private pockets must be made to face the music squarely.

Police and Sallah Harvest That the police easily collocates with corruption is not new. Those who are uncharitable say that to expect the Police to wean itself of corruption is akin to washing the black spot of the dog’s nose.

It can never whiten.

Last Wednesday, a day to the Sallah celebration, some four policemen from the Area B, led by one Inspector Joseph swooped on Ateboh street, off Itire road in Ajegunle, claiming that they got some information of some criminals in the street. But it was a “raid”. They hounded

five young men gisting in front of their compound into their bus, and drove them to Area B Command, Apapa, regardless of the plea of innocence by those arrested.

When I called the Inspector Joseph (on 07046349584), he claimed that they were investigating the report leading to the arrest of the five men.Three hours after, no statement was taken from those arrested.

Nothing was found on them. Nothing was established against them. They were eventually asked to bail themselves with N400,000. This was negotiated down to

N10,000 per person. All efforts to reach the Area commander on 09010511310 proved abortive as the number was switched off.

A budding politician in the area, an aide to the Ojora had to pay the sum (N50,000) to one Inspector Ade on a T-shirt to secure their release. It was an unfair Sallah harvest from innocent people, at a time when the fight against corruption and injustice should be embraced by all, particularly law enforcement agents.

Barka de Sallah to all our Muslim BrothLagos State Police Commissioner ers and sisters.

30

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY JULY 31 2020 • T H I S D AY

31

32

FRIDAY, ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Police Kill Three Bandits, Recover Six Motorcycles in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Police Command has said it has killed three bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle, six motorcycles and 17 cattle in Ruwan-Dorawa village of Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isah, stated this last Wednesday evening while parading some suspects at

the command’s headquarters in Katsina.

Isah, a superintendent of police, said the police received a distress call at about 01:00hrs that bandits in their numbers, armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the village and rustled unspecified number of cattle and sheep.

He said the operatives of Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) and vigilance group led by the Area Commander of Dutsin-ma, ACP Aminu

Umar, swiftly moved to the area and ambushed and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.

“The team went after the hoodlums and blocked their possible exit route, engaged them further in a gun battle.

The team succeeded in killing three bandits, recovered one AK-47 rifle, six motorcycles abandoned by the bandits, 17 cows and 40 sheep.

Investigation is however still ongoing,” Isah said.

He, however, said

the command had also intercepted a Volkswagen Golf car in Mai’addua LGA and rescued nine victims of human trafficking.

According to him, the victims, whose ages range from 17 to 36, were conveyed on the vehicle by one Alkasim Ibrahim of Zango LGA trafficking them to Libya.

He said: “On July 25 at about 12:00hrs, Joint Border Patrol team attached to Mai’addua division

intercepted a vehicle, Volkswagen Golf III with Registration number: ZNG 43 XA, driven by one Alkasim Ibrahim, 24, of Zango LGA of Katsina State conveying the following persons on transit to Libya on human trafficking.

“Those being trafficked are Aderibigbe Adedanika Samuel, 27, a male, from Abeokuta, Ogun State; Babantude Kunle Adewale, 34, a male, from Ipara, Ogun State, and Idowu Samuel

Abiodun, 36, also a male, from Ogbomoso Town, Oyo State.

“Others are Shukurat Jibril, 19, a female, from Ijebu Waterside, Ogun State; Waliyat Sumonu, 23, a female from Abeokuta, Ogun State; Rita Jonah, 29, a female from Warri in Delta State; Barakat Azeez, 22, a female from Ado Ekiti; Islamiyat Oyinlola, 17, a female from Iragbiji, Osun State and Oluwaseyin Rachel, 26, a female from Ilesha in Osun State.

AIB Investigates Planes’ Ground Collision at Lagos Chinedu Eze The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has started an investigation into the incident involving an Airbus A330-243 with the nationality registration marks, OD-MEA operated by Middle East Airline and a Boeing 777 with nationality

and registration marks TC-LJC operated by Turkish Airlines, which occurred on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

AIB said the Turkish cargo aircraft was parked at the international apron when the Middle East airbus, which

was taxing, ran into it, cutting through the tail cone and damaging part of the right horizontal stabiliser of the Turkish aircraft.

The agency noted that all passengers on the Middle East Airline had to disembark with no injury or fatality.

“The bureau will appreciate

that the general public and press do not pre-empt the cause of the serious incident until a formal report is issued,” AIB said in a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi.

THISDAY learnt that the passengers of Middle East

Airlines have been provided accommodation, pending when the airline would bring another aircraft to airlift them to their destination.

As of yesterday evening, the two aircraft involved in the accident were still grounded at the airport, while officials of the bureau carried out their

investigation.

There had been numerous ground collision incidents at the Lagos airport over the years due to limited space at the airside of the airport, as more activities and higher movement of aircraft traffic have surpassed the designed capacity of the airport.

Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Tinubu, in his message, noted that this year’s Eidel-Kabir came at a unique moment in history where the normal activities of society have been upset and altered by the threat of deadly sickness.

“This sickness has touched Muslims, Christians as well as those who profess no religion at all. It has descended on both the high and the notso-high. We have lost friends and loved ones. Too many people have died and far too many good people are still suffering because of the economic consequences of this scourge,” he added.

According to Tinubu, this Eid shall not be a moment of vigorous celebration simply because it is the tradition to do so, adding that the pressing weight of events compels Muslims to rekindle in themselves a greater commitment to the true spirit and reason for this holy observance.

Meanwhile, a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has expressed fears that Nigeria may break up if Nigerians don’t pray for Buhari.

According to him, there are people with sinister motives who would not want peace to reign in the country.

He said Buhari was striving hard to make Nigeria better but expressed concern that the security challenges are still obvious.

Gowon said if Nigeria’s territorial integrity was undermined, Somalia would be a child’s play, warning that no one should be allowed to toy with the unity of the country.

He spoke in Abuja at the thanksgiving service and reception organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in honour of the newly appointed Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam.

Gowon, represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, said: “Yakubu Pam has been sufficiently prepared by God to serve his people. I can testify to the fact that who the cap fits let him wear it.

This commission is crucial and sensitive as one of the agencies of government.

“You are coming into the office at a time that we have very serious security challenges. We have made a lot of efforts to solve these problems along with people of other religions. That is why virtually everybody supported you for this position. It is an opportunity for you to do even more to bring peace to our country.

“We need peace to succeed. I know President Muhammadu Buhari is doing a lot but the challenges are still there. There are people with sinister motives, who wouldn’t want peace. But through prayers, I appeal to CAN to continue to pray not only for Yakubu Pam but for the president and all of us, and for your dear country, so that Nigeria will not go asunder. I once made a comment that this country is too big and versed with a population of over 200 million.

“A scholar said that we are structurally complex and pluraly diverted. If our territorial integrity is undermined, Somalia will be a child’s play. We don’t have to toy with our unity.

You are in a very good position working closely with CAN and people of other faith so that together we can reestablish peace, push forward our agenda for our territorial integrity, push forward for our oneness so that together supporting the president, we can take our country to the next level, we have the human and material resources to take Nigeria to the next level.”

BUHARI CALLS FOR UNDERSTANDING OVER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS continued closure of worship centres, explaining that the federal government finds no joy in denying the people of their rights to full worship.

The president, in his goodwill message to Muslims in commemoration of this year's Eid-el-Kabir celebration said the decision to disallow religious gatherings was a forced measure to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; his deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, in their Eid-el-Kabir messages also called for peace and tolerance among all religious adherents in Nigeria.

Buhari, in calling for patience over the nonreopening of churches and mosques, said: "No elected government would intentionally take away its people's religious freedom by limiting the number of people that will gather in worship centres at the same time.

"These guidelines are dictated by necessity in order to safeguard public health and should, therefore, not be perceived as an infringement on people's right to worship."

In the Sallah message made available to reporters by one of the president's media aides, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari appealed to citizens to continue to show understanding of the inconveniences caused them by the regulations of religious worship He noted the consequences of the various regulations put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 on daily living, saying that such regulations are deliberately conceived to protect citizens.

"Every measure that has been introduced to contain this disease may have its

unintended consequences on the daily lives of our people, and I, therefore, call on Muslims and other faiths to continue to show more understanding with the government as we take correct steps to protect our people through the social distancing," he stated.

The president lamented the adverse effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the socio-economic and religious lives of citizens, reiterating that the pandemic has affected freedom of worship.

“The coronavirus has had devastating adverse impacts on our social, economic and spiritual lives. The preventive guidelines we have introduced to contain the spread of this deadly disease have unfortunately limited people's freedom to gather and worship in large numbers in mosques and churches," he added.

While noting the sacrifices made by Muslims and Christians as reflected in their decisions to abide by COVID-19 guidelines in the overall interest of the society, Buhari assured them that the federal government "shall continue to provide economic reliefs to the people to minimise the unintended hardships these guidelines have inflicted.’’

Reminding religious adherents that COVID-19 is a scourge ravaging the entire world, he noted that it is not only in Nigeria that churches and mosques are shut, but rather a global trend in the efforts to ensure the observance of social distancing and safeguard public health.

Buhari wished Muslims a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration and encouraged Muslims to remember the symbolic significance of the sacrifices of Sallah by exhibiting the virtues of prophets of the religion.

According to him, practising teachings of

the religion will yield a tremendous impact as he admonished fellow Muslims to exhibit the fear of God in their activities “Muslims should imbibe the noble virtues of our great prophets in order to establish closer connectivity between religious teachings and practice.

“We can create the greatest impact by putting into practice the noble teachings of our religion. In whatever we do in life, we must put the fear of God in our daily activities in order to make our society better," he said.

The president said he was making efforts to root out corruption in the country and such efforts had so far brought changes in the polity.

He appealed for support and understanding while investigations into both legacy cases and fresh cases are in progress.

Lawan, in his Sallah message, urged Muslims to continue to seek the face of the Almighty "in our various national wars, be they against insecurity or the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we strive to make Nigeria a comfortable home for all its citizens.

"As we celebrate the feast of sacrifice with worship, I enjoin us to be mindful of the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and adhere strictly to the safety protocols prescribed by our public health authorities."

In the message personally signed by him yesterday, the Senate president stated that through total submission to Allah's will, the people will develop the confidence to face challenges, both as individuals and as a nation.

"The National Assembly is collaborating with the executive in responding to the pandemic as it affects our economy and general public system.

“Those of us in leadership positions must continue to be aware of our covenant

of service with the Nigerian people. On our part as your elected representatives and lawmakers, we pledge to always respect your trust and serve your best interests,” he added.

Omo-Agege, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, noted that even though prevailing circumstances have continued to challenge the faith of many across the world, Nigerian Muslims have continued to demonstrate deep faith as the country moves towards overcoming various obstacles to its development.

He called for celebrations that must necessarily include cautiousness about the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, adding that there is hope for humanity to prevail over the disease as well as other challenges that continue to ravage the world.

The senator also emphasized the significance of having a strong belief in God’s word, adding that as Muslims across the world come together to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, it is an opportunity for Christians to celebrate with their compatriots.

Gbajabiamila urged Muslims to rededicate themselves to their creator and pray for the country during Eid-el-Kabir.

In a Sallah message by his spokesman, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the speaker said the need for prayers became more pressing at this time that the pandemic was ravaging the world, including Nigeria.

He said with fervent prayers, Nigeria would be able to surmount the numerous challenges bedevilling the country, including insecurity.

He urged Muslims to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, generosity, brotherliness and accommodating nature of the

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

33

NEWS

Akpata Emerges New NBA President Alex Enumah in Abuja A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (NBA-SL), Mr. Olumide Akpata, has emerged the new President of the NBA, having defeated two other contestants in the national election that commenced 11pm on Wednesday and

ended 11pm, yesterday.

Akpata, the only non-SAN among the three presidential candidates, won the election with a total of 9,891 votes of the total 18,256 ballots cast.

His closest rival, Mr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) polled 4,328 votes, while Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN) polled 3,982 votes.

The announcement was

made at 12:56 this morning by the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo(SAN).

Akpata won the election with over 50 per cent of the total votes cast.

A total of 29,636 lawyers

were expected to participate nationwide in the electronic poll, according to the Electoral Committee of the NBA. With this victory, Akpata has become NBA’s first non-SAN President in years.

Other winners are: Mr.

John Martin for NBA first Vice President; Second Vice President, Mr. Adeyemo Kazeem; General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah; Assistant Secretary, Uchenna Nwadialo; Mr. Olukunle Edun, Welfare Secretary; Dr. Rapulu Nduka,

Publicity Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Naza Afam. Olumide Akpata is a Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars Law Firm.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 481 to 42,689 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 481 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 42,689 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

It has also recorded five COVID-19- related deaths within the last 24 hours, raising the tally from 873 to 878 deaths in a single day.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease

Control (NCDC) said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded 98 new cases; Lagos, 89; Plateau, 68; Ogun, 49; Edo, 44; Rivers, 43; Oyo, 25; Osun, 23; Delta, 15; Enugu, 11; Kano and Kaduna seven each; Bauchi, two; while Yobe recorded one new case.

It said: “Nigeria has so far recorded 42,689 cases of COVID-19. 19,270 patients have been discharged while 878 persons have died. “

Bello Condemns Attack on Kogi Community, Vows to Bring Perpetrators to Book Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has condemned the attack on Agbudu community in Kogi/Koto Karfe Local Government Area of the state which has left many people dead with six others injured.

Bello in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, which was made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, vowed to sustain the operations against criminal elements in the state.

The governor, however, commiserated with the family of the victims of what he called “heinous and cowardly attack” on the community.

Bello assured the people of Agbudu and other parts of the state that the government would continue to deploy all available resources to fight the

‘heartless’ criminal elements with a view to bringing them down on their knees.

He said the marauders should make no mistake that they can unleash terror on the people without feeling the full might of the government which was elected to protect the citizens.

Bello said whatever the cause of the attack may be, the criminals cannot escape the consequences of their dastardly act, declaring that the government is determined to frustrate and defeat them, and that no matter how far they run or hide, they would be smoked out and made to face the wrath of law.

Unknown gunmen had stormed Agbudu community last Wednesday, killing some people and inflicting injuries on six others.

Ortom Kicks against Miyetti Allah’s Vigilante Group George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday warned the Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah, not to establish any form of vigilante in the state.

The governor, who was reacting to a statement credited to the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, in which the group announced that it has established its security outfit called ‘Miyetti Allah Vigilante’ to operate nationwide, said: “As much as the state does not have any problem with the group floating a security outfit in other states, it is important to say that such vigilance group will not operate in Benue State.”

He said Miyetti Allah has no constitutional right to establish a nationwide security outfit.

According to Ortom, “Benue State does not need the Miyetti Allah vigilante, since the state government is working with

conventional security forces and has already established a vigilance group at the state, local government and ward levels. This is evident in the ongoing recruitment of personnel for community policing, who will soon be trained as recommended by the Inspector General of Police (IG).”

The governor added that the idea of running a nationwide vigilance group is a mere strategy by the Fulani sociocultural organisation to elevate their nefarious and inhuman activities to another level.

“They have repeatedly claimed responsibility for the killing of thousands of children, women and other vulnerable people in different states; yet, members of the group walk freely in Abuja and hold press conferences threatening to unleash terror on the people of this country,” he said.

CHANGE OF BATON...

New Commander of Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, Niger State, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Dikko (left), takes over from his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Msheilia, in Kontagora...Wednesday

Military Arrests Alleged Killer of Benue Traditional Ruler George Okoh in Makurdi Troops of the joint military operation codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) yesterday arrested a notorious criminal gang leader, Asaaghar Igye, in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Igye was allegedly linked to the recently killing of the district head of Kundav, Chief Awua Alabar.

Chief Alabar was murdered by gunmen on July 21, 2020, at

his residence in Ukum LGA. It was gathered that troops of Operation Wide Stroke deployed in Zaki Biam and Jootar in Ukum LGA of the state yesterday morning responded to a distress call from some locals who sighted the gang leader, Igye, who was earlier linked to an attack and killings in Alabar Village in Kundav.

It was further gathered that the troops swiftly mobilised to the area in search of the criminal kingpin, Igye, and

subsequently arrested him.

A member of Kundav community, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, said the arrested criminal gang leader is already helping the military in providing information that would lead to the arrest of other members of his gang before he would be handed over the police for further investigation.

“We are very grateful to OPWS for what they have done for us. They have

drastically reduced criminal activities in the Sankara axis of the state. I am appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the troops to remain in Benue State,” he said.

When contacted, the Force Commander of OPWS, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, said he cannot comment on the arrest of the criminal gang leader, and therefore referred journalists to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Information Department.

Nigeria Donates N67m Medical Supplies to Sao Tome and Principe Adedayo Akinwale The federal government has donated medical supplies worth N67 million to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

The donation was made on behalf of the Nigerian Government by the acting Head of East and Central African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tukur Maigari, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the minister on media, Ms. Sarah Sanda, the government

of Sao Tome and Principe requested Nigeria’s assistance with medical equipment to help in its ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Onyeama disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the donation of five tons of medical equipment based on the request, adding that the medical equipment included units of test kits, extraction kits, infrared thermometers and personal protective equipment to test up to 20,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe.

According to him, “The donation is based on the

request of the government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe for the assistance of Nigeria to donate medical equipment to assist in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the country.”

He stated that the two countries share a marine border which necessitated the establishment of the NigeriaSao Tome Joint Development Authority (JDA) for exploration of natural hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of both countries.

The minister said Nigeria would continue to cooperate with and remain on friendly

terms with all nations that recognise and respect its sovereignty.

Also speaking, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Nigeria, Djazalde Agujar, on behalf of his government, expressed appreciation to Nigeria for the ‘great’ help in combating COVID-19 in the country.

He said: “We know that Nigeria as well has been dealing with it (virus), so we value very much the way the Nigerian authorities came to the help of Sao Tome and Principe Government as soon as we asked for this to be provided.

Nasarawa Assembly Denies Probing Dep Gov over COVID-19 Funds Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday denied that it was probing the state Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, over COVID-19 funds as reported in some sections of the media.

The Assembly, however,

said the six- man ad-hoc committee set up for the COVID-19 pandemic was to monitor activities of the state taskforce on the pandemic, and not to probe anyone.

This, it said, was not meant to probe the state deputy governor, who is the state chairman of the Task Force on the COVID-19.

Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Information, Mohammed Omadefu, debunked the insinuation when he interacted with journalists in Lafia yesterday.

Omadefu, however, said the Assembly decided to set up an Ad-hoc Committee on COVID-19 in order to oversee the activities of the

state taskforce in the fight against the pandemic in the state.

According to him, “We need to correct the impression in some national dailies and online media that the ad-hoc committee was set up to probe the state deputy governor. It is not true.”

34

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Military Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Protest over Govt’s Alleged Neglect Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Military pensioners under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Veterans (CCV) yesterday threatened to shut down the country in protest with effect from the first week of August to press home their demands.

The military veterans stated that as responsible leaders, their members had shown appreciable level of regard for the office of the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) in order not to wash their dirty linen in public,

stressing that they expected same treatment in return.

The pensioners said that the minister had persistently shown lack of interest in the suffering of its members since his assumption of office as minister.

The group, in a statement, said that if the authorities refuse to dialogue with them, they shall meet on the streets of Abuja and other state capitals and in the full glare of the international community.

The pensioners said COVID-19 or not, they were

not scared of death.“We have been there before in the face of obvious threat to our lives.

We are ready to once again lay down our lives for others to live,” it said.

The group also queried whose interest the defence minister served if he could not dialogue with representatives

of veterans groups, who are part of his primary constituency as the minister of defence The statement which was titled “We have Reached the End of the Road,” and signed by its spokesperson, Sedisyne Abiodun DurowaiyeHerberts, the group said it was

regrettable that the situation had degenerated.

The statement disclosed that two letters the veterans wrote to the minister in a space of six weeks seeking his audience were not responded to.

“After weeks of extensive appraisal and discussion by the CCV leaders, we have sadly

come to that point, where we must take our destiny in our own hands.

“It is unfortunate that the HMOD (Honourable Minister of Defence), who incidentally is also one of us, is obviously working at a cross-road and against the good intention of Mr. President”, it said.

FIRS Extends Deadline for Filing Annual Tax Returns The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of annual returns in a number of tax categories for taxpayers.

A public notice signed by the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami, stated that the management of the service would continue to identify with the challenges of the times which taxpayers were going through.

The notice read in part, “In furtherance of this and in addition to a number of COVID-19 palliatives already in place, as well as in the spirit of this Eid celebration, we hereby grant a further one week extension from the July 31, 2020 deadline for companies with December accounting year end

to file their Year 2020 annual Income Tax Returns.”

The agency noted that for the purpose of clarity, companies that fall within this category would not be penalised for late submission if they file their Year 2020 Income Tax Returns within the grace period.

It said the grace period was from August 1, 2020 to August 7, 2020.

It noted that in a similar vein, the one week grace period was extended to regular monthly obligations that would become due at the end of July 2020.

It stated that an example of such obligations was the Petroleum Profit Tax instalment payment, Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax Returns.

Rape: Silence No Longer an Option, Saraki, Others Tell Victims The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, has urged rape victims to speak out, saying that silence was no longer an option if they wanted to get justice.

Saraki gave the advice at a webinar on ‘Enforcing Policies and Legal Instruments Against Sexual Harassment and Exploitation in the Maritime Industry’.

The webinar was organised by Women in Maritime Journalism (WIMAJ) to commemorate the 2020 Day of the Seafarers.

Saraki, who was represented

by Deputy Director, Marine Pollution, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Asmau Adaji, said that the fight against female sexual harassment required effective collaboration of all stakeholders.

She said that such stakeholders include government, shipping companies, the media, civil society and the victim who must be courageous to speak up.

The minister said that organisations and individuals must shun the culture of silence.

“Human dignity must be respected at all times and places, there should be increased protection of women’s rights under the law.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation, with the assistance of maritime agencies, is committed to formulating policies in line with our subsisting law to address this sad phenomenon which erodes human dignity and inhibits the womenfolk from pursuing careers and exploring their potential in the maritime sector,” she said.”

Human Trafficking: Women Lawyers Seek Greater Support for NAPTIP, Others

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, yesterday called on government at all levels, private sector and the public to increase their support for all first responders to human trafficking in the country.

The lawyers, who identified the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) and the National Human Rights

Commission (NHRC) as being in the forefront of the struggle, said such support would go a long way in eradicating trafficking in person in the country.

The group in a statement issued by its Country Vice President/National President, FIDA Nigeria, Mrs. Rhoda Tyoden and the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Eliana Martins, described trafficking in person as evil and criminal “mostly targeted at vulnerable people,” which must be stopped.

IDENTIFYING WITH FLOOD VICTIMS...

L-R: Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji; Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Adamu Danze; and Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, during the presentation of some palliatives by the minister for distribution to Gwagwalada flood victims during her visit to the flood site in Gwagwalada, Abuja...Wednesday

Shell Loses $4.6bn to Nigeria’s OPL 245, Other Assets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency reports Shell has stated that a post-tax impairment charge of $4.658 billion was “mainly related to unconventional assets in North America, assets offshore in Brazil and Europe, a project in Nigeria - Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245, and an asset in the United States Gulf of Mexico.”

This is coming as Nigeria has

restated its readiness to comply with an oil output quota of 1.412 million barrels per day for May, June and July.

Reuters reported that the company said that its secondquarter 2020 write-downs include, the OPL 245 licence for an offshore oilfield in Nigeria which it holds alongside Eni and which is at the centre of an ongoing corruption court case in Italy.

Italian prosecutors have asked for Eni and Shell to be fined and some of their present and former executives, including Eni’s CEO, Mr. Claudio Descalzi, to be jailed in a long-running trial over alleged corruption in Nigeria. All the defendants have denied any wrongdoing.

Meanhile, Nigeria has restated its determination to comply with an oil output quota of 1.412 million barrels per day

for May, June and July.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timpire Sylva made the comments during a webinar organised by Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc. OPEC countries and allies led

by Russia, known as OPEC+, have agreed to reduce output in the face of the coronavirus crisis which has reduced global demand by a third.

‘Lack of Money Forced FG to Hands off National Theatre’ The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the decision to hand over the National Theatre to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the bankers’ committee is because the federal government doesn’t have the required funds for its renovation.

Lai disclosed this during an interview with Radio Nigeria yesterday, which was monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN).

On July 12, the federal government formally handed over the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, to the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) and the bankers’ committee for renovation.

The handover followed an approval by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2019.

Speaking on the decision,

the minister said the National Theatre had not benefitted from any major renovation for over four decades.

“The handover of the national theatre to the CBN is one of the many steps by government to reposition the creative industry,” he said.

“For more than 43 years, there has been really no serious renovation as a result of lack of fund by the government and

the edifice is in a sorry state.

“Several attempts to privatise or concession the edifice either before or during my tenure as minister has failed, and the truth of the matter is that government has no money to embark on the renovation.

“Therefore, when the CBN made the offer, we saw it as a golden opportunity to return the national theatre to its glory days.”

APC: Dogara to Play Key Role in Reconciling Aggrieved Members Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Caretaker\Extraordinary Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hinted that with the return of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, to the party, he will play a key role in reconciling aggrieved party members.

A member of the committee, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf,

who made this known to journalists yesterday, said the former speaker would play a very critical role in the party’s quest to reconcile all aggrieved individuals.

According to Yusuf, “He is going to be considered as one of the strong members of the party who will play a very critical role in our reconciliation efforts being a very strong member of the House of Representatives.”

He described the return of Dogara to the party as a great relief considering his influence as one of the founding fathers of APC. “Dogara took a wrong step in the first place. He was one of the most trusted members of our party. He was misguided to have left the APC at a very wrong time. We are happy that he is back to the house that he built alongside other leaders,”

he said On the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States elections, Yusuf expressed optimism that the APC candidates in the two states would win the governorship elections.

He said: “We are doing very well. The campaign train in Edo State is going on very well. We are receiving defectors daily. The situation is the same in Ondo State.”

Akwa Ibom PDP Elects New State Exco Okon Bassey in Uyo The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State chapter, yesterday elected a new state Chairman, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and 38 others to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.

The election, which

had 3,845 delegates, was done through consensus arrangement across the 39 offices.

Ekpenyong was a Political Adviser to former state Governor, Obong Victor Attah, and until his election, he was the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Addressing the delegates,

the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, said the party is challenged to do more for the growth of the state despite its numerous achievements, and commended the efforts of the outgoing state Exco in repositioning the party and enthroning peace in the affairs of the party.

Emmanuel maintained that God has always given the

PDP direction and victory in all elections it had contested, even as the PDP in the state remained a model of party politics and political democracy in the country.

The governor urged the new chairman to maintain the democratic tradition of the party and remain close to God and be faithful to the ideals of the party.

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

35

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Tambuwal, Obaseki, Others Call for Violence-free Campaigns, Election in Edo Chuks Okocha in Abuja Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and his Edo State counterpart and PDP’s governorship candidate in the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki have called on political actors in Edo State to shun violence and embrace peace in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.

The charge was also reechoed by the Chairman, Edo PDP Campaign Council and Deputy Chairman, PDP South-south, Chief Dan Orbih, who insisted that the election must be free and fair.

They urged leaders of various political parties contesting the governorship election in the state to appeal to their supporters to be law-abiding, peaceful and ensure violencefree electioneering.

In a statement made available

to journalists in Abuja, after the party’s stakeholders’ meeting held in Benin City, Tambuwal noted: “I am appealing to both sides and also to leaders of the various political parties participating in the governorship election to continue to encourage their supporters to restrain from unleashing mayhem and violence on the electorate.

“This appeal has become necessary following a small crowd of a political party that came to the Benin Monarch’s palace to boo leaders and supporters of the PDP during the flag-off of our campaign.

That is a sign that the political party is planning violence.”

“I appeal to leaders of the various political parties with the interest of Edo State at heart, to speak with their followers and make sure the election is free and fair,” the governor added.

Warning against plans to use security agencies to rig the forthcoming election,

Abia Considers August 10 for Schools Reopening Tobi Soniyi Final year students in Abia State may soon go back to school, as stakeholders in the state education sector are considering August 10, 2020, for reopening of schools to enable students in exit classes prepare and write their examinations.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the state governor on Media, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, said this was the outcome of a one-day summit held at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, where it was agreed that the planned school reopening was subject to verifiable compliance with all the proposed COVID-19 protocols, prevention and control measures.

In his opening remarks at

the summit, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, insisted that while the state was desirous of ensuring its high flying students resume classes as quickly as possible, he maintained that his administration would not sacrifice the health of the children for anything.

He said: “We must find a balance between ensuring that they continue to enjoy good health and protection from this virus and continuing their education. I therefore urge all of us to take responsibility for our protection from this virus as well as the protection of our children and loved ones. Our lives cannot stop because of this virus, but we must take necessary measures to protect ourselves and loved ones from the pandemic.”

NEPZA, Farmcrowdy Mull Special Economic Zone for Agriculture

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Farmcrowdy, the country’s first digital agriculture platform, are currently in talks on establishing an agriculture special economic zone for Nigeria.

The announcement followed a meeting between the Managing Director/Chief Executive, NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba and the Farmcrowdy boss, Mr. Onyeka Akuma, after a courtesy visit by the latter to present the company’s plans of adding value through agriculture products processing and expansion of the sector through a special zone.

Akuma said it was high time Nigeria increased its non-oil exports and earn the much needed foreign exchange in a more diversified economy, stressing that his company is “poised to go to the next level of our organisational development by looking at using the special economic zones to actualise our

dream.”

He said Farmcrowdy planned to play an important role in the export of processed agricultural products to other African countries as soon as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA) commences.

African leaders had moved the implementation of the AFCTA to January 2021 after failing to meet July 2020 timeline because of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adesugba however, expressed the agency’s readiness to partner the company towards the actualisation of the special economic zone for agriculture, describing Farmcrowdy as “an innovative firm with great contribution to agricultural business in Nigeria.”

The NEPZA boss said: “I have known Akuma as a trailblazer in revolutionising agriculture through the use of technology and crowdfunding since the inception of Farmcrowdy.

Tambuwal added: “We have seen cases where federal might was used in isolated elections in Nigeria through the deployment of security personnel to such a state to intimidate voters, instead of taking them to North-East where the country is facing serious security challenges. This

must not be done in Edo State.”

On his part, Obaseki said his administration is not weak in responding to political violence but argued that as the governor, he will use state powers with discretion and moderation.

“I am not weak as a governor but I believe in respecting human rights,” he said.

On the attacks on PDP supporters in front of the palace of the Oba of Benin, Obaseki said his administration is doing all within the ambits of the law to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“I believe my powers should

be used responsibly, particularly in the face of provocation, and especially what the other party did in the palace by attacking our supporters in an attempt to provoke me,” he added.

The governor said Edo is a PDP state and expressed confidence that the party will win the forthcoming election.

PROMOTING MADE-IN-NIGERIA...

L - R: Chairman of Amuwo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr. Valentine Oluwaseyi; Chief Operating Officer,Transgreen Nigeria Limited, Doreen Orakpo; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief Executive Officer, Transgreen Nigeria Limited, Mr. Cyprain Orakpo; and a representative of the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Joseph Asikpo, during the official inauguration of medical face mask factory in Lagos... yesterday

Emzor Lauds Nigeria’s Polio-free Status Dike Onwuamaeze The Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited (EPL) has expressed satisfaction over the recent declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Nigeria has joined the rank of polio-free countries.

Emzor said it played a leading role in the campaign that ensured the eradication of the disease by initiating, registering and ensuring the inclusion of the use of the Inactivated Polio

Vaccines (IPV) strategy as part of the country’s National Immunisation Programme in 2014.

The pharmaceutical company noted that the WHO’s declaration that Nigeria is now free of polio would better be appreciated by recalling that the country hosted more than half of polio cases in the world as recently as 2012.

The Emzor’s Head of Vaccines Sales and Strategy, Mr. Chukwu Ekwe, recounted the contribution of the pharmaceutical company

to the total eradication of the infectious disease and its strategic plans to sustain the status.

According to Ekwe, “We had made our research and found that IPV was essential in combating the infectious disease, and we sought to introduce and ensure its usage in the country. The Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation (GAVI) and WHO insisted that all countries worldwide must adopt IPV for the eradication of polio.

“Their endorsement of the IPV for all the countries of the world proved that Emzor was looking into the future when it initiated the registration and use of IPV and ensured that it entered the National Immunisation Programme in 2014, and now, Nigeria has been declared polio-free through the use of Oral Polio Vaccine and the IPV. You cannot talk about the eradication of polio in Nigeria without giving credit to Emzor for our vital role.”

Pam: I’ll Fight Corruption in Christian Pilgrims Commission Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The new Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that one of his main agenda is to fight corruption and redeem the global image of commission.

Speaking at the special Thanksgiving service organised

yesterday by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja in recognition of his appointment Pam said that he will abide by the Act that established the NCPC, which creates orderliness and commitment to service.

“I have carefully studied the Act that established the NCPC and one striking provision is

that the executive secretary is given recognition as the Chief Accounting Officer of the commission while every other staff of the agency is a support staff of the Executive Secretary.”

The Act has also given me powers to discipline anyone who fails in his or her duties. By this provision, it simply means

that I will be accountable for every deed and misdeeds of the agency and I would not want to be associated with corruption or anything that will dent my image or the image of our dear CAN as I stand as an ambassador. I will do my best to fight corruption and redeem our image globally as well as the image of the agency, “ he said.

Oil Operations Threatened as Delta Community Protests Govt’s Neglect Sylvester Idowu in Warri The people of Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have threatened to shut down Forcados terminal and other oil facilities in the state over what they claimed as the underdevelopment and marginalisation of the oil-rich kingdom by the federal government.

They alleged that the kingdom, being host to several oil companies, have neither benefitted from any developmental projects nor employment despite their humongous contributions into the country’s economy.

Ogulagha kingdom is host to Forcados Tank Farm and Oil Terminal; Crude Oil Export Loading Platform operated by Shell Petroleum

Development Company (SPDC); South Bank Flow station; Yokiri Crude Oil Flow station; Yokiri Gas Lift Flow station; North Bank Flow station; North Bank Gas Station; Estuary Oil Flow stations I and II; Afremor A and B Flow station, which consist of 56 oil clusters and more than 250 oil wells and 30 gas reservoirs.

Other multinationals and

indigenous firms in the Kingdom are Agip, Chevron, Britannia-U, SNEPCO, Oando Plc, which is operating Beniboye Crude Oil Flow station (20) oil wells; Meji Oil Flow station (100) oil wells; Ajapa Floating Crude Oil Flow station (20) oil wells; Bonga Oilfield, OML118, 202,000 barrels of daily crude oil production; Akpo Marginal Field (5) oil wells.

Benin Community Sues Iyatsere of Warri Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Prince Jason Akenzua has dragged the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Aseleghe before an Edo State

High Court in Benin over alleged land tussle.

In the interlocutory injunction filed before Justice Iyobosa Okungbowa, Prince Akenzua also urged the court to restrain the defendant from also parading himself as the traditional ruler of Ologbo Dukedom.

The Enogie of Ologbo informed Justice Okungbowa that the alleged action of Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, especially for selling plots of land in Ologbo was capable of breaching peace in Ologbo.

The claimant, through his Solicitor, Mr. Chris Otasowie

asked the court to urgently restrain defendant (Aseleghe), pending the determination of the suit.

Akenzua said the alleged unwarranted incursion into Ologbo Dukedom had led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

36

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

SALLAH MESSAGES...

SALLAH MESSAGES...

Secondus Seeks God’s Mercy for Nigeria Ekweremadu urges FG to tackle killings Our Correspondents National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus hasprayed for God’s mercy on Nigeria as he urged Muslims to use the solemn period of Sallah to do same for the beloved country.

But former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah urged the federal government to take immediate steps to end the killings in the country Prince Secondus said that the precarious situation in the country at this time makes it imperative that all should go to God in supplications to grant us his mercy and grace.

The National Chairman said in a message to mark the Eid-el-Kabir festivities by Muslims that the suffering of Nigerians in the last five years of All Progressives Congress (APC) administration that is further being aggravated by the global COVID-19 pandemic should be enough mitigation to plead to God for mercy.

Prince Secondus said that Nigeria leaders have failed woefully both to God their creator and to the people and should use this period to seek his face.

The National Chairman said in a message from his media office that Nigerians should also use the period to offer special prayers for the unity and stability of the nation as well as recommit their individual and collective security and economic welfare into the hands of God. On his part, Ekweremadu while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, urged the federal government to take immediate steps to end the killings in the country Ekweremadu warned that Nigeria was fast becoming a killing field.

In his Sallah message, he said: “I felicitate with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this occasion of Eid-el-Kabir. The occasion calls for rededication to the fine principles of sacrifice, justice, and equity as exemplified by the Prophet and without which no nation can ever make any progress.

“It is also not lost on us that this is a very dire time for Nigeria, as our Muslim brethren and the nation celebrate Sallah in a state of grave apprehension, with many of them displaced by the worsening insecurity. This Sallah, therefore, serves as an opportunity to offer special prayers for the peace, unity, prosperity, and security of our country.”

Diri Hails Muslims Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has urged Muslim faithful in Nigeria to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival to reflect on the lessons of sacrifice, charity and love.

In a statement issued yesterday by Daniel Alabrah, his Acting Chief Press Secretary, the governor, said the challenges facing Nigeria in this period of the global pandemic required introspection by the Muslim Ummah on the teachings of their Prophet.

“So, I urge our Muslim faithful to continue to live in peace and love while praying for the prosperity of Bayelsa and our country.”

Makinde Preaches Love, Sacrifice Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, admonishing them to continue to keep adhering to the teachings of love, sacrifice and perseverance, which the festival exemplifies.

Governor Makinde, in a Sallah message made public and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, noted that the “Festival of Sacrifice” known as Eid-el-Kabir, presents an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on the faith with which Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) willingly agreed to sacrifice his son, in obedience to the command of the Almighty Allah.

The governor maintained the all-important Eid Adha was worth celebrating despite the restrictions brought upon the world by the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging the Muslim Ummah to use the opportunity to pray for the peace of the world and to show love and selflessness in line with the examples shown

by Prophet Ibrahim.

The governor equally urged all Muslims in the state and especially the clerics and leaders to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, noting that the times demand that they celebrate with moderation and in adherence to preventive guidelines on COVID-19.

Ize-Iyamu Urges Prayers for Peaceful Election The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has

Muslims at the Ram Market at Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State ...yesterday congratulated Muslims in the state, and the country in general, on the celebration of Eidel-Kabir, urging sacrifice to God, participation in the affairs of state, and prayers for a peaceful election.

In a message signed by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Ize-Iyamu said that the celebration should be marked by a re-dedication to faith and complete submission to the will of God. He said: “I congratulate our Muslim faithful in Edo State and all over the world as they celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha.” According to him, the celebration is ultimately, a through reflection and re-dedication which enables the Muslim faithful increase their faith and remain close to Allah.”

Ize-Iyamu said: “It is my wish that we all use this opportunity to render ourselves conscious of the importance of our faith and the significance of our submission to the almighty creator.”

Fayemi Greets Muslims Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has felicitated with Muslims in the state and in the country at large as they join other faithful around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

In his goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the governor urged the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians generally to imbibe the lessons of dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrated in Prophet Ibrahim’s preparedness to sacrifice his son in obedience to the instructions of Allah.

Fayemi who stressed the need for Nigerians to continue to make sacrifices that are necessary for nation building, urged the Muslim faithful to endure the inconveniences occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic which has considerably reduced the pomp associated with the celebration of the Eid Kabir festival globally.

The governor however charged them to continue to pray and be optimistic that a lasting solution would be found for the pandemic through divine intervention.

Okowa Seeks Prayers for the Nation Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has felicitated with Nigerian Muslims as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.

He urged the Islamic faithful to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the prophet.

In a Sallah message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba, the Governor said that Eid-el-Kabir was a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

He urged Nigerians to embrace peaceful co-existence and pray to God to heal the land from the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging nations of the world, adding that God would use the celebration to better the lots of Nigerians who struggled daily to eke out a living amid numerous challenges confronting the nation.

He assured of a peaceful celebration in the state as the government was in touch with security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrated the Sallah in peace and harmony.

Ugwuanyi Calls for Intense Prayers to Overcome Challenges Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has enjoined Muslims and indeed all Nigerians, to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kibir, to rejuvenate their faith in God and pray fervently

for the peace, unity, security and progress of the nation, especially as the country battles the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In his Sallah message, Ugwuanyi felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, and wished them the blessings and guidance of Allah.

The governor urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love, charity and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

While wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and healthy celebration, Ugwuanyi advised them to stay safe and adhere strictly to all precautionary measures for the containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanwo-Olu Calls for Moderate Celebrations Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has rejoiced with Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival, urging them to celebrate moderately in the wake of the rise in cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor also advised Nigerians, especially Muslims to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made

by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the unity and progress of the nation.

Sanwo-Olu, in his Eid-el-Kabir message released yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, congratulated Muslims in Lagos and advised them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.

He said Eid al-Adha became a symbolic event in the history of mankind, given the bountiful rewards that followed the patience and perseverance of Prophet Ibrahim, who held on tenaciously to his faith in God despite being afflicted.

Sanwo-Olu therefore urged Lagosians to draw lessons from the prophet’s examples by eschewing tendencies that could severe the unity and stability in the country.

Nasarawa Gov Solicits Prayers for Leaders As Muslims celebrate this years Eid-el-Kabir, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called on the Muslim faithful in the state to pray for leaders at all levels to govern with the fear of God and the virtue of justice, humility and service for the good of humanity.

The governor made the call in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in the state, noting that the season also calls for greater vigilance to ensure a safe neighbourhood for harmonious co-existence.

He added: “On the occasion of this Sallah celebration, I beseech you all to re-affirm your obedience to Allah’s injunctions as contained in the noble Qur’an and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.”

He also called on people of Nasarawa State to continue to accommodate each other’s beliefs and values in order to sustain peace, harmony, socio-cultural and economic prosperity.

Sule therefore assured residents of the state from other regions of the country that Nasarawa State was a cosmopolitan society that accommodates everybody irrespective of tribe, region, religion or any other creed, therefore, they should remain law abiding as they go about in pursuit of their lawful means of livelihood.

Kogi Gov Preaches Peace, Unity Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has felicitated with the Muslim ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, urging citizens

to imbibe virtues of peace, love and unity.

In a Sallah message signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mohammed Onogwu, copy of which was made available to the newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, he urged Muslims to imbibe the lesson of the period Bello admonished the people to continue to promote peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and national unity, among other virtues that will ensure accelerated progress and socio-economic development of the state and nation at large.

He said Eid-el-Kabir as an occasion for the Muslim Ummah to remember the sacrifices Prophet Ibrahim made in obedience to the will of God should, thus, inculcate in all Muslims and even non-Muslim a sense of sacrifice - a sense of sacrifice that puts others and our nation first.

The governor condemned the Wednesday’s attack in Agbudu community of the state, assuring that the government would do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to book.

Gombe Gov Felicitates with Muslim Ummah Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In a goodwill message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Uba Misilli, Governor Yahaya admonished the Muslim faithful to remain steadfast in prayers for peace, prosperity and development of the state, as well as for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While describing the Eid-el-Kabir festivity as a period of sacrifice, sharing and caring, the governor enjoined the faithful to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love, unity of purpose and obedience as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and upheld by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Yahaya who noted that “although this year’s celebration is coming at a period the world is still grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic and its devastating impact on lives and means of livelihood of the people, such should not distract us from learning the good lessons of the festival which teaches compassion, selfishness, love and obedience to the commands of Almighty Allah.”

Imbibe Lessons of Sallah, Akeredolu Enjoins Muslims As Muslims in Ondo State join their counterparts all over the world, the state Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday greets muslims as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir which is regarded as the holiest festival in their calendar.

Akeredolu in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant of Media and Publicity, Mr. Ojo Oyewamide, charged the Muslim faithful to see the essence of the festival beyond merrymaking, but to imbibe its lessons and apply them in their daily living. The governor said one of the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir is the wisdom in obeying the commands of Allah as shown by the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son on Mount Moriah in obedience to Allah’s command.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the reward of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience was mercy and grace.

He said: “Apart from teaching faith, trust and total submission to the will of Allah, Eid-el-Kabir is also about peace, the habit of sharing with the needy and showing love towards humanity.”

FRIDAY JULY 31, 2020 Ëž T H I S D AY

37

WORLD OF ISLAM Jonathan Mourns Fasanmi 24 HOURS...

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

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the government and people of Osun State as well as the family of the late leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, describing his death as a great loss to the nation.

The former President noted that Fasanmi was an exemplary patriot and nationalist who fought for Nigeria’s independence,

adding that he continued to fight for the welfare of Nigerians until the last days of his life.

In a statement issued by Ikechukwu Eze, the former President’s Media Adviser, Jonathan also commended the late Fasanmi’s loyalty to the Nigerian cause, stressing that he was a national hero whose love for his people and country knew no bounds. “Pa Fasanmi’s spirited crusade for freedom,

equity and justice spanned generations. As a young man he joined forces with his mentor, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other formidable nationalists to fight for our nation’s independence and remained a force for fairness, unity, democracy and good governance until his death. “He will be remembered for his exceptional democratic credentials, inimitable candour and selflessness.�

House Seeks Stakeholders’ Partnership against Human Trafficking Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs, yesterday called for effective partnership of all tiers of governments, especially wives of state governors and other relevant stakeholders to enhance Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, made this known during an interview with journalists in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2020 World Day Against Trafficking Persons.

Sadipe expressed worry over the high-level of trafficking, saying that it is another form of violence against women.

She revealed that her recent meeting with the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, which yielded positive enthusiasm shows that there could be fruitful collaborations with wives of governors to bring the evil scourge to an end.

She said, ‘’The best way to eradicate this evil among us is to work in unison. Wives of governors should use their offices to advocate against this act. The trafficking agents and their collaborators are not more

powerful than those who mean well for the people of this Nation.’’ ‘’This action will ensure that we build awareness in our various states and discourage and educate parents and our girls on the risk of foreign domestic servitude and the lies of agents who end up trafficking them into dangerous situations. We would ensure that the collaboration focuses on rehabilitation, engaging effective sensitisation, workshops and seminars across communities, schools, churches, mosques markets, and other public places, to the remotest parts of our nation.’’

NAPTIP Names Okunbo Anti-human Trafficking Hero The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has singled out Benin-born billionaire businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo, for recognition as its anti-human trafficking hero on the occasion of the 2020 World Day Against Human Trafficking.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM MOHAMMED-KASTINA. All former documents remain valid. Institutions and Authorities concerned and the general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ISERE-KANTEE SUOYO DEBORAH now wish to be known and addressed as KANTEE-ISERE SUOYO BINTE JOHNSON All documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OJO ADEOLA VICTORIA now wish to be known and addressed as GENTY ADEOLA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBIANOM CHIOMA KOSOLUCHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as AEN-ONIME CHIOMA KOSOLUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IBEGU WELEAYAM TINA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ZUO-SESE WELEAYAM TINA. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as LEVI ONYINYECHI in my bank account instead of LEVI ONYINYECHI GIFT. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as. LEVI ONYINYECHI GIFT. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

In a citation uploaded in the agency’s website and social media handles, NAPTIP said that Capt. Okunbo had remained a formidable individual in partnering the agency by committing personal resources into the fight against the illicit business of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The agency said that the philanthropist empowered victims of human trafficking and particularly supported it (Agency) to mark the 2019 World Day Against Human Trafficking.

According to the agency,

“Captain Hosa availed himself of the opportunity in marking his 60th birthday on the 16th of February 2018 to organise a public lecture on ‘Youth migration, consequences and current realities’. “The public lecture, which attracted men and women from the ivory tower, made resounding presentations on the burning twin issues of migration and human trafficking, with the presence of the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Julie Okah Donli.

Transgreen Inaugurates Face Mask Factory As part of the efforts to curb the spread of COVID -19, Transgreen Nigeria Limited, makers of O-Care Medical Face Mask, yesterday launched Nigeria’s first face mask factory in Lagos with a daily production capacity of 240,000, built according to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.

Speaking in Lagos during the inauguration of the factory, the Managing Director of Transgreen Nigeria Limited, Mr. Cyprian Orakpo said face masks and other medical devices such as gloves, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and ventilators would remain national security products until vaccines for COVID-19 are discovered.

He promised that Transgreen has risen to the occasion to fill the voids created by inadequate medical supplies.

Orakpo said with the inauguration of the factory, the company has contribute its quota as the first indigenous company to produce local medical face mask with a capacity to produce up to 240,000 medical face masks daily. “O-Care 3-ply medical face

mask offers protection against dust, pollen, bacteria and all known viruses with breathable comfort and low respiratory resistance. This product is durable and manufactured in accordance with WHO standards. “As an organisation, we believe that by making affordable medical face mask available and accessible to all, we are helping Nigerians and indeed Africans to live and work freely, learn, and play, create and work, doing the wonderful things that keep humanity moving forward during these trying times.�

Reacting to this development, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s support towards the company success by making the first order for 250,000 medical face masks. “If COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while then we need to think of how to domesticate some of the preventive measures of which O-Care Medical Face Mask from Transgreen Nigeria Limited is taking a bold step as the first indigenous company to produce medical face mask and we are going to support them�.

Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon

IslamiCity

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day ˜Â?Čą ‘ž•ȹ ħ“Š‘ȹŗŖȹ ȹ’—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąČ Â›ÂŠÂ—ÂŠÂ‘ČąÂ&#x;Š••Ž¢ȹ ˜Â?Čą ˜ž—Â?Čą ›ŠÂ?ŠÂ?Ȃȹǝ’—ȹ ÂŽÂŒÂŒÂŠÇźÇŻČą ÄžÂŽÂ›ČąÂ™Â›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂ’Â—Â?Čą Š—Â?ČąÂ?‘Š—”’—Â?Čą ••Š‘ǰȹÂ?‘Žȹ ›˜™‘ŽÂ?Čą ž‘Š––ŠÂ?Čą Çť ǟȹ œŠ’Â?Çą Čƒ Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°Čą •Ž—Â?Čą –Žȹ Š—ȹ ŠĴŽ—Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČą ŽŠ›ǰȹ Â?Â˜Â›Čą ČąÂ”Â—Â˜Â ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ȹ ‘ŽÂ?‘Ž›ȹŠĞŽ›ȹÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›Ç°Čą Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŠÂ–Â˜Â—Â?ÂœÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂŠÂ?Š’—ǯȹ ‘Ž›ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽČą •’œÂ?Ž—ȹ Â?Â˜Čą  ‘ŠÂ?Čą Čą Š–ȹ ÂœÂŠÂ˘Â’Â—Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą Â&#x;Ž›¢ȹ ŒŠ›ŽÂ?ž••¢ȹŠ—Â?Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą

Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą

Čą ÇŻ Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°ČąÂ“ÂžÂœÂ?ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ›ÂŽÂ?Š›Â?ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ–Â˜Â—Â?‘ǰȹ Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?Š¢ǰȹÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŒÂ’Â?Â˘ČąÂŠÂœČą ŠŒ›ŽÂ?Ç°ČąÂœÂ˜ČąÂ›ÂŽÂ?Š›Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ •’Â?ÂŽČą Š—Â?Čą ™›˜™Ž›Â?¢ȹ ˜Â?Čą ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹ ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–Čą ÂŠÂœČą Šȹ œŠŒ›ŽÂ?ČąÂ?›žœÂ?ÇŻČą ÂŽÂ?ž›—ȹÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?˜˜Â?ÂœČąÂŽÂ—Â?›žœÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ›’Â?‘Â?Â?ÂžÂ•ČąÂ˜Â Â—ÂŽÂ›ÂœÇŻČą ž›Â?ČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČą ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ–ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ‘ÂžÂ›Â?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÇŻČą Ž–Ž–‹Ž›ȹ Â?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ Â’Â•Â•ČąÂ’Â—Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ?ȹ–ŽŽÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą ǰȹŠ—Â?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą Čą  ’••ȹ ’—Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ?Čą Â›ÂŽÂŒÂ”Â˜Â—Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ?ÂœÇŻČą

ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ?˜›‹’Â?Â?ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂžÂœÂžÂ›Â˘Čą ǝ’—Â?Ž›ŽœÂ?ǟǰȹÂ?‘Ž›ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ’Â—Â?Ž›ŽœÂ?ČąÂ˜Â‹Â•Â’Â?ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą ÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ?˜›Â?‘ȹ‹Žȹ Š’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?ÇŻČą Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂŒÂŠÂ™Â’Â?Š•ǰȹ ‘˜ ŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›Ç°ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ”ÂŽÂŽÂ™ÇŻČą Â˜ÂžČąÂ Â’Â•Â•ČąÂ—ÂŽÂ’Â?‘Ž›ȹ ’—Ě’ŒÂ?Čą Â—Â˜Â›Čą ÂœÂžÄ›ÂŽÂ›Čą Š—¢ȹ ’—Žšž’Â?¢ǯȹ ••Š‘ȹ Â‘ÂŠÂœČą

žÂ?Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ’Â—Â?Ž›ŽœÂ?ȹŠ—Â?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?ȹŠ••ȹÂ?‘Žȹ’—Â?Ž›ŽœÂ?ČąÂ?žŽȹÂ?Â˜Čą Â‹Â‹ÂŠÂœČąÂ’Â‹Â—ČąČ Â‹Â?ȂŠ•ȹ žĴŠ•’‹ȹǝ ›˜™‘ŽÂ?Č‚ÂœČąÂžÂ—ÂŒÂ•ÂŽÇźČąÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÂ?˜›Â?‘ȹ ‹Žȹ  Š’Â&#x;ÂŽÂ?ÇŻÇŻÇŻ ÂŽÂ ÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ŠÂ?Š—ǰȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?Â˘ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą ›Ž•’Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ•Â˜ÂœÂ?ČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ‘Â˜Â™ÂŽČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ȹ‘Žȹ ’••ȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ ‹Žȹ Š‹•Žȹ Â?Â˜Čą •ŽŠÂ?Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą ŠœÂ?›Š¢ȹ ’—ȹ ‹’Â?Čą Â?‘’—Â?ÂœÇ°Čą ÂœÂ˜Čą ‹Ž Š›Žȹ ˜Â?Čą Â?˜••˜ ’—Â?Čą ‘’–ȹ ’—ȹ ÂœÂ–ÂŠÂ•Â•Čą Â?‘’—Â?ÂœÇŻ Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°ČąÂ’Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?›žŽȹÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂŒÂŽÂ›Â?Š’—ȹ ›’Â?‘Â?ÂœČą  ’Â?‘ȹ ›ŽÂ?Š›Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â Â˜Â–ÂŽÂ—Ç°Čą ‹žÂ?Čą Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ˘ČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;Žȹ›’Â?‘Â?ÂœČąÂ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÇŻČą Ž–Ž–‹Ž›ȹ Â?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?Š”Ž—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ–ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ Â’Â&#x;ÂŽÂœČą Â˜Â—Â•Â˘Čą ž—Â?Ž›ȹ Â•Â•ÂŠÂ‘Č‚ÂœČą Â?›žœÂ?Čą Š—Â?Čą  ’Â?‘ȹ Â’ÂœČą Â™ÂŽÂ›Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą Â?Čą Â?‘Ž¢ȹ Š‹’Â?ÂŽČą ‹¢ȹ Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą ›’Â?‘Â?Čą Â?‘Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ–ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ›’Â?‘Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą

Š—Â?Čą Œ•˜Â?‘ŽÂ?Čą ’—ȹ ”’—Â?Â—ÂŽÂœÂœÇŻČą Â˜Čą Â?›ŽŠÂ?Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â Â˜Â–ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ ÂŽÂ•Â•ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ‹Žȹ”’—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Ž–ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹ ÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ›Â?Â—ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â–Â’Ä´ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ‘ÂŽÂ•Â™ÂŽÂ›ÂœÇŻČą —Â?ȹ’Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ›Â’Â?‘Â?ČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘Ž¢ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ȹ–Š”Žȹ Â?›’Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ Â‘Â˜Â–ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—Â˜Â?Čą Š™™›˜Â&#x;ÂŽÇ°ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ ÂŽÂ•Â•ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ—ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂžÂ—ÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂœÂ?ÂŽÇŻ Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°ČąÂ•Â’ÂœÂ?Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŽÂŠÂ›Â—ÂŽÂœÂ?Ç°ČąÂ Â˜Â›ÂœÂ‘Â’Â™Čą

Ç°ČąÂœÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÄ™Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?ÂŠÂ’Â•Â˘ČąÂ™Â›ÂŠÂ˘ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÇť Š•Š‘ǟǰȹ Â?ŠœÂ?Čą Â?ž›’—Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ –˜—Â?‘ȹ ˜Â?Čą Š–ŠÂ?Š—ǰȹ Š—Â?Čą Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą  ŽŠ•Â?‘ȹ ’—ȹ Š”ŠÂ?ÇŻČą Ž›Â?Â˜Â›Â–Čą Š““ȹ Â’Â?Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą ÂŒÂŠÂ—Čą Šě˜›Â?Čą Â?Â˜ÇŻ ••ȹ–Š—”’—Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–Čą Â?Š–ȹŠ—Â?Čą Â&#x;ŽǰȹŠ—ȹ Â›ÂŠÂ‹ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂœÂžÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’Â˜Â›Â’Â?Â˘ČąÂ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠČąÂ—Â˜Â—ČŹ ›Š‹ȹ Â—Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂ—Â˜Â—ČŹ Â›ÂŠÂ‹ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂœÂžÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’Â˜Â›Â’Â?Â˘ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹ Š—ȹ Â›ÂŠÂ‹Ç˛ČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂŠČąÂ Â‘Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂœÂžÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’Â˜Â›Â’Â?¢ȹ ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‹Â•ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂ—Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂ‹Â•ÂŠÂŒÂ”ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂœÂžÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’Â˜Â›Â’Â?¢ȹ ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹ ‘’Â?ÂŽČąÂŽÂĄÂŒÂŽÂ™Â?ȹ‹¢ȹ™’ŽÂ?¢ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ?˜˜Â?ČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ŽŠ›—ȹ Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹ ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–Čą Â’ÂœČą Šȹ ‹›˜Â?‘Ž›ȹ Â?Â˜Čą ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹ ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–Čą Š—Â?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–ÂœČą Œ˜—œÂ?Â’Â?žÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČąÂ‹Â›Â˜Â?‘Ž›‘˜˜Â?ÇŻČą ˜Â?‘’—Â?ČąÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•Čą ‹Žȹ•ŽÂ?Â’Â?’–ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠČą ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–ČąÂ Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą Šȹ Â?ÂŽÂ•Â•Â˜Â Čą ÂžÂœÂ•Â’Â–Čą ÂžÂ—Â•ÂŽÂœÂœČą Â’Â?Čą Â ÂŠÂœČą Â?Â’Â&#x;Ž—ȹ Â?›ŽŽ•¢ȹ Š—Â?Čą  ’••’—Â?•¢ǯȹ Â˜Čą —˜Â?Ç°Čą Â?‘Ž›ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽÇ°Čą Â?Â˜Čą ’—“žœÂ?Â’ÂŒÂŽČą Â?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ÂœÂŽÂ•Â&#x;ÂŽÂœÇŻ Ž–Ž–‹Ž›ǰȹ Â˜Â—ÂŽČą Â?Š¢ȹ Â˘Â˜ÂžČą  ’••ȹ Š™™ŽŠ›ȹ ‹ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽČą Čą Š—Â?Čą ÂŠÂ—ÂœÂ ÂŽÂ›Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â?ÂŽÂŽÂ?ÂœÇŻČą Â˜ČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ ÂŠÂ›ÂŽÇ°ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂœÂ?›Š¢ȹÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?‘Žȹ™ŠÂ?Â‘ČąÂ˜Â?Čą ›’Â?‘Â?ÂŽÂ˜ÂžÂœÂ—ÂŽÂœÂœČą ŠĞŽ›ȹ Čą Š–ȹ Â?Â˜Â—ÂŽÇŻ Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą Čą

Čą Čą Čą ÇŻČą ÂŽÂŠÂœÂ˜Â—Čą  Ž••ǰȹ Â?‘Ž›ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽÇ°Čą Čą ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽÇ°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹž—Â?Ž›œÂ?Š—Â?ČąÂ Â˜Â›Â?ÂœČą Â Â‘Â’ÂŒÂ‘Čą ČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â&#x;Ž¢ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÇŻČą ȹ•ŽŠÂ&#x;Žȹ‹Ž‘’—Â?ȹ–Žȹ Â?Â Â˜ČąÂ?‘’—Â?ÂœÇ°ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ȹŠ—Â?ȹ–¢ȹŽ¥Š–™•Žǰȹ Â?‘Žȹ ȹŠ—Â?ȹ’Â?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ?Â˜Â•Â•Â˜Â ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂœÂŽČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČą  ’••ȹ —ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ Â?Â˜Čą ŠœÂ?›Š¢ǯ ••ȹÂ?Â‘Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ Â‘Â˜ČąÂ•Â’ÂœÂ?Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŽČąÂœÂ‘ÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂ™ÂŠÂœÂœČąÂ˜Â—Čą –¢ȹ  ˜›Â?ÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą Š—Â?Čą Â?Â‘Â˜ÂœÂŽČą Â?Â˜Čą ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą ŠÂ?Š’—DzȹŠ—Â?ȹ–Š¢ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ•ÂŠÂœÂ?ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽÂœČąÂžÂ—Â?Ž›œÂ?Š—Â?Čą Â–Â˘ČąÂ Â˜Â›Â?ÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÄ´ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ?‘Š—ȹÂ?Â‘Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ Â‘Â˜ČąÂ•Â’ÂœÂ?Ž—ȹÂ?Â˜Čą –Žȹ Â?’›ŽŒÂ?•¢ǯȹ ÂŽČą –¢ȹ  ’Â?Â—ÂŽÂœÂœÇ°Čą Čą Ç°Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą Čą ‘ŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČą Œ˜—Â&#x;Ž¢ŽÂ?Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą –ŽœœŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â™ÂŽÂ˜Â™Â•ÂŽČ„ÇŻ

Eid on Friday IslamiCity /Andalus/Hamza If Jumah coincides with Eid, is it still obligatory to perform Jumuah?

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate Shaykh Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari al-Hanafi al-Ashari (Allah have mercy on him), one of the greatest scholars of recent times (d. 1371 AH), full of ghayra (jealousy) for the way of Ahl al-Sunna, encyclopedic in his knowledge of the entire spectrum of the Islamic sciences, dealt with the issue of Eid and the Friday prayer in detail in an article that is published as part of his invaluable collection of Maqalat.

Almost everything that follows is taken from his article on pgs. 249-257 of Maqalat al-Kawthari.

Imam al-Shafii, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, and all their immediate students (ashab) concurred that if Eid falls on a Friday, the villagers and bedouins who come from out of town to attend the Eid prayer are exempted from performing the Friday prayer if they leave after the performance of the Eid prayer, but citydwellers must still perform the Friday prayer. The Hanbalis disagreed and said that the performance of the Eid prayer exempts everyone both villagers and citydwellers from the obligation of performing the Friday prayer.

The evidence that the three schools use for their position is the hadith related by Imam Malik in his Muwatta and Imam Bukhari in his Sahih from the mawla of Ibn Azhar who said: I witnessed Eid with Uthman b. Affan (Allah be pleased with him). He prayed and then left and then gave a sermon, saying: Verily, two Eids have occurred simultaneously for you today, so whoever from among the people of Aliyah (what is above the Najd until Tihamah, miles away from Madinah) wants to wait for

the Friday prayer may wait and whoever wants to leave may leave, for I have given him permission.

Imam Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Shaybani (Allah have mercy on him) said after relating this hadith in his compilation of the Muwatta: We adopt all of this. Uthman only excused the people of Aliyah from performing the Friday prayer because they weren’t from the people of the city. This is the position of Abu Hanifah.

Abul-Walid al-Baji mentioned several people in his commentary on the Muwatta who related from Imam Malik similar to what is related from Imam Abu Hanifa.

Imam al-Shafii said in al-Umm: If Eid al-Fitr falls on a Friday, the Imam prays Eid when the prayer becomes permissible and then gives permission for the non-city-dwellers who attend the Eid prayer to leave if they wish back to their homes and not return for the Friday prayer.

It is preferable for them to remain until performing the Friday prayer or if able to return after leaving to perform the Friday prayer, although if they don’t, there is no harm, in-sha Allah. This [h: meaning leaving the Friday prayer] is not permissible for any of the city-dwellers without an excuse [h: that exempts them from the obligation of performing the Friday prayer].

There are hadiths related by Abu Dawud that seem to point to the position of the Hanbalis, but Shaykh al-Kawthari masterfully shows how all these hadiths are either too weak to be used as evidence because of problems with the narrators or are interpreted in the light of the hadith related by Bukhari (mentioned above).

Those interested can refer to pgs. 253-257 of his Maqalat.

The Hanbalis have their own arguments for their position, of course, and it is valid for a muqallid of the Hanbali school to follow their position.

And Allah knows best.

38

˜ ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

Mertens Vows to Help Osimhen Settle Down at Napoli Femi Solaja with agency report Ahead of Napoli’s announcement of Victor Osimhen’s switch to the Naples-based club, Belgian forward and the Serie A team’s star, Dries Mertens has promised to help the

Nigerian starlet settle in the Italian squad next season.

“I want to help the team and the young people like Victor (Osimhen), that’s my future. I want to help Osimhen and Petagna, we can play together.

“It’s difficult to come

from another country and settle in, we must help them fit in here,” stressed the Belgian international.

Napoli are expected to announce the deal to sign Osimhen from Lille with Italian sources assuring it’s

€50m plus bonuses and Orestis Karnezis.

Italian sporting press reported yesterday that little details like commissions to agents and the payment schedule rather than any serious issues are the things

delaying the announcement of the deal by Napoli.

The 21-year-old Osimhen has been in stellar form for the Ligue 1, with the forward scoring 13 goals in 25 appearances as Lille finished the 2019-20 season

in fourth place.

Osimhen only signed for the French Ligue 1 club last year from Sporting Charleroi after impressing on loan at the Belgian First Division A side in the 201819 season.

Everton to Offer Iwobi Plus Cash to Crystal Palace for Zaha Everton could be tempted to include Alex Iwobi as part of a swap deal for Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha this summer, according to the UK’s The Sun. The Ivory Coast international was valued at £100 million last year.12 months, but is now expected to cost Everton £70 million.

Zaha is apparently concerned that he will be priced out of a move away from Selhurst Park with his many suitors, including Everton and Tottenham, operating on a reduced budget.

But, as the Sun points out, Everton have drawn up a plan as they look to

finally lure a long-time target to Goodison Park; while simultaneously getting an overpriced, under-performing player out of the door.

Iwobi has often performed like a £4 million forward, rather than a £40million one, since completing that mega-money move from Arsenal on the final day of the 2019 summer transfer window.

Following a series of anonymous performances since the Premier League restart, the report claims that Everton could offer Iwobi as part of a playerplus-cash deal which would see Zaha go in the other direction.

Alex Iwobi... may be added to cash in exchange for Wilfred Zaha from Crystal Palace

Swiss Prosecutors Launch Napoli Owner Wants UCL Game Moved from Barcelona Napoli President, Aurelio the winner going on to the Former champions, Real “UEFA is in contact with Laurentiis, yesterday quarter-finals in Lisbon, Madrid had announced Real Madrid and Sevilla FC Legal Proceedings against De proposed that the Italian Portugal. on Tuesday that forward and is monitoring the two club’s Champions League “If they have decided that Mariano Diaz had tested situations and the decisions FIFA Boss last 16, second leg game the Champions League is positive for Covid-19, play of the competent Spanish Swiss prosecutors have launched legal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

It is in relation to an alleged secret meeting the head of world football’s governing body held with the Swiss Attorney General, Michael Lauber.

Lauber last week offered to resign after a court said he covered up the meeting and lied to supervisors during an investigation by his office into corruption surrounding FIFA. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

Lauber’s office said he officially tendered his resignation on Tuesday, with his last day of active duty set for 31 August.

It comes after special prosecutor Stefan Keller was appointed last month to review criminal complaints against the two men and others.

He found indications of criminal conduct related

to their meetings, the authority overseeing the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said.

“This concerns abuse of public office, breach of official secrecy, assisting offenders and incitement to these acts,” the watchdog overseeing the OAG said in a statement.

The OAG said it had taken note of the development, adding Lauber would make statements to parliamentary committees if necessary.

The watchdog said Keller had now opened proceedings against both Infantino and a regional public prosecutor who was involved in the meetings, and was seeking parliamentary approval to have Lauber’s immunity from prosecution waived.

FIFA is based in the Swiss city of Zurich. BBC Sport has contacted the governing body for a response.

against Barcelona should be moved from Spain where there is a new wave of Covid-19 cases.

“I hear a lot of perplexity and fear coming from Spain and they acting as if nothing is wrong. What does it take to say, ‘Don’t go to Barcelona but rather go to Portugal, Germany or Geneva’?” De Laurentiis told journalists.

Barcelona are due to host Napoli on August 8 in the Camp Nou with both sides 1-1 after the first leg in Naples in February, with

in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany, I think we can go to Portugal or Germany for the round of 16, I don’t understand why we should stay in a city that presents major problems.”

In a related development, UEFA has expressed confidence that the final stages of the Champions League and Europa League will go ahead without problems despite recent cases of coronavirus at Real Madrid and Sevilla, a spokesperson said yesterday.

at Manchester City in their Champions League last-16 second leg on August 7.

Sevilla, who said Wednesday an unnamed player had contracted the virus, take on Roma in a single-game Europa League last-16 tie in the German city of Duisburg the previous day.

“We are confident these cases will not affect the matches in question, in Manchester and Duisburg respectively,” the spokesperson said.

authorities.”

The Champions League is ending with a ‘Final 8’ tournament in Lisbon after the completion of the last 16.

Man City lead Madrid 2-1 after the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, which was played in February.

Sevilla have halted training as a precaution, but Laliga winner, Real Madrid are preparing as usual because Mariano has had no recent contact with his teammates.

Saudi’s Public Investment Fund Pulls Out of Newcastle Takeover Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers have withdrawn their interest in taking over Newcastle Football Club.

Rumours of a potential £300m Saudi takeover of the Magpies first surfaced several months ago , although as has often been the case with the club, negotiations have moved at a frustratingly

slow pace.

Now, it appears that the takeover has collapsed altogether with Sky Sports News among the outlets reporting that the three interested parties have pulled out.

A statement read: “With a deep appreciation for the Newcastle community and the significance of its football club, we have come

to the decision to withdraw our interest in acquiring Newcastle United Football Club.

“We do so with regret, as we were excited and fully committed to invest in the great city of Newcastle and believe we could have returned the club to the position of its history, tradition and fans’ merit.

“Ultimately, during the

unforeseeably prolonged process, the commercial agreement between the Investment Group and the club’s owners expired and our investment thesis could not be sustained, particularly with no clarity as to the circumstances under which the next season will start and the new norms that will arise for matches, training and other activities.”

39

˜ ͻ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

FridaySports

Sacked Agent: I Will Go to Court to Get €5m for Moving Osimhen to Napoli Jean-Gerard Benoit Czajka has been Victor Osimhen’s agent since he was 14 and he moved him to Wolfsburg, Charleroi and then Lille before he was sacked by the player during negotiations for the transfer to Napoli. He has given reasons why he will now drag Osimhen, Napoli and Lille to court should he not be paid five million Euros for the work he did for the striker to sign for the Italian club. In this most revealing interview, he also gave a great insight to this much-talked about transfer.

How many years have you worked with Victor Osimhen?

Officially, I signed my first mandate with him and his father, I think he was 16 years old, it was well before the 2015 World Cup in Chile, where he shone. In fact, I have been working with him since the age of 14 with my partners.

These are nonsense that they put in the head of the player.

We have correspondences from Napoli, there is a guaranteed commission that we received by email from Mr. Giuntoli (Editor’s note: the Sporting Director of Napoli) of 5M Euros for the work done, which constitutes about 8% of the total gross contract negotiated.

How did you get to knowhim?

It is thanks to my associates in Nigeria. It is especially Shira Yussuf (Editor’s note: one of them) who discovered him at the age of 14, he told me about it very quickly.

Thereafter, we contacted Emmanuel Amuneke, then coach of the country’s U17s. We told him: “Go see this youngster, he’s a phenomenon”.

We insisted, he saw him and gave him a chance in his team.

We were far from negotiating personal bonuses as Victor told the press!

Obviously I am aware that this may seem important to ordinary people, but it is a work of many years, of personal sacrifices which have resulted today in making Victor Osimhen the player he has become, and so the value he now has in the market! And when everything is going to be realized, we are removed to put a new agent!

How did Osimhen get to Europe?

Before the 2015 World Cup, we offered him all over Europe but to no success … And then after the 2015 World Cup, everyone was calling me, but he could have left Africa at a very affordable price. When he exploded in Chile, interest skyrocketed.

Finally, I got him signed when he turned 18 at Wolfsburg, and after Charleroi then in Lille, and finally 99% in Naples …

So, what happened that you weren’t by his side at the last moment (for Napoli transfer)?

Good question … With my partner (Editor’s note: Didier Fresnay), when everything was going to happen, we were suddenly dismissed to be replaced by a new agent (Editor’s note: William D’Avila) …

July 13 in the morning , Victor asked me to accompany him to Naples to finalize everything.

I said, “Ok”, but my flight to Naples was finally full and I couldn’t get there.

Fortunately, moreover, because Lille had chartered him a private flight to go to Sardinia, to Olbia, where the two club presidents were present. He couldn’t sign without me.

What was your reaction?

My lawyers sent an email to Victor, Naples and LOSC. And on July 14, I in turn received an email “stopping abruptly and without cause” my mandate of representation with Victor Osimhen which was in effect until January 2021.

While the two clubs had agreed on the terms of the transfer weeks before, and all the details of Victor’s contract were known, the player had his medical visit in Rome during the week. Which is no doubt that his contract was signed with Naples …

One of the reasons given in the media for your sack was that you preferred to negotiate bonuses for yourself. What do you have to say to that?

of around 30M € net of taxes (over 6 years), it helps to make a decision at 21!

While you explain to us that for you everything is recorded, the transfer of the player is not yet being made official. What is your reading of this?

What I understand is that they are trying to justify “the work” of the “new agent”, having resumed negotiations from the start.

I am in a hurry to discover the final contract signed by Victor, and to compare it with what we had done with Napoli formally.

On the morning of July 13, Luis Campos and Gérard Lopez contacted me by phone, strongly recommending that I negotiate with this new agent, otherwise, according to them, “I risked losing everything …”

For me, Osimhen signed on the 14th, 15th or 16th (July).

You can’t buy a € 60 million player by having him undergo his medical examination without having already signed his contract.

You know Victor Osimhen well, do you think he really understands everything that is happening around him?

There is a lot of pressure. He certainly lost his footing. There’s this William D’Avila who must have been wooing him for a while.

Maybe he told him that we could get him a better deal.

I see him on July 9 in Paris to make a point, on the 13th, he tells me to take the plane to join him, while the new agent is there … It is not possible because

it is us who did all the work.

And you do not go twice to Naples, in particular to Sardinia, without having signed contract.

What is your position regarding a possible reconciliation?

We have always worked honestly with Victor, which many agents cannot say, we are within our rights. And if we have to go to court to save face, we’ll go … I would add that in my opinion, we do not go before an organization as serious as the DNCG without providing evidence that the operation of “flagship” sale of the summer will be formalised.

We are quiet. My lawyers have all the documents on the work done. I will therefore assert my rights in court. Afterwards, it is

very likely that I can be offered a compensation, which I will not accept.

You have known Victor since the age of 14, from a human angle, do you feel any bitterness after so many years being with him?

This isn’t the first time this has happened in football, and it won’t be the last time, though.

I am lucky to be a structured person and to have a little resources, so I will go to the end, if only for all these agents who are victims of similar situations, but who cannot defend themselves and who lose the fruit of all their work for years.

-Culled Football

from

France

Can you tell us behind the scenes of the negotiations with the Serie A club?

We have been in contact with them since March. With the Covid-19, we finally managed to see each other at the end of May, early June in Monaco with Giuntoli and then we moved with the player at the beginning of July to Naples.

To be clear, if we were in Italy it was because the two clubs have had an agreement for a long time and they told us so.

I think that Lille were not happy that Victor came back (from Naples) without signing his contract.

They had a knife under the throat with the DNCG (for their professional license).

Did you conduct all the discussions with Napoli?

Yes, and to be honest, Victor did not want to go to Italy. From the start, he has been stuck on the idea of playing in Serie A. He told me that racism issues scared him and that he didn’t feel like moving.

He even told me in MarchApril: “I don’t want to go and play in Italy even if it’s for Juventus at € 10 million net per year”.

How then did you manage to convince him?

I told Victor that before having such strong ideas, that he had to travel to see for himself, meet people, talk with players who are confronted with racism, etc. … Something that we finally did on July 1, 2 and 3 where we met the coach, the sports director, as well as the president De Laurentiis, who is a man with values and experience, and who seemed to have convinced the player.

Victor also spoke a lot with Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal international defender) and this was decisive in his choice for Napoli.

And then, we imagine that there is also the financial aspect …Yes, it must also be said, when a big club like Napoli offer you a starting place, with a contract

Osimhen (centre) with his former agent, Jean-Gerard Benoit (left) and a partner during the trip to Naples to discuss the transfer to Napoli

Racism: T-shirts No Longer Enough, Says Nigerian Basketballer Aminu Nigeria international and Orlando Magic power forward Al-Farouq Aminu, has said that having already protested against racism over the years the NBA needs to make even more of a statement.

North America’s men’s NBA basketball season resumed Wednesday after it was put on hold on 11 March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The intervening months have also seen the Black Lives Matter movement return to prominence following the death in the United States of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while a police officer knelt on his neck.

Like other sports around the world the NBA has been discussing how it will show its support in the battle against racism.

“We have already taken action, as we’ve had ‘I can’t breathe shirts’” the 29-year-old told BBC Sport Africa, referring to the stance of players in 2014 following the death or Eric Garner at the hands of police in New York.

“We’ve seen guys be very vocal about the matters.

“I think what a lot of people forget is that we had a black president, we had a black Attorney General and we had let’s say many of the best basketball players in the world are black.

“All those different things happened after the Black Lives first happened and the movement first started.

“So I don’t believe that these gestures are 100% the remedy, obviously it is nice to bring awareness to different things like that but after a while you have to get the job done.”

“And I think that that’s what I’ve been emphasizing to the players, this time is on. I’m not really a one to protest that way.

“A dangerous man is one who doesn’t care about the consequences. “We have to make sure that the consequences for doing these egregious acts are very high so that people don’t even think it’s something that they could maybe get away with

or even want to consider doing.”

Aminu was born in the USA but now plays internationally for Nigeria, helping them win the 2015 African Basketball Championships, and is in contact with friends and family in Africa.

He is keen to explain that despite all the problems that Africa faces the Black Lives Matter should also resonate on the continent.

“I’ve heard some of those same sentiments and something that I would encourage them to understand is that Nigeria was colonized as well,” he pointed out. “And those same type of rules and tactics are in systematic racism.

“Racism was implied for Africa as well and it’s done in different ways.”

He explained that when African nations declared independence all they got was actually their own land returned to them.

“That isn’t land given, there hasn’t been money given, there

hasn’t been resources given after what was being done.

“So, I think that the reason that it relates to everybody, because it’s a human thing, I think that humans should be treated equally.

“I don’t think that anybody should be underneath the law in the sense of being able to not find any justice and not to be treated as a decent human being.

“So whether that is happening in Nigeria, or happening in Antartica and or on another planet, I think that as human we should always understand that there’s no reason to treat each other in an inappropriate way.”

The NBA regular season and play-offs are being completed at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. To limit the number of personnel inside the NBA ‘bubble’, only 22 of the league’s 30 teams are taking part. Franchises with no chance of progressing to the post-season are not involved.

Aminu’s Orlando Magic side re-start their season on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Friday July 31, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A SO

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Zulum to Army “The troops have been in Mile 4 for over one year; there is complete sabotage. The problem is not with President Buhari or General Buhari but the command and control structure. There is a need to look into command structure� – Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, attributing Wednesday’s attack on his convoy between Monguno and Baga town to military sabotage.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

From Akpabio to Akpabio I n discussing the theory and practice of corruption in Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio is a compelling subject. He has enjoyed this dubious distinction since his days as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Per capita, Akwa Ibom is about the richest state in Nigeria and the tendency in Nigeria is that the bigger the state treasury, the bigger the theft of those resources by those in whose care the riches are entrusted. To give the Nigerian public an idea of his husbandry of the resources of the state, Akpabio, at the expiration of his Â?Â Â˜ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ›Â–ÂœČąÂ?ÂŽÂ—ÂžÂ›ÂŽČąÂŠÂœČą ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›Ç°ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â–Â’Ä´ÂŽÂ?Čą the state to paying him N100million annual medical allowance in perpetuity as part of Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ›ÂŽÂ?’›Ž–Ž—Â?ȹ‹Ž—ŽęÂ?ÂœÇŻ Responding to the public outrage provoked by this astonishing corrupt appropriation, Akpabio said he deemed it laughable that the public would consider N100million annual medical allowance cause for outrage.

I belonged in the category of those who deemed his misconduct outrageous as Â?ÂŽÂœÂ?’ęŽÂ?Čą ‹¢ȹ –¢ȹ ÂŒÂ˜Â•ÂžÂ–Â—Čą Â˜Â—Čą Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČą ™ŠÂ?ÂŽČą ÂœÂ’ÂĄČą years ago titled ‘The Akpabio Syndrome’.

His conduct, before and after my publication, Â‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?’—ž’Â?¢ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ›ÂœÂ˜Â—Â’Ä™ÂŒÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą of this syndrome.

I wrote: “t is within the pathology of this syndrome that we may begin to understand Governor Akpabio when he dismissed as laughable public outrage at Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŒÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŠÂ•Â˜ÂžÂœČąÂ—ÂŽÂ ÂœČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â–Â’Ä´Â’Â—Â?Čą ” Šȹ Ibom to the penance of expending over N100 million annual medical allowance (and God knows what other creature opulence) on him till death does them apart. Pray what is laughable or inconsequential about ™Š¢’—Â?ȹŠ—¢ȹ Â’Â?ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŠÂ—ČąÂ™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒČąÂ˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹŠȹ N100 million medical grant a year?. This degree of personal emolument can only be laughable to anyone whose unfathomable riches (acquired by means fair or foul) rival that of Croesus.The tragedy here is the opportunity cost of this hefty surcharge to the people of Akwa Ibom State which can be measured in the proportions of feeding 100 households of that state in a year. Beyond the inevitable public outrage that greeted the impunity of Akpabio, there is perhaps the need to acknowledge its typicality and situate it within a wider understanding of the dilemma. On the penchant of Nigerian Â™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒČą Â˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ÂœČą Â?Â˜Â›Čą Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČą Â?Â˘Â™Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą ÂŠÂ‹Â—Â˜Â›Â–ÂŠÂ•Čą corruption, I endorse the recommendation of subjecting them to psychiatric evaluation as condition precedent to assuming public Â˜ÄœÂŒÂŽČ„ÇŻ Contemporaneously, there is the comparable case of the former Governor of Zamfara State (who doubled as the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum) who is being investigated to the tune of N150billion embezzlement charge by the EFCC. At his departure, Premium Times reported that Â˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Čą Â?˜Œž–Ž—Â?ÂœČą ›ŽÂ&#x;ŽŠ•ŽÂ?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą ›ǯȹ Š›’ȹ was paid N350 million two days before he •ŽÂ?Â?ČąÂ˜ÄœÂŒÂŽÇŻČą œ’Â?ÂŽČąÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â—Â?Â‘Â•Â˘ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?Čą of about N11 million, the law also provided for a house in Abuja for the former governor Š—Â?ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?Ž™žÂ?¢ǯȹ —ȹ›Ž™žÂ?’ŠÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄšÂŽÂŽÂŒÂŽÇ°Čą

Akpabio

his successor fumed “there is no reason  ‘ŠÂ?œ˜ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Œ˜ž•Â?Čą Šě˜›Â?Čą Â?Â˜Čą ™Š¢ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ™ŠœÂ?Čą •ŽŠÂ?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą Çť Š›’ȹ Š—Â?Čą Â‘Â’ÂœČą Čą Â?Ž™žÂ?¢ǟȹ Šȹ whopping sum of N702 million annually to the detriment of dying pensioners in Â?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČ„ÇŻ Underscoring the widespread nature of this abuse, another report claimed that 21 of Nigeria’s 36 states spent over N37 billion in such luxury retirement packages for former governors. It is this kind of abnormality that prompted the soundbite ‹¢ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â?Ž—Â?Â’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—Â?Â’Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą ž‘Š––ŠÂ?žȹ Buhari that Nigeria needs to kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria. Ironically Š—Â?ČąÂ?Â’Â&#x;Ž—ȹÂ?‘Žȹ’—Â?Ž—œ’ęŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŽÂœÂŒÂŠÂ•ÂŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą of corruption on his watch, the Presidency of Buhari has come to prove the validity of this quip in a way no other government could have done.

In order to fathom the deepening syndrome of corruption in Nigeria today, we need not look further than the evolution and sustenance of the mentor-protege relationship between General Buhari and Akpabio. In a unique demonstration of the Oshiomole doctrine, it was at the peak of the corruption controversy swirling over Akpabio that he sought and secured the godfather refuge of Buhari. He was not only granted a Trumpian Presidential pat on the back, he became the travelling companion of Buhari to the bargain. ÂŽÂ?Ç°Čą Â?Â‘Â’ÂœČą Â›Â˜Â–ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą Â ÂŠÂœČą Œ˜—œž––ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?Čą at, precisely, the moment he was under investigation for the “withdrawal of N18bn fraudulently from the state’s Federal Accounts ••˜ŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą Â˜Â–Â–Â’Ä´ÂŽÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?Â›ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂ‘ÂŽÂœČąÂ˜Â?Čą ŗŖ–ȹ and above in a surreptitious manner to ÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂŒÂŽÂŠÂ•ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?’œ‘˜—ŽœÂ?ȹ’—Â?Ž—Â?Â’Â˜Â—Ç˛ČąÂœÂ™ÂŽÂ—Â?’—Â?ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹ N50bn state funds during the last general Ž•ŽŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Ç˛Čą  ’Â?‘Â?›Š Š•ȹ ˜Â?Čą ŗŞ‹—ȹ Â?Â›Â˜Â–Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČ‚ÂœČą ÂŒÂ˜Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą ž—Â?Ž›ȹ Â?‘Žȹ Â?ÂžÂ’ÂœÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą ÂœÂ™ÂŽÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•Čą services, reception of very important guests Š—Â?ČąÂœÂžÂ—Â?›¢ȹ’Â?ÂŽÂ–ÂœÇ˛ČąÂŠÂŒÂšÂžÂ’ÂœÂ’Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂœÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂŠÂœÂœÂŽÂ?ÂœČą through surrogates, including a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 5, Ikogosi Spring Close, Â˜Ä›Čą ŠÂ?ÂœÂ’Â—ÂŠČŹ •Šȹ ›ŽœŒŽ—Â?Ç°Čą Š’Â?Š–Šȏ ‹ž“ŠDzȹ

a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 28 ˜•˜›ŠÂ?Â˜Čą Â•Â˜ÂœÂŽÇ°Čą Š’Â?Š–Šǰȹ Â‹ÂžÂ“ÂŠÇ˛ČąĹ˜Ĺ˜Čą Â›Â˜Â‹Â˘Â—Čą ˜ŠÂ?Ç°Čą Â”Â˜Â˘Â’Ç°Čą ŠÂ?Â˜ÂœÇ˛ČąČą •˜Â?ČąĹ˜Ĺ™Čą •žœŽÂ?ž—ȹ ’—Šȹ Street, Parkview, Lagos and a multi-billion naira 25-storey building at Akin Adesola Â?›ŽŽÂ?Ç°Čą Â’ÂŒÂ?Â˜Â›Â’ÂŠČą œ•Š—Â?Ç°Čą ŠÂ?Â˜ÂœČ„ÇŻ The question we should ask ourselves is whether, by any stretch of the imagination, it is conceivable that Akpabio is somehow innocent of all these allegations. Apparently, ÂœÂžÂŒÂ‘Čą šžŽœÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČą Š›Žȹ ˜Â?Čą •’Ĵ•Žȹ Â˜Â›Čą Â—Â˜Čą ÂŒÂ˜Â—ÂŒÂŽÂ›Â—Čą to a president who desires canonisation as the avenging angel of corruption in Nigeria. So that Nigerians are not in any doubt as regards his disposition towards Akpabio, the President subsequently singled him out as his anointed representative of Akwa ibom state in the federal executive ÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ—ÂŒÂ’Â•ÇŻČą ÂœČąÂŠČąÂ–ÂŠÄ´ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?ŠŒÂ?Ç°ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŽÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?Š›¢ȹ Â•ÂŠÂ˘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ™Â˜Â›Â?Â?Â˜Â•Â’Â˜ČąÂŠÂœČą ’—’œÂ?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â’Â?Ž›ȹ Ž•Â?Šȹ Ä›ÂŠÂ’Â›ÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ‘Â’Â–ČąÂ?‘ŽȹŠÂ?Â?Â’Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÂŠÂ•Čą ›Ž™›ŽœŽ—Â?ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Čą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â Â‘Â˜Â•ÂŽČą Â’Â?Ž›ȹ Ž•Â?Šȹ region. If, regardless of his questionable background, the President still went ahead to appoint Akpabio to the supervision of ÂœÂžÂŒÂ‘ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›Ě˜ ’—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂœÂŽÂ ÂŠÂ?Žȹ•’”Žȹ Â?‘Žȹ Â’Â?Ž›ȹ Ž•Â?Šȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;Ž•˜™–Ž—Â?Čą Â˜Â–Â–Â’ÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—Čą Çť ǟǰȹ ‘ŠÂ?ȹŠ›Žȹ ŽȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ȹ’Â?Ǿȹ ˜ž•Â?Čą it be amiss to speculate that the ulterior purpose of his appointment is to appropriate rather than curb corruption- with a view to servicing mutual interests. We can put it another way, if the president is desirous ˜Â?ČąÂŒÂ•ÂŽÂŠÂ—Â’Â—Â?ȹž™ȹÂ?‘Žȹ Ç°ČąÂ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą Â”Â™ÂŠÂ‹Â’Â˜Čą be his choice for such mission? Â?ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ?ÂœČąÂ Â˜Â›ÂœÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Â’Â?Ž›ȹ Ž•Â?Šǯȹ ÂœČąÂ’Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČą with Akpabio, so it is with the appointment of ›ȹ ’–’™›Žȹ ¢•Â&#x;ÂŠČąÂŠÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ ’—’œÂ?ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›Čą Petroleum Resources. Prior to his appointment as minister, the heavily laden corruption credentials of Sylva instructively include an alleged mind boggling ownership of 48 choice properties in Abuja alone (not to talk of the ones we don’t know). Again, the question arises, were the President seeking the best choice to manage and sanitize this Â’Â?ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŠÂ—ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â?˜Â?Â˘Â™ÂŽÇ°ČąÂ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą ›ȹ Sylva have featured in his long not to talk of shortlist? So the problem with these appointments is not so much the scandalous antecedence as the sad story it tells of the Buhari administration.

It is in this respect that the Buhari presidency is liable to the illustration of the social reproduction theory. Simply put, the theory speaks to the tendency ˜Â?Čą Ž—Â?Â’Â?Â’ÂŽÂœČą Â?Â˜Čą œ’Â?—’ęŒŠ—Â?•¢ȹ ›Ž™›˜Â?ÂžÂŒÂŽČą Â?‘Žȹ qualities they personify. It suggests that an incorruptible President would appoint people ˜Â?ȹ’—Â?ÂŽÂ?›’Â?Â˘ČąÂŠÂœČą ’—’œÂ?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?ČąÂ˜Â—ÂŽČą would otherwise reproduce himself in the appointment of corrupt individuals as public Â˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ•ÂœÇŻ Â‘ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?›Ž—Â?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŒÂžÂ•Â?ÂžÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČą emblematic of Buhari’s public conduct and the general philosophy of his administration, the greater the validity of the theory. With some exaggeration, the behaviour is akin to the borrowed constitutional verbiage of corruption as the “fundamental objective Š—Â?ČąÂ?’›ŽŒÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â’Â—ÂŒÂ’Â™Â•ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ™Â˜Â•Â’ÂŒÂ˘Č„ČąÂ˜Â?Čą this government.

The coincidence of the criminalisation of

‹›Š‘’–ȹ ŠÂ?ÂžČąÇťÂ‹Â˘ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂŽÂ–Â™Â•Â˜Â˘ÂŽÂ›ÂœÇźČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ prevailing anti-corruption crisis tell the same story. The extent of the criminalisation of the supposed chief operational instrument of Ä™Â?‘Â?’—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÇťÂ‹Â˘ČąÂ?‘Žȹ Ä´Â˜Â›Â—ÂŽÂ˘Čą Ž—Ž›Š•ǟȹ is the degree to which the anti-corruption policy of this government is a sham. It is a contradiction in terms to have a ‘crooked’ Š—Â?Â’ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÄ™Â?‘Â?Ž›ǯ On the evidence of another principal Â˜ÄœÂŒÂŽÂ›Čą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Š—Â?Â’ČŹÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—Čą ŒŠ–™Š’Â?—ǰȹ Professor Femi Odekunle and publicly tendered evidence of his life of opulence, Š•Š–’ȹÂ?Š—Â?Š–˜ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŠČąÂŒÂŠÂœÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ”ŽĴ•Žȹ calling the pot black. Further reinforcement of this trademark is provided by the chairman of the Presidential advisory ÂŒÂ˜Â–Â–Â’Ä´ÂŽÂŽČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?Â’ČŹÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—Ç°Čą ›˜Â?ÂŽÂœÂœÂ˜Â›Čą Â?ÂœÂŽČą Sagay-the philosopher in chief of Buhari’s anti corruption campaign. As marshalled on this page a fortnight ago, rather than ŠěŽŒÂ?ȹŠȹÂ?˜žÂ?‘ȹŠ—Â?Â’ČąÂŒÂ˜Â›Â›ÂžÂ™Â?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ™Â˜ÂœÂ?ž›ŽȹŠ—Â?Čą rhetoric, Sagay has repeatedly chosen to rationalise corruption. In conformity with the favourable disposition of the President towards one of the most egregious instance of corruption in Nigerian public life, Sagay found himself acting the shadow defence counsel to Governor Ganduje of kano state. Recall that, in full knowledge of the raging Ganduje scandal, President Buhari went to kano to go and raise his hands in undiluted commendation of the Governor Â?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠČąÂœÂŽÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ›Â–ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ˜ÄœÂŒÂŽÇŻČą —Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ—Â˜Čą way of minimizing the damage Buhari and Sagay had done on this occasion. Rather than ‘˜•Â?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?ÂŽÂŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Š—Â?ž“ŽȹÂ?Â˜ČąÄ™Â›ÂŽČąÂ Â’Â?Â‘ČąÂ‹Â›Â’ÂœÂ?•’—Â?Čą moral indignation and the determination to exploit all legal avenues to go after the Governor, Sagay was providing extenuating points of contrived helplessness for the federal government inclusive of tying the hands of the Kano state house (of) assembly.

His encounter with the media on this issue bears repetition : Â˜ÂžČą ›Ž™˜›Â?ÂŽÂ?•¢ȹ œŠ’Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ ÂŠÂ—Â˜Čą Â˜ÂžÂœÂŽČą of Assembly cannot investigate Governor Ganduje. Why can’t they? “They cannot because by the provision of the Constitution, their powers of investigation are limited. They can only investigate funds that have been disbursed by any administrative or other body which was appropriated by the House. In other words, it must be funds which were appropriated under the budget of the House, which are now being operated by other functionaries.

In those circumstances they can probe such functionaries for their administration of those funds. Outside that, they cannot. So, the case at hand for example, I hear is that of a private contractor who supposedly bribed the governor. In that situation, the Kano Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â˜ÂžÂœÂŽČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂ“ÂžÂ›Â’ÂœÂ?Â’ÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂŠÂ?ȹŠ••Ȅǯ Now, let me repeat Sagay, “So, the case at hand for example, I hear is that of a private contractor who supposedly ‹›’‹ŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ˜Â&#x;ÂŽÂ›Â—Â˜Â›Č„ÇŻČą Â˜ÂŽÂœČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂŒÂ˜Â—Â?ŽœœŽÂ?Čą disinterestedness and emphasis on the impossibility of bringing Ganduje to justice, sound like someone interested in grappling with corruption?

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com