THURSDAY 14TH APRIL 2022 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Attributes Erratic Power Supply, Infrastructure Failure to Sabotage Approves N1.4bn for TCN projects Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu has linked the ongoing crisis facing the nation’s power sector to acts of sabotage being perpetrated by

certain criminally minded Nigerians. Briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja,

Aliyu said several recent incidences, including fatal attacks and abduction of foreign workers, who were working on various power projects, had stalled progress in achieving completion on some projects, while

other attacks on installations had led to major power cuts. While stressing that the acts of sabotage had been robbing Nigeria of investors and development, Aliyu appealed to Nigerians to join the

federal government in combating the war on sabotage, which he said was actually a war for all citizens to wage. He said: “You're all aware this country is facing a lot of challenges.

It's not only in the power sector alone, you have just heard about the insecurity. The railway and the communities are being attacked, oil Continued on page 48

Fayemi: These Are Diﬃcult Times, Economy, Security Not Doing Well… Page 50 Thursday 14 April, 2022 Vol 27. No 9865. Price: N250

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INEC Disqualiﬁes 106,280 Voters Ahead Osun, Ekiti Guber Polls ... Page 50

NLC Seeks High-powered Panel to Resolve FG-ASUU Crisis Within 21 Days Union demands scrapping of NITDA over UTAS Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina As concerns mount over continued closure of government-owned uni-

versities nationwide as a result of the strike embarked upon the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government

to immediately set up a committee whose target would be to address grievances of the university workers with a view to ending the 59-day old strike.

Arising from a meeting with the unions in the universities in Abuja, the NLC said it's concern was the litany of agreements that government had failed to implement.

In the communiqué jointly signed by NLC president, Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, the congress stated: "In the light of the foregoing

concerns, the meeting resolved to call on the federal government to immediately set up a high-powered Continued on page 48

FG Links KadunaTrain Attack to Synergy Between Boko Haram and Bandits Govt paying deaf ears to killings, Ortom insists Alleges plan to hand over seat of govt to bandits Plateau killings: Angry lawmakers restate call for state of emergency, demand NSA, defence minister’s sack Lament Nigeria a failed state, under siege Obi: Killings in Plateau, Benue horrific, unacceptable Presidency: Call for Buhari's resignation, ploy by desperate politicians to get power 11, 536 schools closed since 2020, UNICEF reveals, remembers Chibok girls' abduction Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Udora Orizu, Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi As Nigerians continue to lament the insecurity ravaging the country, the federal government yesterday blamed the recent attack on a Kaduna-bound train on an unholy

alliance between Boko Haram insurgents and rampaging bandits. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at the State House, Abuja, while briefing newsmen, along with Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Continued on page 48

HOLDING CONSULTATION ON HIS AMBITION... Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left) and Presidential Aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to the governor in Benin City...recently

Akpanudoedehe Threatens to Sue Adamu over Akwa-Ibom State Executive... Page 49

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

HERE IS CONVENTION APPEAL COMMITTEE REPORT... L-R: Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu and Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, during the presentation of the party's Convention Appeal Committee's report at the party Secretariat in Abuja...recently

N2trn Stolen from Oil Sector, Saraki Alleges, Says Nigeria is Broke Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday said the country was broke as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has contributed nothing to the federation accounting (FAAC) in the last few months.

The former governor of Kwara State further revealed that up to 70 million litres of fuel are stolen daily, alleging further that the country loses about $2 billion annually to fuel subsidy scam. He, however, pledged to bring the era of oil theft and corruption in the oil sector to an end if he

makes it to the number one position in the country. Saraki said this yesterday in Abuja, when he met with members of PDP Board of Trustees as part of his consultative meeting to get the endorsement of some of the organs of the party to key into his Presidential ambition.

He said, "The economy is weak; the country is broke. I am not exaggerating. "As of today, NNPC does not contribute anything to Federation Account and 70 per cent of our oil is being stolen, it has never been like this before. I am saying this because I know and you know

Buhari, Others Mourn Demise of Harry, Statistician-General Deji Elumoye and James Emejo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with the government and people of Plateau State over the loss of one of their illustrious sons and the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Simon Harry, who passed on yesterday. The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, also condoled with family, friends and associates of the deceased and noted his exemplary contributions to the evolution of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and developmental planning of the country. Buhari paid tribute to the late Statistician-General who worked conscientiously with previous heads of the organisation in recent years, providing relevant data to government and making the NBS a point of reference on various issues affecting the country. The president affirmed that with his appointment in August, 2021, Harry ensured that the organisation where he had put in three decades continued to be relevant in taking crucial decisions in the country. He urged colleagues in the field of data gathering and analysis, especially at the NBS, to take solace in the fact that having risen to the pinnacle of his career, the late Harry put in his best in the service of the country. He prayed that God would repose his soul and comfort the family in this time of grief. In a related development, the Minister of State for Budget and

National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, in a statement said Harry’s death diminished the clan of public office holders who are significantly committed to the nation's development. He further described Harry's passage as a rude shock, adding that he served the country with distinction as chief executive of the statistical agency. The minister further noted that the deceased, "discharged the mandate of his office with unparalleled devotion and responsibility, always giving my office timeous reports on the activities of the National Bureau of Statistics as his supervising minister.” "I attest to the transformation that took place under his short leadership stint at the NBS," he stated. Agba said, "Following his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Harry had hit the ground running, investing his best in the service for which history will not forget him and posterity will judge him positively. "On behalf of the management and staff members of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, his (Harry's) family members and the management and staff members of the National Bureau of Statistics on this great loss. "I pray that the Almighty God would grant the late Dr Simon Harry's soul eternal repose." The NBS had earlier confirmed Harry's dead through its Director, Communication and Public Relations Department, Mr. Ichedi, Sunday Joel.

Reports had emerged online alleging that the NBS had passed on but Ichedi had issued a report refuting the claim. In an updated statement however, the NBS spokesman, said the deceased died in the "early hours of today, Wednesday, April 13th 2022 after a brief illness". He said, "The board, management and staff of National Bureau of Statistics(NBS), with a deep sense of loss, announce the passing on of the Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Dr. Simon Harry, in the early hours of today, Wednesday, April 13th 2022 after a brief illness." The deceased reportedly fell sick last Saturday, and was immediately accorded medical attention but succumbed to the cold hands of death early Wednesday. President Buhari approved his appointment as chief executive of the NBS in August 2021, after the two-term reign of Dr. Yemi Kale as SGF. The late Harry was born on the March 15, 1965 in Lishin – Jengre of Plateau State. He attended L.E.A. Primary School, Tuddai, Kaduna State between 1974 – 1980; Amo Community Secondary School, Katako Jengre, Plateau State (1980 – 1985; from where he obtained his first school leaving certificate and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificates respectively. The late Statistician General was admitted into the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (1987 – 1990) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) honours degree in

Economics, after which he earned his Post-Graduate Diploma in Statistics from the University of Ibadan in 1997. He later attended the University of Abuja from 2014 – 2017 for his Master of Science (M.Sc) degree in Economics and also his Ph.D in Economics. He started his public career in 1992 when he joined the then Federal Office of Statistics and rose through the ranks to become a director before his appointment as the SGF on August 26, 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari. The late statistician general was a member of many professional bodies in Nigeria and abroad. He was happily married and blessed with children.

it is worse than you can imagine because there are some of us that have an idea of how bad the situation is. "I cannot be a president and I will be having the kind of theft that is going on in the Niger Delta, depriving the country of hundreds of millions of dollars. Today we are losing $3.5 billion because of the oil theft happening. "When I was a Senator, I raised a motion, the motion cost me because after I raised the motion I was invited to EFCC, but I still fought for what I stood for, that what we're spending on fuel subsidy is fake. "I raised a motion that we're consuming 30 million litres a day. After I raised it, it came down to 25 million litres. By my action we saved $500 million for this country. Today, they are stealing 70 million litres per day. The day, by your grace I'm elected president, that will stop in this country. We will save over N2 trillion.” He added: "Do you know what N2 trillion will do for our schools, our education and our health? This is a time for us to find somebody that has what it takes to lead this country." The presidential hopeful said

the country was sharply divided and needed a unifier that would navigate it beyond ethnic, religious boundaries. He said the next president must be able to stand between the young and the old, the business community and the government sector, a quality he claims to possess in abundance. "Today, the kind of president we need is a president that understands these issues. If the president does not understand the issues as we have seen, he cannot provide leadership. “This is a fact. If the president doesn't understand the issues he cannot provide leadership. You cannot lead what you don't know, it leads to confusion. “The advisors become the president. The aides become the president. The person you put there is not the person who is leading the country. "The kind of president we need today must be a president that can unite. There is pain in the land, there is division in the land. You cannot unite if you don't have the characteristics or the qualities to unite people. You cannot acquire it overnight. You must have the skill to unite.”

Jonathan Mourns Makoju, Ex-boss of Dangote Cement Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of former Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Company Limited, Engr. Joseph Makoju, who passed on at the age of 73 years. The former President in a condolence message described late Makoju as an outstanding patriot who contributed so much to the initiatives for social and economic development of the country. Jonathan noted that Makoju “made considerable impact in the power and energy sectors

where he worked assiduously for a long time”, including serving as a presidential special adviser on electric power. The former President further prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his grieving family and friends. Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of former Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Company Limited, Engr. Joseph Makoju, who passed on at the age of 73 years. The former President in a

condolence message described late Makoju as an outstanding patriot who contributed so much to the initiatives for social and economic development of the country. Jonathan noted that Makoju “made considerable impact in the power and energy sectors where he worked assiduously for a long time”, including serving as a presidential special adviser on electric power. The former President further prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his grieving family and friends.

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NEWS

AT FEC MEETING... L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Chief of Staﬀ to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu at the. Federal Executive Council PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

Bala Mohammed Dares EFCC, ICPC to Prove He’s Guilty of Graft Ayu: PDP has no preferred aspirant Chuks Okocha and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Bauchi State Governor and one of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, said he was coming into the presidential race with a clean bill of health and as such, challenged the anti-graft agencies to bring forward any corruption charges they might have against him for the period he served, either as senator or minister. Bala, who started his consultation to contest for president on Tuesday with ex ministers of PDP, threw this challenge to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and Practices Commission (ICPPC) and other Related at the party's headquarters, where he addressed members of the national working committee of the party on his intention to contest for president in 2023 on the platform of the PDP. Bala told the national working committee of the PDP that, “I am offering myself to run for this office,

out of the need to serve, because I have served in various level as a media man as a civil servant as a senator, a legislator now as a governor. "I believe I am one of the best. But I am not found to be one of the best. I am ready to work with anybody that you bring out. That should be understood. I will not call anybody names, I will not underestimate or undermine anybody. "I will not demean and diminish anybody. Every Nigerian is important. The agenda issues are germane. The youth issues are germane. We cannot ignore the aspirations of the young Nigerians, who may be better positioned to turn around this country. "At the same time, we cannot discard our old ones. We need experience. We must have a mid cost approach to everything. The country needs rescue. Everything has failed in all ramifications. "To do it, we must strategise. We have a strategists in you. An accomplished technocrat. An academician, who has done it before you form this party. God

has a way of coming back to the people, who pray. We prayed and we came back. I'm not flattering. "I am not going to be a northern president or a Muslim-Fulani president or a minority president. I am going to be a Nigerian president, who understands the nuances, the norms and the feelings of Nigerians because I have touched them.” In his response, the National Chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, said the PDP declared that the party has no preferred presidential candidate for the May 28 primary

election, and that the party was well-equiped with qualified aspirants capable to run the affairs of the country successfully. He said with the crop of aspirants, who have indicated interest to run on the platform of the party, he was confident that the PDP would dislodge the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) in next year's general election. Ayu assured members that the party would afford all aspirants a level playing field to pick a leader, who would connect with Nigerians

The national leadership of the Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has said it supports the rotation of the office of the President of Nigeria to the southern part of the country in 2023 The youths said doing so would promote unity and concord in the country. As part of efforts to stem the tide of insecurity, YOWICAN said its members would embark on a tour of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the purpose of a prayer crusade seeking God’s intervention to forestall anarchy in Nigeria. In a communiqué issued at the end of the National Execu-

tive Council (NEC) meeting of YOWICAN held at the National Headquarters, National Christian Centre in Garki, the Central Area of Abuja, the association expressed support for the rotation of the presidency of the country to the South in the 2023 election. In the communiqué, YOWICAN stated: "We assert that rotation of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will promote unity and concord. “As such the emergence of a Christian/Christian Ticket or a Muslim/Muslim ticket come 2023 will not be a true expression of equity, fairness and justice for Nigeria and Nigerians." YOWICAN said it was determined to take her message to

you are eminently qualified. We don’t have a preferred candidate. If we have our way, we would do term sharing for all the aspirants, because you are all eminently qualified. “We don’t want to dwell on our past, that of what we did. We want to tell Nigerians that we know what you are going through, we know your problems. And PDP will move to tackle those problems. We don’t want to talk about what we did in 16 years,” Ayu said.

TeamApt Diversifies into Full Banking Services with Moniepoint App Emma Okonji TeamApt, one of Nigeria’s fintechs has diversified its operations from a payment solution service provider, to a full service business bank that would address the challenges of several unserved and underserved

bank customers, through the use of its digital app, called Moniepoint. The company, yesterday in Lagos, relaunched its product, Moniepoint, as a full-service business bank. Moniepoint, which would serve as a micro-finance bank, was

2023: CANYouth Wing Insists on Power Shift to South Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

and bring solution to the adverse poverty, unemployment hunger and insecurity in the country. “Any of our 17 aspirants will do 1000 times better than what APC has subjected Nigerians to in the last few years. We are happy Nigerians will vote for PDP massively. We are very close to the end point of rescuing this county and it is my prayer that by next year, we will be at eagle square taking over power to redeem this country. “If it is you, we know that

the grassroots and awaken her structures down to the wards/ units, for the actualisation of the 2023 divine agenda. The communiqué jointly signed by National Chairman, YOWICAN, Belusochukwu Enwere and National Secretary, Bako Adashu Elijah, noted that despite the efforts so far made in the combating crime, the problem had persisted. The youths expressed concern over unwarranted destruction of lives and properties in different parts of the country. It noted that despite efforts so far made in combating crime, there was the urgent need to curb the rising wave of attacks, killings and destruction of lives, properties It said: "YOWICAN decries

the increasing rate of insecurity in Nigeria, yet commends the efforts of government and security agencies in combating the nefarious activities of bandits, killer herdsmen, insurgents etc; and further calls on government and the security agencies to approach all persons who have made statements/ assertions claiming to know the bandits, terrorists and criminals (and/or their camps or hideouts); to come and assist in fishing-out these evil people. "That YOWICAN national leadership shall embark on a tour of the 36 states and the FCT, for the purpose of a prayer crusade seeking God’s intervention over the bleeding state and anarchy in Nigeria."

developed to address the needs of several small businesses, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have been neglected over the years by legacy and digital banks. Since 2019, Moniepoint has enabled 162,000 small business owners to process over a billion transactions worth N23 trillion. While solving the payment problem, they realised many of Nigeria’s 41 million small businesses struggle with managing operations, taxes, insurance, and staff welfare. To solve such challenges and to power the dreams of SMEs, Moniepoint has evolved into a full-service business bank. In addition to their already payments solution, they stated that the expansion of Moniepoint would enable Nigerians grow their business with access to quick loans, manage operations, payroll, and staff welfare, and protect the business with affordable premiums. Speaking during the product launch, TeamApt founder and CEO, Mr. Tosin Eniolorunda, said: “As Nigerians, we feel the challenges of the economy acutely, in real-time. This is why

we have worked hard to evolve into a business bank that truly works for the everyday Nigerian business owner. “Moniepoint in addition to being a tech-enabled all-in-one business solution, is also able to provide much needed last-mile service delivery. This is in line with our mission to power the business dreams of Africa’s real economy, and provide financial happiness to all.” A businessman using Moniepoint, Abubakar Ibrahim, said: “Moniepoint has become everything to me. It has brought me actual freedom. Since using the service, I have transformed the lives of many.” Fully licensed by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and certified by Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS), TeamApt’s full-service business bank, Moniepoint is poised to empower Nigerians to manage, protect, and grow their businesses. TeamApt is a financial technology company that provides a financial platform for SMEs through its business bank, Moniepoint, and payment gateway, Monnify.

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

ON CONSULTATION TOUR... The National Chairman Peoples Democratic Party Senator Iyocia Ayu (right) welcoming Gov. Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State to the party Secretariat in Abuja. Mohammed embarked on consultation PHOTO: AYO AJAYI tour to brief the PDP National Chairman and other stakeholders of his ambition and formal declaration of intention to contest for the President of Nigeria

At Meeting with Delegates, Obi Urges Support for Candidate With Track Record Osinbajo informs APC House caucus about ambition over dinner Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday, appealed to party faithful to prevail on the leadership to support the candidate with a proven track record and not one who would make empty promises. This is as the Vice-President,

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, hosted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives to Iftar (break of fast) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. Obi, who made the appealed when he met with the Edo State PDP delegates at the party's secretariat in Benin City, said he had a proven track record as governor of Anambra State and that Nigerians could verify his claims.

"I am appealing to you, let us change Nigeria by ensuring that our party brings out a competent, credible candidate with a proven track record and not grammar, not say I promise this. Luckily, Edo State is not far from Anambra State. "I have Anambra people here, ask them, most of them will even tell you that they are not happy with me, because I can tell you the problem I had with them when I was a governor and which will

likely happen maybe with the political elites if I become president. "The big ones may not be happy with me but you, you will be, because I will make sure that the right thing is done. We must pull out our children from poverty by supporting micro, small-medium businesses," he said. Obi, who said Nigerians now lived in fear due to the level of insecurity in the country, noted that all these narrowed down to

Northern Youth Group Advocates for Southern Presidency, Drums Support for Emeﬁele Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja A group , the Unified Northern Forum for MEFFY 2023 has advocated for a southern presidency in 2023, saying in the interest of peace, fair and justice there was need for a southern candidate to emerge as President of Nigeria. Furthermore, the group urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefele, to heed to their call to contest for the president of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections. The Convener of the group, Mohammed Salihu Danlami while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, yesterday, listed the leadership qualities, integrity, being a detribalised Nigeria and also a technocrat as factors that give Emefiele edge over others. He noted that the group, the Unified Northern Forum has over four million membership of youths within the ruling All

Progressive Congress (APC) and working hard to call on Emefiele to serve his father land at highest capacity as president. Danlami pointed out that Kogi State was the 18th states the group had visited and soliciting support of Emefiele, believing that with his knowledge of Nigerian economy , the CBN governor would be able to pilot affairs of this country and move Nigeria out of the present economic quagmire. He lamented that Nigeria had been held by the jugular by hoodlums who would go round the country, make promises and failed in their promises, stressing that Nigerians should try a technocrat this time around. He recalled that there was an agreement within the party hierarchy of the APC to rotate power between the north and south, stressing that some northerners were already jostling to contest for president come 2023.

He, therefore, admonished those aspiring to contest for president from the northern part of the country to shelve the idea, pointing that this was what a former president wanted to do which the region vehemently opposed, “so let there be justice now.” He highlighted some of the reasons why the group was craving for Emefiele to contest the exalted number one position of the country to include his excellent performance in the area of economic policies, various agricultural programmes

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, warned his various support groups to avoid any kind of negativity that was not in line with his vision and temperament. Osinbajo, who declared his intention to contest for president in 2023 on Monday, said while he was committed to civil and reasoned discourse and debates in the next few weeks, he frowned at any negative comment or statement from support groups. The vice-president, in a statement

by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said he remained focused on his job, while seeking the ticket of the party. "Our attention has been called to certain off-key representation of the Vice President, going to the media to assert opinions that run contrary to his views and persona," the statement stated. Osinbajo explained that he had been a loyal, dependable and hardworking partner in delivering the progressive promise of people centered good governance, devoid of guile, in the past seven years.

"As we approach the 2023 elections, we must realise the need for unity and for us to preserve our country. All parts of this country must feel included in the politics," Obaseki said. Meanwhile, at the meeting with APC House caucus led by the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase, Osinbajo formally informed the federal lawmakers of his presidential ambition and also sought their support towards the realisation of his political ambition. At the end of the session which lasted over two hours, neither the vice-president nor Wase spoke to the press on the outcome of the meeting. Rather, the duo walked briskly to their official vehicles with their aides and colleagues in tow. Osinbajo had on Sunday and Tuesday met with the Progressives Governors’ Forum and the APC Senate Caucus, respectively, where he informed them of his plan to run for president in 2023. The vice-president, however, on Monday made public via social media platforms, his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

COREN Inspectors Begin Nationwide Monitoring of UBEC Projects Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Council for Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) has begun nationwide monitoring of projects by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The Executive Secretary of UBEC,

Osinbajo to Supporters: Avoid Negativity Contrary to My Vision Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

and interventions reeled out by the CBN. The convener also pointed out that prior to the discovery of oil in 1958, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigerian economy, adding that an Emefele presidency has what it takes to reverse the trend as the CBN’s anchor borrower's programme had made ordinary Nigerians millionaire in rice production. "The time has come to call on the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefele to join the presidential race for 2023 general election", he posited.

leadership failure, adding that something urgent needed to be done to correct the situation. According to him, "We now live in a country, where we wake up every day to sad news. You might think it is not happening in Benin, some of us think it is not happening in Lagos, some people think it is not happening in Enugu or Akwa Ibom but I assure you, unless you do something, it will happen in those places. "What we are witnessing in Nigeria today, is a cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years and it is going to go round," he maintained. Responding, the Edo State chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemin, promised to go out of their way to support his presidential ambition Earlier, Obi was at the Edo State Government House, where he met Governor Godwin Obaseki, and stated the need for Nigerians to make sacrifices for the country to overcome its current challenges and make progress. On his part, Obaseki said Nigeria needed unity and a country, where everyone feels part of the country and have access to opportunities like every other person in the country.

He, therefore, called on the media and journalists to reach out to his office to ascertain the accreditation status of representatives of various support groups that have since sprung up across the country in his support. The vice-president stated: "While we appreciate the spontaneous support for the Vice President and the willingness of these supporters to express themselves in the media, there have been various representatives that have gone to the media as aides of the VP or his representatives, who were wrongly tagged so.

Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open a one-day workshop for COREN inspectors to monitor UBEC/SUBEBS Matching Grant intervention projects in 36 states and FCT. UBEC signed a memorandum of understanding on March 3 with COREN to monitor UBEC matching grant intervention projects across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Registrar of COREN, Prof. Adisa Bello, said the council would monitor construction work, renovation, furniture, equipment, works and water supply projects and report appropriately to UBEC management, saying this falls within the Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) mandate of the council. He warned the inspectors against misconduct, stressing that anyone found wanting during the exercise would be dealt with. "Any of our inspectors that is found wanting in the course of his or her duty will be adequately sanctioned," Bello warned. The UBEC boss said he was

worried about the poor learning outcomes in basic education despite huge intervention by the Federal Government. Bobboyi blamed this on a number of factors, including recruitment of unqualified teachers by some state governments, lack of regular professional training programmes for teachers, and low remuneration, among others. He was reacting to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report that Nigeria faced a staggering learning crisis. About 70 per cent of children in schools cannot read and write or perform basic numeracy tasks by age 10. The UBEC boss said even though the figures bandied were not scientific, the commission was working with UNICEF to have a large-scale assessment of learning achievements in the country, going into the details of the problems and improving learning outcomes in Nigeria. He said there was a need to invest more in teachers who would teach children at the basic level of education, especially in public schools.

"There is no justification for all the investment if the child in the classroom is not learning," he said. The executive secretary disclosed that 50 per cent of allocation to the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), as support by the Federal Government for basic education, is disbursed to state governments for the development of infrastructure. He added that the role of the COREN was to make sure that all buildings in basic public schools have its certification and are well-built enough to add value to Nigerian classrooms. According to him, the engagement of COREN for monitoring and evaluation of UBEC projects would add value to the efforts being put in place to ensure quality basic education delivery in the country. President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tas'u Gidari Wudil, noted that infrastructures in schools are very key to the delivery of education, saying the council has, however, discovered that most of the projects were badly done with minimal supervision.

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POLITICS

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

Ayom: Middle-belt Has Found Its Voice in Me Vanessa Obioha tackles the issues that have inspired a new wave of agitation from the Middle-belt; for instance, the strong opinions of All Progressives Congress presidential hopeful, Moses Ayom

hat are your feelings about the state of affairs in the country? There is the problem of inequality and injustice meted to a region in this country and forgetting that people of this region are also the children of the almighty. God does not know tribe. But here, people feel that if you are not South West or North, you are not a Nigerian. We unfortunately do not have conscience in this country. Since democracy, it has become a ping pong game. The first president Zik came from the South; the second president, Shagari came from the North; the third president, Obasanjo came from the South; the fourth president, Yar’Adua came from the North,; the fifth president, Jonathan, came from the South and the sixth president, Buhari came from the North. That is a ping pong game. Anything that has a North and South must have middle. Because of geography, a Tiv or Idoma man cannot be and we are accepting it? They think we are a minority but these days, we are talking about the world as a global village. We are always going to borrow money and by the time you as an Igbo man, Yoruba or Fulani man goes to the World bank to borrow money, you are the minority of the minorities. So, why are you deceiving yourself? So, here we must correct what is wrong. Nigerians must collectively with the help of the media ask questions to correct all these mistakes that have kept us down as a nation. The wrong is becoming the right in Nigeria. I am saying that we still have a chance to correct the mistakes we have been making for the past decades. It is time for a middle Belter to be considered. It is very bad when they discriminate against you because of your geography. Some years ago, a Yoruba man ran for the presidency and the world agreed that it was the fairest election ever. I like what they did. They made sure that the world supported them and not just supporting them but giving it back to a person from the same state. They went back again and got a vice president from the same state. Today, I hear again that some of them are still asking that they should be considered for presidency in 2023. I wonder because these are people who propose the doctrine of fairness, equity and justice. Everyday, that is what they preach; the land of fairness, equity and justice. They should not talk about the presidency but if they do, I would be surprised and know that there is something wrong with us. Ask them what happens to the region that has not produced a president of Nigeria. Why I did not start with that is that I do not want to be seen as a regional person, bigot or clannish person. I have the qualities to do it more than any of them. You can fool the people sometimes but you can fool them all the time. If they have been doing that successfully, there would be a revolt one day. The beauty about the Middle Belt is that we are never going to be involved in anything violent. But I also want to say that when it comes to holding this country together, they come to the Middle Belt. During the civil war, it was the Middle Belt people they sent to get it sorted out. Benue is the food basket of the nation but when it comes to sharing of power, we are never part of it. God is watching. If you have money, you can keep on cheating people but you cannot cheat God. Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb but they can prevent it. Are you sure you understand the dynamics of politics in the country? I am conscious of the fact that I am a professional and private sector person but I know I am going into the field of politics. I am an entrepreneur and I am a go getter. But the people to do it would not be me; it is going to be a team work. I will still swim with 90 percent of politicians but I will do things that would be different. If I become the president, the first thing I would do is to create a Quantity Surveying ministry that would work next door to me. Most of all the contracts signed in Nigeria, there are people who collect certain percentages and the man who sits at the helm of affairs does not know. If I become the president, the corruption from contracts would drop to zero percent because I am a business man. If I want to do it right, the first two, three ministers that

Ayom compromise contracts, I will get them out of the cabinet and nobody would try it again. We see all these things where a contract is about N40 billion and they inflate it to N200 billion. I don’t think that as a president, they come to give you kickback. The way I would get government streamlined to the real costs would surprise you. The roads, railway infrastructure that we are talking about, it would shock you that if you bring in professionals, KPMG, Arthur Anderson and sit with them for two weeks, they will give you a document, you would not be able to sleep at night. These things happen every day in Nigeria. I don’t want to go into oil subsidy scams going into trillions of naira. As a president, at the shortest possible time, we will never import any refined products. There is something wrong with us; Aliko Dangote, an individual, a trader, we are all clapping hands that he is building the biggest refinery in the world; today, the CBN and Ministry of Finance go there to supervise and we are so proud that an individual is building a refinery. Are we saying that an individual is more than a government? Do we have intelligence quotient at all? Can’t I go to Russia

and say come let us do modular refinery as a business man. We should ask questions and the media should help us. What makes you think you are qualiﬁed to take up this huge responsibility of being Nigeria’s President? I have been lucky to be in the private sector all my life. I have never worked for any person since I was born. So, I understand the rudiments of getting things done at different levels as a business man. You want to build a house, you start with the foundation all the way to roofing and all of that. Now, having served myself and the community over the years, I want to serve humanity. I am saying this not as a politician but as a professional. Two weeks ago, I spoke before the vice president; we had what we called the APC Professionals Forum chaired by Yuguda. The excitement I got from that day was the understanding that day that a politician is not a professional. Any person can jump into politics. But at this moment in Nigeria’s history, this is the right time for professionals to join politics and take over the reins of power. What spurred me more that day was that ab initio, I joined the race of helping humanity as a result of what God has done for me. He has given me good health, sound education, good family and enough resources that you cannot put a value on it. I want this to be crystal clear. But beyond everything that God has done, this

Have an advantage. When I was going to China 20 years ago, there were more bicycles in Beijin than vehicles. Then the Igbo boys in Guangzhou were very few. Then I was not even going to Guangzhou, I was going to Shenzhen, one of the most modern city in the world. So, I would dash into Guangzhou once in a while; I started doing international business over 30 years ago negotiating big transactions. I understand how it is done. As a professional joining the race, the agreement that I signed alone if well ignited, if the $6 billion is ignited, you will see a massive impact in the nation’s economy. So, talking about people coming to do consolidation on what the government has done, you cannot get a better person than me that was actively involved not as a government person but as a private person

government of APC has opened the way for me to see endless opportunities and I want to use these opportunities now to invest in humanity and give back to the society. If you go to the Heritage Africa which is also my property, if you go there now, you will see that I am branding the APC. Nobody has ever done it. The ruling party should be an equivalent of the African National Congress(ANC) in South Africa. The APC should be an equivalent of Labour Party in the United Kingdom.APC should be an equivalent of the Communist Party in China. They have not branded the APC because a business man is not there; a professional is not there who is consciously thinking of these. I, Moses Ayom, an international business man, I have known what is called branding. If you look at my phone, just that logo apple is a million naira but if you turn any other one that does the same thing but does not have the same thing, it is N40 thousand. Why is it so? It is not technology but the promotion of that brand. Therefore, I want to promote the brand of APC because they have done so much for me. What have they done for me? People are saying that the APC government is not good, so much insecurity, unemployment and so on but for I Moses Ayom, the APC has done so much for me. Let me come out and support this government by giving back to the society and vying for the number one position. I have granted several interviews on why I want to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari and I have good reasons for that because I know I can do it. But I do not want to put you under too much suspense. What did this government do for me that I am so much talking about it? In 2015 when the Buhari administration came, the biggest problem that time was to divert the economy from the oil to the non-oil sector. And what happened; in April 12, 2016 to be precise, the president embarked on one of his biggest trips ever. He went to China with the richest African, Aliko Dangote and iconic agreements were signed. As a Christian, I call them trinity. How was it a trinity? The Nigerian government signed an MOU of $6 billion. They called it currency swap. What that means is that you put less pressure on our foreign reserve by trading directly with China. Ninety per cent of products round the world come from China; so why can’t we as well do currency swap between Nigeria and China so it makes it easy for us to trade; that was the first agreement that was signed. The second agreement that was signed was $2.6 billion which was to build the biggest refinery and fertilizer plant in Epe, Lagos which is being done by Dangote. The third agreement was signed by myself; if you are coming upstairs, you see my picture with the CBN governor Emefiele and the former minister of Trade and Investment, Enelamah there; he was a witness. The president was there. I signed a contract with SBN, the biggest manufacturers of mining equipment in the world. The contract I signed was to bring the SBN, those components to be assembling them. I also have one of the biggest quarries in Abuja here under the name granite and marble. It was on the basis of that that I went to China. I went to China with the president because of the pedigree that I have had. I understand China more than any Nigerian and that is where the world is going. So, I have an advantage. When I was going to China 20 years ago, there were more bicycles in Beijin than vehicles. Then the Igbo boys in Guangzhou were very few. Then I was not even going to Guangzhou, I was going to Shenzhen, one of the most modern city in the world. So, I would dash into Guangzhou once in a while; I started doing international business over 30 years ago negotiating big transactions. I understand how it is done. As a professional joining the race, the agreement that I signed alone if well ignited, if the $6 billion is ignited, you will see a massive impact in the nation’s economy. So, talking about people coming to do consolidation on what the government has done, you cannot get a better person than me that was actively involved not as a government person but as a private person. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022

POLITICS

Phillips: It’s Amazing to be Widely Accepted by my People Many may believe that Honourable Dele Phillips is a neophyte in politics, but the real estate guru has done a lot in a little time for his people of Aramoko and beyond in Ekiti S0tate to make him very popular. The Marketing graduate from Ado Ekiti University and also hospitality and property management diploma holder from the United Kingdom, is on a journey to the Green Chambers to represent his people of Ijero/ Ekiti West/Efon Federal Constituency and in this interview with Nseobong Okon-Ekong, he spoke on why he is in politics, godfatherism and what he intends to do for his people. Excerpts:

any in Ekiti believe you are new to the game of politics because you are just showing interest, would this not be a disadvantage? I may be new in politics, but I have followed politics closely for decades. Politics is in everything we do; it’s in everyone. We always have this wrong belief that we are in it only when we get directly involved. But I can tell you clearly that it’s in everything we do directly or indirectly. It will and can never be a disadvantage to me because all politics is local and I know I’ve done a lot with my people within few years I officially showed my interest. Have you played politics in any capacity in or outside Ekiti before now? I have never played politics at any capacity in the past. It’s amazing to be involved this much and to be accepted by my people. It is generally believed in Nigeria that politics is a dirty game, how ready are you to play that game? Politics is not a dirty game, it’s a contest; it is natural to see people or contestants fighting for victory. It is never about physical fight, but laying your cards on the table to enable the voters to choose. We can see footballers fighting hard for victories on the pitches, can we then conclude that it is dirty? Dirty is relative. Many refer to politics as being dirty because it is almost a do or die affair and also, politicians here use every tactics available to them to bend rule in order to be elected, are you ready for this kind of politics? Politics should never be seen as a do or die affair. Not in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. Like I mentioned earlier, it is a contest and politicians should see it that way. I can never play politics of bending rules to suit one’s ambition. It will forever remain a good thing for politicians to abide by the rules of the game. You are a major player in the real estate business and other businesses that you oversee, why are you in politics? The real estate business is what leaves our legacies on solid prints for other generations to feel and enjoy, it’s very similar to positive politics devoid of corruption and misappropriation. I’m in politics to better the lots of my people. A thing I’ve been doing as a private person. I’m in politics because our decision and policies at the National Assembly can change the lives of my people positively; better than it is now. As someone who is coming into politics newly, why house of reps and not state house of assembly or Local government chairman? I think I can bring my consistency which has always made the difference for me, the difficulties we face in the country and the expected change to the national platforms. The national platform will definitely capture more people, hence my decision to gun for the Reps. What are your chances of clinching your party ticket? The party APC is an amazing political party, it gives a level playing ground which may not be available in other parties. With my party, your chances for clinching tickets are high if you are not just a pretender and if you remain loyal to the party. It’s a political party where leadership is respected and maintained. As a youth aspiring to contest for a political post, what beneﬁts do you think Ekiti youths will derive if eventually voted?

Phillips

The benefits for the youths are limitless; I think I know where the shoes pinches, education, job creation and other opportunities will be our daily targets. It’s better to feel and experience it than blab about it. You’ll be representing your constituency in the house, have you done a feasibility study of what and what your people need? I have ran my checks. It could be very challenging because needs are a lot. I think working extremely hard and intelligently should answer this question because needs can change. We will work daily to capture these needs and attend to them. What area(s) will you focus on if elected ? I will focus on everything. We will try to touch everything; the youths, our elderly people and most especially the women who carry the heaviest burden of the poverty in our country. We will

influence laws that will alleviate their pains and also help with their challenges.

to. All I know is that I will do whatever is necessary to positively impact my people.

Hon. Omowumi Ogunlola is at present , representing your people at the Green Chambers, how would you rate her performance so far, and what are the areas you feel she’s lacking that will give you an edge? Hon Omowunmi Ogunlola is a leader of great repute, she is not new to law making. She was a member of the ekiti state house of assembly. She has done very well, but I know we can do better. Comparism is ineffective when you have not tried both sides. The voters will do their comparism very soon.

Godfatherism plays a major role in the way party ticket is picked in this modern democracy, how are you sure you’ll get a ticket without one, or are you banking on a godfather? Godfatherism is relative. Our leaders and the fathers of the party will remain respected for their sacrifices. Their experiences must also be respected. I don’t think that’s godfatherism. We have leaders and fathers in every spear of life; even in our villages and communities.

We’ve seen many lawmakers who are mere passive members based on their zero contribution on the ﬂoor of the house, what do you have to say to this, and what is the assurance that you’ll be different from those? Some some lawmakers may not be very visible or active publicly, but that doesn’t mean they don’t contribute. They may have done well for the people they represent and not only with their voices on the floor. That doesn’t mean I won’t contribute like I’m expected

I have ran my checks. It could be very challenging because needs are a lot. I think working extremely hard and intelligently should answer this question because needs can change. We will work daily to capture these needs and attend to them

What’s your relationship with His Excellency, Gov. Kayode Fayemi? A:I have a perfect relation with Gov Fayemi. He is an Aquarian like me and arguably the most intelligent governor in Nigeria today. He has done unbelievably well. I honestly want to be associated with a person like that. Give us a lowdown of your manifesto that will sell you to your people? My manifesto is very broad. In summary I want to say this will be politics with compassion where my people’s heart-heats are felt. It is beleived that PDP candidate in the forthcoming governorship election is Fayose’s anointed, and the APC’s is Fayemi anointed, what’s your calculation of the election? Gov Fayoshe can’t anoint any candidate for the house of reps. The Ekiti people have gone past that. We live in the present times when the Ekiti people want to know and elect their leaders and representatives. It’s an open contest. We will all try out our popularities and goodwill amongst our people.

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Coalition, REDAN at Loggerheads over Real Estate Regulatory Commission Bill Rebecca Ejifoma writes that stakeholders of Rainbow Push Coalition-Nigeria and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria are currently at loggerheads over the Real Estate Regulatory Commission bill. While citing their worries in a petition to the House of Representatives, the coalition also proposed a common ground for healthy operations

ince the introduction of the Real Estate Regulatory Commission bill last year, stakeholders of Rainbow Push Coalition-Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation interested in governance issues, and other stakeholders in real estate development sector in Nigeria and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), a body registered under the laws of the federation as an incorporated trustee, have since been in a thug of war over the bill. In a statement and petition made available to THISDAY on Monday, the coalition lamented that “REDAN has promoted a bill for the establishment of a Real Estate Regulatory Commission which has been passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence". According to Rainbow-Push Coalition Nigeria, before the passage of the bill, they approached the leadership of REDAN to allow them to weigh the content and make inputs where necessary. This, notwithstanding, their demand was met with mixed reactions. The members bemoaned, “We have not been carried along even as full members of the association.” Although they conceded that they were given the draft upon request, they alleged that they were denied ample time to make input. In their reaction, they further engaged other like-minded stakeholders to critically assess the bill and make corrections where they deem imperative. “While we are not in any way opposed to any regulation that would help make our industry better, we believe that the bill in its current form does not represent the best interests of the key stakeholders i.e., developers,” the statement read thus. According to the NGO, their dismissal of the bill is its complete lack of stakeholder engagement, accusing REDAN of not carrying the membership along in decision making, despite parading as the umbrella body of all real estate developers. “The association is never present or heard in fighting for the interests of its members especially in the face of rising costs of building materials, bureaucratic bottlenecks and other challenges facing members. “The focus and composition of the leadership is skewed disproportionately towards Mass Housing Developers who do not understand and are unwilling to work with other players in the real estate sector. The industry of course is bigger than Mass Housing and it includes Commercial Developments, Luxury Housing, Student Housing among others,” they listed. The concerned body noted that these different sub sectors cannot be painted with one brush and given a one size-fit-all solution based on the experience of “largely unsuccessful Mass Housing developers based in Abuja”.

Gbajabiamila On the legal issues, the real estate members disclosed that their team of lawyers have scrutinised the bill and have come with robust responses and alternatives. There are many areas where the proposed bill clashes with existing laws of the federation, not least the land use act. In its petition to the Honourable Speaker, House of Representatives dated 22 December 2021, their lawyer, West - Idahosa & Co wrote, “Extra-ordinary Request on Grounds of Clauses Contrary to Public Policy and Natural Justice to Amend Certain Clauses of the Original Copy of the Bill to Be Received By the House of Representatives from the Senate in line with Order Twelve Rule 10(6)(B) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.” Some of its objections highlighted in the letter included “Our clients are shocked that SB.540 as passed by the Senate contain very worrisome powers and role purportedly

created by proposed legislation for a private stakeholder whose members also are competitors in the Estate Development industry. It further challenged that Clause 4(f) also gives the Council the power to register and license all real estate developers in Nigeria through the institutional guidelines of REDAN; Clause 4 (j) gives the Council the power to monitor, investigate and Sanction registered and licensed Real Estate Developers that violate the Bill through REDAN; Clause 4(v) provides that the Council shall prescribe fees, fines and charges to be paid as recommended by REDAN. Accordingly, the coalition held strongly that the real estate industry is already well policed by the anti-money laundering agencies, whose laws do not need to be repackaged in another bill to be effective.

Adding, it says, “REDAN keeps using this as an excuse as if the laws are not passed and in force already. “One of the cornerstones of the proposed bill is that the public is being scammed by developers. While this may be so, and it is not something unique to Real Estate, there are government agencies set up to deal with financial crimes (EFCC)”. They further insisted that the National Executive Council (NEC) of REDAN, which champions the cause of enacting the law, is unlawfully constituted. “REDAN has no governing body and the NEC is not approved by the general meeting of members of REDAN,” adding that that association is not empowered by its constitution to execute any of the acts named in the bill. In its legal opinion, the members brush off the bill further, “This Bill is not to the best interest of real estate development in Nigeria and as such should not see the light of the day.” For the Coalition, it is pertinent to note further that council is generally created by law to regulate professionals or persons seeking to join such professions. While conceding that the Real Estate Industry is not a profession nor an industry restricted to a specific set of persons, the aggrieved members described it as a business venture where any interested persons may opt to delve into through investment. They also frowned at the creation of a council to regulate activities of Real Estate as a wrong move, pointing out that Real Estate business is a convergence of experts from different professions such as Engineering, Architecture, Building, Quantity Survey among others. Another highlight was that the professions are already regulated by their councils and professional bodies, thus, no need for the council. Looking at the entirety of the Bill, particularly the functions of the Council, the Rainbow-Push Coalition Nigeria lamented that it is evident the bill has nothing new which is not currently covered by already existing laws. If passed, they cautioned further that the bill would amount to multiplication of laws and eventually lead to overlapping and conflict of duties and functions. "Assuming without conceding that the bill as a whole is not in contravention to the above, a comprehensive study of the bill reveals so many irregularities, unfairness, unconstitutional cities and so on," says the concerned members. While they expressed readiness for constructive engagements as a headway to resolving the internal crisis currently rocking the association, they emphasised their stand not to succumb to “cheap blackmail by REDAN in their blind pursuit of power and spoils of office”. They further reminded the association of their right both as members of REDAN and as Nigerians to have their say in any legislation that materially affects their business.

Honour Fit for a Queen

Precious Ugwuzor reports that the honourary award by European-American University, Panama, to Queen Ugochi Agua-Onyekwelu for her outstanding contributions to human development is fitting

n recognition of her outstanding contributions to human development, Queen Ugochi Linda Agua-Onyekwelu, was conferred with honourary doctorate degree in Agonomy and Entrepreneurship Development(PhD) by the European-American University, Panama, on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at NECA House in Lagos. Given the calibre of event, it attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, the academia, family and friends, who joined from far and wide to facilitate with the Agua-Onyekwelu and other awardees. Queen Agua-Onyekwelu, an astute businesswoman, politician, environmental resources expert, livestock farming and waste management consultant, and philanthropist, was honoured alongside other scholars, for their remarkable and indelible contributions to the social and economic

development of Nigeria. She said: "I feel honoured and elated for the honorary award and recognition. It is a great privilege and well deserved I must admit. I have paid my dues to the development of humanity and contacted to nation building with my capabilities. I have fought the good fight and still thriving. "This award comes with a challenging task to do more. It comes with more responsibilities. Like it is said, 'to whom much is given, much is expected.' By the help of God, I will do all I can within my ability to continue making positive impacts and contributions to the society. It also shows that people are watching my way of life and taking note. "I am a PhD student in Fisheries. This would be an added advantage to my academic career and entrepreneurship. I want to specially thank God for the grace so far, I thank the European-American

University for the recognition and I appreciate my family and well wishers for their support and best wishes," she said. Also speaking, Prof Olusegun Olugbenga Aroh, a representative of the institution, said: "I am a management consultant to the institution and we found her eligible to be conferred with the doctorate award. "The award is strictly meant for people who have contributed to the growth of the institution and to the development of the society in areas such as agriculture, environmental management, politics, economy and social culture of the society. "It was a well deserved award to Queen Ugochi Linda Agua-Onyekwelu. She earned it and I must say that her contributions to humanity and rural development is highly commendable and one to reckon with. I can describe her as a humble, cheerful, intelligent, hardworking and passionate woman."

Agua-Onyekwelu

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

#THISISNIGERIA

–Yemi Adamolekun

#No Justice No Toll “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu (South African Cleric, Anti-Apartheid Advocate & Nobel Laureate)

n April 1, 2022, Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC), a company 100% owned by the Lagos State Government (LASG) since 2014, resumed tolling on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. Its public statement said there would be two weeks of grace as they test the new technology at the Toll Plaza and toll collection will start Friday, April 15, 2022. April 1st - April Fool’s Day. When the announcement was made in March, the message implied in the date chosen by LASG was not lost on Lagosians. There was anger, sadness, frustration and the recurring feeling of being voiceless, invisible and hopeless. LASG had done its polling and 'consultations' and was confident that the backlash could be contained. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, did some media rounds and promised there would be more engagements. Those engagements were haphazard and dishonest in intent. The decision to toll was a fait accompli. For most citizens, the issues were two-fold: (1) Timing: Given Nigeria’s current socioeconomic reality, adding another cost that could serve as a trigger for civil unrest seemed obviously unwise. Let’s look at NIgeria’s socioeconomic environment in numbers: According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) / National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment is at 33% while youth unemployment is at a staggering 42.5%; and when you add youth under-employment, you have 63.5% of youth either unemployed or underemployed. Also, Consumer Price inflation (CPI) is currently at 15.7% resulting in increasing cost of food compounded by increased cost of electricity, fuel and diesel. In addition to all of this, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike, meaning students are at home, with other unions threatening to go on strike. (2) #EndSARS: While Lagos State complied with the directive to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, it has undermined the report of the panel and failed to engage nor make public the implementation plan of the recommendations that it accepted from the report. Of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, 11 were accepted; 6 were accepted with modifications; 14 were forwarded to the Federal Government and 1 was rejected. When LCC announced that the Lekki-Epe Toll Plaza would be reopened in February 2021, there was an immediate response with citizen protests. The Nigeria Police had also learnt nothing from the #EndSARS protests as they tortured, humiliated, dehumanised and abused citizens they arrested, with the boldness to record their actions for public broadcast, fully confident that they will face no consequences. No police officer has been disciplined for clear illegal acts as their actions violated several laws through their abuse of power. Therefore, as matters relating to the #EndSARS protests, which led to the termination of tolling activities in the first place are unresolved, tolling is inappropriate and disdains those who were injured or died following the army’s actions at the Lekki-Epe Toll Plaza. I have heard the stories of some of these citizens who died

and I have seen the pictures and videos that were presented as evidence before the Judicial Panel of Inquiry. Some of them are: 1. Jide, whose name appears as number 3 on the Panel Report Proven Casualty List. 2. Kenechukwu Ugoh, whose name appears as number 39 on the Panel Report Proven Casualty List. 3. Adesanya Abiodun, whose name appears as number 40 on the Panel Report Proven Casualty List. 4. Ajasa Olamilekan Abideen, whose name appears as number 35 on the Panel Report Proven Casualty List. However, as discussions continued on the tolling issue, other issues were added: 1.Lekki Concession Company is NOT a Private Company During the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, LASG and LCC had separate legal teams to give the impression that they were different entities. During the panel, the Head of Service for LASG, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, admitted that LCC was owned by Lagos State while the MD of LCC, Yomi Omomuwasan, said LCC was a private enterprise. Both statements were made under oath. The deceit continued during Mr Omomuwasan’s Zoom Meeting with Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) members and other stakeholders including a traditional ruler on Monday, March 14, 2022. In the meeting minutes captured by Gbemi Adelekan for the LERSA Secretariat, “... the MD stated that LCC is a private company that has continued to incur costs including maintaining over 500 workers in employment, providing essential services to the community including ensuring sanity on our roads. He mentioned that the Company was being considerate by not introducing toll fare on the 2 tollgates, by providing an alternative road for users that would want to avoid paying toll on the Link Bridge, until the ongoing road dualization of the Oniru alternative road is completed.” According to the LCC’s website, the LASG, “... acquired the shares/equity of the previous owners of LCC in December, 2014.” It was therefore clearly misleading that LCC presented itself to LERSA members and Lagosians through several media rounds, press statements and articles as a private company. Thus, as a public company, all the

services that LCC provide in the Lekki-Epe corridor are as of right to taxpayers, not a favour from a private company! LASG has consistently fought the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. As such the finances of the state are opaque and this includes LCC. Since it became a government entity in 2014, its revenues and expenses are unclear. How much is left on the loan and how long will it take to pay it off? The MD of LCC and Mr Governor have promised at different times to make the finances of the Toll Plazas public, but that is yet to happen. 2. Pending Court Matter In 2012 Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa challenged the legality of tolling and judgement was found in his favour in 2014 at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi. LASG filed an appeal and an order for a stay of execution. The stay of execution was granted almost immediately and tolling continued. As of April 2022, we are unaware that Lagos has a case before the Appeal Court, therefore the stay of execution should be struck out and the judgement executed. In simple terms, it would be illegal for the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge to be tolled. Mr Governor hosted LERSA and the Lekki Phase 1 Residents Association (LERA) to a meeting on Sunday, April 3rd, in response to LERA’s open letter and their position against the tolling. At the meeting, he stated that he was unaware of the lawsuit and asked the Attorney-General to look into it. Call to Action 1. Engage Your Public Servants LASG and LCC have engaged Lagosians, not just Lekki residents, in a dishonest manner. The Zoom meeting LCC hosted was only accessible to 100 people! They were forced to host a town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 30th just one week before the test run of the tolling technology. I attended the town hall meeting and challenged the Commissioner of Information & Strategy that the tolling was presented as a fait accompli as none of the issues raised - ownership, transparency, court judgement and #EndSARS - were addressed. Engage your representatives and make your position on the tolling clear. r#BCBKJEF 4BOXP 0MV !KJEFTBOXPPMV r(CFOHB 0NPUPTIP $PNNJTTJPOFS PG Information & Strategy - 08034004237 r'SFEFSJD 0MBEFJOEF $PNNJTTJPOFS GPS Transportation - 08068519606 r0MVSFNJ 5JOVCV 4FOBUPS !PMVSFNJUJOVCV

r*CSBIJN 0CBOJLPSP )PVTF PG 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT !+JEFLPSP r/PIFFN #BCBUVOEF &UJ 0TB * r(CPMBIBO :JTIBXV &UJ 0TB ** 08055502154, 08099055055 r#BOLPMF "EFTFHVO 4BIFFE -( $IBJSman - 08026652079 r)PO #PMBKJ 0HVOEFSV -PDBM (PWFSONFOU $PVODJMMPS MFHJTMBUJWF!FUJPTBMPDBMHPWFSONFOU com r)PO "[FF[ &TIJOMPLVO )BCFFC -PDBM (PWFSONFOU $PVODJMMPS EFQVUZMFHJTMBUJWF! etiosalocalgovernment.com r)PO .BJZFHVO "àT -PDBM (PWFSONFOU $PVODJMMPS NBKPSJUZMFHJTMBUJWF!FUJPTBMPDBMgovernment.com r)PO 5PXPMBXJ "CBZPNJ -PDBM (PWFSONFOU $PVODJMMPS DIJFGXIJQMFHJT!FUJPTBMPDBMHPWFSOment.com 2. Sign the online petition - change. org/NoJusticeNoToll 3. Register to vote, get your PVC and engage in the electoral process. 4. Join a protest. Rather than work to seek peace, Lagos State is actively working through LCC to inflict more suffering and hardship as it denies its citizens justice. Mr Governor and LASG can NOT ignore what happened on October 20, 2020 as it keeps its operations secret from the very people its officials swore oaths to serve. Tolling is now supposed to start this Saturday, April 16 - Easter weekend. It’s instructive to note that #EndSARS did NOT feature in the discussions between Mr Governor and the two Lekki residents associations. The outcome was a negotiation on the "discounts" for Lekki residents. It is clear that with elections around the corner, rising insecurity in Lagos and across the country, combined with Nigeria’s precarious socio-economic environment, any additional triggers that provide an opportunity for citizens to express their anger and frustration should be avoided. If protests are allowed to happen by LASG refusing to be wise in this situation, the residents and businesses in Lekki will be the most affected. LASG should immediately suspend this planned resumption of tolling at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge in the overriding interest of peace and order for ALL Lagosians. #NoJusticeNoToll! t:FNJ "EBNPMFLVO JT UIF &YFDVUJWF Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria). She has an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of &DPOPNJDT -4& BOE BO .#" GSPN 0YGPSE University’s Said Business School.

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

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Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

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To Showcase Tech Savvy Leaders, NCS Set to Assess Technology Skills of Political Aspirants

Emma Okonji As the political space gets heated up with the declaration of several political aspirants to run for the 2023 presidential election, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has said it will assess the level of technology skills of all political aspirants to ascertain their readiness to adopt and apply technology in governance. President of NCS, Prof. Adesina Sodiya who said this in Lagos during an interview

with THISDAY, said as an umbrella body of all Information Technology (IT) professionals, NCC will no longer allow a situation where leaders who are technology savvy to lead the country. According to him, NCS would carry out an independent assessment of all political aspirants with certain parameters such as operational use of technology for governance; Critical Information Gathering; Social Skills, Creative Skills; Programming/Coding;

Computational Thinking; Technology Adoption, among others. He said the findings would be made public through different channels of publication, to enable Nigerians make their choice of digital leaders before casting their votes for only technology savvy aspirants. “NCS is interested in the leadership of Nigeria. We are not political group but an advocacy group that is driving technology innovation in the country. We

are advocating for leaders who are technology savvy to rule our country in today’s digital era. NCS wants to promote leaders that are technology savvy and have the interest of developing Nigeria in line with emerging technologies. We need leaders that will continue to support the growth of IT development in the country, leaders that will support IT adoption and usage in Nigeria, and leaders that will support NCS’s IT programmes,” Sodiya said.

He added: “The issue with leaders that are not technology savvy is that they do not understand the speed of technology growth and as such they will always be left behind in a technology world. So we want leaders that will be able to move with technology growth and the speed of technology growth. So going forward, NCS will be assessing the level of technology skills of political leaders and public office holders in Nigeria. We are going to assess the technology level of political aspirants and make it

public so that Nigerians will know the right candidate to vote for.” Sodiya also stressed the need for government the create IT Department in all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He said the creation of IT Department would help government drive IT development much faster in today’s digital era, where knowledge-based skills in IT is driving development. Continued on page 26

Sanwo-Olu: Airtel’s Tier III Data Centre Will Boost IT Development, Create Business Opportunities Emma Okonji Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the launch of Airtel’s Tier III Data Centre in Lagos, will further boost development in Information Technology and create opportunities for businesses in the state and beyond. The governor said this in Lagos, during the launch of the Airtel’s 200 racks capacity Data Centre located in Lekki, Lagos State.

The governor who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Fahm, said: “I appreciate Airtel for its continuous investments in Nigeria, Lagos State in particular. Since the Data Centre will offer a combination of Colocation and Cloud Services, it will lower entry barrier of entrepreneurs who want to invest in data. The Data Centre will create more business opportunities for entrepreneurs,

startups and business owners, which will in turn, drive Information Technology (IT) development in the state and beyond, as well as economic development of the country.” During the Data Centre facility tour, shortly after the launch, Fahm, commended Airtel for its investments in the development of science and technology in Lagos State, noting that the Airtel Data Centre aligns with the state’s mega

city plan, especially regarding the government’s aspirations in technology. “I commend the management of Airtel Nigeria for their impactful contributions in Lagos State and the country at large, thanks to their innovative drive in technology. The Data Centre has further contributed in placing the state as a technology hub in the country at large,” Fahm said. Commenting on the data centre,

the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil, said the launch of its data centre for commercial use was in response to its overarching objective of promoting digital inclusion as well as creating unfettered access and opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, and other organisations to enjoy premium data centre services in a world class and reliable facility.

“With over 20 years of extensive telecoms, technological and consumer-empowering operations in Nigeria, we are best positioned to support businesses and government establishments with an incomparable data centre that will help advance commerce and ultimately expand the nation’s economy, driving growth and prosperity for entrepreneurs and consumers,” Chemmenkotil said. Continued on page 26

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 1 3 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION 12.75 27-APR2023 14.20 14-MAR2024 13.53 23-MAR2025 12.50 22-JAN2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027

Price

Yield

107.93 4.92 111.64 7.60 112.41 8.68 107.24 10.14 120.75 10.76

Change Updated Time (%) 08, -0.02 April 2022 April 08, 0.27 2022 08, –0.20 April 2022 April 08, 0.00 2022 April 08, 0.31 2022

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UNCP CP VI 2-MAY-22 NEVE CP I 24-MAY-22 DANC CP II 25-MAY-22 TRBH CP V 26-JUL-22 FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22

8.93

-0.09

April 8, 2022

16.46

16.81 0.07

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8.65

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0.08

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11.15

11.53 0.30

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CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS APR 27 1 2022 NGUS MAY 25 2 2022 NGUS JUN 29 3 2022 NGUS JUL 27 4 2022 NGUS AUG 31 5 2022

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L–R: First Vice President National Association of Microfinance Bank, Mr. Joshua Ukute; Senior Programme Manager, Scale2save,Celiformne Steven; Chief Operating Officer, Microfinance Platform, Mr. Adetunji Afolabi; Head, Corporate Planning, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Mrs Dorcas Thorpe;and Group Head, Financial Inclusion, FCMB, Mr.Lamidi PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Adetunji, at the World Savings and Retail Banking institute (WSBI)’s Scale2save Knowledge sharing forum in Lagos… recently

Nassawara State Summit to Target FDIs, Says over $500m Investment Attracted in 3 Years Gilbert Ekugbe The Governor, Nassarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has stated that its inaugural Nassarawa Investment Summit, expected to hold on the 11th and 12th of May, 2022, is expected to attract local and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the State as well as solidify the nation’s position as a key investment destination in Nigeria. The Summit themed, “Diamond in the Rough; The Making of a New Investment Frontier,” would bring together a diverse group of

stakeholders, including leaders from a wide range of businesses, to discuss the State’s socioeconomic challenges and prospects over the next decade. Meanwhile, the Governor stated that its ease of doing business and investment promotion efforts have seen the State attract over $500 million investments into key sectors in the State within the last three years. At a press conference to herald the forthcoming Summit, he said the Summit would also feature Ghana’s 13th President, John

Dramani Mahama to deliver the summit keynote address and would be attended by Captains of industry, renowned members of the business community, investors, International and domestic partners, diplomatic corp and the political class. According to him, the State has been very deliberate about stimulating its economy, building its human capacities, and creating wealth and jobs opportunities. He added that on the basis of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) (2019-2023), a testament

to its collective commitment to implementing a practicable Economic Transformation Strategy for the State, is founded on a vision to sustain accelerated growth of the Nasarawa economy driven by the private sector and translating this to a clear improvement in citizens’ lives and the achievement of other key development outcomes. He added that the implementation of the NEDS is already reflecting in not just improved outcomes in key areas of the State, but also in terms of development impact.

“For instance, through reforms, we have significantly increased our Internally Generated Revenue by 49 per cent in 2020 (a COVID-19 tainted year) and already on track to surpass that in 2022. An independent evaluation platform (Kingmakers) has also shown that Nasarawa has moved ranks on Standard of Living from 24th position in the country in 2016, to 12th position in 2020,” he averred. He said the State’s objective is to challenge the old ways of addressing its economic

challenges with new innovative ideas leveraging its geography, people and new business climate. “We will have six high level plenaries, an MSME challenge to help stimulate small businesses involvement in our economic activities and a deal room showcasing bankable investment opportunities in our State, he said. “On that day, we will demonstrate our enormous potential and investment opportunities in two of our most well-known industries: agriculture and mining,” he added.

FG Scored Low on Communication Strategies as Experts Make Case for Consumers Raheem Akingbolu A leading Marketing Communications Practitioner and Non-Executive Director at the Troyka holdings, Dr. Ken Onyeali-Ikpe, has expressed his disappointment over the manner in which the Muhammadu Buhari administration is marketing Nigeria and the achievement recorded between 2015 till date. He has also pointed out that

proper SWOT analysis has revealed that the administration has done creditably well in some sectors but didn’t communicate the achievement with Nigeria in a proper way. Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day Symposium 2022 organised by the Brand journalist association of Nigeria (BJAN), with the theme; Digital Finance: Risks Opportunities and Challenges for consumers

held in Lagos, Onyeali-Ikpe, itemised a few areas where the administration has done well but blame the handlers of its programmes and activities for the poor public rating. “I was part of the team that worked on the strategies that positioned the All Progressives Congress for victory in 2015 and we recommended to the government how best to communicate with Nigerians but they derailed. A

good SWOT analysis, touching on infrastructural development, agriculture, electoral reformation, PIB and others, show some credible achievements but how were they communicated to Nigeria. Everyday, the government is busy reacting to frivolous issues instead of promoting its achievements with the best communication approach,” he said. On his part, Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, Chief Technical

Officer (CTO) Digital Encode said a lot of the problems arising from the consumption of digital financial services showed that perhaps somebody somewhere is not doing his job, to validate technical applications especially in the area of glitch. While calling for consumers to be responsible in their consumption, Dr Monday Michaels Ashibogwu, Executive Member, Association of Communications Scholars and

Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) said the consumer is the end user of any services provided and any service or product that do not have consideration for the consumer is fraudulent in the first place. Also speaking, Bisi Oni, Executive Director/COO FundQuest Financial Services, said digital finance is finance aided by digital which has brought improvement in our financial services.

NIEEE Calls for Decentralisation of Electric Grid to Address Incessant Collapse Emma Okonji The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), Michael Akan has called for the decentralisation of the national grid infrastructure

in order to address incessant collapse in recent times. The chairman made the call during the recent inauguration of NIEEE Chapter in Benin City, Edo State. He said it was unthinkable that the government was bent

on continuing with a system that was not sustainable but require a huge capital investment that will eat deep into government finances without achieving the desired result. Speaking during the inauguration on the topic

titled: ‘Scalable Solar Roofing Technologies For On-Grid And Off-Grid Applications’ the Guest Speaker, Prof. Adagbonyin Obiazi, presented the solar-roofing technologies as viable, reliable, durable and sustainable option in providing

sufficient, stable, available and quality power supply scalable to both residential and commercial levels for on-grid and off-grid applications. Pioneer Chairman of the NIEEE Benin Chapter, Ikponmwosa Amayanvbo, promised to work

with his executive committee members to deliver on the mandate of the institute by promoting its cardinal objectives. He expressed profound gratitude to all and sundry that contributed to the success of the event, which he considered historic.

SANWO-OLU: AIRTEL’S TIER III DATA CENTRE WILL BOOST IT DEVELOPMENT, CREATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Director, Airtel Business at Airtel Nigeria, Ogo Ofomata, said: “We are inspiring and pioneering a new wave in the Nigeria’s data centre landscape as we offer a compelling and affordable data centre to both

large enterprises and small and medium scale businesses. Through our data centre, businesses will benefit from uninterrupted power and hyper secure storage for servers and data transmission equipment

for various sizes of private and public sector establishments.” Awarded the high-end Tier III ANSI/TIA-942 certification by EPI, the world’s leading certification body for data centres, the Airtel

ultra-modern data centre runs on superior technology that enables it to perform efficiently in Nigeria’s tropical climate while also providing multiple paths and backups to its users.

According to Ofomata, the Airtel Data Centre would begin full operations immediately. “The Tier III data centre possesses multiple paths for power and cooling, as well as redundant systems that allow staff

to work on the setup without taking it offline. The Airtel Data Centre is positioned to power vast financial, communications, and other forms of enterprises – both large and small in Nigeria,” Ofomata added.

TO SHOWCASE TECH SAVVY LEADERS, NCS SET TO ASSESS TECHNOLOGY SKILLS OF POLITICAL ASPIRANTS “Towards the end of 2019, the federal government, through the Head of Service, issued a policy that all MDAs should begin the process of digitising their operations and processes. “It is of interest to NCS to see

that all government processes are automated and the first process of automation is digitalisation. Physical file and processes cannot be automated without digitising the files and processes. As an advocacy group, NCS will

continue to seek partnership with government on digital skills and digitisation of government services and processes,” Sodiya said. He however said to achieve automation in government

circles, government must create the Department of Information Technology in all MDAs to drive digitisation of government services and processes. “Today not all MDAs of government have IT Department. Most

federal ministries do not have separate department for IT and this is miss-normal, because governments cannot talk of automating services of MDAs to drive digital transformation in government, when it has not

created IT Departments to drive the initiative. If we do not have a separate Department of IT, it will be difficult for government to achieve its mandate on digital transformation in civil service,” Sodiya added.

127

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 Thursday April 14, 2022 Vol 27. No 9866 TR

See page 28 INDEED, THE ROAD NEVER FORGETS Ogunbiyi’s work is of enduring value, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI See page 28 POWER SEEKERS AND SPECIAL PERSPECTIVE Leaders should strive to make the best of any situation, writes VICTOR C. ARIOLE See page 29 THE NEED TO READ, READ, AND READ BOOKS PATRICK A. OGBE urges all to read books for knowledge and entertainment See page 29

EDITORIAL MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE See page 30

& RE A S O

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

EMMANUEL IN THE RING JOHN ADEWALE writes why Nigerians should buy into Udom Emmanuel’s bid for the Presidency

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There cannot be a better model than Jesus Christ, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

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QXPEHU RI ZRUOG·V UHOLJLRQV VSHDN XVXDOO\ UHYHUHQWLDOO\ DERXW RQH SDUWLFXODU PDQ LQ their own sacred books? 0DUW\UGRP KDV LQ UHDOLW\ SOD\HG D NH\ UROH LQ IXUWKHU DXWKHQWLFDWLQJ WKH PLVVLRQ RI &KULVW RQ HDUWK (TXDOO\ QRWHZRUWK\ LV WKH IDFW WKDW WKDW GLG QRW FRPH E\ ZD\ RI SHRSOH EHLQJ KRRGZLQNHG LQWR IROORZLQJ D PHUHO\ FKDULVPDWLF RU K\SQRWLF SULQFLSDO $V VRRQ DV KH ZDV DUUHVWHG WKH PHQ KH KDG ZRUNHG DQG FORVHO\ LQWHUDFWHG ZLWK WRRN RͿ IRU WKH ORYH RI WKHLU RZQ OLYHV 7KDW DFW RI DEDQGRQPHQW HQFRXUDJHG WKH 5RPDQ DXWKRULWLHV DQG UHOLJLRXV OHDGHUV WR DWWHPSW WR LQÁXHQFH WKHP LQWR GHQ\LQJ WKH DXWKHQWLFLW\ RI WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI WKHLU PDVWHU ,Q D WXUQ RI HYHQWV DQG ZLWK WKH SDVVDJH RI WLPH KRZHYHU WKH VDPH GLVFLSOHV UHGLVFRYHUHG WKHLU FRXUDJH DQG YRLFHV DQG VWRRG ÀUP IRU ZKDW WKH\ EHOLHYHG DJDLQVW WKH LQWLPLGDWLQJ RGGV WKDW ZHUH UDSLGO\ FURSSLQJ XS PDLQO\ IURP WKH SROLWLFDO DQG UHOLJLRXV KLHUDUFKLHV $ GHHS UHÁHFWLRQ RQ WKH OLYHV DFWLYLWLHV DQG HQG RI WKRVH PHQ ORQJ DIWHU -HVXV KDG GHSDUWHG FRXOG VHW XV 1LJHULDQV RQ WKH SDWK RI WUXH OR\DOW\ WR FDXVHV WKDW KDYH H[WUD PXQGDQH PRUH HQGXULQJ YDOXHV /LIH DIWHU DOO KDV PXFK PRUH WR GR ZLWK FRQYLFWLRQV DERXW LGHDOV DQG WKH FRPPRQ JRRG 7KH OHDG DSRVWOH 3HWHU EHJJHG KLV WRUPHQWRUV ZKR ZHUH DERXW WR FUXFLI\ KLP WR GR VR XSVLGH GRZQ VLQFH KH UHDVRQHG KH ZDV QRW TXDOLÀHG WR GLH LQ WKH VDPH SRVLWLRQ DV KLV ERVV )HG XS ZLWK KLV IHUYHQW SUHDFKLQJ WKH DXWKRULWLHV LQ *UHHFH VXPPDULO\ KDQJHG /XNH -DPHV ZKR ZDV WKH KHDG RI WKH FKXUFK LQ -HUXVDOHP ZDV WKURZQ GRZQ IURP WKH WHPSOH WRS ZKHQ KH UHIXVHG WR GLVWDQFH KLPVHOI IURP &KULVW 7KDW GLG QRW NLOO KLP +LV WRUWXUHUV WKHQ FOREEHUHG KLP WR GHDWK -DPHV D ÀVKHUPDQ DQG VRQ RI =HEHGHH ZDV PXUGHUHG LQ -HUXVDOHP $ 5RPDQ VROGLHU ZKR ZDWFKHG KLP SDVVLonately GHIHQGLQJ KLV IDLWK DW WKH WULDO EHFDPH FRQYHUWHG DQG WKHQ SURFODLPHG -HVXV

What is more elevating than having a number of world’s religions speak, usually reverentially, about one particular man in their own sacred books?

SXEOLFO\ +H IHOW SULYLOHJHG WR EH EHKHDGHG DORQJVLGH -DPHV 0DWWKHZ ZDV IDWDOO\ VWDEEHG ZLWK D VZRUG LQ (WKLRSLD 0DUN ZDV WLHG WR KRUVHV DQG GUDJJHG WKURXJK WKH VWUHHWV RI $OH[DQGULD (J\SW XQWLO KH JDYH XS KLV JKRVW %DUWKRORPHZ ZKR RSHUDWHG PXFK LQ 7XUNH\ EHFDPH D JUHDW PLVVLRQDU\ LQ $VLD DV D ZKROH +H ZDV HYHQWXDOO\ ZKLSSHG WR GHDWK LQ $UPHQLD $UURZV IHDVWHG RQ WKH ERG\ RI -XGH DV KH UHPDLQHG DGDPDQW DERXW his beliefs. $QGUHZ·V GHPLVH ZDV VRPHZKDW VORZHU UHODWLYHO\ 6HYHQ VROGLHUV EHDW KLP ZLWK ZKLSV QXPHURXV WLPHV DQG WKHQ WLHG KLV IUDJLOH ERG\ RQ DQ [ VKDSHG FURVV IURP ZKHUH KH FRQWLQXHG WR SURFODLP WKH PHVVDJH of Christ for the next two days before he ÀQDOO\ H[SLUHG 0DWWKLDV ZDV VWRQHG DQG ODWHU KDG KLV KHDG FXW RͿ 2Q RQH RI WKH H[WHQVLYH PLVVLRQDU\ YLVLWDWLRQV RI 7KRPDV WKH PDQ ZKR KDG GRXEWHG -HVXV· ULVLQJ WR ,QGLD KH ZDV JUXHVRPHO\ VSHDUHG ,Q 5RPH -RKQ ZDV WKURZQ LQWR ERLOLQJ RLO EXW GLG QRW GLH 6KRFNHG WKH UXOHUV VHQWHQFHG KLP WR SULVRQ RQ WKH 3DWPRV ,VODQG IURP ZKHUH KH ZURWH WKH %RRN RI 5HYHODWLRQ +H ODWHU GLHG DW DQ ROG DJH ,PSULVRQHG DQG EUXWDOLVHG PDQ\ WLPHV 3DXO ZKR ZDV LQLWLDOO\ D SHUVHFXWRU RI WKH FKXUFK ODWHU EHFDPH &KULVWLDQLW\·V PRVW SURPLQHQW DQG LQÁXHQWLDO OHDGHU EXW ZDV HYHQWXDOO\ EHKHDGHG LQ 5RPH E\ (PSHURU 1HUR IRU UHPDLQLQJ XQEHQGLQJ ,Q HͿHFW 1LJHULDQ &KULVWLDQV GR QRW ODFN ZRUWK\ DQFLHQW H[DPSOHV 7KH XQIDWKRPDEOH KXPDQO\ LQFRPSUHKHQVLEOH VDFULÀFH RI &KULVW DQG WKH VWHUOLQJ GHYRWLRQ RI KLV LPPHGLDWH ¶EHVW PHQ· VKRXOG EH HQRXJK FRPSDVV LQ WKLV VRPHWLPHV IRJJ\ earthly journey. Thankfully, unlike those UHYHUHG SLOODUV RI WKH IDLWK ZH PD\ QRW HYHQ QHHG WR SD\ WKH XOWLPDWH SULFH LQ SXUVXLW RI QREOH LGHDOV :KHUH WR VWDUW IURP" ,W RXJKW WR ERWKHU XV WKDW WKH HYHU LQFUHDVLQJ QXPEHU RI FKXUFKHV DQG LPSRVLQJ FDWKHGUDOV KDYH QRW yet translated to a better social and cultural FOLPDWH IRU RXU EOHHGLQJ FRXQWU\ 7RR PXFK UHOLJLRQ EXW PHDJUH PLVHUDEOH VSLULWXDOLW\ 7KLV ZHHN UHSUHVHQWV WKH FOLPD[ RI D FOHDUO\ HYHQWIXO DQG IXOÀOOHG OLIH ´7KH 6RQ RI PDQ FDPH WR JLYH KLV OLIH DV UDQVRP IRU PDQ\ µ -HVXV WROG KLV GLVFLSOHV DW LQWHUYDOV WR SUHSDUH WKHP IRU KLV ÀQLVKLQJ OLQH )URP KLV WULXPSKDO HQWU\ LQWR -HUXVDOHP ODVW VXSSHU EHWUD\DO E\ -XGDV DJRQ\ LQ *HWKVHPDQH DUUHVW WULDOV WRUWXUH FURVV EHDULQJ FUXFLÀ[LRQ GHDWK EXULDO DQG WKHQ UHYLYDO WKH 0DQ RI *DOLOHH GHPRQVWUDWHG DQ XQFRPPRQ FDSDFLW\ IRU VHOÁHVV ORYH VWUHQJWK RI FKDUDFWHU LQ WKH IDFH RI H[WUHPH SURYRFDWLRQ DQG DQJXLVK REHGLHQFH WR KLV VHQGHU DQG IDWKHU DQG FRPPLWPHQW WR FRPSOHWLQJ KLV DVVLJQPHQW VWURQJ ,Q D world short on these traits, there cannot be D EHWWHU PRGHO Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

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T H I S D AY

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022

JOHN ADEWALE writes why Nigerians should buy into Udom Emmanuel’s bid for the Presidency

EMMANUEL IN THE RING The name Berekete took a new meaning in SROLWLFV DQG LW KDSSHQHG ÀUVW LQ $EXMD ZKHQ VRPH RI WKH SRSXODU UDGLR VWDWLRQ·V R΀FLDOV decided they were going to buy forms for persons in the political world who they FRQVLGHUHG VWHUOLQJ HQRXJK WR UXQ IRU R΀FHV

7KH ÀUVW WKH\ FKRVH LV WKH JRYHUQRU RI $NZD Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, who was their guest a few months back. After buying their form, they also performed a ceremony to hand him the form for the presidential race. It took place in 8\R ZKHUH KH KDV EHHQ VHWWLQJ RͿ D WUDLQ RI transformational developments that began under the national radar. Now, it is becoming common knowledge that the man who started his life in the maritime retreat of Nigeria’s oilrich region and rose to become a top banker has turned around the state of Akwa Ibom into a sort of lodestar in the Niger Delta region and an example for a nation famished for an icon. That is what Berekete saw, and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party has seen and the nation is being beckoned to appreciate. In his vintage Niger Delta hat, his idyllic strides and his walking stick, he cuts an image at once avuncular and fraternal. But it is not just that, DQG LW LV QRW MXVW EHFDXVH KH NQRZV ÀQDQFH

It is said to the point of cliché that the ﬁrst task of leadership is security. He knew that. He succeeded. After he pulled it oﬀ, he never went about in a rhetoric of the triumphant DQG FDQ FUXQFK ÀJXUHV OLNH D ZL]DUG ,W LV WKDW the time has met the man in Emmanuel and Nigeria. Here are some of the piquant points. One, what Nigeria needs today is peace. Across the country, especially in the northern part of the country, we are seeing brothers slaughter brothers. Militants are reigning like hyenas and making breakfasts of their fellow humans. But this scenario is analogous to the sort of state Emmanuel met as governor. Akwa Ibom was a state of tears and butchery. His predecessor was seen as an emperor more than a man, but he could not rein in the monsters on the streets. Guns shot freely on highways. Big men and women died at home, on street corners, in their party headquarters and, of all places in the holy of all holies, the church. It was not safe to eat in peace, or sleep in tranquillity. The state was dreaded by the business man as well as by the priest. Neither god nor mammon found a repose in the state where many regarded as one of a capital places of investment and faith in the country. That was the backdrop of Emmanuel’s taking over as shepherd. But barely six months after he became governor, the state has moved from hyena to

GRYH 3HDFH UHWXUQHG :KHUH ZDV WKH JXQÀUH and the butcher? Why was the state swimming into an oil of gladness when before it was troubles at sea? It was because of one man, a new helmsman known as Emmanuel. He came in peace and gave peace. The people could not face other things. They did not want war. The worshipper returned to the church, the farmer to farm, the hunter to the bush. How did he do it? He did not announce himself in a boast. He did not shout out policy. He went to work, and peace reigned. He brought the warring souls together. He knitted the loins of his people. And they understood, from Ibibio to Annan. It is said to the point RI FOLFKp WKDW WKH ÀUVW WDVN RI OHDGHUVKLS LV security. He knew that. He succeeded. After KH SXOOHG LW RͿ KH QHYHU ZHQW DERXW LQ D rhetoric of the triumphant. He never boasted about what he did. Governance is no place for vain show. Today people take peace for granted. There is no greater achievement when we take prosperity for granted. It is the fact that the leader has done the extraordinary by converting emergency into history, and the people enjoy a happy amnesia. They forget that, at one time in their lives, rather than worship in church, they were afraid of the gunshot. That is what we need in this country. We need a man who will make the militancy and kidnaps what we can forget. But to do that, we need a man who can make it happen. How did he turn his state from murder to cooperation? It is one of the untold stories of the republic. There are indications that some persons want to take the state back to that period of unrest. The people’s amnesia should not excuse nostalgia. The people should not forget enough to allow the bloodletting to return. That is one of the tasks he is involved in by pushing a candidate of the pastoral stripe to run as successor, as a counterpoise to the return of the jackals. With peace, comes prosperity. That has been the man’s path as governor. He made peace, and then started the state in the line of development. He started to build roads and highways that targeted the remote places, connecting the big cities to the small places, the rural retreats. That is the way of infrastructure, to set the tone for the entrepreneur. And he has done that by introducing commerce in the model of state intervention in capitalism. It is a model that works well when done well. The state has seen one of the examples in the workings of Ibom Air, an airline thought imaginable a few years ago, but has now become a sort of royal in the skies. No airline is an equal to Ibom Air today in service, FRPIRUW SXQFWXDOLW\ DQG H΀FLHQF\ Many are beginning to see the virtue of the Coconut factory, taking advantage of the power of the produce. It services a variety of human needs whether in the industrial place, for fashion, for kitchen, for medicine, and it is supposed to service the need of all humans for as many needs as each day of the 365 days in a year. As an oil-state, the oil majors had complained for years that they did not move WR WKH VWDWH EHFDXVH WKH\ GLG QRW KDYH EHÀWWLQJ R΀FH (QWHU 'DNNDGDK 7RZHU D VWRU\ HGLÀFH WKDW LV SHUKDSV WKH VPDUWHVW LQ WKH VXE region and one of the tallest in the country. It is a tour de force for investment and magnet for the oil majors. This sort of story tells us why Berekete bought him a form, and why they think Nigeria should also buy into the candidacy of Udom Emmanuel. Adewale writes from Calabar

Ogunbiyi’s work is of enduring value, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

INDEED, THE ROAD NEVER FORGETS Continued from backpage “After that, we were inundated with requests for interviews by representatives of foreign governments resident in Nigeria. After publishing the Shimon Peres interview, representatives of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation wanted us to do a Chairman (Yasser) Arafat interview. 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ ZH FRXOGQ·W ÀQG D GDWH DQG WLPH convenient for both parties. We cancelled the Fidel Castro interview because it fell on the same day as Chief Awolowo’s. By the time I left the employment of The Guardian, we had conducted IRXU PRUH LQWHUYLHZV WZR DW GLͿHUHQW WLPHV ZLWK Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi of India, one with President Ibrahim Babangida and the last with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (of Pakistan).” A master storyteller, there are many revealing insights in Ogunbiyi’s memoirs, but one notable recall was how a certain Major General Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State SURPXOJDWHG 'HFUHH 3XEOLF 2΀FHUV 3URWHFWLRQ

Ogunbiyi’s important memoir enlivens the historical canvas of its setting with human content. We get to know the key persons who directed national affairs at the time, their relationships and off record views. Most importantly, Ogunbiyi provides uncommon insight into the complex interface between the media and the power structure of our nation at a critical defining period Against False Accusation) in 1984. The law empowered the federal military government at the time to close any media house deemed to be ‘acting in a manner detrimental to national interest’ and to jail journalists for inaccurate reporting, or for writing articles that ‘bring JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV LQWR ULGLFXOH RU GLVUHSXWH · ,W was under this draconian law that Messrs Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, then reporters with The Guardian, were tried and jailed for refusing to divulge the source of a story published by the newspaper. Well, as I found out recently, the story, ‘Haruna to replace Hananiya as new UK Envoy’, for which these two journalists went to jail is factual and accurate. At the instance of his children, I am privileged to have written the foreword to the coming memoir of Major General Haladu Hananiya (rtd)—the man at the centre of that unfortunate drama. Hananiya, by the way, was the High Commissioner in London when the late Alhaji Umaru Dikko was abducted, the second in command to then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo at the Engineers Corps before the civil war and WKH FHQWUDO ÀJXUH LQ WKH &HPHQW $UPDGD VFDQGDO who faced the Justice Belgore Commission of Inquiry that declared him ‘neither innocent nor guilty’. Hananiya was also the only man to have held the position of Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) twice and at GLͿHUHQW WLPHV +LV FRPLQJ PHPRLUV ¶$OO (\HV On Me’ shed light on all these issues, including why the duo of Buhari and his then deputy, the late Major General Tunde Idiagbon, were riled

by The Guardian report and decided to jail Irabor and Thompson for ‘embarrassing’ them. Back to Ogunbiyi’s sojourn at The Guardian. At the end, he and Macebuh were forced to resign (sacked, to use his own word) for “trying to sell sugar”. Two days later, he was appointed the Managing Director of Daily Times. Although Ogunbiyi admitted making up with Ibru before The Guardian publisher died and is now on friendly terms with the widow, Maiden, who superintends the newspaper, he expressed regret that Macebuh and Ibru never had the opportunity to reconcile before both died. Overall, Ogunbiyi’s important memoir enlivens the historical canvas of its setting with human content. We get to know the NH\ SHUVRQV ZKR GLUHFWHG QDWLRQDO DͿDLUV DW WKH WLPH WKHLU UHODWLRQVKLSV DQG RͿ UHFRUG views. Most importantly, Ogunbiyi provides uncommon insight into the complex interface between the media and the power structure of RXU QDWLRQ DW D FULWLFDO GHÀQLQJ SHULRG 7KHVH were the days of the Babangida military presidency and the endless transition to civil rule programme, the puzzling death of Dele Giwa and the reign of Abiola as a social DQG EXVLQHVV LFRQ DV ZHOO DV SROLWLFDO JDGÁ\ the rise of Sani Abacha and his tyrannical regime, etc. The enduring value of Ogunbiyi’s work is perhaps its invaluable historical recollections while remaining a very personal story told ZLWK HͿRUWOHVV HDVH DQG DUUHVWLQJ FDQGRU $QG for the Balogun of Ipara-Remo celebrating his 75th birthday, there is perhaps nothing more ÀWWLQJ WKDQ WKH SRHP ZULWWHQ E\ KLV IULHQG RQ WKH 5RDG ´WKDW KDV PDGH DOO WKH GLͿHUHQFHµ to borrow from the immortal lines of the late American poet and playwright, Robert Frost. Here is Osundare at his very best: Step by step We ply life’s Road Through dust, through clay Through the airy amplitude of the seamless sky The winds whirl and whisper In accents so brisk and broad As the roadside grass sways to the rhythm Of seasons which oblivion forgets From the geography of Pain To the archaeology of Pleasure From the heart which knows And the mind that feels The Road walks through Its web of wit and wonder In the house of endless echoes, its poetry A running fare of hint and hyperbole Pause Hail, then, this wayfarer Whose feet bear the dusts of many roads From far desert-fringes to the thirsty ocean Polyglot who savours the glide of many tongues &RQÁXHQFH RI PDQ\ ULYHUV Whose bridge prolongs the Road Dibia at the Crossroads who doctors The riddle of the knotty distance Rain, drought, rain The Road molds the mud, distills the dust Etches your memory on the endless milestone On its epic span. Sun and star en-lamp your path Step after step after step Echoing footsounds remind The corridors or the Moon The Road never forgets Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022

Leaders should strive to make the best of any situation, writes VICTOR C. ARIOLE

POWER SEEKERS AND SPECIAL PERSPECTIVE If you inhabit a dung heap, you can still ensure that you are sitting on top of it. That is the other perspective…For you (power seekers), I have mounted a special perspective. Wole Soyinka: Chronicles, 5 Riding on any political party to power implies that a special perspective drives that party to willpower. However, the neuronal capacity of personalities or the main person driving the party to achieve the particular “special perspective” campaigned on could create hindrances or make great impacts and the metaphor of a dung-heap and the ability to make it a resource-heap is the special perspective Nigerians expect of the 2023 power hustlers. Nigerians on their own, individually, work hard to make “lemonade out of the lemon”, the absence of good governance throws at WKHP ,Q HͿHFW IRU WKH KHDS GXQJ WKH\ ÀQG LQ WKH SROLW\ WKH\ PDNH JUHDW HͿRUW WR WU\ WR VLW on top of it through the possibility of making a resource -heap out of it, seems to be always thwarted by a greater force beyond their immediate space— National; Like every now and then, National grid failure seems to be the order of the day. Dung-heap could be transformed into gas or even fertiliser resource-heap and it takes the power seeker to transform it to a “special perspective” for the goodness of the majority, if that power seeker has a great neuronal disposition to withstand the vagaries of challenges and transform them to opportunities. During the Gulf war, it took the culturing of a maggot-like species to eat up the oil spill that made the place look like dung-heap. Just LPSODQW D PRGXODU UHÀQHU\ LQ HDFK RI WKH local governments and see what it means to follow a minimalist thought pattern to turn the dung-heap of Nigeria to a resource-heap with great number of artisans. Artisans in quantum, functional ones will turn dungheap to resource-heap. On the basis of Nigerian dung-heap that is in dire need of being transformed into a resource- heap, the population of youths must be made relevant, and it seems the utmost national perspective, as the special perspective to be mounted to transform them into resource- heap. The best of those transformable heap is the over two million youths that ought to be in school who are now idling about as Federal and State universities are forced to close down as no interest is showed by the government to call a meeting to end the strikes embarked upon by the weaker force – the employees. The government as the strong force must learn to sit on top and turn a “dung-heap” to a resource- heap for the prosperity of Nigeria instead of an unwarranted extension of the dung heap. The just-ended Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) that attracted over 75 universities in Nigeria showed how zealous Nigerian Youths are and are willing to transform their raw energy into proving their worth and making Nigeria great. That gathering, as momentary as it was turned UNILAG into a pilgrimage site. This time not for prayers but to showcase their strength that seems wasting, out of no youth empowerment policy to have the youth transform Nigerian dung-heap to a resource-heap. Hence the expected mounted special

perspective for Nigerian politicians who are seeking power is: Youth Empowerment and Functional Infrastructure Development Backed by Sustainable Energy Supply. Enough of other sugar-coated rhetoric. The youths are not beggars. They need what could make them sit on top of the dung-heap and transform it to a resource-heap exportable to other countries especially the weaker African countries that need to wake up and strengthen the collective resolve of Africans to face the world in which Africa’s over 1.2billion population contribute merely 2 % of the world GDP. The dung-heap is like what the Chinese rover just proved on the Martian surface by indicating that heating it to over 6000C could make oxygen available. The person or personalities sitting on top of the Nigerian dung-heap could provide heating material that could turn the heap to a great resourceKHDS ,W LV LQIUDVWUXFWXUH LW LV UHÀQHG KXPDQ capital, and it is motivation to set in motion the great potential of the youth and make it sustainable. 1LJHULD LV FDSDEOH RI SURGXFLQJ ÀYH PLOOLRQ barrels of oil a day and it is like a dung-heap if it is not locally transformed to be of service to Nigeria’s economy as both the human capital and the investing opportunities meet in such WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ ,PSODQW PRGXODU UHÀQHULHV and change the youths’ perspectives to a special one The challenges created by insecurity are mere signs of no personalities or person sitting on top of the heap like having greatly selfactualised people to energise the dung-heap to a resource heap and it starts by damping the dung-heap at a base to satisfy the physiological needs of Nigerians. That is, 200million 1LJHULDQV LI ZHOO LGHQWLÀHG VKRXOG QHYHU KDYH any of them lacking in food and shelter, and it is possible. Brazil was able to do that from the WLPH /XOD GD 6LOYD DQG 'LOPD 5RXVVHͿ WRRN over in 2003 and 2011 respectively; their being victimised out of power notwithstanding. They were just seen as anti-feudalist personalities who must be stopped to continue seeing a more deprived black population in Brazil — covert or unexpressed 120million of a total population of 215 million Brazilians. Just like in Nigeria, a section of the elite believes that poverty-ridden Nigerians must be allowed to remain poor to avert competition for resource FRQWURO ZLWK WKHLU SUHIHUUHG RͿVSULQJ :KDW D weak mindset! Sage Awolowo said it: those people you failed to educate could come up, one day to be your nightmare, and it is happening as Gumi reports that over 100,000 of them are in the bush armed with K47 or AK 49 making life unbearable everywhere in Nigeria. So, among those seeking to be president in 2023 – APC: Bakare, Tinubu, Osinbajo, Bello, Amaechi, Ngige, Umahi, Okorocha; PDP: Obi, Fayose, Anyim, Ohuabunwa, Saraki, Tambuwal, Wike, Bala, Atiku and others like Moghalu and Hiudeen—Nigeria should mount a special perspective barrier for them and evaluate their vision on such special perspective. Major Paul Kagame took up such a special perspective, sat on top of a “dung-heap” in Rwanda and today made it a resource-heap serving its neighbours in East and Central Africa. Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

PATRICK A. OGBE urges all to read books for knowledge and entertainment

THE NEED TO READ, READ, AND READ BOOKS One undeniable fact about books, in contemporary times, is the fact that there are millions, and indeed, tens of millions of them in existence, presently. One other fact about the multitude of the books that are in existence for mankind to peruse, however, is the sad truth that, living man reads but only a fraction, or a little percentage of the array of books that are in existence for anyone that is literate to read. The problem in contemporary times, is not with dearth of books, or with scarcity of printed bulk materials to read. The problem is that, mankind-nowadays-just don’t have the time, or rather, cannot make out ample, quality time to read some, or all of the books that are available for them to study. Books are modern mines of knowledge acquisition, no doubt. The reason, or rather reasons why books have become “neglected” sources of knowledge acquisition, remains glaring. Understandably, many things now are existence-in modern day, which relegates book reading, to a skeletally pampered hobby. Television watching, as well as movie watching: Listening to radio, as well as listening to music: Attending events, parties and important similar occasions: Squaring up to demanding jobs, and house-hold chores (such as cooking meals, cleaning the house or the kitchen) etc… All these can distract a lover of books from indulging in his or her hobby. Then, nowadays, there is the internet, and the trend of I-phones, Android phones, Facebook chatting, internet blogging and other such modern media of electronic platforms of keeping people busy-or engaged. There are also computers-in modern times, and the reality of multitudes of computer games, with which both adolescents and adults can easily become engrossed, and can become easily infatuated with. True there exist nowadays, the trend of e-books, whereby phone owners, and computer-internet users can read arrays of books on electronic platforms. However, it is glaring that most internet users, either with modern phones or computers, connected to the internet, exhibit preferences to watching movies, listening to music, downloading such movies and music, etc., to reading e-books. The reality of the existence of most modern day entertainment media, have no doubt made the practice of book reading to (appear to) be a boring, arduous, tasking, and un-interesting hobby, or past time. Book reading, in contemporary times, doesn’t seem to hold any enchantment or exhilaration for many, the way movies, music, and television programmes hold for a great percentage of mankind. The array of people in modern times, that read books-avidly-do so because they are circumstantially, compelled to do so. Maybe, because they are students in school, and so have to read certain recommended text books to enable them pass periodical examinations. Or because certain individuals are teachers, lecturers or professors in citadel of “advanced education”, and by virtue of this fact; such individuals have to read books. It’s very few people-in modern times-that can spend up to three hours, at an un-broken stretch, reading a book, or books. April 23rd is World Book Day. Also referred to as World Book and Copyright

Day, the said day and date is meant to promote the enjoyment of Books and reading. Each year, on 23rd April, celebrations take place all over the world to recognize the scope of books-a link between the past and the future. Incidentally, 23rd April is a symbolic date in world literature. It is the date on which several prominent authors such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. World Book and Copyright Day has become today, a platform to rally together millions of people all around the world. Books have a peculiar way of generating honor and prestige for its authors, as well as for its writers. Any author, and or writer that has a published book to his or her credit, would have etched their names-or the memory of themselves in the mind of many, many readers, even years after such authors and writers must have passed away. Incidentally, the same April 23rd, is World English Language Day. It is also worthy of note to know that, the same April 23rd, are the birth daysas well as the Death date of legendary English writer, William Shakespeare. Let’s come to terms, at this stage, with some truth concerning a writer of books as the late, revered, British writer, William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare was born in 1564, and have been described as the world’s greatest dramatist. He passed on, in April, 1616. The history of the life and times of this renown British playwright and dramatist is not what one is focusing upon at this point. What matters here, is that, in contemporary times, over four hundred years after the demise of this renown writer; students of Literature, drama and the Performing Arts, are still reading, and studying the array of books that he left behind as literary legacies to his generation, and indeed to mankind at large. In a country like Nigeria, the same can be said of literary works of indigenous Nigerian writers like late Professor Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Cyprian Ekwensi, and Isidore Okpewho. Now, not minding the fact that in contemporary times, even though the practice and act of reading booksavidly-have depreciated immensely, we all must deliberately, make out time to read books, and not just any type of book, but good books, good books that enrich the mind. There are so many advantages of reading books. For instance, an individual that reads books, remembers things easily than a watcher or viewer of movies, or television programmes. Then again, ERRNV DUH HDVLHU WR DͿRUG DV D VRXUFH RI information acquisition. A popular English adage states: “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away...” If we are to draw an analogy pertaining reading books; one would dare to state that: “……(Reading) a book a day, or rather, reading books frequently, keeps ignorance at bay”!! The time has come, when the literate and educated, must rise above the derogatory adage which states: “If you want to hide precious things from some category of people; hide it in the FRQÀQHV RI D %RRN« µ

patrickadaofuoyi@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE The authorities could do more to tame this public health emergency

ental illness is on the rampage in Nigeria. But despite knowing about it, the health authorities have not shown enough commitment to dealing with the challenge on which there is so much superstition and ignorance. According to the House of Representatives, three out of every 10 Nigerians have one form of mental illness or another. To this end, the House mandated its committees on health Institutions and healthcare services to liaise with the federal ministry of health on how to tackle the challenge. The resolution followed a motion titled ‘Need to address the rising cases of mental health in Nigeria’ presented by Hon. Uchechuku NnamObi who noted that “Nigeria has only 130 psychiatrists with over 20 PLOOLRQ FLWL]HQV VXͿHULQJ from mental disorders.” He added that with the few functional mental health facilities and inadequate mental health practitioners in the country, “mental health cases are left for traditional practitioners.” As bad as the situation may seem, the number of 1LJHULDQV VXͿHULQJ IURP RQH PHQWDO LOOQHVV RU WKH other – from the mild to the severe – is likely to grow because there is no commensurate plan in place to address the problem. According to Dami Ajayi, a member of West African College of Psychiatry and associate fellow of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, “the few doctors who are working DUH QRW JHWWLQJ MREV FUHDWHG WR ÀW ZLWKLQ WKH WLHUV RI FOLQLFDO FDUH µ %HVLGHV WKH FRXQWU\ KDV ÀYH PHQWDO health nurses to 100,000 Nigerians, and with only eight neuropsychiatric hospitals. The few mental facilities are run-down. It is therefore no surprise that the country is heading towards a mental health crisis. 0HDQZKLOH H[SHUWV GHÀQH PHQWDO LOOQHVVHV DV EUDLQ EDVHG FRQGLWLRQV WKDW DͿHFW WKLQNLQJ HPRWLRQV DQG behaviours. They include the emotional, psychological DQG VRFLDO ZHOO EHLQJ RI SHRSOH DQG WKH\ DͿHFW WKH

way such individuals think, feel and behave. There DUH PRUH WKDQ FODVVLÀHG IRUPV RI PHQWDO LOOQHVV but the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. They attribute the cause of mental illness to three factors: biological, which include genes or brain chemistry; life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, and family history. Early outward signs of mental illness include eating or sleeping too much or too little; pulling away from people and usual activities; having low or no energy; feeling numb or behaving as if nothing matters any longer; having unusual aches and pains; feeling helpless or hopeless; smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual. Others are confused thinking, severe mood swings; hearing voices or believing things that are not true; inability to perform daily tasks such as taking care of kids or getting to work or school. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. Like diabetes and heart disease, it is a medical condition which is treatable. Many people with mental health LOOQHVV UHWXUQ WR D SURGXFWLYH DQG IXOÀOOLQJ OLIH DIWHU promptly seeking help. But the country is not doing enough to tackle this public health emergency. Stemming the tide requires a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach involving various government ministries, agencies and departments especially that of health, labour and employment, and social services. Government needs to build and equip rehab centres across the country while measures should be put in place to improve access to mental health services through community mental health or primary health care. Mental health education should also be encouraged. As a forensic psychiatrist, Folashade Olajubu once argued, there is need to improve DZDUHQHVV RI WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI VXLFLGH DV D JOREDO health problem and improve the knowledge of what can be done to prevent it.

Many people with mental health illness return to a productive and fulﬁlling life after promptly seeking help

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY 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 SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ﬁrst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to speciﬁc publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS KANAM’S CRY FROM THE HEART The corrosive challenges convulsing Nigeria today have successfully altered the dynamics and optics of many states, casting ashes on the beauties they were synonymous with not long ago. )RU H[DPSOH ZKLOH 1LJHULDQ SXEOLF R΀FHUV KHOSOHVVO\ ZULQJ WKHLU hands, Kaduna State, Nigeria`s “Centre of Learning’ has been converted into a laboratory where terrorists of all shades and stripes carry out VWDUWOLQJ H[SHULPHQWV WKDW KDYH VXFFHVVIXOO\ UHGHÀQHG WKH PHDQLQJ RI terror in Nigeria. However, Kaduna State is not the only Nigerian state irked by this irony. The necrosis of names nips at its neighbours too. With its celestial weather and rolling hills, it is not for nothing that Plateau State, Nigeria`s 12th largest state, which borders Kaduna to the north, is celebrated as Nigeria`s “Home of Peace and Tourism.” 0XOWLSOH HWKQLF JURXSV DGKHULQJ WR GLͿHUHQW UHOLJLRQV XVHG WR OLYH alongside each other without incidents in a state which used to be an icon of Nigeria`s diversity. However, all that has now been relegated to the past by the troubles the state has known for so long now. The tragic crises have been decades in the making. In 2001, the peace of the grave\DUG LQ WKH VWDWH ZDV ÀQDOO\ VKDWWHUHG ZKHQ WKH VWDWH ZDV WXUQHG LQWR D NLOOLQJ ÀHOG $ QXPEHU RI GHDGO\ GLVWXUEDQFHV KDYH VLQFH IROORZHG almost annually as Nigeria`s “Home of peace and tourism” has become one of its most volatile states.

There have been multiple deadly clashes ignited by ethnicism, religion and competing economic interests. Many communities in the state have been randomly attacked with many slaughtered and countless houses razed. In the afternoon of Sunday, April 11, 2022, a red mist descended on Kanam Local Government area of Plateau State when a number of communities which included Kukawa,Gyambawu, Dungur, Kyaram, Yelwa, Dadda, Wanka, Shuwaka, Gwammadaji and Dadin Kowa were attacked by gunmen who rode on motorcycles and wielded dangerous weapons. At the end of the attacks, at least 70 people lay dead while countless houses were razed to the ground. The questions continue in the state and elsewhere as to why one state VKRXOG EH VXͿHULQJ WKH DVSK\[LDWLQJ JULS RI YLROHQFH IRU \HDUV ZLWK QR solution in sight. There is no doubt that the violent attacks which rattle Plateau State from time to time to leave families heartbroken are not the random acts of ragged criminals; they are too sophisticated to be. Instead, they seem the careful handiwork of killers who know how to mine the method in their madness and are only following the script perfectly as the actors of annihilation. The government may be doing its best to secure lives and properties in the country. But for many, that best is the worst ever and it does not matter that many gallant security personnel continue to pay the ulti-

mate price every day. There can be no question about it. There is no question that as long as many Nigerians have to live in fear of ruthless criminals, something is gravely wrong with the way the country has been set up. Plateau State is not at all in a school of its own when it comes to states devasted by criminal attacks. In that school of insecurity, there is Kaduna State, there is Niger State and even Benue State. But the most senior students of that school would seem to be Borno and Zamfara where terrorists have become so established that they now have the capacity to export terror to other parts of Nigeria. All those who sow and sponsor terror together have become unbearable burdens onboard the ship of Nigeria`s journey to nationhood. They are the reason the ship is threatening to break apart. To lighten the ship, they must be cast into the sea. If there is anything vulnerable Nigerians who consume the dregs of poverty expect, it is that they be left in peace to eat the pancakes of privation served them by Nigeria. Instead of splaying them out like sacULÀFHV WR YLFLRXV FULPLQDOV 1LJHULD VKRXOG GR DOO LW FDQ WR SURWHFW WKHP Until Kanam and other communities ripped apart by terrorism are secured, Nigeria will continue to cry from the heart. Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Adopting Innovative Security Solutions in a Vu l n e rab le, D i g i t a l Wo r l d Emma Okonji writes on the need for organisations to adopt the application of innovative security solutions in their operations in order to prevent threat of cyberattacks in today’s digital world

s our world becomes increasingly digital, the threat of invasion of privacy continues to increase, causing players in the technology industry to focus on devising newer ways to tackle this problem. Every new solution, it seems, gets circumvented by relentless hackers as internet users are made to provide even more information to ensure the safety of their credentials. In recent times, organisations and individuals have been migrating from the use of passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to wider and more robust means of security protection. However, many Internet users remain oblivious to the inherent risks of using these passwords and PINs to protect their online information.

RISK IN FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the electronic payment system, crystallising the growth of payment space, so did the exposure towards the inherent risks increase. While this growth is making payment transactions easier for Nigerians, it has however occasioned an increase in the rate of fraud. This fact is highlighted in a recent report by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), which stated that the growth in financial inclusion has also created more avenues for fraudsters to carry out their fraudulent activities. It notes that the number of fraud attempts grew by 186 per cent from 2019 to 2021, with mobile channels seeing a 330 per cent increase while online and Point of Sales (PoS) channels saw a 173 per cent and 215 per cent increase, respectively. It is expected that there will be an increase in these attempts as more companies push for financial inclusion. Addressing the risks associated with financial transactions, the Managing Director, Payment Processing and Switching at Interswitch, Mr. Akeem Lawal, told THISDAY that it therefore behooved on financial service providers such as banks, fintech, technology companies and even merchants to provide measures that ensure secured payment and data of their customers. He advised financial institutions and merchants to collaborate with financial technology (Fintech) solution providers in adopting the right technology solutions. According to him, “One of such companies advocating

“Despite the availability of fingerprints as a method of authentication for years, users have mostly stuck with what they were familiar with: passwords and PINs. As the years have gone by, Internet users have woken up to the benefits of the multimodal authentication system that has proven to be far more effective.” financial inclusion in Nigeria is Africa’s integrated payments and digital commerce company, Interswitch, which pays special attention to not just the convenience of using its digital products but also the safety of customers’ data and funds.”

MITIGATING RISKS

Giving insight to emerging technology solutions that mitigate risks in financial transactions, Lawal said the battle to outwit internet fraudsters started as the issuers needed to authorise payment transactions. Initially, there was the voice authorisation, which curbed fraud to some extent but was rather slow. To up the ante, the digital payment service providers and technology companies came up with the magnetic stripe on the back of payment cards. The stripe carries the cardholders’ information, which is used to authorise payments. While the stripe was a vast improvement in security, it was however limited due to possible duplicity. The magnetic stripes lasted for a while but its attendant loss had a huge capital outlay, and so, in came the chip. The first protocol for chip processing was developed by Europay, Mastercard, and Visa, earning it the name EMV. The cards were either contactless or contact magnetic chip cards. These evolved to the chip and PIN cards, which allowed users to enter a secure PIN as part of the verification process. According to him, in 2009, Interswitch introduced the Verve chip and PIN card into the Nigerian market, following the

CBN’s mandate for payment platforms to migrate from magnetic stripe to chip and PIN. Contrary to what was obtainable across other markets, the Interswitch migration was faster, less expensive but equally secure, and this revolutionalised the payment landscape in Nigeria. “As with every chip and PIN solution, cardholders are required to use a PIN on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), PoS terminals and add passwords when using web channels. Although the use of the PIN and password has proven to be secure, they also have their limitations as there has been an increased rate of password and PIN theft. From credential stuffing, phishing or password spraying, passwords are susceptible to being stolen and PINs can be hacked. With increasing innovation, passwords and PINs can be protected across payment platforms, especially with the installations of firewalls, encryptions and 2-factor authentication, among others,” Lawal said.

ADOPTING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

According to Lawal, beyond these solutions, it is important that intuitive solutions are developed and driven for adoption among digital payment subscribers. Tokenisation is a new technology that brings anextra layer of security to chip cards, over PINs and passwords.The technology replaces sensitive account information with a unique digital identifier known as a

token. With tokenization, online retailers can collect payment more securely, customers are able to check out faster and easier across apps, mobile, in-store and online. Another intuitive solution is biometric: a tiered layer of protection that presents a complex wall against cyber-terrorists and blocks access to the personal information of digital denizens. With the introduction of biometrics, many users reportedly feel an increased sense of safety regarding their details. To highlight this sense of safety, Lawal highlighted a study by AYTM Market Research, which showed that many internet users find the use of biometrics to be easier than passwords and believe that biometrics are faster than passwords. The report also showed that 50 per cent of respondents in the survey said that they would prefer to do business with banks that offered biometric authentication. This preference goes beyond speed as Internet users feel that the use of their fingerprints or eye and voice recognition features also present in many smartphones today makes their information accessible by only them and those that they choose to share them with. There’s also the notion that biometrics are far superior to passwords as authenticators. Despite the availability of fingerprints as a method of authentication for years, users have mostly stuck with what they were familiar with: passwords and PINs. As the years have gone by, Internet users have woken up to the benefits of the multimodal authentication system that has proven to be far more effective, he said, He further stressed that for this reason, a good deal of organisations, especially those in the financial services industry, have provided multi-factor authentication systems to be able to separate their customers from potential identity thieves, keeping customers happy and the bottom line healthy. As Nigeria’s digital landscape expands, there is a need for more innovative ways to tackle associated risks with electronic banking. There is also a need to increasingly build trust for the system as the subject of financial inclusion remains a priority. The biometric and tokenization solutions are some of the security solutions recently tailored for the Nigerian payment ecosystem.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Supporting Business Growth with MDXi The recent launch of MDXi Lekki II Data Centre by MainOne in Lagos, which is an expansion of its initial data centre, will support the growth of data business in Nigeria and advance economic development, writes Emma Okonji

ith the exponential growth of the fourth industrial revolution, where data is key, it has become essential to provide robust and secured data centres to warehouse data growth across Nigeria. In recent times, Nigeria is experiencing the establishment of new Tier 111 data centres, while existing ones are being expanded, in order to accommodate more data in a secured and business friendly environment. MainOne, last week, launched its MDXi Lekki II Data Centre, which is an expansion of its initial data centre, that has reached its full operations capacity as a result of data growth in Nigeria. A modular data centre consists of purposeengineered modules and components to offer scalable data centre capacity with multiple power and cooling options. Modules can be shipped to be added, integrated or retrofitted into an existing data centre or combined into a system of modules. Modular data centres typically consist of standardised components. Modular data center refers to each module has independent functions, a unified input, and output interface, different regions of the module can be mutually backup, through the arrangement of related modules to form a complete data centre . There are many kinds of modular forms, which can be the design method and the idea, can also be the product. Modular design method include the use of modular design in the space layout. In the product form, there are several forms of data centre modularity: Modular products, micromodules (Micro module), and containertype data centers. Some of the advantages of modular data systems are scalability, changeability, replaceability, among others. For scalability, modular infrastructure can be deployed based on current Information Technology (IT) requirements, and additional components can be added later on demand. This will significantly reduce the total cost of ownership. For changeability, the system modules can be reconfigured to provide great flexibility to meet changing its requirements. The modular systems can be portable, such as standalone components, standard interfaces, and Easy-to-understand structures that save time and money when installing, upgrading, reconfiguring, or moving modularity. Failed modules can be easily replaced for upgrades or repairs, and often do not

need to stop the system from running. In terms of energy consumption, modular data centres can control energy consumption through centralised management and increase device utilisation, thereby reducing resource consumption.

EXPANSION PLAN The MDXi Lekki II Data Centre is a Tier III certified data centre with 520 racks capacity and two megawatts power in the first phase, which could be scalable when the need arises. It is an expansion of the MainOne initial data centre that has reached its full capacity of 600 racks. Speaking at the launch of the expanded data centre, the Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke, said the growing demand for data centre services in Lagos, motivated MDXi to expand its data centre. “MDXi Lekki I Data Centre is full to its capacity and MDXi Lekki II is just the beginning of the expansion of the MainOne Data Centre Campus. Data Centre One has the capacity of 600 racks and the Data Centre Two has a capacity of 520 racks in the first phase and we plan to increase its capacity as demand increases, because it is scalable. Our plan is to make our data centres the hub for business activities in Lagos,” Opeke said. Speaking about MainOne’s expectation from government that will further drive data centre development in the state, Opeke said: “We need an enabling environment to enhance data centre services expansion in the Lekki corridors. We need expansion of road networks and other facilities as well as permit to lay fibre cables from the data centres. We also need physical security of the environment and we want to commend Lagos State government for fast developing the Lekki axis where businesses are currently moving to.” In the area of security provided by MainOne around the MDXi facilities, Opeke said the area has standard security measures put in place that is certified to global standards, with International Standards Organisation (ISO 27001) certification and certified with payment record certification. “We are also compliant with the Nigerian Data Protection Laws, which is a new regulation for data protection in Nigeria,”

Opeke further said. She said the data centre would further help in driving digital transformation in the country, since data monitoring could be used by government to make informed decision about governance. Before now, organisations take their data to foreign countries for storage and data management, but with the expansion of MDXi in Lagos, organisations now store and manage their data in our data centres, which is an avenue for cost reduction for businesses,” Opeke added.

FG’S COMMITMENT Reiterating government’s commitment on digital policies that will drive data centre growth in the country, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to develop digital policies that would attract more foreign investments to Nigeria. Pantami restated government’s commitment, during the launch of MDXi Lekki II Data Centre by MainOne in Lagos last week. The Minister who was represented by the Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission Board, Prof. Adeolu Akande, welcomed Equinix investment to Nigeria, the parent company of MainOne, and assured Equinix, a global digital infrastructure company, of government support to enable its investments to thrive in Nigeria. “The federal government has developed its National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy with a clear vision to transform Nigeria into a leading economy. Government also developed its National Broadband Plan, which was Chaired by the CEO of MainOne, Funke Opeke, to enhance broadband penetration and development in the country. The MDXi Lekki II Data Centre that is being launched today, is in line with the objectives of FG’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. “With the exponential growth of the fourth industrial revolution, it has become essential to provide robust and secured data centres to warehouse data growth. Nigeria and the world indeed is experiencing unprecedented growth of data and we need reliable data centres, hence the need to commend MainOne for expanding its data centre operations to

accommodate more data storage,” Pantami said.

LASG COMMITMENT Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was physically present at the launch of the expanded data centre, commended MainOne for supporting technology innovation across Nigeria, through its expanded data and broadband projects, since it berthed its sub-marine cable in Nigeria from Europe in 2010. Sanyo-Olu also commended Equinix for investing in MainOne to expand its global infrastructure capabilities in Nigeria, and he assured Equinix and MainOne of government support for business growth and further expansion. “We welcome Equinix to Lagos and to Nigeria, which is the largest economy on the African continent, with the largest youth population and diversity. Nigeria has been experiencing technology investments from global technology companies like Microsoft, Google and others in recent times and we welcome Equinix for joining the train of investments in Nigeria. In recent years, Lagos has become a leading destination for technology startups and a home for global technology companies. As government, we will continue to develop policies that will support private investments. Lagos has reached advanced stage of the rollout of the first phase of its 3,000km terrestrial fibre optic cable deployment across the state, with a view to supporting investments in Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said.

EQUINIX VIEWS The Vice President, Growth and Emerging Markets at Equinix, Judith Gardiner, said the acquisition of MainOne by Equinix, would further give Nigeria access to global and regional technology innovations. “Nigeria, being the largest economy with the largest population in Africa, has been a home for local and global Fintech players and Equinix is pleased to invest in MainOne and in Nigeria because of the great opportunities that abound for business expansion and growth,” Gardiner said. Giving reasons for the launch of MDXi Lekki II Data Centre, Opeke, said MainOne has exceeded the 600 racks capacity of its first data centre, hence the need to build the second data centre to accommodate more customers. “The second data centre has 520 racks capacity with two megawatts power in the first phase, with plans to further expand the capacity, which is fast becoming a hub for digital activities in Lagos,” Opeke said.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Egoras Launches Zero Interest Financing Opportunities Nosa Alekhuogie

L-R: ; Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji; Executive Director/COO, United Nigeria,Mazi Osita Okonkwo; Chief Commercial Officer Wakanow, Mrs Adenike Macaulay;and Head, Partnerships and Integrations, Wakanow, Bukola Olatunji, during the Courtesy Visit of Wakanow Team to the United Nigeria Airlines office at MMA 2, Lagos… recently

Eko Innovation Centre, GDM Introduce M a r k e t i n g , Media Hackathon In line with its goal of creating lasting solutions to real-life marketing challenges, Eko Innovation Centre, in collaboration with GDM Group has officially launched the maiden edition of its Media and Marketing Hackathon tagged MarkHack 1.0 which is also regarded as the first of its kind in Nigeria. The two organizations are poised to change the marketing and media landscape with tech solutions that would disrupt and tackle some of the challenges faced in the industry. The official launch of the hackathon which was held in Lagos was well attended by innovators, entrepreneurs,

policymakers, marketing, and media professionals while many others across the world joined the event virtually. Organisers of the event revealed that over 500 individuals registered to participate in the hackathon from 72 locations, 5 countries (which includes Nigeria, California, Kenya, Pakistan, and London), and 3 continents (Africa, Europe, and North America). It also announced that the best 10 teams with the most viable concepts will go head-to-head at the finale on 18th May for a chance at the $20,000 prize pool and an acceleration program with up to $50K equity investment to get their products ready for

the market among other benefits. Speaking at the event the Founder, Eko Innovation Centre & Curator, Art of Technology Lagos, Mr. Victor Afolabi said that marketing is the most effective engine of economic development as it can rapidly develop entrepreneurs and managers but the industry is yet to see a technological breakthrough within the country considering the growth of Martech globally, an industry estimated at $344.8bn in 2021 according to Martech Alliance (2021). In his words: “The Nigerian marketing industry has started to see preliminary innovation but acceleration is slow to

disrupt the future in line with changing consumer behaviour. “We are yet to experience notoriety for a homegrown technological breakthrough at a remarkable scale in the Marketing Industry.” He stated further that the MarkHack was conceptualized to make a difference. According to him, it is “A gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, Policymakers, and Marketing Professionals, to create solutions to reallife Marketing challenges in an intense period of time. Using creativity, technology, and mentoring, resulting in prototypes, fresh new concepts, and innovative usages of tech for Marketing and Media.”

Lagos Food Bank Initiative Partners Nutzy Peanuts In a bid to bring hunger to zero point, promote good health and wellbeing, which automatically enhance quality learning, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative has partnered Nutzy Peanuts Butter to feed about 250,000 malnourished and indigent children in every lowcost private nursery and primary school in Lagos. Speaking at the launch of the partnership, themed “Buy a jar, feed a child campaign” by Food Bank and Nutzy Peanut

CSR Initiative, in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Mr Michael Sunbola, said the 250,000 target was the initiative’s short term goal while its long term goal was to feed at least 250,000,000 pupils in Lagos According to Sunbola, “We understand that most children go to school empty stomachs. So we took it upon ourselves to feed them three times every week, That is Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

as part of our school’s feeding programme. “We buy Nutzy Peanut Butter from our partnerAjrena Foods Ltd, at a reduced cost, which helps to fix malnutrition in children. You know we can’t achieve quality education when school pupils are hungry, despite every other thing put in place.” Also speaking, the Head, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Ajrena Foods Ltd, Serena Ramnani, said the essence

of the collaboration was to ensure every child in Lagos gets a pack of Nutzy Peanut Butter, manufactured to fix malnutrition in children. She said: ‘The whole idea is when an adult consumers buy a jar of Nutzy Creamy, it automatically means a free sachet of peanut butter for a child in Lagos. So the more people buy a jar of Nutzy Peanut Butter, the greater the number of children that will get our free sachet of peanut butter.”

Nigeria’s leading-fintech startup, Egoras, has announced the launch of its zero interest microcredit services to provide simplified financial solutions to smallbusiness owners. This is in a bid to increase drive financial inclusion and access to funding for Nigerians for both personal and business needs. The strategic launch of the instant interest-free loans aims to revolutionise the Nigerian-financial ecosystem through the introduction of a novel business model that thrives on the collateralization of fairly-used assets such as electronics, furniture, and other types of household assets. This is to further the goal of providing instant credit facilities to the unbanked and underserved persons within the Nigerian financial ecosystem. Commenting on the launch of the instant interest-free loans, the Chief Executive Officer of Egoras, Ugoji Harry, noted that the recent development reinforces the company’s commitment to cater for the financial needs of Nigerians through leveraging on the latest financial technology. “Our vision as a fintech company is to build a digital ecosystem that thrives on blockchain technology which empowers Nigerians and small business to access instant

microcredits seamlessly. We aim to promote economic growth and development across Nigeria, including the African continent, through the creative elimination of financial institutions that make access to credit facilities difficult due to high-interest rates. It is on this backdrop that we have developed a unique system that is centred around the exchange of used assets for repayment purposes to support the growth of Nigerian business, particularly the unbanked or underserved communities,” he said. Speaking on the development, the Media Director for Egoras, Moses Mudiaga, stated that the adopted business model of the organisation would redefine the operations of the financial ecosystem across the African continent, particularly Nigeria. “For us at Egoras, we truly understand the pain points of Nigerians, especially small-business owners, who are frantically striving to access microcredits to either cater for their private needs or to upscale their business operations. It is on this understanding that we have designed a bespoke microcredit scheme that seeks to support Nigerians and small enterprises through the provision of zero-interest instant loans with a flexible repayment plan,” he said.

BoICT Lecture 2022 to Explore Impact of Blockchain Technology This year’s Beacon of Information and Communication Technology (BoICT) awards/lecture series scheduled for May 28, will be exploring Impact of Blockchain Technology in a Digitalized Nigeria. Now in its 13th year, the BoICT Distinguished Lecture Series is widely regarded as the most prestigious annual event available in the ICT industry in Nigeria. This year the theme is “Impact of Blockchain Technology in a Digitalized Nigeria”. As Nigeria is moving towards a digital economy, Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt digital interaction in our economy and society. The technology’s rapid and dynamic technical development is driven by startups and incumbents alike, creating a myriad of applications across economic and societal domains.

Chief Executive Officer, Communication Week Media Limited, and the organisers of the lecture, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, said the choice of the theme is based on thepotentials of the new technological paradigm that have not yet reached wider public debatefor economic and societal growth. “Distributed ledger technologies and blockchains stem from an ideological open-source movement and facilitate the exchange of assets via a complementary technical layer on top of the internet,” Nwogbo said. According to him, “the lecture is followed by the awards ceremony which reward best practices and recognize outstanding contributions to the growth of the ICT sector.The awards are free and awardees are chosen by readers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeekthrough a transparent voting process.”

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ , APRIL 14, 2022

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Positioning Nigerians Towards Achieving UHC with ‘The Lancet Report’ Sunday Ehigiator writes that the newly commissioned ‘Lancet Report’ during the ‘Global Launch of The Lancet Nigeria Commission’, was a step in the right direction for Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030

L-R: Dean UCL, Population Health Sciences, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar; Director Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Alex Okoh; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osibanjo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloregbe; Commission for Health Cross River State and National Chairman of Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, Dr. Betta Edu, and Assistant Director-General Health Emergency Intelligence, WHO, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, at the Global Launch of The Lancet Nigeria Commission recently held in Abuja

n public-health parlance, it is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation’. Therefore, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is about ensuring that people have access to the health care they need without suffering financial hardship. The Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), regarding “Good Health and Well-being”, is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. The official wording is: “To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Target 8 of the SDG-3 particularly speaks about achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. Another aspect of the SDG-3 equally spoke about the need for a substantial increase in health financing and the recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce in developing countries (such as Nigeria), especially in the least developed countries and small island developing states. Therefore, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aims to provide health care and financial protection to all people in a given country with three related objectives: equity in access, quality of health services, and financial risk protection. The Nigeria Situation Nigeria faces challenges that delay progress toward the attainment of the national government’s declared goal of universal health coverage (UHC). One of such challenge is system-wide inequities resulting from a lack of financial protection for the health care needs of the vast majority of Nigerians. Only a small proportion of Nigerians have prepaid health care. Although several efforts and initiatives have been put forth by the Nigerian Government to advance UHC in the country, these efforts have mostly been jeopardised by the faulty structure of the country’s health system. Hence, to get quality health care, you just have to visit private hospitals and facilities which are usually very expensive and unsubsidised. Out of pocket expenditures for health is the order of the day and it is seemingly peaking at an overall of about 70 per cent of the total contribution for healthcare services. The consequence of this is evident in the country’s high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) pegged at 814 deaths per 100,000 live births by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which also puts the lifetime risk of a Nigerian woman dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or post-abortion at one (1) in 22, in contrast to the lifetime risk in developed countries estimated at one (1) in 4,900. The Lancet Report Against the backdrop of finding lasting and

workable solution applicable to every economic class of Nigerians, a multidisciplinary group of Nigerian academics based in Nigeria and around the world, working in close collaboration with UCL’s Institute for Global Health, and policymakers, over two years reviewed existing disease burden in Nigeria and opportunities to improve health and came up with the recently launched Lancet Report. The Lancet Nigeria Commission report, published on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, found that health outcomes remain poor in Nigeria, despite higher expenditure since 2001. The team also maintained that while Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and most populous country - projected to become the world’s third most populated country by 2050, its dismal health outcomes are holding back progress and threatening the future of an otherwise dynamic nation. In an accompanying Lancet paper, the group also examined population health outcomes in Nigeria from 1998 to 2019 and compared it with 15 other West African Countries. They analyzed gender patterns of mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and health system coverage. The authors concluded that Nigeria compares less favorably than similar nations in West Africa, despite recent improvements. Recommendations On recommendations, speaking on behalf of the team, the Team Lead, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, said Nigeria urgently needs to improve access to health care by improving health financing and the efficiency of existing spending. “Our report offers specific recommendations on innovation financing and specific interventions to improve healthcare staffing, information systems, and access to care for all. “Given that the vast majority of factors that influence health lie outside the healthcare sector, health should be at the heart of

all policies. This will require a re-think of governance for health with the establishment of inter-sectoral governance mechanisms that enable measurement of the health impact of different policies to hold all sectors accountable. “This includes addressing poor access to water and sanitation; improving access to healthy foods; addressing the double burden of malnutrition due to underweight and overweight, and tackling the scourge of air pollution. Explicit consideration of equity in the implementation of programs and provision of social welfare, education, and employment opportunities should be paramount.” Yet the report presents a positive outlook that Nigeria can deliver equitable and optimal health outcomes. It identifies bold recommendations for action in collaboration with policymakers, contributing to sustainable change on health policy and programming, national health outcomes, and global health goals. The report’s recommendations include calling for a new social contract centered on health to address Nigeria’s need to define the relationship between the citizen and the state, prevention being at the heart of health policy, given Nigeria’s young population, requiring a whole-of-government approach and community engagement. It also proposed an ambitious program of healthcare reform to deliver a centrally determined, locally delivered health system, including providing health insurance coverage for 83 million poor Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums. It proposed a health system that encourages innovation and engages communities, to ensure that existing nationally driven schemes have local buy-in and are sustainable, and reforming the policy and regulatory landscape to unleash the market potential of the private sector. It demanded a whole system assessment of the investment needs in Nigeria’s health security, in which the pandemic has exposed weaknesses.

“Our report offers specific recommendations on innovation financing and specific interventions to improve healthcare staffing, information systems, and access to care for all. Given that the vast majority of factors that influence health lie outside the healthcare sector, health should be at the heart of all policies”

Appraisals of the Report Appraising the report before officially commissioning it, Vice President Osinbajo said the federal government had placed great emphasis on improving the health of all Nigerians, adding that “putting primary health care (PHC) at the center of a reform is proof of its sincerity”. He said that PHC ensures that high-quality basic health care services are provided to Nigerians, regardless of where they live or stay in the country. He added that the federal government believes that the health of Nigerians does matter and would therefore focus interventions on Nigerians living in rural areas, women, and vulnerable populations. “Of course, there was no way to say we’ve done it all because the challenges are the same everywhere and I think the report highlights those challenges, but we welcome innovation and fresh thinking. “The report provides several excellent recommendations, some of which are already being implemented, but many of which we will need to consider carefully. “This report is important. I think it is. Particularly just as the president launched the health reform committee, which he asked me to chair, and I think the committee will benefit Nigerians. “I believe immensely in the input of these experts who wrote the entire report,” he explained. Osinbajo said the report further recommended that prevention had to be at the center of health policy, given Nigeria’s young population, and that it required a lot of government focus and community engagement. He said that to redesign and rethink the health security needs of the country, there is enough that the nation already knows. “Governments must lead the development of standards for the digitisation of health records, better data collection systems, registration, and quality assurance.” Also speaking on the report, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the PSC on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said, analysis of the country’s disease burden showed a combination of a high burden of maternal and child conditions, a reduced but still significant burden of infectious diseases, particularly malaria, and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), that pose a threat to the rapidly growing population of the country. “Health is a unique political lever, which to date has been underutilised as a mechanism to bring populations together.” Mustapha said that as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, its growing population requires increased funding for its health care. However, he advised that the country must invest in its health and the future of its health care system, noting that to better respond to the needs of its citizens, the nation must invest in its health care system.

T H I S D AY ˾ , APRIL 14, 2022

INTERVIEW

NACA DG: We Plan to Boost HIV Response Programme With Private Sector Funding With the dwindling foreign financial assistance posing a major challenge to the health sector, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has launched an initiative to mop funds from the private sector to support the campaign against HIV-AIDS in Nigeria. In this interview with Onyebuchi Ezigbo, the Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu said the agency is seeking to galvanise private sector resources to fight HIV. He also spoke on milestones achieved as well as strategies to eradicate AIDS in Nigeria What is your scorecard in the ﬁght against HIV in Nigeria since you assumed ofﬁce? hen we are looking at milestones in controlling HIV we look at two big milestones. Where are we in terms of our ability to control the epidemic? The second one is after we achieved epidemic control, what measures are we putting in place to sustain the control? On the first one there are programatic indicators which we use now to attain epidemic control. These indicators are that people living with HIV AIDS, 95 per cent and above should know they have HIV. Another 95 per cent of those who know they have HIV in them should have unmitigated access to life saving drugs and another 95 percent of those that have this access should have the drugs working in them, suppressing the virus, making the virus to disappear from the blood and it is not seen. Once it is not seen, the virus isn’t transmitted and if it is not transmitted then it doesn’t have the capacity to break the body’s defence mechanism to make the person sick. When I came on board, we had on record close to 800,000 people that where identified and were linked to the life saving treatment out of about two million people that live with HIV AIDS in Nigeria but today as I speak to you in the span of three years we were able to identify additional one million people. We at the moment have 1.8 million people identified out of the two million we are looking out for and they have been successfully placed on treatment. We are testing them to find out how these medications are working on them to achieve that goal of making the virus disappear. If it is not seen then it is not transmitted. This is the first trench. In the first phase we have done exceedingly well. Nobody had expected that in the span of three years we would be able to turn around the national response and add a million people on treatment. Prior to 2019, we on average identified and added 50,000 to 60,000 of person every year. However, in 2019 to 2020, 2020 to 2021 now 2021 to 2022 we have identified on the average more than 300,000 every year. So this is how the narrative changed for the last few years I took over with regards to the first phase. For the second phase which is sustainability, this is putting structures in place, financial and otherwise knowing fully well that by the time we achieve the first phase, this money that we have and we enjoy will no longer be as big as it is. The question now is, from there onward who pays for the medication? Who provides this uninterrupted medication for these people to keep this virus in them without sharing it with the rest of us for the rest of their lives.

the monies we see now may not be there because we use money for two things; to find cases and to program and manage the cases. So if you finish finding the cases then all the money for case finding would go and now you would be looking for money to manage the cases that you have found and this money is what you should plan to have continuously on an annual bases for as long as HIV continues to exist without cure, we shall continue to give this medication to this people that we found to make sure this virus doesn’t move.

NACA has identiﬁed unmarried people and sex workers as the highest multiplier of HIV infections. What measures have you put in place to put them in check and arrest further spread of HIV ? We already have measures that we put in place that are ongoing. The group you are talking about is the group we call key affected population. These are sex workers, men who have sex with men, injection drugs users, transgenders and the other category you are talking about are young unmarried which cuts across men and women that for some reasons are now disconnected in terms of access to our prevention services. Our prevention services are available and accessable. However, somebody needs to be aware of the existence for them to take advantage and make good use of them. One thing that is obvious to us is that the adolescents and young adults pay attention more to social media and spend most of their time on social media and because of that we have expanded our tentacles there. We are out there on the social medias, we are sending messages, tweeting, we are on Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook spreading this message. Why it is important for you to know about your HIV status and why it is super important for you to remain negative if you are negative and what benefits awaits you if you are positive in terms of us helping you to fight the virus and keeping it in you without the virus leaving you to affect other persons and without the virus having the upper hand to make you sick. How many new infections do we have since you assumed ofﬁce and what is the

What is the federal government’s side of the budget? Let me give you a scenario, out of the 1.8 million that we have on treatment you can make an assumption that the government of Nigeria is taking care of about 100,000. The global fund is taking care of between 300,000 to 400,000 and the United State government is taking care of about 1.3 million. It is just an example I gave you. So we have a programme we call alignment where we put all our resources together and in that alignment United States government has the largest share of contribution followed by the global fund and then the federal government of Nigeria.

Aliyu

total number of people infected with HIV in Nigeria as at this year? I don’t have the total new infections to give you for the last three years in my head but one thing I can tell you is that the number of new infections are declining and the number of deaths from HIV is also declining and these are the critical milestones or indicators for progress towards epidemic control. As you approach epidemic control and the community is getting saturated in terms of identifying people living with HIV and placing them on treatment the virus will now be caged and demmobilised, so if it is not moving as before. It means you won’t be seeing new infections as before and at the same time, you won’t be seeing deaths from HIV because more 90 per cent of people who have the virus now know they have the virus and are taking good care of it. So because of that the virus doesn’t progress to what we call AIDS and it has to go to AIDS before it kills so it doesn’t go there. What about the mother to child transmission of HIV? Have you been able to check that? Unfortunately no. We haven’t been able to arrest mother to child transmission but we have taken every measure that are necessary to halt mother to child transmission, to reduce it significantly this year and to further reduce mother to child transmission in the next coming years for us to see ourselves being counted as countries that are making huge progress towards eliminating mother to child transmission. It is global and it is possible. other countries have done it and some other countries are doing it now and we are also in a good position to do it and we are on track to drastically reduce the mother to child transmission beginning from this year and then progressively eliminating it. What is the rate at which the pregnant women respond to HIV test because it has been identiﬁed as a problem and that most of them don’t go for test? You are right. The first limitation is having access to the pregnant woman. From our programme, from what we have seen once we have access to the pregnant woman and we introduce our services to them, almost 100 percent accept our service. They test and

those that are found to have HIV also agree to take the medication to prevent the spread of the virus from them to their unborn baby. They understand the risk and most of the time they are very co operative. They want to make sure that the virus isn’t seen in their unborn baby. Where we have the problem is the access. Significant number of pregnant women don’t come to conventional facilities whether government or private to deliver. Some of them deliver at home for cultural reasons, some at a traditional centre or a nurse in the ward. Some of them deliver at religious places of worship and some of them deliver in other places. Those that we don’t have access to are the ones that we are now marking efforts and looking at how we can have access to them in addition to those that we already have access to. If we are able to double the number of pregnant women we see this year then it is an indication that we are making very good progress in terms of having access to the pregnant woman. Last year and the year before last year I think the numbers we had access to were about two million every year. This year we want to see if we can have access to about four million pregnant women and give them HIV services. We will like to know what NACA’s budget is like, what you got from donors and the federal government? There isn’t much different between what we have this year and what we had last year and also similar to what we had the year before last year. However, we know that going forward and it has started happening, this year we had a budget deficit of about $26 million that is the money we are getting from American government is about $26 million short of what we have had last year and this scenario we expect to continue to repeat itself as we approach epidemic control and by the time we approach epidemic control and we reach there, we know there would be this discussion about sustainability of the entire program since the American program isn’t here to stay forever. It has a life span and the life span is dependent on our ability to control the virus and now we are right on track on controlling the virus. So we know by the time we are able to control the virus most of

You recently launched an initiative to bring in private sector fund or domestic funding into the HIV-AIDS control programme, what is the progress report on that initiative? You are referring to HIV trust fund of Nigeria. This is an initiative that has been in the pipeline before COVID 19 came. When COVID 19 came this idea was introduced in COVID 19 response and it worked very well and this is what we call CACOVID. The private sector came together to help government of Nigeria to fight Corona virus. That same model is the model we are adopting for HIV. The private sector is coming together. At this material time we tell them that one of the areas that we are having gaps and requires urgent attention is the fight to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV and that is where the HIV trust fund is focusing and helping. What the trust fund does is money that is contributed from private sector is 100 per cent managed by the private sector and what they do with our alignment is to provide us commodities. We have shared our commodity needs for this year and we have shared our commodity forecast for next year with the fund. We are now waiting for the trust fund to come back to us and ask us how do we want this commodity to be provided in terms of the time, in terms of location but we have done our first part and we are waiting for the trust fund to look at our request, work on it and then come back to tell us how they are going to filling in this gap we have allocated to them and everything is going on well. In monetary terms, what will this allocation to the trust fund require? What we requested this year because we want to expand the prevention of mother to children transmission in the community level and one thing that is required and which takes a lot of money in this business are the test kits. You may have to test like 50 pregnant women, 20 percent sometimes, or 40 sometimes before you get one HIV positive. These numbers that you test you need thes kits to test them. So this is our request for this year from the trust fund, we want them to provide us kits to help us expand the services at the community level. Maybe next year we will add drugs but this year we have enough drugs to go round including the number of pregnant women that would be identified. Can you say that Nigeria will meet the global target on elimination of AIDS? By the year 2030 HIV would still be in some people’s body. However, it is our hope that by the year 2030 that we don’t see people with this disease called AIDS that makes people sick and kills them and I have told you that we have observed decline and those decline are significant in terms of people that are having new infections and people that are dying from HIV and that is the area of interest that we will keep our eyes on looking towards 2030. Our hope is that within the next two to three years Nigeria should arrive at that bridge where we don’t see AIDS people Continued on page 38

T H I S D AY ˾ , APRIL 14, 2022

NEWS

AWWASHNet Confronts Bias against Women, Cultivates Female Students ˾ ÓÑÒÞÝ ÝÞÓÑ×ËÞÓÝËÞÓÙØ ËÑËÓØÝÞ ÐÏ×ËÖÏ ×ÙØÞÒÖã ÍãÍÖÏ

L-R: Comrade Sessi Funmi, NLC Lagos Chair; Aderonke Ige, CAPPA Associate Director; Vicky Onyekwuru, AWWASHNet Chair; Ngozi Edet, Chairperson, AUPCTRE Women; and Betty Abah, ED CEE-Hope The Africa Women Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network (AWWASHNet) has called on governments at all levels to remove barriers to women achieving their full potential. AWWASHNet made the call at an engagement activity held in Lagos which had women leaders, female secondary school pupils and media practitioners in attendance. The event, convened to commemorate the International Women Day, addressed different topics ranging from Public Sector Effectiveness-The Place of Women, Democracy and Good Governance – The Role of Labour in Propagating Women Inclusion, The Role of The Media in Driving Gender Equality, among others. In her opening remark, Vickie Uremma Onyekuru, Chairperson, AWWASHNet, welcomed all the participants and pointed out the importance of women’s role in society and the world at large which cannot be overemphasised. She noted that women have been relegated on the matters that affect them the most, they have no voice of their own, stating that this year’s theme is timely as it strengthens and calls for women to wake up to their challenges, take the bull by the horn and act in every capacity available to make a positive impact bearing in mind that generations unborn will be impacted by actions of today. Betty Abah, the Executive Director of CEE-Hope in her goodwill message said the world rests on the shoulders of women and it is only natural to provide some help for them. Women do not need help on compassion but help on their rights. Abah emphasized that some of the things crucial to women are hygiene, especially during the menstrual cycle. She frowned at how the girl child is made to feel ashamed during their monthly cycle hence the need for the unions, communities, and media to unite in fighting against their stigmatisation.

Ngozi Edet, chairperson of AUPCTRE women’s wing, Lagos, maintained the fact that the bill to privatise water at the national level was suspended is evidence that when women challenge anti-people decisions, it always changes the narratives, and the same energy must be channelled to protecting women across the board. Aderonke Ige, Associate Director at CAPPA while making her presentation on, Public Sector Effectiveness, the place of women, encouraged women to collectively fight for their rights and make sure that legal inhibitors to women’s rights be identified and addressed. Ige went further to say, it is the society that fuelled the division women are facing today, even as she challenged every woman to #breakthebiases that divide them. She advised that women must learn to use occasions deliberately created to pitch them against each other to bond strongly to challenge that system. Comrade Funmi Sessi, Lagos Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in her intervention on ‘Democracy and Good Governance – The Role of Labour in Propagating Women Inclusion’, stated that some of the biases experienced by women is because of bad governance and bad government policies which do not recognise the roles of women in society, while creating an environment that makes it difficult for women to cope. The labour leader revealed that labour is propagating women to be included in governance up to 35 per cent at each level and has gone as far as fronting women candidates and placing supportive measures to make sure they succeed. In her words: “we do not want women to be used for political dance while their male counterpart is kept in the office who will, in turn, jettison them as soon as they get to power. Women are not to be used to help

men to power and be neglected because they are women” She encouraged women to be good examples to their children, be accountable and stop limiting themselves as people that are only made to be inferior against their men counterparts in leadership, women must be ready to challenge impunities in their community, society, Africa, and the world at large. We have had successful women leaders at different levels A participant, Nigeria Info FM Presenter, Wemimo Adewumi, speaking on ‘The role of the media in driving gender equality, advised women not to relent in supporting their fellow women, noted that leadership positions in media are shifting from men to women, she encouraged women to own their voices by speaking out, and not die in silence. Women should stand up to challenge stereotypes with facts in the media. “Elections are no longer made for only men. Women should be able to campaign, contest and support each other during election time, as more women in leadership foster good decision processes in society. We can then be able to break the bias we are faced with today”. On the Way forward, AWWASHNet Coordinator, Veronica Nwanya said that there must be deliberate inclusion of women in decision making in leadership and other channels of information where women are expected to play vital roles. Participants were drawn from, Child Health Organisation, MODRISIC, ODL, AUPCTRE, ROWGLES, Lagos State Ministry of Education, LUCIANO, Cee-Hope, NLC, CAPPA, AWWASHNet members. Pupils were invited from Omole Senior Grammar School, Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar school, Oregun Senior High School, Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, and Government Technical College, among others.

NACA DG: WE PLAN TO BOOST HIV RESPONSE PROGRAMME WITH PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING anymore and every HIV infected individual is managing his or her disease as chronic illness just like we manage diabetics, hypertension and any other chronic disease. They are living with it, they are going about their business without fear, without stigmatisation or discrimination. How far have you been able to address the issue of stigmatisation? It is still a factor but not as it used to be in the past. We have had tremendous gains in fighting stigmatisation and discrimination. I can say that stigma and discrimination has been the major barrier that deny us that opportunity to identify

these two million people we have been looking out for the last almost 20 years but for the last three years you can see we were able to identify a million and over 12 to 13 years before then we were not able to identify up to a million. So you can see how stigma has been a factor from the time we started this vigorous fight against HIV in 2005 up to around 2018 and from 2019 we had a change that suddenly people now come close and people take the services and also people use this services. We have unlocked the barrier that prevented people from coming to facilities to request for the services. What we did is that

we take the services to their doorstep, to the community level. So now what is clearly coming out is if you take the services to people’s doorstep people would be happy to take it, people would be happy to know about their HIV status and they would be happy to take this medication but if you continue to stay at facilities in our hospitals waiting for people to come and demand then we haven’t reached that stage as we want. People are still reluctant to come to facilities and demand for the services as we would have want to see but going to the communities at their doorsteps, people would take the services. You can see

a change, we were identifying 50,000 a year now it is over 300,000 a year due to what we have been able to do at the community using information, using data that we were able to collect in 2018. There is also COVID 19, is it still a factor? Does it have impact on the HIV drive? COVID 19 had impact on our services for only two months when it came first. Up until March, April, May, June 2020 that was when COVID 19 had a profound impact on our services but as at July we were able to bounce back and since then we have being cruising at high altitude

O-Shot Therapy Raises Hope of Enhanced Sexual Experience in Genitally Mutilated Females Mary Nnah There is hope for full conjugal experience with their partners for over 20 million Nigerian girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) with O-Shot therapy. O-Shot, a regenerative medicine procedure that is done through Adult Stem Cell Therapy (non-invasive) or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy (non-invasive) is a cosmetic procedure to enhance female sexual wellness. According to Dr. David Ikudayisi, Medical Director of Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, Lekki, Lagos, O-Shot (aka orgasm shot) treatment, “Involves injecting the Clitoris, Labia and G-spot with Platelets-substances in your blood that contains healing proteins called growth factor-extracted from your own blood.” Speaking during a recent webinar titled: “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): How to Enhance Your Sexual Experience Through Adult Stem Cell” as part of the activities to mark the International Women Day, 2022, Dr. Ikudayisi explained: “We use Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) from your own blood,” in addition to the use of Adult Stem Cells (such as Umbilical Blood Stem Cells, Fat-derived Stem Cells, Bone Marrow Stem Cells, Stem Cells Exosomes) and Shockwave Therapy to enhance female sexual wellness”. Ikudayisi, who is United States of America Board Certified Internist and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, said the application of PRP around the genital organ promotes blood flow and cell growth which leads to regeneration within the Clitoris. “The result is new, healthy tissues (clitoris) that is permanent”, he added. Dr. Ikudayisi decried the high prevalence of female genital mutilation in Nigeria and in many African countries saying that apart from denying women the opportunity of enjoying sex it has huge health implications. These include abscesses, cysts, excessive scar tissue, painful sex and menstruation, Hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, urinary tract infections, infertility, and increased risk of bleeding during childbirth. Ikudayisi said a survey on February 1, 2022, by Statista Research Department, shows that “as of 2018, 20 per cent surveyed women in Nigeria had undergone female genital mutilation. Compared to 2013, this figure decreased by five percentage points (25 per cent)”.. According to him, Nigeria ranks the third-highest globally in the prevalence of FGM, accounting for 10 per cent of the global total. Ikudayisi identified age-long cultural and religious practices as the factors promoting FGM in Nigeria. He said several civil society organisations and international non-governmental organisations are involved in strong advocacy against FGM while those females who have come under the knife can get their genital area, especially the clitoris back, and

ND Western, NPDC/IPPG JV Inaugurate Multi-Million Naira “Delta Plus” Diagnostics Laboratory In Delta Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The ND Western, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) Joint Venture has inaugurated a multi million naira diagnostics laboratory at Ogunu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The laboratory christened “Delta Plus Diagnostics” was conceived and initiated by the ND Western, NPDC and IPPG JV, as a direct response to the need to support the federal government’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic and other diagnostic problems. The services that will be provided by the laboratory include COVID-19 PCR test, Tumor markers/Cancer Screening Test, HIV Detection, HIV Viral Load, HBV Detection, HPV Detection, STD Panel, Respiratory Panel, Hepatitis B Test, Tuberculosis, Oncology, Stem Cell Research, Diabetes screening, SNP Genotype and many more. Chairman, Board of Directors of ND Western, Mr. Samuel Dossou-Aworet, in his virtual address, said the facility will cover all diagnostic needs and assured of adequate maintenance of the laboratory. He disclosed that the initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with its joint partners to cover its catchment areas of operations as well as the surrounding states. Mr. Dossou-Aworet said the company deployed both financial and human resources in ensuring the fruition of the project, which will reduce traveling from it’s operational and surrounding areas to seek diagnostic needs. He assured that ND Western will return the old Shell clinic, hosting Diagnostics Plus laboratory, to a full fledge hospital ‘as it was in the past’. Chief Executive Officer, ND Western, Mr. Eberechukwu Oji, said the commissioning of the project was a milestone in the company’s quest to create a sustainable collaborative partnership to drive excellence by Impacting positively and meaningfully the lives of the people in its host communities, work environment, and Nigeria as a whole. He commended the Board and management of ND Western, its partners (NPDC IPPG, and Katchey) amongst others who made the collaboration such an outstanding success adding “we are truly grateful to the team involved in making the laboratory a success. We also appreciate the unflinching support we received from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) in achieving this milestone. “For us, Delta Plus Diagnostics is much more than a building with state-of-the-art facilities.

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ APRIL 14, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Essaadi: NB Remains Pose on Shareholders’ Return Despite Challenges The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, Hans Essaadi, has said that the company is determined to improve on shareholders return amid the shortage in foreign exchange and global economy challenges that has resulted in steep rise in the price of crude oil and grains, as well as other challenges. He noted that the company remains poised to maintain its leadership in the brewery market via its cost and value strategies. Speaking to journalists during its Pre-Annual General Meeting (AGM) briefing in Lagos, Essaadi, noted that despite the challenging operating environment, the company remained dynamic with its processes and was able to remain resilient and grow from strength to strength. The company had recom-

mended a total dividend of N12.9 billion, which will be N1.60 per share for the 2021 financial year and will seek shareholders’ approval of a share for cash dividend election scheme at its forthcoming AGM. Essaadi, however, noted that the cost of living is currently high and together with increased price in the cost of fuel, particularly diesel, is slowing the growth of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. He also lamented that the FX crisis has been a source of concern but added that the brewery giant is confident in its ability to weather the challenge due to the legacy it has built over 75 years. He said: “The deteriorating forex situation has led to foreign suppliers running out of patience with their Nigerian partners,

mostly manufacturers who are finding it difficult to settle their rising foreign payables. Our outstanding foreign payables rose by 76 per cent in 2021 and due to lack of FX, the task of procuring input materials has been arduous and this hampered the completion of our capacity extension plan. Also speaking, the company’s Supply Chain Director, Martin Kochl, revealed that while NB recognizes the importance of sustainable local sourcing of its agricultural raw materials and commercialization of local raw materials, the company is making conscious efforts to partner with local and international research institutes to improve the performance and adaptability of registered sorghum varieties

From L-R: Mr. Romeo Moussallem - Group Marketing Manager,Mikano International with Mr. Ralph Haidar – GM Mikano Motors, displaying the newly launch “Gamechanger” GeelyAzkarra Luxury SUV at the Mikano Motors showroom VI

CCB, Mining Cadastre, Collaborate to Senstise Staff on 14 Code Guidelines Kasim Sumaina ÓØ ÌßÔË The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has with the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) to collaborate and sensitise its staff on the 14 Code of Conduct Bureau guidelines. Chairman of the bureau, Prof. Isa Mohammed, made this known while presenting the Director-General of MCO, Mr Obadiah Nkom, an award of honour in Abuja. Mohammed, represented

by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, a member of the bureau hinted that it became necessary to collaborate with MCO to sensitise its staff. Mohammed noted that most MDAs officers were only aware of “Asset Declaration” among the 14 guidelines, adding that MCO had recently released some of its staff to participate in the sensitisation programme organised by the bureau for public officers. According to him, some of

the code of conduct guidelines include, a public officer avoiding conflict of interest, abuse of office, bribery and corruption among others. Responding, Nkom said that MCO would collaborate more with the bureau to move the country forward, stating: “I feel challenged with this award, it is a call for more work and dedication to the service of our land; I see this award as a reflection of work, we must be ambassador of code of conduct.

GNI Develops Set of Affordable Insurance Products Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director/CEO, Great Nigeria Insurance PLC, (GNI) Mrs. Cecilia Osipitan has said that the company has developed unique insurance products at competitive premium rates . Osipitan said the products were aimed at assisting policy holders mitigate their risks. She highlighted the products as GNI Motor Flex, GNI Great Savers Delight (GSD), GNI Fire Proof and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) among others. She said these products had been duly approved and certified by the insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). According to Osipitan, GNI

MotorFlex offers a wide scope of protection cover in addition to all the benefits of Third-Party Motor Insurance. She further explained that the scope of cover of GNI MotorFlex Insurance includes: Third-Party Limit up to N1, 000,000 which takes care of legal liabilities for third party bodily injuries, death or property damage while the vehicle was on the road. She defined the third parties as pedestrians, other vehicles, occupiers of these vehicles and properties owned by third parties. Also vehicle owner’s damages of N100, 000 with Driver’s medical expenses of N10, 000 at an affordable premium of N7, 500. Osipitan stated that the need to bridge the gap between the compulsory Third-Party Motor

Insurance and Comprehensive Motor insurance owing to the fact that the Comprehensive Motor Insurance was perceived as “insurance for the Elites due to cost” and Third-Party Motor Insurance as “Let my people go policy without claims benefit” necessitated the development of the GNI Motorflex plan. She said it had become pertinent in order to reduce premium loss due to the failure by some vehicle owners to purchase motor insurance, which according to some analysts, totals about N530 billion yearly as reported in TechEconomy Publication. She said that Great Nigeria Insurance has put in place a-stressfree underwriting documentation process in all its branch offices nationwide.

Mikano Motors Unveils Luxury Azkarra SUV Mikano Motors, a leading automotive firm in Nigeria, has unveiled its flagship luxury SUV from its Geely Nigeria lineup, the Geely Azkarra. The car was launched at the Geely showroom in Victoria Island area of Lagos at the weekend where it demonstrated the beauty, luxury and surprising power of the Azkarra SUV. In his remarks, the GM Mikano Motors, Ralph Haidar, noted that Mikano Motors offers the best value for car purchases currently obtainable in Nigeria. He listed some of its unique features of the ride including a five-year/150,000 km warranty, mobile workshop, VIP courtesy

service, guaranteed resale value. Others include the confidence from Mikano international’s legacy quality, after-sales prowess, “assurance for peace of mind and the best value for your auto investment”. While sharing insights on the Value Chain, Haidar and his team treated newsmen to a detailed analysis of the design process for the Azkarra as shared by Geely’s Head of Design, Shanghai- Guy Burgoyne. Burgoyne, however, described the steps taken from ideation to the production of the distinguished looking Azkarra which he described as being “sophisticated, practical, intuitive

and technically precise”. He also mentioned that the Azkarra was designed with the car owners in mind, identifying that “the consumers’ choice of cars is becoming their choice of lifestyle rather than just a tool for transportation”. The head of design highlighted that the accentuated headlamps, deep set into the body colour inserts, give the Azkarra a matured look which conveys great confidence and the exterior was designed to improve aerodynamic performance. This refined, sleek attribute transitions to the interior with a self-assured fluidity, successfully merging sportiness and refinement.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͵

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zaﬁro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Stock Market Appreciates Further by N87bn Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday extended positive trading with N87 billion gain, following sustained interest in Okomu Oil plc and 30 other stocks. Precisely, the All-Share Index inched higher by 162.28 basis points or 0.34 per cent to close at 47,367.31 basis points, as the

overall market capitalisation value gained N87 billion to close at N25.536 trillion. The stock market sentiment, as measured by market breadth was positive as 31 stocks gained, relative to 16 losers. Meyer Plc recorded the highest price gain of 9.56 per cent to close at N1.49, per share. Ikeja Hotel followed with a gain 9.24 per cent to close at N1.30, while

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Caverton Offshore Support Group rose by 6.78 per cent to close at N1.26, per share. Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) rose by 6.56 per cent to close at N6.50, while Japaul Gold and Ventures and FTN Cocoa processors appreciated by 6.45 per cent each to close at 33 kobo each, per share. On the other hand, SUNU Assurance led the losers’ chart

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

QUANTITY TRADED

by 7.69 per cent to close at 36 kobo, per share. Sterling Bank followed with a decline of six per cent to close at N1.41, while Unilever Nigeria depreciated by 4.51 per cent to close at N12.70, per share. Wapic Insurance declined by 4.44 per cent to close at 43 kobo, while United Capital depreciated by 3.97 per cent to close at N13.30, per share.

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S

The total volume of trades advanced by 59.7 per cent to 391.889 million units, valued at N9.952 billion, and exchanged in 5,419 deals. Transactions in the shares of GTCO topped the activity chart with 65.886 million shares valued at N1.617 billion. Zenith Bank followed with 43.915 million shares worth N1.102 billion, while United

O F

1 3

Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 28.917 million shares valued at N235.707 million. Fidelity Bank traded 28.500 million shares valued at N106.479 million, while MTNN transacted 22.751 million shares worth N4.828 billion. Analysts at InvestmentOne Research stated that, “The equities market closed northwards today due to the gains recorded across major sectors.

/ 0 4 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

THURSDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Thursday, April 14, 2022

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THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

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5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Lafarge Africa PLC

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10 Access Bank PLC 11 United Bank for Africa PLC 12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

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15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 International Brew eries PLC

dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚǇ ƌŽƐĞ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ďǇ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, ;ϭϭ͘ϭŵ

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ϱϵ͘ϳй ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ϭϭϳ͘ϯй ƚŽ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ǁŚŝůĞ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ ϯϵϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϭϬ͘ϬďŶ͘ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďǇ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

0.0%

ROE

13.8% 111.1% 38.4%

32.0%

15.0%

ROA

P/E

3.5%

5.3x

Dividend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

6.1%

32.0%

17.1%

1.5%

213.00

0.9%

8.4%

8.1%

134.7%

14.1%

14.5x

22.4x

6.2%

70.75

0.0%

6.8%

5.5%

19.1%

11.2%

34.0x

6.4x

4.0%

2.9%

24.40

3.2%

5.8%

-6.2%

20.7%

3.3%

4.0x

0.8x

12.0%

25.3% 31.0%

6.9%

25.10

-1.2%

5.6%

-0.2%

20.4%

2.7%

3.2x

0.6x

12.3%

273.50

0.0%

4.4%

6.4%

39.2%

16.3%

12.9x

4.8x

7.2%

7.8%

1,395.00

0.0%

3.0%

-10.4%

106.8%

15.6%

27.1x

31.8x

3.6%

3.7%

11.60

2.2%

3.3%

1.8%

8.4%

0.8%

6.8x

0.6x

3.9%

14.6%

23.00

0.0%

3.0%

-4.0%

11.6%

8.4%

8.6x

1.0x

8.7%

11.6%

2.7%

7.0%

17.9%

1.6%

2.2x

0.3x

8.5%

46.0%

8.20

2.5%

2.1%

1.9%

15.8%

1.4%

2.4x

0.4x

12.3%

41.3%

34.15

0.0%

1.5%

-5.1%

15.1%

2.1%

7.7x

1.2x

8.7%

13.0%

43.75

0.9%

1.3%

-12.5%

7.6%

2.7%

27.5x

2.0x

3.7%

3.6%

985.00

0.0%

2.3%

51.5%

8.7%

4.1%

9.0x

0.8x

4.2%

11.1%

2.7x

0.4x

5.6%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 United Capital PLC

0.41%

9.95

13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 SEPLAT Energy PLC

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ʬϴϳ͘ϱďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϱ͘ϱƚŶ͘

1,260.40

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

ŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ E'y ůůͲ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞǆ ƌŽƐĞ ƚŽ ϭϭďƉƐ ƚŽ ĂƐ ϯϵ͕ϱϱϬ͘ϯϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůǇ͕ zd Ϭ͘ϯй ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚǇ ǁĂƐ ŵŝǆĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭϬ͘ϵй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůǇ͗ ϭϬ͘ϱйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ

2110.83

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

11.95

2.6%

1.8%

37.4%

16.9%

1.0%

4.90

0.0%

1.1%

-1.0%

-10.3%

-3.9%

150.00

5.6%

1.1%

5.6%

36.5%

23.3%

10.2x

3.4x

5.3%

9.8%

31.00

1.6%

1.0%

9.3%

15.9%

4.5%

4.7x

0.7x

5.3%

21.1%

0.9x

36.9% -11.6%

3.75

1.4%

0.9%

47.1%

13.3%

1.3%

2.9x

0.4x

9.3%

35.1%

2.50

0.0%

0.6%

7.8%

9.3%

3.0%

7.7x

0.7x

9.9%

13.0%

9.2x

10.9%

16.70

0.0%

0.5%

-4.0%

17.4%

6.9%

3.60

-1.4%

0.5%

20.4%

10.3%

1.1%

1.6x

6.0%

0.3x

5.6%

3.3x

10.7%

13.30

-4.0%

0.5%

34.3%

24 Guinness Nigeria PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

70.00

0.0%

0.6%

79.5%

13.3%

6.0%

14.7x

1.8x

0.6%

6.8%

1.00

-2.9%

0.3%

4.2%

11.1%

2.3%

5.3x

0.6x

2.0%

18.8%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

26 Presco PLC 27 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

132.90

-0.1%

0.4%

51.4%

2.8x

0.8%

11.95

-0.4%

0.3%

-9.5%

21.3%

6.9%

11.2x

2.2x

3.3%

ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞǆ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d

28 AIICO Insurance PLC 29 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri

0.67

1.5%

0.2%

-4.3%

14.0%

2.2%

22.7x

0.6x

3.0%

4.4%

238.50

0.0%

0.2%

7.5%

48.0%

9.5%

4.8x

2.0x

7.8%

20.7%

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ ϭ ůŽƐƚ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ Ğƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ ĂŶĚ &ZͲ/ d ƌŽƐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͕ Ϭ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ƌĞƐƉĞĐͲ

30 Custodian and Allied Insurance 31 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC 32 Unilever Nigeria PLC

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳ ƟǀĞůǇ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďƵǇŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐ ŝŶ h E

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕

hE/> s Z

;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ͕

>/E< ^^hZ

;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕

;нϲ͘ϲйͿ͕ h ;нϮ͘ϱйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ DdEE ;нϬ͘ϵйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝͲ

35 Oando PLC 36 Wema Bank PLC

ůĂƌůǇ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ

37 NEM Insurance PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ďǇ ϯďƉƐ ĞĂĐŚ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉͲ ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͘

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ĂŶĚ D E^ Z ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůǇ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ

ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ďǇ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲ

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůǇ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ ƟĐŬƐ ŝŶ E ;нϬ͘ϵйͿ͕ &>KhZD/>> ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϴй ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďǇ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ K E K ;нϬ͘ϮйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůǇ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘

ĨĞůů Ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ŝŶ t W/ ;Ͳϰ͘ϰйͿ

ĂŶĚ ^hEh ^^hZ ;Ͳϳ͘ϳйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďǇ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ KƵƚůŽŽŬ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲǆ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďǇ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯǆ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘Ϯϱǆ ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘Ϯϭǆ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ

^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂǇ͕ ǁĞ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ǁĞ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŵŽŵĞŶƚƵŵ ƚŽ ƉĞƌƐŝƐƚ͘ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝǆĞĚ͕ ĂƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ

ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůǇ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘

0.0%

0.2%

-17.7%

19.5%

5.5%

3.8x

0.7x

7.4%

26.2%

0.0%

0.2%

0.9%

38.7%

16.0%

5.8x

2.1x

6.7%

17.2%

12.70

-4.5%

0.1%

-12.4%

7.8%

4.9%

28.2x

1.1x

3.9%

3.5%

26.70

1.7%

0.2%

19.5%

18.9%

2.4%

4.0x

0.8x

9.4%

24.8%

3.9%

6.50

6.6%

0.1%

10.2%

7.1%

0.8%

7.3x

0.7x

4.83

0.2%

0.1%

9.3%

14.5%

2.6%

2.1x

0.3x

3.15

-1.3%

0.0%

337.5%

14.1%

0.8%

13.7x

1.8x

7.6%

7.3%

3.98

0.0%

0.1%

-11.6%

21.5%

12.8%

4.5x

0.9x

5.6%

22.0%

1.8x

0.3x

7.1%

1.41

-6.0%

0.1%

-6.6%

9.4%

0.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

-28.3%

-6.1%

4.95

0.0%

-8.0%

P ric e

2.4x 0.8x

1.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

1.49

9.6%

GT C O

65.9

3.2%

1.30

9.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

43.9

-1.2% 2.5%

C A VER T ON

1.26

6.8%

UB A

28.9

UB N

6.50

6.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

28.5

1.4%

F T N C OC OA

0.33

6.5%

M TNN

22.8

0.9%

0.33

6.5%

LIN KA SSUR E

22.0

0.0%

150.00

5.6%

UC A P

20.0

-4.0%

M B EN EF IT

0.25

4.2%

ST ER LN B A N K

16.8

-6.0%

A F R IP R UD

6.30

4.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

14.8

-0.5%

UA C N

11.50

3.6%

VER IT A SKA P

12.3

0.0%

OKOM UOIL

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er SUN UA SSUR ST ER LN B A N K

P ric e 0.36 1.41

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

-7.7%

M TNN

4827.7

0.9%

-6.0%

GT C O

1617.2

3.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

1101.8

-1.2%

UN ILEVER

12.70

-4.5%

WA P IC

0.43

-4.4%

449.9

0.9%

UC A P

275.3

-4.0%

UC A P

13.30

-4.0%

SOVR EN IN S

0.25

-3.8%

UB A

235.7

2.5%

-3.2%

N GXGR OUP

182.5

0.0%

-3.0%

WA P C O

160.2

0.0%

153.0

-0.5%

151.5

-0.1%

R ED ST A R EX PZ

3.05 9.70

54.3% -13.8%

IKEJ A H OT EL

J A P A ULGOLD

13.6% 48.1%

M EYER

ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϲ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ < Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ϲϬ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŽĚĂǇ͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ >/s Ͳ

6.50 22.70

T o p 10 G a in e r s T ic k er

8.9%

T R A N SC OR P

1.00

-2.9%

A C C ESSC OR P

LA SA C O

1.01

-1.9%

P R ESC O

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 12Apr-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.52% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.59 3.65 1.47% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.29% Anchoria Equity Fund 142.71 144.37 4.05% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.19 1.19 3.69% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 21.10 21.73 4.00% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 480.33 494.81 6.46% ARM Ethical Fund 41.08 42.32 5.46% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -2.08% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.04 1.89% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.50% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 109.38 109.38 7.54% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,094.85 1,094.85 9.48% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.11 2.11 10.22% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.23 2.27 11.44% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 2.41% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.35% Paramount Equity Fund 18.69 19.05 11.13% Women's Investment Fund 146.67 148.41 5.50% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.70% Cordros Milestone Fund 141.68 142.60 7.17% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.86 108.86 5.15% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.53% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 6.66% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.02 1.02 12.45% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 101.92 101.92 3.86% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 189.07 190.50 7.88% FBN Halal Fund 118.38 118.38 9.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.68% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

123.32 161.06

123.32 4.17% 163.23 6.38% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.97 1.78 1.22

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.00% 3.97 -0.80% 1.82 2.60% 1.22 1.22% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 4,046.02 3,527.70 100.00

Offer Price 4,110.26 3,527.70 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 3.98% 1.71% 6.15%

1.10

0.98%

INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ﬁncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.50 1.53 4.31% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,169.19 1,169.19 2.82% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.67 12.75 7.44% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.36% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.99 100.99 6.78% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.39% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.60 1.62 -0.68% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.68 11.69 4.43% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.10% PACAM Equity Fund 1.46 1.47 3.18% PACAM EuroBond Fund 115.66 118.33 0.47% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.05 129.50 5.80% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.92 0.95 3.31% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.39 1.41 3.42% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.11 1.12 4.92% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 2.12% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 2.00 2.00 1.99% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.16 124.16 1.49% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.64% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.65 13.78 3.52% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.69 15.87 7.40% Zenith Income Fund 22.43 22.43 1.93% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.17%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.25 134.03 106.68 20.34 21.84

14.35 137.32 108.99 20.44 21.94

2.03% 1.81% 2.94% 0.00% 0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.34 5.58 18.12 1.00 21.03 167.10

4.44 5.68 18.32 1.00 21.23 169.10

8.15% -4.45% 2.46% 5.69% 5.20% 5.88%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.53 10.80% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

FSDH Dollar Fund

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

South African Flood Death Toll Rises to 259 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to help the victims of devastating east coast floods on Wednesday, as the death toll rose to 259 from heavy rains that washed out roads and disrupted shipping in one of Africa’s busiest ports. Ramaphosa visited families who had lost loved ones in KwaZulu-Natal province, including a family with four children after floods and mudslides ravaged their homes on Tuesday. Africa’s southeastern coast is on the front line of seaborne weather systems that scientists believe global warming is making nastier - and predict will worsen in decades to come. “You’re not alone ... We’ll do everything in our power to see how we can help,” Ramaphosa said. “Even though your hearts are in pain, we’re here for you.” Nonala Ndlovu, chief director of the Department of Cooperative Governance for KwaZulu-Natal, told Reuters the police estimate of the death toll was 259. South Africa’s northern neighbour Mozambique has suffered a series of devastating floods over the past decade, including one last month that killed more than 50 people. “You’re battling one of the biggest incidents we’ve seen and we thought this only happens in other countries like Mozambique or Zimbabwe,” Ramaphosa told the victims. Sri Lanka PM Seeks Talks with Protesters Occupying Presidential Oﬃces Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says he is willing to meet with protesters camped outside the presidential offices in the capital, Colombo, demanding his resignation and that of his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, over the country’s economic crisis. The prime minister’s office issued a statement Wednesday saying he is prepared to meet with protesters’ representatives to discuss any proposals they have to resolve the crisis. The South Asian island nation is struggling under the weight of heavy debt and declining foreign reserves that have created critical shortages of medicine, food, and fuel, leading to several hours of power blackouts a day. The COVID-19 pandemic has also ground Sri Lanka’s vital tourism industry to a halt, dealing an additional blow to its economy. Sri Lanka’s central bank announced Tuesday that it is suspending all foreign debt repayments as it prepares to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund on a loan restructuring program. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had issued a state of emergency late last month to end demonstrations outside his home demanding his resignation. The decree had given police the power to make arrests without warrants and made it illegal for people to leave their homes. But the decree was lifted a few days later after 41 lawmakers abandoned the ruling coalition and became independent, weakening the government’s control of Sri Lanka’s single-chamber parliament. The mass resignations occurred two days after Rajapaksa’s entire 26-member Cabinet quit, including his brother, Basil, who served as finance minister. Egypt’s Tourist Bus Crash Kills 10, Including 4 French A tourist bus collided with a truck on a highway in southern Egypt and burst into flames on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people, including four French and a Belgian, authorities said. The crash happened some 55 kilometres (34 miles) south of the ancient city of Luxor as it was travelling to the temples of Esna on the west bank of the Nile River, provincial authorities said in a statement. Along with the tourists, five Egyptians were killed in the crash. At least 14 others were injured, including eight from France and six from Belgium. The cause of the

as part of its observance of International Day for Street Children. The government says the number of street children in Cameroon has risen sharply due to poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts at the nation’s borders. Rights and humanitarian groups moved from street to street, visiting markets, riversides and abandoned buildings in Cameroon’s capital city, Yaounde, in search of homeless children. When they were found, some children agreed to go to shelters. Others refused and were given clothes and food. Rachel Balafai, of head the Street Child Center, a Yaounde charity, said the search was conducted at night because that is when searchers believe they will find the children and can see the conditions under which they live. Balafai said her association gave food and clothing to 230 street children from Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria this week.

crash was not immediately clear. Many bodies were charred, and the injured suffered burns, bruises and fractures, according to a health official who spoke on anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. Footage circulated online showed a tourist bus in flames with people trying to put out the fire. “A guest is dying inside,” one person was heard screaming. The bus in the video bore the logo of state-owned Misr Travel. The Cairo-based agency did not respond to a request for comment. Swiss to Unfreeze $430m as Egypt Money Laundering Probe Ends Swiss prosecutors will not file any charges after concluding a decadelong investigation into alleged money laundering and organized crime linked to late former President Hosni Mubarak’s circles in Egypt and will release some 400 million Swiss francs ($430 million) frozen in Swiss banks. The office of the Swiss attorney general said Wednesday that information received as part of cooperation with Egyptian authorities wasn’t sufficient to back up the claims that emerged in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 that felled Mubarak’s three-decade rule. A Swiss investigation into claims that banks in Switzerland were used to squirrel away ill-gotten funds had originally targeted 14 people, including Mubarak’s two sons and dozens of other individuals and entities that had assets totalling some 600 million francs frozen. More than 210 million francs were already released in an earlier phase of the case, which also could not substantiate the allegations, and Wednesday’s announcement means about 400 million more will be “released and returned to their beneficial owners,” the attorney general’s office said. The final part of the Swiss investigation centred on five people, it said, without identifying them. Yen Drops to 20-Year Low Against Dollar The yen hit its lowest level against the dollar in two decades on Wednesday, extending recent falls as the gap widens between Japan’s ultra-loose monetary policy and US tightening. Despite being traditionally considered a safe-haven currency, uncertainty fueled by the war in Ukraine has not caused the yen to strengthen. Instead, the US Federal Reserve moves towards a more aggressive policy and the shock of rising oil prices in Japan — a major importer of fossil fuels — have

pushed the currency lower, analysts say. One dollar bought 126 yen on Wednesday afternoon, the lowest rate since 2002. “The Japanese yen has been one of the weakest currencies anywhere in the world this year,” Dutch banking group ING said in a recent commentary. “Driving the rally has been the perfect storm of a hawkish Federal Reserve, a dovish Bank of Japan (BoJ), and Japan’s negative terms of trade shock as a major fossil fuel importer.” Government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said “the stability of exchange rates is important, and we see rapid currency moves as undesirable.” “We will monitor trends in the foreign currency market and the impact on the Japanese economy with a sense of urgency,” he added. After four years of steady strengthening, the yen had already lost 10 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2021. Murderer of British Lawmaker Sentenced to Life Imprisonment The man who stabbed and killed a British member of parliament last fall has been sentenced to life in prison. Ali Harbi Ali, 26, who the Islamic State terrorist group inspired, attacked Conservative Party member David Amess, 69, at a church event last October, killing him. Ali said the attack was revenge for Amess’ support of airstrikes in Syria. During the trial, prosecutors called Ali a “committed, fanatical, radicalized Islamist terrorist.” Ali reportedly told detectives he’d been planning to kill a parliamentarian for years. The jury took just 18 minutes to reach the conviction. “It’s clear that the man who begins a life sentence today is a cold, calculated and dangerous individual,” Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said in a statement outside court following the sentencing. Amess’ family gave a brief statement after the sentencing. “Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that,” they said. “We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives. Our last thought before sleep will be of David. We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy.” Cameroon Oﬀers Shelter to Abandoned Street Children Authorities in Cameroon moved 150 children from the streets of the capital to centres for abandoned kids on Tuesday

South Sudan Facing its Worst Food Crisis on Record The United Nations warns that a record 7.74 million people, or two-thirds of South Sudan’s population, will likely face hunger during this year’s lean season between May and July. This is the dangerous period between planting and harvesting when food stocks are at their lowest. Among the millions at risk of hunger are an estimated 87,000 people who will face catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity during the lean period. A UN analysis of the food situation in South Sudan released last week warns many of these people will likely die of starvation. This, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation representative in South Sudan, Meshack Malo, is because they will have run out of coping options to feed themselves and their families. Speaking from the capital Juba, Malo said some 1.34 million severely malnourished children are among those most at risk. He said 676,000 pregnant and lactating women are also expected to be malnourished this year and need special nutritional treatment. The key drivers of food insecurity and extreme hunger in South Sudan include climate shocks. The country has experienced three consecutive years of heavy flooding, interspersed with periods of drought. This has badly impacted peoples’ ability to cultivate their land and prevent the loss of livestock. Media Watchdogs, UN Demand Taliban Stop Arbitrary Detention of Journalists Local media watchdogs in Afghanistan and the United Nations have called on the Taliban to stop the arbitrary detention of local journalists in Afghanistan. In a statement on Thursday, the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee said the Taliban arrested its provincial representative in central Ghor province along with another local journalist on Wednesday. According to the statement, the local journalist was released two hours later but AJSC’s provincial representative, Ghulam Rabani Hadafmand, was still in the Taliban’s detention. “Although it has been more than 24 hours from the incident, the provincial representative of AJSC in Ghor is still under arrest,” said the statement, which called on the Taliban to release Hadafmand and “provide the necessary explanations based on the provisions of law.” In a tweet on Thursday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said that the “arbitrary and incommunicado detentions of journalists and media workers by the Taliban show no sign of abating.”

THURSDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY-EIGHT FG LINKS KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK TO SYNERGY BETWEEN BOKO HARAM AND BANDITS Magashi (rtd), at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari. The government’s latest position came as Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom accused the Buhari administration of pretending not to notice the unremitting killings of innocent Nigerians. Ortom, who spoke during an interview in Makurdi, also alleged plans by the government to yield power to criminal elements. That was as members of the House of Representatives, yesterday at plenary, reiterated their call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on security in Nigeria. Reacting to the recent escalations in insecurity, particularly the killings in Plateau State, the lawmakers demanded the sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd.). Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, stated the recent killing of over 100 people in Plateau State and over 20 persons in Benue State was horrific and unacceptable. But the presidency yesterday reacted formally to Tuesday's call by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Buhari to resign as a result of the worsening security situation in the country. The presidency dubbed the call a ploy by desperate politicians to get power. The federal government said, though the security agencies are still working hard to unravel the group behind the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, preliminary report showed that some criminal groups had collaborated to perpetrate the act. It urged Nigerians to also cooperate with government to smoke out the criminals. Briefing newsmen in Abuja, at the end of the weekly FEC meeting, Magashi and Mohammed assured that the government was on top of the matter. Responding to a question on whether the government had identified those behind the attack, Magashi said, “Honestly, I think the security chiefs are working hard to unveil those that are involved, and we will tell you very soon those that are carrying out these attacks. “Both attacks in Jos and Kaduna, we will come and explain to the public what is really going on and our efforts to ensure that all these activities are stopped once and for all. We are really on top of the situation, we are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible.” Speaking also, Mohammed said, “What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents. “Preliminary reports of what transpired at the Kaduna train attacks show that there is a kind of collaboration between the bandits

and the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the North-east. I can tell you very confidently that the federal government is on the top of this matter." The information minister said the federal government was doing all within its powers to achieve the rescue of the train passengers kidnapped by the terrorists. He said this in response to the 72-hour ultimatum given government by families of victims of the train attack to secure the release of their loved ones or they would take their fate in their hands. He submitted that security operatives were working behind the scenes to get the captives released before long, adding that such moves would not be made known to members of the public in order not to jeopardise the steps being taken. Mohammed stated, "What the federal government is doing won’t be subject matter of a press conference, because we have lives at stake. The various arms of security are working night and day to unravel the mystery surrounding the attack as a whole. “On the kidnapped people, what I can assure you is that the respective arms of government actually engaged, as we speak, are working to get those victims released. “It's natural for anybody who is a father or a mother of a kidnapped person to be worried and to be concerned. But at the level of government, we appreciate that and we are leaving no stone unturned, but that we'll give you specific steps we're taking, I think it will be counterproductive and not going to aid or help those who are kidnapped or help the security forces who are tracing and ensuring that there'll be no repeat of such attacks.” In his own reaction to the killings in Plateau and Benue states, Obi said, “Such violence questions government's responsibility to protect lives and property. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of these wicked acts. “As a nation, we cannot be insensitive to the on-going bloodletting and targeting of the most vulnerable and helpless in our society. Security measures must be proactive and holistic; more so, in areas close to ungoverned rural and urban communities. Nigeria must cease being a killing field. These numbers are human beings and loved ones of many families.”

The two motions were sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (APC Plateau), Hon. Bem Mzondu (PDP Benue), and Hon. John Dyegh (PDP Benue). The lawmakers across party lines took turns to condemn the endless killings, the federal government's failure to secure lives, and the lackadaisical attitude of security agencies. They demanded that in the best interest of the country and to solve the security crisis,President Muhammadu Buhari should sack the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd.). Gagdi, while moving the motion on the terror attack in Kanam and Wase local government areas of Plateau State, prayed that the House should urge the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to immediately provide relief materials for the victims. He also prayed that the House should urge the president to, as a matter of urgency, direct the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of the State Security Service to initiate a coordinated joint security operation and provide aerial surveillance and support to flush out the terrorists and destroy their camps. While further praying that the House should urge the Inspector General of Police to immediately deploy the Police Mobile Force squadrons to maintain law and order in the affected areas, he asked his colleagues to mandate the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness; Armed forces (Defence, Army, Navy, Air force); Police; National Security and Intelligence as well as Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and furnish the House with a weekly report until the insecurity was brought under control. Gagdi said persons responsible for the safety of lives and property in the country must be held accountable. According to him, “We have governors, we have National Assembly members, who is responsible for the safety, security of lives and property of the people of this country? “Without fear of political misrepresentation, it’s Mr. President. We must

Plateau Killings: Angry Lawmakers Restate Call for State of Emergency, Demand Sack of NSA, Defence Minister

pipelines. They're all similar things, including the power sector. “You can call it a sabotage because how can somebody go and pull down 330 (megawatt) tower to cause this havoc to the whole country. What do you call that? “Not quite long, on January 4, the project that we had announced that we're going to commission, the Zungeru, 700 megawatts hydro, which is at present over 92 per cent completion, we're just doing little

The appeal by members of the House of Representatives followed the amendment of two separate motions of urgent national importance on the recent massacre by terrorists in Plateau and Benue communities, which led to the death of over 100 people and destruction of property.

ask ourselves questions, insecurity issues will never be discussed correctly if you don’t detach political affiliation from it. Is Mr. President aware of what is going on in this country? Before people are killed, one of the operational commandants must be responsible, who allowed that thing to happen? “Who are the various security agencies that are supposed to protect the lives of the people? Of course, the armed forces. "We vote money to these agencies every year and we provide supplementary budgets to them. We must hold someone accountable; there must be someone somewhere who has neglected his responsibility.” He said it was either the president had failed to hold accountable heads of the security services or the security agencies had refused to heed distress calls from troubled citizens. “This is not acceptable,” Gagdi stated. He added, “We must hold somebody responsible for failing in the discharge of the duties to Nigeria people." On their part, sponsors of the motion on the terrorist attacks in Mbadwem and Tiortyu communities in Guma and Tiortyu local government areas, Hon. John Dyegh and Hon. Bem Mzondu, lamented that Nigeria was bleeding. They said if those in the executive arm of government could not secure the country, then, they should resign. In his contribution, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP Osun) lamented that information and early warnings were given to the security agencies, but the failed to act. Salam said, "We have come to a situation in this country where evil is perpetrated and no one is held accountable for the perpetration. We are the privileged class, we move around with convoys and security men, we are being paid to occupy this position of privilege by the sweat and taxes of some people. “The part of this motion that touched me was the reference that there were early warning signals, information given to security agencies about the plans by some terrorists to attack innocent persons and this information were not acted upon by the security agencies.” Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed (APC Katsina) said despite budgetary allocations, security agencies appeared to be unwilling to do their job. Mohammed said in his Daura constituency no security agent was willing to come out and do their

strike. “Prior to the strike, due process was duly followed and the notice were issued in line with the extant laws. Shamefully and painfully, there was no attempt by the government to intercept or even invite the unions to a meeting. "This aloof and contemptuous attitude of government further incensed our members who resolved that following the failure of government to even invite the leaderships for a meeting, the strike should be extended by another two weeks before an indefinite and total strike is declared. "As at today, the two weeks extension is getting to the middle and with no response in sight from government, we may be left with no resort but to embark on an indefinite and total strike. This is gradually becoming unavoidable and inevitable," he said. He said the unions were being left with no choice than to call on well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the university system to prevail on government to honour the agreement it freely entered into with the Joint Action Committee of Non Academic Staff Union of

Ortom: FG Turning a Blind Eye to Killing of Nigerians

Ortom spoke yesterday in Makurdi during an interview with reporters at the Benue Peoples House, following the attack on two communities in the state where more than 23 persons were killed in their sleep by militia Fulani herdsmen." He said, “Enough is enough." Suspected Fulani herdsmen had invaded and killed eight persons in Mbadwem in Guma local government and 16 in Tiortyu, a sprawling

settlement in Tarka local government, along Makurdi-Gboko road. Ortom described the attacks as "unfortunate and the height of impunity." He accused Buhari’s APC government of turning a blind eye and paying lip service to the cries of the Benue people, "As the herdsmen continue to invade our communities and kill innocent people." The governor recalled how he had alerted Nigerians and the federal government on the murderous activities of the Fulani terrorists for many years, "Yet they didn't believe me. Now, they are gradually taking over every space in the country. We are now sharing our sovereignty with terrorists." Ortom alleged that the plan of the herdsmen and their sponsors was to send the people away from their ancestral homes, take over the lands, and cause confusion in the country so that the forthcoming elections would not hold. He stated, "I suspect that very soon, some states will be completely taken over by these Fulani men called bandits. I suspect that very soon, even the Presidential Villa will be handed over to them. I suspect strongly that this is their plan and so nobody should deceive me." The governor said he was old enough to understand the agenda of the terrorists Fulani against Nigeria because, as he put it, "it is a plan to hand over to these Fulani men who are called bandits so there will be no election." He appealed to good spirited Fulani men and those who had the ears of the president to persuade him to stop the evil going on in the country. Ortom warned that if nothing was done, the people would resort to self-help, which would throw the country into anarchy.

Presidency: Call for Buhari's Resignation, Ploy by Desperate Politicians to Get Power

A statement yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said resignation of the president would not solve the country's woes. It stressed that all stakeholders, including the opposition, needed to work with government to change the situation for the better. The statement said the Buhari Continued on page 51

FG ATTRIBUTES ERRATIC POWER SUPPLY, INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE TO SABOTAGE touches to commission the project. There was an attack on January 4 this year and they abducted the Chinese workers and up till now they're still with the captives. The Chinese cannot return to work until they get their brothers out. “So, they are working minimally, we have like three sites on the whole project; the main dam, which on the 28th of March we have commissioned one of the turbines and passed it, we did the tests and it has

NLC SEEKS HIGH-POWERED PANEL TO RESOLVE FG-ASUU CRISIS WITHIN 21 DAYS panel constituted of members with requisite mandates to resolve within 21 days the foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in Nigeria’s university system. "Pursuant to the foregoing resolution, the NLC would be convening a special meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of all the affiliate unions of the congress to decide on the next line of action." Meanwhile, non-teaching staff of universities have resolved to extend their ongoing warning strike, by another two weeks. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the chairman of the Joint Action Committee of the non-academic staff of universities, Mr. Adeyemi Peters said the unions were displeased by the government's inaction concerning the workers’ demands despite several reminders. He listed a catalogue of grievances bothering on the welfare and funding of the universities, including the arrears of earned allowances, "It was at the end of all these reminders with no acknowledgement by the government that we were left with no other resort but to embark on a two weeks warning

job, but they were more interested in money. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase (APC Plateau), who presided over the plenary session, made reference to a case when a soldier who was supposed to be stationed in Zamfara was given a pass to his Wase community in Plateau and was caught distributing uniforms to bandits. Wase said the security agencies were part of the worsening insecurity. He said, "This situation is not about politics, anyone that wants to politicise this is making a huge mistake. In my own community, we had a soldier who was supposed to be in Zamfara, but was given pass for consecutively six months, giving uniform to the bandits. “Till this moment, he has not been taken to court. I want you to understand the complicity of security agencies in this matter. Why would you give your personnel six months’ pass?” Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu (APC Anambra), in her submission, described Nigeria as a failed state, saying, "Nigeria right now is a failed state. What can we do? It is a failed state where you cannot protect your people. We have had cases where information were cast to the security agencies and still these terrorists overcome the Nigerian people." In his submission, Chairman, Committee on Police, Hon. Bello Kumo (APC Gombe), wondered why Buhari was still keeping Babagana Monguno and Bashir Magashi as NSA and defence minister, respectively, despite their failure to curb the worsening insecurity. Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC Abia), said the country was under siege, adding that as it stands, no one knows the next community that may be attacked.

Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Union of Universities (SSANU) in order to avoid a total breakdown of industrial harmony in the Nigeria Universities and Inter-University Centres. Some of the grievances for which the workers have proceeded on strike include: Non-Payment of Earned Allowances; Non-Payment of Arrears of national minimum Wage and its Consequential adjustment; Poor funding of state universities; delay in renegotiation of the 2009 Agreements; non release of White Papers of Visitation panels; among others. Meanwhile, ASUU has called on the federal government to scrap the National Information Development Agency (NITDA) over its failure to implement the union's University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). The Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Jamilu Shehu, while addressing journalists in Katsina yesterday, said the agency should be disbanded with immediate effect. The Sokoto Zonal office of ASUU comprises Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina;

Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto; Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero; Sokoto State University, Sokoto, and Federal University, Dutsinma. He reiterated that NITDA had violated its basic mandate of seeing to the birth of the union's homegrown software and its deployment in the nation's public universities. He added that the failure of the federal government's agency to accept UTAS revealed that it lacks capacity and drive to deliver its mandate, "and is incapable of promoting homegrown solutions." Shehu said: "It also shows that the agency's usefulness cannot be ascertained and ASUU calls on the federal government to scrap it with immediate effect or in the least reconstitute it with more clear and cogent mandates." According to him, for UTAS to score 99.3 per cent during the test run assessment, was good enough to warrant an issuance of certificate of compliance. The ASUU zonal coordinator urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as unjustifiable propaganda by NITDA on the status of UTAS integrity test.

passed, it was celebrated. They are working there in the main hydro. “Then there is a line of over 30 kilometers to a switch yard. So, they're not working on the switch yard on the line and if they don't finish these two, you cannot evacuate. Even the turbine that we have commissioned and tested is just a dry testing, you cannot take electricity out because of the line and the tripping point, that's where the switch yard is and this was where they attacked and killed some people, took away some of them, the foreign workers, about three. “So, we need to also work together as a nation to support the leadership, to support the government, to face these challenges together. Any support you can give, give that support.” On his part, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, corroborated the submission of his Power counterpart stressing that all Nigerians suffer for any act of sabotage affecting public facilities. His words: “What the Minister of Power is saying is that it's not really about inefficiency or not caring on the part of the government, but that citizens also have a role to play in this. I don't know anywhere in the world where people will go and vandalise power stations or they go to the roads and take the railings from the road to go and smelt and make into spoons and aluminum. “So really, we must understand that this, whether they are bandits or vandals, they're not the enemies of just this administration, they are the enemies of Nigeria because they are depriving all of us of power, they are depriving us of peace, they are depriving us of security and I

think we all need to look inwards and ask ourselves, are we all So contributing to making Nigerian ungovernable in one way or the other. “I think it's a big challenge, I think we should carry this thing to our people. Ask yourselves, the guy who goes at night to go and dig up telecoms cables to go and resell, is that political? That’s sabotage. “Or the guy that goes out at night to go and remove the transmission lines. Now, we'll all live to suffer the consequences of such actions”, he said. The FEC meeting also approved N1.4 billion for the supply of more equipment for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in order to boost power supply in the country. Aliyu, said he presented two memos from the ministry of power for the Transmission Company of Nigeria. The first one, he said, was variation of the sum of a contract for 132/33 KV substation at Kafanchan, Kaduna State with a KV line base extension at Jos substation, in Plateau State in the sum of N132,705, 861.42. According to him, the second approval was for the supply of handling equipment and operational vehicles also for the Transmission Company of Nigeria at the cost of N1.3 billion. His words: “The second memo was for the supply of handling equipment, haulage and operational vehicles for the TCN at N1,338,159,080. 88. They are heavy lifting equipment that the TCN requires for doing its work in the store and on the field, while changing equipment and moving transformers and the council graciously approved."

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RETROSPECTING DEMOCRATIC JOURNEY... L-R: Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislature in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sulaimon and APC Lagos Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, during a One-Day event in Retrospecting Democratic Journey in Nigeria, organised by the Lagos House of Assembly, at the Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja,...yesterday

Akpanudoedehe Threatens to Sue Adamu over Akwa-Ibom State Executive Wants swearing-in reversed in 24hrs

Alex Enumah in Abuja Former Secretary of the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has threatened to sue the new National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for going ahead to swear in the Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo-led faction as the duly elected executive of the party in Akwa Ibom State. Akpanudoedehe, in a letter to Adamu, claimed that his action, in respect of the Akwa-Ibom State, was done in breach of an order of the Court of Appeal, which had ordered maintenance of status quo. In the letter dated April 12, 2022, and signed by his lawyer, Gideon Ejemai, the former APC Acting National Secretary, said Adamu had 24 hours to reverse

all actions he took in respect of the Akwa-Ibom State APC or be prepared for legal action. Akpanudoedehe’s grievances stemmed from the fact that the APC was present in court on April 7, when the appellate court presided by Justice Haruna Tsammani, ordered parties to maintain status quo in his appeal against the judgment of a Federal High Court, which had ordered the party to recognise and swear in the Ntukekpo-led faction as the duly State Executive of the Akwa-Ibom State APC, but went ahead to disobey the order of the court. A copy of the letter sighted by THISDAY read in part, “Surprisingly, in spite and despite your party's presence in court and the service of the order on your party, you proceeded to take deliberate steps to overreach the order of the Court of Appeal by purporting to

Immigration Arrests Passenger with Firearms at Lagos Airport Chinedu Eze The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Command, yesterday intercepted an American citizen with firearms at the airport. The male passenger (names withheld), who arrived the country aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston, United States at 10:10am, was said to have checked-in the firearms. The passenger was also said to be in possession of two international passports - Nigerian and American. A source close to the Lagos airport told newsmen that the American citizen did not declare the firearms as stipulated in international laws on firearms carriage. THISDAY, however, learnt from another inside source at the airport that the passenger had some documentations from the US, which allowed him to carry

firearms, but the authenticity of the papers could not be ascertained. About two hours after the arrival of his flight, the passenger was still going through interrogation at the Immigration office at the airport and an official of the organisation said the passenger would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further questioning. “Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service actually intercepted the passenger with the firearms during screening. So far, the passenger is undergoing scrutiny from the officials of the service and will be handed over to the relevant authorities after interrogation. “Besides, we learnt that the passenger with dual citizenship has the approval of the US government to carry firearms, but such should have been declared at the port of entry, which he didn’t do. However, we are yet to verify the documents he’s carrying,” Immigration official at the airport said.

swear in the 1st Respondent as the State Chairman APC Akwa Ibom State on April 11, 2022, long after the order of the Court of Appeal had been made to your knowledge”. Wondering to what end the swearing-in would lead as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was represented in court and was under a duty to obey the extant orders of the court, including the order for

maintenance of status quo, he stated that the action of the APC chairman if allowed to stand, would have foisted a situation of helplessness on the court with respect to the hearing and the determination of the pending Motion for Stay of Execution. He said, “This should not happen as courts are not known to make orders in vain. Take notice, therefore, that by this letter you are accorded

24 hours to reverse every action taken by you that has overreached the extant orders of the Court of Appeal, directing that Status Quo be maintained by the parties in Appeal No: CA/AB)/CV/353/2022 on April 7, 2022, which actions include though not limited to the purported swearing-in of the 1st respondent in the Appeal by the 4th Respondent (represented by your humble self).

“In the event that you fail to comply with the dictates of this letter, we shall without reverting to you any further, take appropriate procedural steps within the law to ensure that your actions are reversed and brought in line with the extant orders of the court amongst other sanctions known to law. The Rule of Law should prevail at all times. We say no more”.

Senate Holds Special Session for Adamu, Kyari, Nasiha The Senate yesterday held a valedictory session to mark the exit of three members of the upper chamber. The members included the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu; the Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha. The session which started at 11:45am ended at 1:58pm. The session commenced with a presentation from the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North). He congratulated the former lawmakers on their recent attainments. The APC Chairman in his remarks assured that the newly elected lawmakers in the APC would protect the integrity of the National Assembly within the confines of the party and its processes. He also extended a hand of friendship to lawmakers in the minority party to become members of APC. “As I go out of this chamber my colleagues, I’ll go with one assignment that I’ve given myself. I’ll break through this side of the isle. “I have friends here that I hope and pray, that the spirit that we’ve lived with over the years will continue to trail whatever we do. “Some of you are the best materials that this country can

have, but you’re in the wrong camp. “I was a founding member of the PDP in 1998. I took the flag of PDP to Nasarawa state. I served as a Governor with PDP, I served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees. “They say it as if to remind me. As a person who did provide the service, nobody has asked me why did you break the bondage between you and PDP. “It is in my heart of hearts, those of you who are willing to reach out to the higher pedestal of life, our hands are open and we are stretching those hands to you.” The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his contribution, described the emergence of four members (serving and former) of the National Assembly as party executives of the APC as a remarkable development in the political evolution and history of Nigeria. “That the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Secretary and National Auditor are all people who are either completing their service in the Senate or were here before. “What this goes to show is that the legislature is coming of age, that the legislature is now contributing to the political development and stability of our country, and we shouldn’t take this for granted. “Even though the legislature has been the most disadvantaged arm of government out of the three, but I think it is rapidly developing,” Lawan said. Other lawmakers took turn to

speak glowingly about the three former Senators at the session. The Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), urged the new National Chairman of the APC to deepen democracy in the discharge of his duties. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), commended Senator Adamu for laying the foundation of Nasarawa State and strides in developing the education sector. He noted that as the first Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Senator Adamu was able to ensure harmony among members irrespective of diverse political persuasion. According to him, the new National Chairman contributed to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria as Chairman of the Farmer’s Association of Nigeria and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Aliero added that the Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, on the other hand, recorded a long history of service with impeccable legislative achievements as Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC and FCT. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) urged Senator Abdullahi Adamu to bring his wealth of experience as former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum to bear on the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe

Central), described Senator Adamu as eminently qualified to lead the ruling APC to victory in 2023. He observed that it was the first time that members of the Senate were elevated to serve in higher capacities. James Manager (Delta South), urged the National Chairman to maintain, “Senatorial integrity” in service to Nigerians, adding that doing so would boost confidence in members of the National Assembly. On his part, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), urged the National Chairman and his Deputy to protect the sanctity of the National Assembly, as it is the most vulnerable arm of government. A frontline aspirant for the National Chairmanship position, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), said the emergence of Senator Adamu as APC National Chairman was the best decision made by the APC. “We will stand by him, work with him and do all the foot soldiering to see that he succeeds,” he said. Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (Akwa-Ibom North East) said, “Senator Adamu is a man you can trust any day. I am confident that APC which we thought was almost gone has got it right. “I am confident that Baba Adamu will do the right thing. We will miss him.” Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), said, “Senator Adamu is a political textbook of contemporary Nigeria.”

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LAUNCH OF THE ENGIE ENERGY ACCESS... L-R: Head of Mini Grid, Nigeria, Onyinye Anene-Nzelu; Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuelle Blatmann; Commissioner for Works/representative of Governor of Niger State, Mamman Musa; CEO ENGIE Energy Access, Gillian-Alexandre Huart, at the launch of the ENGIE Energy Access 90KW mini grid at Gbangba Community in Gbako LGA, Niger State... yesterday

Fayemi: These Are Difficult Times, Economy, Security Not Doing Well Meets Buhari, Inuwa over national concerns Silent on presidential bid, says not a season for declaration yet Deji Elumoye and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, said although things were difficult at the moment with economy and security not doing well, President Muhammadu Buhari, was however doing everything to calm the situation. Fayemi, who said this during

a routine consultative meeting with his Gombe State counterpart, Muhammad Yahaya Inuwa, also said the governors as a body would continue to look for the best ways in building on the gains of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. At the same time, Fayemi also spent some time with President Buhari later in the day, to discuss national issues and some concerns agitating the minds of his colleague

governors. The governors’ governor, who was believed to be nursing a presidential ambition was, however, silent on his rumoured aspiration, saying it was not yet a season for declaration as both Muslims and Christians were currently observing their annual fasting, which therefore marked the moment as spiritual. According to the Ekiti governor, "These are very difficult times for

our country and our President is doing his best to calm things down. The economy is not experiencing the best of times, our security situation continues to be challenging and we are in a period of transition. "For us as governors, we always must find basis together to move with the president of the country in order to strengthen the federation and build a better country that will serve the interest of our people."

INEC Disqualifies 106,280 Voters Ahead Osun, Ekiti Guber Polls Discloses 1,126,359 registration infractions recorded in FCT, 36 states

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the disqualification of some 106,280 voters in the two states of Osun and Ekiti for allegedly flouting the guidelines stipulated for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of their governorship elections in June and July this year. INEC also stated that about 1,126,359 voters would be disqualified in total because of same infractions. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who gave the disclosure during a press conference at the Commission’s Headquarters, said the infraction happened in all the states of the Federation. For instance, in Ekiti State, a total of 40,234 new voters were registered out of which 17,640 were voided, representing 43.9% of the completed registrations, while in Osun State, 218,142 new registrations were completed, out of which 88,630 were invalidated, representing 40.6% of the total number of new voters. According to Yakubu, out of the 2,523,458 new registrations, 1,126,359, representing 44.6% were invalid, adding that the infractions, which were sun covered while cleaning up the voter register, happened across the 36 states. Yakubu stated: “While the number of new registrants is very

impressive and demonstrates the eagerness of Nigerians to vote in the forthcoming elections, the Commission has a duty to clean up the data to ensure that only eligible Nigerians are registered. “As you are aware, the foundation for any credible election rests on the credibility of the Register of Voters. The introduction of the biometric registration of voters in 2011 has helped to sanitize the Register. You may recall that initially, 73,528,040 Nigerians were registered in 2011. “Using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the Commission was able to remove 4,239,923 invalid registrations. Consequently, the register of voters for the 2015 general election stood at 69,288,117 voters. “Subsequently, some 432,173 new voters were added to the register during the CVR exercises ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in five States (Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra) from late 2015 to early 2017, bringing the total number of registered voters in Nigeria to 69,720,350.” Lamenting the incidents of double registrations, the INEC chairman said, "Sadly, it seems that many registrants, either out of ignorance that they do not need to re-register if they had done so before, or a belief that our systems will not detect this infraction, have gone out to register again. "This is despite repeated warn-

ings by the Commission against this illegal action. In addition, there are also registrants, whose data were incomplete and did not meet our Business Rules for inclusion in the register. Both categories i.e. the failure of ABIS and incomplete data constitute invalid registrations. Presently, nearly 45% of completed registrations nationwide are invalid, rising to as high as 60% or more in some states. "These infractions happened in all states of the federation. No state is immune from it. These invalid registrations will not be included in the Register of Voters. In our commitment to transparency, the distribution of the registration figures, including the percentages of valid and invalid registrations on state-by-state basis, will be made available to you at this press conference. The same information will be uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms immediately," he explained. The INEC chairman, therefore, described this development as worrisome, because of the time and resources expended in handling the cases. He said, "Even more disturbing are the strong indications that some of our staff may be complicit in facilitating these infractions, notwithstanding stern warnings. "Consequently, the Commission is reviewing reports on such staff and has commenced a detailed

investigation, which may include the prosecution of those found culpable. Specific registrants associated with these infractions by our staff may also face prosecution in line with Sections 22 and 23 of the Electoral Act 2022." The seemingly disturbed INEC boss, however, sought assistance from the political class and members of the Civil Society Groups for enlightenment. "I wish to seize this opportunity to request political parties, the media, civil society organisations and the general public to assist the Commission in educating Nigerians about the problem of invalid registration. "As we have repeatedly explained, if you had at any time in the past registered to vote, you do not have to reregister. If you have registered in the past, you should not get involved in the CVR again unless you have had problems with your PVC or fingerprint recognition during accreditation in any previous election. "In that case, all you need to do is to revalidate your registration by visiting a designated registration centre to recapture your fingerprints and picture. Other registered persons, who may also get involved in the CVR are those whose PVCs are missing or defaced; those whose details need correction and those seeking to transfer from their current places of voting to other locations.

Fayemi said as far as the economy was concerned, “our primary role as members of the National Economic Council and field commanders for the President of Nigeria, is to support him to get over these challenges, which are both internal and external.” Asked about his rumoured Presidential ambition, he said, this is not a season for political declaration as it is a spiritual season for both Christian lent and Muslim Ramadan. His words: "Whether I am going to run for the presidency or not, is a matter of conjecture. What I will appeal to you Journalists is to wait till after this spiritual season. It will be disrespectful of all our faiths, Muslims and Christians, to

start playing that politics. I'm a Catholic and lent is very important to us, just as Ramadan is important to my brother (Inuwa). Let this period end," he stated. Meanwhile, Fayemi, who was at the seat of government, Abuja, in the afternoon hours, met with Buhari behind closed doors. Fayemi, sources claimed, had used the meeting with the president to discuss the state of the nation and also, some issues agitating the minds of the governors as a body. The Ekiti governor, had earlier been to Borno and Gombe States as part of routine peer consultations and also in Kaduna State, to see Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the recent train attack, before ending up at the Villa to see the president.

Presidential Ambition: Omokri Slams Osinbajo, Says Declaration Speech Empty Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's declaration speech to run for president in 2023 is empty, without vision and leadership direction, says Reno Omokri, former special aide to Goodluck Jonathan. The speech lacked vision and leadership skills, stated Omokri yesterday on the Morning Show of Arise News Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAy Newspapers. He stressed that Osinbajo’s speech was immemorable and full of promises without achievements. He urged the vice president to tell Nigerians his plans. The declaration was more of a threat than a promise because he vowed to continue from where President Muhammadu Buhari's administration would have stopped, added Omokri. The former presidential aide and bestselling author pointed out that Buhari made Nigeria the headquarters of extreme poverty. Calling Osinbajo a backstabber in a thread of tweets made earlier in the week, Omokri stated that Osinbajo’s declaration to contest the 2023 presidential election was a betrayal of APC national leader Bola Tinubu, who is also vying for the same position.

Tinubu is widely regarded to have ensured the emergence of Osinbajo as the vice president in 2015. ‘’I am so sad that a lot of people are seeking the presidency based on where they come from. They are not talking about what they can do for Nigeria. We have seen what has happened when we elect leaders based on where they come from," explained Omokri. He added, "Muhammadu Buhari is a very good example, so we can’t go that route again. We need to elect leaders based on how they can perform and competence." He also advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on winning the election rather than zoning, stating that if they get into power, they can zone from a position of power instead. Sharing his thoughts on the Abuja-Kaduna railway attack, Omokri said no country had defeated terrorism militarily but through negotiations. The ex-presidential aide suggested that Islamic scholar, Sheik Gumi, should be included in the negotiations on how to reach the terrorists and start to address their specific issues. He further mentioned that the borders needed to be more secure and negotiations.

THURSDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CONSENSUS ON THEIR MINDS... L-R: Economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, when the four presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party visited Ugwuanyi, at Abuja... yesterday.

IG Admits Police Efforts Not Good Enough Containing Insecurity Alleges disgruntled politicians behind planned strike Promotion of junior officers to be released today Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, yesterday, admitted that the police had done its best in securing the country but that their best was not good enough in the circumstances. Baba, who spoke while fielding questions from journalists on the ongoing killings in the North Central and North West after inaugurating the newly constructed Police Area Command in Gwarimpa, Abuja, stated that the average policeman remained more endangered as they were killed on a daily basis. "We are doing our best, our best is not enough. Everyone is synergising, the military is in, other security agencies are in. We are even more endangered. There is no day our men are not killed. We have been trying and we shall continue to try,” he said. Also, at the Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja, while commissioning the newly renovated police facility, the IG revealed that police high command had concluded arrangements to release the promotion of rank and file, which had been stagnated, within

the next 24 hours. "The Nigeria Police Force was already working on the promotion of officers and men before the issue of strike action came up. By Thursday (today), all those who were last promoted in 2017 would get their promotion. “We are processing promotions as at when due. I am assuring you that between today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), I’m releasing the promotion of junior officers from the rank of sergeant, that is, police constable to corporal, corporal to sergeant and sergeant to inspector," he assured. He said the moles behind the planned strike were identified and sanctioned. According to him, “One of the things that I got disappointed about was when I heard the issue of police strike. I started seeing the grievances. I feel this government and the leadership of the Nigeria Police have done much to address almost all the issues that have been stated as problem. “Throughout our intervention to see that this thing is not actualised, we were able to discover that policemen were not involved. Policemen

were not involved seriously. Some that we were able to establish their involvement, we took proper action, proper discipline on them. “We were able to arrest policemen, who were involved in advocating or sending those kinds of messages. In fact, we have been able to get the originator of the

message. This is a policeman, who has about 40 Facebook pages, over 20 WhatsApp groups, and so forth. “So, the moles in us, we have been able to get and discipline them. I am happy to discover that most of the policemen do not even know what they are talking about. If it is welfare, our welfare,

salary increase has been done. It is remaining actualisation," he stated. While affirming that politicians and other disgruntled people were behind the failed strike action, he said,“So, it is a false assertion and my disappointment became not quite a disappointment. I now believe there are some mischief

makers, who wanted to use police to extend their grievances, disgruntled politicians and so forth, to extend their mischievious activities to the government. Some of our policemen are being used. We have been able to discover and we have actually taken care of that,” he said.

Ugwuanyi Seeks Fairness as PDP Chieftains Mull Consensus Presidential Candidate Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu has called on Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, to ensure justice, equity and fairness in the electoral processes leading to the emergence of PDP's presidential candidate. Ugwuanyi made the call on Tuesday when the four PDP presidential aspirants visited him at the Enugu Government Lodge, Abuja, in their consultations towards the emergence of a

consensus presidential candidate. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, after a closed-door meeting with Ugwuanyi, Saraki said the meeting was on strengthening Nigeria's unity. He added there was deliberation on PDP's future and consideration of a consensus presidential candidate in the party's forthcoming national convention. Saraki disclosed that the push by some PDP presidential aspirants for a consensus candidate for the 2023 polls is not a northern agenda. “When we started about three

weeks ago, most of the aspirants we had then were mainly in the North. We were talking to the aspirants across the country. Now, because more people have come out in the South, we are all going to meet," he explained. “All the aspirants are going to meet. We are talking about Nigeria. We are not talking about the northern aspirants or southern aspirants." The four presidential aspirants have been consulting with PDP leaders nationwide on having a consensus candidate ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

“I have good news that already, moves are being made by the aspirants in the South to meet, and eventually we all meet and see one consensus; that consensus is a Nigerian that represents all the groups," he added. “So, I just want to be clear about that and be reassured it is not just about the issue of a northern consensus, not at all. It’s a consensus for the PDP and one Nigeria.” Saraki stressed that the "most important ambition now is how to begin to fix Nigeria and put Nigeria on the right course.”

abduction of 276 school girls in Chibok, UNICEF called on the authorities in Nigeria to make schools safe and provide a secure learning environment for every child in Nigeria, especially for girls, to increase girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion of education. In a statement, UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said unsafe schools, occasioned by attacks and abduction of students, were reprehensible, describing it as a brutal violation of the rights of the victims to education, and totally unacceptable. Hawkins reiterated that girls had particularly been targeted, exacerbating the figures of outof-school children in Nigeria. He lamented that this had become a trajectory, which must be halted, adding that every hand in Nigeria must be on deck to ensure that learning in Nigeria is not a dangerous enterprise for any child, particularly for girls. He added that since December 2020, 1,436 school children and 17 teachers had been abducted from schools, and 16 school children lost their lives. UNICEF stated, "Today marks

eight years since the first known attack on a learning institution in Nigeria on 14 April 2014, in which 276 students at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Northeast Nigeria were abducted by a Non-State Armed Group. "Since then, a spate of attacks on schools and abductions of students, sometimes resulting in their deaths, has become recurrent in the last two years, especially in the North-west and North-central regions of Nigeria. “Unsafe schools, occasioned by attacks on schools and abduction of students, are reprehensible, a brutal violation of the rights of the victims to education, and totally unacceptable. Their occurrences cut short the futures and dreams of the affected students. “Attacks on learning institutions render the learning environment insecure and discourage parents and caregivers from sending their wards to schools, while the learners themselves become fearful of the legitimate pursuit of learning. "In Nigeria, a total of 11, 536 schools were closed since December 2020 due to abductions and security issues.

FG LINKS KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK TO SYNERGY BETWEEN BOKO HARAM AND BANDITS government was doing everything required to end the reign of violence, which it alleged had snowballed in the current crisis as a result of years of neglect of the early indicators. The presidency stated, "The presidency does not wish to be drawn into the high-decibel show in the media, taking the nation by the storm from the Northern Elders Forum. "Publicity is the oxygen for politicians who have failed to connect with voters in a democracy. "It is enough to say from our part, that resignation call on the president is not a solution to the security problems facing the country, something that has built up to a worrisome level following decades of neglect. "It is more important that citizens know what their government is doing to deal with this situation and for politicians to come to terms with the fact the it is beneficial to all that they help to preserve the state so that when it is their turn, they will have a place that they will manage. "People don’t have to destroy what is there in a desperate quest to get power."

The statement assured Nigerians that the administration was doing what was required of it to refocus the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality across the country, saying new massive equipment are being assembled to aid the campaigns. According to the presidency, "In response to the recent spike in terrorist activity, particularly in the Kaduna and Niger states axis, the defense establishment, in response to presidential directives, has realigned and reorganised the on-going operation in the areas, as well as that going on in the Niger Delta region. "The new operations structures are being reinforced with land-based assets to increase the efficiency of the troops and intelligence is equally being reinforced. "The air defense system is being reinforced with newly-acquired jets and drones which assemblage and training for operators have been hastened to meet the current exigencies. "The country is equally getting assurances of early delivery of equipment on order from manufacturers and the effort is on-going to conclude

other major procurements still in process. "Only this morning, the government at a meeting of the cabinet, approved the procurement of the largest ever single procurement of military vehicles. "At the same time, similar major operations are going in the Southeast and the South-south where the economic life wire of the nation and electricity transmission lines are currently being secured from saboteurs." It also noted that more than just the coordinated assaults of terrorists on the country, there were other elements who had in recent times engaged in acts of sabotage against critical national assets, like those in the power sector, with the singular purpose of making the Buhari government seem as failing in its duties. The presidency, however, assured the citizens that the outcome of government efforts to stabilise the country would soon become visible. The presidency statement alleged, "What the sponsored saboteurs aim to show is that the government cannot provide power, sabotaging equipment at switches and other

vital points. They will not succeed. The public knows who is who, and who has done what in our country’s governance. "Massive gains being made will shortly be manifesting. Large number of arrests have equally been made. "Nigerians are assured that the government will keep its promise to the nation and threats to security will be handled with the firmness they call for. And government will remain firm in securing the country’s unity and progress."

Insecurity: 11, 536 Schools Have Been Closed Since 2020, UNICEF Reveals

On the eighth anniversary of the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called for action to make schools safe for more girls to enrol in and complete their education. The international agency also revealed that in Nigeria, a total of 11, 536 schools were closed since December 2020 due to abductions and security issues. In commemoration of the

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Four Police Operatives Killed as Gunmen Attack Station in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Gunmen have attacked a police station in Atani, the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State. A source told THISDAY that the gunmen arrived yesterday at about 1:30a.m., and immediately launched an attack on the police facility. The source said four policemen, including a female police operative lost their lives in the attack. There have been series of attacks on police and other government facilities in Anambra State for quite a while, with the governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo assuring that those responsible would not be allowed to continue with their acts. Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the attack, corroborating the information provided by our source. The Spokesperson of Anambra State Police Command, DSP. Toochukwu Ikenga, told THISDAY in a telephone conversation that the attack was true.

He said: “The hoodlums came around 1a.m., and unlucky for us, four police operatives paid the supreme price.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP. Echeng Echeng, on hearing of the attack immediately mobilised men of the command from

various units to the area. “The hoodlums were still there when the CP personally led men of the command to the affected

area, and the timely arrival saved the day and the hoodlums were successfully repelled, and the facility was saved.

“We have commenced intelligence already, and we hope to unravel the persons behind the attack.”

COURTESY VISIT...

L-R: Ag. Head of Sectoral and Regulatory Authorities Division, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN), Femi Gbadegun; Head of Corporate Communications, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Godfrey Adejumoh; Senior Manager, Participant Engagement and Programmes, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Tumi Onamade; Director-General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir; Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business Director and Chairperson, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Soromidayo George; General Manager, EkatteraWest Africa, Dozie Egbuna, and Executive Assistance, MAN DG, Mabel Michael, during a courtesy visit by Unilever, Ekaterra and UN Global Network Nigeria to MAN DG in Lagos...yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

Akpabio Inaugurates Educational Anger Rages in Abia North over Alleged Plot to Impeach Deputy Gov job is not under any threat. the 2023 governorship race. involved in the said plot to Ugwu-Nwogo in Projects in Bayelsa Communities Emmanuel There were bursts of anger and He said that what Oko impeach the deputy governor Umuahia warnings of dire consequences Chukwu has done was within “are overheating the polity, and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs(MNDA), Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the construction of educational facilities in communities in Bayelsa State is geared towards increasing the existing educational infrastructure in the Niger Delta region and thus improve access to qualitative basic education. The minister spoke during the inauguration of blocks of classrooms and other educational facilities in three communities of Otuan, Oguama and Kininimi in Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Areas of Bayelsa state. Represented by a Director in the MNDA, Joy Badrerin, he said the inauguration was a further demonstration of the federal government’s unflinching commitment to redressing the inequalities pervasive in the

Niger Delta region. He said: “At this juncture, let me assure you that the ministry is continuously seeking better and faster ways of delivering on its mandate. “In pursuance of its statutory mandate, the ministry commenced the construction of quick win intervention projects in all nine states of the Niger Delta region as an alleviative approach to the quick development of social infrastructure in the region. “It is important to note that in all, two similar projects will also be inaugurated in Ogua ama and kiminimi in Nembe Local Government Area,” he said. “It is heartwarming to note that all aspects of the project construction were awarded to indigenous and local contractors with the construction process bringing benefits through the employment opportunities created for the youth of host and neighbouring communities.

The Governor of Abia State, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has stepped in to douse tensions in Abia North Senatorial Zone over an alleged plot to impeach the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ude Oko Chukwu, for declaring interest in the 2023 governorship race. Apparently sensing the looming crisis that impeachment could generate at this transition period, the governor has assured in an official statement that his deputy’s

from stakeholders in Abia North when unconfirmed reports of the impeachment plot filled the air, prompting stakeholders and youth groups to rise in defence of the deputy governor. Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Eme Okoro, stated that Abia North, the zone where the deputy governor hailed from, would not accept any attempt to intimidate him for simply declaring interest in

his democratic rights hence he has not committed any crime to warrant any move to remove him from office. He said: “This is democracy. The house cannot impeach him or even the governor without first evaluating any charges against him. There has to be verifiable offences he is said to have committed. He cannot be frivolously impeached.” According to him, those

that will result in some kind of fracas that this state does not have the capacity to contain. “Abia North won’t accept any action that does not follow due process to evaluate charges if any against him (deputy governor), thoroughly investigated and proven through the necessary legal pathways. Any trumped-up charges will not be accepted by Abia North,” the former SSG warned.

Bauchi Catholic Bishop Condemns Nigeria’s State of Insecurity Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Diocese, Bishop Hilary Nanman Dachelem, has condemned the spate of insecurity bedeviling some parts of the country, saying that there is the need for government to urgently take proactive measures to curb all forms of criminality and violence in the country. Dachelem, who made this known yesterday during

the Chrism mass in Bauchi, sympathised with the victims of banditry and insurgency in some parts of the country, including Kaduna State. He said: “We condemn any form of criminality and violence in our country, Nigeria. We offer our condolence to grieving states like Kaduna State. It is so sad that we have reached this level in Nigeria, a lot needs to be done.” “We commend the governors

of Bauchi and Gombe States, which make up this diocese, for maintaining peace and security in their domains. We remain grateful to God for his protection over us and the peace we are enjoying in Bauchi and Gombe States.” “We are grateful, especially to Bauchi and Gombe State Governments for their proactive roles in ensuring peace in the states. May God bless these governors and the security personnel who

are assiduously working hard to maintain peace and security of lives and livelihoods in Bauchi and Gombe States.” The bishop urged Catholic faithful to register and collect their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) in order to enable them participate in next year’s general elections, adding that those who are politicians among them to positively influence the country’s political space.

All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, yesterday said for Nigerians experience positive changes in their lives and in the country, they must not choose the next president from amongst those who have made a career of living on government since 1999. Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the former presidential candidate argued that some of those who have stayed too long in the

the corrupt system, and it is an illusion to expect “corruption to fight corruption.” According to him, a corrupt individual/system cannot fight corruption, noting that the nation needs a clean break from its ugly past to remove the heavy rod of rot off its back in order to move forward. “Either in the APC or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other party, those whose only job has been to change from

and have never done any other productive thing apart from squandering government money, driving convoys of cars around that they do not fuel themselves, escorted by security paid for by Government, are far removed from the true realities of Nigeria, and are therefore incapable of comprehending the urgency and depth of transformation Nigeria needs. “I laugh when I read about someone who has never set up

life promising young people employment. These are people who do not even understand how businesses run,” he said. He explained that the solution to national security challenges, the unemployment problem, high cost of petroleum products and basic items requires new approach to handle, noting that those who have never paid for anything they consume in the past 23 years cannot understand.

Ekiti Attracts $400m to 2023: Olawepo-Hashim Advises Nigerians on Choice of President Boost Agribusiness A chieftain of the ruling party, status quo have become part of one government office to another even a barber shop in his or her Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi yesterday disclosed that his government has attracted a sum of $400 million to boost agribusiness in the state. Fayemi , who said his government had acquired about 56,000 hectares of land around Ikole/Oye axis as agriculture processing zone, said these landmark achievements were attained in partnership with international agencies like the African Development Bank (ADB). Fayemi spoke in Ikole Ekiti, yesterday at a programme named, “Citizens’ Engagement “ attended by various groups to sensitise the populace to the achievements of his administration. Fayemi, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Olabode Adetoyi, said: “We have acquired 56,000

hectares of land for special agriculture processing zone done in conjunction with ADB. “One of the industries we attracted to Ekiti had planted 4,000 hectares for cassava, even Ekiti is now planting ginger. In totality, we have attracted $400m fund to boost agriculture.” “The Ikun dairy farm is producing 150,000 litres of milk monthly, with 400 cows in stock. “We are making farming very attractive, we must all partake in it. We distributed 100,000 cocoa and cashew seedlings in 2021, that is why we must allow continuity. We must vote for Biodun Oyebanji in the June 18 poll.” The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Engagements and Enlightenment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe -Aluko, said the programme was initiated to inform the populace about what Fayemi has done and bridge the existing communication gap.

2023 Delta Guber: Omo-Agege Declares in Effurun Today Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege will today, declare his ambition to contest the 2023 governorship election in Delta State. This is contained in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga. The statement explained that Omo-Agege’s action was “in

deference to emphatic calls for populist leadership in Delta State.” Part of the statement read: “Already, numerous communities which have benefitted from Senator OmoAgege’s development initiatives in Delta State have mobilised for participation in the formal declaration ceremony at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun on Thursday,

April 14. “Also, top members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from other parts of the country are set to storm Delta State to identify with the Obarisi of Urhoboland who has steadfastly promoted the party’s development agenda in the Senate.” The statement further explained that, in addition to party loyalists, well-meaning citizens across

various political divides, as well as friends of the state are expected to attend the declaration ceremonies. It added: “Senator OmoAgege’s governorship campaign message will be basically based on the ‘Edge Agenda’ which focuses primarily on employment and empowerment, development, good governance and enduring security.

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Q1: 677 Drug Traffickers Jailed, 3,359 Arrested, 65,915.891kg Seized

Michael Olugbode inAbuja

No less than 677 traffickers have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms between January and March 2022 in suit by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The agency said the convictions were made in cases instituted over a total of 3,359 arrests and seizure of 65,915.891 kilogrammes of assorted drugs within the same period. The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi disclosed that 2,223 drug users were also counselled through brief interventions and rehabilitated in NDLEA facilities across the country in the first quarter of the year, insisting that the figures represent a fair balance between the agency’s drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities. He said Lagos has the highest figure of drug seizures with 22,192.62 kilogrammes of illicit substances recovered from parts of the state, followed by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, also in Lagos, with 8,979.869 kilogrammes of drugs seized between January and March, while Kano and Kaduna led the pack in the arrests of offenders with 194 arrests each within the

same period. He said a total of 257 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in forests across Ondo state, 14.869 hectares suffered same fate in Edo and an hectare destroyed in Bayelsa

state within the same period. Afurther breakdown of the drugs seized within the first quarter of the year shows Cannabis leading the table in January with 8,205.75kg; followed by Codeine -414.281kg;

Diazepam -192.459kg; Tramadol -135.067kg; Rophynol -43.062kg and Cocaine -24.32kg. In February, Cannabis also topped the list of seizures with 20,538.79kg; Codeine -1,848.052kg; Tramadol

-540.354kg; Diazepam -137.041kg; Rophynol -80.261kg; Cocaine -15.727kg; Methamphetamine – 6.207kg and Heroin – 4.006kg. Cannabis also topped the list of seizures in March with 21,583.81kg;

followed by Tramadol -8,965.319kg; Codeine -417.207kg; Diazepam -57.755kg; Cocaine -45.082kg; Methamphetamine -7.527kg; Rophynol -6.34kg and Heroin -1.497kg.

THE KNOX WIRE CONFERENCE…

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Buhari Swears in ICPC, NPC Easter: NSCDC Deploys Personnel to Maintain Security Commissioners, Presides Over FEC Meeting Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Deji Elumoye inAbuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday administered oath of office on 10 Commissioners of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Population Commission (NPC). The swearing in ceremony took place shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja. The commissioners who were

confirmed by the Senate last month included five for the NPC namely - Chief Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Dr. Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo). Also, the commissioners of the ICPC were Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Olugbenga Adeyanju, rtd (Ekiti State), Senator Anthony Agbo (Ebonyi), Anne Otelafu Odey (Cross River), Alh. Goni Ali Gujba (Yobe), and Dr Louis Solomon Mandama (Adamawa).

Goje Distributes Tricycles, Motorcycles to Constituents in Gombe at his residence in Gombe, Goje Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Former Gombe State Governor and current Senator, representing Gombe Central senatorial district, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, yesterday distributed 500 tricycles and 1,000 motorcycles to his constituents in the state. The items, which cost over N920 million, were distributed free of charge to people of the constituency in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state. Flagging off the distribution

explained that the donation was borne out of his quest for community empowerment to support youths and women in his constituency. Represented by a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Abubakar Sadeeq Kurba, he added that the gesture was part of his effort to fight poverty while empowering the masses in his constituent, in order to create job opportunities for youths in the area.

BON Award Steering Committee Inaugurated The Steering Committee for the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, (BON) Award has been inaugurated. Performing the inauguration of the committee yesterday,the Chairman of BON, John Ugbe, called on members to ensure that they deliver the best award ceremony that will be to the admiration of all stakeholders in the broadcast industry. The composition of the committee was approved by the 76th General Assembly of BON held in Abuja in March this year. The committee elected Mr. Guy Murray Bruce of Silverbird and Mr.

Bayo Awosemo of ARISE Television as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. Other members of the committee include: Okpanachi Stephen Moses, NTA; Mr Deji Balogun , Channels TV; Mr. Patrick Ugbe, HIT FM; Mrs. Chinyere Ukaegbu, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation; Dr. Andah David Angbazo, FRCN; Dr. Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice; Mrs. Oladeinde Modupe, DAAR Communications Plc; Malam Ibrahim Ismaila Ahmed, KSMC; Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose as ex-officio and Umar Usman Bello as the Secretary of the Committee.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed officers and men across the nation to suspected flash points to conduct raids and beef up security during the Easter celebration. A statement yesterday by the spokesman of the Service, Olusola Odumosu, said ahead of the Easter celebration, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has ordered massive

deployment of personnel from State Commands, Zonal Commands and the National Headquarters to suspected flash points to conduct raids and beef up security in places of worship, recreational facilities, markets, shopping malls, parks and gardens, other densely populated areas and Critical National Assets and Infrastructure to guard against unwanted activities of criminals whose intention is to sabotage government’s efforts and cause mayhem as Christians commemorate the

crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Commandant General, said the action became necessary in view of security threats occasioned by the activities of bandits and criminals, adding that, it is imperative put in place new security measures to forestall any breach of peace at this time. He re-affirmed that the Corps will not leave any stone unturned in making sure that its mandates are meticulously carried out to the satisfaction of all citizens, reteriating that, his

personnel have been directed to be on red alert to look out for miscreants and mischief makers who would want to take advantage of the celebration to unleash terror attacks on innocent Nigerians and foreigners living in the country. He noted that the activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other similar groups in the country portend serious dangers for the country, hence, the need for more drastic strategic action in order to prevent the manifestation of various threats being unleashed by the enemies of the country.

INEC Warns Parties against Violating Electoral Act over Conduct of Primaries Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Ahead of 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State , Malam Garba Madami, yesterday warned political parties against conducting their primaries elections outside stipulated constituencies. The REC gave the

warning yesterday in Ilorin at a stakeholders’ meeting with political parties, INEC Electoral Officers in the 16 local government areas as well as with the state Commissioner of Police. He said: “As required by law, the commission shall monitor the primaries of each political party that provides the required legal notice in line with Sections 82 (1) and (5)

of the Electoral Act. “Failure of a political party to notify the commission of any convention or congress convened for the purpose of nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified in the Act shall render the convention or congress invalid.” The INEC chief added that primaries must be conducted in the various constituencies

as provided in Section 84 of the Electoral Act. According to the REC, “It is a violation of the law to conduct primaries outside the constituencies for which parties are nominating candidates.” Madami declared that the commission would not monitor such primaries conducted outside the constituency, and their outcome will not be accepted.

Drugs Addiction is Motivation for Banditry, Insurgency, Says Kebbi Gov Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State yesterday said the major motivation for engaging in banditry, insurgency and other crimes is the addition to illicit drugs by the criminal elements. For this, he said his administration has placed premium on fighting the scourge of illicit drugs in the state. While receiving the new State

Commandant of the NDLEA Isa Likita Muhammad in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Bagudu said the desire and commitment of his administration to fight illicit drugs prompted the establishment of an anti-drug control committee to combat drugs addiction in the state. He said illicit drugs have been identified to be the major sources of motivation for insurgents, bandits, terrorists and other

criminals elements inflicting havoc and bloodshed across the country. He commended Chairman of the NDELA, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd) for his incisive approach to the drugs which he said has helped to reduce its menace nationwide. He expressed confidence in the capability of the newly posted state commandant of the drug agency to perform as expected.

Earlier in his speech, the new Commandant, Muhammad said he was at the Government House to solicit for the state government co-operation and assistance in combating the use of dangerous drugs among people in the state. The commandant explained that the United Nations has identified the Republic of Benin, which share borders with Kebbi State as the drug hub of West Africa.

PDP Presidential Ticket : Anyim, Bala Mohammed Submit Forms Chuks Okocha in Abuja The quest for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued as two leading aspirants, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Bauchi states, Senator Bala Mohammed yesterday returned their completed presidential nomination forms to the party. Also, moments after submitting

his president nomination forms, Anyim engaged the National Working Committee (NWC) in a meeting where he urged the party not to jettison zoning. Speaking during his meeting with the NWC of the PDP. Anyim, said: “If I appear before you today without touching on the raging issues of zoning in our party, my presentation will not be complete. “As a true party man, I will

abide by the decision of the party. However, I would want to put the following on record: Democracy thrives on three ‘certainties’: Certainty of tenure, Certainty of structure , Certainty of process. “At anytime, any of these ‘certainties’ is no longer guaranteed, democracy will corrupt justice and enthrone inequity. “Accordingly, my appeal is

that zoning being a fundamental principle of our party should not be jettisoned. Democracy, being a system of rules and order, depends on strong institutions for its sustenance and success. “When a system can no longer defend its rules, it will enthrone the reign of might as against the rule of law,”, Anyim the NWC of the PDP.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

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Rohr Linked with Eagles of Mali's Job Erstwhile Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, has been linked with the vacant coaching role of the Eagles of Mali, few weeks after the dismissal of former coach Mohamed Magassouba. Rohr, currently unoccupied since losing his job in Nigeria is vastly experienced in African football and has been rated as a top candidate for the job. Other coaches listed are former Mali international, Eric Chelle, former coach of the Malian national team, Djibril Drame and AS Otoho coach, Alou Badra Diallo. Mali dismissed Magassouba following the Eagles’ failure to qualify for the World Cup

despite their strong pool talents. The Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) had revealed that there are stronger considerations for the four coaches mentioned. Rohr worked in Nigeria for five years, leading the country to one African Cup of Nations third-place finish and getting eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup. The Franco-German is the coach who served the longest in charge of the Nigerian senior national football team. The former Bordeaux manager had been linked with the Malian job in the past but said he chose Nigeria at the time.

Man City, Liverpool into Champions League Semis

Liverpool survive Benﬁca in a six-goal thriller to reach Champions League

Super Eagles Winger, Olayinka, on Fenerbahce Radar Turkish publication, Fotomac, has reported that Super Eagles forward Peter Olayinka may be bidding goodbye to Slavia Prague at the end of the season as Fenerbahce are interested in acquiring the services of the winger and could seal a deal for the Nigerian as soon as the transfer window officially opens in July. Olayinka will not be short of suitors in the summer after a string of excellent performances on the continent and in the Czech Republic’s elite division for Slavia. Five goals and three assists in

20 league games have helped the champions in their cause to retain the title they have won consecutively in the last three years. With two rounds of matches left, Slavia sit top of the Fortuna Liga table with a one-point advantage over second-place Viktoria Plzen. Even more significantly, the Slavists are in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, with Olayinka contributing four goals and an assist in nine games to that success. The Super Eagles forward was on the scoresheet as Slavia claimed

a 3-3 draw at Feyenoord last week. He is also in line to smash Austin Okocha’s European club competition appearance record when the Red-and-whites host the Dutch side in the return leg today. A win in that encounter will see Olayinka and Slavia advance to the semifinals of the maiden edition of the Conference League. The 26-year-old’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, though, with Fenerbahce keen to add him to their personnel ahead of their continental and domestic challenges

next term. The Istanbul-based club are favourites to finish second behind runaway league leaders Trabzonspor this season and that would land them a UEFA Champions League spot. Currently rated €7, Olayinka has previously played for KAA Gent, KF Skenderbeu, Dukla Prague, and Zulte Waregem among several others. The 36 Lion Academy product joined Slavia Prague in July 2018 for €3.2 million from Belgian side Gent.

Onyechi Boosts John Utaka Academy's France Tour Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja US-based philanthropist, Dr Napoleon Onyechi has offered incentives to John Utaka Academy of Minna in support of the team’s proposed playing tour of France, early next month. The grand patron of the club was the guest of honour during

a friendly match between John Utaka Academy and FC International at Old Parade Ground, Abuja to commemorate his award with a doctoral degree in health management by Irsbaccom Universality of Benin Republic. Onyechi, accompanied by his wife, described the match organised by the academy, owned

by former Super Eagles striker, John Utaka as an honour he never anticipated. “I am honoured to see the young people come out to support me and participate in this joyful occasion. I feel humbled and proud of the young kids and urge them to devote their time to something productive instead

Napoleon Onyechi (second left) took the ceremonial kick oﬀ at the match between John Utaka Academy and FC International at Old Parade Ground, Abuja...yesterday

of hanging out on the street. Anything I can do to support them, I will. This is our home. We have to support our own children and give them the right direction,” Onyechi said. The team is due to play a series of friendly matches with youth clubs in France including Lyon, Nice, Monaco, Strasbourg and Montpellier, where Utaka is presently an assistant coach. The Vice President of John Utaka Academy, Usman Chatta applauded Onyechi, who was introduced to the club by Soccer Ambassador, Friday Kudjah for his gesture, saying his visit has motivated the team. Chatta said the team that has former National U-17 player Yusuf Bolarinwa and Jimmy Abdul that played in the last U-20 WAFU Cup and a couple of players from Ghana, was in Abuja to process its visa to travel by the first week of May. The team was forced to alter its original travel plan of this month arising from delay in booking flight for all 22 players and eight officers. He said the tour of France will boost the morale of the team as they will play Strasbourg, which is presently placed fifth in the French League. He said the French team has been calling day in day out to know about the team’s arrival time for this particular friendly.

Manchester City produced a mature and disciplined performance to hold off the challenge of Atletico Madrid - and set up a Champions League semi-final showdown with the Spanish side's city rivals Real. Knowing a clean sheet would be enough to seal the tie, City kept their cool in the face of a hostile home crowd and intimidation from a physical Atleti side showing far more ambition than in the first leg. Ilkay Gundogan could have made life much easier for Pep Guardiola's men by slotting in from close range, instead of against the post in the first half. But in the face of muchincreased pressure and a home side pushing desperately for parity, City put up a resolute rearguard action to confirm their progression to the last four with the 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Elsewhere, Liverpool remain in the hunt for an historic quadruple after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Benfica secured a two-legged Champions League semi-final against Villarreal. Having established a 3-1 lead in Lisbon, Liverpool extended their advantage with Ibrahima Konate's powerful 21st-minute header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner.

Benfica equalised through Goncalo Ramos' excellent turn and finish, before Roberto Firmino's two second-half goals - a tap-in followed by a volley - in front of the Kop looked to have put the Reds in control. But after Roman Yaremchuk broke through to beat Alisson and make it 3-2 on the night, Darwin Nunez scored a late equaliser for the Reds to pull through on 6-4 aggregate.

UCL RESULTS Atletico 0-0 Man City (Man City 1-0 agg) Liverpool 3-3 Benfica (Liverpool 6-4 agg)

EUROPA Q’FINALS Atalanta v RB Leipzig Rangers v Braga Barca v Frankfurt Lyon v West Ham

CONFERENCE PSV v Leicester PAOK v Marseille Roma v Bodoe/Glimt S’Prague v Feyenoord

Heineken Unites Madrid, Chelsea Fans with Davido, Reekado Magic The energetic performances of top music artists, Davido and Reekado marked the climax of an already spectacular UEFA Champions League night in which Real Madrid booked their passage into the semi-final phase ahead of Chelsea. Courtesy of International Premium beer, Heineken, fans and loyal customers at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos bothered less about the final outcome as they enjoyed the unique viewing experience of the epic clash at Santiago Bernabeu. With the Champions League trophy itself in town in the company of football legend, Clarence Seedorf, it was always anticipated that a thrilling experience was on the card for everyone signed on for the unique Heineken Experience. The tone for a fun-filled day was set with Seedorf, Nigeria football legends, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Daniel Amokachi as well as top officials of Nigeria Breweries addressing the press at the company’s bar on activities for this year’s Champions League trophy tour. Next up was the Faceoff challenge where after the heavy

showers in the metropolis, it rained goals in the game between Team Davido and Team Heineken. The best of Nigeria and Dutch football was served with a total of 14 goals scored by the two teams; with five-star Okocha leading the line, scoring five of the goals to the delight of the fans. Then it was time for action in the Spanish capital where Chelsea gave a brave performance that saw them overturning the 3-1 deficit they suffered in the first leg in London. Though Thomas Tuchel’s men came pretty close to masterminding one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history, their nemesis, Karim Benzema popped up with an all-important goal in extra time that ensured Los Blancos stay in the hunt for yet another European title. However, instead of the final whistle at Santiago Bernabeau translating to the end of a fun-filled night for the fans, it marked the beginning of even more entertainment with Davido and Reekado Banks taking the centerstage and treating the fans to hits after hits into the dead of the night.

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

Thursday, April 14, 2022

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MISSILE

Dele Momodu to PDP Leadership

“Politicians are dancing around. Atiku said the other day that he must run. How do you stop such a man? If you can bully Dele Momodu, I don’t think you can bully some people. I don’t think a man like Nyesom Wike in Rivers could easily be bullied. Let us all go and contest and whoever wins, so be it.”---Ovation publisher and presidential aspirant, on the futility of the ‘consensus’ option to pick PDP candidate.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Indeed, The Road Never Forgets M

emoirs can help negotiate the complex and sometimes tricky relationship between individuals and their communities. Students of politics also find these recollections useful for interpreting events in their country. The memoir of Dr Ifeanyichukwu Oluwasegun Opeyemi Ogunbiyi being presented today in Lagos to mark his 75th birthday not only speaks eloquently to the Nigeria that was and could have been but serves as a timely reminder of the work of nation-building that lies ahead. It contains several fragments of our history that I leave readers to enjoy and discover themselves. As Emeritus Professor, Femi Osofisan, wrote in one of the blurbs, the book is “not only a scintillating account of Ogunbiyi’s personal life, but also in fact an unusually lucid and riveting profile of the adventure of an entire generation.” This of course is not a political book. But memoirs of citizens like Ogunbiyi are important, especially in societies like ours where many leaders would rather buy champagne for a few than provide drinking water for all, to borrow from the wisdom of Thomas Sankara. And there could not have been a better time for memoirs like this than now. Countless Nigerians (including those who cannot properly manage their families) are declaring their intention to manage our affairs as president, governors and lawmakers. Incidentally, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who on Monday declared his bid for the number one job in the country, will deliver the keynote speech at a ceremony chaired by Aremo Olusegun Osoba with Chief Emeka Anyaoku as Guest of Honour. Ogunbiyi’s memoir take its title (The Road Never Forgets) from a poem written for him as a birthday gift by the inimitable emeritus professor of Literature, Niyi Osundare. But as Biodun Jeyifo, another emeritus professor wrote in the foreword, it is difficult to put down the 474-page book once one begins to read. This was affirmed by three other eminent scholars, Osofisan, G.G. Darah and Chidi Amuta in their blurbs: ‘The Road Never Forgets’ is easily one of the most insightful memoirs written by any Nigerian. Meanwhile, those who marvel at how Ogunbiyi speaks Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo so fluently have their answer. Born and raised in Sabon Gari, Kano to a Yoruba father and Igbo mother, the boy registered in primary school in 1953 as Ifeanyi Ogunbiyi is now a man of the world in the truest sense!

Yayale Ahmed @ 70

ne of Nigeria’s most respected bureaucrats of his generation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed will be 70 years old tomorrow. As is usual with the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who also served stints as Defence Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, there will be no ceremony beyond prayers at his home. Yayale was one of the few people who watched my back and constantly guided me while I served as presidential spokesman. I wish him happy birthday, long life and good health.

Dr. Ogunbiyi

Ordinarily, memoirs are powerful because they originate from life stories, offering readers rare glimpses into experiences that shaped identities and cultures. That can easily be deciphered from ‘The Road Never Forgets’. For instance, the first chapter, ‘Sabon Gari, Kano’ tells a compelling story of how the settlement evolved and the interconnections with Ogunbiyi’s own birth and upbringing. “When Papa (Ogunbiyi’s father) arrived in Kano in 1939 as a part of that second wave of immigrants, he naturally moved to Sabon Gari. He rented an apartment at 29 Aitken Road, where he stayed throughout his 45-years sojourn in Kano. At that time, 29 Aitken Road belonged to Mrs Janet Adetola Mabogunje, mother of Professor Akin Mabogunje, the renowned geographer and academic. Since Professor Mabogunje was born in Kano in 1931 and had his primary school education there, the Mabogunjes probably were the first wave of Yoruba immigrant settlers in Kano.” The power of recall, the variety of rich anecdotes and the simplicity of language make Ogunbiyi’s memoir so enjoyable that one cannot but keep turning the pages. There are just too many interesting stories to savour. Take his friendship with the late Dele Giwa which started while both were in the United States. Ogunbiyi recalls the last days of the founding NEWSWATCH editor-in-chief from what he considered an unforgettable subtext to his father’s funeral in 1986. “Funerals in those days, friends and relatives gladly substituted as pallbearers in the absence of present-day paid pallbearers. In the process of lifting the casket, my close friend, Dele Giwa hurt his lower back and ended up with slipped disc. He never fully recovered from that mishap until he met his own tragic death barely two months after Papa’s funeral. Indeed, after my father’s passing, the Saturday night before his death, I visited with Dele and asked after his back. He firmly stood up in the same study where the bomb would go off the following

day to prove to me that his slipped disc had fallen back in place. I never saw Dele again after that late Saturday encounter.” For people like me, ever curious about secret fraternities and their idiosyncrasies, Ogunbiyi’s memoirs provide considerable insight. As a curious 12-year-old boy who had heard tales about the ‘Lodge’ to which his father belonged, Ogunbiyi and two fellow teenagers embarked on an adventurous escapade of climbing a tree inside a cemetery to observe the rituals at a particular burial. Readers will have to take Ogunbiyi’s interesting account of mischief mixed with innocence from the book. But here is what happened decades later: “…the story of that funeral resurfaced many years after Papa had passed away when I stumbled on a cache of old photographs containing primarily pictures of his Masonic activities. I was struck by a series of funeral pictures in the pack, photos of a street procession of masons in their Masonic attires, and another shot in which the deceased member whose funeral was being held was lying in state, surrounded by Papa and other masons. The following words were written in Papa’s flabby cursive on the back of one of the photographs: ‘RIP Bro P.H. Doyle: 1959’. It turned out that—and this is an amazing coincidence of all—the funeral ceremony that I spied upon as a child, in the expectation that the corpse would be ‘woken up’ in the cemetery by the Lodge brothers of the deceased was that of Mr Patrick Harry Doyle, the father of my friend, Patrick Doyle Jnr, who would have been in my class at Kings College, Lagos in 1966 if he had stayed back for Higher School!” From the North to the East and West, Ogunbiyi made friends easily and established associations with a diversity of people. For instance, he first met Prof Wole Soyinka (a lecturer) at Ibadan. In 1986 when Soyinka won the Nobel Prize in Literature, he was invited to attend. But as is often the case, the federal military government had turned the ceremony into a Nigerian carnival in Stockholm with more Nigerian VIPs than the organisers could accommodate. Just when a semblance of order had been restored with additional slots given to accommodate a few Nigerian big men, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola jetted in unannounced. Ogunbiyi had to surrender his slot. Perhaps the most riveting account is Ogunbiyi’s introduction to the media world from academia. As acting head of department of dramatic arts at Ife in 1982, Ogunbiyi was preparing to go on a year sabbatical leave in the United States when the late Dr Stanley Macebuh invited him to spend the year working for a newspaper he had just birthed for a young Mr Alex Ibru. Ogunbiyi’s account of The Guardian, (where I began my own journalism career two months after my NYSC in Wushishi, Niger State in December 1990) is very compelling. But perhaps more fascinating is the account of how Ogunbiyi became the Managing Director of Daily Times as well as the role played by Dr Tunji Olagunju and the late Air Marshall Ibrahim Alfa. Yet, the entire adventure started for him at the palace of the then Ooni of Ife, the late Oba Okunade Sijuade. Ogunbiyi had gone to inform the monarch of his imminent departure for a one-year sabbatical leave in

Lagos. This was what transpired: “As we sipped our wine from gold-plated wine goblets, Kabiyesi, looking as if in studious contemplation, flagged me closer to his massive throne-like leather seat. There was a glint in his eyes as he peered at me, and said, with a seeming finality of tone that conjured the authority he arrogated to himself as the Arole Oodua: ‘My son, good luck on your trip to Lagos. But we know you’re not going to come back here again to teach.’ “I quietly interjected and reminded him that I was merely taking a one-year sabbatical leave, which would end in June 1984. ‘Oh yes, I know,’ he uttered back. ‘But, my son, Ife will be too small for you by the time you’re ready to come back.’ “‘But Baba, I…’ Before I could finish, Kabiyesi cut me off again. ‘Yes, I know. I heard you. But what we have been told inside the temple is different. We have been told that you’re not coming back here to teach. You see, even this Guardian job is not your destination. You’ll be going to a much bigger place after the Guardian. That’s what we’ve been told. When and how, I don’t know. But you’ll see, and then, you’ll remember what I am saying to you now.’ “Completely thrown off guard by these seemingly unusual ‘blessings’ and ‘best wishes’ from the Ooni, Sade (Mrs Ogunbiyi) and I were dumbstruck. We thanked him and left.” Reflecting on that encounter with the benefit of hindsight, Ogunbiyi wrote: “Whether it’s destiny of some psychic intuition, Kabiyesi’s predictions were uncannily prescient and actually came to pass…When I eventually returned to Ile-Ife 34 years after the encounter and two years after his demise, I returned as pro-chancellor and chairman of the institution’s Governing Council. Had he been alive, he would have looked me in the face and said: ‘But I told you, my son, what the deities said. I told you that you would not be coming back to Ife to teach.’” The Guardian opened a new world for Ogunbiyi and many others. But one remarkable thing was the series of interviews held with world leaders anchored by Ogunbiyi. That assignment turned Ogunbiyi into a roving reporter and helped to increase the profile of The Guardian newspaper at the time. This was how it started, by Ogunbiyi’s account: “Following the advice of my friend, Mr Gbenga Ashiru (who later served as foreign minister), we approached the then foreign minister, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, to assist us in securing some of our scheduled interviews with different leaders. The combined pressures from our contacts and the foreign ministry’s diplomatic channels paid off. Early in 1985, we conducted interviews with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. By the end of the year, we had done more interviews with leaders like Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso, Colonel Muammar Ghadafi of Libya, Shimon Peres of Israel and two Nigerian leaders, General Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Continued on page 28

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