THURSDAY 25TH JUNE 2020

IMF Revises Nigeria’s GDP Contraction Forecast to 5.4% Country’s rating at risk as debt, financing gap rise, Fitch warns Nume Ekeghe with agency reports The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that the Nigerian economy

will contract by 5.4 per cent in 2020, lower than the 3.4 per cent negative growth it had estimated for the country in April.

However, the fund

anticipates that by 2021, the country’s GDP will grow by 2.6 per cent.

IMF’s Chief Economist and Director of the Research Department, Ms.

Gita Gopinath, gave the projection during an online press conference on the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) released yesterday in Washington DC.

This is just as a Director at Fitch Ratings yesterday warned that a sharp rise in Nigeria’s sovereign debt and a ballooning financing gap could trigger a rating downgrade.

Speaking on the multilateral institution’s latest projection for Nigeria, Gopinath said: “Our projection for sub Saharan Continued on page 10

Rising COVID-19 Cases at Oilfields Threaten Nigeria’s Output... Page 5 Thursday 25 June, 2020 Vol 25. No 9208. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Rivers Court Clears Ways for Obaseki to Participate in PDP Primary Ogbeide-Ihama bows to pressure, withdraws suit 2,229 delegates to choose between Gov, Imasuagbon Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt, Emma Okonji, Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Reprieve came yesterday

for Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, cleared the way for him to participate in the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding today in Benin

City.

The court struck out a suit filed by the leading aspirant of the party before Obaseki's last-minute entry into the race, Hon. Omoregie OgbeideIhama, seeking to bar the governor from participating

in the shadow poll.

Justice Emmanuel Obile struck out the matter after D.C Demwigwe (SAN), counsel to Ogbeide-Ihama, withdrew the case following an out-of-court settlement.

The out-of-court settlement

was the product of tough negotiations by party leaders who had importuned Ogbeide-Ihama, hitherto regarded as the candidate to beat, to withdraw the suit and support Obaseki.

The Chairman of PDP

Governors' Forum (PGF) and Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, late on Tuesday, steered the last round Continued on page 41

More Trouble for APC NEC as Govs, NWC, State Chairmen May Boycott Oshiomhole's loyalists write president, says he was misled Most say gathering unconstitutional, illegal INEC rejects party’s notification for Ondo gov primary Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos, Omololu Ogunmade, Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Loyalists of the suspended National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, seemed to have drawn a battle line with President Muhammadu Buhari over his endorsement yesterday of a meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), slated for today at the State House, Abuja.

But despite the endorsement of the NEC meeting by Buhari, the National Secretary of APC, Mr. Waziri Bulama, has described the NEC meeting as illegal.

The Oshiomhole loyalists, comprising no fewer than nine governors, about 15 members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and chairmen of the party in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have vowed to boycott the meeting.

The NEC meeting was convened by the courtinstalled acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Giadom, whom many members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) members have insisted lacks the power to proclaim such a gathering because he has been suspended from the party and is no longer a NWC Continued on page 10

FEC Approves N2.3tn Package to Stimulate Economic Growth... Page 6

FOR YOUR EARS ONLY...

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Mongonu (rtd), during the virtual Federal Executive Council meeting, at the State House, Abuja... yesterday

2

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

5

THURSDAY, ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Rising COVID-19 Cases at Oilfields Threaten Nigeria’s Output Nigeria, others submit production compensation plans to OPEC UK S’Court hears N’Delta communities' case against Shell

Ejiofor Alike and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency reports The rising number of COVID-19 cases among workers at Nigeria's offshore oilfields and platforms is a growing threat to the country’s oil production, sources within the oil sector said.

However, Nigeria, which failed to curb oil production quota in strict adherence with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreement in an effort to ameliorate the glut in the international market, has now submitted a comprehensive plan on output cuts.

This is coming as the United Kingdom Supreme Court yesterday heard an appeal from Nigerian farmers and fishermen seeking to pursue claims against oil major, Royal Dutch Shell, over spills in the Niger Delta.

S&P Global Platts reported that maintenance at the offshore Bonga oilfield has already been disrupted after the operator, Shell, was forced to evacuate workers due to a pandemic outbreak.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) confirmed that a growing number of workers were being diagnosed with COVID-19 at offshore and remote oil locations and expressed fears it might disrupt production.

The DPR did not, however, name the fields affected, but blamed the outbreak on personnel not adhering to the rules and guidelines before leaving offshore oil locations.

The DPR, in a statement yesterday, said: "Consequently...no personnel (including government authorities) shall be permitted to embark to offshore/remote locations in the oil and gas industry without being fully subjected to established protocols.

"Furthermore, all operators are to ensure that evidence of compliance with the protocols by personnel travelling to offshore/remote locations is duly documented."

Offshore production accounts for more than 60 per cent of Nigeria's 2.10 million-2.20 million b/d crude and condensate output.

Earlier this week, Shell began evacuating workers from the Bonga floating, production, storage and offloading unit after some of them contracted COVID-19, resulting in the maintenance programme being halted.

The 225,000 b/d Bonga Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) has been partially shut since late-May for repairs expected to run until July, according to Shell's local subsidiary Nigeria Exploration and Production Co. "The affected workers were suspected to have contracted the disease at the port of Onne en route to the Bonga FPSO vessel.

The disease was rampant at the Onne Port," a source said.

The port of Onne, Rivers State, is the main base from where a large number of supply vessels operate to and from offshore facilities.

The rising cases of COVID-19 in Onne, in Eleme Local

Government Area of Rivers State prompted the the Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, last weekend to impose a total lockdown of the Bonny Local Government Area and Onne community with effect from Sunday. “Pursuant to the fundamental objective of stopping the spread of coronavirus, we have reviewed the situation in Bonny Island and Onne communities and come to the conclusion that a total lockdown is necessary at this time to shut down the continuing spread of the virus in these communities," Wike had said in a broadcast.

The 225,000 b/d Bonga field was operating at around 95 per cent of capacity before it was shut down in May, according to S&P Global Platts estimates.

Shell had earlier postponed the routine maintenance at Bonga from March and April due to the pandemic.

Nigeria, Others Submit Output Compensation Plans Nigeria, which failed to curb oil production quota in strict adherence with the OPEC agreement in an effort to ameliorate the glut in the international market, has now submitted a comprehensive plan.

Last week, the international oil cartel gave four countries, including Angola, Gabon and Brunei, Monday deadline to comply and immediately prepare a specific schedule on how they intended to compensate for pumping above the OPEC+ quotas since the deal in April.

Earlier, Iraq and Kazakhstan, which had also defaulted, sent in their own plan in compliance with the agreement that sought to cut back 9.7 million barrels of crude oil per day.

OPEC has also mandated its Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee to reach out to all the underperforming participating countries to submit their schedules for compensation, insisting that 100 per cent compliance must be achieved.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Kennie Obateru, was not very specific on what the terms of the plan sent to Vienna, headquarters of OPEC was, but he told THISDAY that the national oil had done everything to ensure that the agreement was not reneged upon. “Everything is being done to comply with the OPEC+ approved cuts� he said in a terse text message.

However, Bloomberg, quoting delegates and insiders, said the four countries have now provided details to other members of the cartel on how they’ll make extra reductions to compensate for the extra production.

The entire compensation plan, with additional reductions over the coming months, will amount to about 1.26 million barrels a day, spread out between now and September.

For Nigeria, regarded as the

next-biggest transgressor within the OPEC cartel after Iraq, it was learnt that the country has pledged to make up for its 180,000 barrel-a-day overproduction in May by cutting an extra 45,000 a day each month between June and September.

Despite the stumbles, overall implementation of the new curbs

by OPEC+ was strong last month, at 87 per cent while oil prices have strengthened as a result of the measures and a recovery in fuel demand in nations such as China.

Brent crude has more than doubled since late April to around $43 a barrel, though it’s still down this year almost 35 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has officially inaugurated the newly constituted board of the NNPC. The members of the NNPC board, which had earlier in June been approved by President

Muhammadu Buhari, are Sylva, who doubles as the alternate chairman of the board; Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and Senator Magnus Abe. Others are: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Isah Dutse, Dr. Tajudeen Umaru, Dr. Steven Dike, Mrs Lami Ahmed, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mr Mohammed Lawal and Secretary of the board, Mrs Hadiza Coomassie.

A statement by the Deputy Director of Information, at the ministry, Mrs. Enefaa BobManuel, said the new board, for administrative expediency, was further constituted into three main committees namely; establishment, chaired by Lawal, finance, headed by Akinyelure and audit chaired by Dike.

UK Supreme Court Hears N’Delta Communities' Case

against Shell The UK Supreme Court yesterday heard an appeal from Nigerian farmers and fishermen seeking to pursue claims against Royal Dutch Shell over spills in the Niger Delta.

The appeal re-opens the possibility of British multinationals being held liable at home for their subsidiaries’ actions abroad.

It comes after a setback in 2018 when a London court ruled that the claims could not be pursued in England.

Reuters reported that a judgment is expected later this year or in early 2021, quoting a court spokeswoman.

The Ogale and Bille communities in Rivers State alleged that Shell’s oil operations have polluted their land and waters.

The law firm representing the farmers and fishermen, Leigh Day, said the communities were seeking justice through British

courts because cases heard in Nigeria could take decades to resolve.

The main question for British courts is whether they have jurisdiction over claims against Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company, which is jointly operated with the Nigerian government.

Shell’s subsidiary has said “claims by Nigerian communities against a Nigerian company about events in Nigeria should be heard in Nigeria and not the UK.�

The company said the spills were chiefly due to oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that Zambian villagers had the right to sue Indian-listed mining company Vedanta in England. The Vedanta decision was frequently cited in yesterday’s hearing, as lawyers for the Nigerian communities and Shell contested whether the cases were similar.

MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE...

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Mr. Joe Igbokwe; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, and Permanent Secretary, OďŹƒce of Drainage Services, Mr. Olalekan Shodeinde, at a press brieďŹ ng on the recent rainfall and ooding, in the state, in Ikeja... yesterday

W’Bank Seeks Improvement in Nigeria’s Power Sector with $750m Intervention Obinna Chima The World Bank has approved a $750 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for Nigeria to address the perennial epileptic power supply in the country.

The intervention is part of the bank’s Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO).

A statement from the Washington-based multilateral institution said the fund would help improve the reliability of electricity supply, achieve financial and fiscal sustainability, and enhance accountability in the power sector in Nigeria.

According to the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, lack of reliable power has stifled economic activity and private investment and job creation, which is ultimately what is needed to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. “The objective of this operation

is to help turn around the power sector and set it on a fiscally sustainable path. “This is particularly urgent at a time when the government needs all the fiscal resources it can marshal to help protect lives and livelihoods amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,� he added.

The bank noted that about 47 per cent of Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity and those who do, face regular power cuts.

In addition, the economic cost of power shortages in Nigeria is estimated at around $28 billion - equivalent to two per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The bank added that getting access to electricity ranks as one of the major constraints for the private sector according to the 2020 Doing Business report. “Hence, improving power sector performance, particularly in the non-oil sectors of manufacturing and services, will

be central to unlocking economic growth post COVID-19. “The PSRO provides resultsbased financing to support the implementation of the government’s Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP),� it stated.

The PSRP is a comprehensive programme to restore the power sector’s financial viability, improve service delivery and reduce its fiscal burden.

According to the bank, the PSRO is expected to increase annual electricity supplied to the distribution grid, enhance power sector financial viability while reducing annual tariff shortfalls and protecting the poor from the impact of tariff adjustments.

This, it noted, would enable the turnaround of power sector while helping the federal government to redirect large fiscal resources from highly regressive tariff shortfall financing towards critical crisis-responsive and pro-poor expenditures.

“It will also increase public awareness about ongoing power sector reforms and performance.

Specifically, the PSRO will ensure that 4,500 MWh/hour of electricity is supplied to the distribution grid by 2022 by strengthening the regulatory, policy and financing framework. “It will also enhance the accountability and financial viability of the sector, helping the sector create a track record of sustainable operation necessary for unlocking much needed private investments in the future,� it added.

The World Bank’s IDA, established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty and improve poor people’s lives.

IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.

6

THURSDAY, ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

FEC Approves N2.3tn Package to Stimulate Economic Growth Okays N122.280bn for roads, N14.90bn for ecology

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N2.3 trillion sustainability package, recommended by the Economic Sustainability Committee chaired by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, to revamp the economy.

The FEC also approved N122.280billion billion to build seven roads in different parts of the country and another N14.90 billion for the award of contracts for 11 ecological projects in the six geopolitical zones.

President Muhammadu Buhari had set up the Osinbajo committee on March 30 to come up with economic sustainability plan as a response to challenges posed to the economy by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although, the brief summary of the committee's report presented by Osinbajo on June 11, did not disclose the N2.3 trillion sustainability package, the outcome of yesterday's FEC meeting revealed that the committee had come up with what it described as National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) totalling N2.3 trillion in monetary value meant to rejuvenate the economy and save it from collapse.

Briefing State House reporters in Abuja after the FEC meeting, presided over by Buhari, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the council approved the report containing N2.3trillion package as NESP. Ahmed described the package as a 12-month plan meant to create jobs, ensure a flow of liquidity in the economy, support small and medium enterprises and prioritise local content with the overall intention of saving the economy from sliding into recession.

The minister, who also described the package as a 12-month ‘transit plan' between the the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the ERGP-successor-plan that is currently being worked upon, gave a breakdown of the entire plan.

She said: “The total package that we presented today is in the sum of N2.3 trillion. N500 billion of this is a stimulus package that is already provided for in the amended 2020 Appropriation Act. These are funds that we have sourced from special accounts. We also have N1.2 trillion of this fund to be sourced as structured low cost loans, which are interventionary from the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as other development partners and institutions.

"We have N344 billion that will be sourced from bilateral and external sources and also additional funds

that we can source locally.

There is a strategy that has been adopted and this whole plan is to enable us respond to the triple problem of low exchange rate, youth unemployment as well as negative growth which is facing us now. “The plan has to also support small businesses that have suffered severe impact of COVID-19 as a result of lockdowns. "Specially, the hotel industry, private schools, restaurants as well as the transport sector have been very well impacted by this. “We have also seen a significant impact on the poor and the vulnerable and even people that were okay as small traders, have been hard hit by stand still that we witnessed as a result of lockdowns. “Council was able to take our report and the intervention in the plan is that we prevent businesses from collapsing and also to infuse liquidity around the Nigerian economy, to create jobs using labour intensive methods such as agriculture, facility management, housing, construction, direct labour interventions that will create a lot of jobs very quickly. “We had also proposed in the plan to undertake growth enhancing jobs, creating infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, solar power, communications technology and several others. We have promoted in the plan manufacturing and local production at all levels. We are advocating the use of made in Nigeria (products) in all of these public works that we will be doing as a way of cresting job opportunities to enhance job sufficiency.

"So, for road construction, for instance, we expect the minister of works not to buy bitumen but to consider the use of gemstones and cement or other materials that can be used here. That way, we 'll conserve our resources and we will also be able to ignite other sectors within the economy.

"The same thing for housing as well, the design is to have 300,000 houses built using standard designs that will be done by the Ministry of Works and Housing but using strictly low cost materials. On the building sites, the plan is to have carpenters and others that will have multiplier effect on the economy.

"The third pillar for us is to ensure rigorous implementation and this is important because this is a 12-month plan that is meant to pull our economy from sliding into a deep recession.

It will also be a plan that will anchor to the successor period that we have already started working on.

"It is a 12-month plan, a transit plan meant to be implemented quickly. To that effect, the Federal Executive

Council has agreed that the procurement processes become relaxed in a manner that we are adopting a faster mood as opposed to using the longer procurement process.

"With the National Assembly passing the budget, we have funding ready to go but we need procurement to be done quickly so that this money can be put to immediate use.�

FEC Approves N122.280bn for

Roads, N14.90bn for Ecology The FEC also yesterday approved N122.280 billion to build seven roads in different parts of the country and another N14.90 billion for the award of contracts for 11 ecological projects.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, told reporters at the end of the FEC meeting that the approvals were based on a memorandum he presented to the council.

According to him, the

award of the contracts would generate employment for about 2,564 Nigerians.

He listed the roads and breakdown of the approved sum to include the dualisation of AkureAdo Ekiti road, which connects Ondo and Ekiti States at the rate of N23.

751 billion; construction of Ukana-Akpautong-Ikot Ntuen road in Akwa Ibom State at N1. 538 billion and the construction of IlukeAiyetoro Kiri-Abugi-Eggan road in Kogi State at N25.352 billion.

Fashola's counterpart at the Ministry of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said FEC approved another N14,907,754,845 for the construction of 11 ecological projects across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to him, the approval followed the presentation of a memorandum presented by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to the council.

NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE...

L-R: Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola; her husband, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, and others, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo... yesterday

Okorafor: Emefiele, CBN Focused on Stimulating Economic Growth Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said its Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and his team would not be deterred in their efforts to steer the Nigerian economy away from the looming recession due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of the push by some vested interests to impugn the integrity of the bank.

A statement from the bank quoted its Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, as telling journalists during an interaction in Abuja that CBN had uncovered plans by “some persons with selfish interests in Nigeria’s economic and sociopolitical space to distract the CBN and discredit the institution through deliberate misinformation, complete fabrications and outright lies.�

According to him, the bank,

in pursuit of its mandate enshrined in the CBN Act (2007), as amended, “will continue to strive to ensure accretion to the external reserves to safeguard the international value of the naira, in addition to ensuring no individual or institution circumvents the system.�

Okorafor said the naira, in the past three years, had remained stable against other world currencies “due largely to strict measures put in place by the CBN to check cases of round-tripping.�

Besides, the bank, working with other relevant agencies of government, has “equally curtailed the activities of economic saboteurs neckdeep in smuggling and other economic crimes.�

While noting that those opposed to the policies of the CBN “will not relent in their effort to undermine the bank,� he said the bank remained resolute to the dictates of its enabling Act and would not be distracted

by subjective criticisms from persons who do not mean well for the general good of the Nigerian people and the economy.

He recalled that the CBN, under Emefiele’s leadership, had made genuine and patriotic efforts at promoting economic growth and development through its intervention programmes, particularly in the agricultural sector, leading to the revamp of value chains across over 10 agricultural commodities, including cotton, oil palm, fish, poultry, livestock and maize, among others.

In addition, the CBN spokesman cited the rice revolution under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) as a major contributor to shielding Nigeria from a food crisis when major rice producing countries of the world halted exports from their shores in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also alluding to the recent interventions of the bank

through the N50 billion Targeted Credit facility (TCF) for households and small businesses affected by the pandemic and the N100 billion credit support for the health sector, Okorafor said the bank remained peopleoriented.

The CBN spokesman bemoaned a situation where persons “with vested interest in the economy of the country and its sociopolitical landscape continued to misinform unsuspecting members of the policies of the bank as well as impugn the integrity of the institution and its key officers.�

Okorafor assured Nigerians that the CBN remained committed to transparently pursue its mandate in the interest of majority of Nigerians rather than for the selfish interest of a few, stressing that majority of Nigerians are better informed and would not indulge in unpatriotic economic acts for selfish purposes.

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

8

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

9

10

THURSDAY, ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN MORE TROUBLE FOR APC NEC AS GOVS, NWC, STATE CHAIRMEN MAY BOYCOTT member.

The leadership tussle in the party since the June 16 judgment of the Court of Appeal that affirmed Oshiomhole's suspension riven the party further yesterday when the president, earlier in the day, broke his silence, saying that based on advice, he would attend the NEC meeting. His decision was widely regarded as an endorsement of Giadom's leadership of the party.

Few hours later, the NWC, rising from a meeting yesterday night, chaired by another acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Hilliard Eta, said its members would boycott the meeting.

THISDAY also learnt that the governors are expected to meet today in Abuja before going to the State House to formally inform the president that they would not be attending the meeting.

However, analysts told THISDAY that with no clearcut agenda and a defective notice of meeting issued by Giadom, the NEC meeting is already fundamentally flawed and whatever decision taken is litigious.

Buhari Backs Giadom, Endorses NEC Meeting The presidential endorsement for Giadom, who is a sworn opponent of Oshiomhole, literally implies a loss of confidence in the Oshiomholeled NWC of the party, which has rejected Giadom and chosen one of Oshiomhole's zonal deputies, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to act as the chairman following Oshiomhole's suspension.

With Ajimobi in hospital where he is said to be recuperating from COVID-19, the APC NWC had chosen Eta, the national vice chairman, South-south, to hold the fort for him.

Reacting to inquiries by State House correspondents on the position of the president on the party crisis, which has witnessed the emergence of three members of the NWC, laying claims to the acting national chairmanship of the party, presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the president opted to support Giadom because the law weighs heavily in his favour.

Giadom had twice obtained court injunctions authorising him to act as the national chairman of the party in the absence of Oshiomhole while

another injunction also stopped him from parading himself as acting national chairman.

A statement by Shehu yesterday said the president, whom he said took the decision to back Giadom following advice he had received, would consequently attend the NEC meeting called by Giadom in the State House today.

Shehu explained that the president took the decision because he would always be guided by the law and urged the media to avoid promoting controversies that could further fuel the crisis.

He added that the president would attend Giadom's virtual NEC meeting today along with governors and members of the National Assembly.

"The president has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as acting national chairman.

"Because the president will always act in accordance with the law, the president will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

"In addition to the president, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our governors and the leaders of the National Assembly," the statement said.

President Misled, Says Party Leaders However, THISDAY learnt that Oshiomhole's loyalists in the party were unhappy about the president's decision to recognise Giadom.

A source confided in THISDAY that the NWC had written a letter to the president, raising queries over his decision.

According to the anti-Giadom camp, the president was misled into supporting the factional leader.

THISDAY gathered that Buhari was persuaded to back Giadom following his interaction with the Chairman, Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his Kebbi State counterpart, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who chairs the Progressives Governors' Forum (PGF); Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, who doubles as chairman, Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) and their Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.

Sources said Fayemi, Bagudu

and Lalong used the platform of the groups they chair, which confer extra privileges on them, to gain access to the president and made him see from their point of view why he should support Giadom and attend today's NEC meeting.

Besides, the pro-Giadom camp was said to have enlisted the help of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to convince the president, based on the point of law, on which side he should be.

The sources said nine of the governors: Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mr. Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Alhaji Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara) and Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo) will shun the meeting They are expected to hold a meeting in Abuja early today after which they may announce their boycott.

However, both Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, and his Kogi State counterpart, Mr. Yahaya Bello, are said to be undecided.

According to one of the sources, the 37 state and FCT chairmen of the party, the largest power bloc in the NEC, remain unflinchingly loyal to Oshiomhole and will boycott today's meeting.

One of the sources said based on fresh facts passed on to the president aftermath of his decision to attend the NEC meeting, he might change his mind.

In addition, he said the convening of the meeting breached the party's constitution as the notice of meeting Giadom sent out fell short of the stipulated time prescribed by the constitution, which is between seven and 14 days, depending on the circumstances under which the meeting is being convoked.

Meeting Process Fundamentally Flawed, Say Analysts Some NWC members and analysts who spoke to THISDAY yesterday on the raging crisis in the APC, described the process of calling the meeting as fundamentally flawed.

They described the meeting illegal and an affront to the APC constitution.

One of them noted that the notice of meeting Giadom sent out, as published in the media,

has no date.

"This is a fundamental flaw given the fact that Article 25(B) of the APC Constitution stipulates mandatory notice period of “not less than fourteen (14) days� for regular quarterly meetings and “at least seven (7) days’ notice� for emergency NEC meetings.

"Without a date of issuance on the face of the notice, the notice becomes and is void for the very simple and evident reason that it is not possible to determine its conformance to the mandatory notice periods that are stipulated in the APC Constitution. Notice Period," he said.

He explained that even if it is assumed that the notice was issued on June 23, it still fell short of the minimum seven-day mandatory notice required by the party's constitution.

Besides the flaw in the time required for the notice of meeting, it was observed that by saying that he issued the notice of meeting on behalf of the NWC, it presupposed that the party organ had met to take a decision while the contrary is the case.

One of the sources wondered whether the NWC ever meet to mandate Giadom to convoke a NEC meeting.

It was also learnt that in line with Article 14.3(ii) of the party's constitution, only the APC national secretary can issue a notice of meeting.

Article 14.3(ii) says that only the national secretary can “cause to be issued as directed, notices of meetings of the National Convention, the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the Party.�

The source added that is not quite clear why or in what circumstances Giadom usurped the national secretary’s functions in summoning today's meeting.

There was also query as to the agenda of the meeting, which was not attached to the notice.

According to one of the sources, Article 25(F)(v) of the APC Constitution mandatorily stipulates that “deliberations at a meeting shall be strictly on the subject matter(s) listed on the agenda of the meeting . . .� The only way that members would and can know “the agenda� for the meeting is if the agenda is included in the meeting notice.

Buhari, Misled Says NWC Shortly after the president announced his decision to attend the meeting, Eta and

Bulama, in a statement they jointly signed, said the NWC members would not attend the meeting, adding that the president was misled to have agreed to attend.

They said: "We wish to unequivocally state that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) believe that the president was offered wrong advice or blackmailed into lending his weighty office to the illegality of the National Executive Committee meeting purportedly convened by one Victor Giadom on 25th June, 2020.

"We hereby respectfully implore Mr. President to kindly avail himself with facts of the matter regarding the impasse presently experienced by the party so as to guide him in his assessment of the matter because we are sure that the president, if properly advised, would come to the conclusion that the meeting convened by Chief Victor Giadom borders on illegality and criminality.

"The National Working Committee (NWC) regrets to turn down the invitation to the illegal and unconstitutional National Executive Committee (NEC) convened by Chief Victor Giadom."

Bulama, in another statement signed by only him, said Giadom had voluntarily resigned his position as deputy national secretary in compliance with Article 31(1)(i) of the party's constitution to contest the position of deputy governor in Rivers State during the last general election and has not been re-nominated by his zone to return to that office.

He also cited the Court injunction suspending him as a member of the party as well as his suspension by the Rivers State chapter of the party to buttress the fact that Giadom is ineligible to summon today's meeting.

the party by the state executive committee.

In the orders, which were made on Monday, a copy of which was obtained by THISDAY yesterday, Justice Nwogu said they were based on the suspension of Giadom by the APC State Executive Committee in Rivers State.

The ex-parte application was filed by two members of the party in the state, Okechukwu Chidor Ogbonna and Mac-Lord Peterson, and moved by their lawyer, F.C. Nwafor.

The judge said the orders would subsist pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed before the court.

The judge adjourned the matter till July 9, for the motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction filed by the applicants to be heard.

INEC Rejects APC NotiďŹ cation on Ondo Guber Primary The chances of the APC fielding candidate in the October 10 Ondo State governorship election are being threatened as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the party's notification for its primary.

The APC, in a letter to the commission, which was received on June 18, 2020, fixed July 20 as date for its primary for the election of its candidate for the Ondo State governorship election The letter was signed by the APC acting National Secretary, Mr. Waziri Bulama, only.

But INEC, in a reply by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriarari-Anthony, said the letter did not meet the provisions of its guidelines and regulations.

INEC, in its reply dated June 22, directed APC to ensure that the notification letter be jointly signed by the national chairman and national secretary of the party.

Again, Court Restrains Giadom from Parading Himself as APC, Chair Eta Alleges Threat to A High Court of Rivers State, His Life sitting in Port Harcourt, has restrained Giadom from participating in any activity of APC. The court, presided over by Justice C. Nwogu, also restrained Giadom from parading himself as an officer or member of the APC or exercising any right or privilege accruable to members of the party based on his suspension as a member of

Also yesterday, Eta alleged that his life was being threatened.

Eta, in a telephone interview with journalists, also alleged that he got information that political thugs were planning to torch the national secretariat of the party and frame the NWC members for it.

IMF REVISES NIGERIA’S GDP CONTRACTION FORECAST TO 5.4% Africa overall is -3.2 per cent in 2020 with recovery in 2021 at 3.4 per cent. So, this is a significant downward revision and we have some very large negative growth forecast for instance; South Africa is -8 per cent and for Nigeria, it is -5.4 per cent growth.�

The IMF, however, said growth projection in some other emerging and developing economies were also revised downward. “The downgrade also reflects larger spillovers from weaker external demand. The downward revision to growth prospects for emerging market and developing economies over 2020–2021 (2.8 percentage points) exceeds the revision for advanced economies (1.8 percentage points). “Excluding China, the downward revision for emerging market and developing economies over 2020–21 is 3.6 percentage points. “Overall, growth in the group of emerging market

and developing economies is forecast at –3.0 per cent in 2020, two percentage points below the April 2020 WEO forecast.

Growth among low-income developing countries is projected at –1.0 per cent in 2020, some 1.4 percentage points below the April 2020 WEO forecast, although with differences across individual countries. “Excluding a few large frontier economies, the remaining group of low-income developing countries is projected to contract by –2.2 per cent in 2020. “For the first time, all regions are projected to experience negative growth in 2020.

There are, however, substantial differences across individual economies, reflecting the evolution of the pandemic and the effectiveness of containment strategies; variation in economic structure (for example, dependence on severely affected sectors, such as tourism and oil); reliance on external financial flows, including remittances;

and pre-crisis growth trends,� it stated.

According to the IMF, fiscal responses since the outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in an increase in government debts across all emerging economies.

It said: “Government debt is now projected to average 63 per cent of GDP in 2020, continuing its upward trend with a 10 percentage point surge from a year ago. “As many low-income developing countries face tight financing constraints and a less severe impact of the pandemic thus far, the fiscal response to the pandemic has been modest, at 1.2 per cent of GDP on average, and mostly through budgetary measures. “For example, Nigeria provided tax relief for employers to retain workers and raised health care spending 0.3 per cent of GDP, while Ethiopia has expanded its in-kind provision of food and shelter 1.8 per cent of GDP.�

Nigeria's Rating at Risk as Debt, Financing Gap Rise, Fitch Warns Sovereign Ratings Director at Fitch, Mahmoud Harb, has warned that a sharp rise in Nigeria’s sovereign debt and a ballooning financing gap could trigger a rating downgrade.

The global ratings agency had downgraded Nigeria to “B� in April with a negative outlook from “B+� citing aggravation of pressure on external finances.

Nigeria, also Africa’s top oil exporter, is under increasing pressure to stimulate growth and cut debt after its first quarter current account turned negative, overvaluing its naira currency.

The oil price slump has slashed government revenues. “We have two elements that could lead us to take a negative rating action/downgrade on Nigeria. Aggravation of external liquidity pressures and

a sharp rise in government debt to revenues ratio,� Harb, told Reuters.

The debt-to-revenue ratio for Nigeria is set to worsen to 538 per cent by the end of 2020, from 348 per cent a year earlier, before improving slightly next year, Harb said.

The medium debt ratio for “B� rated countries is 350 per cent, he added.

Nigeria will need $23 billion to meet its external financing needs this year, Fitch estimated, noting that the country only has few options, including running down its reserves, after shelving plans to issue Eurobonds.

The country’s foreign currency reserves could fall to $23.3 billion this year if foreign exchange access is normalised, Harb said, from around $36 billion.

Nigeria could avoid a ratings downgrade if it strengthens its finances, reforms its forex policy and shows a path to reducing its deficit by boosting non-oil revenues, Harb said.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % CHAMS PLC 0.02 0.23 9.5 CHAMPBREW 0.07 0.95 7.9 UNITYBANK 0.04 0.58 7.4 AIICO 0.06 0.96 6.6 NAHCO 0.15 2.66 5.9 TOP LOSERS NGN % PZ CUSSONS 0.45 4.05 10 SEPLAT 42.80 386.00 9.9 INTERBREW 0.45 4.10 9.8 ARBICO 0.20 1.89 9.5 NEIMETH 0.12 1.14 9.5 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,179.00 Volume: 189.253 million shares Value: N1.917 billion Deals: 3,364 As at yesterday 25/6/2020 See details on Page 39

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

11

12

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

COMMENT

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

GARLANDS FOR AN EXEMPLARY LEADER

Lanre Lasisi pays tribute to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at age 58 “As human beings, it is our general belief that successful people are special and that they are born destined for greatness. It is just too difďŹ cult to comprehend that the main things that separate those people from us is not anything particularly special; it is simply their mindset and habits.â€? - Patrick G. Manifold.

F

or most of us who covered the proceedings of the House of Representatives as journalists during the sixth National Assembly, between 2007 and 2011, it was an exciting time in the history of the Nigerian legislature. Covering the Parliament can sometimes be boring and monotonous as bills and motions slowly make their way through the rituals of parliamentary process on a journey to become law or influence government policy. The chamber of the sixth House was anything but that.

It was a time of engaging debates in the chamber, with almost guaranteed verbal fireworks across the aisle. One of the lawmakers who stood out then was Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila. Some of us waited on the edge of our seats for the almost predictable moment, when he would, like a watchman jumping forward to seize an intruder, rise to his feet to challenge a motion or piece of proposed legislation that he believed was not in the interest of the Nigerian people. Being the leader of the minority parties in the House, he was most times the voice of reason that would spark off a more thorough scrutiny of the matter before the parliament.

Marshalling point after point, with an adequate sprinkling of references from the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House, Rep. Gbajabiamila would stand and make his case. Logical, incisive and persuasive, he would appeal to his colleagues to take a different route than the one it appeared they were bent on treading. Serving as a Minority Leader at a time when the ruling party had majority of members in the House who were bent on having their way no matter the clear folly in their path, meant that Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stood more times than he sat. Apart from standing to put forward his observations during the debate, he would also move around to convince his colleagues and win over opponents before the matter was put to vote. That is how passionate and committed he is whenever he is convinced about the course he is on.

He was sometimes on the losing side of the vote. As the parlance goes in the parliament, ‘minority will have their say, while the majority will have their way.’ This did not, however, show in his demeanour as he would always enter the battle of a debate convinced of victory and undeterred by the wall of opposition. It was clear that this was a man that had found his calling. It was clear he did his research and was passionate about the parliament and the people. His drive, passion and knowledge shone forth and won him attention within and outside the parliament.

From those days to date, Gbaja has become a household name in Nigeria.

As a matter of fact, since his days as Minority Leader, he had become a role model to even some of his colleagues.

Born 58 years ago, exactly on June 25, 1962 to a senior magistrate father and a mother who is a trained nurse and later a politician, one can say the seeds of Femi Gbajabiamila’s destiny were laid from birth. A life of service, of meeting with people, of addressing the needs of people and

AS A SPEAKER, HE IS BRINGING HIS EXPERIENCE TO BEAR IN ENSURING THAT THE NINTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS TRULY THE HOUSE OF THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE

of working with the laws of the land. Seeds that have grown and shaped the man. Growing up, he was drawn to study law, and upon completing his studies, he served in chambers in Nigeria and abroad, an experience that proved invaluable when he decided to step into the political arena. According to the lawmaker, “I see politics as an extension of my legal practice, which is another avenue to touch lives�.

In making his choice of how and where to serve the people effectively, he was naturally drawn to the legislature. His legal background, which involves working with the laws of the land, came into play as he turned from working with the laws to helping to make the laws that others will work with.

Coming into the parliament, his mettle became clear almost immediately and as fate would have it, he became a principal officer in his first term. In what has now come to be a first in the history of the Nigerian Parliament, Gbajabiamila has now served in four different positions in the body of principal officers and served as one in almost all his 17 years in the parliament.

Arriving at the National Assembly first in 2003, Gbajabiamila shortly became the Minority Whip between 2005 and 2007. After winning election for the second time, he easily became the Minority Leader in 2007, serving up to 2011. Once again, having led members of the minority parties in the House with all dedication and commitment, his colleagues chose him for the same position of Minority Leader between 2011 and 2015. Gbajabiamila then became the Majority Leader of the House between 2015 and 2019. In June last year, he became the Speaker of the House.

In 2015, he had contested for the position of Speaker but lost narrowly. That gave him the opportunity to gain more experience as he served as majority leader for four years. In 2019, he was elected to serve for his fifth term by his constituents and elected to serve as speaker by his colleagues with the highest margins ever seen in the history of the speakership contest.

Thus, Gbajabiamila holds the enviable record of being the first lawmaker to have served through the ranks from minority whip, to minority leader twice, to majority leader and to speaker. For many people, Gbajabiamila is a poster boy for the parliament, having spent 17 years serving the people to the best of his ability. Gbajabiamila’s name resonates well as an intellectual and a hardworking gentleman, who strives for the best.

Now, as a speaker, he is bringing his experience to bear in ensuring that the ninth House of Representatives is truly the House of the Nigerian people. He is helping to pilot the affairs of the House through this historic period as the world and the country adjust to a different world under the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, I want to celebrate a man that has worked hard for the people of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State and the country in general. A man who spent a major part of his adult life serving the Nigerian parliament positively is indeed worth celebrating on his birthday.

Lasisi is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives

N-POWER: STICKING TO THE RULES Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽËœ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? Danliti Goga

I

n a most unfortunate twist to the nagging issue of youth unemployment, the pioneer beneficiaries of N-Power, one of the most innovative and impactful federal government interventions to redress the situation, are intent on practically confiscating the scheme to the exclusion of countless thousands of youths eagerly waiting for their turn to be empowered by acquiring and developing life-long skills, not only to be gainfully employed but indeed to become job creators. This astonishing example of unpatriotic selfishness is least expected of youths who should actually be agitating for expansion of the N-Power, rather than an abrupt termination of the programme which is the illogical implication of their thoughtless demand to be permanently absorbed into the programme just so they can continue collecting N30,000 monthly stipends!

Believe it or not these hitherto jobless N-Power beneficiaries would rather continue receiving stipends payable for the duration of their deployment to schools and other institutions to work than to move onto higher levels of life as software developers, hardware service professionals, animators, graphic artists, building services professionals, artisans, for which they were specially empowered under the programme. If they are so penny-wise-pound-foolish (as the old saying put it) even as supposedly “ambitious digital age� youth, it is no shock that they could not give a damn about their peers’ future or the future of Nigeria which earnestly conferred them with the anticipatory appellation of “leaders of tomorrow�.

Let us however put issues in perspective by recalling that the N-Power programme was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) to empower youth with capacity building, investment, and direct support. The NSIP is a social welfare initiative created to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations, including children, youth, and women.

The N-Power was designed to target Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 to develop life-long skills for uplifting their communities to which they will be deployed after training.

According to background information made available at the launching, the program is also expected to upgrade our youth to be relevant and effective in the globalized economy with skills and certifications for emerging global markets, hence its focus on providing non-graduates with relevant technical and business skills that enhance their work outlook and livelihood in support of federal government‘s initiatives for diversifying the economy. It has enrolled 500,000 beneficiaries so far with 200,000 in Batch A which commenced in September 2016 and 300,000 in Batch B in August 2018, with priority on major industrial sectors such as agriculture, health and education.

Due to various unforeseen challenges typical of a new programme, Batch A beneficiaries who were supposed to spend 24 months on the programme have spent over 40 months as a consequence of which thousands of other Nigerians could not access the programme as initially scheduled. As if this was not bad enough, the participants veered into all sorts of irresponsible abuse of precious opportunity

such as absconding from their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) among other misconduct aimed at getting stipends they did not earn. Reports show that as many as 5,781 beneficiaries were forcefully disengaged because of disciplinary issues.

Halting the rot infesting N-Power and other National Social Investment Programmes must have informed the decision announced by President Buhari transferring them from the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development ,following the befitting appointment of federal commissioner in charge of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI, Hajia Sa’adiya Umar Farouq, a seasoned administrator of humanitarian programmes with valuable insight into social welfare issues, as founding Minister. With a meticulous eye on the problems and prospects of the transiting agencies and programmes, she undertook the tedious task of not just relocating them but also repositioning them for a more prudent and effective delivery of their sorely-needed services to a vast majority of vulnerable populations, including children, youth and women.

Her motherly instincts, humble disposition and vast experience enabled her to maintain focus and compassionate concern for this national assignment with a humane agenda, rarely rattled by the rabble-rousing and buck-passing antics of dislodged vested interests and allied busy-bodies.

Thus she was able to wisely tidy up the books and identify the fundamental flaws glossed over in the past so as to re-align the programme towards a smooth and sustainable implementation going

forward. An important outcome of this review and reform process was the renewed effort to develop a feasible exit strategy for the beneficiaries, which the National Social Investment Office (NSIO) had not done prior to the transition to the new ministry and was a loophole exploited by the beneficiaries who exceeded the programme duration. Hajia Sa’adiya Umar Farouq also found out that the retention of N-Power beneficiaries who should have exited was responsible for the delayed payment of the stipends of the beneficiaries. She has since been working on a suitable exit strategy so that they can proceed to a more productive venture and give others the opportunity to benefit.

In many ways, the transition of the federal government’s social intervention programmes, especially N-Power, to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was the saving grace that gave them a new lease of sustainable continuity by removing the pile-up of overstaying beneficiaries, thereby restoring opportunities for thousands of youth hitherto denied participation in the programme for acquiring and developing life-long skills, not only to be gainfully employed but indeed to become job creators.

The unpatriotic N-Power beneficiaries may have been exploiting the lethargic bureaucracy that was also insensitive to the implications of leaving the scheme for so long without an exit strategy but Hajia Sa’adiya Farouq has demonstrated the difference which diligent supervision, patriotic commitment and focus on public interest at the leadership level can make to redress anomalies and restore good governance. N-Power must continue!

Goga wrote from Kano

15

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

EDITORIAL WHY WE NEED OTHER SEAPORTS It is time to upgrade the other seaports in order to compete effectively

A

lthough the Calabar Port Complex received its first Shipping Line’s container vessel last September, it is still bogged down by several challenges, essentially due to its low water depth. There is therefore an urgent need for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to complete the dredging of the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4m to ease the difficulty in attracting container vessel to the terminal. The management of the port has also called on the federal government to ensure a quick completion of the road contract from Odukpani Junction through Ikot Ekpene to Aba, in Abia State.

We recall that on assumption of duty in 2016, NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman acknowledged the problem of the Calabar Port Complex. “The draft needs to be deeper to ensure we attract more vessels,” she said. “We need to jointly work to bring commercial activities into the state.”

But the port, which has proximity to 16 northern states and the Southeastern markets is THE UNDERUTILISED still largely abanSEAPORTS IN NIGERIA doned. For 13 years, HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE and after billions OUR NATIONAL REVENUE had been poured in by the government, AND INDEED OUR GDP dredging the water channel has defied all odds. And that has deprived the port of good business despite being closer to the landlocked country of Niger than Cotonou in Benin Republic.

Maritime stakeholders have been asking pertinent questions for which the authorities have failed to provide answers. Why has dredging the water channels defied the odds? Why is the nation unable to provide the necessary infrastructure and reduce the excessive pressure on the Lagos ports? Why can’t the Calabar port along with Port Harcourt, Warri and Koko ports be developed as a haven for importers in the region? Indeed, why can’t they be equipped with

good infrastructure and capacity to compete in the growing cargo and maritime business?

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

igeria ports have been rated as among the worst in sub-Saharan Africa because of their poor state. Major stakeholders at a recent workshop agreed that the government has failed to position the ports among the best on the continent because of series of failed policies. Experts in the maritime sector said about 60 per cent of all imports to West Africa are destined to Nigeria. But what gets to our seaports is barely 10 per cent. For years, the Lagos port had been gravely challenged by poor accessibility.

“Most ships bringing goods to Nigeria prefer to go to other ports”, said maritime and commercial lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. “It’s like you buying a car in Liverpool; the car will go to Benin Republic ports instead of going to Lagos because of the Lagos port is completely inefficient.”

Indeed, it is Benin Republic that benefits from the large market of Nigeria. Cotonou has remained the haven for most importers. Huge trade cargoes are also lost to Togo and other neighbouring countries from where they are offloaded and transshipped to Nigeria due to poor shipping connectivity and shallow draft of the port channels. It is estimated that in 2016 alone, Nigeria lost about N250 billion to neighbouring countries due to poor shipping connectivity, poor state of the ports and inefficiency.

The federal government should also upgrade the Eastern ports to be competitive in terms of tariff and infrastructure. A port operator recently underscored the need, especially for the Calabar port, because of its proximity to several northern states: “You can imagine how many trucks that move from Lagos to the North on daily basis, so imagine when those trucks are diverted to Calabar. It means saving a huge amount of money, and it’s a great relief on Lagos and its roads.”

The underutilised seaports in Nigeria have the capacity to significantly increase our national revenue and indeed our GDP. It’s time we upgraded them.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

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.

These Killings Must Stop Now!

I

t is a known fact that Northeastern Nigeria states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba and others have become terrorists den for over 10 years. The attacks are being perpetrated by the notorious Boko Haram group and its splinter group, Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out hundreds of terror attacks and have killed tens of thousands, displaced over two million people from their homes, destroyed schools, burnt down churches, mosques, markets, suicide bombings of police buildings and military formations.

Since the crisis started, over 100 schools were either destroyed or burnt down, thousands of teachers killed and thousands of children out of schools. Many children turned to orphans, many women became widows and men widowers. Also the Northeast region has witnessed kidnappings of more than 300,000 school girls that included 275 girls from Chibok in Borno State.

In June 2020, over 130 people comprising of civilians, vigilantes, soldiers and aid workers of a United Nation’s agency were massacred during different terror attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP. Boko Haram’s gunman on Tuesday, 9 June 2020 killed at least 81 people and also razed a village Faduma Kolomaiya, Gubio District of Borno State, with AK -47s.

In separate attacks on Saturday, 13 June 2020, terrorists gunned down 53 people including nine soldiers in Goni Usmanti village and town of Monguno, a key army base and garrison town where United Nations and other aid

workers are based, in Borno State.

While the people of the Northeast are grieving, it is however ridiculous for the President Muhammadu Buhari to merely warn the security chiefs, saying, “Government would no longer condone the worsening security situation in the country “, instead of announcing their sack for non-performance.

It is also laughable when the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Sunday, 21 June 2020, said that the “security situation might have worsened because security agencies did not have enough equipment to confront criminals”.

It was reported in April this year that the Nigeria Army had acquired 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzer to fight the insurgents. It had also been reported that the army had procured and commissioned Buffalo 4-wheel vehicles numbering about 55. The commissioning was said to have taken place on April 8, 2020 in Abuja by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt- General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, represented by the Chief of Logistics Nigerian Army, Major General Joel Uniugbe. Also last year the Presidency reported that the Buhari administration paid $496,374,470 for a dozen Super Tucano Fighter Aircraft for the Air Force in a direct, government -to- government transaction; and other military equipment amounting to $380, 513,950,71 for procurements of Navy Lynx Helicopter making the total funds spent on procurements for the military to be $876,888,428.7.

Agunloye Adewunmi Bashiru, Lagos

Protecting The Freedom Of The Press

M

aybe it’s because I am not a twit that uses Twitter that I don’t understand the way Twitter lets some tweets through and blocks or warns about others including those from President Trump. Like many I have concerns about (un)social media and its ability to spread views too easily including many that I find offensive, racism for example or wrong such as the vaccination opponents or plain stupid as shown by those that think 5G or Bill Gates are involved in the spread of COVID-19.

The greatest value of a strong democracy is that it allows for a wide range of viewpoints even those that are clearly wrong.

From this logic I am confused by Twitter’s blocking or blurring of President Trump’s warning about the use of “Serious force” if there is an autonomous zone set up in Washington D.C. Although there is a warning that this tweet refers to “Abusive Behaviour” you can still proceed to the tweet and read it in full - it’s like a wet paint warning which will actually encourage people to touch the surface. Surely if Twitter finds this inappropriate then it should remove it rather than the meek response this warning provides.

The problem with this is that people have the

apparent right to make incorrect or offensive statements but there is little clarity as to what can actually be banned. Twitter is working on this but there is a long way to go and the basic problem is what is offensive to some may be the view supported by others.

It seems that President Trump, although not a great fan of Twitter is a prolific user. He is a staunch defender of the freedom of speech as he said “We’re here today to defend free speech from one of the greatest dangers it has faced in American history” (May 28, 2020) when he signed an executive order and yet he is apparently trying to stop his niece from writing a book about the family. It is easy to assume that the book will not be positive as steps are being made to ban it.

The first amendment has much to say on press freedom, “...no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” and Presidents have sworn to “to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”. I am confused.

Few countries, or even people are perfect, but most aspire to be the best they can be. Some don’t!

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

16

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

33

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

18

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

19

20

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘If Obaseki Thinks He Has Performed, He Should Prepare to Run Against Ize-Iyamu’

DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS

Why Zoning Has Come to Stay in Enugu

Adibe Emenyonu holds conversation with Mr. John Mayaki, Director of Communication and Media to Buchi Nnaji weighs in on the conversation concerning Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation. which senatorial zone in Enugu State should produce Mayaki previously served as ex-Chief Press Secretary the next governor in 2023 he recent analysis published in to Governor Godwin Obaseki and one of the media THISDAY newspaper of 18th June assistants to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole 2020, with the title, “The Deceitful

Mayaki

W

hat is your take on the controversy trailing the mode of primary that was adopted by the APC in selecting the party’s flagbearer in the September 19 governorship election?

There is no controversy other than the fact that Governor Godwin Obaseki and his cotravelers have continued in their anti-party act of undermining the leadership of the All Progressives Congress. The National Working Committee, according to the constitution, is the body empowered to conduct and prescribe the mode of primaries. And they have decided that the more inclusive and democratic direct mode is what should be adopted in Edo State.

But because Obaseki is desperate to hide from the assessment of party members he has badly treated since his emergence, he protested the decision, disguising concerns for his own personal political survival as a public health issue using COVID-19. If that’s the controversy you’re talking about, it is understandable.

Again, I have also listened to the Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu on television where he called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors to come conduct the primaries in the state and I was wondering if the deputy governor is unable to distinguish between internal party politics, democracy and governance especially in the conduct of party primaries which is the responsibility of the party’s National Working Committee.

The Governor too is also said to have sought the assistance of his fellow governors in the APC to help intervene, asking for indirect party primaries. That’s a man who claims to be fighting ‘godfatherism’, it is astonishing that Obaseki is now pleading for an ‘enthronement’ instead of a clearly defined democratic process based on popular choice.

I do not see any controversy because those whose responsibility it is to decide the type of primaries the party would conduct in Edo state have gone ahead to say so and we expect Obaseki and Philip Shaibu to prepare themselves for the exercise and stop fidgeting and setting the rules for an examination in which they are students.

Eighteen Local Government chairmen have said that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is not a member of the party in the state.

Don’t you think their argument is valid?

Let’s not attach importance to the political theatre that these people are staging. How can you say an aspirant who got the endorsement of virtually all respected and capable leaders of the party in Edo State is not a member? As

Vice-Chairman of the Committee that drafted the constitution of the APC at its founding stage when the likes of Obaseki were nowhere to be found, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu has a clear, robust understanding of the party rules. When he made the decision to return home, he satisfied all conditions required to be a registered member and there is an abundance of evidence to back this. What those people did that day was orchestrated by the governor. We have it on good authority that they are not even local government chairmen, but chairmen of Obaseki-Shaibu Movement (OSM), a political pressure group within APC in the 18 council areas were all induced to sign the said statement and are even being pressured to proceed to court.

This was Obaseki’s plan all along and that was why he tried to frustrate the return of Pastor through different means, including using state agencies and issuing arbitrary bans to block a ceremonious rally held by the party last year.

Let me quickly add this, do you need to bribe local government party chairmen or whoever they claim to be to deny a member of party membership? Or induce anyone to disclaim the membership of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and you begin to ask yourself, why this desperation? It is not in their place to determine the membership of anyone in the party; it is the national secretariat of the party that has the final say on the membership of anyone in the party and not a few hungry guys who sold their conscience to the governor just to clinch a second term ticket. For me, this is democracy and it is the more, the merrier. If the governor thinks he has performed, provided the 200,000 jobs he promised, and he is popular among the people, he should stop these shenanigans and prepare for the elections.

How will you react to the claim that only the NEC can grant a waiver to Ize-Iyamu and not NWC? Proponents of this claim are people who have a poor understanding of the party constitution and they keep exposing their ignorance with this ill-advised challenge of Pastor Ize Iyamu’s membership. To address this issue comprehensively, it must be stated that the National Working Committee has long been given the powers to draw up guidelines for party primaries and this includes the power to grant waivers where necessary to a person who is not ordinarily otherwise qualified to seek elective office on the party’s platform. In the case of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the waiver was just a political act meant to symbolize his reunion with his political family. As a duly registered member of the party, he is already, by party constitution, free to be nominated for elective post on its platform and this has been affirmed by the party leadership with a final say on the matter. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is neither new to politics nor the rules of the APC. He was Vice-Chairman of the Committee that drafted the rules. So those making ignorant claims should come to him for guidance.

There’s nothing wrong if anyone wants to live in self delusion over this matter. If Governor Obaseki and Philip Shaibu think they can blackmail the leadership of the party to gain sympathy, they are joking. Obaseki cannot be governor of Edo state and at the same time attempt to be the National Chairman of the party by dictating how his own election should be conducted. It smacks of arrogance, party indiscipline and anti-party activities.

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

T

Propaganda for Zoning in Enugu State” by one Akpa Francis deserves more than a passing consideration, otherwise one may be accused of keeping silent in the face of disinformation, misinformation and incoherent facts embarked by the writer to fly an unhealthy kite, that is, pushing his dreams, nightmares and hallucinations beyond his capacity.

The issue of cultural bloc is a voyage embarked by the writer out of sheer desperation and want of facts to keep his unsubstantiated agreement alive; which is indeed a journey in futility to resuscitate and rejuvenate an ailing political conversation and enterprise.

The writer in the bid and frustration to keep his argument tenable brought in the issue of cultural groups which is entirely his creation to push his ill-fated luck far. Also permit me to say that this is the first time we are hearing about the so called cultural blocs as the basis for sharing political offices in Enugu political engineering, management and administration.

Indeed, this is a personal invention of the writer to embark on political rigmarole. The Enugu I know and understand is fully standing on a comfortable political tripod “Ekwu na ato.” The triangle equilibrium in Enugu, is highly revered and regarded as sacrosanct and they include Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Enugu West Senatorial Zone and Enugu North Senatorial Zone. And the issue in contest is the zoning arrangement which was extracted from the three zones in question. So, if we are discussing a zoning template, it should rotate within the three zones already created as basis for the rotation of public offices meant for the state and not cultural groups (using the exact words of the writer). In several climes, critical issues like zoning formula are usually effected in manners like gentleman’s agreement, and elsewhere, most conventions and treaties are sometimes not written as the case may be.

The adherence is not only in Enugu but the entire country. In most states of the federation where zoning arrangement has been entrenched, watery issues like written document or agreement do not suffice, like what is obtainable in states like Delta, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Cross River among others.

In these states, zoning arrangement is like a doctrine that goes down well with the people and it is predicated on senatorial basis and not cultural blocs, or clannish tendencies as being propagated by the writer. Having done with this preface, I want to say that we have a seamless zoning arrangement working comfortably well in the state and that is not only fundamentally sacrosanct but has created peace and understanding.

The British constitution cannot be found in any book. It is an unwritten constitution, yet it is an age long convention which has guided the foremost ancient country. The same with the zoning arrangement in Enugu, which is embedded in the consciousness of all the indigenes and the good people of Enugu State.

It has been deeply assimilated and has found a place in the minds of the stakeholders, electorates and political gladiators in the state and anybody singing a different song is just being vicious and economical with the truth. The fact that each time a zone is required to produce a candidate, people from other zones will try to fly a kite does not vitiate the irreparable fact that at the end of the political contest, the zone whose turn is to produce the candidate will still emerge victorious at the polls. This information is a truism and cannot be faulted by anybody who has been following the political trends in the state. So you can fly your kite but the big question is

Ugwuanyi how far can it go. And seriously speaking, discussing zoning arrangement now is an effort in futility because we already know where the next governor will come from based on reliable and efficient zoning understanding and not a sermon. Secondly, it will look very uncooked and highly irresponsible to continue to distract the result-oriented governor of the state, who has said in many fora where his successor will come from based on facts and figures on the ground. Thirdly, it is the governor’s prerogative to pick his successor.

I may not want to join issues with the writer unnecessarily because I can quickly see the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob in the ill-fated argument as presented by the writer in his near deceitful analysis.

All I can say is to wish him and his sponsors luck but when we get to the bridge, we know how to cross it, knowing very well that the present governor is conversant with the political arrangement of the state and will act when it is necessary. Meanwhile, let us not distract him from his avowed determination to provide legacy projects for us having in mind that he still has three solid years to administer the state or does the writer and his Oga’s have an intention of putting a sharp knife in the remaining tenure of the governor? More over, posterity will never be kind to any person or group of persons who want to plunge the ever peaceful Enugu State into undeserved and avoidable political misunderstanding or crisis, though that will definitely not be the position during the period under review.

Naturally, superior arguments will always prevail over inferior and selfish ones. So in summary, the three zones having had their own share of the plum job seamlessly on the completion of the tenure of the present governor, equity, fairness and justice demands that since the circle was completed, the gubernatorial slot and the subsequent political engineering will start from the beginning and simultaneously move around again.

To further illustrate the entrenchment of the zoning understanding in the state, the gubernatorial trajectory started with former Gov. Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu East Senatorial Zone for eight years from 1999 to 2007, after which Gov. Sullivan Chime took over the helm of affairs for another eight years from 2007 to 2015 for Enugu West Senatorial Zone, which now paved way for Enugu North Senatorial Zone with the incumbent Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi doing his second term in office which commenced in 2015 and will elapse in 2023. Then in view of the foregoing, the zoning arrangement is not only entrenched, internalized and assimilated in the minds of the people of Enugu State but it is an established fact that the next governor come 2023 will definitely emerge from Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

21

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

FEATURES

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

Eme Ekeoma: Committed To Kingdom Service

By Philip Okoro

A

ccording to the French philosopher and Jesuit Catholic priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.� Chardin’s compelling insight into the fundamental nature of our being truly captures the essence of the life story of Elder Ekeoma Eme Ekeoma.

A man rooted in the deep humility and always striving to live by the precepts of his beloved Christ, he concedes time and again that his endowment with material wealth came through the grace and power of God. Perhaps, it is then little wonder that he believes it must be redistributed to the less-privileged without expecting anything in return.

At the time he surrendered to Christ, Ekeoma must have realised it was neither by his power nor might that he was transformed from a salary earner in the employment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to a self-employed man of means.

It was that realisation that transformed him into an astute philanthropist and a devout Christian, passionately committed to the kingdom project.

Like all great journeys, preparation is indispensable. Opting for spiritual preparation, he was ordained an Elder of the Presbyterian Church.

This new status became a powerful platform he is using to touch the lives of humanity in more ways than one.

He is a firm believer in the dictum that faith without good work is dead and the biblical injunction that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that the hand that gives is always on top. This requires that you give to those who may not be able to return the favour. Elder Ekeoma, as he became fondly known embarked on the good work of helping people who are down so as to prove to them that they are not out.

To actualise this seething, inner vision, he chose two areas with which he hopes to fulfill that passion - hospitals and prisons. He established these ministries - Hospital and Prisons Ministries and has used them to touch many lives. To-date, he has helped over 1,000 inmates regain their freedom.

These are places that the spiritual song writer must have had in mind when he composed the popular song: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me. I was in prison you visited me. I was sick you gave me succour. I was hungry you gave me food to eat. I was naked you clothed me."

A very humble man of means, he has used this God-given endowment to support a lot of church advancement and mission projects. He has built worship centres, both in his hometown of Igbere in Abia State, Lagos and other places as well as other works in the church. In addition, he has been donating evangelical buses and musical equipment to different Presbyterian churches and fellowship centres.

Instructively, for Ekeoma, his faith is equally as important as his good works. Elder, as he is fondly called, demonstrates this fervently.

He is an ardent prayer warrior and loves God with palpable zest. He qualifies as a pillar in the Body of Christ and is a ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Yaba Parish, Lagos State.

Ekeoma

He currently oversees a non-denominational Businessmen’s Fellowship, Believers Fellowship (BF) at Golden Gates Hotels, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

On his encounter with God, Elder Ekeoma declares: For a child of God, we are all full-time workers in the Lord’s Vineyard. I wouldn’t say I am a full-time minister. But I have a commitment to share the Word of God on a continuous basis.

In the last couple of years I have had the burden in me, but lately about three months ago, in my sleep I had a direct message from God. The message was - ˜My son put your total trust in me. I heard the voice clearly, and I knew it was God who spoke, and that kept me thinking. So that birthed the Believers’ Fellowship.

I had the leading to create a platform within the Ikoyi axis, where people could fellowship with God. It’s a non-denominational organisation where the Word of God is propagated. The target is to sensitise people about the end time and the need to get closer to God at a time the world is falling apart. It’s a forum for believers to express themselves in God’s presence.

Ekeoma is also committed to temporal activities that complement his spiritual life. Deploying his personal money, he has been able to build roads, provide pipe borne water and other life-enhancing infrastructure that has endeared

him to the people, not just in his home town but also in places like Lagos where he lives.

A business professional to the core, Ekeoma who holds a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, is the Chairman of Nepal Oil and Gas Services Limited. Nepal, as a company, has diversely leveraged his goodwill, business ideas and networking for the good of the society.

A true business icon, Elder Ekeoma is characterized by his wealth of business leadership acumen and ideas. An ex-banker, Ekeoma left the services of the CBN to set up and manage his own businesses. As an entrepreneur, he has started up a number of businesses that are roaring successes.

Ekeoma hails from Ndi-Ekpere compound, Amaiyi in Igbere Bende Local Government, Abia State. Born to Elder Roselyn Ekeoma and Mazi Ekeoma Anyim in the year 1960, He had part of his early upbringing in Kano State.

Pragmatic and hardworking, he also believes in fitness; little wonder he also spends quality time in the gym. More, Elder Ekeoma is also great dresser! He loves looking good for his very beautiful wife and loving kids. He loves relaxation and hangs out in exotic places within or outside the country, with family and friends.

He loves to sing and dance to gospel music.

It is often said that behind every successful man, there’s a good woman and of course a loving family. Elder Ekeoma is married to a beautiful, strong entrepreneur and lawyer, Barr.

Ngozi Ekeoma (MD, Nepal Group). He is usually emotional when he is talking about his wife. “I have a very supportive wife,� he often says. “I may not be the best, but with God on my side, He brings out the perfection in the union.

I am sure like in many other marriages, we’ve had our highs and lows. It’s taken maturity and patience to steer the ship. I have decided to give more time to my family and also begin to exercise a lot of tolerance, thus giving everybody their space and act in advisory capacity.

I am spending more time in the secret chambers, talking to God on anything I feel is not right in my family. And God has been so helpful, and those things have been addressed. Spending time with God praying and seeking His face under any challenge I’ll say is the secret to the longevity of my marriage.

From observing the life of Elder Ekeoma who is blessed with four children, it is not difficult to affirm Tielhard de Chardin insight - that he (Ekeoma) is indeed a spiritual being immersed in a human experience. t 0LPSP XSPUF JO GSPN 6NVBIJB

UK to Merge DFID and FCO Rebecca Ejifoma The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that the Department for International Development and Foreign Office (DFID) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCO) will merge, uniting development and diplomacy in one new department that brings together Britain’s

international effort.

According to the prime minister, work would begin immediately on the merger.

The new department FCO will be established in early September and will be led by the Foreign Secretary.

Boris noted that the merger is an opportunity for the UK to have even greater impact and influence on the world stage as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic

and prepare to hold the G7 presidency and host COP26 next year.

He added: "UK aid will be given new prominence within our ambitious international policy. The Foreign Secretary will be empowered to make decisions on aid spending in line with the UK’s priorities overseas, harnessing the skills, expertise and evidence that have earned our reputation as a

leader in the international development community."

He noted, however, that the UK is the only G7 country to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on overseas development and the Government remains committed to this target, which is enshrined in law.

Announcing the new department, the PM said: “This is exactly the moment when we must mobilise

every one of our national assets, including our aid budget and expertise, to safeguard British interests and values overseas. “And the best possible instrument will be a new department charged with using all the tools of British influence to seize the opportunities ahead.�

The PM has also announced that the UK’s trade commissioners will

come under the authority of UK Ambassadors overseas, bringing more coherence to our international presence.

The objectives of the new overseas department, according to him, will be shaped by the outcome of the Integrated Review, which is expected to conclude in the Autumn, and is the biggest review of foreign, defence and development policy since the Cold War.

22

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

23

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 25, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A T

REPO 15.17 % 16.67 %

CALL 1-MONTH

14.50 % 12.50 %

J U N E

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

1 9 , 2 0 2 0

S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

S&P 536.08 % 2.31 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 15.12 % 11.41 %

N361/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes WAEC Candidates to Buy PIN on Remita

UNVEILING STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Youths, Senator Obinna Ogba; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; Chairman NCC, Prof. Akande and Head, Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management Department at NCC, Ms. Helen Obi, during the launch of the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020- 2024, at Abuja...recently

Operators Link Boost in Agric Output to CBN Intervention, Border Closure Raheem Akingbolu Going by the performance of local farmers and other players in the agricultural value chain, some stakeholders have predicted a boom in the sector in the years ahead. They have also described the patronage of locally produced food items such as rice, yam and other items by government and corporate organisations during the lockdown as a patriotic step that would positively impact the economy.

President of the Rice Millers and Importers of Nigeria (RiMIDAN), Dr. Tunji Owoeye, in an interview with THISDAY, said the achievement recorded in the sector during the lockdown was made possible by the visionary leadership of the Governor of Central Bank of

ECONOMY Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who according to him, strengthened government’s intervention in the agriculture and food value chain.

“The lockdown didn’t meet players in the agricultural sector unprepared because in the last few years, CBN, under Godwin Emefiele, has strengthened government intervention in the sector and this has increased output even before pandemic.

“If the intervention is sustained, I can assure Nigerians that our farmers would not only feed the nation but will feed the entire West Africa,” he added.

Owoeye, also pointed out that aside from the expansive lands available for farmers, Nigeria can also boast of enough market

to lift agric business.

Reviewing the performance of the sector in the last few months, the National President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Sanni Dangote, was of the opinion that what Nigerians experienced during the lockdown was enough to convince stakeholders that the sector deserved more attention.

“With some additional rural infrastructure, Nigerian farmers can produce more than what Nigerians need and even do exports more. It’s a matter of being focused.

“I believe the government should get all the relevant government ministries and agencies and CBN, Bank of agriculture, bank of industry and the Nigerian Agric Business Group (NABG), to work together and work out a national

agricultural production plan.

“Besides, government should remain consistent with its agricultural policies and substitution of imports with locally grown produce,” Dangote said.

Speaking further, Dangote called on Nigerian youths and graduates to explore opportunities in the sector, adding that if agric is seen as business, the high level of unemployment in the country would be addressed.

“Nigeria youths and graduates should look at agriculture in its total supply chain. There are many innovative ideas they can explore and engage in to get substantial income.

From technology, IT, Logistisc, marketing, distribution, inputs supply, markets research, irrigation systems supply and also Continued on page 26

FG to Engage Indigenous Companies to Enhance Digital Services Delivery Emma Okonji Moved by the ravaging effects of Covid-19 that has compelled countries around the globe to look inwards, the federal government has said it will engage indigenous digital technology companies to improve digital services to citizens in post Covid-19.

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Abdullahi, said this during a recent webinar organised jointly by NITDA and Co-Creation Hub (CCHub).

Abdullahi, who was represented by the Director, IT Infrastructure Solution at NITDA, Abdulahi Usman,

TELECOM said: “In Nigeria, the effect of the Covid-19 on the economy, governance and public service delivery has spurred a greater urgency for the development of government digital services and a digital economy for Nigeria.

“Therefore, engaging our indigenous innovative digital technology companies will play a vital role to improving services to citizens in these trying times and beyond.”

With the theme: ‘Harnessing Indigenous Solution’s for Public Sector Innovation and Digital Economy Development’, Abdullahi said as the agency of government mandated to assess and clear all Information

Technology (IT) Projects of Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) in Nigeria, NITDA has assessed 62 projects worth N1.2 trillion between January and May 2020.

He added that N64.9 billion was spent on software and software enabled projects to be delivered

by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in service to the public.

“Our assessment shows that even more can been achieved, with a deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors going forward using technology as a driver for public services.

“These types of collaboration will create vast opportunities for more Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) or collaboration with

multilaterals and Development Finance Institutions (DFI’s) to even co-fund these projects and deepen the opportunity for learning to create tailor made solutions for societal problems.

“Also, as public finances are strained due to the global economic downturn as triggered by the pandemic, the opportunity for innovation and co-ideation will bring other benefits and partnerships to MDAs to include capacity building and access to global tools in addition to other finance sources,” NITDA Director General said.

According to him, NITDA would soon issue frameworks on the development of GovContinued on page 26

Prospectiveprivatecandidatesforthe2020WestAfricanSeniorSchool CertificateExamination(WASSCE)-SecondSeries(Aug/SeptWAECGCE) acrossNigeria,havebeenaskedtopurchasetheirregistrationPersonal IdentificationNumber(PIN)onRemita’swebsiteandpaythroughanyof themultiplechannelsavailableincludingtheirdebitcard,internetbanking, USSDandmobilewallet.

In a statement issued recently, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)formallyannouncedthecommencementofthesaleofWASSCE registrationPINs,fromJune10toJuly31,2020.Toenjoythisservice,intending candidatesaretovisittheRemitawebsite,select“BuyWAECPIN”,fillall requiredfieldsandchoosetheirpreferredpaymentchannel.Theycanalso payatagentlocationsandbankbrancheswheretheywouldpresenttheir RemitaRetrievalReference(RRR).

Oncepaymentiscompleted,theexamregistrationPINisdeliveredtothe candidate’semailandalsodisplayedontheRemitapaymentreceiptsent tothesameemail.ThecandidateisthenexpectedtoproceedtoWAEC’s websitetocompleteregistrationwiththeobtainedPIN. Divisional Head, Applications and Vertical Markets, of SystemSpecs, providersofRemita,DavidOkeme,said:“Wehaveconsistentlyprovided easyandflexiblepaymentsolutionsforourcustomersinallstrataofthe economy. Prospective candidates of the August/September WAEC Examination for Private Candidates can begin and complete payments ontheirinternet-enabledcomputersormobilephonesusingtheRemita webpagewithmultiplepaymentoptionsthatwouldhelpthemcomplete theirregistrationingoodtime.”

MTN Covid-19 Free SMS Hits 3.7bn

MTNNigeriahasprovidedasecondupdateontheutilisationofthefree SMS service it introduced in April 2020. As of June 19th 2020, the telco disclosed that it has provided 3.71 billion free SMS to more than 51 millionsubscribersacrosseverystateoftheNigerianfederation;whichisa projectionthat75percentofallMTNsubscribershavenowutilisedthe serviceduringthepandemic.

Commenting on the update, MTN CEO, Ferdi Moolman said: “Having enteredthethirdandfinalmonthofthis,Iamhugelyencouragedthatso manypeoplenation-widehavemadeuseoftheservice.Thethreebillionplustextmessagessentsofarreflectstheimportanceofcommunication duringtimeslikethis,especiallyforthemostvulnerableamongstus.Iam gratefultoourgovernmentandregulators,partnersandemployeesforthe rolestheyhaveplayedinmakingthedeliveryofthisservicepossible,and encourageoursubscriberstocontinuetomakeuseofituntiltheendofJune.”

UK Govt Supports NCDC

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), recently unveiled a brand new Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine, which was procuredusingsomeofthe£661,000UKAidfundingcommitmentthatthe BritishGovernmenthasmadetotheNigeriabranchoftheWorldHealth Organisationthisyear.

The PCR machine, which is the most accurate laboratory method for detecting,trackingandstudyingthecoronavirus,willenhancetheNCDC’s COVID-19testingcapabilitiesinNigeria,increasingthenation’scapacity tocarryoutatleast3,000testsperday.

The machine was presented to the NCDC Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu,andtheImmunisationTeamLeadandcurrentOfficer-in-Charge ofWHONigeria,Dr.FionaBraka,attheCentralPublicHealthLaboratory (CPHL)acampusoftheNCDCNationalReferenceLaboratoryinLagos, recently.

The UK government and the Federal Government of Nigeria have been collaborating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria since January2020. TheUKhasbeenworkingcloselywithauthoritiesacross Nigeria,includingtheNCDC,tosupportpreparedness,planningandwider publichealthresponseeffortstocontainthespreadofthevirusinNigeria.

InNigeria,theUK’sresponseisalignedwiththegovernmentofNigeria’s effortsatboththenationalandstatelevels. TheUKhasbeensupporting Nigerianauthoritieswithtechnicalassistance,directfinancingandbyflexing ourexistinghealthportfoliotohelpwithNigeria’spreparedness,planning andpublichealthresponseatboththenationalandlocalleveltorespond, combatandcurbthespreadoftheCOVID-19pandemic.

“Having entered the third and final month of the MTN free SMS service introduced in April 2020, I am encouraged that so many Nigerians have made use of the service. The three billion-plus SMS sent so far reflect the importance of communication, especially for the most vulnerable” MTN CEO,

Ferdi Moolman

24

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

25

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 25, 2020

26

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

OPERATORS LINK BOOST IN AGRIC OUTPUT TO CBN INTERVENTION, BORDER CLOSURE

‘Global Cash, ATM Transactions Drop By 50%’

quality assurance,” Dangote stated.

In what looked like a radical approach to the issue, the Vice President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ijewere, said Nigerian famers produced at least 130 per cent of what is being consumed in the country, but was quick to point out that between 40 to 50 per cent, is daily being wasted because of lack of storage facilities.

“What we experienced in the last few months, has simply confirmed our position that we can feed ourselves.

Even before the lockdown, local farmers have been consistent in producing at least 130 per cent of what we consume in the country but between 40 to 50 per cent are wasted -they don’t get to the dining table.“

A recent virtual press conference that was jointly organised by AppsFlyer and Google has revealed that since the outbreak of Covid-19, global cash and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions have reduced by 50 per cent.

The reduction, which was described as a good development, was attributed to the increased usage of mobile apps developed by FinTech players. This, it was revealed, made financial transactions a lot easier and safer during the lockdown.

Apps Project Lead at Google, Mr. Rama Afullo, who spoke at the virtual conference, said: “In many parts of Africa, internet, online banking, payments and investments Google searches are increasing, insurance is resurging, and banks need to push digital offerings during Covid-19, to match the surge.”

According to Afullo; “Globally, we observe an increase in app usage amid Covid-19, including over 20 per cent time spent in apps, and over 22.5 billion new downloads in Q1 2020, and over $15 billion spent in iOS apps.

“This has included a significant global uptake of FinTech Apps, which was already seeing significant investment before Covid-19, but during Covid-19, we are

FG TO ENGAGE INDIGENOUS COMPANIES TO ENHANCE DIGITAL SERVICES DELIVERY ernment Digital Services and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in IT Projects as there is an urgent need for government to accelerate the delivery of government digital services for the benefit of Nigerians.

Therefore, for the successful development and delivery of Government Digital Services, it is significantly important that innovative Nigerian companies are engaged very early in the project conceptualisation and design stages to achieve some of the benefits highlighted, he said.

Ecosystem Development Manager, Office for Nigerian Content Development In ICT at NITDA, Yakubu Musa Yakubu, who presented a paper titled, ‘Foundational Regulations and Policies for Innovation In the Public Sector,’ stressed the need for Presidential Executive Orders that would drive government policies on digital service deliveries. He said such orders would support local content in public procurement by MDAs, give preference for indigenous goods and services in government procurements, and encourage local sourcing of at least 40 per cent of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) procurement spend in all MDAs.

Stories by Emma Okonji

seeing 50 per cent decrease in cash and ATM and branch usage, over 15 per cent in finance search queries, and over 72 per cent usage of FinTech apps.”

Regional Account Executive, Africa, at AppsFlyer, Mr. Idan Horenczyk, also said at the virtual conference that in Africa, there had been an extraordinary month on month increase in financial app downloads during the pandemic.

He encouraged business on mobile attribution, which he

said, would connect marketing campaigns to business results.

He explained that attribution provider would help marketers pinpoint their targeting, optimise their ad spend, and boost their return on investment (ROI).

Horenczyk described AppsFlyer as a global attribution leader, empowering marketers in leading financial institutions in Africa and worldwide to grow their business and innovate with a suite of comprehensive measurement and analytics solutions.

Built around privacy by design, AppsFlyer takes a customer-centric approach to help over 12,000 brands and over 6,000 technology partners make better business decisions every day.

They were however of the view that the increased rate of financial transactions using mobile apps, would also expose businesses to high transaction risks, if better precautionary measures were not put in place to address online fraud.

They advised that custom-

ers’ data should always be kept safe and risk-free and that businesses must ensure that their data is protected and businesses are compliant.

The organisers of the conference released a statistics showed that Nigeria and South Africa, top fraud rates in Middle East and Africa, with Nigeria having 29.3 per cent in fraud rate; South Africa, 23.9 per cent; Saudi Arabia, 18.5 per cent; Morocco, 15.4 per cent; Egypt, 12.5 per cent; Turkey, 6.3 per cent; and Iran, 5 per cent.

SUPPORTING COVID-19 FIGHT

L-R: Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services Limited, Titilola Shogaolu; Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, and Director, Legal, Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Yejide Kolawole, during Interswitch Group’s donation of Personal Protection Equipment and Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits, to the Lagos State government at Ikeja, Lagos...recently

Report Projects Rapid Growth in Mobile Data Traffic Ericsson has projected that mobile data traffic in subSaharan Africa will grow by 12 times the current figures, with total traffic estimated to increase from 0.33 Exabytes (EB) per month to 4EB by 2025.

It also estimated that average traffic per smartphone would reach 7.1GB over the period. The June 2020 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, stated this, with projections for data traffic growth, and regional subscriptions.

The report noted that in Africa, Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology accounted for around 11 per cent of subscriptions in 2019, add-

ing that over the forecast period, mobile broadband subscriptions are predicted to increase, reaching 72 per cent of mobile subscriptions.

LTE share would reach around 30 per cent by the end of the forecast period, and LTE subscriptions are set to triple, increasing from 90 million in 2019 to 270 million in 2025.

Commenting on the report findings, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, Fadi Pharaon, said: “Technology brings an unprecedented opportunity to address the challenges of sustainable economic development and improve the livelihood of people in Africa.”

According to the report, driving factors behind the growth of mobile broadband subscriptions include a young and growing population with increasing digital skills, and more affordable smartphones.

Over the forecast period, discernible volumes of 5G subscriptions are expected from 2022, reaching 3 per cent by 2025.

In the area of digital infrastructure, the report stated that the spread of Covid-19 during the first part of 2020 impacted all parts of society globally, including the telecommunications sector.

The Ericsson Mobility Report takes an incisive look at the role of networks

and digital infrastructure in keeping societies running in Africa, and families connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on people in many countries and their daily lives, but consumers see resilient networks as a vital help in coping with everyday life.

“In a recent study conducted by Ericsson Consumer Lab, 83 per cent of the respondents from 11 countries around the world claim that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) helped them a lot to cope with the lockdown.

“The results show an

increased adoption and usage of ICT services, such as e-learning and wellness apps, that have helped consumers adapt to new realities, underpinned by connectivity,” the report said.

According to the report, around half of all households in the world, which is over one billion, do not have a fixed broadband connection.

Given the current speed and capacity of cellular networks with LTE, there are opportunities for African service providers to deliver broadband services to homes and small and medium-sized enterprises economically using Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

Huawei to Drive Online Education with Technology Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Huawei has stepped up its support in education through its TECH4ALL initiative that is empowered to tackle the global challenges faced with online education.

At a recent global webinar organised by the organisation to address distant learning, with the theme: ‘Driving Equity and Quality in Education with Technology’, the Deputy Chairman, Huawei Technologies, Ken Hu, said the closure of schools, occasioned by the spread of Covid-19, has disrupted the global educational system, which he said, necessitated the need for distant and online learning, which the company is supporting through the initiative that was launched

last year.

Hu, however decried the situation where 50 per cent of the world population have no internet access to support distant learning, coupled with the high cost of technology devices and lack of digital skills in most regions of the world.

“There is lack of digital inclusion in education and the gap is on the increase because technology is changing so fast. Promoting equal access to education is a big challenge, even though it is not impossible.

“Huawei has the technology tools and resources needed to create a global change in education. Huawei as a technology company will continue to

provide connectivity to address the identified gaps in our global educational system.

“The goal of Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative is to ensure that everyone benefits from digital technology, and we are focusing on developing digital skills and connecting schools.”

The Education ADG at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Stefania Giannini, said global education needs more resources that are driven by technology like internet connectivity.

According to her, technology needed to be integrated to learning in order to improve teaching and learning.

“In this period of COVID-19, we need universal internet connectivity that will drive learning continuity in our schools globally in order to promote digital skills among students and teachers.

“Digital technology has the potential to make learning more engaging and to improve quality. The right technology tools will help achieve the right digital skills that the world needed in the new normal that has been brought by COVID-19,” Giannini said, while calling on governments, the private sector, and parents to support distant learning through technology education.

She commended the efforts of Huawei in investing in

education to support distant learning in a technology connected future environment.

Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, Stephanie LynchHabib, said the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global educational system with the closure of schools that is affecting millions of students worldwide. Citing the United Nations (UN) report that 166 countries have closed their schools up to the university level, a situation, she said, had affected 1.5 billion children that are out of school globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, representing 87 per cent of total enrolled population of students globally.

27

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 25, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Imperative of Outsourcing Innovative Skills Emma Okonji writes on a new outsourcing initiative

A

s some employers are laying off employees and shifting attention to new ways of getting work done, Terawork, a Lagos-based information technology (IT) firm, is creating fresh opportunities for both the employees and employers.

The firm helps skilled and semi-skilled men and women access businesses that seek to save costs by hiring freelancers. This effort brings efficiency into businesses seeking speed of execution and maximum value from every expense.

Leveraging technology Precisely, Terawork leverages the growing reliance on technology to help buyers (businesses) access as many professionals (sellers) who are ready to trade-off unique skills for some freelance pay.

The outsourcing innovation reduces another stress point for fund-starved businesses, pressed by the weaker global economic activities, just as it buoys the new generation of professionals who have been roiled by employers’ penchant for downsizing in the harsh operating environment.

Employers reduce cost by downsizing, outsourcing, or encouraging the workforce to take a pay cut; affected and unaffected employees, essentially professionals, find a new way to earn more money. Publicists, lawyers, accountants, graphic designers, software developers, app developers, writers, editors, website builders, and more trade their skills on Terawork.

As 1.6 billion of the total three billion global workers are poised to lose their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a lockdown projection by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), work innovation is needed to balance out the grim effects on business and household incomes.

Hence, since the online outsourcing innovation provides a channel that helps businesses,

The model Speaking about the freelance model, Taiwo said with the model, freelancers get the maximum return for every task. They even get recommendations for tasks executed excellently thereby improving their overall brand. Essentially, there seems to be value to be had at both ends of the relationship. That value proposition is what separates Terawork from competing platforms.

“The Forbes Accelerator programme slated June 25 may see Terawork emerges as one of the leading innovative solutions coming from Africa’s largest market. Obviously, recognition is deserved,” Taiwo said.

Taiwo households, and economies heal, it is, therefore, no surprise that it was selected to participate in the Forbes Global Startup Ecosystem. After all, providing opportunities for dialing up from near-collapse across industries is commendable.

Speaking recently, the Chief Operating Officer of Terawork, Titi Taiwo, explained that businesses operating in the 21st-century economy must be frugal and adaptive to survive.

According to her, “At Terawork we concentrate on helping organisations access an expansive network of professionals across wide fields of skilled and semi-skilled men and women consistently available to execute tasks.

“This provides a platform for organisations to save cost by getting things done within the popular gig-framework where unnecessary overheads are waived as part of a pay-per-task model.”

Technology offerings The IT firm offers innovative work solutions that help drive efficiency in 21st-century organisations. It and generates fulfillment for workers. And, in terms of positioning, it provides accessibility – a list of highly skilled and semiskilled freelancers across relevant fields.

Further, it adds flexibility, which means tasks can be outsourced anytime and anywhere. The solution also lowers overhead, erases employees’ excesses, and totally removes pay packages that bloat cost in many organisations.

On a broader scale, it solves some of the unemployment headaches in Africa by serving as ‘tasks mall’ and ‘skills bank’ where businesses and professionals can trade value.

Still, as a service, the Lagos-based firm is a lever of advantage for the burgeoning market comprising MSMEs and large enterprises seeking to outsource tasks. It is a step up among targeted digital enterprises.

Indeed, the United Nations had said in 2017 that digital innovation is critical to Africa’s economic recovery. From financial services to Human Resources (HR), startups are adapting technology to match the dynamics of everyday challenges.

For that reason, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Egypt, and Tunisia are fast turning into a hot bed of inspiring digital innovation.

Apart from employing a growing African youth population, the startups are providing the platform for the continent to keep pace with the EU, North America, and Asia’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.

Venture capital and philanthropic funds are pouring from every corner of the globe to support those startups ecosystem. For instance, the French Development Agency (FDA) released €65 million fund to support African Union Agenda 2023 to eradicate the frustration encountered by young entrepreneurs striving to turn their ideas into the worthwhile enterprise that could scale up to reasonable socioeconomic impact.

The opportunity to start, the incentive to continue, and the market to lap up every attempt to scale will push bright African youths into pursuing the African digital future. This is the path pursued by Terawork’s CEO. Startups success Considering the success of startups in Silicon Valley, Nairobi, Stockholm, and Doha, Nigerian young entrepreneurs will stop at nothing to come up with bold ideas to meet the needs of all sections of the total 200 million population.

Terawork has emerged as a top Forbes innovator and by June 25, 2020, the American publisher will host the first Forbes Nigeria Summit. This culmination day will celebrate the influencers of Forbes’ Digital Startup Accelerator (Nigeria Edition) featuring over 50 speakers, 100 partners, over 200 cohort companies and over 5000 applicants.

And it is expected the firm will put up a good performance as it continues on this journey of providing timely solutions that meet the needs of corporate enterprises and the bloating line of employed and underemployed professionals across the continent.

28

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Dare: Human Capital Devt Vital for Job Creation The Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, in this interview gives insights into how the agency has been able to drive human capital development in the past four years. Ugo Aliogo presents the excerpts:

W

hat is your assessment of the Edo State Skills Development Agency in the area of development and job creation in the last three years?

The Edo State Skills Development Agency was set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki. He promised to create 200,000 jobs in four years. Our responsibility has been to coordinate between state, government agencies, the private sector and other partners to make this a possibility.

We also coordinate and implement activities towards reducing irregular migration through job creation.

What was the state of Job creation and skills development in Edo Sate when you were appointed to take up the position?

Before the current administration and Edojobs, the state was rich in potential. But unfortunately the human capital development of citizens had not been a high priority for recent past administrations, therefore the potential was not being maximised. There was no way to find out the demography of talents in the state and it was discovered that there was a feeling of frustration among the youths, as a result the first thing that the administration did after setting up EdoJobs, was a state wide registration of job seekers, from skilled to unskilled. All age groups that were actively in search of employment were targeted and we have over 200,000 people registered on Edojobs with the numbers rising weekly. We also did market analysis to identify the overlaps between interest, comparative advantage and opportunity. After that, we focused on developing the skills and selection of talented people that would take advantage of those opportunities.

What milestones were you able to achieve in the past three years you assumed position of the managing director?

To answer your question in very broad strokes, we have been able to setup the following: The Edojobs job matching portal; EdoInnovates; and Edo Production Centre. With Edojobs job matching portal, we match candidates to jobs in the public and private sector. We also use the portal to connect Edojobbers (as we like to call them), to skills development and entrepreneurship opportunities. EdoInnovates is our innovation cluster housing three incubation hubs, an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science lab setup in partnership with Coven Labs, an ICT and digital design academy (Edobits), three co- working spaces and other services for business owners and people seeking jobs in the technology space. In partnership with American Towers Company, we have four satellite centres in rural communities also introducing young people to basic ICT skills. Edo Innovates is a movement on its own. The Edo Production Centre is a 23,000 square meter property where we host artisans and small scale manufacturers such as machine fabricators, waste recyclers, pencil , producers of pencils, toothpicks, furniture, hair extensions, among others. We have them being produced

by Edo production centre. We provide constant power supply and thanks to the support of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.

The Bank of Industry (BoI) partnered with us by opening their Edo Branch right in the centre.

There is so much demand from artisans and small scale manufacturers that we are looking to opening four more of such centres within the next seven months. Edo Food and Agric Cluster works with farmers in rural communities and with aggregators to improve the livelihoods of people in the sector. Edo Creative Hub has implemented a lot of projects in partnership with reputable organisations such as Trace Naija, Tatafo HQ, Benin Film Academy and others, DFID MADE II and other. We create jobs in the creative sector through that arm of the agency. I strongly believe Nigeria can work, if we can transform the country in unimaginable ways, all we need are the right leaders and we are blessed in Edo state to have an amazing governor. Who would have thought that in just three years, one agency can do this even with limited resources. Two other major projects that we have successfully implemented across the state are: our vocational

in four years?

The fact that we have been running the agency with a high level of professionalism and not the government structured style of operation is a major challenge.

Do you think bringing young minds onboard in leadership positions just as Governor Obaseki has done with you is a step in the right direction?

The Governor is doing a great job with increasing the number of young professionals and the number of women involved in governance. It is deliberate action on his part that has led Edo to be at the fore front on these lanes of inclusiveness.

I am 36 years old and we also have a 36 years old Commissioner for Agriculture appointed

by His Excellency How will you score yourself in terms of tackling unemployment in the state?

You know I cannot score myself, but the fact that there is no stadium in Nigeria large enough to contain all Edojobbers at a time that makes me happy. The only issue is that like I said in response to your first question, I find that presently, I am unable to feel satisfied or pat myself on the back, because I feel I have not yet scratched the surface of my assignment on earth. That therefore makes me to work hard.

I pray God will help.

Dare skills/entrepreneurship programme, where we are teaching people everything from solar panel design and installation to face mask and paint production in partnership with GIZ and PIND. The Edo Helpline that currently serves as the state’s covid-19 emergency call centre will change into a commercially through state-led call centre to create more jobs for Edo citizens.

How many jobs and skills development projects have the agency created and how many people have beneďŹ tted from it so far?

Before the Covid-19, we had already documented over 160,000 beneficiaries of our programme. The infographic gives you a breakdown by sector showing jobs, entrepreneurs and so on.

How do you track the names of the beneďŹ ciaries of these jobs and skills development?

We have the data of beneficiaries including their names, phone numbers, location and so on.

It is very easy to find Edojobs beneficiaries, just walk into Edo Production Centre, and talk to any of the occupants, visit the Edo Innovation Hub. Moreover, there are some of them who have shared their testimonials online, and it can be found on the EdoJobs# Instagram or Facebook.

We do not release their information without their consent, but there are 100 of testimonials posted by them online and on the EdoJobs TV Youtube page. I encourage everyone to take a look, especially those who work in this field of skills development and job creation, as we are always looking to share ideas.

Aside state support, what is the other

source available to the agency?

Our programmes are mostly funded by the state government, but we have also gotten support from partners such as GIZ SKYE and SEDIN programmes, DFID MADE II, Oxfam, SOS Nigeria, MainOne, Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, and concerned citizens of Edo state who have heard about work and are inspired to contribute. The support from these partners has been in the area of funding, providing key resources, skills and business opportunity for EdoJobbers.

What is the level of corporate governance at the agency?

The agency was set up by law, which was signed by the Edo state House of Assembly; we also have a board that works closely with the Edo State Public Procurement agency, which was set up by the state government in partnership with the World Bank. We have regular audits of our beneficiaries to verify and validate what we have done in the agency; the last was done

by Businessday Newspapers Research and Intelligence unit in November last year.

Has your agency made any signiďŹ cant impact on Edo state’s IGR? Because we are supporting businesses to grow we are automatically growing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state. If you look at the IGR chat of the state you would notice steady growth, which is as a result of so many initiatives we have come up with.

Tell us about the challenges you have encountered so far in trying to meet the governor’s vision to create 200,000 jobs

What are your projections for the future of skill development in Edo state?

Our vision is that in five years, Edo state will be the leading provider of talent in Nigeria in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) manufacturing, construction, agriculture and the creative industry. We have made so progress in the ICT and tech talent.

Do you think your agency has the capacity to drive economic development?

Our agency is not just capable, but is already driving economic development, we support the end to end process of many businesses in Nigeria from agriculture, transportation, production and others.

There has been major crisis in Edo state between the party and your principal, what is your take?

My take is simple, Edo jobbers are with Obaseki.

Not because we told them to be, but because time after time they have said they had lost hope and they never imagined government could reach out to them in such a direct way and with real interest with no lobbying, no connections.

We have never had it this good in the state and we are not confused by the things going on.

What has been your experience working under the leadership of Governor Obaseki?

He is a servant leader and visionary. He puts the people first. Honestly, it was a tough decision to leave my job and go to Edo after I had just been named Group Managing Director of Poise Communications. It took just one meeting with him to catch his passion and love for the state.

I thank God for my husband who supported and encouraged my decision to join his team.

FATE Foundation Partners Facebook on Entrepreneurial Programme FATE Foundation in collaboration with Facebook have announced the implementation of the 2020 Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Digital (AEP-Digital) Programme to support 360 entrepreneurs across 11 states in Nigeria.

The target states are Lagos, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Oyo. They were selected to enable more entrepreneurs around Nigeria have access to these much-needed, best-practice entrepreneurial knowhow particularly for businesses in the Nigerian context, as well as

provide research-driven support for businesses to grow sustainably.

A statement explained that the AEP Digital programme combines strong enterprise management, digital marketing and financial literacy courses to provide fundamental knowledge and guidance on building a digital enabled business in Nigeria.

The programme which would be fully virtual this year and free to all selected participants would also provide Data/Internet Support; Ad Credit Giveaways and Growth Support services to the entrepreneurs.

According to Policy Program Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Facebook, Phil Odour, “The AEP Digital has recorded great impact and reached 640 Nigerian Startups since 2018 by providing their Founders with relevant knowledge, tools and skills to grow sustainable and digitally enabled businesses. We are looking forward to supporting more entrepreneurs at this critical time.�

The core of this year’s programme would focus on building resilience and competitive advantage during this crisis and as such key modules will address Business Model Adaptation; Digital Marketing;

Customer Engagement; Financial Literacy (Cash flow Management) and Remote Work Management.

The Executive Director, FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, commenting on the programme noted that, “following the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic across the world and with attendant limitations on movements and inperson interactions in Nigeria, FATE Foundation and Facebook recognise the urgent need to provide much needed knowledge and support to Startups across Nigeria to sustain their nascent businesses, generate revenue and create jobs�.

29

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Benson-Awoyinka: Lagos Committed to Ending Fraudulent Real Estate Practices Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka, speaks on how the state government will use the newly established Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority to tackle challenges being faced by residents and other stakeholders in the real estate sector of the economy. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts:

W

hat does LASRERA seek to achieve for Lagos State government and citizens?

The aim is to ensure the creation of an innovative and sustainable environment to promote Lagos as a real estate investment destination in Africa.

We want everything about housing and real estate Lagos to be well regulated. We want to know the agents and their offices so that when anything comes up, we can defend our people.

For agents who shortchange people, we want to ensure that we go through the full length of the law to get them prosecuted. So, if you defraud people, you will be charged with obtaining by false pretense under the criminal code of the law, and we will make sure the court system prosecutes you to the fullest and the properties are forfeited. That’s the big punishment for whoever is defrauding people, but also a relief for our people as they can be sure they will get their money back. That is why we are here. Those that have been defrauded in the past can come into our offices to lay their complaints with information that can help. We will investigate and would do our best to make sure we bring the culprits to book.

What informed the decision to upgrade it to a standalone agency instead of its former status as a department under the Ministry of Housing?

As a department, the law constraints how far you can go. As a full-fledged agency, it has become standalone where anybody can walk into; it’s properly managed, and well suited. It’s like you comparing a little boy and a grown man. The difference in their abilities will be huge. As a full agency right now, LASRERA has the full requirement of the law to go after whoever does anything wrong. So, we expect people to comply with the law and be our brothers’ keeper. If you suspect anything, we have a whistleblowing section. We want you to report to us what is going on in the streets of Lagos. As things are, the trend of fraudulent practice in the Real Estate sector by developers and agents in the state is on the increase and is reflected in the number of complaints received by the agency in recent times. Specifically, the move is to ensure the industry is well regulated to curb fraudulent practices. In line with the commitment of the government of Babajide Sanwoolu to improve technology infrastructure, we have unveiled a website and social media handle and registration portal for effective management and communication among stakeholders. The website will enhance our post-COVID compliance initiatives to promote transparency and become a one-stop-shop to stakeholders and government.

We have in place, a registration portal that allows residents to upload their documents. So, if they no longer have to visit our offices to register to get license to practice in Lagos. We are out to sanitise the industry. Residents are falling victim to fake real estate practitioners and property developers. Recently, a young lady walked into our office and complained that she has been defrauded by a property company who received money via bank transfer from her, totaling N30million. Also, we recently prosecuted another agent at Ajao Estate who engaged in fraudulent practices. He was prosecuted and we got judgment which ensured the property was forfeited to the Lagos State Government.

In what way will LASRERA address the shortage in accommodation currently being experienced by residents?

Lagos State has been the commercial nerve

Benson-Awoyinka

center of Nigeria and by extension Africa, hence the continuous migration of people into the state.

LASSERA under the Ministry of Housing will also complement the efforts of the government.

We will make sure that houses are available to our people and that people are not being defrauded. We will continue to make sure that people who apply for houses get houses so that people don’t run away with your money. We will also be ensuring that your rights are not trampled on by those engaging in unethical practices in the sector.

You talked about empowering real estate agents. What speciďŹ c programmes are you putting in place to for them to scale up?

We have private sector people coming to do some training for mainly the brokers who want to be agents. We expect that they have some minimum qualifications. There are some institutes who have professional courses that they can do. We want to make sure that not everybody on the streets of Lagos is an agent.

Anyone who wants to be in a profession must have minimum knowledge of what they are doing. That’s what we want to enforce in the state.

Residents of Lagos have issues of land grabbing and sort in Lagos. How do you plan to tackle this?

That is part of what we are doing. It’s not just about housing, it encompasses development and developers.

Positioning the agency requires communication tools of which today’s event is one of them. What other tools are you deploying to sell the agency’s programmes and policies?

We are going to make sure our advocacy system is top-notch. To make sure that Lagosians know they rights under the tenancy law so that ever Lagosian knows that he should not be defrauded. We want to make sure that they know that they have a right to be defended.

A lot of people in Lagos don’t know their rights and what they are entitled to. Working with the ministry of Housing, we will also let people know that we have homes available.

Like I said, we have Lagos HOMS mortgage scheme coming in the next few weeks and is available for everybody who is interested in housing in Lagos.

What are you going to do to ensure that stakeholders key into this?

It’s the law that we will be enforcing. We expect our people to be law-abiding. We expect people to follow the processes of Lagos. And we urge that the compliance level should be top-notch so that we protect our citizens.

30

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 25, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Bell Selects Ericsson to Boost 5G Deployment

Konga to Celebrate Eight Anniversary

Stories by Emma Okonji

Konga, an e-commerce firm will celebrate its eight anniversary this month and has mapped out strategies to celebrate its customers for their loyalty by enhancing their shopping experience.

To celebrate the anniversary, its management has put together offerings targeted at exciting its customers.

It explained in a statement that Konga would be giving away the sum of N100, 000 daily to customers in celebration of its anniversary.

Customers who shop a minimum of N5, 000 and above would qualify for a draw from which winners would emerge for the massive giveaway. For each order of N5, 000 and above, a customer gets entries for the draws.

The company has also set

Bell Canada has selected Ericsson 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) technology to support its nationwide 5G mobile and fixed wireless access deployment.

Ericsson Radio System products and solutions will be rolled out as Bell Canada expands its 5G coverage, including an expected boost following the auction 3.5 GHz spectrum by the Canadian government later in 2020. The 5G deal builds on a longstanding partnership between the companies, which includes 4G LTE network provision.

President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada, Mirko Bibic, said: “Bell’s 5G strategy supports our goal to advance

how Canadians connect with each other and the world, and Ericsson’s innovative 5G network products and experience on the global stage will be key to our roll-out of this game-changing mobile technology across Canada.”

President and Head of Ericsson North America, Niklas Heuveldop, said: “We are proud to have earned Bell’s trust to be selected as one of their key partners and significantly expand our existing relationship to accelerate the transformation of their network with 5G mobile and fixed wireless technology.

With our industry-leading 5G product portfolio, Bell will be able to provide Canadian consumers, enterprises and the public sector with innovative

Firm Highlights Benefits of USSD Channel AXA Mansard, a member of the AXA Group said it is driving a new initiative to deepen insurance and pensions penetration. The insurer seeks to improve the investment culture in the country, through its USSD code usage as an alternative channel for service consumption.

The USSD code *987# tagged the ‘one code for life’s big issues,’ was designed to give users a more convenient way to purchase and manage their AXA Mansard product plans, the firm added.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Digital Officer at AXA Mansard, Mr. Bayo Adesanya, said: “The digital world is advancing at a very fast pace. Organizations thus need to match the pace of this dynamic world by designing initiatives and creating platforms that allow their consumers to remain at the cutting edge of global digital transformation.”

The USSD code also enables subscribers to perform various activities which include purchase airtime, payment of utility bills,

account opening and account balance check.

Also speaking about the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer at AXA Mansard Investments, Mr. Deji Tunde-Anjous, said: “The world is rapidly accepting the realities of a remote lifestyle and the onus is on every service provider to ensure customers are met at the point of their needs.

For us at AXA Mansard Investments, our customers have found the USSD code at these times extremely useful and convenient in making liquidations requests and monitoring their accounts.

We will continually seek for ways to create a delightful client experience that enables people better manage their finances.”

Adesanya added that with the USSD Code, all the encumbrances associated with premium remittance, liquidation requests and account monitoring had been resolved, giving clients an exceptional experience at any touch point of the services provided

by AXA Mansard.

Interswitch Donates PPE to Lagos The Interswitch Group has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs) to Lagos State government.

The donation, which was recently presented to the state government by representatives of the Interswitch Group, was received by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, on behalf of the governor at Alausa, Ikeja.

The group revealed that the donation is geared towards intensifying the government’s efforts in the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

This is part of Interswitch’s on-going support for the numerous local intervention initiatives between State Governments and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Speaking during the donation, Divisional CEO, Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services Limited, Titilola Shogaolu, said: “As the coronavirus continues

to spread across the country with increasing numbers of reported cases, it is imperative to increase the testing capacity in Nigeria.”

She reaffirmed Interswitch’s commitment towards supporting governments at all levels in the fight against the deadly pandemic.

Shogaolu disclosed that Interswitch, through its health-tech subsidiary, eClat, has developed a COVID-19 pathway software platform.

“The platform allows members of the public to perform remote self-assessment exercise to determine their risk status and pre-disposition to the virus. The platform analyses users’ information from a series of questions around risk factors, recent exposure, observed symptoms, health and travel history.

Users are thereafter advised whether to self-quarantine, visit a healthcare facility for further testing, or just keep safe,” she said.

experiences and services whether they are on the move or at home, regardless if they are in urban or rural areas.”

Chief Technology Officer, Bell Canada, Stephen Howe, said: “Ericsson plays an important role in enabling Bell’s award-winning LTE network and we’re pleased to grow our partnership into 5G mobile and fixed wireless technology. 5G’s highcapacity and near-instant connections will enable next-generation applications like mobile 4K video and immersive augmented reality, connected vehicles and industrial IoT automation on a massive scale, and our plan is to deliver the benefits of the 5G wireless revolution to cities and rural locations alike.”

aside millions of naira in vouchers and other freebies to celebrate its customers.

The freebies, which will be won by shoppers for purchases made on the platform, was stated as one of the ways in which the e-commerce firm is looking to appreciate Nigerians for their loyalty and dedication to its brand over the years.

Also, company has finalised plans for a discount sales tagged ‘Konga Beyond the Hype,’ which kicked off on Monday June 22 and would run until July 7, 2020.

“The three-week long massive discount sale will offer shoppers a chance to enjoy unmatched deals and rock-bottom prices across multiple product categories including mobile phones, computing and devices, electronics, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), kitchen appliances,

fashion, wine and spirits, and much more,” it added.

Co-Chief Executive Officer at Konga, Nnamdi Ekeh, said: “We are extremely grateful to Nigerians for their support, loyalty and dedication to Konga. It has been eight years of excellent innovations and leadership in the Nigerian e-commerce sector.

“However, we realise all we have achieved would have been impossible without the support of our esteemed customers and by extension, all Nigerians for trusting us. ‘‘We do not take this trust lightly. This is why we have decided to set aside millions of naira and roll out multiple incentives to celebrate our customers this period. We urge everyone to take part in the anniversary celebrations and take advantage of all the benefits on offer.”

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

31

32

IMAGES

R-L; Commissioner for Women Aairs and Social Development, Adamawa State, Mrs Lami Ga’anda; Widow/BeneďŹ ciary, Mrs Helen Dauda and President of Adamawa Widows Association, Mrs Hilda Makonto during a program to commemorate 2020 International Widows Day, in Yola...recently

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo (middle); with some oďŹƒcials of the ministry and representatives of China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, during the presentation of some protective clothing and thermometer units, by the chamber to the Ministry as a show of support in the ďŹ ght against COVID-19 pandemic, in Abuja...recently

Minister of Foreign Aairs, Mr GeoreyOnyeama and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin EmeďŹ ele during an Extra-Ordinary Virtual Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the West African Monetary Zone hosted by West African Monetary Institute, Accra, Ghana...recently

L-R: Executive Head, Marketing, Old Mutual Nigeria, Alero Ladipo; Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade AdeďŹ sayo; Managing Director, Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Company Limited, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin; Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Omobolanle Adelaja and Managing Director, Old Mutual General Insurance Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olalekan Oyinlade, during Old Mutual Nigeria’s visit to the Ministry’s Secretariat to announce series of support to drive education in Lagos State with the shutdown of schools due to COVID 19‌in Lagos....rexenrly

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

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

Governor. Samuel Ortom of Benue State (left) and Chairman, Ado Local Government Area, Benue, Comrade James Oche, during the inauguration of local government chairmen at the Government House in Makurdi ...recently

L-R; Chairman FCT Taskforce, Mr. Attah Ikharo; Member FCT Taskforce, Mr. Kaka Bello and an oďŹƒcials of FCT Mobile Court, Mr. Are during the reopening of Jabi Mall, Abuja...recently

Executive Chairperson of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Borno, Hajiya Yabawa-Kolo (right) and Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babakura Abba-Jato during the presentation of a trophy won by the agency to the commissioner on behalf of the state as the best SEMA in Nigeria at a press conference in Maiduguri...recently

L-R; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communication Commission ,NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta; Chairman Senate Committee on Sports and Youths, Sen. Obinna J. Ogba; Hon Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami; Chairman NCC, Prof. Adewolu Akande and Head Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management Department NCC, Ms. Helen Obi during the Virtual Launch of the SMP 2020- 2024 at the NCC Headquarters, Abuja ..recently

34

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 25, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

COVID-19: The Madagascar Challenge and Nigeria’s Traditional Medicine Practitioners David-Chyddy Eleke writesonclaimsbyRevFrArazuofinventingaherbaldrugforCOVID-19while juxtaposing the Madagascar herbal mixture and the possibility of traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria utilising a rich blend of herbs and roots to combat the rampaging pandemic

R

ecently, President Muhammadu Buhari took delivery of a large consignment of COVID-19 herbal remedy, a product that allegedly cures the virus, and produced in Madagascar. The drugs were delivered by the president of Guinea Bisau, President Umaro Embalo.

Buhari, receiving the consignment said he would wait for science to authenticate it before it could be put to use.

But back in Madagascar, President of the country, Andry Rajoelini had claimed that the remedy was already working ‘wonders’ for its people against the disease. This may have also prompted the purchase of the drug by the Ghanaian government and even Guinea Bisau.

Nigeria parades a huge number of traditional medicine practitioners who have also laid claims to several inventions which cures other diseases, and most people believe that if given the opportunity, traditional medicine practitioners can doing a surprise with the invention of the drug for COVID-19.

Dr Timothy Nkem, though a medical doctor told THISDAY that he cannot expressly dismiss the place of herbal medicine in the society.

“I have been a medical doctor for several years, but I can testify to miracles that herbal remedies have worked in the lives of some of my patients. It may not be the same for everybody, but truth is there are people whose systems are more at home with those local drugs,” he said.

Already, the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Medicine Board, Rev Fr Raymond Arazu has laid claims to the invention of a drug against the virus. In a recent interview with THISDAY, Father Arazu, a Holy Ghost father of the Catholic Church and a renowned traditional medicine practitioner of over 50 years practice, who is in his 90s, and fondly referred to as the living ancestor described the the invention of a herbal drug for COVID-19

by Madagascar as a challenge to Nigeria.

He said, “I cannot imagine a small nation like Madagascar boasting of a remedy for the novel Coronavirus, while Nigerian government is yet to accept the fact that some traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria including himself have already invented a cure for the ailment.”

Arazu said that immediately after the news of the outbreak of the disease in China filtered

Arazu

out in December last year, his team, led by himself and his nephew, Mr Reginald Arazu, graduate of Chemistry, a known scientist and a traditional medicine practitioner went to work.

“We studied the symptoms of the disease and found out that it operates like every other viral disease, except a little difference, which is that it is airborne. We cure viral disease here, and all we needed to do was to look at its symptoms, and now ensure that we find drugs that can work more effectively in curing most of those symptoms exhibited by the patients of the virus.

“We came up with this drug (beckoning

on a sachet powder on his table). We named it Chioma. We have treated patients who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 here, but when people come to consult with us and they tell us the symptoms, for the ones we suspect COVID-19, we have treated them. But what we will not do is to treat anyone who comes to us knowing he has the COVID-19. We simply tell them to contact NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), because we are not allowed to treat them. But if someone comes and tells us the symptoms of his sickness, sometimes we suspect COVID-19 and we treat them and they get well.”

Arazu said there are other members of the Anambra Traditional Medicine Board who have also invented supposed cure for the COVID-19, and that they have met with the representatives of the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano who has also promised to push forward the invention to the federal government for approval.

Speaking of the World Health Organisation (WHO), usual dismissal of herbal inventions, Arazu regretted that those who knows nothing about the efficacy of herbal medicine are condemning inventions from Africa for the novel virus, when it has not been able to come up with solution themselves.

“They call us unorthordox medicine, but in the real sense, traditional drugs are the orthodox ones, while they are the unorthordox ones.

Traditional Medicine has always been there from the begining of creation. I have been in this business for over 50 years. I am a priest, I am not doing this to make money but my own way of helping humanity.

“This drug (Chioma) underwent very thorough research before we came up with it. Though we have been told that the state governor will help see to its approval, but we know that the virus we are up against can not wait for all the beaurocratic bottlenecks of government, so time is of essence.”

Reginald Arazu who manages Arazu’s health facility in Awka speaking on his findings on the COVID-19 and the stages the new invention went through and it’s composition said, “Let me tell you, this COVID-19 is like every other viral disease, except with slight difference. Once a virus enters your body, all the soldiers of the body will rush to it to attack it, and while they are battling the virus, they leave other ailment in the body, giving those ones the opportunity to thrive. That is why it is more dangerous for people who have underlying ailment.

“So, what we did in the invention of this drug is to ensure that we lace it with solution to other diseases that are common among aged persons. While we are treating for the virus, other health conditions would also be benefiting from the treatment, and in that case, both the virus and other ailment in the body are tackled simultaneously.”

On the cost of the drug, he said, “Our drugs are usually very cheap. That is why you see that we do not have sophisticated packaging, which is one of the things that make products expensive.”

Pharmacists Threaten Nationwide Strike over FG’s Unwillingness to Meet Demands Martins Ifijeh The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike action over what it termed federal government’s unwillingness to accede to its demands.

AHAPN is the umbrella body of pharmacists practicing in hospitals, clinics, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), and health agencies, among others, with over 5,000 members in the country.

In a statement made available to THISDAY Thursday and signed by the National Chairman, AHAPN, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, the body

said some of its demands include restructuring of the health sector, adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), pay COVID-19 hazard allowance, provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for pharmacists and other healthcare workers, as well as payment of April and May 2018 salary arrears for pharmacists and some category of healthcare workers.

Amibor said: “The federal government in 2014 adjusted the Consolidated Medica Salary Scheme (CONMESS) table for medical doctors and has since adjusted it twice without a single adjustment to CONHESS table for phar-

macists and other healthcare professionals.

“It is worthy of note that in 2008, there was a job evaluation in the healthcare sector which gave rise to CONHESS and CONMESS, taking into cognizance, relativity in salary and allowances; a recommendation that was intended to reduce the level of acrimony in the healthcare sector. Sadly, this recommendation was partially adopted with the adjustments to CONMESS without relative adjustment of CONHESS.” He said government should immediate adjust CONHESS as has been continuously canvassed by pharmacists and other healthcare workers, in order to avoid needless

strike actions and disruptions in service delivery in the healthcare sector.

Amibor said: “Virtually every other healthcare professional with the exception of very few and pharmacists who practice in about 20 federal health institutions have not been paid the arrears to date.

We have written several letters to government on this issue without any positive response yet.

“We call upon government to release these arrears since it was captured in the 2020 Budget and provisions have been made for it. We call on government to provide adequate PPEs for pharmacists and other healthcare workers

who are at the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic control efforts.

“Additionally, we wish to remind government to honour her decision to pay enhanced hazard allowance to healthcare workers since March, 2020.

This pronouncement has not translated into tangible result yet.”

He also said government’s refusal to register AHANP as a trade union was unfortunate, adding that it has applied severally to no avail.

“About 2001, we were granted provisional registration as a trade union by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, but for some inexplicable reasons, our

registration was withdrawn.

All efforts by AHANP to get full registration since then proved abortive.”

He said the association was also using the opportunity to register it’s displeasure over non-inclusion of pharmacists at the recent meeting between the government and representatives of the different unions in the healthcare sector.

Descibing the action as distasteful, he called on the federal government to urgently address the issues raised, as its unwillingness would mean the association would have no choice than to press home their demands through industrial action.

T H I S D AY Ëž JUNE 25, 2020

35

HEALTH

Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy Proffers Quality Sleep as Solution to Weak Immune System Chiamaka Ozulumba writes that as the country and the world wakes up to the present reality of life with COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice President of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, Dr Nnenna Nina Chigbo, PT, x-rays issues around the deadly disease and how a strong immune system from quality sleep can help in resisting this infection We gathered that the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) recently set up a COVID-19 committee, tell us more about this.

The NSP set up a 20-man COVID-19 taskforce committee with representatives from the six geopolitical zones. The essence is to support the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 in combating this novel virus in Nigeria.

We are raising awareness on the laid down protocols to mitigate the spread of the infection and advising the government on better multidisciplinary approaches to the management of the COVID-19. More so, we are advising the PTF on discharge protocols and follow up for the people infected with the virus.

Many of the cases in Nigeria are asymptomatic and therefore our approach must differ from what obtains in other climes. We are also advising on the use of exercise and quality sleep to boost the human immune system to prevent infection in the first place.

What is the link between healthy sleep and a strong immune system?

Documented evidence shows that certain cells that help fight infection in the body increase significantly during sleep. During quality sleep, hormones that help our body are better regulated.

On the other hand, lack of sleep can cause long term issues such as a lower immunity and it can increase your risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart and cardiovascular issues and obesity. These complications increase your risk of contracting viral diseases like the COVID-19.

What is sleep disorders and how do comfortable mattresses and beddings help prevent them?

Sleep disorders are changes in sleeping patterns or habits that can negatively affect health e.g. restless leg syndrome, jetlag, and narcolepsy.

Sleep is important for health and poor sleep impairs function. Sleep is critical for the proper functioning of the body, including immune function, tissue healing, pain modulation, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, learning and memory.

Sleep disruptions occur across the life span and in individuals with various

The NSP has through the national taskforce initiated the formation of state taskforce committees in the 36 states and Abuja to replicate what we doing at the national level. We have been engaged in massive media campaigns on COVID-19 and on the role of physiotherapy.

Indeed, prescribed exercises can play in the prevention and management of COVID-19

Vice President, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Dr.Nnenna Nina Chigbo, PT

conditions that are typically treated by physical therapists.

Good quality mattress determines a great deal how well you will sleep. The body needs to align well with the mattress - not too soft and not too hard. A bad mattress can affect the spine and cause damage to the body.

Secondly, when you are not comfortable on your mattress it will affect the quality of your sleep and can be detrimental to your physical, mental health and overall quality of life.

What are the steps taken by the NSP in terms of enlightenment on the current COVID-19 pandemic and have there been areas of collaboration with corporate organisations?

The NSP has through the national taskforce initiated the formation of state taskforce committees in the 36 states and Abuja to replicate what we doing at the national level. We have been engaged in massive media campaigns on COVID-19 and on the role of physiotherapy. Indeed, prescribed exercises can play in the prevention and management of COVID-19.

We have offered the PTF technical advice and manpower to fight COVID-19. We have

collaborated with big organisations like Mouka foam in creating jingles that convey the importance of preventive measures like using quality sleep to boost the immune system.

What inspired the collaboration between the NSP and Mouka on the issue of boosting the human immune system in fighting infections?

The NSP already endorsed Mouka foam due to the good quality of their products. Both parties are also helping the federal government in fighting this pandemic so we decided to work together in some areas.

To what extent is the level of partnership, in terms of awareness creation, and what would be the intended effect on the populace?

NSP and Mouka are collaborating to raise awareness and in so doing equip the populace with relevant information that can help boost the body’s immune system. The expected effect is fewer cases of COVID-19 to be recorded in Nigeria How do quality mattresses like those of Mouka help to improve mental and

body performance which leads to a strong immune system as part of the benefits of quality sleep?

When you sleep well, you feel better.

Why? This is attributed to the increase and peaking of those cells that protect you against diseases. Your hormones also function better.

Now a good quality mattress will help you achieve this. When you sleep well, your mental clarity and overall mental state are improved. Sleepless nights leave you grumpy and restless the next day.

Note that a bad mattress will also leave you sore and induce inflammation and pain in your body.

What do you think the citizens can do for themselves in addition to what is already in place, such as awareness creation, preventive measures, restriction of movements, among others, to combat the spread of the deadly disease?

Exercise, a balanced diet and quality sleep. These three can be added by the individual to complement what the government is doing. They should also follow all laid down guidelines like social and physical distancing, wearing of face mask and hand hygiene.

36

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

37

38

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Transcorp Power, Geregu Meet Privatisation Performance Target Peter Uzoho The Senate Committee on Power has disclosed that only two out of the six privatised power generating companies (Gencos) have met the performance targets set by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Specifically, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswan, who disclosed this at the just concluded three=day investigative hearing on the power sector recovery plan, listed the two Gencos to include Transcorp Power and Geregu Power.

Suswan, who said the disclosure was contained in a BPE presentation explained: “Out of six Gencos, privatised, only two of them are performing. We have listened to presentations from the government side and the

operators and we have seen that there is no alignment anywhere and that is the problem.�

According to him, “Once there is an alignment an proper coordination and proper tariff, it makes the sector liquid. So, once there is money in the sector, potential investors would come in and the banks would also be able to put in more money.�

The BPE presentation was made by the Director General of the agency, Alex Okoh.

Okoh, commenced with a background that showed key statistics of the Nigerian Power Sector before 1999, revealing that only 17 out of the 79 generation units were operational and average daily generation nationwide was 1,750MW as at then.

According to the presentation by the BPE boss, investments made in the power sector was highest in 2001 with over $400

million.

However, funding was not provided for the sector for seven years, which was from 1989 to 1995.

He pointed out that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has huge challenges. He listed the challenges faced by the Gencos to include liquidity, inadequate gas supply, weak transmission infrastructure and foreign exchange procurement.

Overall, Gencos’ percentage increase in available capacity from privatisation was put at 78 per cent. This was 22 per cent below their collective targets.

Sapele had the worst performance of 29 per cent below target, while Transcorp Power surpassed the five-year performance agreement target (670mw) set by the Bureau during the handover of Ughelli Power, by achieving 680.83MW.

Tony_Elumelu

MARKET INDICATORS

Nigeria’s Manufacturing Index Contracts in June Obinna Chima The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 41.1 in June 2020, which reflected a contraction in the manufacturing sector for the second time.

The PMI report posted on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website showed that of the 14 surveyed sub-sectors, five sub-sectors reported growth (above 50% threshold) in the review month in the following order: electrical equipment; cement; petroleum and coal products; transportation equipment and paper products.

However, it listed nine subsectors that reported decline to include: printing and related support activities; textile, apparel, leather and footwear; primary metal; plastics and rubber products; nonmetallic

mineral products; fabricated metal products; food, beverage and tobacco products; chemical and pharmaceutical products and furniture and related products.

At 36.6 points, the production level index for the manufacturing sector declined in June 2020 for the second consecutive month.

The report stated that three sub-sectors recorded increased production level, two remained unchanged, while nine sub-sectors recorded declines in production level in June 2020.

According to the report, the manufacturing supplier delivery time index stood at 60.9 points in June 2020, indicating growth in supplier delivery time index for the second time.

The index recorded growth from the contraction level recorded in March 2020.

In all, nine of the 14 sub-sectors recorded improved suppliers’ delivery time, three sub-sectors reported no change while two recorded slower delivery time in June 2020. “The employment level index in June 2020 stood at 38.8 points, indicating decline in employment level index for the third month. Of the 14 sub-sectors, two sub-sectors recorded increases in employment, one sub-sector remained unchanged, while the remaining 11 sub-sectors recorded lower employment level in the review month. “The manufacturing sector inventories index showed contraction for the third time in June 2020. At 41.0 points, the raw materials inventories index is contracting at a slower rate when compared to its level in May 2020.

FG Says Nigeria Will Not Seek Debt Relief, Rules out Eurobond Sale Nigeria will not request a delay in debt-service payments this year from bilateral and commercial creditors, the largest economy yet to turn down a debt holiday offered to the world’s poorest nations. “Nigeria is not planning to ask for debt repayment deferment for our commercial loans or for our bilateral loans from our bilateral creditors,� Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed said in a call with investors organised

by Citigroup on Tuesday.

The decision marks a shift after the government reached out to bilateral and multilateral

lenders in May to try to waive debt payments this year as the pandemic battered Africa’s largest economy, according to Bloomberg.

In April, Ahmed had said the government did not intend to suspend Eurobond payments, but planned to seek relief from its biggest bilateral creditor, China.

President Muhammadu Buhari had called on multilateral lenders to cancel debt payments from countries struggling with the new virus.

Nigeria, the continent’s top oil producer, has also ruled

out a sale of Eurobonds this year after market conditions deteriorated sharply at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Director General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, said during the conference call. “Not for this year, but certainly to go back to that market, we have to see where the levels are,�Oniha said when asked if the government planned to return to international debt markets. “Borrowing in the domestic market became cheaper than borrowing in international markets.�

Olam Distributes Palliatives to Bauchi Communities Segun Awofadeji Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“ Olam Nigeria Limited has donated food items to the less privileged in Ningi, Itas/Gadau and Zaki Local Government Areas (LGA) of Bauchi state.

The intervention covered communities in Nasaru and Balma in Ningi LGA;Gadau in Itas-Gadau LGA and Sakwa in Zaki LGA of Bauchi State.

Presenting the food items to the beneficiaries in Nasaru and

Balma communities of Ningi local government areas yesterday, the Manager in charge of Azare Unit, Olam Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adebayo Solomon, explained that the items distributed, “by Olam is part of commitment and contribution to cushion the effect and hardship caused

by COVID-19 pandemic.�

Solomon noted that, “this exercise which we are witnessing here today is a gesture of the Olam which was

distributed to the less privileged and some staff most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was part of its Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR).�

According to the Olam manager, “as a responsible and responsive organisation we could not turn away and don’t intervene especially in a way like this in bringing succour to our host communities and staff who work with the company.

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

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͰͰ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $38.96 a barrel on Monday, compared with $39.45 the previous Friday, 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

39

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

MARKET NEWS

Berger Paints’ N3.6bn Revenue, N449m Profit Excite Shareholders Goddy Egene The revenue of N3.5 billion and profit after tax (PAT) of N448.7 million posted by Berger Paints Nigeria Plc for the year ended December 31, 2019, were commended by shareholders of the company at the annual general meeting (AGM) held yesterday in Lagos.

The revenue showed a growth of six per cent up

from N3.585 billion recorded in 2018, while the PAT rose by 40 per cent from N320 million in 2018. The shareholders, who hailed the company’s financial performance and its heavy investment in automated factory as an index of growth strategy, however, called for an increase in the dividend of 25 kobo per share next year.

They also urged the company to map out strategy to cope with the impacts of COVID-19

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

which has become inevitable.

For instance, Lawrence Oguntoye, described the company’s performance as excellent against the backdrop of tough operating environment last year. He attributed the performance to the company’s resilient, visionary and focused leadership. “ All financial indices are positive. This is a reflection of growth strategy borne out of resilient, visionary and focused

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

leadership. It is commendable that while many companies are downsizing, Berger Paints is increasing its staff strength.

The Board and Management has performed magic wand in business profitability and sustainability, “ Oguntoye.

Addressing the shareholders at the AGM, the Chairman, Mr. Abi Ayida, ascribed the aggregate performance to the company’s re-refocusing on production of its primary

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

products , corporate foresight and innovativeness and huge investment in automated factory, among others. “ Our revenue grew by six per cent from N3.377 billion to N3.585 billion but the gross profit for the year grew by 12 per cent from N1.480 billion to N1. 664 billion while the profit for the year grew by 40 per cent from N320 million to an historic N448.7 million. The moderate growth in revenue

O F

was intended as deferred scale achievement to maintain our focus on operational efficiency.

We believe the numbers justify this approach. Indeed, operating profit improved by 196 per cent between 2017 and end of 2019,� Ayida said.

Ayida expressed gratitude to the shareholders and assured them of greater performance, irrespective of the state of operating environment.

2 3 / 0 6 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Cadbury Nigeria Shareholders Approve N912 Million Dividend Goddy Egene Shareholders of Cadbury Nigeria Plc yesterday approved the dividend of N912million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which translates to 49 kobo per share. Giving the approval at the 55th annual general meeting

(AGM) in Lagos, the shareholders commended the company for sustaining its current dividend payment policy.

They expressed delight with the 49 kobo received in 2019, which is an improvement on the 25 kobo paid in 2018.

In his address to the shareholders,

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

Chairman, Cadbury Nigeria, Mr. Atedo Peterside, remarked that despite the challenging operating environment in the year under review occasioned by land border closure, dwindling consumer purchasing power, and inability to resolve the intractable congestion at the Apapa ports, the company showed resilience

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 23Jun-2020, unless otherwise stated.

and ended 2019 on a positive note.

Cadbury grew profit before tax rose by 26 per cent from N1.223 billion to N1.545 billion, while profit after tax jumped by 53.9 per cent from N823 million to N1.267 billion in 2019.

According to Peterside, their brands continued to perform well in the

market despite the difficult operating environment, and in the face of intense competition.

“For instance, we started sea shipment of 3 in 1 Hot Chocolate cocoa beverage from Ghana to Nigeria, when it became apparent that government was not going to re-open the land borders soon. Our

sales and marketing team were active and aggressive in ensuring that all our brands are available to consumers across the country. Our iconic Bournvita beverage, Clorets chewing gum as well as TomTom, the classic functional candy, all contributed towards our growth in 2019,” the chairman said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 113.87 115.26 -23.04% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.10% Nigeria International Debt Fund 321.02 321.02 5.49% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.93 0.94 3.46% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 10.28% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.50% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.76 2.82 12.27% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.87% Anchoria Equity Fund 97.28 97.61 -4.78% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.26 1.26 9.52% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.36 14.79 -6.27% ARM Discovery Fund 336.99 347.15 -2.44% ARM Ethical Fund 30.21 31.12 3.87% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.23% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 93.03 93.68 -3.17% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.08% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.08 2.08 19.42% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.26% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.31 98.53 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 103.72 104.65 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 4.19% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.17% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,225.62 1,235.74 5.81% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,327.42 1,328.75 9.09% FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.04% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.39 117.11 0.81% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.72 117.45 0.59% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 115.14 116.57 -11.52% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.54% Legacy Debt Fund 3.77 3.77 3.25% Legacy Equity Fund 1.08 1.10 -4.95% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 2.45% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,045.74 3,079.01 2.10% Coral Income Fund 3,177.22 3,177.22 15.89% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 5.45% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.70% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 119.80 120.51 11.40%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.36% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.25 2.29 2.58% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 9.85% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 144.00 144.55 0.41% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.22 1.24 4.53% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,132.91 1,132.91 5.06% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.39 1.41 13.73% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.93 11.99 5.91% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.73% PACAM Equity Fund 1.04 1.05 PACAM EuroBond Fund 106.64 108.94 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 112.40 115.24 -3.73% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 4.95% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -0.48% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.25% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -0.57% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.28% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -0.32% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.06% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.18% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 -5.51% United Capital Bond Fund 1.81 1.81 4.75% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -8.72% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.59% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.51 115.51 3.28% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 -2.11% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.19 10.32 -0.84% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.86 11.98 2.10% Zenith Income Fund 23.49 23.49 5.61% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.48%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.50 115.67 53.01

-63.85% 3.25% 1.84%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.08 88.38 67.91

9.18 90.18 69.11

4.32% -2.28% -1.62%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.85 4.32 11.45 11.89 190.44

2.89 4.40 11.55 12.09 192.44

-19.52% -26.74% -5.46% 14.31% 0.95%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.29

16.90%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

41

THURSDAY, ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

NNPC Records $4.95bn Oil, Gas Export in One Year Trading deficit rises to N9.53bn in March Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said yesterday that it exported about $4.95 billion worth of oil and gas between March 2019 and March 2020.

This was contained in the corporation’s Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR) for March, 2020, which also announced a trading deficit of N9.53 billion, compared to February’s surplus of N3.95 billion.

A statement by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, in Abuja, noted that the NNPC has a total crude oil and gas export sale of $256.19

million in March 2020, which decreased by 30.89 per cent, compared to the previous month’s. “The March 2019 to March 2020 crude oil and gas transactions indicated that crude oil and gas worth $4.95 billion was exported. “During the month under review, a trading deficit of N9.53 billion was announced for March 2020 compared to the N3.95 billion surplus posted in February 2020. “The over 300 per cent decline in March 2020 earnings was due primarily to the huge decrease of 181 per cent in the national oil company’s upstream subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s (NPDC), due to the decline in crude oil

prices precipitated by the coronavirus-induced global slowdown. “This led to reduced exports and dwindling world oil consumption; combined with deficits posted by the refineries, among others,� the report said.

According to the NNPC, of the total sales, crude oil export contributed $184.59 million (72.05 per cent) of the dollar transactions compared with $281.14 million contribution in the previous month; while the export gas sales amounted to $71.60 million in the month.

In the downstream, to ensure continuous availability of petrol and effective distribution of the product across the country, the corporation said during the month, it supplied 1.73 billion

litres of petrol, translating to 59.72m litres/day.

On gas production, the NNPC explained that 218.37 billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of natural gas was produced in March 2020, translating to an average daily production of 7493.65 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (mmscfd).

The release said 3,119.89BCF of gas was produced from March 2019 to March 2020, representing an average daily production of 7,912.05mmscfd during the period.

It explained that period-todate production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC contributed about 69.37 per cent, 21.67 per cent and 8.95 per cent respectively to the total national gas production.

House to Probe N343m Spent on Water Projects Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to carry out a comprehensive investigation into how the sum of N343 million allocated to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for water projects was spent as well as why the Ministry refused to give the vouchers covering the amount to the Auditor General of the Federation for audit.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Account, Hon. Oluwole Oke, who spoke at an investigative hearing into audit queries issued to the government agencies, told the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Comfort Ekaro, to furnish details of how N343 million,

whose vouchers were not presented to the Auditor General for audit, was spent.

Oke directed the Clerk of the Committee to write the director-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission requesting the names of owners of the companies which benefited from the N343 million contract as well as the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) requesting information on withholding tax from the companies.

He also expressed displeasure that the ministry made a contractor to obtain a bank facility of N137 million as down payment for an earth dam in Ibusa in Delta State in 2013, while paying them N75 million in two installments.

Oke said the action of the

ministry may have destroyed the corporate image of the organisation, adding that paying the full mobilisation of N137 million in 2017, two years after the project was supposed to have been completed, was not good enough for the country.

Similarly, the committee frowned at the funding process for the Adada Water Project in Enugu State awarded at the cost of N2.578 billion with a completion period of 24 months in 2010.

The Auditor General, Anthony Ayine, had in his query, said the contract for the construction of the earth dam in Ibusa, Delta State, was awarded at the cost of over N800 million in December 2013 with a completion period of 18 months, lamenting that

two years after the award of the contract, only N75 million had been paid to the contractor.

He said finding by his office was indicative of the fact that there was no concrete payment plan for the project and several other projects within the ministry, leading to delay in execution of such projects.

Responding, the permanent secretary told the committee that the ministry had no money to fund the project because it was consistently removed from the budget.

She said poor budgetary allocation was responsible for the poor payment made to the contractor, adding that in most cases, money budgeted for the project were not released.

Out of the 218.37BCF of gas supplied in March 2020, according to the report, 120.73BCF of gas was commercialised, consisting of 33.45BCF and 87.28BCF for the domestic and export market respectively, translating to 1,235.56mmscfd of gas to the domestic market and 3,817.40mmscfd of gas supplied to the export market for the month.

The report said 55.63 per cent of the average daily gas produced was commercialised while the balance of 44.37 per cent was re-injected, used as upstream fuel gas or flared.

Gas flare rate was 9.08 per cent for the month under review, amounting to 679.54mmscfd, compared with average gas flare rate

of 8.43 per cent, representing 666.90mmscfd for March 2019 to March 2020.

The corporation stated that it had continued to diligently monitor the daily stock of petrol to achieve smooth distribution of petroleum products and zero fuel queue nationwide.

Within the period under review, the NNPC stated that 19 pipeline points were vandalised, representing about 47 per cent decrease from the 32 points recorded in February 2020.

It added that Atlas CoveMosimi accounted for 53 per cent of the break-in points, while Mosimi-Ibadan recorded 21 per cent and Suleja-Minna accounted for the remaining 26 per cent.

Lawan Hails House Speaker At 58 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has described the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, as a dependable partner in the ninth National Assembly.

Lawan, who is the chairman of the National Assembly, stated this while rejoicing with Gbajabiamila, as he turns 58 on June 25.

He said: “In the ninth Assembly, the House Speaker has been a dependable partner in the efforts to focus the legislature on entrenching democratic practices and patriotically helping the government to continually improve service delivery to the Nigerian people. “The Speaker and I have a common vision of the role of the National Assembly in

nation-building and national development, and he has been consistent in the dogged pursuit of all that he considers to be in the best interest of our country.�

Lawan congratulated Gbajabiamila on his exemplary representation of his constituency and passionate service to Nigeria at the National Assembly over the years. “Hon. Gbajabiamila has made robust contributions to building our legislature to effectively play its role as a bulwark and foremost institution of democracy,� he added.

The Senate president, while rejoicing with his family, friends, political associates, and particularly members of the House of Representatives, on the occasion, prayed that Allah will continue to grant him good health and many more years of service to his fatherland.

RIVERS COURT CLEARS WAYS FOR OBASEKI TO PARTICIPATE IN PDP PRIMARY of talks with Ogbeide-Ihama that prompted him to have struck a deal with Obaseki and other PDP leaders. He then instructed his lawyers to withdraw the suit.

During yesterday’s proceedings, the court had earlier stood down the matter for three hours following an appeal by another member of the plaintiff's legal team, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), that they should be given a brief period to explore an out-of-court settlement.

He had told the court that there were moves by the parties to settle the matter outside the court and urged the judge to stand down the proceedings for four hours.

Obile, however, asked the parties to take three hours to document their terms of settlement and inform the court, which he said would resume by 12.30p.m.

When the court reconvened, the lawyers to the plaintiff, led by Denwigwe, in an oral application, informed the court that the parties in the suit had resolved their differences.

Denwigwe said following the settlement, their clients asked them to withdraw the case and urged the court to strike out the suit.

Lawyers to the defendants aligned with the position of the plaintiff’s counsel and asked the court to strike out the suit.

Striking out the matter, Obile said: “I commend the counsel and parties for settling out of court as it is the proper thing

to do.�

2,229 Delegates to Determine Obaseki, Imasuagbon's Fate With the withdrawal of Ogbeide-Ihama, a total of 2,229 delegates from 18 local government areas in the 192 wards in Edo State will today decide who will fly the PDP flag between Obaseki and Kenneth Imasuagbon in September 19 governorship Election in the state.

A breakdown of the delegates' list obtained by THISDAY showed that 120 delegates will emerge from Akoko Edo, 117 from Egor, 118 from Esan Central, 133 from Esan North, 118 from Esan South, 120 from Esan West. Others include: 114 delegates from Etsako Central; 114 from Etsako East, 140 from Etsako West, 120 from Igueben, 116 from Ikpoba Okha, 141 from Oredo, 135 from Orihonmweon, 144 from Ovia North, 117 from Ovia South-west, 124 from Owan East, 124 from Owan West, 124 and Uhumnwode.

Of the three aspirants in the race before Obaseki joined after he defected last Friday following his disqualification from the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on whose platform he won his first term election, only Imasuagbon is remaining in the contest.

Yesterday, Imasuagbon

restated his resolve not to step down for the governor.

In a statement signed by him and made available to journalists in Benin City, Imasuagbon debunked the rumour that he had accepted $2 million from Obaseki to step down for him.

The Abuja-based educationist added that he was in the governorship race to win and not to make up the number of aspirants for the PDP ticket.

How Tambuwal, Okowa Resolved Edo Gov Crisis THISDAY gathered that the peace deal that made OgbeideIhama to withdraw the suit came after Tambuwal and Okowa persuaded him to put party's interest above self by dropping his challenge.

A source privy to the meeting told THISDAY that a former Edo State chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih and Ogbeide-Ihama attended the meeting.

It was agreed at the meeting that Ogbeide-Ihama should withdraw the suit to enable elders of the party look into his grievances.

In a letter made available to THISDAY, Ogbeide-Ihama said: "I apologise to all my leaders who I continue to hold in high esteem, supporters and party faithful who feel unhappy and surprised at this action I have taken. For me, it is a matter that borders

on deep morals, unwavering principles, and strong character, which have formed the cornerstones of my existence.

"Finally, I want to express my deep and profound gratitude to the very respected elders across our state who have reached out to me to intervene in this matter. I have listened and I am still listening.

"A well conducted process will produce a candidate.

Whoever that candidate is will have my full support as has been my antecedent in the party; but as I have always promoted, let the right process be followed. We must do what is necessary to protect the stable Edo PDP we have worked tirelessly for this last couple of years."

He denounced claims that his action was influenced by external forces, stating that "I ask that you all disregard the various falsehoods being spread around by these ‘strange’ characters about my actions being sponsored by forces to frustrate the governor, or that this is for pecuniary gain. Such things have never deserved my attention or response. As I have always said, such crude and unrefined politics remain beneath me.�

As part of the settlement, the National Vice Chairman of PDP for the South-south, Chief Emma Ogidi, sacrificed his position by resigning.

Orbih was appointed as a replacement.

In line with the settlement,

the NWC of the party yesterday dissolved the Southsouth Zonal Committee of the party and announced a new caretaker committee.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, "The action of the NWC is pursuant to Sections 29 (2)(b) and 31(2) (e) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

"The newly constituted South-south Zonal Caretaker Committee, which is chaired

by Chief Dan Orbih, is to pilot the affairs of the party in the South-south Zone for a period not exceeding three months (90) days as prescribed by section 32(2)(e) of the PDP Constitution."

It was gathered that in reaching the truce, the PDP leadership may concede the 2024 governorship ticket of the party to politicians from the Edo Central.

Meanwhile, the PDP has raised a 25-man appeal committee, led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

Other members of the appeal panel include: former Senate President, Senator David Mark; Senator Ahmad Makarfi; Hajia Inna Maryam Ciroma; Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Senator Liyel Imoke; Professor Wale Oladipo; Senator Suleiman Nazif; Kola Ologbondiyan; Austin Akobundu; Emmanuel Ogidi and the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri will serve as secretary of the appeal

committee A statement issued yesterday by the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Col. Austin Akobundu, (rtd), said the electoral appeal panel would consider appeals arising from the governorship primary.

PDP Promises Peaceful Primary Election Ahead of the shadow poll today, the PDP yesterday assured Nigerians of a peaceful and successful primary.

The former National Vice Chairman, South-south of the party, Ogidi who spoke yesterday on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channel, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said despite the crisis in the party, it would conduct a peaceful and successful primary because the party thrives in internal democracy.

Speaking on the chances of Obaseki winning the PDP ticket in today’s primary, Ogidi said he was confident that Obaseki would emerge winner.

Ogidi added that APC members were not happy that Obaseki resigned from APC to join PDP and they were jittery that he would win the PDP primary to contest against the APC candidate, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

According to him, the current crisis PDP is facing in Edo State was sponsored by the APC.

42

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Presidency Rules out Retaliation against Ghana over Demolition of Embassy The presidency has said Nigeria would not take any retaliatory action against Ghana over the demolition of the Nigerian

High Commission building in Accr.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and

Nigeria Records 649 New Cases of COVID-19

Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said at the State House in Abuja yesterday that the presidency’s position was as a result of the apology tendered by the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, over the incident.

“The President of Ghana

has called and regretted the action and apologised to the President of Nigeria. I think he has shown leadership in the matter and what should Nigeria do; these are two leading countries in West Africa.

“Nigeria will not engage in

a street fight with Ghana. This cannot happen. So, the two leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, who is much respected in Africa, they all call him ‘Baba’ (Father), so he is bound to show restraint”.

The presidential spokesperson said diplomacy will

be used in resolving the matter.

“Matters such as this when they arise, it is always better when they arise, they should be resolved diplomatically.

No, there shouldn’t be a fight between Nigeria and Ghana, this will not happen,” Shehu added.

Human trial of vaccine begins in UK 500 workers of Delta Airlines test positive

Martins Ifijeh Nigeria yesterday recorded 649 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 22,020, the number of confirmed cases in the country However, UK has commenced human trial of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by a team of researchers from the Imperial College in London.

This is coming as about 500 employees of Atlanta-based Delta Airlines have tested positive for the virus.

Announcing the new cases yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 250 new cases; Oyo, 100; Plateau and Delta, 40 each; Abia, 28; Kaduna, 27; Ogun, 22; Edo, 20; Akwa Ibom, 18; Kwara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 17 each; Enugu, 14; Niger and Adamawa, 13 each; Bayelsa, seven; Osun and Bauchi, six each; Anambra, four; Gombe, three; Sokoto, two; while Imo and Kano, one each.

It said: “Nigeria has recorded 22,020 cases of COVID-19. 7,613 persons have been discharged, while 542 persons have died.”

Meanwhile, a COVID-19 vaccine trial on humans has begun in the United Kingdom.

The vaccine is developed by a team of researchers from the Imperial College, London and this is the first time it will be tested on humans.

The first volunteer has received a small dose of the vaccine and is said to be in stable condition while under close monitoring at a facility in West London.

On how the vaccine works against COVID-19, it will “train the body’s immune system to recognise the virus and help it to defend itself against a future attack” using “bits of genetic

code (called self-amplifying RNA), rather than bits of the virus”.

“The aim of the vaccine is to trick the body into thinking it has already seen the virus and made an immune response, so when you come into contact with it in real life, you should already be immune.”

A first dose will also be administered to several other people over the next few days, while the second dose will be given within one month.

A total of 300 people have volunteered to participate in the trial in the initial phase.

The research team is led by a professor at Imperial College, Robin Shattock.

“The first participant marks an important step for our saRNA vaccine platform, which has never before been trialled in humans,” Shattock is quoted as saying in an article on the trial process on the college’s website.

“We now eagerly await rapid recruitment to the trial so that we can assess both the safety of the vaccine and its ability to produce neutralising antibodies which would indicate an effective response against COVID-19. I look forward to our progress in the coming months.”

The development of the vaccine has received more than £41 million in funding from the UK government and another £5 million in donations by philanthropists.

Speaking on the vaccine, Katrina Pollock of the department of infectious disease and chief investigator of the study, said: “We have reached a significant milestone in this ground-breaking study with the first dose of a self-amplifying RNA vaccine delivered safely.

Ondo Assembly Denies Plot to Remove Deputy Gov Ajayi alleges withdrawal of security details James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday denied the allegation that its members were induced to remove the deputy governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi.

Ajayi has however raised the alarm over the withdrawal of his police escort allegedly on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bolaji Salami.

The deputy governor had alleged that the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu had wanted to remove him from office, by bribing the lawmakers to begin the process.

Reacting on the allegations, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Gbenga Omole, described the deputy governor’s allegation as a falsehood.

“This allegation smacks of naivety on the part of the

deputy governor and intended to cast aspersions on the noble image of members and drag the integrity of the House in the mud.

“It is on this premise that we, honourable members of the Ondo State House of Assembly state unequivocally that this is nothing but a blatant lie and politics taken too far, least expected of the caliber of the deputy governor of the Sunshine State. But we are not surprised because he is a drowning man and he will hold on to anything to survive.

“As lawmakers and elected representatives of the people, we are aware of efforts by Governor Akeredolu to reposition the state and make it enviable among her equals across the country even in the face of obvious dwindling resources.

ECONOMY ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, after the e-FEC meeting held at the State House, Abuja....yesterday

AfDB Ranked Fourth on Global Transparency Index The Publish What You Fund has ranked the African Development Bank (AfDB) fourth out of 47 global development institutions on its Aid Transparency Index.

A statement issued yesterday described the index as the only independent measure of aid transparency among the world’s major development agencies.

The index placed the Bank in the highest category of transparency along with other world class institutions such

as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and UNDP. “We congratulate the African Development Bank - Sovereign Portfolio on achieving 4th place in the 2020 Aid Transparency Index. As large quantities of aid are being reallocated to deal with the COVID-19 emergency, the transparency of international aid is more important than ever,” CEO of Publish What You Fund, Gary Forster said.

The organisation has been

producing the index since 2011.

Publish What You Fund ranked the Bank ‘very good’ — the highest of the five categories used to assess organisations’ transparency.

According to the statement, the ranking was based on several criteria, including finance and budgets, basic information data, organisational planning and performance.

In the new Index, which covers the 2019 year, the AfDB scored

95.5 out of 100 on transparency — a significant improvement on its score for 2018.

“It is promising to see an increase in the quantity, quality and timeliness of aid data now being shared by a broad cross section of the world’s major aid agencies. As we work together to fill the gaps in the aid data landscape, we look forward to exploring how we can best meet the demand for data and data engagement,” Forster added.

Osinbajo Postpones Economic Council Meeting as APC Holds NEC Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has postponed a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) earlier scheduled for today.

The NEC, chaired by the vicepresident, has all state governors and a few relevant ministers as members.

The Permanent Secretary/ Secretary, NEC, Mr. Olusola Idowu, announced the postponement in a memo tagged

“radio message” dated June 24, 2020, and addressed to all state governors. The message was titled “Notice of postponement of the 105th (5th in 2020) meeting of the National Economic Council.”

It read, “The chairman of council, his Excellency, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has directed that the NEC virtual meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2020, has been postponed.

“A new date for the meeting will be communicated to you.

“Any inconvenience this postponement might have caused is highly regrettable.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my best regards.”

Although the notice did not state the reason for the postponement, it may be connected with the virtual meeting

of the National Executive Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress also slated for Thursday.

All state governors elected on the platform of the APC are members of its NEC and are expected at the meeting convened

by Victor Giadom who President Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), said he is recognising as the acting chairman of the party based on the law.

APC Crisis: Retire from Politics, Fani-Kayode Advises Tinubu A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has advised the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, to retire from politics and withdraw his support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fani-Kayode said this while

reacting to the decision of the President to recognise Victor Giadom as the acting Chairman of the APC. The former minister said the decision of the Court of Appeal to uphold the suspension of the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, showed that

it was all over for Tinubu.

He wrote on his Facebook wall, “First, Oshiomhole was kicked out by the Court of Appeal. Then his preferred replacement, Abiola Ajimobi, falls into a coma. Then his archrival, Giadom is recognised by Buhari as acting national chairman.

“Conclusion: It is over for Tinubu. He has been thrown under the bus and retired from politics.”

Tinubu, who is one of Oshiomhole’s biggest supporters, is believed to be nursing a presidential ambition ahead of 2023.

Gbajabiamila Promises Additional 50% Hazard Allowance to Health Workers Udora Orizu in Abuja As part of interventions in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has promised to pay additional 50 percent of the hazard allowance in addition to the current hazard allowance pay

by the Lagos State Government to about 450 doctors and other health workers at the Randle General Hospital in Surulere.

The Speaker said this during an interactive session conducted via zoom with leaders of different Communities Development Associations (CDAs), youth leaders and market women

associations in his constituency.

He told his constituents that he needed their continuous support to pilot the affairs of the House, urging them to continue observing the COVID-19 protocols so as to stay safe.

The lawmaker listed some upcoming interventions to include the inauguration of

the Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School; N40million COVID-19 cash grants to petty traders and artisans in the constituency; N70million CBN flexible loan for SMEs; rehabilitation of 52 inner roads across all the wards and installation of new power sub-station at Randle among many others.

43

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ex-NNPC Boss, Yakubu to Open Defence in Alleged $9.8m Fraud Alex Enumah in Abuja A former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu will on July 8, 2020 open his defence in his alleged $9.8million fraud trial at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, yesterday fixed the date for Yakubu to enter his defence shortly after he declined to stay proceedings in the trial in deference to two appeals already in the Supreme

Court relating to the trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on March 16, 2017 arraigned Yakubu on a six-count charge of failure to make full disclosure of his assets, receiving cash without going through a financial institution, which borders on money laundering and intent to avoid a lawful transaction under law, transported at various times to Kaduna, the aggregate sum of $9,772,800 and £74,000.

According to the commission, the said amount was recovered by its agents from

a safe allegedly hidden by the defendant in a house in a community in Kaduna State.

In prosecuting the case, the EFCC called in seven witnesses before closing its case on October 17, 2018, after its seventh witness, Suleiman Mohammed (an EFCC operative) gave evidence on how his team, had on February 3, 2017, recovered $9,772,000 and £74,000 stashed in a huge fire proof safe in a building belonging to the defendant, located at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna State.

NCC’s Strategic Plan will Drive Digital Economy, Says Pantami Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami has explained that the newly launched Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will be a pedestal to drive the implementation of the Federal Government’s digital economy vision.

Pantami stated this during

the virtual launch of the NCC’s five-year strategy plan in Abuja on Tuesday, which was attended by few invited officials from the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the NCC, other sister parastatals under the ministry, as well as critical stakeholders in the telecoms sector, who joined the launch virtually in compliance with the federal government’s directives on social distancing.

According to a statement

from NCC, “The Strategic Management Plan (SMP) is a five-year plan with the objective to create a seamless strategy to augment its effective management and regulation of the telecommunications sector.”

The SMP is expected to leverage the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as well as the new National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020 - 2025 Roadmaps, to achieve the country’s digital economy drive.

Govs, NCDC Sign MoU on World Bank-assisted Fund Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) yesterday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the World Bank N3.7 billion COVID-19 response support to states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Accordingly, Nigeria COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (NIGERIA CoPREP) was jointly signed

by the Chairman of the NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and NCDC Chairman, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Ihekweazu disclosed that the MoU for the N3.7 billion (N100 million to each state and the FCT) was to enable states access the fund, which would be paid directly to a dedicated account of each state government, after meeting the necessary requirements.

He said the objective of the fund supported by the World Bank was to prevent, detect

and response to threat posed

by COVID-19 at the state level in Nigeria.

“Since last year, we have already stated that our focus for this year would be on the states. Even before this outbreak, our strategic direction in NCDC was to support the state to build health facilities.

“We did not know where we will get the resources from and we did not know that we will be confronted with an outbreak of this extent.

Buhari Increases TETFund’s Research Grant to N7.5bn Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has received approval to increase the National Research Fund (NRF) to N7.5 billion for the year 2020 from its initial N3 billion.

The approval, which was granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, provides TETFund the opportunity to provide 12 COVID-19 and related infectious disease molecular laboratories, two in each geopolitical zone, making the fund the highest

single provider of COVID-19 test centres in Nigeria.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, who disclosed this at the 2020 TETFund Board of Trustees (BoT) retreat in Abuja, explained that the latest approval makes the agency the largest holder of research grants in Nigeria.

He also disclosed that the BoT of TETFund approved over N200 million to sponsor some COVID-19 research proposals mainly from universities and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and

Control (NAFDAC).

The executive secretary also said that Buhari approved the establishment of six medical simulation research and clinical training facilities in six colleges of medicine in each geopolitical zone this year.

Bogoro said: “In addition, the BOT also endorsed and was subsequently approved by the President that six Medical Simulation Research and Clinical Training facilities in six Colleges of Medicine (one in each geopolitical zone) are to be established this year.

44

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Police Nab Female Gun-running Syndicate with 818 Live Ammunition Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Police yesterday paraded three female suspects, who attempted to smuggle 818 live ammunition from Kano State to Bayelsa State.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of

Police (DCP), Frank Mba, said the suspects were nabbed at the Bombai Motor Park in Kano State.

He said the live ammunition, which came in chains, were for General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and were concealed in a bag of rice. “With this quantity of arms, you can wreak havoc on any community,” Mba said.

One the suspects, Elena Yowei, 30, said on the instruction of her husband, an army lance corporal, handed over a bag of rice to Favour Bello, 21, to convey to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where Jimmy Preye was expected to

take delivery of the consignment.

But when the half bag of rice was subjected to a search at the Bombai Motor Park, Kano, the ammunition was revealed.

“The bag of rice was given to me by my husband. He is a

lance corporal in the army. I did not look into the bag.

“When I told him that they discovered ammunition in the bag, he sent soldiers but I was later arrested by military police and detained for one week and

later moved to Abuja,” she said.

Police detectives also arrested Favour Bello, who was to convey the consignment while Jimmy Preye, who was billed to receive the ammunition in Yenagoa was also apprehended.

Gunmen Kill Two Farmers, Injure Four Others in Plateau Community Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Vatt community of Foron District in Barakin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday came under attack, as two farmers were gunned down and four others wounded in their farms by gunmen suspected to be killer herdsmen.

A source in the community said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. last Tuesday when the farmers were cultivating in their farms, adding that the gunmen who had laid siege in the community descended on them, shot two dead and injured four others.

He said: “At about 10:30 a.m. last Tuesday, not less than eight armed Fulani men opened heavy

gunfire on our local farmers, and we lost two youths.

“Other farmers narrowly escaped into nearby bushes, if not, the score of deaths would have been more.

“Mr. Pam Bulus, 23, and Chun Toma, 20, both from neighbouring Uddeh village were attacked by a group of eight armed men while working in a farm.”

The police and the state government have yet to confirm the attack, but local vigilante group reportedly went after the assailants.

Efforts to speak with the state Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Ubah Gabriel Ogaba, were unsuccessful as the calls put across to his phone did not connect.

Cambridge University Establishes Centre on Impact of Philanthropy for Nigeria, Others Peter Uzoho A new Centre for Strategic Philanthropy has been established at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School dedicated to examining strategic philanthropy within and from Nigeria and the world’s highest-growth markets, including Africa, Developing Asia, and the Middle East.

The centre comes at a time when philanthropy’s role in building social and environmental resilience is seen as increasingly essential.

Through a combination of rigorous research, executive

education and the convening of diverse stakeholders, the centre aims to become the leading hub of actionable knowledge to catalyse even greater philanthropic impact from Nigeria and the world’s fastest growing regions.

It will also work with relevant institutions and practitioners in these regions in order to encourage collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and insights.

The centre is being launched in the midst of a fourth wave of globalisation that is resulting in a reallocation of economic power southward and eastward.

FARMERS’ PALLIATIVES...

L-R: Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Jacob Ojekunle; Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Baba Shehuri; and Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Kaima Babangida, at the commencement of distribution of farm inputs to farmers by Federal Ministry of Agriculture as part of federal government’s COVID-19 palliatives, in Ibadan...yesterday

Court Remands Cousins for Rape, Murder of Maersk CEO’s Hungarian Wife Rebecca Ejifoma A Lagos State High Court in lgbosere has remanded two cousins, Olamilekan Oke and Akande Adeyinka, at the lkoyi correctional centre for alleged rape and murder of Bernadetta, 44, the Hungarian wife of the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited, Gildas TohouoTohouo.

The accused-Olamilekan, 33,

and Akande 27, are technician and printer respectively.

According to reports, Olamilekan was alleged to have before the murder, had unlawful sexual encounter with the deceased. The unfortunate incident happened around 7:30 p.m. at the residence of the deceased located at Flat 7A, 1, Lugard Avenue lkoyi, Lagos.

Both men were, however, arraigned before Justice Modupe

Nico-Clay, who remanded them after they had taken their notguilty plea. The defendants are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, unlawful assault, robbery, armed robbery and rape, proffered against them by the Lagos State Government.

The state prosecuting counsel, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, with

the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Adeyinka Adeyemi, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences on December 8, 2019.

According to Onigbanjo, the defendants killed Bernadetta by suffocating her to death with a small pillow.

He continued: “The duo also attempted to kill the husband by stabbing him severally on the neck, head and back.”

Shake-up in NCC as Danbatta Redeploys Four Directors Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has undertaken a major restructuring at its senior management cadre, THISDAY has gathered.

The move, according to sources close to the commission, was in line with the renewed commitment by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta, to inject new

ideas and energy into some aspects of the organisation’s regulatory activities, following his reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senior staff members affected by the reemployment, include the Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, Mr. Efosa Idehen; Director, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Henry Nkemadu; Director, Consumer

Affairs Bureau, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, and Director, Research and Development (R and D) Department, Mr. Ephraim Nwokonneya.

THISDAY reliably gathered that the change took immediate effect, as Idehen has now assumed new position as Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, while Nwokonneya is the Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

Department.

Similarly, Adinde is going to be the new face of the commission’s public relations as the Director, Public Affairs Department, while Nkemadu has been redeployed to the Research and Development department of the commission, where he was a deputy director before he was promoted and moved to Public Affairs department last year.

UN, WHO, WWF Leaders Ekweremadu Canvasses for Staggered Party Primaries 90 days for re-run polls unconstitutional Blame Unregulated Wildlife DejiSays (INEC) to conduct re-run elections senator supported his arguement country’s electoral laws. Therefore, Elumoye in Abuja in the country. with examples from countries article 11 (2)(b) of the National Trade for COVID-19 He observed yesterday during where presidential democracy Peoples Party, NPP, Constitution, Immediate past Deputy President Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Leaders from global organisations, including the United Nations, World Health Organisation (WHO), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have advised governments to urgently change how food is produced, as they blame deforestation and unregulated wildlife trade for the transmission of diseases like COVID-19 to humans.

Joining forces, the UN, WHO and WWF called on various governments to change their ways regarding sustainable and environmental practices and adopt stricter wildlife trade regulations and better food safety.

The WWF’s Director General, Marco Lambertini; UN Executive

Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, and the Director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, Maria Neira, issued a warning in an article.

The article essentially explained how unregulated wildlife trade and forest destruction are a major reason animal diseases are beginning to affect humans.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread worldwide, scientists have looked into what may have caused the novel coronavirus mass destruction, and concluded that environmental destruction has largely contributed to the pandemic, adding that most emerging infectious diseases are driven by human activities.

of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has suggested early and staggered primary elections as solution to the contentious nomination process in the nation’s electoral process.

Ekweremadu also declared as unconstitutional the 90- day period used by the Independent National Electoral Commission

a webinar on “Electoral Reforms: National Assembly and the People’s Expectations,” that the very close proximity of primary elections to main elections always increased desperation on the part of the political actors and compounded litigations and logistical problems for both the political parties and the INEC. The

is practised.

His words: “In the United States of America (USA), presidential primaries begin about 12 months to the election, climaxing in the convention, where an already known candidate is affirmed.

“In Ghana, there is no stipulated timeframe for the nomination of candidates in the

for instance, stipulates that parliamentary candidates shall be elected at least 12 months before the National General Election, while Article 12 provides that the party’s primary election for the nomination of the presidential candidate shall be held not later than 24 months from the date of the national elections.

Siemens Supports Maritime Anti-corruption Network in Nigeria The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)—a global business network of over 130 companies working together to tackle corruption in the maritime industry—is expanding its Collective Action initiative in Nigeria with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative. The

project will be implemented by MACN and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) and run from 2020 up to January 2023.

“Through the generous support from Siemens AG, CBi and MACN will be able to contribute to a stronger government and port authority compliance

environment and encourage public-private oversight of compliance in ports and terminals.

We believe this will lead to more effective seaports and terminals services, and improved corruption prevention practices that, ultimately, will benefit any business using seaports or

terminals in Nigeria”, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Convention on Business Integrity, Soji Apampa said.

The Siemens Integrity Initiative promotes projects around the world that seek to combat corruption through Collective Action.

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020 • T H I S D AY

45

46

THURSDAY, ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS KATSINA: A STATE UNDER THE GUN! As I spoke to critical stakeholders in Katsina, I could understand the desperation that pushed the governor into the bush to pose with bandit leaders wielding AK-47 guns. Even though it has turned out to be a misadventure, most of the people I spoke to agree that dialogue and a measure of accommodation should not be ruled out. “These bandit leaders are well known.

Their families are known. Their villages are known. They are all Fulani indigenes of these localities, not foreigners. But whenever they want to attack, they can easily ask for reinforcements from Zamfara or even from Niger Republic which explains why they often come in large numbers,� a prominent person in Katsina explained to me.

The question now is: What is the way forward?

From my reading of the situation, the banditry in Katsina and other states in the North-west is essentially rooted in socio-economic and environmental factors.

The conflict is not religious like the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northwest nor is it political. It is therefore not impossible to address if the authorities in Abuja and the states concerned will muster the necessary will to do the right things. Related to this is the potential risk that Boko Haram and global terror franchises operating in the greater Sahel pose. I understand from security sources that terror networks like ISWAP, Ansaru and others are already making overtures to these Fulani bandits for alliance and possible indoctrination.

This must not be allowed to happen.

There is an urgent need for critical defence and security measures geared towards protecting vulnerable communities from continued attacks. Considering the nature of the crisis, we should also deploy a soft approach that is well articulated and managed by committed and trusted officials.

Certainly not some ‘grass-cutters’ who feed on the misery of internally displaced people in our country. The objective should be to enumerate causes of the conflict and proffer workable solutions in the short, medium and long terms. That must include addressing current challenges such as displacement of villagers and loss of livelihoods. More importantly, there is need to pursue a rigorous prosecutorial regime. Impunity for heinous crimes should not be condoned.

Anyone involved in mass killings and rape of women, whether they are Fulani bandits or members of vigilante groups, must be prosecuted and brought to justice. If we are to achieve social healing, the nexus between justice and reconciliation is not negotiable. This conflict constitutes an existential threat not only to a section of the country but to our collective integrity and sovereignty.

Various solutions have been tried by governors in the zone. Following a meeting of the North-west governors on 1st August last year, Masari, in his capacity as chairman of the forum, announced to a bewildered nation that these bandits and cattle rustlers had been granted amnesty.

He read the communiquĂŠ issued at the end of a one-day security and reconciliation meeting with security agents, vigilante, volunteer groups, herdsmen and farmers in Katsina. “As from today, no vigilante group member or volunteers should attack or kill any herdsman, as sacrifice must be made by both sides to ensure peace reign,â€? the communiquĂŠ read.

The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle said at the meeting that “the governors took a uniform measure� and added for the benefit of the people in the seven states, “you should also take a uniform decision not to rustle animals, kidnap or kill anyone.� The permanent secretary, Special Services, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Amina Shamaki explained that “the application of the carrot-and-stick approach is an effective strategy that enables criminals willing to embrace peace to do so while repentant ones are identified and isolated for appropriate actions by security agencies.�

A month later, Masari, along with other top government officials, security operatives, traditional rulers and representatives of Miyetti Allah, held sessions with the bandit leaders. “We are ready to dialogue with the bandits and ready to go anywhere they invite us. We are not afraid to meet anybody to end this problem,� he said at the time.

Within a period of one month following that ‘amnesty’, the bandits killed 17 people and injured dozens of other innocent citizens in 82 attacks that coincided with 41 incidents

President Muhammadu Buhari of cattle rustling. And with that, the peace deal collapsed. “We chose to sign a peace agreement with the bandits to avoid loss of lives and property, but it didn’t yield a positive result. This time around, we will hand it over to security personnel�, lamented Masari early this month.

Apparently incensed by what is happening in their home state, prominent citizens from Katsina have lately been raising their voices. Last week, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof Usman Yusuf released a scathing statement that puts the president on the spot. The North, he argued, “is under siege and terrorized by rampaging bandits and insurgents�, for which he said President Buhari must be held accountable.

He then painted a gory picture of how the bandits operate: “They roll into our towns and villages in convoys of motorcycles riding three on each, brandishing AK47 rifles with impunity. They spend hours killing, burning, raping, carting away livestock and abducting women as sex slaves. In many of these villages, they put taxes on the people and keep coming back again and again to attack because there is no law enforcement presence to protect them. The Police or Military always show up after the carnage to count the bodies.�

Shortly before he died last year, a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir who was both Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, also spoke to the helplessness of the people. “They (bandits) arrest rural people at will and demand ransoms which, if not paid, result in the killing of their victims,� he said.

The Emir of Katsina placed blame for the current situation on the 1976 Dasuki Report on the reform of local government by the military regime of the then General Olusegun Obasanjo that castrated traditional authorities. He spoke extensively about how power was wrested from traditional rulers and “handed to nobody�, though this is an issue for another day. And he made valid points. If we are to find a lasting solution to the current security challenge, especially in the north, we need to involve the traditional rulers who still command a measure of respect among the people but lack any power or authority. We also need

If we are to ďŹ nd a lasting solution to the current security challenge, especially in the north, we need to involve the traditional rulers who still command a measure of respect among the people but lack any power or authority

concrete measures such as improving the operational capacity of the police whose personnel seem to enjoy guard duties with our politicians and business people. It is therefore no surprise that one of the local governments prone to frequent attacks by bandits in Katsina has 28 policemen whose entire weaponry consists of five AK-47!

Meanwhile, to successfully tackle this challenge, we must come to terms with the fact that herders do have genuine grievances. In 2018, I visited several Fulani settlements in Kebbi State where I encountered hundreds of children of school age whose parents were desirous that they be educated. There was either no school or they had collapsed. What I saw in the Fulani settlements was total neglect.

The take-away from my interactions with the Fulani men and women at these settlements, as I wrote back then, is not only that pastoralist societies face more demands on their way of life than at any previous time in history, but also that in our country, the real Fulani people, as opposed to political opportunists who use them as cannon fodder, are also victims of the way we have mismanaged our affairs. “While it may suit some reckless individuals to propound nonsensical theories of how Fulani people are ‘born to rule’, majority of their people are living in deprivation and want.

Those fat-cat Fulani politicians who send their own children abroad to school yet argue that it is the tradition of Fulani men to roam the bush must be called out for what they are‌The greater danger is that in the process of allowing these hapless Fulani men to roam, we unwittingly encourage the violation of the rights, as well as lives and livelihoods, of other Nigerians, especially settled landowners and farmers,� I wrote as I highlighted some of the consequences of the choice we have made.

The Katsina crisis is of course different from the larger Nigerian ‘Fulani problem’ fuelled by ethno-religious prejudices, toxic politics, manipulation of our differences and the inability of the current power holders to be even handed in the distribution of opportunities. It is traceable to marginalisation of the Fulani in their own land and the fierce competition for scarce resources that has in turn led to self-defence since police see their duty primarily as protecting the secretariats of political parties rather than providing security for the people. It is in fact this lack of capacity by the state to restore law and order that has, more than any other factor, created many ungoverned spaces in the North, including Katsina.

In his interrogation of the crisis, Dr Suleiman Abdullahi Shehu of the Federal University, Gusau advocates the deployment of security personnel to the forests that serve as hideouts for the marauders. “The forests must be governed and the illegal users must be dislodged and permanently prevented from controlling the spaces�, he wrote. “In addition, the security forces must strengthen the intelligence-gathering system, with support from the local population.

Also, the Butchers and Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria must be involved in the fight. They are in a better position to identify rustled cows when they are brought to the market. The most important strategy is the use of technology‌�.

While a carrot-and-stick approach that the North-west governors adopted last

year offers a way out of the challenge, the stick has to be big enough to deter bandit leaders. That the military has not shown that they possess such capacity is what continues to keep the bandits in business.

A peace deal with them as opposed to the so-called amnesty is a good idea in the circumstance, provided they are ready to lay down their arms. That such will not happen until there are sufficient threats from the military is where the current challenge lies.

In the course of his meeting with the military and security chiefs last Thursday, President Buhari reportedly told the service chiefs that their efforts to tackle violent crimes in the country were not good enough.

That is the biggest understatement of the year. What Nigerians demand on this issue is action and the continued retention of officers who ought to have long retired does not indicate that anything will change.

But I have already made my point on this issue.

Exactly a year ago, this was what I wrote about these same Service Chiefs: “In a regimented service, there is no greater incentive for professional excellence than the aspiration to reach the top. Yet from 2016 to date, well over 100 Major Generals and their equivalents in both the Navy and Airforce have been retired due to a lack of vacancy at the top. After 35 years, Olonisakin should have retired from the army on 18th December 2016 while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas should have left the Navy since 1st January 2018. Buratai of course was due for retirement on 17th December 2018 before his tenure was extended. Meanwhile, for the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar, his course-mates in the three services (Air force, Army and Navy) have all since retired and he should have joined them on 15th May 2017 after serving 35 years. For how long shall we continue to recycle officers who have entered professional menopause? From my reading of the situation, when you leave officers who have nothing to lose at the helm of affairs, you encourage errant behaviour. The service chiefs have not only reached the pinnacle of their careers, they have stayed beyond the normal course.

The talk in town is that there is no better employer than President Buhari because he will never sack you no matter what you do, sometimes even against his own interest. However, the issue here is national security‌�

On the whole, the security challenge in Katsina, and indeed the North-west, is not different from that of other areas of our country. It is only compounded by the factor of geography (the huge forests and a treacherous border) and an absence of deterrence for bad behaviour. The enduring solution lies in reforming/repositioning our armed forces and the police in such a manner that they would have the capacity for dealing with the challenge. National defence preparedness, according to the 19th century German military strategist, Carl von Clausewitz, presupposes “an army which is soundly trained for war, a military leadership which does not await enemy in perplexed and confused uncertainty‌ and finally a healthy nation which does not fear its enemy any more than it is feared by the enemy.â€?

Shortly before I submitted my column for publication last night, I got news that the Village Head of Barkiya in Kurfi local government was on Tuesday abducted but abandoned about 40 kilometres away by the bandits after a hot chase from some Vigilante. Two daughters of the Village Head of K’arare in Batsari were also reportedly kidnapped and were yet to be recovered as the time of going to press last night.

President Buhari must act now, and very strongly, to retrieve his state of origin from the grip of murderous bandits and the country at large from those who threaten the lives and livelihoods of our people. He must particularly understand the meaning of the Katsina challenge. One of the planks on which he came to power is to tackle insecurity. If the state from where he hails continues to roil in turmoil, whenever he promises to secure any other part of the country, there is the likelihood that some may remind him of the Yoruba adage: ‘Eni ti o y’ani l’aso, t’orun re laa ko wo’.

Crudely translated, it means before you take seriously someone who promises to robe you in a beautiful apparel, you will first check out what the person is wearing!

47

Ëœ ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS Chelsea to Halt Victor Moses’ Extended Stay at Inter Milan Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Femi Solaja with agency report The future of former Nigerian International, Victor Moses at Inter Milan is under threat following the directive from his parent club, Chelsea FC that the player should return home at the end of the Serie A season that will end next month.

Although Moses made it clear his intention to remain at Inter longer than his loan spell ending next month, his ambition to win laurels with coach Antonio Conte and the fans at San Siro stadium appears dimmed now with the directive from Stamford Bridge.

While speaking to Inter’s Match-day programme yesterday before the game against Sassuolo, the former Nigerian star was emotional

when he said his reason for living was football. “I love football, it’s been my passion since I was a child,� he explained. “It’s in my blood and what I love doing. The turning point of my career came when I made my debut with Crystal Palace when I was 16. “I entered the pitch and the atmosphere was incredible. It made me think that football was my reason for living, something where I could give everything with 100 percent commitment,� he expressed.

But according to Sky Sport Italia, the Serie A giants look set to lose the Nigerian and Alexis Sanchez before the end of their season because aside Chelsea, Manchester United are also yet to approve the extended stay of their forward in Italy.

Both players have been on loan at the San Siro this term and have agreed deals with their respective Premier League clubs to allow them to complete the Serie A campaign.

It was learnt that the agreement does not include playing in the Europa League, which is set to be concluded in August.

Inter are set to play Spanish side Getafe in the last-16 of the competition, which will commence when the Italian league season has ended.

Moses is also set to return to his club, with the Chelsea man’s loan agreement coming to an end after the Serie A season.

Antonio Conte is understood to be desperate to reach an

agreement with both United and the Blues to allow the two players to feature in European competition as he looks to secure the trophy.

It has been reported that Inter’s CEO Beppe Marotta is working hard behind the scenes to reach an agreement with the two English clubs, which would involve giving

them further compensations for the use of their players.

Inter are also still within the range of winning the Serie A, although they must make up a nine pint gap to leaders Juventus.

They however still have a game in hand.

Inter welcomed Sassuolo to the San Siro last night, while second-placed

FCT FA Boss Wants Eagles Back to Abuja FCT Football Association Chairman, Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has said he will back any initiative to get the Super Eagles to return to play at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The national team have not played in Abuja for several years now no thanks to the unplayable pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium. “We need to bring the Super Eagles back home,�

Mouktar Mohammed said on NTA Sports Reel programmes. “That’s what we are all yearning for. “And I have always maintained that I will support any initiative that

will bring our national team back to Abuja for the stadium to become a fortress.�

Mohammed said priority should be the pitch of the national edifice. “The grass pitch needs expertise to maintain it all year round,� he explained. “We not only have to maintain the pitch but also sustain this maintenance and this will cost money.�

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium was specially built for the 2003 All Africa Games hosted by Nigeria.

It has since staged the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup and various national events.

Okpekpe Race Organisers Hails Olayinka’s Elevation The Organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have congratulated Mr. Olaniran Olayinka on his elevation as the new Managing Director/CEO of Keystone bank.

As part of its reorganization process, Keystone Bank Limited (former Bank PHB), recently announced the appointment of Olayinka as its new Managing Director/CEO. In a congratulatory message personally signed by Mike Itemuagbor,the CEO of Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited, Olayinka’s elevation is a confirmation of his professionalism, leadership qualities and competence. “On behalf of the management and board of Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited, organizers of the annual 10km Okpekpe International Road Race, we write to congratulate you on your recent appointment as the Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank.

“As a seasoned banker of repute, your elevation to the position of the Chief Executive of Keystone Bank Limited bears testament to your leadership qualities, excellence and experience in the banking industry. “Your organisation as you may be aware were partners/ sponsors in the Women Empowerment category of the Okpekpe International Road Race and we deeply appreciate the great support and partnership. “We are confident that your coming on board with your vast knowledge and experience will add value to this long relationship and we also pledge to continually work towards the improvement and sustenance of the relationship with great sponsorship benefit deliverables to your bank as well. “We once again congratulate you and look forward to working with you,� read the congratulatory message.

Victor Moses...recall to Stamford Bridge Imminent as Chelsea says no to extended stay at Inter Milan

Martial Fires Hat-trick against Blades as Man Utd Pile Pressure on Chelsea If Man City fail to beat Chelsea today Liverpool will be crowned champions Anthony Martial netted the first hat-trick of his senior career as Manchester United kept up the pressure on fourth-placed Chelsea by easing past Sheffield United3-0 on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman converted twice from close range from Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to send the hosts into a two-goal lead before half time.

He then completed his treble with a chip 15 minutes from time as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reduced the deficit on the top four to just two points.

Robin van Persie was the last United player to score a treble in the league.

And while there was

Anthony Martial celebrating his ďŹ rst hat-trick in Manchester United colours against SheďŹƒeld United...yesterday

nothing to compare with the Dutchman’s brilliant volley against Aston Villa that helped seal the 13th and final title of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious

reign, Martial did complete his own milestone with a delightful chipped finish over Simon Moore after collecting Marcus Rashford’s return pass.

The result moves United to within two points of fourthplaced Chelsea, who entertain Manchester City today.

However, for Chris Wilder’s visitors it was another disappointing day. The Blades have now picked up just one point from three games since the resumption and are yet to score.

Solskjaer made five instant changes towards the end of the game with Nigeria forward, Odion Ighalo joining the fray. He however blew a chance to make it four for United.

Elsewhere in Anfield last night, Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 4-0 to set the stage for their crowning today if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Major Football Leagues Continue this Weekend on DStv, GOtv Football fans on DStv and GOtv will witness the continued return of live sport across the globe, with the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, EFL Championship.

The games, scheduled to hold between 25 and 28 June, will be broadcast live on SuperSport to DStv and GOtv subscribers this weekend The midweek actions begin today with fascinating games from the Premier League and LaLiga, being that of Chelsea and Manchester City, which

will air at 8:15pmlive on SuperSport 3 on DStv; and Real Betis v Espanyol at 9pm, live on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 4 on GOtv. The weekend games start on Fridaywith action from England’s second tier, the EFL Championship, with Brentford and West Bromwich Albion battling it out at 8:45pmlive on SuperSport 3 and 11 on DStv and on SuperSport Select GOtv 3.

Defending Serie A champions, Juventus will also be in action

at home to Lecce at 8:45pmon SuperSport 9 on DStv and SuperSport Select 5 on GOtv. Also, Sevilla and Real Valladolid will face-off in La Liga at 9pm. The match will air live on SuperSport 7 on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 and 4 on GOtv. Football fans will be in for further action on Saturday with the resumption of the FA Cup. Norwich City host Manchester United at Carrow Road for the first three quarterfinal clashes this weekend. The game will

be aired live on at 5:30pmon SuperSport 3 on DStv. Other matches schedules for the day include a crunch match for promotion hopefuls, Leeds United against Fulham in the EFL Championship. The match will air live on SuperSport 3 and 11 and SuperSport Select GOtv 3 at 3pm. There is also a Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at 12:30pmon SuperSport 33on DStv and SuperSport Select 2 on GOtv.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Agboola Ajayi to Rotimi Akeredolu “We remain undaunted in the move to throw off the combined weight of those kneeling on the neck of Ondo State. Our state shall not be allowed to suffocate. At the appropriate time, the people of Ondo State shall decide the right person, who will serve as the arrowhead of the bid to save the state from the nepotistic clique kneeling on her neck” – Ondo deputy governor who resigned from the ruling APC in the state to join the opposition PDP.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Katsina: A State Under the Gun!

M

y simple question seemed to have thrown the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, off balance. After a brief pause, he countered: “You are asking me how I feel when my people are being killed every day? We can spend a whole day discussing that. We are dealing with murderers, people for whom lives mean nothing but they seem to have overwhelmed the capacity of the state.” He explained the nature of the challenge, the historical decision that disempowered the traditional authority and in the process emboldened criminals within their domains, and added, “When the former Agriculture Minister, Mr Audu Ogbeh visited me last year with the CBN Governor, (Mr Godwin Emefiele) and they gave me some cotton seedlings, I asked what they wanted me to do with them. I told them what I needed from the federal government is protection for my people, most of who in any case have been forced to abandon their farms.”

As the emir spoke, his pain was palpable.

His encounter with Ogbeh and Emefiele occurred on 6th May last year and was lavishly reported in the media. The duo had visited Katsina State to launch the distribution of cotton seeds/inputs to farmers for the 2019 planting season. In the course of their courtesy call to the palace, the Emir had said: “Hon. minister, tell the president that we have to take very good care of our people’s security first.

All these programmes, as good as they are, cannot be without security. Every day I receive reports of kidnappings and killings from district and village heads. I have not seen this kind of country; how do we live like animals? Three days ago, Magajin Gari (of Daura Emirate Council) was abducted. Nobody is safe now, whether in your house or on the road or wherever you are. Many people have abandoned their farms in fear of kidnapping and killings and other atrocities. It’s very unfortunate.”

During my visit to his palace last Thursday, the Emir was being briefed by palace chiefs and a retinue of security officials and he allowed me to join the session. From what transpired, it appears the security challenge in the state is almost out of control.

Sadly, the same can also be said of other states, including Zamfara and Kaduna in the North-west and Niger State in the North-central where Governor Abubakar Sani Bello lamented at the weekend that bandits “have made life very uncomfortable for our people.” The situation in the Northeast where Boko Haram and other terror affiliates have been attempting to carve out ‘caliphates’ for themselves needs no further elaboration. So, it is safe to conclude that the northern region of the country is for all practical purposes under the gun!

But there is a method to the madness in Katsina. While the killings may have started more than a decade ago, recent years have witnessed a heightened scale and ferocity.

This year has been particularly bloody. The violence has come in two phases: the first four months and the past two months.

From 1st January to 30th April this year, according to a security document I sighted,

Masari there were 117 attacks within the state which led to 234 fatalities (all the names are recorded). These attacks cut across practically all the local governments. In Kankara, no fewer than 14 communities were attacked within the period. These communities include Dankamawa, Gureta, Doka, Unguwar Sarkin Aiki, Batsirari, Gidan Sarkin Gurbi, Tsamiyar Jino, Yangeme, Modibbo, Katsalle, Yar’Bakiya, Zurunkutum, Mabai and Majifa that was invaded twice within a period of two weeks.

So emboldened were the bandits that on 12th April, they killed five members of ‘Yan’Sakai volunteers’ (a vigilante group) in Pouwe forest within the precincts of Kankara local government. In Danmusa local government, some of the communities attacked by bandits were Katsira, Kurechin Giye, Kanawa, Unguwar Kaura, Dufar Mato, Tashar Kaura, Dandire-Dantutu, Unguwar Haro and others.

From Batagarawa to Katsina to Kurfi to Malunfashi to Funtua, there is hardly any local government that is out of the reach of these bandits. Not even Daura, where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from.

On 24th March, Ahmadu Dagwale, 45, was assassinated in Kurneji on the outskirts of Daura by bandits. But as bloody as the first four months were, the spate of attacks in the past two months has been numbing.

In the first five days of May, no fewer than 14 persons were killed in ten daring attacks in Batsari, Kankara, Jibia, Kurfi, Batagarawa, Matazu, Bakori and Faskari local governments. Since then, there have been other major attacks. What has worsened the situation is that the bandits seem to now target traditional rulers, perhaps in a bid to underscore the saying that once you take the shepherd, the sheep will scatter.

This month, the Village Head of Mazoji who doubled as the Sarkin Fulanin Fafu, Alhaji Dikko Usman was killed by bandits and a few weeks later, the Hakimin Garin Yantumaki, Alhaji Atiku Maidabino was assassinated right in his palace in Danmusa local government. The ease with which these bandits can reach palaces and take out traditional rulers has put fear in district heads who now threaten to leave their domains.

But their subjects have nowhere to run. On 10th June, dozens of innocent villagers were killed when bandits on motorcycles invaded Kabalawa, Kwakware, Unguwar Wahabi and Raudama in Faskari local government area. “The bandits attempted to loot food items. However, the residents resisted their attempt. As a result, the gunmen opened fire…We recorded 20 deaths, and 20 injuries during the unfortunate incident,” explained the state police spokesperson, Gambo Isah.

Many of the injured victims have since died.

However, this renewed wave of violence may have finally prompted the federal government to respond, especially following protests against the president in his home state. Last week, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungono, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, the Director of State Security Service, Magashi Bichi, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Rufai Abubakar visited Katsina to dialogue with the state government and critical stakeholders. From my interaction with Governor Aminu Bello Masari last Thursday, a number of crucial decisions were reached at that meeting.

Hopefully, there will be concrete actions in the coming days and weeks to address the challenge.

Meanwhile, from my findings (and I interacted with a broad spectrum of Katsina elite), the crisis in the state is neither peculiar nor is it different from the one in Zamfara or Sokoto states. It originated in the usual spat over crop damage by herders and encroachment on grazing reserves by farmers resulting in killings and reprisal attacks as more and more people took the law into their own hands. Most farmers in the north, according to Ugwumba Egbuta who has interrogated this crisis, “view cattle tracts and grazing reserves as lands not possessed by anyone and can therefore be freely encroached” while every herder “believes that feeding his cattle at whatever circumstances is a superior and uncompromising right given to him by nature.” To compound the situation, most of the herders “do not recognize the existence of any boundary in terms of their grazing and are usually fully armed with modern guns”.

That precisely is the situation in Katsina

today but it did not begin that way. The encroachment of grazing reserves in Kankara, Malunfashi, Bakori and other local governments in southern Katsina resulted in many of the herders feeling short-changed. The moment they started losing their cattle to rustlers, many of these herders began buying arms as a means of protection. With time, some also introduced kidnapping and armed robbery to their trade.

The moment they realised that more money could be made from demanding ransom than rearing animals, the ‘diversification’ led to the violence that has become almost a daily staple in the state. When you combine these criminalities with poverty, drug abuse, illiteracy etc. in a milieu where there is a clear absence of government at the local level and traditional authorities have been rendered impotent, it is no surprise that the result is anarchy.

But the bandits had to find a cause: they see themselves as avenging the way they were treated by farmers in the past and the loss of lives and herds of cattle they have, at different times, suffered. That is how notorious kingpins began to emerge among the bandits who are well known to officials of the Katsina state government and the security agencies. The top guns among them are Ado Aileru, Dankarami, Abu Redde, Dogo Dide and ‘Dangote’.

These bandit leaders have carved out empires for themselves within Rugu Forest in Katsina and Dunburun Forest in Zamfara.

Each of them, I understand, has over 300 followers with the kind of weapons that may not be readily available to our military. They are also well organized with informants which perhaps explained why they now target traditional rulers who, in a bid to protect their people, work with the security agencies. These bandits don’t see themselves as criminals and apart from armed robbery operations, most other attacks are usually carried out to avenge what they consider injustice against them.

For instance, the February mass killings in Tsawwa and Dankar communities in Batsari local government were reprisal attacks, after the death of two herdsmen suspected as bandits.

Continued on page 46

A Mother Indeed

“Good morning Family. We have woken up to the sad news that our very own Grandma Cecilia Umeh-Ujubonou—an enigma, mother, preacher, teacher, director, helper, enabler, counsellor, Easter Camp cook, Teens Conference mobiliser, Children’s Choir outfits provider, peace maker and many more—has gone to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate a life well lived. May God bless her memory. May God strengthen Aunty Oby and Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili, Aunty Nkiru, Chudi, Onyenka and their families, the grandchildren and the larger family that includes all of us.”

That was the way my sister Elizabeth Ekpenyong announced the passage of ‘Mama Oby’ as many people knew her on a

WhatsApp platform of the Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. While there will be a day to reflect on the life of a wonderful woman who was a true mother to several people, including my wife and I, we rejoice that she has gone to a better place. When I asked my son, Oluwakorede—who had the privilege of being around her a few times on what turned out to be her last days—to say the prayer after the family morning devotion yesterday morning, it was no surprise that he started with, “We thank God for the life of grandma...”

She meant that much to him. And to several other people, young and old. May God comfort the family she left behind.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com