FRIDAY 22ND MAY 2020

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Begins Audit of Airlines FG works out stimulus package for operators Chinedu Eze To guarantee passengers’ safety and protection from COVID-19, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

has commenced the audit of airlines, THISDAY has learnt.

The federal government is also working on a bailout for the aviation industry to prevent the collapse of the

airlines.

The federal government had closed the nation’s airspace for scheduled passenger flights on March 23 and extended the closure for four weeks

on May 6.

Although the nation's airspace is still closed, the government is considering resumption of domestic flights

by June.

NCAA spokesman, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, told THISDAY yesterday in Lagos that the main objective of the technical audit is to ensure that airlines’ fleet is airworthy.

According to him, the audit would also ensure that the airlines provide adequate safety protocol to ensure the protection Continued on page 9

INEC: How We’ll Conduct Elections During Pandemic... Page 5 Friday 22 May, 2020 Vol 25. No 9174. Price: N250

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FG Kicks against Large Gathering During Sallah Celebration Cautions govs on lockdown relaxation 339 new cases spike tally to 7,016 with 1,907 discharged, 211 dead Omololu Ogunmade, Olawale Ajimotokan, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, and Martins Ifijeh in Lagos The federal government yesterday kicked against

large gathering during Sallah celebration holding tomorrow, saying it might put many people, particularly the aged, at risk of COVID-19 infection.

Some governors in the northern part of the country

had relaxed the lockdown, imposed on their states to halt the spread of the virus, to enable their citizens to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr.

As the governors eased restrictions, Nigeria recorded

339 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing to 7,016 the total number of confirmed cases in the country.

It has also recorded 11 new deaths, raising the figures from 200 to 211 in the last 24 hours.

Announcing the update last night, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 139 new cases, Kano and Oyo 28 each, Edo 25, Katsina 22, Kaduna 18, Jigawa 14, Yobe and Plateau 13 each,

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 11, Gombe eight, Ogun five, Bauchi and Nasarawa four each, Delta three, Ondo two, while Rivers and Adamawa Continued on page 10

Nigeria Loses N125bn Oil Revenue to COVID-19 as Price Slumps in Q1 FG projects GDP to contract by -8.9% Suspends debt deductions from states Inflation hits two-year high at 12.34% World Bank pledges $1.5bn relief package to states Oil price hits $36 two-month high as demand recovers Omololu Ogunmade, James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos Nigeria's oil revenue target fell by N125.52 billion in the first quarter (Q1, 2020) to N940.91 billion, according to figures released yesterday

by Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed. The shortfall, attributed to the double whammy of the headwind caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the slump in oil price due to a sharp drop in demand and price war between two powerful producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, representing a 31 per cent of the prorated oil revenue

target.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also showed inflation hitting a two-year high at 12.34 per cent.

Besides, the World Bank has projected that based on its assessment of Nigeria's economy, the country would plunge into a recession.

But it has proposed a relief package of $1.5 billion to keep the 36 states of the federation, threatened by a fiscal crisis, afloat.

Ahmed, who briefed reporters at the end of the National Economic Council Continued on page 9

Buhari Amends Executive Order on Offshore Assets Declaration... Page 8

ECONOMY ON THEIR MIND… Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed (left), and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the meeting of the National Economic Council in Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

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

INEC: How We’ll Conduct Elections During Pandemic Lists electoral vacancies

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said it had approved its policy on how to conduct elections during a pandemic, insisting that Edo and Ondo state governorship elections would hold as scheduled.

It explained that although holding an election in a period of public health crisis was an uncharted course, it would nevertheless developed

protocols, for the electoral activities, which would place a premium on public safety and mitigate the health risks from COVID-19.

Specifically, the commission said the two elections would hold on September 19 (Edo) and October 10 (Ondo).

The commission also listed areas where there are senatorial election vacancies.

"As at today, the commission is planning for nine byeelections across seven states

One Killed, Six Injured in Lagos Bridge Accident Chiemelie Ezeobi A tanker loaded with petrol yesterday rammed into a bus and a car on the Otedola Bridge area of Lagos State, killing one person and severely injuring six others, including a nine-year-old boy.

The tanker collided with a Volkswagen saloon car with registration number AAA 722 FU and a commercial Mazda bus with registration number KJA 581 XL. While a female passenger died on the spot, others sustained severe injuries from the clash and were rushed to Lagos State Trauma Centre for treatment.

It was gathered that the tanker, fully loaded with fuel, had a brake failure before it rammed into the interstate Mazda bus.

A team of security agents, comprising the police, Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LATSMA), Federal Road Safety Corps and officer in charge of Lagos State Traffic (MOTOPOL), CSP Titilayo Oriyomi Ilesanmi, and her personnel, were deployed in the area on rescue operations and to clear the traffic.

The affected vehicles were removed from the

road by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), while MOTOPOL officers helped to ensure the free flow of traffic.

THISDAY gathered from police sources that even though the accident was not caused by the interstate driver, he would be prosecuted for violating the lockdown order.

Confirming the accident, LASEMA Director-General, Dr. Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu, said emergency workers worked assiduously to contain the situation.

He said: “Upon the arrival of the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) at the incident, it was discovered that a tanker loaded with petrol rammed into a bus and a car. “Adult males and a child were severely injured by the impact and were attended to by the agency’s officials before being taken to a trauma centre for further treatment. “Unfortunately, one adult female lost her life at the scene and her remains have been transported to the mortuary. Recovery of the three affected vehicles from the road has been carried out by the agency’s light tow truck.�

CBN Reschedules MPC Meeting for Thursday Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rescheduled the May 2020 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting earlier scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

CBN, in a statement by its Director of Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, said the meeting would now hold on Thursday.

The postponement was as a result of the declaration of Monday and Tuesday, May 25 and 26, 2020 as Eid-el-Fitr holidays.

The statement said: “This is to inform our stakeholders and the general public that the May 2020 meeting of the MPC of the CBN, earlier scheduled for Monday and

Tuesday, May 25 and 26, 2020 respectively, will now hold on Thursday, May 28, 2020. This is as a result of the declaration of Monday and Tuesday, May 25 and 26, 2020 as Eid-el-Fitr holidays. “For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN has put in place all necessary machinery for the meeting to now hold for only one day on account of the ongoing COVID-19 national lockdown and to align this meeting with extant rules of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and advisories from other relevant agencies. All inconveniences caused by these changes are regretted.�

of the federation, including Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Imo North Senatorial District and Plateau South Senatorial District,� INEC said in a statement by its National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye.

The commission added that it received notification on vacancy in Cross River North Senatorial District; Nganzai and Bayo State Constituencies in Borno State; Nasarawa Central State Constituency, Nasarawa State; and Bakori State Constituency, Katsina State.

It said the general purpose of

the policy was to enable officials and staff of the commission to understand and respond adequately to the challenges of conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide a guide for engagement with stakeholders as they prepare for elections.

The statement said a clean copy of the policy document, which would be released on Monday, would cover health and legal issues, election planning and operations, election day and post-election activities, voter registration, political parties, election observation, electoral security and deployment of technology.

"Conducting elections in a pandemic such as COVID-19 is yet uncharted waters; only very few jurisdictions have any experience with this.

That notwithstanding, the commission is committed to conducting all elections that are due within the extant legal framework. "However, in so doing, it will put a premium on public safety and mitigation of health risks from COVID-19. Citizens must be assured that they will be safe while participating as voters, candidates, and officials," the statement said.

It added that INEC remained committed to raising public confidence in the electoral

process in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic and to regularly communicate its actions and challenges to the public.

The commission said in view of the end of tenure governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, it would start robust engagements with critical stakeholders to present the policy document.

To this end, it said the commission would meet with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday, May 30 to be followed with political parties on Monday, June 1, civil society groups on June 2 and the media on June 3.

SECURING EDO‌ L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Deputy Inspector General of Police, South-south Zone, Mr. Anthony Michael; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Mr. Dibal Yakadi, during the inauguration of the state Community Policing Advisory Committee and state Community Policing Committee in Benin City‌yesterday

Finally, Court Sentences Ese Oruru’s Abductor to 26 Years Onungwe Obe in Yenagoa A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, yesterday convicted Mr. Yunusa Dahiru for the abduction, raping and impregnating a teenager, Miss Ese Oruru, in 2015.

However, Justice Jane Inyang acquitted Dahiru on count one but jailed him five years on (count two), seven years (count three) seven years (count four) and seven years on count five.

According to the judge, the sentences are to run concurrently.

The abduction of Oruru said to be the youngest child of Mr. Charles Oruru and Mrs. Rose Oruru occurred on 12 August 2015 at her

mother’s shop in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Oruru, who was 13-yearold at the time, was abducted

by Dahiru (alias Yellow) and taken to Kano, where she was allegedly raped, forcibly converted into Islam and married off without her parents’ consent.

Following public outcry and the intervention of the then Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, Ese was reportedly rescued by Kano State Police Command on February 29, 2016 and placed in the custody of the government.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and former governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake

Dickson, also waded into the matter.

She was later revealed to be five-month pregnant with her abductor’s child after being released.

Dahiru was arraigned on March 8, 2016 before the Federal High Court in Yenagoa on charges of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and having unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor.

Oruru’s abduction drew condemnation from civil society groups and human rights organisation, including human rights lawyer, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), who called the incident a “clear case of child trafficking� and “a worse form of corruption.�

Public outrage over the alleged complicity of Kano State Government had forced the state government, through its Information, Youths and Sports Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Garba, to deny any involvement.

He called for the prosecution of Dahiru, saying the constitution and Islamic teachings abhor abduction and forced marriage.

Dahiru was arraigned and charged with abduction, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation by the police on March 8, 2016.

Dahiru pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N3 million and two sureties.

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Buhari Amends Executive Order on Offshore Assets Declaration

Davidson Iriekpen

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed an amendment to the Executive Order 008 of 2018 on Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularisation Scheme (VOARS).

The order gives all relevant persons and their intermediaries, who have defaulted in the declaration of their offshore assets, the opportunity to voluntarily declare and regularise their offshore assets, subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions stipulated in the order and other subsequent regulations.

In a statement yesterday, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the media aide to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said Buhari signed the amendment on May 20. “President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the Executive Order 008 on Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularisation Scheme (VOARS) in October 2018.

“As a result of stakeholders’ inputs and need to strengthen the implementation mechanisms and structures, the order was reviewed. “Consequently, the amendment to Executive Order 2008 was signed on 20th May, 2020 by President Buhari. “The Executive Order 008 (as amended) mandated the Attorney General of the Federation to set up and implement a Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularisation Scheme (hereinafter referred to as VOARS). “In order to ensure seamless exchange of information, VOARS will work closely with Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) which has worldwide access to relevant financial information. “The FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria) hopes that relevant persons amongst Nigerians, Nigerian entities and their intermediaries will seize the opportunity provided

by VOARS to declare and regularise their offshore assets before it is too late. “Relevant persons who

Lagos Police Arrest DPO for Allegedly Killing Sergeant Chiemelie Ezeobi A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ilemba Hausa Division, Ajamgbadi, Lagos State, Mr. Yahaya Adesina, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), has been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for allegedly murdering a sergeant in his division.

Until his death two weeks ago, the deceased sergeant, Mr. Onalaja Onajide, was attached to Ilemba Hausa Division as a station guard.

The DPO had blamed his death on an alleged attack by two dismissed soldiers, Mr. Kehinde Elijah and Mr. Eze Joseph, who have since been arrested.

The sergeant’s bereaved family, however, had said they were told on good authority that the DPO shot him in cold blood.

Following the furore his death generated, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday ordered that the case be transferred to SCID for investigation.

He also ordered the arrest and detention of the DPO, while an investigation is ongoing, including the retrieval of his rifle for forensic examination.

The state police command's spokesperson, Mr. Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the development, said: “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the transfer of the case, involving the shooting and killing of Sergeant Onalaja Onajide attached to Ilemba Hausa Division, to the State Criminal Investigation

Department, Yaba for discreet investigation. “This decision followed the reports received by the command alleging (accusing) the Divisional Police Officer Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina, of shooting the sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the station. “The DPO has been arrested and detained at the State CID for investigation.

His rifle has been retrieved for forensic examination. “The commissioner has ordered that autopsy be carried out on the deceased person. The CP expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen colleague and assured them that the command will stand with them at this moment of grief and ensure that justice prevails."

The command also arrested one Inspector Okoro Charles for shooting and killing one Fatai Oladipupo, a cleric.

Elkana said: “The Inspector is being subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, known as Orderly Room Trial at the State Provost Department and if found guilty, he will be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for the prosecution in conventional court. “Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. “The Commissioner of Police condoles with the family and friends of the deceased and calls for calm. “He assures them that justice will prevail. Members of the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation.�

voluntarily declare their offshore assets and pay the stipulated levy to FGN will receive compliance certificates which allow them to use their residual assets freely without hindrance. “The recoveries accruing

to the FGN will be used for essential infrastructure development for benefit of Nigerians. “For defaulters, who may be tempted to continue concealment of their offshore assets, the Executive Order

008 as amended, stipulates that “any domestic or foreign bank, asset manager or intermediary that cooperates with defaulters, enabling them to conceal offshore assets and obligations pertaining to them shall,

upon discovery, be liable to pay to FGN a penalty on the total of such offshore assets, in addition to other penalties provided for under Nigerian laws or laws of foreign countries from which Nigeria can benefit.�

A HELPING HAND...

L-R: Chairman, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata; Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje; KEDCO Managing Director, Alhaji Isiaku Gwamna; and the Co-chair, Kano State Fund Raising Committee for COVID-19, Prof. Yahuza Bello, during the presentation of food items donated by KEDCO to the state government‌yesterday

NPA Chairman Laments Under-utilisation of Seaports in Eastern Corridor Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The new Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Akin Ricketts, has decried the underutilisation of seaports in the eastern corridor.

Ricketts, in his remarks during the inauguration of the NPA board by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday in Abuja, stressed the need for maximum utilisation of the eastern corridor seaports.

He said: "The eastern corridor seaports are underutilised and must be made to function optimally."

Ricketts also notified the minister of the intractable congestion at Lagos ports, adding that the problem must be dealt with as a priority challenge.

He pledged the board’s cooperation to enable NPA deal with the challenges.

"The major issues confronting our ports today are capacity utilisation and evacuation corridors. While the ports in the east are being grossly under-utilised due to many factors, the efficiency of the ports in Lagos is hampered by inadequate evacuation corridors that lead to congestion on the road, which ultimately affects prompt service delivery.

"This is a challenge that we intend to confront head-on in conjunction with other stakeholders, with a view to ameliorating the sufferings of port users and ease business in the port, as envisaged by the federal government. “We are sure that NPA would have its share of challenges and issues that need to be resolved or need immediate attention. We will do that in conjunction with the management and all relevant stakeholders.

"We will ensure that we give every issue and matter that comes to our attention the consideration it deserves and deal with it fairly and objectively, without favour or ill will," the chairman stated.

Rickets also promised synergy and effective oversight of NPA without constituting itself into alternative management.

He explained that the board would create an atmosphere where employees would be given the opportunity to air their views and express dissent on any policy or action, they feel strongly about.

"And we will ensure that measures are emplaced so that this process is not unduly abused.

"We will ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place from our major stakeholders and port users so that we improve on

service delivery, efficiency and capacity," he added.

Earlier, Amaechi had urged the board not to run a parallel management.

The minister told the new board not to run parallel management, adding that "it is important you work with the management. It is important you realise you are not the management, you are a board."

Amaechi also tasked the new board to ensure smooth operations at the ports, noting that "we are in unusual times but we cannot afford to shut our seaports. Activities must continue."

Other board members inaugurated yesterday in Abuja were Mohammed Koko, Onari Brown; Senator Binta Masi Garba; Senator John Udoidighe; Abdulwahab Adeshina; Ghazali Mohammed; Mustapha Aminu Dutse and Prof. Idris Abubakar.

Lagos Slashes 2020 Budget By 21% to N920.5bn Obinna Chima Following the economic damage caused by the COVID-19, Lagos State Executive Council yesterday disclosed plan to revise the state’s 2020 budget by 21 per cent, from the N1.168 billion hitherto approved by the State House Assembly to N920.5 billion.

The proposal for a budget review is expected to be sent to the state’s lawmakers today.

Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube,

made this known during an interview in Lagos.

Egube said the deficit in the revised budget, if approved, was expected to increase slightly by 11 per cent, from N97.533 billion to N108.005 billion.

According to him, recurrent expenditure would decline by 10 per cent from the initial N457.529 billion to N411.608 billion, while total capital expenditure would be reduced by 28 per cent, from N711.33 billion to N508.861 billion.

He said the revised total revenue represents a drop of

24 per cent from the projected N1,107,029 billion to N812.464 billion.

The commissioner listed some of the factors that necessitated the review to include fall in crude oil prices, “with deleterious effects on statutory allocation expectations, slide in internally generated revenue (IGR) and devaluation of the naira, reduced public and private investment, increased inflation, decline in demand for goods and services and reduction in manufacturing activities, which portends lower gross domestic

product (GDP) growth and increased unemployment.�

Egube stated that part of the state’s holistic approach to the COVID-19 shock already adopted by the government going forward include maintaining a strong pandemic response, restarting the economy and reimagining the way Lagos State operates.

He explained that with the strong pandemic response, the state government would engender food security and safety net mechanism, economic stimulus, and ensure public safety and wellbeing.

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PAGE NINE NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY BEGINS AUDIT OF AIRLINES of passengers from the virus infection while onboard.

The audit, he said, would ensure that pilots and cabin crew meet the conditions to fly.

A directive from NCAA to the airlines, All Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), said the airlines would be required to review and demonstrate or submit the evidence of compliance.

NCAA also requires airlines to notify the authority of their intention to resume operations and make themselves available to the regulatory body for the post-COVID-19 restart plan assessment. “Upon satisfactory postCOVID-19 restart plan assessment by the authority, the ANSPs will be granted approval to resume full operation by the DirectorGeneral,� NCAA said in a circular, Ref: NCAA/DG/ GC/8/16/301, dated May 5, 2020.

Adurogboye told THISDAY that there are specific directives issued by NCAA for the airlines to carry out before they could resume flights operations.

He identified some of the conditions to include the training of their technical personnel during the lockdown, the storage of their aircraft and notification of the authority five days before each airline resumes operation. “Passengers need to know that the airlines have made adequate plans to protect them from being infected by coronavirus. There are basic things the airlines are expected to do and there must be evidence of the training and NCAA will assess the training

before any airline will resume operation. “We will like to know what they have in place to ensure the safety and protection of passengers. They are supposed to carry out the disinfection of their aircraft. These are critical issues that even if there will be waivers; there are things that we cannot compromise.

"We have been working together with the airlines since the lockdown and we are partners in progress. We are going to sit down and discuss other issues if need be,� Adurogboye added.

Airlines’ officials who spoke to THISDAY confirmed that they are striving to meet NCAA conditions so that they would be certified to resume operations.

The Director of Flight Operations, Air Peace, Captain Victor Egonu, said every airline was striving to meet NCAA specifications on flight resumption. “We are working to meet the conditions given to us

by NCAA. On disinfection of aircraft, we are working with Port Health and they have watched the demonstration by our engineers. We are also working on the airworthiness of our aircraft. During the lockdown, we placed the aircraft on storage. We are now bringing the aircraft out of storage, following the manufacturer’s programme. “We are also undergoing training on how to handle passengers during boarding and onboard the aircraft. We are supposed to send everything in softcopy to NCAA because we are discouraging physical

contacts as much as possible and our target date for submission is Monday next week,� Egonu said.

He expressed optimism that the transport business (schedule flight service) could begin by June 4, if the federal government lifts the ban and said Air Peace and other airlines were anticipating they would get clearance from NCAA. He added that there are training that would not be undertaken now, like simulator training, because it's done overseas and most of the airline’s pilots are Nigerians, so they would need visas to travel overseas and there would be envisaged backlog when the lockdown ends globally.

He said NCAA gave waiver for crew training update till the end of June, but noted that the pilots would be given basic training in-house as many of them have not flown for two months.

He expressed optimism that NCAA would certify the pilots to resume flight operations.

Egonu explained that airlines have adopted COVID-19 protocols to prevent possible on-board infection. “There will be no service of food on board but we can serve water. All the aircraft will be fumigated every day.

We hope that we would have a short turnaround time and we ought to have checks in places to avoid complacency in the implementation of the protocols. “The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) said there is no benefit of social

distancing because there is no transmission between passengers inside the aircraft. Mask is compulsory; so passengers will come wearing their mask and leave the aircraft wearing their mask,� Egonu said.

Speaking on the level of preparedness, the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, told THISDAY in Lagos that the airline is working to meet NCAA requirements, adding that Dana Air’s pilots would also meet training qualification and be certified to fly. “We are working to meet NCAA requirements. They gave us documents stating their requirements and we have submitted how we planned to meet the requirements. This includes how to resuscitate our aircraft and the training of our pilots.

What we need in the training of pilots is recency.

"The pilots have their licences; so the trainee pilots will be certified and they will train other pilots. We are fully prepared and I am sure we will meet NCAA requirements to resume flight operations,�

Mbanuzuo stated.

FG Works out Stimulus Package for Operators Meanwhile, NCAA DirectorGeneral, Captain Musa Nuhu, has said the federal government is currently working on how to bail out the aviation sector after the pandemic in order to prevent the collapse of the airlines.

Nuhu said the Minister of

Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had made a presentation to the presidency on the need to bail out the sector in order to sustain flight operations, which is a catalyst for economic development.

He spoke during the Aviation Web Conference on ‘Flying into Turbulent Skies, Safely Navigating COVID-19 Headwinds: Survival Strategies for Nigerian Aviation,’ organised by the law firm, AELEX, with the objective to map out ways of developing economic stimulus package for the sector.

He said the package would not be limited to the airlines alone but would include the agencies and ground handling companies. “We have made consultations and we are still consulting; we have consulted with airlines; we plan to have another consultation with them and the ground handlers, we are developing a programme for an economic stimulus package, all-inclusive, all the heads of agencies were recently locked up in a hotel in Abuja, including the minister to map out ways of getting stimulus for the sector. The minister presented a very good case on this with the vice president. “We need to ensure that we have procedures in place, we need to look at two major issues: airworthiness and health protocols. We have developed some guidelines in conjunction with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We still have some issues on crew quarantine. We have agreed on certain protocols for Nigerian

airlines so that when they fly out and come back, the crew doesn’t have to be quarantined.

We have consulted with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) extensively to ensure that all we are doing is globally acceptable,� he said.

Earlier, Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, had said there should not be in-flight catering on domestic flight services, which is largely one hour, noting that it would also help to bring down the cost of flying.

According to him, the pandemic is more devastating than 9/11 and measures have to be introduced to mitigate the effect on businesses.

He said, for instance, Air Peace had decided to stop in-flight catering and would not deploy all its aircraft for operations as it had also decided to reduce its workforce to 60 per cent and put the rest on redundancy who would be re-absorbed as flight operation increases.

He explained that his airline that was operating 110 flights per day had reduced to 42 flights in a day before the lockdown and so many sacrifices would have to be made by employees and staff if the business must continue.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, expressed confidence that the sector would rebound just as it did after 9/11 and Ebola virus saga.

He, however, called for mergers and acquisition of airlines, saying this would be one of the ways to revamp the sector.

According to the CPI figures for April, which was released yesterday, the 0.08 per cent uptick in the headline index in April followed increases in all the categories that determine inflation, including the food index and core inflation.

The all-items-less-farmproduce or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce also rose to 9.98 per cent during the review period, up by 0.25 per cent when compared with 9.73 per cent recorded in March.

NBS attributed the rise in the food index to increases in prices of potatoes, yam and other tubers, bread and cereals, fish, oils and fats, meat, fruits and vegetables.

Conversely, core inflation was fuelled by the highest increases in prices of bicycles, passenger transport by road, passenger transport by sea and inland waterways, paramedical services, hospital services, pharmaceutical products, medical services, motorcycles and major household appliances whether electric or not.

The urban inflation rate increased to 13.01 per cent (year-on-year) in April from 12.93 per cent recorded in March.

The rural index also rose to 11.73 per cent from 11.64 per cent in the preceding month.

It's feared that the continued uptick in the headline index poses growing concerns to the monetary authority, which is saddled with the mandate of price stability but is even more worrisome given that it increases the cost of borrowing in the economy.

With the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 13.5 per cent, the risks of rising inflation have heightened macroeconomic concerns.

The headline index has assumed a downward direction in recent consecutive months when it dropped in January 2019 to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per

cent in December 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March, but resorted to the upward trajectory in April when it climbed to 11.37 per cent- and further to 11.40 per cent in May- before falling to 11.22 per cent in June, 11.08 per cent in July, 11.02 per cent in August before returning to 11.24 per cent in September, 11.61 per cent in October and 11.85 per cent in November and 11.98 per cent in December 2019.

It further climbed to 12.13 per cent in January 2020, 12.20 per cent in February,12.26 per cent in March and now 12.34 per cent in April.

NIGERIA LOSES N125BN OIL REVENUE TO COVID-19 AS PRICE SLUMPS IN Q1 (NEC) meeting, presided over

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House yesterday, expressed concern over the effect of the revenue shortfall on the federal government's efforts at fighting poverty.

According to her, Nigeria's poverty rate, put at 40 per cent, may increase with the drastic reduction in revenue.

She added that the economic situation would be worsened with the gross domestic product (GDP) growth expected to contract by -8.94 per cent this year.

However, she said if the measures being put in place to grow the economy works, the contraction might be only by -4.4 per cent without fiscal stimulus.

The minister explained that with effective fiscal stimulus in place, the situation might bring the contraction down to as low as 0.5 per cent.

She said with the activities of different presidential committees set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to evolve measures aimed at cushioning the effects of the pandemic on the economy, the federal government had resolved to support states by suspending various deductions of debts they owe the federal government.

She explained: "On the economy, COVID-19 has resulted in the collapse of oil prices. This will impact negatively, and the impact has already started showing on the federation’s revenues and on the foreign exchange earnings. Net oil and gas revenue and influx to the Federation Account in the first quarter of 2020 amounted to N940.91 billion.

"This represented a shortfall of N125. 52 billion or 31 per cent of the prorated amount that was supposed to have been realised by the end of that first quarter. Forty per cent of the population in Nigeria, today, are classified as poor. The crisis will only multiply this misery.

"The economic growth in Nigeria, that is the GDP, could in the worst-case scenario, contract by as much as –8.94 per cent in 2020. But in the best case, which is the case we are working on, it could be a contraction of –4.4 per cent if there is no fiscal stimulus. But with the fiscal stimulus plan that we are working on, this contraction can be mitigated and we might end up with a negative –0.59 per cent.

"As a result of that, the president set up the Presidential Economic Sustainability Committee in addition to the COVID-19 Response Committee that has been set up, the presidential task force that is chaired by the SGF as well as the Crisis Management Committee that I chair.

"The federal government is committed to supporting the financial viability of states, including the suspension of payments in respect of commitments, debts that have been secured with ISPOs by the states at the federal levels. So, we have already implemented suspension of deductions of a number of loans that have been taken by the states from April and also in May." Ahmed noted that some of the measures proposed to stimulate the economy so far include the approval of N500 billion to support healthcare facilities as well as the proposed relief to taxpayers and incentives meant to encourage employers to retain and recruit staff during the lockdown.

World Bank Predicts Nigeria's Descent into Recession The minister stated that the World Bank country director in Nigeria who was invited to the meeting told the council about the bank's assessment of Nigeria's economy. She added that the pandemic would

imminently plunge the country into a recession.

She said the Bretton Wood institution's representative told the council that it had proposed to offer Nigeria some relief package, including a $1.5 billion fiscal support to states to be disbursed at the end of September.

Ahmed said with the development, the 36 states of the federation would get between N150 billion to N200 billion.

According to her, "We also had discussions with the World Bank. The World Bank Country Director was invited into the meeting and he spoke to the meeting in respect of their assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and also their review of the measures that the government has taken.

"This package also includes the increase in the social register by one million households to 3.5 million for cash transfer programmes and palliatives and other social safety net programmes.

"The World Bank maintains that the impact of the COVID-19 on Nigeria will lead to severe amplified human and economic cost, which will move the country into a recession. The World Bank planned a proposed package for immediate fiscal relief for the federal government.

"This will also involve policybased budget support for the federal government, focusing on measures to maintain macro-financial stability and create fiscal space for proposed stimulus. The World Bank package has also got a proposal of $1.5 billion for the states and this package will be dedicated to the states. And it will be a programme for results which the states are already used to implementing.

"So, the immediate fiscal relief for the states, as stated in the presentation, will include the acceleration of an existing programme to enable

disbursement by the end of September. So, the proposed $1.5 billion plan, by end of September, will have been disbursed to the states.

"We are looking at an average of between N150 billion to N200 billion based on the plan to the 36 states. These are states that have already made some particular commitments and achievements so that they will be able to get immediate disbursements of parts of these funds."

Ahmed, who noted that cases of COVID-19 infection have continued to rise in the country unabated said with over 7,000 cases already recorded by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the situation could grow worse to 300,000 incidences by August.

She also gave the balances in the federation accounts as at May 21, 2020 as $72.04 million in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), N39.337 billion in Stabilisation Account and N125.19 billion in the Natural Resource Development Fund Account.

Ination Hits Twoyear High Inflation has continued its uptick, rising to a two-year level of 12.34 per cent in April.

The last time inflation was around this level was in April 2018 when it was 12.48 per cent.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation further increased to 12.34 per cent (year-on-year) in April compared to 12.26 per cent in the preceding month, according to NBS. However, experts said it was necessary to stimulate farmers to boost food production in the coming months considering that the borders might not be opened soon due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The composite food index rose to 15.03 per cent compared to 14.98 per cent in March.

Oil price hits $36 two-month high as demand recovers Oil prices rose yesterday to their highest since March 11, supported by lower United Continued on page 10

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FRIDAY, ÍşÍşËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS NIGERIA LOSES N125BN OIL REVENUE TO COVID-19 AS PRICE SLUMPS IN Q1 States' crude inventories, supply cuts and recovering demand as governments ease restrictions on people’s movements imposed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Crude prices had slumped earlier, with the global benchmark, Brent, hitting a 21-year low below $16 a barrel in April as demand collapsed.

But with the relaxation of the lockdowns by governments, rising fuel use and more signs that the supply glut is being tackled, Brent has since more than doubled.

Brent crude for July yesterday rose $1.17, or 3.3 per cent, to $36.92 per barrel, while the United States’ West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 96 cents, or 2.9 per cent, to $34.45.

Both benchmarks are at their highest since March 11, following the gradual easing of the lockdowns.

Bloomberg had reported that summer weather was enticing much of the world to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns.

Shops and restaurants were

all set to reopen in Italy, while other centres of the outbreaks such as New York and Spain gradually lifted restrictions.

Apart from the lifting of restrictions on movement by countries, which had increased fuel use and enhanced crude demand, lower United States’ inventories have also helped to reduce oil glut and help in price recovery.

Production is also falling as US energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating in the country.

In the latest sign the supply glut is easing, US crude inventories fell by five million barrels last week. Analysts had expected an increase.

Also, there is evidence of recovering fuel use.

British airline, EasyJet, plans to restart some flights on June 15, pointing to higher jet fuel demand.

Physical crude markets, at historic lows just weeks ago, are also rising.

Also supporting oil prices are production cuts by the

Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, a grouping known as OPEC+.

The world’s top exporter, Saudi Arabia, had announced that it would cut an additional one million barrels per day in June, while OPEC+ wants to maintain existing oil cuts beyond June when the group will meet.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had agreed to halt oil production from the joint Al-Khafji field for one month, starting from June

1, Kuwait’s Al Rai newspaper had reported.

OPEC, Russia and other allies, known as OPEC+, agreed to cut supply by a record 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from May 1 to support the market.

So far in May, OPEC+ has cut oil exports by about 6 million bpd, according to companies that track the flows, suggesting a strong start in complying with the deal. OPEC has disclosed that the market has responded well.

positive persons or to allow them to self-isolate at home," he said.

Ihekweazu said PTF was thinking around options to take, which would soon be made public.

He also noted that the public transport group had submitted to NCDC a draft operational guide on how it hoped to reopen operations, while maintaining the required safety measures against the pandemic.

NCDC boss added that materials for the operation of the Genexpert machine would arrive the country next week.

Ihekweazu explained that due to the pressure on the testing facilities and having found out over time that those who tested negative the first time always recorded negative on a second test, the centre had decided to be discharging patients after testing negative once.

When asked whether the deaths recorded in Kano would be added to the pandemic statistics since the state health officials had confirmed that they were COVID-19-related, NCDC boss said it could not be rolled in.

Ehanire said the fact-finding team sent to Calabar had concluded its assignment and submitted a report.

He said the state still maintained a zero infection record as at the time of the medical team's visit, adding that the only identified weakness is the absence of a testing laboratory.

"We have been able to identify areas of strength and areas that are in need of upgrade including laboratory infrastructure. The state of readiness of the state against COVID-19 is reasonable and includes setting up of task force, production of personal protective equipment, face masks of which samples were provided to our team and will be forwarded to NAFDAC for validation.

"Areas of weaknesses and strength like I said are still being analysed so as to improve federalCross River State collaboration and support. The critical findings are still that no case of COVID-19 has been reported as at May 20, 2020 when the team returned to Abuja," he said.

The minister said 16 samples had been tested in Cross River State and that they were negative.

Also the minister explained that a federal medical team visited Gombe and Borno states to carry out a fact-finding mission.

He said the reports from the two states were being awaited so that the ministry could streamline the response and provide a more targeted response.

Ehanire added that he was planning to resend another NCDC team to Kogi State to assess the situation there.

FG KICKS AGAINST LARGE GATHERING DURING SALLAH CELEBRATION one each.

Speaking at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the Chairman, Mr. Boss Mustapha, warned that the relaxation of the lockdown by states might boomerang and appealed to the governors to be cautious in their responses to agitations for the opening of places of worship.

Specifically, Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), warned against large gatherings of people during the Sallah celebration to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting by the Muslim faithful.

He said the federal government was concerned that large gatherings at the Eid prayer grounds could inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick, and those with underlying ailments.

He also reiterated the position of PTF that any large gathering of more than 20 persons remained prohibited and that all the protocols on safety should be adhered to. ''Mass gatherings for the purpose of the Eid or on Sunday, for now, expose the elderly to serious health problem. It exposes this category of people to serious danger and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure they are not exposed to those dangers.

COVID-19 has come to stay with us. It has completely disrupted our ways of life and it is impossible to suddenly return that way of life," Mustapha said.

PTF National Coordinator on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, also warned Sallah revelers to ensure that they wear their face masks if they must at all be at the Eid grounds.

Aliyu, who read the guidelines on the enforcement on easing of the lockdown, also said in terms of enforcement of the regulations, PTF would continue to work with local authorities for the immediate creation of mobile courts to try and prosecute offenders, particularly those who violate guidelines on face masks covering, measuring temperatures and institutions that fail to comply with the protocols. ''Effective from May 18, the easing of the lockdown remains largely the same and will be characterised by enforceable actions which will include mandatory use of nonmedical face masks, mandatory provision of hand sanitisers in public places, the restriction on interstate travels and adaption of offices and businesses to observe social distancing, including crowd control and mass gathering reduction strategies,'' Aliyu said.

He added: ''The public is warned to avoid unnecessary contact with people, interstate travel is restricted except for those that deal in supply chain travels such as goods and agricultural products with limited capacity and petroleum products, relief items, construction supplies, and registered courier service.''

FG Warns against Use of Hydroxychloroquine for Treatment Mustapha also strongly urged the public to desist from self-treatment and the use of the anti-malaria drug, Hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis for COVID-19.

The SGF noted that through the surveillance system set up by PTF, the task force had received reports that some Nigerians had been purchasing the drug in large quantities for prevention and outright treatment of COVID-19, warning that the drug has not been certified for use by relevant authorities in the country. ''We wish to reiterate that this drug has not been certified for use in treating COVID-19 in Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.

Self-medication of any kind is fraught with the danger of increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We, therefore, strongly warn against self-medication. If you are sick, please seek medical advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an approved facility,� he said.

Mustapha also apologised to journalists and other essential workers who were harassed on Tuesday in Lagos State by policemen enforcing the 8.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m curfew.

FG Urges Caution in Relaxation of Lockdown Meanwhile, Mustapha has also urged caution in the manner at which governors were relaxing the lockdown on religious congregation in violation of the national response and guidelines.

He noted that the federal government had conveyed this concern at the virtual deliberation of the National Economic Council (NEC) held yesterday, which was attended by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and all the state governors. ''During the meeting, the issue of alignment of their state-level actions with the guidelines issued was emphasised. Similarly emphasised is the need for states to diligently implement and enforce compliance. Particularly, I underscored the need for the governors to provide personal and strong leadership, carry the policy of community ownership to the grassroots and create deeper awareness. ''The governors were also advised on the decision taken by some of their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with underlying factors during such gatherings,'' Mustapha explained.

NEC Raises Committee to Work out Modalities for Opening of Economy Meanwhile, NEC yesterday held its first virtual meeting presided over by the Vice President in the State House and set up a committee to work out the modalities for opening of the economy.

A major part of the economy has been locked down for over six weeks in the federal government's bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Answering questions from journalists after the meeting, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, said in accordance with the presidential directive, governors would work with the Presidential Task Force

on COVID-19 to effectively bring the pandemic to an end.

He denied that states were working at cross-purposes with PTF, saying perceived differences in operations were only dictated by peculiar situations.

However, he said such differences in operations had been resolved during the last virtual meeting of the president with governors on Monday, adding that it was further decided at the NEC meeting yesterday that both the Nigerian Governors' Forum and PTF should work together.

He said: "That has been resolved because, at our last meeting with Mr. President, the President was clear that the Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 should meet and agree on steps to be taken, and it has been discussed today (yesterday) and commitment has been taken by today's NEC that the Governors’ Forum, the presidential Task Force would work hand-in-hand to see to the end of COVID-19.

"A committee was formed today that will look up to the eventual opening up of the economy. Sometimes you will see a different approach by different states; that doesn't mean that there is a loggerhead between the states and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

"Some peculiar situations require some peculiar solutions and that is why at times you see such and that will always be discussed with the Presidential Task Force so that we will always be on the same page."

Badaru said with the suspension of deductions from allocations to states, governors could still pay salaries now, noting however, that with the falling oil revenue, the situation might grow worse in the nearest future.

He said: "On the deductions that have been suspended, I think most of the states are paying salaries already. But we have not seen the worst yet.

I may not be able to answer this question correctly until we see what comes up in the next part; that is when we expect the worst-case scenario on the fallen oil prices. And at that time we will do the calculation and all the scenarios will come up and that will determine whether we will be able to pay salaries or not."

A statement later yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (Office of the President), Mr. Laolu Akande, said the committee formed would be chaired by the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Akande listed other members of the committee as Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Anambra) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mohammed Bello.

According to him, the sevenman committee is "to ensure a more effective synergy between the federal government and the sub-nationals, especially in matters related to the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to effectively and efficiently reopen the Nigerian economy after the lockdowns and shutdowns across the country."

Patients with Hypertension, Diabetes, Tuberculosis, Others Account for 70% Deaths, Says FG In a related development, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, yesterday disclosed that people with health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis accounted for 70 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the briefing by the task force, Ehanire said about 70 per cent of the fatalities were persons of 60 years old and above.

According to him, 50 per cent of them died using home treatment without showing any symptoms of the virus.

The minister said analysis of the number of deaths so far recorded as a result of the virus showed that 70 per cent were males, while the remaining 30 per cent are females.

Ehanire also said majority of positive cases recorded so far were between the ages of 29 and 49, adding that those are the most active ages in life.

He said: “The core morbidity of the fatalities we have had to COVID-19, 70 per cent of them have hypertension or diabetes, and the rest were kidney disease, HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, and other sundry challenges. “A finding from the analysis of the death patterns shows 70 per cent to 30 per cent for male and female around that ratio and about 70 per cent fatalities were persons who are 60 years old, while the majority of positives were between the ages of 29 and 49; those are the most active ages in life. “A curious finding from the analysis of the deaths shows that nearly half of them died at home.

Of those who died at home, about 50 per cent did not show any symptoms. This underscores my earlier emphasis on the need for those who test positive to report for treatment. “I would also advise those who have taken the test and are awaiting result to heed the advisory to self-isolate from friends, wear face masks and observe hand and respiratory hygiene until your result is out so that your community and those around you will not necessarily be exposed.�

FG to Integrate Home Care in Isolation Strategies On his part, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the federal government was reviewing the mandatory institutional isolation and treatment for cases.

He added that based on the increasing number of persons testing positive, such institutional isolation is no longer sustainable.

He disclosed that the federal government was considering integrating home care in the isolation strategies.

"We have struggled with the decision of whether to continue to institutionalising isolation of

IG to Exempt Returnees from Ban on Interstate Movement In a related development, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has assured Nigerian returnees, who have completed their mandatory supervised quarantine in Abuja and Lagos that the ban on the interstate movement would not affect them.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, made this disclosure yesterday at the PTF briefing.

Some Nigerians who were evacuated from UAE, United Kingdom and the US were isolated in Lagos and Abuja and are planning to travel to other parts of the country to reunite with their family members after the 14-day quarantine. ''As we are about to end the 14-day quarantine, the IG of Police has directed the Commissioners of Police in Lagos (Hakeem Odumosu and FCT, Bala Ciroma) to give them personalised passes to go through boundaries going home,'' Onyeama said.

He noted that there were still many Nigerians all over the world, particularly in India, South Africa, US, UK, France, Turkey, Sudan, China wishing to come home, but which government finds airlifting them a challenge. ''I urge them to be patient because we only process a limited number of people to come in because of limited resources,'' he added.

FG Analyses Report of Fact-ďŹ nding Team Sent to C'River Meanwhile, the federal government has said that it's currently studying the report of the fact-finding medical team that was deployed in Cross River State.

The medical team was sent to Cross River State to verify the medical situation in the state, which has so far reported no single case of the virus.

THISDAY Dome Treatment Centre Begins Operation Meanwhile, as part of efforts to improve on the country's capacity to deal with the pandemic, Ehanire said the federal government had put together a medical team to take over the management of the THISDAY Dome Isolation and Treatment Centre in Abuja donated by THISDAY Media and Technologies Group and other private sector donors.

He said opening of the new treatment centre would provide a comprehensive treatment for COVID-19, including a section for conducting dialysis and facilities for waste disposal.

The minister noted that he had intervened in the protest

by Lagos State health workers over harassment by security agents and arranged with the state Commissioner for Health to issue security pass to health workers for easy identification.

Lagos Engages Local Scientists to Produce Testing Reagents Due to the global shortage of reagents for testing suspected cases of COVID-19, Lagos State Government has engaged the services of local scientists to produce alternative testing materials.

It said it had also tested 16,000 residents since the beginning of the pandemic in the country, and that it would soon commence home isolation and treatment for patients following the rise in number of cases in the state.

FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020

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POLITICS

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

Why Is The Senate Interested In NDDC? Mon-Charles Egbo, print media aide to the President of the senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan explains the interest of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly in the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission

T

he Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is an intervention agency of the Federal Government created to directly improve the living standard of the people of the region comprising nine states of the federation. But whether or not the body has delivered on its mandate since inception over twenty years ago is left for the people of the Niger-Delta and perhaps the general public to say with certainty. However, the senate in keeping with its resolve to be truly people-oriented particularly in guiding the other arms of government towards good governance and effective service delivery; is convinced that NDDC requires a fresh impetus for optimal performance.

This corporate disposition, added to the commitment to making sacrifices necessary to uplift the people, came into play when the senate conscientiously streamlined the then irregular budgeting processes and procedures of the NDDC to align with the now operational JanuaryDecember fiscal cycle of the federation. The same patriotic zeal was exhibited at the screening and approval of the governing board of the NDDC albeit not seamlessly.

The presidency had requested senate’s approval for constitution of the board which would take over from the Interim Management Committee, IMC, set-up by the Minister of the Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The senate upon confirmation and subsequent declaration of the IMC dissolved, was to later receive a memo from the president informing the legislature of the desire not to inaugurate the confirmed board as expected. In this communication clearly borne out of mutual respect between the two arms of government, President Buhari explained that “while the process of composition and Senate confirmation of the appointment of the board was ongoing, I had directed that the forensic audit of the Commission be carried out, which is being overseen by the constituted Interim Management Team”. He therefore pleaded that “in order to allow for uninterrupted process of the forensic investigation, the board appointment confirmed by the Senate has to be put on hold to allow the Interim Team continue to manage the Commission pending the outcome of the forensic audit,” adding that after the probe, “a new board of the Commission will be recomposed for confirmation by the Senate.”

This candid appeal naturally, deserved the senate’s favourable consideration, especially when related to the circumstances of Ibrahim Magu’s continued stay in office, in acting capacity, as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since 2015. For clarity, there was no such explanatory notes and request because there was no cordiality in relationship between the two arms.

But curiously, while the outcome of the instituted audit is being awaited, there are allegations of grave corruption being perpetrated by the same IMC supposedly superintending over the probe. They include abuse of processes, phantom and reckless contracts award, irregular expenditure, victimization of staff and other cases of conflicting interests. Above all, there is a strong accusation of the supervising ministry of Niger Delta Affairs making subtle attempts to compromise the investigation, apparently in concert with other external influences notably some suspected beneficiaries of the questionable transactions including public officials.

This is particularly catching fire in some quarters given the insinuated shady manner of hiring the auditors.

In an open acknowledgement of the lamentable state of the agency, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who is the House of

Representatives committee chairman on NDDC disclosed that “as an indigene of one of the Niger Delta states, a region that has been deprived of significant development over the years partly because NDDC which should have been the driver of developments in the region has been given to petty politics. I dare say the time has come for us to embrace change for the sake

of the people in the region who are subjected to untold hardship partly due to our actions and inactions. We are on the same page with Mr. President that, the NDDC deserves to be rescued and repositioned; I am on the good side of history to partake in this worthy course, it is a responsibility and this exactly I will do.”

Leading the debate on a motion he

Matters Arising from EFCC Asset Recovery Effort Tony Amokeodoisthe SpecialAssistantonMediaand PublicitytotheActing Executive Chairmanofthe Economicand FinancialCrimesCommissionsheds lightoncertainprocessesrelating to the agency’smandate

B

y the sheer weight of its mandate, it is apparent that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has its hands full. The task of investigation, prosecution of cases, asset tracing, forfeiture and disposal are not for the faint-hearted. They are quite daunting.

This fact is a double-edged sword for the Commission. In one breath, analysts are commending it for being diligent and painstaking in handling its heavy assignments of tackling economic and financial crimes.

In another breath, certain analysts are raising insinuations on some issues relating to asset forfeiture, disposal and associated matters.

Clarifying the contentious issue, the EFCC’s Acting Director, Directorate of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, says that the issue of asset tracing, forfeiture and disposal need not be a grey area on the grounds that there are guidelines and procedures clearly spelt out in the Establishment Act of the EFCC. According to him, ‘’ Section 31 of the Act is clear about the matter of asset. The Secretary of the Commission is empowered to dispose of any asset finally forfeited to the government.’’

He also disclosed that the EFCC is thorough and transparent in handling every asset traced to any suspect facing investigations and prosecution.

He said, “Asset forfeiture is usually

the result of legal processes necessary for the resolution of illegally-acquired assets traced to any suspect investigated by the EFCC. Whenever a case of economic and financial crime is being investigated by the EFCC, careful attention is usually paid to any asset acquired with the proceeds of the crime.

“The asset may be monetary or physical properties like buildings; landed properties; vehicles, oil vessels , jewelleries, etc. As soon as investigations show any linkage of any asset to an act of corruption, legal processes of forfeiture would be initiated and the resolution of the matter will determine what is done to the asset.”

Yusuf further explained that asset forfeiture may be interim or final, saying , however, that disposal of assets can only be done when a final forfeiture order is granted by the court. Regarding the issue of monetary asset, Yusuf said that, funds may be forfeited to individuals; private companies or government, depending on the source of the stolen funds. He said, “When funds are forfeited to individuals and companies, payments are done directly to them by the EFCC. A case in point is the burst $242million Brazilian bank robbery case involving Emmanuel Nwude and his gang of fraudsters. The EFCC investigated the case, recovered the money and restored it to the bank.

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

sponsored on the “urgent need to investigate alleged financial recklessness in the NDDC”, another indigene of the Niger Delta, Senator George Sekibo, lamented that “while the President’s action of setting up an IMC and the forensic audit may have been conceived to forestall the financial recklessness of the commission and reposition it for fast-tracking of the development of the region, the IMC has been more bedeviled with the same financial misuse, misapplication, misappropriation or outright fraud in the management of the funds of the commission. The IMC has inundated itself with undue gross misconducts in fraudulent contracts award without due recourse to due process and flagrant disobedience to the provisions of the sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. Within the last three months, the commission has spent over N40 billion of the commission’s fund without recourse to established processes of funds disbursement which has opened up further suspicion among stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region,”. These aptly reflect the mood of the larger populace of the region. Consequently, the senate president, Ahmad Lawan responsively set up an ad-hoc committee to dispassionately review them. But in doing this he was able to make some clarifications in furtherance of the productive executive-legislative collaboration in the overall interest of the masses. He noted that “we are in total support of the president’s directive for the forensic audit of the finances of the NDDC, and this is, in some way, complementary to that directive. We have no predetermined position on the outcome of this investigation as an institution. Issues raised are allegations; therefore, the NDDC has the opportunity to come forward and defend its position. But we have a mindset and our mindset in the Senate is that we must have NDDC that is efficient in service delivery to the people of Niger Delta. This is the essence of setting up that commission. So, we want to see a situation where the very limited resources appropriated for NDDC are prudently and transparently deployed for the development of the Niger Delta region. This is our mindset and we will not shy away from our responsibility at any time we feel that is not happening.”

The decision to set-up a special committee as against the standing committee on Niger-Delta underscores the topmost priority and urgency attached to it. And in further asserting the dispassionate position of the senate, the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, hinted that “it is not an exercise aimed at witch-hunting of any individual, group or institution, but to get to the root of the matter for the overall good of the nation”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, is optimistic that the initiated probe “along with the ongoing forensic audit will expose those who have used their exalted positions over the years to fleece the NDDC through fully paid contracts which were never executed and other forms of contact racketeering.”

Every sincere Nigerian would agree that the NDDC has had a chequered history and until certain grey areas are comprehensively resolved, the genuine intentions and huge investments aimed at improving the living standard of this critical region of the country would amount to colossal waste.

This legislative intervention is certainly timely and offers great hope.

Therefore except there are other motives yet to be expressed, this senate’s move should be embraced as very thoughtful and primarily to reposition the NDDC for optimal performance towards taking governance closer to the people of the Niger-Delta

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020

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PERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM

AMERICA

chido@usafricaonline.com@Chido247

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Soon, Trump Will Blame Obama Time for a New Environmental Message for the Coronavirus Chido Nwangwu compares the administrative style of President Anthony Kila postulates the need to adopt new ways of living with nature Donald Trump of the United States of America and his predecessor, Dear Noemi Kila man is geared to pursue progress and Barack Obama Today’s epistle is addressed to you development with aim of obtaining

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he two men could not be more opposite in terms of style, substance, outlook, and mannerism.

To be sure, Barack Obama, born August 4, 1961, and 44th president of the United States, carries on with his style that is calibrated, measured, and deliberate. On the other hand, Donald J. Trump, born June 19, 1946, and 45th president of the United States, is more self-centric, combative, and impulsive.

Where Obama bites his tongue before speaking his mind, Trump loads liters of acid to diminish, stereotype and demonize his opponents. Where Obama provides the soothing balm of consolation and condolences, Trump provides bile and provocations.

In situations that demand that he plays the role of the father of the nation, Trump berates the victim with his torrent of early morning tweets.

It is a common standard for the president of the United States to serve as the chief comforter of the people during crisis and adversity. Mr. Trump has failed to uphold this responsibility.

Only a few hours ago, as Americans are wondering about the increasing deaths from the Coronavirus rising to 100,000 this weekend, President Trump cannot help to blame his predecessor Obama for his failings from the fact that he did not prepare the country for the outbreak and pandemic. To make matters even more complicated, he gives non-Physician based self-medicating advice that he uses hydroxychloroquine as a preemptive action against Coronavirus. He demonstrated the disregard for safety, health standards, and advisories, which requires everyone to wear a mask. Still, his petulance has become toxic and self-defeating, and he elevates his infantile disregard for health and safety as a “badge of honor.” It would be comical if it were not so severe and dangerous. He’s standing with about 20 individuals who are wearing masks with him as the only one not following safety precautions. He does not speak very well of his regard towards responsibility and example for the citizenry of the United States.

At some point, before the November 2020 presidential elections, Mr. Trump will have to awaken to his duties. The first being protection and safety of Americans. The fact is that an overwhelming majority of Americans

are concerned and scared by the unpredictable, pervasive, and deadly impact of the Coronavirus.

The other point Mr. Trump needs to answer to is that the Coronavirus does not discern whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or a member of the Green Party. It is astonishing that rather than restrain and banish the deadly pandemic, he wastes time by distracting citizens into reckless directions, such as the claim that Obama and “his people should be put in jail.”

Mr. Trump’s disrespect, hostility, nakedly racialist antagonisms against Obama, the first African American president of the United States [20082016] was obvious when he started spreading the false rumour that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. He, fundamentally, set an illegitimacy cloud over Obama’s candidacy and presidency. He failed -as the goodness and bright penumbra of decency of America overwhelmed the dark alleys and goons of racism.

I voted for Obama and attended his inauguration.

Behind and before the callous Trumpian lies and apparitions reside the defining worldview wherefore the two presidents are divergent in their recognition of the multiplicity and diversity which create the industry of the American people.

While Obama strives to bring people together with a message of hope, Trump trumpets a jarring staccato and headbanging message of division, antagonism, and supremacist rotations. On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, I witnessed live as then-Senator Barack Obama addressed an enthusiastic 20,000 plus audience (inside and around) the Toyota Center in Houston.

Prophetically and remarkably, he told Houstonians and Americans his break-away win over the influential and institutionally backed Senator and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Wisconsin primaries reflected further momentum towards the coming together of Americans of all stripes and races. In affirmation and appreciation, many chanted Obama’s mantra of change, “Yes, We Can!” When the impact and dynamics of the Obama movement are explained in textual formats or even on television, it brings only a part of the totality of its socio-political breadth and purpose-driven, evangelistic frenzy.

Mainly, he spoke about changing what he considers the prevailing “disease care” to real “healthcare” while challenging the youths of America to service. I saw several four-year-olds with their parents, enthusiastic college students and young professionals, hundreds of seniors over 60 years old chanting and throwing their fists into the air in a revivalist fervor and finality of resolve “Yes, We Can,” and affirming their shared hopes that the young, impressive candidate Obama will make a difference in their lives, should he become President of the United States; And he did so.

But he cautioned them that, “The change we seek is still months and miles away.”

Trump is evidence we are, indeed, miles away!

partly because generally speaking charity begins at home and it doesn’t get homelier than with you; partly because even after my decades and miles of mental as well as physical vagabondage, you remain the most committed and consistent advocate and practitioner of the credo of environmentalism that I have come across.

This missive is also a chance for me to succinctly, formally and in communion share my position of environmentalism with you and others.

Above all I am convinced of the need of a total change in the conception and delivery of the gospel of environmentalism and I am sure that it is people like you, with your exposure, commitment and compassion that can that shape and best deliver the winning new environmental message.

It is my hope by the end of our conversations, even though I do not convince you or bring to my position, you will see that I am not an antienvironmentalist but a sensible and pragmatic environmental reformist.

Let us start from what we agree on.

Just like you, I agree that the environment is visibly one of our biggest assets: It shapes and nurtures us and from the environment we derive all we use for our progress and development.

We also both agree that the environment must be treated with care and I add with the care we should be giving to all we hold dear.

To the question why must we treat the ambient with care? Our answers will differ and they will differentiate us. It appears to me that you and other environmentalist of your ilk conceive our need to be frugal with the environment as existential even bordering on spiritual whilst I will argue it is purely functional. Our answers will also show our ideas about human beings and their nature, right, and duties in the world.

Some of us believe that by default,

The new environmental message must aim for a bigger tent that can accommodate all, such message must therefore understand that sacrifices you ask of countries and people whose main health issue stems from obesity cannot be same kind of sacrifice you will ask of those whose main health issues stems from hunger. For the new message to work for all, it is important to rediscover the nature of mankind, we are not by nature built to adapt talk less of subjugating ourselves to the environment

happiness and that with such propension comes the need to tame and shape the environment. We hold that the quest for a better human life comes with activities that require the dominating of the environment and nature in general.

It would appear that there are others who think the right way forward is for man to live tamed by nature. To this people, for the sake of the environment, we must reduce our consumption, limit our activities and find a way to live in what is termed as in harmony with the environment. The most ardent ones in this group go on to depict man as an intruder if not an enemy of nature. They are rarely violent but they can still be easily dangerous.

Just a few weeks ago there were widely circulated reports with images and comments celebrating the advantages of absent of humans from the streets and seas. Such images showed us how, thanks to the COVID-19 induced lockdown, the voluntary or imposed stay home orders, the waters are purer and fishes were healthier, our streets were safer and animals were happier. We were shown pictures from Venice of shoals of fish and swans, from Florida and other beaches in the world those of sea turtles, from London and other cities of animals all happy, safer and blossoming because man is not around to pollute.

The idyllic images of nature triumphing in the absence of man almost made some think and say let us kill man, let us get rid of all of humanity and maybe the world will be a better place.

Dear Noemi Kila, I am sure that is what you have in mind. Your intention I am sure is not to make human being feel unwanted on earth so let us find a new way of delivering the environmental message. The image and idea that man is an enemy of nature must change. It cannot attract most, it is at the moment creating a barrier between the average man and environmental champions.

The new environmental message must aim for a bigger tent that can accommodate all, such message must therefore understand that sacrifices you ask of countries and people whose main health issue stems from obesity cannot be same kind of sacrifice you will ask of those whose main health issues stems from hunger.

For the new message to work for all, it is important to rediscover the nature of mankind, we are not by nature built to adapt talk less of subjugating ourselves to the environment. Man tends to bend nature, we can conquer it. When at our best, we dare, invent, select and create. We are the beings that make things grow in the desert.

We are the only beings though with no wings have had the audacity to fly.

The new environmental message must key into our ability to creatively solve problems and those that are informed enough to care about the environment must approach the best of us with humility for solutions as many do to the gods: Appease rather than confront or condemn.

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

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COMMENT

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

THE ESSENCE OF OFEGE

Uche Nwokedi pays tribute to his friend and school mate, Paul Alade

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recently read two tributes to Paul Alade, my good friend from St. Gregory’s College who humbly submitted to the virulent scourge of COVID-19 in faraway New Jersey, USA. The tributes by Dapo Olumide and John Obomanu made one understand that when a childhood or old school friend dies, a part of your adventures and escapades with that person, dies with him. Reading those two tributes, I felt a sense of loss and a tinge of guilt. Loss, because Paul was a rare human being and a great talent. Guilt, because I had not seen Paul for about 40-odd years and that made his death more poignant. You ask yourself, where did the years go, and when did they go? And that is the thing. I should have reached out to him before now, but we are always so consumed by the demands of our daily pursuit. We always think that we still have time to do those small things, such as reach out to old friends. And so, we put it off until the next time so that we can have more time to chat. But then procrastination remains a consistent thief of time. It keeps stealing whatever time you have set aside to do that, which you ought to have done today, and you never quite get to that next time. Now that the world has been brought to a grinding halt by this apocalyptic scourge, and all we have is time, the things we had set aside to do now we have time have been overtaken by uncertainty and stillness of time.

The word “Ofege� was originally a term we met at St. Gregory’s College, which meant to “skive� or “cut classes�. Ofege was for the rascals or pranksters who were always cutting classes. Then, Paul Alade, Ikechukwu Meme and Ukachi Anokuru a.k.a Melvin, formed their band and called it Ofege, together with Dapo Olumide, Felix Inneh and Emmanuel Ijeh. (Soga Benson joined much later). It was the birth of a musical revolution that has endured and remained evergreen. To start with they were junior boys, who at the time did not even qualify to play at school events such as the annual School Dance, or the Literary and Debating Society social events where the senior boys would be vying for the attention of the girls from Holy Child College and other girls’ schools in Lagos. Ofege was not the best band in the school at the time, nor were they initially considered the most gifted musicians. It was a period in our lives when musicianship was judged by how well you copied or rendered songs by Rare Earth, Carlos Santana, Sly and the family Stone and Jimi Hendrix. Most boys wanted to play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix or Carlos Santana, and some did so successfully. Ofege, however were outliers. They were original and composed their own songs. In time, they created their own distinctive sound and style of vocals, that we came to know simply as “Ofege�. And more importantly they were the first band to record their music and release an album. Band. To this day, I have all their songs and play them from time to time. Interestingly, we had a gateman at Gregs then whom we called Papa. Papa was a great high-life and folk guitarist, and would sit at the gate in the evenings with his guitar and just play through most of the night. He was there to make sure we did not sneak out. Most times we just jumped the wall anyway. However, any time we tried to sneak out through the gate, Papa, without missing a beat would just chime in, “don’t try it’, Principal says, “don’t do it� and continue playing his guitar. I remember seeing Paul and Melvin sitting at the gate with Papa in the evenings, with their own

IN TIME, OFEGE BECAME THE DEFINING ALTER EGO OF EVERY GREGORIAN. IT REPRESENTED OUR ABILITY TO ASPIRE AND ACHIEVE. IT SPOKE TO FRIENDSHIPS AND BONDS, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO

guitars, so that they could play with Papa and maybe learn his style of strumming the guitar.

Paul Alade was at the centre of the creative core that made Ofege a hit, and the phenomenon that it is today. He was actually an excellent guitarist and started out with the guitar but when they could not find a bass guitarist that would fit into the style they were developing, Paul took up the bass and basically subsumed his first instrument, the guitar so that Ofege could go on to the next stage. He became extremely good at that and though he was shy and self-effacing, he started to come into his own by the time they released their next album, the Last of the Origins, as the deep baritone of his voice came into play when he opened the vocals of “Sorrow�. Ofege went on to be one of the most successful bands in Nigeria and this was before they sat their O’levels.

Paul was kind and generous. He welcomed us into his home on Ajasa street, Onikan, Lagos, and his parents were ever so accommodating of us. His house became our weekend joint as we converged there at weekends. He was also quite open to other music. I remember that he would make us sit and listen to little known music to us at the time such as “Horse with No Name� by America, and “Remember the Future� by Nektar. He was rare like that. He was an old soul and never ever got into any altercations or contention with anyone, and somehow maintained a balance between the volatile and exuberant creativity of Ikechukwu Meme the drummer, and the stubborn visionary aspiration of Melvin. In fact, he deftly and quietly managed and held the competing creative aspirations of the band so much that Meme fondly nicknamed him “Ogbo� (old man or sage), and we started calling him Ogbo. Paul, Meme and Melvin played the Mass in the Chapel on Sundays, and would often test the patience of our Chaplain, Rev. Fr. O’Connell by playing up-tempo and funky beats of popular songs immediately after mass so that as we filed out of the College Chapel, we would be humming the songs, to the annoyance of Fr. O’Connell.

But then it was to Ofege that Fr. O’Connell turned in 1974/75, when he needed music for the very first Operetta ever performed in Lagos then, which was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. They delivered in good form. It was the first time the Operetta was being performed in Nigeria, and maybe anywhere in Africa, and it was Ofege that scored and provided the music. In time, Ofege became the defining alter ego of every Gregorian.

It represented our ability to aspire and achieve. It spoke to friendships and bonds, and continues to do so. As the good book says, “it is appointed unto man to die but once and after that comes judgment�.

Paul ran a very good race in life. His unpredictable and unexpected death due to COVID-19 has touched each and every one of us, as we all now desperately maintain a polite distance from our friends, neighbours and business associates. The current situation impresses on us that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein�. I pray for the repose of the soul of Paul, that the Good Lord may receive him, and bless his family with health and the strength to bear this loss Rest in Peace Paul. Up Gregs Forever!

Nwokedi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, wrote from Lagos

EFCC, ASSET RECOVERY AND MATTERS ARISING The guidelines and procedures on asset recovery and disposal are clear enough to demonstrate transparency and accountability, writes Tony Amokeodo

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y the sheer weight of its works, it is apparent that the EFCC is having its hands full. The task of investigations, prosecution of cases, asset tracing, forfeiture and disposal are not for the faint-hearted.

They are quite daunting. This fact is a double-edged sword for the commission. In one breath, analysts are commending it for being diligent and painstaking in handling its heavy assignments of tackling economic and financial crimes. In another breath, certain analysts are raising insinuations on some issues relating to asset forfeiture, disposal and associated matters.

Clarifying the contentious issue, the EFCC’s Acting Director, Directorate of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management, Mr Aliyu Yusuf, says that the issue of asset tracing, forfeiture and disposal need not be a grey area on the grounds; that there are guidelines and procedures clearly spelt out in the Establishment Act of the EFCC. According to him, “Section 31 of the Act is clear about the matter of asset. The Secretary of the Commission is empowered to dispose of any asset finally forfeited to the government’’.

He also disclosed that the EFCC is thorough and transparent in handling every asset traced to any suspect facing investigations and prosecution. His words: “Asset forfeiture is usually the result of legal processes necessary for the resolution of illegallyacquired assets traced to any suspect investigated by the EFCC. Whenever a case of economic and financial crime is being investigated by the EFCC, careful attention is usually paid to any asset acquired with the proceeds of the crime. “The asset may be monetary or physical properties like buildings; landed properties; vehicles, oil

vessels, jewelleries, etc. As soon as investigations show any linkage of any asset to an act of corruption, legal processes of forfeiture would be initiated and the resolution of the matter will determine what is done to the asset.�

Yusuf further explained that asset forfeiture may be interim or final, saying, however, that disposal of assets can only be done when a final forfeiture order is granted by the court. Regarding the issue of monetary asset, Yusuf said that, funds may be forfeited to individuals; private companies or government, depending on the source of the stolen funds.

He said, “When funds are forfeited to individuals and companies, payments are done directly to them by the EFCC. A case in point is the burst $242million Brazilian bank robbery case involving Emmanuel Nwude and his gang of fraudsters. The EFCC investigated the case, recovered the money and restored it to the bank. He also disclosed that such a restitution is allowed because investigation linked the bank robbery to Nwude and the appropriate thing to do is to return the money to the victim. “In the case of buildings and landed property, the procedure of forfeiture may also be interim and final.

Every final forfeiture of assets places responsibilities on the EFCC to dispose of the assets. Section 31 of the EFCC Establishment Act (2004) authorises the Secretary to the Commission to dispose of the assets and pay the proceeds into the Consolidated Fund of the Federation. “Please note that these recovered funds, subject to appropriation by the National Assembly, are used to fund the national budget.� According to Yusuf, “Disposal of assets in this instance may be through auctioning or through direct disposal for other uses as may be determined by the government. Govern-

ment may use forfeited assets for other purposes of national importance’’.

He explained that the provisions of the Public Procurement Act clearly stipulate the procedures to be followed in auctioning forfeited assets. The procedure involves: engagement of auctioneers; advertisement of the assets to be auctioned in the media, spelling out of qualifications of auctioneers and ensuring that every bit of the required qualification is met and public auction of the assets. “The EFCC has credible guidelines for auctioning forfeited assets. The guidelines ensure that relation of suspects and relations of EFCC staff are not allowed to participate in the auctioning to allow for integrity and transparency’’.

On the issue of alleged re-looting of recovered asset, Yusuf stressed that, “there is nothing like systemic re-looting of assets by any EFCC official.

This is because there are established guidelines and no compromise is allowed in following the guidelines.� Dismissing the insinuations that some recovered assets like vehicles are routinely given out to government agencies or individuals, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, said, “Such a breach of established guidelines of asset disposal is not feasible because there are laws in place and the laws are sacrosanct. Sometimes, auctioning of assets are done. This is not peculiar to the EFCC alone. “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is always auctioning different items seized from smugglers.

The Service follows extant rules in doing this. This is the same procedure the EFCC is following. Anyone claiming any asset is disposed to any agency or individual may not be familiar with the Public Procurement Act or may be simply mischievous’’.

In 2019, the EFCC publicly auctioned more than 200 trucks and other vehicles forfeited to the federal government by illegal oil bunkerers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The auctioning processes were publicly advertised and licensed auctioneers were invited to carry out the exercise.

Nigerians from all walks of life converged in Port Harcourt and participated in the exercise. The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, supervised the entire processes and those who participated in the exercised attested to the openness and transparency of the entire bidding processes.

This auctioning by the EFCC was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Department of Petroleum Resources and the Registrar of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

While the public auctioning of the trucks and other vehicles were going on between December 20 and December 23, 2019, Olukoyede stressed the need for members of the public to submit their bids for any of the trucks and vehicles being auctioned.

The response was overwhelming. Responses came from the whole country and the bidding processes were quite open. “As an anti-corruption agency, we cannot organise auctioning processes that would not be credible. So, all the procedures are being followed and everyone here can see the transparency of the entire exercise. We cannot do anything less than this’’, Olukoyede said. It is instructive to note that the commission has concluded plans to auction more vehicles and other items in its various zones nationwide. The fresh auctioning is in response to a federal government directive to that effect.

Amokeodo is the Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020

EDITORIAL ADDRESSING ILLITERACY IN NIGERIA Government should invest more in education

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he National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Nonformal Education (NMEC), said recently that 35 per cent of the nation’s adult population was illiterate, and it has remained high because efforts being made to address the situation has never yielded the expected result. Considering the funds and efforts that the country has devoted to various mass literacy programmes, including the Universal Primary Education (UPE) Scheme, launched with fanfare about 34 years ago in 1976, it is indeed worrisome that as high as 33 per cent of the nation’s population still wallows in illiteracy.

The NMEC defines literacy rate as the percentage of people from the age of 15 and above who can read and write simple statements on their everyday life. NMEC therefore considers it ‘shameful’ that in the 21st century, a country could have such large number of illiterates. More worrying is that LITERACY IS SO the authorities are CRITICAL TO NATIONAL not doing much to DEVELOPMENT THAT IT address the situaSHOULD, PERHAPS, BE tion. Yet Nigeria’s literacy figures do CONSIDERED ONLY AS not give cause for NEXT TO HEALTH. IT IS TIED TO THE QUALITY OF cheer when juxtaposed with literacy LIFE OF A PEOPLE figures of other countries, considering the importance of education as the engine for national development.

Literacy rates in countries like Cuba, Poland, and Estonia have been put as high as 99.8 per cent while Barbados, Latvia and Slovenia have attained 99.7 per cent, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Report (2007/2008). That report put Nigeria’s literacy rate at 69.1 per cent.

The high rate of illiteracy partly accounts for the low level of development in Nigeria because the growth and development of any nation depends largely on the quantity and quality of all

Letters to the Editor

segments of its population.

To be sure, it’s not that government is idle.

Over the years there have been serious efforts by the government to boost literacy level with the setting up of strategic institutions, commissions and centres for learning across the nation. While some states indeed have worked hard to raise the literacy level among its populations by ensuring that the dedicated centres are functional and that the target persons are aware of their existence, others have merely paid lip service to the burden.

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

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

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

Takeaway From Mtn’s First AGM

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he debate as to whether MTN is a Nigerian company is now settled; first with the company’s listing by introduction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on May 16, 2019, and thereafter following it a year later with its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 15,

2020.

Held in the shadow of the Coronavirus pandemic, and streamed live on the company’s YouTube channel, the AGM turned out an impressive outing. For a profitable company such as MTN, with an A-list shareholder base, of course one didn’t expect anything less.

To its continued success, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. boasts of 216 shareholders with N18 billion number of shares. With a strong balance sheet, a revenue of over one trillion naira, and Profit After Tax of N202 billion, MTN’s first successful AGM and election of its Board of Directors, are indications that Nigerians are solidly behind the company, and supporting it to succeed.

I am rooting for MTN. For close to a decade I have been following this African success story, hoping for a day when I can partake in the MTN buffet. Some key takeaways from the AGM tell me that day is near and that I have not wagered in vain. You can see for yourself:

evertheless, the aim of such institutions, agencies and centres are sometimes misunderstood because many of them have veered from their responsibilities to the detriment of functional literacy population. Nigeria’s illiteracy rate burden, experts would say, aptly supports the argument that the neglect of teachers and education has dire consequences for the populace. When education is neglected, a greater number of the people end up as illiterates who can contribute little or nothing to the development of society.

Literacy is so critical to national development that it should, perhaps, be considered only as next to health. It is tied to the quality of life of a people. The advantage of having a literate population is self-evident as it will among other things enable the country to conserve resources.

Having said this, we reiterate here that there is a need for investment in both formal basic education, youth and adult literacy and non-formal education in order to ensure that children, youth and adults have access to adequate educational opportunities which will help them develop their literacy skills.

For now, Nigerian government is not doing enough in funding education, compared to countries like United Kingdom, Finland and Singapore. Even when the government cannot do it alone, it should be the greatest motivator and driver. With proper funding in addition to making education compulsory, Nigeria’s literacy rate will improve in the future.

A strong board. Like any other shareholding company, MTN Nigeria’s Board of Directors are an integral part of the organisation’s growth and success. Elected at the AGM as is required by law, the board is made up of some of Nigeria’s tested and successful business icons and technocrats including Omobola Johnson, Ifueko M. Omoigui-Okauru, Muhammad K. Ahmad, Michael Onochie Ajukwu, Karl Olutokun Toriola, among other heavyweights.

If there’s one thing that MTN has proven to be good at over the years, is its understanding of the importance of strong and reliable infrastructure to the company’s success, and its ability to invest heavily in it. In the next three years, the company plans to spend N600 billion to modernise its infrastructure, which means an average of N200 billion per year. They say to make money one must spend money; MTN understands this principle all too well.

The time to move from a keen observer to partake in MTN’s success story is around the corner. I hear the company has plans to list its shares through an Initial Public Offering. When that happens, I promise to be one of the millions of people to join in owning a part of what is arguably the most profitable Nigerian brand. If you’re reading this, I urge you to also ready your wallets.

Ojo Maduekwe, Lagos

Tell Me The Truth

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esterday I received an email with the subject ‘He needs the TRUTH’ from the Republican party (contact@action.gop.com). Emails from this address normally ask for a donation but this time they want the truth. Don’t they already have the truth or some amount of it?

It asks ‘He needs to know the truth, which is why we only have one more question for you...Do you stand with President Trump?’ It seems not to be so much a case of Jack Nicholson’s words from A Few Good Men, ‘You can’t handle the truth’ but rather more that he can’t recognise or understand the truth. There may be some irony in that film’s name as well.

The Washington Post website states ‘President Trump made 16,241 false or misleading claims in his first three years’ (Jan 21). I have no way of confirming or disproving these claims but the paper has a reputation for honest reporting including about previous presidents.

There are some absolute truths and I am not sure he really wants my personal answer to that question. There is something wrong with the world when the most powerful leader wants me to tell him the truth and a world leading newspaper casts doubts on his honesty.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Í°, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

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

ÍŻ Íł Ëœ Í° ÍŽ Í° ÍŽ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 2.75 % 3.42 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

2.50 % 6.50 % 7.75 %

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

504.49 % -0.03 % -0.42 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 8.34 % YEAR TO DATE 4.85 %

EXCHANGE RATE N361/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Arik Air Distributes Palliatives

Arik Air has given out palliatives to some communities in Lagos State to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.Theitemsdonatedweremainlyfoodsuchasriceandbeans.

The areas covered by the airline in the corporate social responsibility interventionwereEwu-Tuntun/MafolukucommunityaroundtheMurtala MuhammedAirportandArigbanlacommunityinOrile-Agege,bothin Lagos.The presentation of the food items was made on behalf of the managementofArikAirbyateamledbytheairline’sHeadofBusiness, Central/WestAfrica,SylvesterEgogoandManagerPR&Communications, AdebanjiOla. The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said the donation of food items to the communities was part of the airline’s contribution to government’s efforts at ameliorating the impact of thepandemiconthemostvulnerableinthesociety.

Receivingtheitems,therepresentativeoftheEwu-Tuntun/Mafoloku communityandChairmanofAbolaji/OsundeyiCommunityDevelopment Association(CDA),NathanielOsho,commendedArikAirforitsshowof loveandpromisedthattheitemswouldgettothepoorestofthepoor inthecommunity.

AtOrileAgege,theFirstViceChairmanofIfelodunCDA,AbeKehinde, describedtheairline’smoveascommendableandworthyofemulation. “Thisisthefirsttimewearereceivingsuchitemsinthiscommunityand wearegrateful,�Kehindesaid.

FAAN Sta to Get Half Salary for May

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Managing Director/ CEO, Development Bank Nigeria (DBN), Tony Okpanachi; Chairman, Dr. Shehu Yahaya; Non-Executive Director, Uche Orji, and Company Secretary, Shofola Osho at DBN’s third Annual General Meeting held in Abuja‌recently

NIWA, LASG Resume Battle over Dredging Activities in Waterways Eromosele Abiodun The unending face-off between the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Government over who has the constitutional power to control the waterways in Lagos State, has assumed a new dimension.

The latest irritation is sequel to moves by Lagos State House of Assembly to challenge the regulatory powers of NIWA and at same time stop activities of dreading companies through the composition of a seven-man committee to investigate and make recommendations on dredging activities in Lagos State, a development NIWA consider as delibrate and

MARITIME subtle attempt to muzzle its mandate and expose it to national ridicule.

In a letter to the state government, the federal government waterways regulatory agency had expressed displeasure over attempt by Lagos State House of Assembly to overreach itself on the extant mining laws of the federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandates NIWA to oversight access through the waterways.

The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, in the letter which was copied to the Secretary to the Federal Government and the Minister

of Transportation, Boss Mustapha and Rotimi Ameachi respectively, called on the Lagos State Government to caution the leadership of State House of Assembly to stop forth with the current posturing which it said is a clear breach of peaceful resolution between NIWA and Lagos State government over clash of interest on dredging and sundry waterway matters.

Detailing the background to the current impasse, Moghalu stated: “That as a prelude to the full understanding of the matter under reference, you would recall that there was a recent clash between NIWA and Lagos State waterfront and Infrastructure Development during which our staff and indeed

companies registered with us were arrested by your staff and arraigned before special offences court, the resolution of that imbroglio I believe is still under consideration.�

Warning, however, that Lagos State House of Assembly attempt may position logs in the ongoing efforts to reach amicable settlement of vexed issues at hand, the NIWA boss drew the attention of the state government to the extant laws on Minerals and Mining act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which clearly states that where there are issues arising from the operations of any licenced operator of the Continued on page 25

‘Some Airlines May Not Resume Operations Without Govt’s Intervention’ Chinedu Eze Some indigenous carriers may not have the operational funds to resume flight operations when the federal government lifts the ban occasioned by COVIID-19 lockdown in June, unless government makes available its promised bailout on time.

To this end, the Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, called for urgent provision of the palliative government promised the airlines before resumption of flights, saying operators would use the funds to ready their staff and equipment for flight operations.

THISDAY investigation also revealed that some airlines are

AVIATION currently negotiating the leasing of their aircraft to a local operator; pending the time they may have operational funds to resume service.

Industry stakeholders said the expected intervention by government was critical for the restart of operations by airlines, noting that before the lockdown Nigeria had only seven airlines that were actively in operation and if some of the airlines would be unable to operate, there would be few aircraft and fewer seats, which would jerk up air fares.

Also before the lockdown, some routes were attracting as much as N45, 000 to N55, 000

for one-way flight because of high demand and low supply, this may worsen with fewer airlines.

Bankole, said government’s palliatives for operating airlines was necessary following the negative impact the Covid-19 virus pandemic has had on the country’s aviation industry especially the airline sub-sector.

He expressed regret that aviation industry was the worst hit by the pandemic, which has devastated the global economy and noted that for domestic airlines to succeed, government needed to give operators palliatives to mitigate the effect of the losses on operations of the airlines.

He explained that most

operators found it difficult to render welfare obligations to their staff because of cash crunch, stressing that most operators are struggling to ensure regular payment of salaries to their workers. Bankole further called on the government to reopen the airspace for flight operations in the next few weeks, starting with domestic flights.

He noted that the grounding of aircraft for almost two months would have led to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) on them, while corrosions would have increased due to lack of use, as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had issued a circular on the re-auditing of Continued on page 25

WorkersoftheFederalAirportsAuthorityofNigeria(FAAN)andother aviationagencieswouldbegettinghalfsalariesinMay,duetotheimpact ofthecoronaviruspandemicwithplanstopaytherestwhenoperations resume.This is to ensure the survival of the agencies, as there had not beenrevenuecollectionduetotheclosureofairportsnationwideand suspensionofflights.

Inamemodated19thofMay,2020,managementoftheFederalAirports Authority of Nigeria notified the staff its decision to pay half salaries for May and also assured that when revenue collection resumes and improves,thebalancewouldbepaid.

FAAN,inanotificationwithreference:FAAN/HQ/Admin/2020/05,stated: “This is to notify all staff that due to the dwindling revenue generation amidst COVID19 pandemic, management may not be able to pay full salarytostaffasfromMay2020. “However,assoonastherevenuegenerationimproves,thebalancewill be paid.This measure is to ensure the survival of the organisation. For overtwomonths,activitieshavebeengroundedtoahaltintheindustry topreventthespreadofthevirusthroughairtravel.�

OtherAviationagenciessuchas:NigerianCivilAviationAuthority(NCAA), NigerianAirspaceManagementAgency(NAMA),NigerianMeteorological Agency(NiMET)andAccidentInvestigationBureau(AIB),mayalsoadopt thedecisionofFAANsincetheyareallself-sustainingandderivetheir revenuefromflightoperations.

Inaddition,findingsshowedthatgroundhandlingcompaniesandother ancillaryprovidersintheindustryarealsoaffectedbythepandemic.

Some airlines months back had told their staff that without flight operations, there would be no salaries while others managed to pay halfmonthsalariesinApril.

7-Star Global Adopts Safety Measures

With a target of 500 sewing machines, 500 tailors, new aircraft maintenance facility, 7-Stars Global Hangar said it has already built up production capacity for 700,000 facemasks per week. Although, 7-StarsHangarhasbeenintoupholsteryproductionforaircraftseats andaircraftseatcovers,thecompanydiversifiedintotheproductionof facemasksandhandsanitiserstoitsbusiness,followingtheoutbreak ofCOVID-19pandemicearlythisyear.

Chief Executive Officer of 7-Stars Global Hangar, Chief Isaac Balami, who disclosed this, said already, over 700 tailors have applied for the jobandthatthemanagementwasrecruitingthemthroughaninterview processforselection. Aftertheinterviewprocess,Balamiwhoisalsoan aircraftengineer,said7-StarsHangarwaslookingathowtheycantake in 1,000 tailors for a 24-hour shift and give them jobs, aside personnel thataredoingbranding,packaging,logisticsandeverything.

Asacompanyinvolvedinaircraftmaintenance,Balamidisclosedthat with their upholstery department for aircraft seat and aircraft seat covers,mostofthesemachineswerealreadyongroundbeforenow.

“Flairjet was given approval for humanitarian operations but regrettably we caught them conducting commercial flights.

The aircraft is impounded, crew being interrogated.

There shall be maximum penalty�

Minister of Aviation,

Senator Hadi Sirika

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BUSINESSWORLD NIWA, LASG RESUME BATTLE OVER DREDGING ACTIVITIES IN WATERWAYS federal government, Section 141 of the act and sections 15, 16 and 17 of the regulation made pursuant to the above act has made copious provision for its resolution.

Moghalu further informed the state government that a ruling of the court of Appeal in Mining cadastral office vs Petroleum and Transport Investment Limited and another (2018) LPEIR 46046 which cleared the air on the vexed issue and further recognizes waterway use permit exclusively within the ambit of NIWA. “May I in simple words, emphasize that matters within the exclusive list of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are outside the legislative competence of the state government as they are within the competence of the National Assembly, “Moghalu restated, urging the state government to respectfully forward his observation to the leadership of the State House of Assembly.

The issue between NIWA and the Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA), over who has the constitutional power to control the waterways in Lagos State, has since March 2017, thrown up legal battles between the two respective authorities.

‘SOME AIRLINES MAY NOT RESUME OPERATIONS WITHOUT GOVT’S INTERVENTION’ airlines before flight resumption. “When you fly 200 hours, there are certain checks you do, when you increase that to 400 hours, there are certain checks you need to do again. Also, when you don’t fly again, you still need to carry out some checks on your aircraft because corrosion will set in and some of the pilots’ licenses would have expired by now. “Aviation industry in general demands for a window. You can see the effect the current pandemic has had on aviation industry globally. The virus, which started from China, spread to the world and disrupted activities within a few months. This will not have happened if not through the air.

The airport environment too has changed, while social distancing directive must be complied with.

Safety of the frontline workers is very important.�

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

NEWS

Jamoh: Inter-agency Collaboration Key to Maritime Security Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has restated its commitment to collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders for the security of the country’s maritime domain.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stated this in Lagos during the official handover of pirates arrested by the Nigerian Navy for prosecution.

The 10 pirates had on May 15 attacked and boarded a Chinese vessel, MV HAILUFANG II, off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire and directed it towards Nigerian waters. They were arrested by the Nigerian Navy, which dispatched a ship to intercept the vessel after it got an alert.

The prosecution of the pirates would be the first trial of bandits arrested in international waters under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act signed into law in June last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The law made Nigeria the first in West and Central Africa to have a distinct antipiracy legislation.

Jamoh attributed the successful operation that led to the arrest of the pirates and rescue of the ship and its crew to collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy.

He said the agency will continue to work with relevant security agencies in order to achieve its goal of eradicating piracy and all forms of illegal-

ity on the Nigerian waters.

According to him, “We have just witnessed the handover of pirates. This is as a result of the robust collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy. There has been a lot of synergy between NIMASA and the Navy with regard to the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act. “I also want to seize the opportunity to thank Mr. President for signing the anti-piracy law, which would facilitate sufficient prosecution

of these pirates.�

Jamoh, who was represented by the agency’s Head of Legal Services, Mr. Victor Egejuru, assured that with the anti-piracy law, there was ample legal framework to prosecute pirates and other perpetrators of maritime offences in the country to bring the menace to the barest minimum.

Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, who gave details of the naval operation, said the vessel had

18 crew members comprising Chinese, Ghanaians, and Ivorians.

Shettima said:“On interception of the vessel about 140nm south of Lagos Fairway Buoy, the pirates had refused to comply with the orders of the Navy ship, hence the Nigerian Navy had to conduct an opposed boarding of the vessel. All ship crew were safely rescued, while the 10 pirates were also arrested.�

He stressed the need for increased regional cooperation and information sharing,

disclosing that the arrest of the pirates was due to a tipoff by the Beninoise Navy.

Shettima warned criminal elements to stay away from Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, saying the Navy has the capability to deal with such threats.

Jamoh has said the current management of NIMASA will focus on three main areas, namely, Maritime Security, Safety, and Shipping Development, in pursuit of a robust maritime domain for the country.

SUPPORTING COVID-19 FIGHT

L-R: Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Obafunke Denloye; Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Jordi Borrut Bel; Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olubunmi Olopade-Olaopa; and Brewery Manager, Ibadan and Ijebu Ode, Nigerian Breweries, Tayo Ogundana, during the donation of Clinical Laboratory Simulators to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan by Nigerian Breweries Plc held at Ibadan‌recently

COVID-19: SIFAX Group Boss Highlights Recovery Strategies for Businesses In order for businesses to survive the economic damaged caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a comprehensive review of their processes and operations as well as willingness to adapt to new realities will be key, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye has said.

Oyinloye, who stated this while reviewing the impact of the pandemic on businesses in

Nigeria, highlighted the major hurdles they are currently facing to include supply chain disruptions, inflation, hike in prices of goods and services, weakened consumer purchasing power, contracting economy and business collapse, especially among SMEs and high-risk corporations.

In the midst of the harsh operating environment, Oyinloye urged them to build resilience

and staying power as a strategy to survive.

He said: “It is not an allgloom situation as many businesses will rise from the ashes of this pandemic to recover well and post impressive returns.

There are opportunities even in bad situations. Businesses just need to position themselves correctly for these opportunities. “Ideas, processes and mindset that were useful pre-COVID-19

might become obsolete for businesses as we are gradually transiting to a new era and a new dawn. “Some of the factors that I recommend at a time like this are critical thinking, new business processes and templates, improved technology adoption, identifying and embracing new business opportunities and ability to adapt and respond to a changing business dynamics.

Oyinloye further lauded the combined efforts of governments, both at the national and sub-national levels, corporates, development partners, health workers on the frontlines and other stakeholders, in tackling the pandemic, adding that such collaborative efforts would certainly help in containing the spread of the virus and better management of the fall outs.

ABCON Warns Forex Speculators as BDCs Set to Resume Operations The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has warned its members and forex speculators putting pressure on the naira exchange rate to desist from such activities or risk losing their money.

ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, who disclosed this in a statement, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licenced Bureaux De

Change (BDCs) would soon start full operations as the apex bank will soon reopen dollar sales to operators.

According to Gwadabe, with the CBN’s planned lifting of moratorium on dollar sales to BDCs, reopening of the airports for air travels, global ease on restriction of movement are positive indications that dollar flows to the economy will soon improve.

He said the naira was yesterday evening exchanging at N461 to dollar at the parallel market, but was upbeat that the local currency would appreciate once the sale of the greenback

by BDCs commence.

He said: “The return of over 5,000 BDCs to the forex market will add great strength to the naira and lead to major capital losses for forex speculators. It happened in 2016 and will hap-

pen again in 2020. The return of the BDCs will immediately boost Naira recovery and put the enemies of the economy to shame. We are committed to the CBN’s exchange rate stability and will take all necessary steps within set rules and regulations to keep the naira stable.�

Gwadabe said the return of BDCs to the forex market would help chase away speculators, curb rising

inflation, boost productivity and employment, enhance price discovery, enhance market transparency and competitiveness.

Continuing, the ABCON boss said the uptick in activities in the Chinese economy has raised the country’s crude oil demand which will impact positively on Nigeria’s crude oil sales to the Asian country and boost dollar earnings.

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

CreditRegistry Launches API Service for Dud Cheques’ Validation CreditRegistry has launched an API (application programming interface) service to validate the credibility of cheque issuers to improve confidence in lending.

The product launch is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that all financial institutions perform a status check on

potential customers to ensure they are not serial dud cheque issuers before opening an account, approving them as guarantors to credit facilities or granting of credit to them.

The Dud Cheque API service protects lenders, SMEs, retailers and other organisations from accepting cheques from serial dishon-

oured (Dud) cheque issuers especially as the economic challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more pervasive.

The CreditRegistry Dud Cheque API is a self-service solution that enables duly enrolled agents carry out necessary cheque verifications and in an automated fashion.

Speaking on the importance of the service, Chief Economist, PwC, Dr. Andrew Nevin said, “We need to commend CreditRegistry with this important step, showing how FinTech at its best will improve the financial system. This is simple but solves a major problem - verifying the ac-

countability of cheque issuers.

In 2009, PwC recommended the need for robust credit registries in the financial ecosystem in Nigeria; of course, CreditRegistry was already the pioneer, having been established in 2003, so it is no surprise to see CreditRegistry on the cutting edge of technology.�

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ACI, IATA Outline Roadmap for Aviation Industry Restart Chinedu Eze The Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have called on governments to ensure that any new measures introduced for airports and airlines in the wake of COVID-19 are supported by scientific evidence and are consistent across the world.

The global aviation bodies said the aviation sector has been brought to a standstill and a balanced and effective restart and recovery depends on collaboration among the key participants in the global aviation ecosystem.

ACI and IATA have jointly issued a paper laying out a pathway for restarting the aviation industry - Safely Restarting Aviation - ACI and IATA Joint Approach.

Airlines and airports have cooperated to build a roadmap for resuming operations, which reassures the travelling public that health and safety remain the overall priorities.

The joint approach proposes a layered approach of measures across the entire passenger journey to minimise the risk

of transmission of COVID-19 at airports and onboard aircraft, and to prevent aviation becoming a meaningful source of international re-infection.

Such measures should be globally consistent and subject to continued review, improvement, and removal when no longer required, to ensure an even recovery.

ACI and IATA are both central members the COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) being led by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). CART enables the collaboration - among governments and between governments and industry -that is vital to ensure the harmonization and consistency of measures that are essential to restoring air connectivity and passenger confidence in air travel. “Airports and airlines have come together with ICAO and the wider aviation industry to address the biggest challenge ever faced by commercial aviation in restarting a global industry while continuing to halt the spread of COVID-19,�

ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “There is currently no single

measure that could mitigate all the risks of restarting air travel but we believe a globally-consistent, outcomebased approach represents the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to unlock economies and to enable travel,� she added.

IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said, “Safety is always our top priority and that includes public health. Restoring air connectivity is vital to restarting the global economy and reconnecting people. “Our layered approach of measures recommended by airports and airlines safeguard public health while offering a practical approach for a gradual restart of operations.

It is important to remember that the risk of transmission on board is very low. “And we are determined that aviation will not be a significant source of re-infection. We are working continuously with governments to ensure that any measures put in place are done so consistently and with scientific backing. That is key to restoring public confidence so the benefits of safely re-starting aviation can be realised.�

Labour Counsels FG against Frequent Summoning of Aviation Agencies’ Chiefs The National Union of Air Transport of Employees (NUATE) has condemned the frequent summoning of aviation agencies Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to Abuja by the Ministry of Aviation, which it described as unnecessary.

A letter written to the minster with the reference number: NUATE’GS/HMS. FMT/ENP/004-20, dated May 15, signed by Ocheme Aba, the General Secretary of NUATE declared that rather than frequently summon the CEOs to Abuja, the ministry could adopt virtual meetings to save cost for the sector.

The letter, which was also copied the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Managing Directors of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency

(NAMA), Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), stated that the cost implication of relocating the agencies out of Lagos was prohibitive. “We truly understand the intention of the government to reduce the cost of governance through this exercise. The chunk of this reduction is to be realised from the savings from the heads of the agencies’ frequent trips to Abuja to answer the calls of the Minister of Aviation. “But, most believe, ourselves included that these frequent calls are really unnecessary and actually amount to undue distraction and interference from the ministry. Besides, as Covid-19 has taught us, virtual meeting has become the other of the day. This can be veritable resort by the ministry

to save the severe headache orchestrated by the present disconcerting relocation order to the agencies.�

The letter further emphasised that none of the agencies had a relocation component in the 2020 approved budget and wondered why the ministry made it compulsory for them to relocate within 45 days.

NUATE pointed out that it would be impossible to contemplate such huge expenditure as extra budgetary spending not to mention the impracticality of raising such funds in the current clime of over 90 per cent loss of revenue due to the covid-19 pandemic It would be recalled that the ministry of aviation in letter dated May 4, 2020 had ordered NCAA, FAAN, NAMA and AIB to relocate to Abuja within 45 days, which would elapse in the next one month.

Qatar, American Airlines Partner on Domestic US Codeshare Qatar Airways has announced that the first stage of its strategic partnership with American Airlines has begun with Qatar Airways placing its code on American Airlines’ domestic flights, strengthening connectivity and creating hundreds of new travel options for passengers.

The codeshare would be rolled out in phases over the next few weeks and once completed, would see Qatar Airways’ code placed on over 1000 of American Airlines’ domestic flights connecting with Qatar Airway’s 10 U.S. gateways. Flights are already available for sale, with the first codeshare flights having started recently on 17 May

2020.

The airline said the first phases of the codeshare would see Qatar Airways’ passengers able to book travel on American Airlines’ extensive domestic connections via Chicago (ORD) and Dallas (DFW) to 200 cities including Miami (MIA), Houston (IAH), Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis/St.Paul (MSP), Seattle (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO). Additional cities, including destinations in Central America, and the Caribbean will be added, subject to government approvals.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Simon Talling-Smith said: “This

codeshare is just the first step in renewing our long-term strategic partnership with American Airlines. “The rollout of this domestic codeshare demonstrates our airlines are confident about the future and during this difficult time we continue to focus on how we can enhance the customer experience for our millions of passengers. “As two of the strongest airlines in the world, I have no doubt that we will overcome the current challenge and be well positioned to continue providing our passengers the reliable, safe and award-winning service that they have come to trust from us.�

Challenge of Relocating of Aviation Agencies to Abuja

Union workers

Chinedu Eze The federal government recently directed that aviation agencies including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should relocate to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and were given 45 days to do so.

Government had explained that this would help the agencies streamline their operations with the Ministry of Aviation and other government agencies located in Abuja and in doing so save them huge amounts of money, considering the envisaged cash crunch that is already hitting the sector due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Government also explained that it would also save the agencies money that rises to millions annually expended on logistics as the heads of agencies attend crucial meeting almost every week at the Ministry of Aviation and had to move to Abuja from Lagos, thus expending money on transport and accommodation, noting that this frequent movement distracts top officials of these agencies from concentrating on their jobs.

This directive was not new. THISDAY gathered that in 2012 there was firm effort for the agencies to relocate to Abuja but after some time levity stepped in with the attendant laissez fair attitude of the top government officials in charge of the agencies then at enforcing the policy. This followed a hiatus of complacency, which forced the decision into oblivion until the recent reawakening.

However, the former Managing Director of FAAN had in 2018 subtly relocated his office to Abuja and the current one stays more in Abuja and also part of the departments in NCAA operate currently from Abuja, but the major challenge of the call for the movement is the humongous cost of moving both personnel and administrative solid and soft assets to the federal capital.

NAMA for example, has solidified its facilities in Lagos to the extent that even if it moves to Abuja, major technical activities would still be happening in Lagos and the agency would still be spending millions of naira annually

We will not accept a situation where you ask anyone to go without first paying him his relocation allowance and my advice is that you cannot relocate people out of Lagos to Abuja and cripple activities in Lagos

on transport and accommodation between Lagos and Abuja.

Labour leaders in the aviation industry have severely criticised the decision of the government over the relocation, and had maintained that government took the decision at the wrong time, noting that there is paucity of funds to even pay workers their salary at this time; so it is a wrong time for the agencies to move to Abuja.

The President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Illitrus Ahmadu said the industry unions would ensure total mobilisation and payment of full allowances to staff in any of the agencies that is relocated out of their station to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the planned movement of aviation agencies by the Ministry of aviation.

Ahmadu said the priority of any union was to protect the interest of its members, vowing that ATSSSAN would not fail to ensure this at any time.

He, however, said ATSSSAN was not against the relocation order by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, but insisted that the staff welfare should not be taken for granted.

Ahmadu, said the unions would kick against the crippling of activities in Lagos by the government as a result of the relocation order. “We will not accept a situation where you ask anyone to go without first paying him his relocation allowance and my advice is that you cannot relocate people out of Lagos to Abuja and cripple activities in Lagos. You should provide enough capital resources to continue to drive operations in Lagos while you move those few people to Abuja.�

Ahmadu, however, recalled that it was not the first time such directive would be issued the agencies, saying that some of the agencies’ staff was relocated in 2012, but it was later halted. “Basically, it is not saying everyone should move from their various formations to Abuja.

It is just saying corporate headquarters. In our industry today, the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) spend about three to four days in Abuja.

So, it makes no sense. The operational offices can stay wherever they are. “The challenge is this, I know the agencies were allocated lands some time ago, but most of them are yet to build their corporate headquarters, while others are in the process.

In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has presence in virtually all the states, but its headquarters is in Washington DC. They oversee the affairs of the industry from there. “I don’t think the relocation will affect the running of the agencies, but we expect the CEOs to empower the offices at the regions or various formations so that those who are there will be able to perform their duties effectively.

We want to see some level of authorities to the people at the regions and formations,� he added.

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Need to Protect Nigerian Carriers International airlines have used aero politics, diplomacy, government protection and marketing strategies to outdo one another to secure the limited cargo delivery and evacuation market during the COVID-19 lockdown. Chinedu Eze writes that Nigerian airlines may not have a chance in the competitive market without government support

T

he global lockdown occasioned by coronavirus has threatened the existence of many airlines. The lockdown put to an end scheduled flight operations and over 80 per cent of passenger movement and then opened a vista in the transport of cargo, as medical supplies have to be urgently moved from one part of the world to another.

This has created a huge market in cargo operations, but for airlines that generate about 70 per cent of their earnings from passenger movement, the cargo market was like a spoon of water in a thirsty throat of one that needs a litre to survive. This gave rise to desperate competition in the cargo market; as well-known carriers struggled to cut a slice of the market for themselves.

There was reported brinkmanship between two major African airlines as they struggled over a flower, fish and meat supply contract, which eventually ended with a call to nationalism, which gave an indigenous carrier a head start.

Another limited market during the COVID-19 lockdown is the evacuation of citizens from different nations where they reside permanently or temporarily to their own countries. This was because many nations believed they have advanced medical system and would take better care of their citizens than the countries they currently reside. This was a good market for some airlines, but it is not near the huge diurnal flights that airlift about 500, 000 people globally.

This gave rise to jostling by airlines, employing all kinds of tactics and using diplomatic powers to snatch airlift opportunities.

For example, when Nigeria locked down its airspace on March 23, 2020, European carriers like Air France/KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways airlifted Europeans from Nigeria and other West African nations.

Delta Air Lines made several flights to airlift US citizens from different parts of the world.

Under a special arrangement, Air Peace airlifted Israelis that reside in Nigeria, while reports indicated that Ethiopian Airlines won the contract to airlift evacuees for other countries.

What is however clear is that every government identified with its airlines; so it is natural that British Airways will airlift British citizens; unless the airline is indisposed then Virgin Atlantic, Easy Jet, Ryanair or any other would be assigned to evacuate the citizens. So the first choice is always the indigenous carrier for countries that have viable airlines that have the capacity to operate international flights.

The Canada Imbroglio About two weeks ago arrangement was made for Air Peace to evacuate Canadians in Nigeria to Canada and also bring in Nigerians in that country from Cagliari and Toronto.

Many of the passengers had paid for the evacuation; in fact, about 319 passengers had paid for economy and business class tickets.

Then the Canada High Commission began to stall the plan and at a time insisted that Ethiopian Airlines would undertake the airlift, even at a higher fare of $2,500 for economy class, against Air Peace N1, 134.

This has led to stalemate and the government of Nigeria was peeved that the indigenous carrier it designated for the flight was being forced to drop the trip in preference to another African airline. Government stood its ground.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Godfrey Onyema insisted that a Nigerian carrier, which it assigned the job, must be allowed to do it.

THISDAY learnt that government which had earlier stated that all evacuations under its arrangement must be done by indigenous carriers was not only miffed by the decision of the Canada High Commission in Abuja,

Max Air Boeing 747 aircraft but was also cross with Ethiopian Airlines for its alleged subtle pressure to usurp the operation.

Ethiopian Airlines is a house hold name in Nigeria because it is an airline Nigerians are proud of because of its success and the fact that it has always supported Nigeria and Nigerians also patronize it.

According to industry sources, it is expected that Ethiopian Airlines and Nigerian carriers should be working together to realise the African aviation’s goal of increasing its market share in the continent, which is dominated by foreign carriers that have about 80 per cent of the market.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, has at different fora called for cooperation among African carriers, but the alleged jostling by the East African airline to take over the Canada evacuation operation is not in synch with the clamour by Africa’s prime airline.

Global Market Competition It is expected that competition in the air transport market would be rife as airlines struggle for survival post-COVID-19 lockdown.

Industry observers said any country that does not support its airlines would lose them, the workers would lose their jobs and foreign airlines would start ripping them off.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said Nigerian government has to protect its own airlines by applying strict diplomatic protocol in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and other similar agreements.

He said government should adopt quid pro quo strategy, where you treat a government the way it treats you; if a country stops a Nigerian carrier from operating to any of its destinations, Nigerian government would do the same to the airline that comes from that country. “So foreign airlines should not be given advantage over our own airlines. The law of reciprocity must apply. Also, airlines must develop better marketing strategy to fit into the environment. The airlines may lose customers due to high fares. “When airlines enjoy the monopoly of a route, they tend to hike the fare and tell you that it is market forces, but the passengers will be angry and immediately they have alternative they migrate to that alternative.

“This has happened in Asaba where an airline was selling tickets at N1010, 000 for a return fight to Lagos, which is less than one-hour flight. Half of such amount can buy any one return ticket from Lagos to Abuja. “This is not good. Airlines are requesting for support from government but that government you are asking for favour has a big responsibility: to provide easy access to movement but when you secure government’s support and you at the same time rip off the people. It is not good. So the marketing department of airlines should restrategise,� he said.

Government’s Support From what is happening during the COVID-19 lockdown, it has become obvious that a country must stand solidly behind its airlines.

If Nigeria did not stand behind Air Peace, Ethiopian Airlines would have conducted the flight last Monday, but government insisted that its own airlines must evacuate Nigerian citizens under its arrangement.

Aligbe said government should protect the domestic airlines from unfavourable competition by ensuring that it does not give advantage to foreign airlines. ‘Government should do everything possible to keep the airlines going and ensure that it does not support foreign airlines at the expense of local carriers. For example, African World Airlines and Asky want to secure more positions in the Nigerian routes, government should ensure that everything is done in the principle of reciprocity,� Aligbe said.

Former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman told THISDAY that coronavirus pandemic has reset the world and it will adversely affect the airlines. So airlines have to look at the reality and adjust their operations. “Airlines have to adjust to reality because things have changed. They should look both in and out. Whatever government can do to help the airlines it should; not in terms of cash bailout, but in the area of waivers on charges and other kinds of support. “Government should assist the airlines to take advantage of the blocs we belong to like African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), African Union, free trade agreements and see how they can benefit from the multilateral and unilateral agreements we have with other nations,� Captain Usman said.

New Attitude Following the insistence of the federal government that Nigerian airlines must evacuate Nigerians from different parts of the world under its arrangement, many industry stakeholders saw this policy as a new dawn for Nigerian carriers. They gave kudos to the Minister of Aviation, saying if Nigeria carries on like this it would encourage domestic carriers to develop capacity.

Insiders are of the view that many foreign carriers that operate to Nigeria make huge profits from the country and would not want local carriers to grow. This is because their growing would ensure a diminished market for them. For example, since Air Peace started operating to Dubai via Sharjah, the market has changed. Emirates remained number one airline with the highest number of passengers to that destination followed by Air Peace.

So if government continues to support foreign airlines on international routes, airlines like Max Air and Azman, which already have large body aircraft will also take a chunk of the market and the industry would continue to grow and create jobs for teaming Nigerian youths.

This explains why the President of Aviation Round Table (ART), an industry think-tank group, Dr. Gbenga Olowo commended the action taken by the federal government to stand by its own airlines and insisted that Air Peace must be allowed to conduct the evacuation of Nigerians from Canada.

Olowo, said a foreign carrier should not be allowed to evacuate Nigerians when there are Nigerian carriers that are capable of doing that. “The ART strongly support the federal government for maintaining its position that a Nigerian carrier should evacuate Nigerians from Canada and any other country. “This is not a commercial flight; this is emergency flight operated under a force majure situation. This does not require commercial agreement or Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). But what they want to do is to intimidate Air Peace and deny Nigeria the opportunity of its own airline to evacuate Nigerian citizens,� Olowo who is also the President of Sabre Network, West Africa said.

The ART President believes that with this new policy of protecting its own, the federal government has given domestic airlines the key to survive.

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FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 • T H I S D AY

29

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Charles Akindiji Akinola: Our Plan is to Globalise Culture in Osun State

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͰͰ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

COVER

Charles Akindiji Akinola: Our Plan is to Globalise Culture in Osun State Dr Charles Akindiji Akinola, is a businessman, consultant and Chief of Staff to the Governor, State of Osun. The former lecturer has consulted widely across the public, private and development sectors to governments, World Bank, USAID, UK Department for International Development, Ford Foundation, Shell International, Chevron Corporation, Exxon Mobil and West African Gas Pipeline Company, among others. Going down memory lane with MARY NNAH, he shared how he bagged his PhD at 27 years of age, how his doggedness has taken him to the pinnacle of his career today and his plans to globalise culture in Osun State

T

ell us a bit about how you kicked off with your career?

I started as lecturer; I taught at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria from 1984 until 1989 and was on the training and research faculty of the Pan African Institute for Development (PAID) in Buea, Cameroon 1990. I have been in the field of International organisations with the same sector but worked in Ghana, Kenya, Latin America and other parts of the world.

Mostly involved with rural areas, in Nigeria, I had some engagement with Niger Delta, other rural communities using culture and agriculture. I am into public policy, my work crossed private and public sector.

I was the Country Director of TechnoServe, a US-based international development agency, also I am the founder/ CEO of Enterprise for Development International (EfDI), a development sector market leader based in Lagos. I was the Nigeria National Coordinator of the Sustainable Tree Crop Programme (STCP), an innovative multi-agency, publicprivate sector effort involving the USAID and the chocolate industry in facilitating the improvement of small holder agricultural systems focusing on cocoa and cashew in West Africa.

I was the founding director, Community Development Foundation (CDF), Nigeria’s premier wholesale development finance agency.

I was most recently, Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Fellow at the Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (WCFIA) where my work focused on Innovation for Economic Development; I am also the founding Partner, Hybridea Partnership, a Public Sector Innovation and Strategic Management Consultancy.

I worked at structuring and managing Cross-Sector Partnerships involving government, private and development sectors in different parts of Nigeria and West Africa and participated in the University of Cambridge, UK programme on Cross-Sector Partnerships in 2005 and Public-Private Partnerships at the Harvard Kennedy School.

I have consulted widely across the public, private and development sectors to governments, World Bank, USAID, UK Department for International Development, Ford Foundation, Shell International, Chevron Corporation, Exxon Mobil and West African Gas Pipeline Company, among others.

I have authored some research reports, studies and papers focusing on sustainable development and cross-sector partnerships.

I have been in the field of international developments, support work and enterprise. This contributed to my working with the rural communities.

My work has been in partnership with government and private. I work using the Ford foundation to set up special

Akinola

programmes with the government of Osun State. All in all, I have been privileged to be involved with policy making in Osun government. One of the things we did is to use culture to drive the economy. Then I moved on to my new capacity as Chief of Staff for Osun state government.

What plans do you have for Osun State in your present capacity?

One of the growth drivers in Osun is culture. We are looking at culture and its drivers that would grow the economy. In Osun we have competitive advantage due to the fact that most people from Yoruba land trace their root and claim ancestry to Ile-Ife as their traditional home so we are looking at product like reverse pilgrimage, just like those traveling to Mecca and Jerusalem. We want those who are attached to their root with culture. So our plan is to globalise culture in Osun State, a creative economy while promoting culture it would receive a boost in its economy. Osun will have to boost their culture, as we work towards innovations and policy making in the state. Osun has strong cultural ties and we are globalising it as a world heritage centre. When you innovate, disruption takes place in a positive way. The Osun Osogbo has become world global festival as we

have several cultural festivals. Osogbo is a home of traveling theatre where you have the likes of Duro ladipo, Akin Ogunpe.

Did you grow up in Osun and how was growing up like?

My parents are teachers and father is a clergy as well. We go home always.

I am from Ilesha; my parents often take us to Ilesha. Although my mum is from Oyo, we have strong ties with Ilesha.

What memories do you have while growing up?

It was interesting. I grew up in Zaira. My teacher parents are usually strict, coupled with the religious part of it as my father was equally a clergy.

My mom’s father was running the northern part of CMS bookshop in Nigeria at Guozo. As I grew up, I had very strict parentage. My parents were transferred all over Nigeria. I had some rascality but it was moderated by our faith. It is all good, I had lots of education both formal and informal form. I enjoyed every bit of growing up.

Growing up were you a socialite?

I enjoyed going to party, I derived joy in mixing up. I had a license to party because I will always pass

my exams. I finished my PhD at 27.

At such a young age, I didn’t allow prejudices. I am liberal and focused.

What are some of the values your parents inculcated in you that have impacted your life?

Contentment and the value of service were some of the values I got from my parents. Invariably it’s going to come out well. It is not necessary to climb ladder at the same time, you have different ladders. I mind diversity a lot as I work in urban and rural areas. I was with some people yesterday, today a different people.

What are the life lessons you have learnt?

Patience, contentment, live a life of service. I don’t think I had it better. I tried to be focused, even when I am leaving the university. I would rather I be a professor of practice than a university professor. I have kept my lane, it is an advantage situation.

When I was leaving the university, I had the capacity to manage diversity that made me to discover talents. I just kept at it. I keep pushing when I have strong convictions about something. I made sure I stayed focused. Patience has its reward - I rather be a professor of practice because of the life experiences I have witnessed and I am able to share.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͰͰ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Inaugurates Extension Services Revitalisation Committee Oluchi Chibuzor The federal government has inaugurated a technical committee on the revitalisation of extension services in Nigeria.

The committee is expected to assist the ministry to develop workable framework and actionable programme for the training of 75,000 extension workers in collaboration with states’ Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs). The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, while inaugurating the committee recently in Abuja, said the agricultural development in Nigeria requires an integrated approach to revive extension advisory services.

He charged the committee

to design a system of training agricultural extension workers in the next two years and to recommend measures for the upgrading and retooling of extension training institutions across the country. Nanono, stressed the need to review extension services training modules and practices implemented in Nigeria with a view to making them more effective and efficient.

The minister noted that the programme would stimulate technology adoption and embed Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) towards improving food requirements and industrial expectations.

According to him, as part of the terms of reference, the committee would examine proposals submitted and international best practices in extension services

and draw key learning points. “To recommend how to integrate and use the national farmers’ helpline center with six zonal centers for real time information dissemination, updates, feedbacks, and capacity of farmers and relevant stakeholders. “To developing mechanisms for the implementation of recommendations, including monitoring and evaluation and make other recommendation that would help in fast tracking the complete transformation of extension services in Nigeria,� he explained.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Director, Extension Services in the Ministry, Engr. Frank Kudla, pledged that the committee would work assiduously to deliver on its mandate.

FirstBank Provides Free e-Learning Subscriptions FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has announced that thousands of students have been signing up to access the e-learning solutions for free which is provided in partnership with Roducate and Lagos State Government.

This it explained was in furtherance of its resolve to close the gap of the disruption in children education’s due to schools’ closure, following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement explained that the Roducate e-learning platform was structured in line with the government’s accredited curriculum for primary, secondary and tertiary schools across various fields of

academic endeavours, such as science, commercial and arts. “Also, it includes tutorial videos to reinforce the learning engagement as well as assignments and mock exam to test the students’ knowledge and progress in the course of studying.

In addition, learning on the platform enables one to take notes for quick reference. “In view of the need to foster extra-curricular activities - beyond academic pursuit - the Roducate e-learning platform is configured with exciting features to make learning exciting and fun.

“These features include podcasts and various games such as brain pulse, monster munch etc. which allows one to play with other students online thereby building relationships and promoting interactive learning,� it added.

Speaking on the implementation of the initiative, CEO, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan said: “The partnership with Lagos State has seen us provide low-end devices for students preloaded with Roducate offline; content which include government accredited curriculum for primary through secondary education and several university courses.

‘Face Mask, Social Distancing Now Mandatory in NRC Facilities’ Sunday Okobi The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has made the use of face masks and social distancing mandatory for all its districts and workers as part of measures to help fight the raging COVID-19.

The corporation noted in a statement issued by its Deputy Director Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, that healthy workforce is an asset for any organisation, “because it is a healthy staff that can perform optimally towards the production output with profound efficiency and effectiveness.�

With this assertion, according to the statement made available to THISDAY, the Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhira, while

flagging off the sensitisation and awareness campaign on the imperative of using face mask and strict compliance to the social or physical distancing protocol outlined by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC), said the measures are the surest ways of containing the spread of COVID 19 in the community.

He said the board and management of NRC have immense concern for the health and well-being of NRC staff and their families, hence, “this sensitisation becomes mandatory in NRC headquarters and Ebute-Metta Junction, adding that the campaign will also be carried out in all the districts of the corporation.�

Okhira, appealed to the residents in NRC facilities to always wear face mask, which is now compulsory and maintain social distancing, personal and environmental hygiene.

He urged the residents to cooperate with NRC frontline staff who would subject them to body temperature check at the entry points of NRC facilities.

Earlier, the statement added, the Deputy Director Research, Health, Safety and Environment (RHSE) Mr. Oyekunle Oyewole, who represented the Director Corporate Planning, Mr. James Z. Gyang, told the MD that the campaign would last for two consecutive days, covering the entire headquarters.

Union Trustees Mixed Fund Changes Name Nume Ekeghe Union Trustees Mixed Fund has changed its name to Capital Express Balanced Fund.

Unitholders of the fund authorised the change of name during their fifth general meeting and the first meeting to be hosted by Capital Express Asset and Trust, in its capacity as Fund Manager.

The name change was announced during a virtual meeting held recently with attendance of the firms’ stakeholders.

The Unitholders also authorised the amendment of the Fund Trust

Deed and the execution of the amended and restated trust deed to reflect the amendments as approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

During the meeting, the Unitholders of the Fund also approved the audited financial statements for the years ended April 30, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In the Fund Managers report, the Managing Director of Capital Express Asset and Trust Limited, Mr. Babatunde Tinubu, disclosed that the assets of the fund was invested in various securities in accordance with the approved

allocation in the Funds Trust Deed.

He disclosed that the fund’s total gross investment income rose by 12 per cent to N94 million as of the end of April 30, 2019, from N84 million in the corresponding period of 2018.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, Tinubu added: “The fund is an actively managed open-ended collective investment fund whose main objective is to provide investors with optimal growth on returns on capital over the long term through investments in select portfolio of securities and instruments.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

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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

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS ATTUESDAY, 19 MAY

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $28.43 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $28.21 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͰͰ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

MARKET NEWS

Shareholders Call for Merging of Stockbroking Firms for Better Service Delivery Goddy Egene The National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria(ISAN), Anthony Omojola, has called for the consolidation of 255 stockbroking houses in the country for better service delivery.

According to Omojola, while there over 200 stockbroking firms, only 10 of them dominate transactions in the market, noting that whenever the regulator

comes up with a recapitalisation plan, it should encourage merger and acquisition among the operators.

The ISAN boss, who spoke in a virtual interview, said there was the likelihood that the nation would witness growth in the areas of medium and small scale companies because of some palliatives and tax incentives extended to them in this year’s budget.

Speaking on the ISAN expectations for the 2020, Omojola said

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

they are concerned about the purchasing power of the people. ‘’ We are concerned with the purchasing power of the people in terms of goods and services which has been seriously affected by the value of Naira which is a reality of increase in tariffs, rates and other government policies that have negative effects on the people. “We urge the government to do more to lessen the burden in the business operating environments in the country,

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

QUANTITY TRADED

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so that more profits can be made by individuals, entrepreneurs and companies. Further efforts should be made in decongesting the Lagos Ports with a view of lowering products costs which will have a salutary effect on our level of inflation which is on the rise. ‘’Nigeria require huge infrastructural improvements in power, road, rail and air.

With an improved road and rail transport system, locally produced goods and services

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

will contribute more to the gross domestic product (GDP). “The question is, how visible is the promise to link all the state Capitals through rail? For this to happen, our budget needs more allocation for better funding Reliance on loans alone may not help us.

But if properly funded and implemented, finished goods will be transported through the rails and maintenance costs on the roads will be drastically reduced.’’

O F

Omojola said the full demutualisation of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) would usher in more opportunities for bigger investments, standardisation of policies and bring along with it some level of confidence in the capital market.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market continued on bullish note as the NSE All-Share Index rose 1.25 per cent to close at 24,758.39, while market capitalisation added N462 billion to be at N12.9 trillion.

1 9 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

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FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

34

NEWS

Investors Rush to Nigeria as Yield on FGN Bond Falls Nume Ekeghe withagencyreport Nigeria’s early move to tap cheap loans has improved its risk perception among foreign investors, leading to a fall in the country’s borrowing costs.

Yields on Nigeria’s dollar bonds maturing in 2047 fell from an all-time high of 13.2 per cent on March 19 to 9.1 per cent on Wednesday.

According to Bloomberg, Africa’s largest economy has lined up ambitious borrowing plans in its domestic bond market and has secured $3.4 billion from the International Monetary Fund.

It expects $3.5 billion from other lenders and has used the

collapse in oil prices to scrap fuel subsidies that cost the country at least $2 billion a year.

Support from the IMF and the other development institutions, along with a nascent recovery in oil prices has boosted investor confidence, London-based head of emerging-market sovereign debt at Aberdeen Standard Investments, Edwin Gutierrez, said.

“Nigeria has been an outperformer of other subSaharan African credits during that time,” Gutierrez said.

Still, this doesn’t reduce Nigeria’s underlying weak fundamentals given the wide deficit and low foreign-exchange reserve buffers amidst low oil

prices, the director and head of macroeconomic analysis at EFG-Hermes, Mohamed Abou Basha added.

Africa’s largest crude producer, which relies on sales from the commodity for about half of government revenue, projects that its oil earnings will drop by at least 80 per cent this year.

The deficit could widen to

6.8 per cent of gross domestic product from 4.8 per cent in 2019, according to the IMF, and unless Nigeria gets a waiver from creditors, interest payments could eat up 96 per cent of the federal government’s revenue, up from 58 per cent in 2019.

“If secured, multilateral loans would cover around 21 per cent of the general government deficit in 2020,” Fitch Ratings a recent

report.

Yet investors seem unconcerned. The cost of protecting Nigeria’s debt against default has dropped by 520 basis points since March 18, an indication that creditors are feeling more secure holding the country’s debt.

Risks have also receded in the past few weeks after the IMF disbursed its loan to

Nigeria. Despite the country’s public debt set to rise to 34.8% of GDP this year, from 29.1% in 2019, according to the IMF, it’s a relatively low level when compared with most emerging markets.

In a report last month, the IMF said it believes Nigeria’s debt is sustainable and there is adequate capacity to repay the fund.

PDP Guber Aspirants to Pay N21m for Edo, Ondo Elections Chuks Okocha in Abuja Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its governorship aspirants in Edo and Ondo States will pay the sum of N21 million each to purchase the nomination forms for the upcoming governorship election.

The party also stated that governorship forms is free for all female aspirants in the two states.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, who gave details of the sales of the governorship nomination forms, the male governorship aspirants will pay N20 million and another N1million naira for the Expression of Interest form.

The spokesman of the PDP further explained that the governorship nomination form is free for all female aspirants from the two states.

However, he said all female governorship aspirants would have to pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest to enable them contest for the governorship primary elections in the two states.

Meanwhile, as part of preparations for the governorship

election in the states, the PDP has released timetable for the election of its governorship candidate, stating that sales of forms in Ondo State will commence on June 22, while notice of election in the state will be issued on June 2.

Also, for Edo State, the party noted that the last day for the submission of the completed governorship forms, according to a statement signed by the National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), is June 2.

Akobundu said the sales of Expression of Interest and the governorship forms would commence on June 22 in Ondo State and the last date for the return of completed forms is June 26, while screening of aspirants would commence on July 2.

The ward congresses to elect a three man ad-hoc ward delegates on July 8. The ward congresses appeal if any is slated for July 13 The local government congresses to elect national delegates is slated for July 15 and the local government appeal would take place on July 18 and the publication of the list of delegates will take place on July 20.

NMA, Kogi Govt Bicker over Tests for Pandemic

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State chapter, has disclosed that testing for COVID-19 remained a challenge in the state.

The state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Zubair Kabir made this known yesterday while responding to journalists’ enquiry on his reaction to the report of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that only one testing sample have been sent in for checking by the state, which returned negative.

But in a swift reaction, the state government has, however, said it has not objected to coronavirus test in the state.

The NMA chairman said the challenge of not testing enough persons had led to agitation from members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) as they are among the first to attend to suspected cases, a number which has been received at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja recently.

“Although no confirmed case has been reported in Kogi State till date, a number of suspected

cases have been attended to at the FMC Lokoja, and members of ARD are among the first to attend to these patients, and as such, they might be exposed to the highly contagious COVID-19,” Kabir stated He said: “ARD is an affiliate of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and members are among the most exposed health care workers to patients with suspected COVID-19 in the hospital settings.

“The NMA is aware that they have become agitated and apprehensive in the last few months due to community spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.”

Kabir said FMC Lokoja is the only functional tertiary health institution in Kogi State and as such, the institution attends to a wide range of patients, and the ever present danger of being exposed to patients with COVID-19 is major source of worry.

“As a clinician, standard practice demands that the moment you have clinical suspicion of an infectious diseases, the ideal thing is to carryout laboratory confirmation.

FIFTY EIGHT HEARTY CHEERS. …

L-R: Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Tunde Adeola; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo; Company Secretary, Mrs. Temitayo Adegoke, and Executive Director, Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Raheem Owodeyi, at the bank’s virtual 58th Annual General Meeting streamed live from MUSON Centre in Lagos...recently

Court Jails Internet Fraudster via Virtual Proceeding The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of an internet fraudster, Lawal Sholaru, who bagged six months imprisonment or a N400,000 option of fine for defrauding an American, Mr. David Geobel, of $1,200 in an online scam.

Sholaru was convicted by Justice Mojisola Dada of Ikeja Special Offences Court in a judgment delivered through virtual proceeding.

The convict was arraigned on March 18, 2020, by the EFCC on one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, to which he pleaded guilty.

Prosecution counsel, S.O. Daji, while reviewing the facts of the case, told the court that the defendant in his statement to the EFCC confessed that he was into romance scam with the pseudo name, Alicia White, a US national on Facebook, while he posed as William Bale, a Major-General in the

US Army, to defraud his unsuspecting victims.

In addition to the prison term, Justice Dada ordered the convict’s forfeiture of his Lexus ES 350 and other properties recovered from him by the EFCC as proceeds of crime to the federal government, a statement by EFCC said.

Armed Robbers Attack Oyo Community, Injure Residents Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan No fewer than 20 dare-devil robbers yesterday morning invaded Jamade street, Opposite Goshen land, a sub-community of Apete in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, inflicting various cuts with dangerous weapons on about six persons and carted away valuable properties.

THISDAY learnt that the robbers arrived in the area around 1a.m. and robbed

no fewer than ten houses, including the House of the Deputy Photo Editor of the Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Najeem Raheem, whose son, Faruk, as a result of the iron rod used on him by the criminals when he resisted them, fainted.

The father, Raheem, had escaped by the whiskers from the attackers, but his wife was not lucky as she was attacked with machete on her hand by the criminals.

It was gathered that a student

hostel was also attacked in the area where no fewer than four students sustained machete cuts with others inflicted with other varying degrees of injuries.

While the police were called severally according to the residents, they reportedly did not get to the location until after more than one hour even though the distance between the Divisional Police Station in Apete to the crime scene should not take more than five minutes around that time.

Sources said the house of an Islamic cleric, who rare cows in the neighborhood, Alhaji Adekunle; the house of a Lead City lecturer and that of another staff of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), were among those robbed.

Some of the victims said the criminals, mostly youths, distributed themselves to the houses, stealing laptops, phones and cash as well as destroying other valuables.

Ayade Breaks down in Tears over Poverty Level Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State yesterday broke down in tears over the high level of poverty in the state and exempted some persons and organisations from paying tax.

Speaking at the inauguration of an anti-tax agency headed by

Bishop Emma Isong, the governor said that it is sad that government which does not meet the needs of the people in many areas still collects tax from them.

He said it better for him to “task my brain” than to expect tax from people who are still

struggling.The governor said as he went round the state, he noticed the level of poverty which has made some people to stay in mud houses.

Ayade, who broke down in tears, said: “I never knew that five years as governor, there

would still be people living in thatched houses in Cross River. I almost cried because I knew how prepared I was but it didn’t end the way I dreamt for the state.

I wish God would intervene because I really wish I could help. It’s very painful.”

Edo Elders Kick against Report of Obaseki’s Panel of Inquiry Edo Elders Consultative Forum said yesterday that the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to investigate the construction of the Edo Specialist Hospital is a ‘’political witch-hunt’’ intended to deter political opponents in the state.

Rising from an expanded meeting in the state capital, Benin city yesterday, the forum stated in a press statement signed by the group’s President General, Rev. Matthew Asemota

and Secretary-General retired Colonel Johnbull Omo-Ojo, that, “the composition of the commission included a blood relation of Governor Obaseki and key member of his kitchen cabinet, Professor Emmanuel Obaseki.”

They added that the commission of enquiry failed to invite “either the former governor, Mr. Adams Oshiohmole or any member of his administration,” claiming that the report was “one-sided, lacking moral base, inconclusive

and dead on arrival.”

The forum called on the government to put energy towards building institutions and robust procurement laws while pursuing how to complete the Edo hospital for the good of the people, since the hospital was conceived to benefit them.

While condemning what it called ‘’unnecessary political fight between the Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole’’, it urged the state government to channel its resources into equipping the

Edo hospital project.

“Every year since 2016, the state government has consistently allocated millions of naira to complete the already commissioned project. What happened to all that allocations in the budget? Why weaving politics around a people-oriented Edo hospital project, four years after it was erected?

“As head of the economic team, we wondered how Governor Obaseki planned to exonerate himself from the guilt of the previous administration.

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Again, Sultan Urges Muslims to Observe Sallah Prayers at Home Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has again asked Nigerian Muslims to observe the congregational prayers for this year’s Eid-el-Fitri in their homes.

This year’s Eid-el-Fitri to mark the end of the Ramadan amid coronavirus outbreak is slated for Saturday or Sunday and the

Sultan had urged Muslims to look out for the sighting of the moon.

Abubakar, who is the leader of Nigerian Muslims, also suspended all prayers, gatherings in the outskirts of towns and cities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sultan, who spoke through the JNI SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement in Kaduna, however, noted that in states

where government had reached decision to mark the Eid-el-Fitri, Muslims should observe social distancing, wear face masks and use hand sanitisers provided for worshippers to check the spread of the COVID-19.

The Sultan also warned Muslim leaders against unguarded utterances for the overall interests of the Nigerian Muslim community.

The statement read in part, “The Jama’atu Nasril

Islam under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto, in a mandate to the JNI Fatwa Committee, under the leadership of Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh Alhusainy, CON, to come up with Fatwa regarding the year 2020 ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer, and the committee after due consultations, as well as considerations of the current state – COVID-19 pandemic

Two Soldiers, Three Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Yobe Clash Two soldiers and three Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in a clash in Gujba local government area of Yobe state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Eneche, as

saying the incident occurred after some insurgents laid an ambush for soldiers on Sunday.

Thwe Cable quoted Eneche as saying that the troops of combat team 1, Operation Kantana Jimlan were on a

patrol along Buni Yadi – Buni Gari axis of Yobe when they ran into multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a Boko Haram ambush.

He said apart from the death of the two soldiers, three others

Customs Seize N1bn Indian Hemp

Gbenga Jimoh, 51, for Burial Today

Eromosele Abiodun

A devout Christian and Vice-President of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Abuja, Deacon Gbenga Jimoh, will be buried today, Friday, May 22, at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.

Jimoh, 51, who died during a brief illness, is survived by wife, Rabi and children.

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has disclosed that it seized various contraband goods worth N1.06billion in the first quarter of 2020.

The largest chunk of goods seized by the command within the quarter was the haul of Indian hemp worth N1billion.

The Comptroller of the command, Mr. Olugboyega Peters, said this was the highest

Gbenga Jimoh

sustained injuries as a result of the IED explosion. “Three terrorists were neutralised, while an unconfirmed number escaped with various degrees of injury,�

Eneche said in a statement.

and the serious threat it poses to life, reached the following decisions: “‘Eid-el-Fitr congregation in the outskirts of towns and cities should be temporarily suspended. “That the said ‘Eid-el-Fitr Prayer be observed at home with family members or alone at home. “However, in states where governments have reached concrete decisions to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts advice, strictest measures of distancing, face masks and sanitisers be taken to protect worshipers. In this case, neighborhood mosques can be utilised if it becomes necessary. “Ulama should fear Allah, the Most High and be mature enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the

value of goods seized by the command since it was created.

He added that the achievement of the command was an indication of an increase in anti-smuggling activities.

Within the period under review, a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Emmanuel Tangwa, stated that the antismuggling operations of the command yielded a total of 39 seizures as against 12 in the previous year.

It said the total duty paid value of the items seized amounted to N1.06 billion as against a DPV of N36.42million recorded in Q1 2019.

Giving a breakdown of the seized goods, he said 1,816 bags of rice with a duty of N38.13 million; 733 cartons of poultry products with a duty of N7.42 million; 104 bales of second-hand clothing with a duty valued N4.39 million and 665 bales of textile material with duty worth N2.09 million, were confiscated.

overall interest of the Deen and the Ummah.�

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as ANIEKAN USEN UDOEKIM, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEKAN UDOEKIM USEN. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY THOMAS QUAYE, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY QUAYE THOMAS. All former documents remain valid. GTB Bank and the general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FATIMA SANNI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BOLANLE FATIMAT ADEITE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ORJIAKO STELLA CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKECHUKWU STELLA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME 7KLV LV WR FRQÂżUP WKDW , BAKARE SEGUN STEPHEN is also same person as BAKARE SEGUN EKENE. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

FRIDAY MAY 22 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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APC Should Give Obaseki, Akeredolu Tickets, Odigie-Oyegun Insists Nobody promised Edo gov automatic ticket, says party’s factional chairman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin As the battle for the gubernatorial tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo and Ondo states thickens, a former National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday made a case for governors Godwin Obaseki and Rotimi Akeredolu.

Odigie-Oyegun passed a vote of confidence on the governors, saying they should be given the party’s tickets for re-election.

But the Edo APC faction loyal to the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed alleged claims by Odigie-Oyegun, that Obaseki was promised an automatic ticket as part of reconciliation in the state chapter of the party.

According to him, they have “performed creditably should be returned unless they do not do wish”.

Odigie-Oyegun said his call for the support for the two governors was informed by the agreement reached to settle the leadership crisis at the national level that threatened its existence.

He however cautioned the party’s leadership from imposing candidates, calling for free and fair primaries in both states.

He argued in a statement issued yesterday that if other party members showed interest in the race, they should be given opportunity.

“Our democracy of course has no room for imposition so the party must accept and

also present any member that offer themselves to serve in the positions being occupied by the incumbent governors,” he stressed.

The former governor of Edo State warned that the nature of the governorship primary election in Edo State would determine the shape and survival of APC as a political party.

“It is of critical importance that the primary be seen even

by a blind man, to be free and fair otherwise there would be political consequences.”

According to him, the party’s governorship primary “will show Nigerians and indeed the world whether APC is a party of truth, change and progress, driven by the principles of fairness, social justice and equity, or it has become a party that believes and promotes business as usual!”

He recommended that a

consensus be built behind Obaseki but added that in the absence of consensus, “everything must be done to ensure that the persons in the leadership of the party at the center who are part of the contrived crisis in Edo State must not even remotely be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the primary election.

“Allowing any member(s) of the national leadership who have

been involved in the contrived crisis in Edo State would equate making such person or persons judges in their own case. This is contrary to the principle of natural justice and will be naturally resisted,” OdigieOyegun said.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and crisis-free elections in the two states.

Man Gives DSS 24 Hours to Pay Him N10m The man, who was arrested for using the previous phone line of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Mr. Anthony Okolie, has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to pay him N10 million in 24 hours.

The Cable recalled that the sum was awarded to Okolie by the federal high court in Delta for breach of his fundamental human rights by the secret police.

Okolie was arrested in July 2019 and he spent 10 weeks in detention.

He later sued DSS, MTN and Hanan Buhari and demanded N500 million compensation but the court awarded N10 million as damages.

In a letter addressed to the Director General of DSS, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, his lawyer, Mr. Tope Akinyode said if the sum is not paid, Okolie would take measures within the ambit of the law to recover the judgment

debt.

He said the next line of action would incur cost and embarrassment on the DSS. “We have been instructed by our client to recover the said debt of N10, 000, 000 from you. You are therefore requested to forward your cheque to us forthwith in settlement of the judgment debt,” he said.

“Take notice that unless we receive our cheque in settlement within 24 hours after the receipt of this letter, we shall have no choice but to take all steps available under the law to recover the said sum.

“This will include but will not be limited to instituting contempt proceedings against you and going after assets of your establishment.

“We are certain that you will want to avoid the costs and embarrassment which our next course of action will entail and we hope that good counsel will prevail.”

Bauchi Police Nab 32 Suspected Criminals Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Apparently committed to reducing criminal activities across Bauchi State, the state Police Command has arrested no fewer than 30 suspected criminals, including a 17-year-old girl for various criminal offences in the state.

While parading the suspects at the Command headquarters yesterday, the state Police Commissioner, Philip Maku, disclosed that a case of culpable homicide was reported on the April 24, 2020 at about 0900hrs by one Haruna Musa of ItasGadau Division, that one Salma Hassan, a female, 18, of the same address stabbed her husband, Mohammed Mustapha, on the chest as a result, he sustained serious injury and was rushed to General Hospital in Itas–Gadau for treatment where he was later certified dead.

The suspect, according to the commissioner, was arrested and confessed to the crime while exhibit recovered from the suspect was a knife, adding that

investigation is still ongoing on the case.

On criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide, he said on April 9, 2020, one Dr. Sulaiman Auwal of Ibrahim Bako, behind AYM Shafa filling station in Bauchi reported that he received a phone call from an unknown person that they had kidnapped his son, Abubakar Sadiq Suleiman, 19, and demanded the sum of N10 million as ransom.

He explained that upon receiving the report, detectives from the Anti-kidnapping Unit swung into action and arrested the suspect: Muhammed Jibrin, 19, of the above address, who confessed that on the April 4, 2020, he and one Abdulrahman Sulaiman, 29, criminally conspired, killed and buried the victim, Abubakar Suleiman, in their compound.

He added that they used part of the ransom paid through his account to buy a Mercedes E320 4matic at the cost of N1, 6 million and mobile phone at the cost of N156, 000.

SIGNED AND SEALED...

L - R: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kosi Owudogu; and Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, at the signing of the Public Procurement (Amendment) 2020, Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) 2020, and Debt Management Office (Amendment) 2020 Laws at the Government House, Yenagoa...yesterday ONUNGWE OBE

Anambra Community Begs Obiano to Avert Communal Clash with Enugu Neigbours David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Awba Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State has called on the state government to intervene in a land tussle it has with its neighbours, Eziagu community of Enugu State.

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Ezekwesili Maduagwuna who spoke to THISDAY through his traditional Prime Minister, Chief Anaelo Benard Nwanelo said the

community has suffered in the hands of their neighbours and may not be able to resist unrest any longer, unless Obiano intervenes.

Nwanelo said the community is now at the mercy of Enugu State government as over five of their kinsmen who were arrested while working in their farms situated at the disputed land have for over a year now been in prison, awaiting trial.

“We have written to Anambra State government to come to

our aid. For three years now we have been unable to farm in our land because of the dispute; we can no longer take it.

“We are a purely agrarian community, but for three years now we have been deprived of our land, but Ezeagu people are still farming on that land. They have even given a portion of it to an agricultural company to farm.

“Hunger is our greatest problem now because our able- bodied men can no longer

go to farm because once you are found there, they bundle you to Enugu and lock you up, and also charge you to court in Enugu.

“This is totally embarrassing.

This is Anambra State; we have no business being in Enugu court, but Anambra State government has kept quiet, leaving us at the mercy of Enugu people. What is even more worrisome is that one of our brothers is now being sponsored to fight his own community.”

Correctional Service Frees 3,751 Inmates Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) yesterday disclosed that it has released about 3,751 inmates, comprising convicts and awaitingtrial persons, who met the criteria set by the federal government.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the decongestion of detention centres in the country to sustain the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

Consequently, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on April 9, 2020, during the flag-off of the Presidential Amnesty at Medium Security Custodial Centre at Kuje-Abuja, announced that a total of 2,600 would benefit from the release from prisons in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

But in a statement signed by the NCoS, Augustine Njoku, yesterday in Abuja, he said some

states Chief Judges during the jail delivery processes granted bail/release to some awaiting-trial persons, cumulating in the release of 3,751 inmates so far.

“The NCoS wishes to state that the process is ongoing as other measures are in place to ensure continuity, and the final figures will be made public at the end of the exercise.

“A breakdown of the release shows that 2,740 convicts and

1011 awaiting-trial inmates have so far benefited from the exercise.

“The Controller General of Corrections Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed, wishes to use this medium to express his profound gratitude to all the state governors, Chief Judges and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system, who have worked tirelessly to carry out this exercise and encourage its continuity.

Law Reform Commission Backs Supreme Court Judgment on Kalu, Others Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) has disagreed with the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), over the recent Supreme Court judgement which nullified the 12-year jail term slammed on former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,

by a federal high court on December 5, 2019.

While the acting Chairman of the commission, Prof Jummai Audi, supported the judgement of the Supreme Court on the issue, Prof Sagay had expressed his displeasure over the apex court’s judgment nullifying the trial of Kalu and others.

Prof Audi told the Senate Committee on Judiciary,

Human Rights and Legal Matters at her confirmation screening that she supported the Supreme Court judgement quashing the 12-year jail term slammed on Kalu by Justice Mohammed Idris on December 5, 2019.

According to her, the judgement of the lower court against Kalu was an absurdity on account of the justice who completed hearing and ruled

on the case.

According to her, “On the Orji Uzor Kalu’s case, I think it is an absurdity. The administration of criminal justice has to be amended because you cannot say that a judge, who by law has been appointed to a higher level, should step down in order to decide a case and then catapult himself up again to his normal position.

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COVID -19 UPDATE...

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NCDC: Why Patients Play, Dance in Isolation Centres Peter Uzoho The Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has explained the reasons why patients dance and play at isolation centres.

Speaking yesterday on the Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels TV, Ihekweazu argued

that the patients seen in videos on social media playing and dancing in isolation centres are really ill.

He explained that the pandemic is an infectious disease, which may not necessarily weaken infected persons like other diseases.

“I think people really need to understand why people are

being put in these centres.

Normally, you only go into a hospital when you’re ill, get a diagnosis, and then you are sometimes admitted if you’re very ill.

“But in this case, following the experience from other countries, we made a decision as a country to also put people in isolation centres not just because they are ill on their own but in order

to stop them from transmitting this virus to others.

“When I travelled to China in late February or early March, things were put in place for these people (in quarantine), so they could exercise and dance because it is not easy to be somewhere, in isolation for three to four weeks when you are not physically ill.

“So, these are things we

have to use to reassess our decisions. It is very difficult to make decisions based on one viral video. One Whatsapp video does not represent the experience of people across the country. It is very important that as leaders we are not pushed down a decision path because one video happened to go viral. Many people in these centres around the country

are complying.”

He revealed that the federal government would have liked to keep asymptomatic patients away from hospitals and rather have them self-isolate so that those who are physically ill would have enough bed spaces.

He however noted that the measure many not work as a result of the complex nature of Nigeria and the population.

UK to Invest £20m in AU Anti-pandemic Fund Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The United Kingdom has announced that it would invest up to £20 million in the African Union’s new ‘Africa anti-COVID-19 fund’ to tackle coronavirus and save lives.

The announcement brings the total UK aid contributions to fight coronavirus to £764 million, which it said is helping to find a vaccine, providing vital humanitarian relief, feeding the world’s poorest people, strengthening global healthcare systems and managing the risk of a global economic downturn.

The UK embassy in a statement issued yesterday said the fund would tackle the pandemic by recruiting African health experts as well as deploying them where they are needed

most, while also strengthening global tracking of the pandemic; combatting potentially harmful misinformation; providing specialist coronavirus training for health workers and making information about the virus more accessible to the public.

The UK noted that the fund would equally support African leaders and technical experts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives in Africa and the world at large.

The statement quoted International Development Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, while announcing the funding last Wednesday that as the UK faces its biggest peacetime challenge in tackling coronavirus, it has never been more important to work with its partners in Africa to fight disease.

Kano Discharges 40 Health Workers The Kano State Government has said it has discharged 40 health workers infected with COVID-19 at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

The Assistant Director, Information and Public Affairs of the hospital, Mrs. Hauwa Mohammed,broke the news in a statement issued yesterday.

The assistant director quoted the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Abdurrahman Sheshe, as saying the health workers were discharged after testing negative for the virus.

He described the record as a thing of joy, adding that no

casualties were recorded.

“It is really a thing of joy to share with you that the review on the tests conducted on those workers who were infected with COVID-19 some weeks ago and put in Isolation has just been forwarded to me and forty of them tested negative, no death recorded,” the statement read.

Sheshe said there are 10 other infected health workers undergoing treatments in isolation centres.

He said the patients may be discharged before eid-el-Fitr celebration. Kano confirmed its index case of the virus on April 11.

Ekiti Confirms Death of 75-year-old Woman Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A 75-year-old woman has died of coronavirus-related complications in Ekiti State This was confirmed by the state government on Thursday With the new fatality, the number of COVID-19 deaths has increased to two in the state.

“We can confirm that one of the samples sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control-accredited laboratory for testing returned positive of the #COVID-19 virus infection.

“The new positive case, a 75-year-old female, has died from complications of the virus,” it tweeted.

FG Still Consulting Stakeholders over 2020 Budget, Says Ahmed Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government yesterday declared that it was still consulting with all stakeholders for input into the proposed amendment to the 2020 budget.

This is just as the Chairmen of Senate Committees on Appropriation and Finance, Senators Jibrin Barau and Olamilekan Adeola, said the amended 2020 budget bill is now before the National Assembly.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who spoke at the commencement of a closeddoor meeting she held with the National Assembly joint Committees on Appropriation, Finance, National Planning, Petroleum (Upstream) and Local and Foreign Debts in the Senate Committee room 022, stressed that consultations with various stakeholders on the revised 2020 budget is on-going.

ALL EYES ON HIGHER RETURNS…

L-R: Managing Director, Capital Express Asset and Trust Limited, Mr. Babatunde Tinubu; representative of United Capital Trustees Limited, Mrs. Tadeni Balogun; and Secretary, Capital Express Company, Mrs. Joy Sulucainan, during the fifth Annual General Meeting of the Union Trustees Mixed Fund in Lagos…yesterday

Military: Pandemic Has Changed Operations in North-east, Troubled Spots Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja As Nigeria grapples with the spiraling COVID-19 pandemic, the military high command said yesterday the disease had changed battle plans and the entire military operations in the North-east region and other troubled spots in the country.

This is coming as it recovered 18,000 barrels of stolen crude oil and 224,000 litres of diesel in

the Niger Delta region, even as its naval component rescued a Chinese vessel, MV Hailufang II, earlier attacked and hijacked by pirates.

The Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) said the pandemic had affected battlefield operations as related to troops and the handling of captured and surrendered terrorists and bandits.

Speaking at a briefing

Abuja, the Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said the military had ordered personnel protective equipment (PPE) for troops at the frontlines.

He said captured or surrendered insurgents were quarantined and given face masks while also observing social distance rules.

Enenche stated that 21

medical centres were established in military formations across the country as isolation and treatment centres, while 80 medical personnel were concentrated in Abuja and trained on COVID-19 case management and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), who were thereafter deployed to different geo-political zones in the country, including Abuja.

Beware of Pandemic Patients, Mamora Warns Herbalists The Minister of State for Health, Dr, Olorunnimbe Mamora, has cautioned traditional medicine practitioners to refer patients with symptoms of coronavirus to the appropriate authorities.

Delivering an address at a meeting held yesterday with Traditional Medicine and Herbal Cure Claimants against COVID-19, the minister said ongoing issues of looking inwards for indigenous solutions to COVID-19 was the purpose of government intervention.

He explained that the federal government was

deeply committed to source for local treatment solutions from the traditional medicine practitioners by ensuring that the right protocol was executed.

The minister said, “We have reached a stage where we are experiencing community transmission of the disease.

This calls for the TMPs to be on the watch for patients that will patronise them with symptoms of COVID-19 and refer them appropriately.

“The ministry recognises the role of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative

Medicine in health care delivery, especially at the primary health care level. Accordingly, the ministry has shown interest in the development, promotion, commercialisation and institutionalisation of TCAM Practices in Nigeria.”

Mamora listed some steps taken by the Federal Government to include the establishment of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development; the development and launching of the Traditional Medicine Policy for Nigeria 2007, under review;

and the production of the first edition of Nigeria Herbal Pharmacopoeia in 2008, with the second edition underway.

The minister also cited listing of herbal medicinal products

by National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and the upgrading of the Traditional Medicine Development Division to the Department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2018 and the annual celebration of the African Traditional Medicine Day on August 31.

Plateau Bans Gathering at Prayer Grounds During Sallah Celebration Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State Government and the state Police Command have warned that there shall be no gathering at Eid prayer grounds in the state during the celebration of Eid el Fitr.

They, however, stated that prayers could be held in various mosques with social distancing and compliance with other measures taken against the spread the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Jos, Secretary

to the State Government (SSG), Prof Danladi Atu, also announced that the confirmed cases in the state has risen to 57, a development he described as worrisome.

He called on citizens of the state to team up with the government in the fight against the pandemic threatening to engulf mankind.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, who also spoke at the briefing, said three health workers in the state have tested positive

for the virus, adding that the health workers were among the new cases confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Disclosing that Jos North Local Government Area has the highest number of infected persons, the commissioner, however, asked the people not to panic as about 18 cases have been treated and discharged in the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Dan Manjang, described as unfortunate the situation

where some people violate laid down regulations aimed at tackling the virus.

He said most of all the cases in the state are imported from other states in spite of the restriction on inter-state movement and border closure.

Meanwhile, the state Police Command has also warned against gathering at prayer grounds, adding that all prayers should be in the mosques where worshippers are not expected to be more than 50 in number.

38

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Shut up or Risk Letter from My Lawyers, Siasia Threatens Odemwingie Duro Ikhazuagbe Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia has asked

Osaze Odemwingie to prove evidence of his malicious claims of his misdemeanor at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China

Coach Samson Siasia (left) has threatened to drag Osaze Odemwingie to Court for libel

Dessers Rues Missed Super Eagles Debut against Sierra Leone Heracles’ striker Cyriel Dessers who finished the Dutch Eredivisie season as joint top scorer - has told the BBC Sports that missing out on his Nigeria debut because of the coronavirus pandemic was “painful�.

Dessers, 25 - who was tied on 15 goals with Ajax’s Steven Berghuis at the top of the goalscoring charts when the Dutch campaign ended early - received his first Super Eagles call-up in March.

He was included in Gernot Rohr’s squad for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone, but the match was put on hold because of the Covid-19 crisis, denying Dessers a chance to represent the country of his mother’s birth. “It hurt me because I thought it was going to be one of the best moments of my life - or at least my career - and that it didn’t go through was really painful,�

Dessers told BBC Sport Africa.

When he finally joins up with the Super Eagles, it will be his first time visiting Nigeria. But the Belgium-born striker says he has been hooked on the African nation’s rich football history since he was a boy. “When I was 12 years old, during technical trainings at my academy, every player had to choose one skill or move. Some kids did the scissors kick or Ronaldinho but mine was always the Okocha moves,� he recalled. “I loved him when I was a kid.�

Dessers, who studied law at the University in Belgium, also vividly remembers watching Nigeria win her third Nations Cup in 2013. “It was really special because at that moment I was in college studying. I wasn’t even a professional football player, I remember being so happy - with John Obi Mikel the captain, Emmanuel Emenike with the goals. It was a special moment for sure.�

Ali Jeje’s Mother Gets Palliative from Sports Minister

Hajia Khadijah Inua Ali, the Mother of late Captain of the Flying Eagles, Ali Jeje Ibrahim became the latest beneficiary of the largesse being extended to mothers of former Nigerian players and athletes.

She was given cash, food items and provision at her Jos, Plateau State residence yesterday.

The minister who was represented by former International, Sam Pam Adamu Jr.said the gesture to Ali Jeje’s aged mother was to appreciate the immense contributions of her son to the development of Nigerian football.

An elated Hajia Ali said she was surprised that the Minister could remember her years after the demise of her son.

She said the Minister’s gesture not only lifted her

spirit, but convinced her that her son did not labour in vain.

Hajia Ali expressed delight that the gesture came at the right time during the Holy Month of Ramadan. “May God bless the Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, and the government for remembering me. That means my son did not labour in vain. God will reward the Minister for his kindness,� Hajia Ali concluded.

Ali Jeje captained Nigeria to the World Youth Championship in Mexico in 1983, after leading the team to win the Africa Youth Championship, known as the Tessema cup in the same year. He died on December 12th, 2007 following a brief illness.

He played club football with Mighty Jets of Jos and Abiola Babes of Abeokuta.

or shut his mouth.

Odemwingie who was one of the three over-aged players in the Nigerian Under-23 Dream Team to the football event of the summer games in Beijing, had alleged as a guest on the Super Eagles Instagram Live Page during the week that he had issues with Siasia because he (Odemwingie) didn’t like his leadership style.

He also alleged that some of the issues that were been whispered in camp (about Match-fixing) were responsible for the issues Siasia is challenging at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) after he was banned for life by FIFA on allegations of match fixing.

But in his swift reaction to Odemwingie’s claims, Siasia demanded proof of the allegations from the former West Bromwich Albion player or risk receiving court summons from

his lawyers. “I am alive (to reply him).

Osaze should better show me evidence of his allegations or shut up his mouth. The next letter will come from my lawyer, not me exchanging words with him,� Siasia told THISDAY yesterday.

Siasia’s reference to being alive to reply Odemwingie is alluding to inability of Late Stephen Keshi to reply the duo of Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi and Taye Taiwo who accused Super Eagles coaches of corruption prior to Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Odemwingie had alleged during the Instagram chat: “During the Olympic Games in Beijing, there were some rumours among the players because I did not play the qualifiers, that some dodgy things were going on, part of which he (Siasia) is being accused of at the moment.

“I did not know the validity of it but there were talks of match-fixing. For us the players we played out our hearts and deservedly got to the final which everyone saw,� Osaze had stressed in that chat.

But a former Nigerian international that was part of the team in Beijing told THISDAY on condition of anonymity yesterday that the beef between Odemwingie and Siasia was caused by the refusal of the coach to hand over the Captain’s band to the former Bendel Insurance Player. “ I don’t want to be part of their wahala but what I can remember was that there was problem between Coach (Siasia) and Osaze because he was not made the captain of the team. “Osaze wanted it as the most experienced player in camp but coach insisted on Late Isaac Promise as his Captain. We all

knew about this but it was not our business who was picked as Captain but to repeat the feat of the Nwankwo Kanu generation at Atlanta ‘96,� explained the former international player to THISDAY from his base in Europe. Like it happened at the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Holland, Siasia’s team again lost to Lionel inspired Argentina team to return from Beijing 2008 with the Games men’s football event silver medal.

While Siasia returned from the Olympic to rise to become the head coach of the senior national team, again led Nigeria to win her only medal at Rio 2016 (a bronze).

Odemwingie (now 38-years old) pulled curtain on his Nigerian career after attending two World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the silver at the 2008 Olympics in China.

Cyril Dessers ...missed debut for Nigeria last March

Covid-19 Costs Man Utd ÂŁ28m So Far Manchester United say the coronavirus pandemic has cost them an initial ÂŁ28m - and expect the final figure to be far higher.

United revealed their thirdquarter results to 31 March yesterday.

Chief Financial Officer, Cliff Baty, said they are set to hand back ÂŁ20million in TV revenue to broadcasters even if the Premier League season

is completed.

United lost an additional ÂŁ8million over the final three weeks of March, when they had three matches postponed.

A total of 11 United matches have been postponed because of the pandemic.

Speaking in a conference call after the latest financial results were released, Baty explained that Premier League television broadcasters would get ÂŁ20m

back from the club because of changes in dates and kickoff times resulting from the pandemic.

With games called off including matches in the Europa League and FA Cup - Baty said that sponsorship revenues had “contracted�, and that retail sales had been “impacted� with the club store at Old Trafford still closed.

He added that matchday

revenues were “significantly impacted�, with an acceptance games will be played behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

United have refused to put a figure on what the anticipated overall financial cost of the pandemic will be ultimately - but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the major burden would fall in the current quarter, which runs to 30 June.

Paul Okoku’s Foundation Partners ACF to Fight Covid-19 The Greater Tomorrow Children’s Fund, run by former Super Eagles midfielder, Paul Okoku, has scored another feather in its cap as it partners Africa’s Children’s Fund, to dole out food and essential items to less-privileged children in Osun State.

The partnership between the two foundations was conceived to cushion the harsh and negative effects that vulnerable and less privileged children are facing under the climate of the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and infected millions

more and forced children to be out of schools since March .

At the event which took place in Osun State on Wednesday, the GTCF and ACF, a non-governmental charity organisation established

by Victor Mbada, brought smiles to the faces of the kids, who were given items comprising noodles, spaghetti, vegetable cooking oil, chinchin, bottled water and soft drinks to fight the rage of the economic hardship caused by Covid-19.

On hand to give the food packages donated to the kids was the Operations Executive of

the GTCF, Mrs Grace Jalekun, a retired headmistress of St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Ebute Metta. About 100 vulnerable kids got the items and expressed their appreciation to the donors.

In a statement issued by the two foundations, they said, “we stand together to raise awareness in these difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and use the opportunity to encourage our leaders to pay close attention to the needs of the children in the country because they are the most vulnerable in our country. “We are doing this because it is the proper thing to do and we

hope that this charitable work or ours will bring some succour to these little ones, who look to the elderly ones for help and direction�.. Mbaba, who is the Chief Executive Officer of ACF, added that no condition in life is permanent, noting that “people in need can become people who give hope to the needy.�

The two foundations said that they have more projects in the future for partnerships for the sole benefits of the less privileged children in Nigeria and in the USA as both organizations are based in the USA.

FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Oyegun to APC “Everything must be done to ensure that the persons in the leadership of the party at the centre who are part of the contrived crisis in Edo State must not even remotely be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the primary electionâ€? – Former National Chairman of APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, endorsing Governor Godwin Obaseki for second term in oďŹƒce.

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Almajiri as Assets and Curses I n April 2015, barely two weeks after the presidential election when the then newly-formed All Progressives Congress (APC) was waiting to take over the reins of power following its historic electoral victory, the then outgoing governor of Kano State, Mallam Rabiu Kwankwaso, basking in the euphoria of the moment, declared with triumphant hubris that the North used the Almajiri vote to kick out former President Goodluck Jonathan from the Presidential Villa. It was a striking statement from one of the most prominent, rabidly Northern and religious irredentists in modern-day Â’Â?Ž›’Šǯȹ Â?Čą Â ÂŠÂœČą Š—ȹ Â˜Â™ÂŽÂ—Čą ŠÂ?Â–Â’Ä´ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą ˜Â?Čą Â?‘Žȹ unrighteous potency of the power of street urchins, locally known as the Almajiri, to sway the pendulum of power in the North’s favour and how the North had used it to gain power.

According to Kwankwaso, the statement credited to Jonathan’s wife, Patience Jonathan, wherein she allegedly described the Almajiri as “born throw awayâ€? galvanized people in the North to ensure that the Almajiri votes were used to kick she and her husband out of the villa. Make no mistake, those were Kwankwaso’s words, not mine. That was Â ÂŽÂ•Â•ČąÂ˜Â&#x;Ž›ȹęÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›ÂœČąÂŠÂ?Â˜ÇŻČą Žȹ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŠÂ•ÂœÂ˜ČąÂŒÂ•ÂŠÂ’Â–ÂŽÂ?Čą further in his political posturing and brazen ŠĴŽ–™Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ—Â’Â™ÂžÂ•ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ™ÂžÂ‹Â•Â’ÂŒČąÂ˜Â™Â’Â—Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČą favour as a uniter: “It is unfortunate, in the last couple of years, we have seen a polarisation situation, this issue of Christianity, Islam, North and South, and even the issue of tribalism being promoted. It was not good for the system – it was not even good for my friend in the villa, so we are happy, we have seen the end of it now.â€?

As we all know, in all revolutions, the vanquished are the ones who are guilty of treason, even by the historians. And history Â’ÂœČąÂžÂœÂžÂŠÂ•Â•Â˘ČąÂ Â›Â’Ä´ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ‹Â˘ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ&#x;Â’ÂŒÂ?Â˜Â›ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?›Š–ŽÂ?Čą according to the prejudices and biases existing on their side. This was what Kwankwaso was ŠĴŽ–™Â?’—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ&#x;Ž›¢ȹŽŠ›•¢ȹȎȹÂ?Â˜ČąÂœÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?Â˜Â—ÂŽČą and pronounce guilt. It would have succeeded if the guy who won the presidential election Â ÂŠÂœÂ—Č‚Â?ČąÂœÂ˜ČąÂ?ŽŽ™•¢ȹ̊ ŽÂ?ÇŻČą Â ÂŠÂ—Â”Â ÂŠÂœÂ˜ČąÂ ÂŽÂ—Â?Čą on to advise the incoming Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, that it must be willing to correct the ills and unite the nation to keep peace and stability. “We encourage Buhari to be what a president should be; to carry along all the Christians, the Muslims and other people of other faiths in this country. Ensure peace and stability, take everybody as his own; even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guys should be carried along by the president. The president is the father of all.â€?

You see, Kwankwaso had claimed to be happy to have seen the end of all the abnormalities he accused the Jonathan government of because of his faith in the incoming Buhari government. But President ž‘Š––ŠÂ?žȹ ž‘Š›’ȹ Â‘ÂŠÂœČą ’—ȹ Â?‘Žȹ •ŠœÂ?Čą Ä™Â&#x;ÂŽČą years of his government escalated those abnormalities to a level never seen before since Nigeria came into existence. By his actions and inactions, he has shown that he is the father of tribalism, nepotism, ethnicity and religious bigotry. Jonathan didn’t even come close to destroying our unity the way

Nigeria and it has not worked for Nigeria.�

Did you hear that? That they are looking for ways and means to end the Almajiri system because it has not worked for the children, it has not worked for Northern Nigeria and it has not worked for Nigeria? Frankly, I can’t ę—Â?ČąÂŠČąÂ–Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ Â’Â•Â?ž••¢ȹÂ?’œ‘˜—ŽœÂ?ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ‘Â˘Â™Â˜ÂŒÂ›Â’Â?Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą statement than this. The political northern establishment of which el-Rufai, Kwankwaso and deposed Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi are prominent members has for long turned a blind eye to the social and security challenges posed by the Almajiri, while hoping and praying the nightmare will somehow end in a miracle. But by doing that, it forgot that clay cannot be turned to gold without magic. ÂŽÂ•Â•Â˜Â Čą Â’Â?ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŠÂ—ÂœÇ°ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąČąÂ?•Š›’—Â?ČąÂ?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą between good and evil, just the same way Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠČąÂ?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ?Â ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÂ‘Â˘Â™Â˜ÂŒÂ›Â’ÂœÂ˘Ç°ČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą honest and visionary politics; one retards, Almajiri being deported to their State of origin by northern governors the other liberates. I am not so sure el-Rufai, Buhari has done. This same Kwankwaso that by the governors of the Northern states? Who Â ÂŠÂ—Â”Â ÂŠÂœÂ˜ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ”Â—Â˜Â ČąÂ?‘ŽȹÂ?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą complained of polarisation of the country would have envisioned that these tools of between the two. But I am reeling and in a under Jonathan has not found his voice to the Northern political elite would be chased state of despair for these leading lights of condemn Buhari’s brazen assault on whatever around, arrested, thrown into open-roof lorries the North. If actually they are looking for was left of our country’s diversity as of May and deported from their states of residence to the means and ways to solve the Almajiri 29, 2015. their “states of originâ€? by their own leaders? problem, they should look no further.

Between 2010 and 2015, the Jonathan Buhari’s agenda of appointing only Who indeed would have even imagined this administration, seeing the social and security —˜›Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›Â—ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÄ™Â•Â•ČąÂœÂŽÂ—ÂœÂ’Â?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ?ÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂ›ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ™Â˜ÂœÂ’Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČą happening in a “monolithicâ€? North? in the country has no parallel in our history.

It is tragic that the AlmajiriÇ°ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąČƒÂ?˜›Â?Â˜Ä´ÂŽÂ—Čą danger posed by out-of-school Almajiri, ÂŽÂ?Čą Â?‘Žȹ Â‘Â˘Â™Â˜ÂŒÂ›Â’Â?ÂŽČą Â ÂŠÂ—Â”Â ÂŠÂœÂ˜Čą ÂŒÂŠÂ—Č‚Â?Čą ę—Â?Čą clusterâ€?, the political pawns in the hands of embarked on the noble task of liberating his voice to condemn the president. Who the Northern elite - to cheat other parts of the them from the labyrinth of darkness by giving knows, perhaps he is even enjoying the show Nigerian federation through padded census Â?‘Ž–ȹ Š—ȹ ÂŽÂ?žŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ÂŽČą ‹ž’•Â?Čą Ĺ—Ĺ›Ĺ?Čą œŠ—Â?Š¢Šȹ quietly. All Buhari’s actions so far mirror the head counts, resource allocation, determine (Almajiri) model schools across the country. antiquated world-view of Kwankwaso no the outcome of elections to sustain their born- Most of the schools had started to function Â–ÂŠÄ´ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂ?ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ—Â˜Â ÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ—Â˜ČąÂŽÂ—ÂŽÂ›Â?ÂŽÂ?Â’ÂŒČą to-rule mentality, as well as cause violent ‹ŽÂ?Â˜Â›ÂŽČą ‘Žȹ •ŽÂ?Â?Čą Â˜ÄœÂŒÂŽÇŻČą žÂ?Čą Â?‘Žȹ —˜›Â?‘Ž›—ȹ Ž•’Â?ÂŽČą Â?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ? ŽŽ—ȹ‘’–ȹŠ—Â?Čą ž‘Š›’ǯ upheavals and promote religious crises in were not happy about the impending freedom Besides Kwankwaso’s aggressive rhetoric in the country whenever it suited them, have for the AlmajiriÇŻČą Â‘ÂŽÂ˘ČąÂœÂŒÂ˜Ä›ÂŽÂ?ȹŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂœÂŒÂ‘Â˜Â˜Â•ÂœČą the run-up to the 2015 presidential election, suddenly become unwanted and unwelcomed and to ensure among other things that the Â›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â•Â’ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ ÂŠÂœČąÂ—ÂŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂŠÄ´Â›Â’Â‹ÂžÂ?ÂŽÇŻČą ÂŽČąÂœÂ™Â˜Â”ÂŽČą in many states in the North because of the freedom was a pipe dream, people like bluntly, too bluntly about North versus South raging Covid-19 pandemic. Many articulated Kwankwaso mobilised the same Almajiri to in domineering terms, of course, and those vehicles and lorries packed with the Almajiri vote out Jonathan from Aso Rock. Kwankwaso’s who are forever cursed not to see beyond like sardines headed for the Southern parts Kano delivered 1.9 million votes to Buhari to their noses will always fall for his posturing of the country have been intercepted and  ’—ȹÂ?‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŽÂ•ÂŽÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ÂŽČąÂ˜Â™ÂŽÂ—Â•Â˘ČąÂ‹Â˜ÂŠÂœÂ?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ‹Â˜ÂžÂ?Čą are still being intercepted. The Almajiri that it. The fact is that the feudal lords don’t want like they did with Buhari.

˜ ŽÂ&#x;Ž›ǰȹ Â’Â?Čą Â’ÂœČą  ˜›Â?‘ȹ ÂœÂ?ŠÂ?’—Â?Čą Čą Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?ȹȹ were an asset in times of elections, census freedom for the Almajiri because of its dire Kwankwaso left the APC before the 2019 and religious/ethnic violence, have suddenly ›Š–’ęŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?‘Ž–ǯȹ Â‘ÂŽÂ˘ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ•Â˜ÂœÂŽČąÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ general election for the PDP, and supported become a curse to the North because of their grip on the socio-political system that has its presidential standard-bearer, Atiku high propensity to spread the deadly virus? served them well for so long.

After Buhari won, many of the schools were It would have been laughable to even think Abubakar against Buhari, not necessary out of disagreement with the president on issues this a possibility if it weren’t so deadly true quietly abandoned by his government to rot of governance or principle, but because he Â?˜Â?Š¢ǯȹ žÂ?Čą ȹŠ–ȹꕕŽÂ?ȹ ’Â?‘ȹŠ—Â?Ž›ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â?˜ž—Â?Čą away. The Almajiri that were given a lifeline lost out in the high-wire power game with disdain for the Northern elite who think to get liberated under Jonathan, returned to his handpicked successor, Abdullahi Umar they can approbate and reprobate at will. the streets to beg for alms to survive. Buhari Ganduje. Governor Ganduje made the APC When it suited them, the itinerant Almajiri are doesn’t care about the Almajiri, as long as just too hot and uncomfortable for him, and their trump card for winning elections. The in their ignorance, he can hold them down the president for whom Kwankwaso had northern governors, according to Governor to his whims and caprices. The northern used the Almajiri vote to carry across the Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, agreed to elite, including Buhari send their children Ä™Â—Â’ÂœÂ‘ČąÂ•Â’Â—ÂŽČąÂ’Â—ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ›ČąÂ™Â›ÂŽÂœÂ’Â?Ž—Â?Â’ÂŠÂ•ČąÂŽÂ•ÂŽÂŒÂ?Â’Â˜Â—Ç°Čą Â?‘Žȹ›Ž™ŠÂ?›’ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą ÂŽČąÂŒÂ•ÂŠÂ’Â–ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČąÂœÂ˜ČąÂ?Š›ȹ to some of the best schools abroad while repatriated about 30,000 Almajiri back to sister the Amajiri are left to the miserable fate of •˜˜”ŽÂ?ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ Â’Â?‘ȹž—ĚŠ™™Š‹•Žȹ’—Â?Â’Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÇŻ destitution, hunger, ignorance and disease.

Today, Kwankwaso is still out there in the states from Kaduna State.

El Rufai went on to explain: “The case in Only instigated to riot and cause mayhem Œ˜•Â?ÇŻČą Â’ÂœČą ™˜•’Â?Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą Â’Â—ÄšÂžÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą Â‘ÂŠÂœČą Â?’–’—’œ‘ŽÂ?ÇŻČą Even his Kwankwasiyya Movement with their Kano is that if these children were not brought when the elites lose elections or when they trademark red caps has not fared well in recent to us, they’ll simply had died in Kano. Some of Â?ŽŽ–ȹ’Â?ȹęÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â—Â˜ÂžÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂŠČąÂ?ŠÂ?Â ÂŠČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ÂœÇ°Čą times. Ganduje, aka Gandollar, has quietened their them would survive the disease but you know in promotion of false religious piety.

Governor el-Rufai is not looking for noisy rhythm in the city of Kano. Kwankwaso the situation. Northern governors didn’t take now practically sneaks in and out of the state the decision (to repatriate Almajira) because solutions to the Almajiri problem, he sure he once bestrode like a colossus. of Covid-19. Covid-19 only provided us the knows what to do but just like others, he Back to the central issue of this piece: Who opportunity. Because Covid-19 has enabled doesn’t have the guts to do it, because it is would have thought the day would come us to know where the Almajiri are and to —˜Â?ȹ’—ȹÂ?‘Ž’›ȹ’—Â?Ž›ŽœÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?˜›Â?Â˜Ä´ÂŽÂ—ČąÂŒÂ•ÂžÂœÂ?Ž›ȹ when these Almajiris, mostly underage and be able to get them back to their states. We of the downtrodden Almajiri to be free. You of doubtful nationality, yet constituting the are looking for the means and ways to end don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know most powerful arsenal in the hands of the this system because it has not worked for those who want their people to remain in Northern power elite, would be kicked out the children, it has not worked for Northern darkness, or do you?

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