WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

NNPC to Borrow $3.8bn to Acquire Dangote Reﬁnery Shares 1

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

T H I S D AY

Says no petrol price increase in next two months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is planning to borrow $3.8 billion to

actualise its agenda of acquiring a 20 per cent VWDNH LQ 'DQJRWH 5HÀQHU\ NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, said yesterday

that the money would be ERUURZHG IURP ÀQDQFLDO institutions. +H VDLG VRPH ÀQDQFLDO institutions had already agreed to fund the

acquisition, while the debts would be paid back from the NNPC’s earnings from dividends DQG SURÀWV DFFUXLQJ IURP its investment in the fuel

plant. The 650,000 barrels per GD\ UHÀQHU\ ORFDWHG LQ Lagos State, which Kyari said had been tentatively valued at about $19 billion,

is expected to come on stream in 2022 and will produce 50 million litres of petrol per day. Continued on page 10

Again, FG Shifts Deadline for NIN Verification to July 26...

page 5

Wednesday 30 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9578. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com

TODAY'S WEATHER

ABUJA 25°C-33°C

MAIDUGURI 31°C-31°C

UT H

& RE A S O

ENUGU 25°C-28°C

KANO 27°C-33°C

LAGOS 24C-27°C

PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C

Nnamdi Kanu Now Dot in a Circle,

Arrested in Addis Ababa, Remanded 7HOOV FRXUW ZK\ KH ÁHG Alex Enumah in Abuja

About three years after jumping bail, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, was yesterday re-arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the continuation of his trial for treasonable felony. Reliable security sources told THISDAY yesterday

that Kanu was rearrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Interpol following an intensive search for him by the Nigerian intelligence community in collaboration with their foreign counterparts. According to the sources, when, following the storming of his parent’s compound in Afaraukwu, Abia State, by a detachment

of soldiers on 14th September 2017, Kanu ‘disappeared’ virtually into thin air, the federal

government felt concerned. Since both, his Nigerian and British passports were still in the custody of the Federal

High Court in Abuja, there were strong suspicions that Kanu got the support of the United Kingdom High

Commission in Nigeria for his escape. That was later proved to be the case. A security source, who

Continued on page 8

APC’s Good Performance Made Matawalle Defect, Says Buhari

Deputy gov: PDP can still retrieve our manGDWH Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the impressive performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels of government was responsible for the defection

of Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Bello Matawalle from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC. Matawalle yesterday formally announced his defection to the APC. Continued on page 8

ON THE FOOD QUESTION… UN D S G M A M ft V P Y O SAN UN F S S A …

Senate Receives PIB Report, Begins Consideration Tomorrow...

page 45

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

T H I S D AY

NEWS

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com. 08066066268

Again, FG Shifts Deadline IRU 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ WR -XO\ Only 1.3m out of 95.6m numbers authenticated Emma Okonji Following the slow YHULÀFDWLRQ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 1XPEHU 1,1 E\ WKH ,GHQWLW\ 0DQDJHPHQW &RPPLVVLRQ 1,0& WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW \HVWHUGD\ H[WHQGHG WKH GHDGOLQH IRU 1,1 6,0 GDWD YHULÀFDWLRQ IURP -XQH WR -XO\ <HVWHUGD\·V H[WHQVLRQ RI WKH GHDGOLQH PDGH LW WKH VHYHQWK WLPH WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW ZRXOG EH SRVWSRQLQJ WKH GHDGOLQH VLQFH WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI WKH H[HUFLVH 7KH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW KDV HTXDOO\ LQFUHDVHG IDFLOLWLHV IRU WKH UHJLVWUDWLRQ RI 1,1 WR QDWLRQZLGH ,Q D MRLQW VWDWHPHQW \HVWHUGD\ E\ WKH 1LJHULDQ & R P P X Q L F D W L R Q V &RPPLVVLRQ 1&& DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO ,GHQWLW\ 0DQDJHPHQW &RPPLVVLRQ 1,0& DQG VLJQHG E\ WKH 'LUHFWRU RI 3XEOLF $ͿDLUV DW 1&& 'U ,NHFKXNZX $GLQGH DQG WKH +HDG &RUSRUDWH &RPPXQLFDWLRQV DW 1,0& 0U .D\RGH $GHJRNH VWDWHG WKDW WKH GHFLVLRQ WR H[WHQG WKH GHDGOLQH ZDV PDGH DIWHU D UHTXHVW E\ VWDNHKROGHUV RQ WKH QHHG WR FRQVROLGDWH WKH HQUROPHQW DQG 1,1 6,0 YHULÀFDWLRQ SURFHVV IROORZLQJ WKH UDSLG LQFUHDVH LQ WKH QXPEHU RI HQUROPHQW V\VWHPV QDWLRQZLGH 7KH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW LQ 'HFHPEHU KDG GLUHFWHG WHOHFRPV VXEVFULEHUV WR UHJLVWHU WKHLU 1,1 DQG VXEPLW VDPH WR QHWZRUN RSHUDWRUV IRU YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG OLQNDJH ZLWK WKHLU 6,0 FDUGV +RZHYHU WKH -RLQW ,PSOHPHQWDWLRQ &RPPLWWHH -,& RQ KDUPRQLVDWLRQ RI 1DWLRQDO ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 1XPEHU 1,1 ZLWK 6XEVFULEHU ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 0RGXOH 6,0 RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV 1,1 6,0 +DUPRQLVDWLRQ &RPPLWWHH KDV UDWHG 1,1 6,0 YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG LQWHJUDWLRQ H[HUFLVH YHU\ ORZ IRU 0D\ 7KH FRPPLWWHH·V ODWHVW UHSRUW RQ 1,1 VXEPLVVLRQ DQG YHULÀFDWLRQ FRYHULQJ 0DUFK WR 0D\ ZKLFK ZDV REWDLQHG E\ 7+,6'< VKRZHG WKDW VXEVFULEHUV KDYH FRQWLQXHG WR VXEPLW WKHLU 1,1V WR PRELOH QHWZRUN RSHUDWRUV 012V IRU YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG OLQNDJH WR WKHLU WHOHSKRQH OLQHV DV GLUHFWHG E\ WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW

7+,6'$< KRZHYHU JDWKHUHG WKDW WKH YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG OLQNDJH KDYH EHHQ DE\VPDOO\ VORZ GXH WR WKH DOOHJHG SRRU IXQGLQJ RI 1,0& WKH JRYHUQPHQW DJHQF\ UHVSRQVLEOH IRU 1,1 HQUROPHQW DQG YHULÀFDWLRQ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH FRPPLWWHH·V UHSRUW DFWLYH WHOHSKRQH OLQHV DV RI 0D\ ZHUH PLOOLRQ DQG D FXPXODWLYH PLOOLRQ 1,1 RZQHUV VXEPLWWHG WKHLU 1,1 LQ WKH VDPH PRQWK %XW RQO\ PLOOLRQ 1,1V ZHUH YHULÀHG DQG OLQNHG GXULQJ WKH UHYLHZ SHULRG $ EUHDNGRZQ RI WKH VWDWLVWLFV VKRZHG WKDW LQ 0DUFK DFWLYH WHOHSKRQH OLQHV ZHUH PLOOLRQ EXW WKH QXPEHU GURSSHG WR PLOOLRQ LQ $SULO DQG IXUWKHU GURSSHG WR PLOOLRQ LQ 0D\ 7KH QXPEHU RI VXEVFULEHUV WKDW VXEPLWWHG WKHLU 1,1V WKURXJK WKH QHWZRUNV RI 012V ZDV PLOOLRQ LQ 0DUFK UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RI WKH WRWDO QXPEHU RI VXEVFULEHUV 7KH ÀJXUH LQFUHDVHG WR PLOOLRQ LQ $SULO UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW DQG IXUWKHU LQFUHDVHG WR PLOOLRQ LQ 0D\ UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW )URP WKH WRWDO QXPEHU RI 1,1 VXEPLWWHG RQO\ ZHUH YHULÀHG DQG OLQNHG LQ 0DUFK UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RQO\ ZHUH YHULÀHG DQG OLQNHG LQ $SULO UHSUHVHQWLQJ RQH SHU FHQW ZKLOH RQO\ PLOOLRQ 1,1V ZHUH YHULÀHG DQG OLQNHG LQ 0D\ UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RI WKH WRWDO QXPEHU RI VXEPLWWHG 1,1V 7RWDO 1,1 HQUROPHQW E\ 012V LQ 0DUFK ZDV ZLWK JHQHUDWHG 1,1V ,Q $SULO LW URVH WR 1,1 HQUROPHQWV ZLWK JHQHUDWHG 1,1V ,Q 0D\ WKH ÀJXUH URVH DJDLQ WR 1,1 HQUROPHQWV ZLWK JHQHUDWHG 1,1V %XW IURP 0DUFK WR 0D\ WKH WRWDO 1,1 HQUROPHQWV E\ DOO 1,0& SDUWQHUV ZHUH WZR PLOOLRQ LQ 0DUFK WKUHH PLOOLRQ LQ $SULO DQG WZR PLOOLRQ LQ 0D\ 7KH WRWDO 1,1 SHQHWUDWLRQ ZKLFK LV WKH QXPEHU RI 1,1V VXFFHVVIXOO\ OLQNHG ZDV SXW DW PLOOLRQ LQ 0DUFK UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RI 1LJHULD·V SRSXODWLRQ RI PLOOLRQ PLOOLRQ LQ $SULO UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RI WKH SRSXODWLRQ DQG PLOOLRQ LQ 0D\

UHSUHVHQWLQJ SHU FHQW RI WKH SRSXODWLRQ :KHQ DVNHG WR FRPPHQW RQ WKH ORZ YHULÀFDWLRQ ÀJXUH ERWK 1,0& DQG 1&& GHFOLQHG WR FRPPHQW EXW D VRXUFH FORVH WR 1,0& VDLG ´7KH ÀJXUHV DUH FRUUHFW EXW 1,0& FDQQRW FRPPHQW EHFDXVH 1,0& LV QRW LQYROYHG LQ 1,1 6,0 OLQNDJH HYHQ WKRXJK 1,0& YHULÀHV DOO UHJLVWHUHG 1,1V IURP LWV EDFN HQG VHUYHU µ 1,0& LV RI WKH YLHZ WKDW WKH LVVXH RI LQFRPSOHWH DQG LQDSSURSULDWH 6,0 UHJLVWUDWLRQ RQ WKH QHWZRUN RI 012V FRXOG EH UHVSRQVLEOH IRU VORZ 1,1 6,0 LQWHJUDWLRQ EXW WKH -RLQW ,PSOHPHQWDWLRQ &RPPLWWHH WKLQNV RWKHUZLVH EODPLQJ WKH VLWXDWLRQ RI VORZ YHULÀFDWLRQ RQ SRRU IXQGLQJ RI 1,0& UHVXOWLQJ LQ WKH LQDELOLW\ RI 1,0& WR LPSOHPHQW WKH UHFRPPHQGHG %XON

1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ SURFHVV WKDW ZRXOG VSHHG XS 1,1 YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG LQWHJUDWLRQ 7KH FRPPLWWHH VDLG 1,1 YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG OLQNDJH E\ 012V UHPDLQHG PHDJUH DW SHU FHQW IURP 0DUFK WKURXJK 0D\ LQ FRPSDULVRQ WR SHU FHQW RI WKH QDWLRQDO WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV EDVH WKDW VXEPLWWHG 1,1V RYHU WKH SHULRG ,W VWDWHG WKDW WKH WUHQG ZLOO FRQWLQXH DV ORQJ DV EXON 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ E\ 1,0& LV QRW LQ SODFH 7KH FRPPLWWHH·V UHSRUW VDLG ´,W LV SHUWLQHQW WR PHQWLRQ WKDW %XON 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ LV VWLOO DW WKH 3URRI RI &RQFHSW 32& VWDJH VLQFH -DQXDU\ 1,0& QHHGV WR FRQÀUP D WLPHOLQH ZKHQ %XON 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ ZLOO FRPPHQFH :LWKRXW WKLV 012V ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR FROOHFW VXEPLWWHG 1,1V IURP FXVWRPHUV EXW ZLOO QRW EH

DEOH WR YHULI\ DQG OLQN WKHP WR FXVWRPHU·V WHOHSKRQH OLQHV DV UHTXLUHG WR DFKLHYH WKH VWDWHG REMHFWLYHV RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW :LWKRXW %XON 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ 012V ZRXOG KDYH WR UHVRUW WR RYHUQLJKW %DWFK 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ SURFHVVLQJ XVLQJ WKH 6LQJOH 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ $3, RU RWKHUZLVH LQYLWH WKHLU FXVWRPHUV WR YLVLW 012 RXWOHWV IRU ,QGLYLGXDO 1,1 YHULÀFDWLRQ XVLQJ WKH VDPH $3, 1,0&·V V\VWHPV ZRXOG EHFRPH RYHUZKHOPHG E\ WKH PLOOLRQV RI UHTXHVWV IRU RYHUQLJKW %DWFK 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ SURFHVVLQJ IURP DOO 012V OHDGLQJ WR SRRU SHUIRUPDQFH RXWULJKW IDLOXUH RI WKH SURFHVVLQJ V\VWHPV µ 7KH FRPPLWWHH FDOOHG RQ 1,0& WR WDNH XUJHQW DFWLRQ WR UROORXW %XON 1,1 9HULÀFDWLRQ ZLWKRXW ZKLFK YHULÀFDWLRQ RI WKH P VXEPLWWHG WHOHSKRQH OLQHV ZKLFK ZRXOG FRQWLQXH

WR JURZ PRQWKO\ FDQQRW KDSSHQ DQG JRYHUQPHQW·V GLUHFWLYH WR YHULI\ DQG OLQN 1,1V WR FXVWRPHU 6,0V ZLOO QRW EH DFKLHYHG 7KH 0LQLVWHU RI &RPPXQLFDWLRQV DQG 'LJLWDO (FRQRP\ 'U ,VD ,EUDKLP 3DQWDPL KDG LQ 'HFHPEHU LVVXHG D GLUHFWLYH WKURXJK 1&& IRU DOO WHOHFRPV VXEVFULEHUV WR UHJLVWHU WKHLU 1,1 DQG VXEPLW VDPH IRU WR WKHLU QHWZRUN RSHUDWRUV IRU YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG OLQNDJH 7KH LQLWLDO GLUHFWLYH KDG WZR ZHHNV ZLQGRZ WR FRPSOHWH WKH 1,1 UHJLVWUDWLRQ DQG YHULÀFDWLRQ ZLWK D WKUHDW WR GHDFWLYDWH WKH 6,0 RI DQ\ VXEVFULEHU ZKR IDLOHG WR FRPSO\ ZLWKLQ WKH VWLSXODWHG SHULRG 7KH GHDGOLQH ZDV ODWHU H[WHQGHG DQG VLQFH WKHQ JRYHUQPHQW KDV FRQWLQXHG WR H[WHQG LW

FIGHTING THE DRUG MENACE…

L-R: Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and Country Representative, United Nations Oﬃce on Drug and Crime, Mr. Oliver Stolpe, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Yenagoa…yesterday

+RXVH &RQFXUV &RQÀUPV <DKD\D DV $UP\ &KLHI Udora Orizu in Abuja

%DUHO\ RQH ZHHN DIWHU WKH 6HQDWH FRQÀUPHG 0DM *HQ )DURXN <DKD\D DV WKH &KLHI RI $UP\ 6WDͿ &2$6 WKH +RXVH RI 5HSUHVHQWDWLYHV \HVWHUGD\ DOVR UDWLÀHG KLV DSSRLQWPHQW 7KH FRQÀUPDWLRQ IROORZHG WKH FRQVLGHUDWLRQ DQG

DGRSWLRQ RI WKH UHSRUW RI WKH -RLQW &RPPLWWHH RQ 'HIHQFH DQG $UP\ FKDLUHG E\ +RQ %DEDMLPL %HQVRQ 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL KDG RQ -XQH ZURWH WR WKH +RXVH XUJLQJ LW WR FRQÀUP <DKD\D DV WKH &2$6 7KH 6SHDNHU +RQ )HPL

*EDMDELDPLOD WKHUHDIWHU UHIHUUHG WKH UHTXHVW WR WKH &RPPLWWHHV RQ 'HIHQFH DQG $UP\ IRU VFUHHQLQJ ,Q KLV SUHVHQWDWLRQ %HQVRQ VDLG WKH QRPLQHH JDYH YHU\ DSW DQVZHUV WR WKH TXHVWLRQV DQG WKH FRPPLWWHH ZDV VDWLVÀHG ZLWK LWV LQWHUDFWLRQV ZLWK WKH QRPLQHH GXULQJ WKH

VFUHHQLQJ +H DSSHDOHG WR KLV FROOHDJXHV WR FRQÀUP <DKD\D :KHQ SXW WR D YRLFH YRWH E\ WKH 'HSXW\ 6SHDNHU +RQ ,GULV :DVH who presided over the VHVVLRQ LW JRW WKH VXSSRUW RI WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH ODZPDNHUV

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT

NNAMDI KANU NOW DOT IN A CIRCLE, ARRESTED IN ADDIS ABABA, REMANDED spoke to THISDAY last night, said the federal government was further incensed when a global human rights agency sent a letter to the Permanent Mission in New York, asking Nigeria to either produce Kanu or explain his whereabouts. “Only a few days later, Kanu surfaced in Jerusalem, Israel, with a photograph taken at the ‘Wailing Wall’ where he granted one of those his stupid interviews,” said the source. The security source explained that whereas Kanu breached all the conditions for which he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 29th April 2017, he orchestrated a campaign of calumny against the country. “First, he went into hiding, creating the impression that he was killed by soldiers and when he eventually appeared, he became more emboldened in his criminal activities,” she said. Kanu, according to the security source, was able to travel to many countries around the world, because he holds a British passport. “With that, he thought he was invincible. From wherever location he was operating from (and I can tell you that he has not been to the UK in the past two years), he used the power of social media to cause havoc by making incendiary broadcasts,” she said. With the money Kanu reportedly garnered through fundraising to “establish his phantom Biafran Republic”, according to the source, Kanu lived large, and that eventually proved to be

his undoing. “What he did not know was that the security agencies were on his trail. His lifestyles consisted mostly of going out ZLWK GLͿHUHQW ZRPHQ buying expensive pieces of jewelry, chartering aircraft, and drinks. And because he got many gullible people who were donating to his so-called IPOB, he had so much money to play with such that he even hired lobby groups for his propaganda activities,” the security source told THISDAY. She explained that the security agencies have intercepts of how Kanu formed the Eastern Security Networks (ESN) and how the members became a terror group as well as his directives to IPOB operatives which bordered on incitement to violence. “We know those he collaborated with to instigate the killings against the police in the South-east,” said the source who added that it was on Kanu’s instruction that certain prominent politicians from the Southeast should be visited with violence whenever they are sighted abroad. The source cited the VSHFLÀF H[DPSOH RI IRUPHU Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. After trailing Kanu for several months and LQÀOWUDWLQJ KLV UDQNV WKH VHFXULW\ DJHQFLHV ÀQDOO\ pinned him into Addis Ababa, where he was arrested by Interpol and then extradited to Abuja last Sunday. Kanu returned yesterday to the court of Justice Nyako that had in late 2017 granted him bail. The self-acclaimed leader of IPOB and four others

were arraigned before the Federal High Court on a six-count criminal charge bordering on a treasonable felony in June 2016. Though they pleaded not guilty to the charge, GLͿHUHQW MXGJHV LQFOXGLQJ Justice Nyako, who heard the case denied their bail. However, Justice Nyako soft-pedaled following Kanu’s deteriorating health and admitted him to bail to enable him to access quality medical care. The court, on April 25, 2017, had admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million and three sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a serving senator. This made Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stand in for him. However, Kanu’s bail was revoked in March 2019 and a bench warrant for his arrest issued in November 2019, following his long absence in court for his trial. The court also separated WKH WULDO RI .DQX IURP ÀYH others earlier arraigned with him to pave the way for the continuation of their trial. But with his arrest and extradition, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, earlier announced yesterday, Kanu was brought before Justice Nyako by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), to continue his trial. The Federal High Court complex in Abuja was completely taken over by a contingent of policemen to prevent a possible security breach by Kanu’s supporters. Few minutes to his entering the dock,

Malami, at an emergency SUHVV EULHÀQJ WROG MXGLFLDO correspondents that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and was being taken to court for continuation of his trial. 0DODPL ZKR ZDV ÁDQNHG by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman; police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, and his DSS counterpart, Dr. Peter Afunanya, was silent on where Kanu was arrested. He said: “Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested through the FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV RI Nigerian intelligence and security services. “He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11- count charge against him. “Recent steps taken by the federal government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday, the 27th day of June, 2021. “Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu OkwuKanu, born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State, is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 ÀUVW LVVXHG WK 2FWREHU 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos.” Malami added that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015 on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession RI ÀUHDUPV DQG LPSURSHU importation of goods, among others. Malami added that Kanu, upon jumping bail, engaged in subversive activities that include inciting violence through

television, radio, and online broadcasts against Nigeria and its institutions. “Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, paramilitary, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.” However, following his appearance in court, Justice Nyako ordered Kanu to be remanded in the custody of the DSS. The remand order was sequel to an application by the federal government’s lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran. Ruling on the remand application, Justice Nyako held that the prosecution should inform Kanu’s lawyer of his re-arrest and remand in the custody of the DSS as well as the next adjourned date. The judge subsequently adjourned till July 26 for the continuation of the trial.

Tells Court Why He Fled Meanwhile, Kanu has rationalised his jumping bail, saying he abandoned his trial and escaped out of the country in 2017 following a threat to his life. He sought the permission of the court to speak, shortly after he rearraigned. Though he did not have any legal representation, Kanu, who was dressed in a black tracksuit, looked KHDOWK\ DQG XQUX΁HG He explained that he did not deliberately abscond from the court to avoid trial. He said his disappearance

was due to the unlawful invasion of his house by security agents, in an operation he said resulted in the death of many innocent people. He added that he went underground to avoid being killed. He said: “My lord, my house was invaded and people were killed. I would have been killed too if I had not hidden myself. That was why I have been unable to attend court. “I would have been killed the way others were killed when my house was invaded.” Justice Nyako asked him to get in touch with his lawyer to brief him about all that had transpired in the case in his absence.

Kanu’s Family Speaks on Arrest, Warns FG The family of Kanu yesterday told the federal government not to maltreat their son. His younger brother, Emmanuel, told journalists in Umuahia that Kanu is on the path of truth and has not committed any crime to deserve persecution. He said the IPOB leader was only demanding freedom for Biafrans, which is their fundamental human right. He warned the federal government to handle their son with caution, adding that the whole world is watching. “My brother (Kanu) has awoken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country. “He stood for the truth, and heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth. My brother committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel stated.

APC’S GOOD PERFORMANCE REASON FOR MATAWALLE’S DEFECTION, SAYS BUHARI However, the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Mahdi Gusau, who refused to defect with Matawalle, has said the PDP could retrieve its mandate from the governor. The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has, however, said that the party is FRQÀGHQW RI ZLQQLQJ WKH 2023 general election, despite the defection of some of its governors to the APC. Speaking at a rally yesterday in Gusau, Matawalle said that he had been nursing the ambition of leaving his party, PDP, for several reasons. “I am now the leader of APC in Zamfara State and I am ready to work with each and everyone wishing

to contribute to the rapid development of the state,” he said. The APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, congratulated Matawalle for defecting to the party. Buni said Matawalle is now the leader of APC in Zamfara State. He also announced that the state APC caretaker committee has been dissolved. “I also want to bring to your notice that as from today, the APC Caretaker Committees of Zamfara State from the ward to the state level have been dissolved,” Buni said. Also speaking at the occasion, former governor of the state, Mr. AbdulAziz Yari welcomed Matawalle

to APC, adding that, he was ready to give all necessary support and cooperation for him to succeed. He said: “I want to bring to the notice of each and every one in Zamfara State that I am not in any way against the defection of Governor Matawalle to our great party. “I was a governor for two terms; as such, I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the chance to lead my people for eight years.” Matawalle joined the APC with all members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly members except a representative from Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency and the deputy governor, who remains in the PDP.

The rally was attended by governors of Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Ogun, Jigawa, Plateau, and Kebbi State; Secretary to the Government of Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and Minister of Humanitarian $ͿDLUV DPRQJ RWKHUV The event scheduled for 2 pm, did not start until after 6.30 pm. In his swift reaction to the defection, the deputy governor told journalists in Abuja that the PDP should retrieve its mandate from the Zamfara State governor. He argued that the Supreme Court judgment was clear, stressing that the mandate belongs to the opposition party. “Judgment was divine. The Supreme Court said that the

APC has no votes because of the quarrel and crisis in the party and said that the party that came second VKRXOG DVVXPH R΀FH DV WKH governor. So, this is divine; if the PDP desires to reclaim its stolen mandate, the party is free. For me, I will not defect and will continue as the deputy governor and do the job for which I am elected” The deputy governor also stated that nobody will VDFN KLP IURP R΀FH DV WKH deputy governor as he has QRW FRPPLWWHG DQ\ RͿHQFH that could warrant his removal. “I am not involved in FRQWUDFWV DQG DQ\ ÀQDQFLDO dealings as a deputy governor. I am free and I Continued on page 10

p g

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % FIDSON 0.46 5.06 10 VITAFOAM 0.12 13.60 9.6 REDSTAR 0.32 3.67 9.5 VERITASKAP 0.02 0.24 9.0 CHAMS PLC 0.01 0.21 5.0 TOP LOSERS NGN % AIRTEL 75.30 678.00 10 MBENEFITS 0.03 0.38 10 CORNERSTONE 0.04 0.51 7.2 LEARNAFRICA 0.07 1.01 6.4 IKEJHOTEL 0.06 0.91 6.1 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,420.00 Volume: 218.271 million shares Value: N2.726 billion Deals: 3,524 As at yesterday 22/6/2021 See details on Page 31

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN OUR GOOD PERFORMANCE REASON FOR MATAWALLE’S DEFECTION, SAYS BUHARI

The President used the forum to urge APC Governors and elected have not committed any performance record and lawmakers across the commitment to good country to continue to LPSHDFKDEOH RͿHQFH µ According to him, “This JRYHUQDQFH µ work harder to ensure LV QRW WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKDW In a message delivered on the party maintains its a governor will defect his behalf at the defection popularity and retains ZLWKRXW KLV GHSXW\ ceremony by the SGF, SRZHU EH\RQG President He reminded all elected It happened when Mustapha, Wamakko defected to Buhari said: “I’m proud SDUW\ R΀FLDOV RI WKH IDFW the APC and his deputy, of your timely and wise that “your performance Muktar Shagari, remained decision to join the at all levels will impact governing party and our VLJQLÀFDQWO\ D PHPEHU RI WKH 3'3 µ RQ WKH Also, reacting to doors are wide open to IRUWXQHV RI WKH SDUW\µ the defection, the other politicians who adding that “party president, in a statement believe in our vision to leaders should avoid issued yesterday UHEXLOG 1LJHULD complacency at all times by his spokesman, “Your voluntary decision in order to build the APC Mallam Garba Shehu, WR MRLQ RXU SDUW\ FRQÀUPV IURP VWUHQJWK WR VWUHQJWK µ congratulated Matawalle the fact that our agenda on his defection from the for good governance is the Secondus: PDP will PDP to the APC, saying only reason why Nigerians Still Win Presidential the ruling party “is are getting attracted to the Election, Despite becoming more popular APC because the other Defections. because of its impressive DOWHUQDWLYH GLGQ·W ZRUN µ Meanwhile, the National

Chairman of the PDP, Secondus yesterday said WKDW WKH SDUW\ LV FRQÀGHQW of winning 2023 general election, despite the defection of some of its JRYHUQRUV WR WKH $3& Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Secondus also accused the APC governors who gathered in Gusau, Zamfara State to celebrate the defection of Matawalle, of celebrating bloodshed of innocent Nigerians that died in the insurgency in the VWDWH “They are going after our governors but we are going after the masses RI WKLV FRXQWU\ 7KH governors have one vote but we have the people, the masses, the people

ZKR DUH VXͿHULQJ XQGHU WKLV JRYHUQPHQW “We feel the pains of Nigerians who DUH VXͿHULQJ WKRVH slaughtered like chicken DQG NLOOHG :H KDYH WKH majority support of the people and will form the next government at the FHQWUH µ KH UHLWHUDWHG “The masses are solidly behind us, the masses are for the PDP and we stand here to state clearly that we shall form this new government coming in 2023 because of the masses and not because RI WKH JRYHUQRUV µ WKH national chairman of 3'3 VDLG Secondus acknowledged that the deputy governor, Gusau and eight members of the Zamfara

State House of Assembly did not defect with the JRYHUQRU Secondus said clearly that the party will challenge the defection of Matawalle in court as there is no provision of independent candidate LQ WKH HOHFWRUDO ODZV “I have never seen where you have economic crises, insecurity crises, then the ruling party goes, poaching governors and 18 governors as published on Social Media will be moving, leaving their states to Zamfara, to celebrate the killings of innocent citizens in Zamfara State, the hunger in Zamfara 6WDWH 7KLV LV D VKDPH DQG LW LV ODXJKDEOH µ 6HFRQGXV VDLG

NNPC TO BORROW $3.8BN TO ACQUIRE DANGOTE REFINERY SHARES Kyari spoke just as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, 'U 6DQXVL %DUNLQGR expressed optimism over the overall conditions of the oil market as the cartel and its allies yesterday began a meeting to herald a resolution on whether to further ease crude oil SURGXFWLRQ FXUEV According to Kyari, there is no underhand dealings concerning the extant transaction, as the federal government’s presence on the board of the Dangote 5HÀQHU\ ZLOO QRW RQO\ secure its energy needs, but give it a strong voice in the running of the asset to guarantee the country’s VHFXULW\ Kyari, in two separate interviews with two television stations, which THISDAY monitored in Abuja, stated that all the borrowing institutions, including Afrexim Bank, are comfortable with the deal, adding that the federal government will not invest a dime in the GHDO He said: “I am not sure Mr (Aliko) Dangote wants to sell his equity LQ WKH UHÀQHU\ , FDQ FRQÀUP WKDW LW ZDV DW RXU instance that we started this engagement and he did not want to sell these VKDUHV “There’s no resourcedependent country in the world that will watch a business of this scale, bordering on energy security which also has implications for even physical security of our country, and you watch it DQG \RX GRQ·W KDYH D VD\ “We started this process long before Dangote VWDUWHG KLV UHÀQHU\ SURMHFW :H DUH JRLQJ to take equities in very VLJQLÀFDQW EXVLQHVVHV

anchored on the oil and gas operations, for example, fertiliser plants, methanol plants, small FRQGHQVDWH UHÀQHULHV DQG so many other businesses that we are dealing with, so that we can expand our SRUWIROLR µ Kyari added that the NNPC has a responsibility WR HQVXUH D FRQVWDQW ÁRZ of fuel, and as a policy, it will continue to acquire VWDNHV LQ DQ\ UHÀQHU\ LQ excess of 50,000 barrels SHU GD\ “Even for this Dangote 5HÀQHU\ ZH DUH QRW going to take government PRQH\ WR EX\ LW 7KDW LV the mistake that people are making because they think that we are going to take federation money to SD\ IRU WKHVH UHÀQHULHV “We are going to borrow on the back of the cash ÁRZ IURP WKLV EXVLQHVV because we know that it is viable and it will work and return dividends and LW KDV D FDVK ÁRZ WKDW LV VXVWDLQDEOH µ KH VDLG Kyari also reiterated that work had begun on the 3RUW +DUFRXUW UHÀQHU\ rehabilitation, while the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for Warri and Kaduna will be awarded LQ -XO\ According to him, the QHW HͿHFW LV WR KDYH DQ environment where Nigeria becomes the hub for petroleum products supply to change the current dynamics of petrol supply even JOREDOO\ ZKHUH WKH LQÁRZ of products from Europe ZLOO EH UHYHUVHG

at the end of the day we ZLOO KDYH DOO WKH UHÀQHULHV ZRUNLQJ µ KH VDLG Kyari stated that with the current arrangement, petrol will be delivered commercially, adding that part of the requirements of the lenders is that NNPC must not operate WKH UHÀQHULHV “We must have an operation and PDLQWHQDQFH FRQWUDFWRU That means that SUDFWLFDOO\ WKHVH UHÀQHULHV will be run by the lenders DQG WKH FDVK ÁRZ ZLOO be able to support the payments because the bankers have seen that the FDVK ÁRZ ZLOO VXSSRUW LW µ KH DGGHG +H VWDWHG WKDW ÀYH VLPLODU initiatives were currently LQ WKH R΀QJ RI ZKLFK decisions will be taken within three months, with about 200,000 barrels per day combined capacity of FRQGHQVDWHV Kyari said: “We have signed term sheets with the owners of the UHÀQHULHV , DP QRW VXUH Dangote will be very KDSS\ ZLWK WKLV :H DUH taking 20 per cent equity RI WKH 'DQJRWH 5HÀQHU\ There’s a valuation process because this business is very regulated DQG YHU\ LQWHUQDWLRQDO No bank will lend money to you to buy equity in any business of this scale if you have not followed WKH EHVW YDOXDWLRQ SURFHVV “The reality today is that we have a valuation of WKLV UHÀQHU\ , DP QRW VXUH EXW LW·V DERXW ELOOLRQ I do not have an exact ÀJXUH :H KDYHQ·W FORVHG on this, there’s an ongoing “We will award the EPC HQJDJHPHQW 7KHUH·V contract for the Warri governance around this DQG .DGXQD UHÀQHULHV that we need to conclude within the next two to and that includes three weeks, maximum seeking the authority of by the end of July, so that the Federal Executive these two processes will &RXQFLO µ run concurrently, so that He said discussions on

acquiring a stake in the UHÀQHU\ VWDUWHG DV IDU EDFN as December 2020, adding that no bank with have anything to do with an asset that is over-valued, because they know that FRVWV ZRQ·W EH UHFRYHUHG Kyari assured the public of openness on NNPC’s relationship with the 'DQJRWH 5HÀQHU\ DGGLQJ that while crude oil will be sold to the company in naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will sort out at what value it will FRPH He said the Dangote 5HÀQHU\ ZRXOG WDNH RͿ VSHQGLQJ RI IUHLJKW of about N21, ensure proximity to supply where it can reach anywhere within the country in one day, while dividends will be shared to Nigerians, who are the owners of the FRUSRUDWLRQ On the landing price of petrol, he stated that as of two days ago, it was N256 per litre but added that pump price of fuel will not be increased in the next two months as engagement with the organised labour has not EHHQ FRQFOXGHG He said while the subsidy regime wasn’t sustainable, President Muhammadu Buhari was not also keen on taking the product out RI WKH UHDFK RI 1LJHULDQV He added that the president had directed that current volumes which are unaccounted for must be contained to bring down spending on VXEVLG\ Kyari explained that while there’s an expectation in the Appropriation Act that NNPC will make a monthly remittance of at least N120 billion, only one leg of the NNPC’s funding of the Federation $FFRXQW KDV EHHQ DͿHFWHG by its non-remittance of funds, like royalties

and taxes are still being JHQHUDWHG He stated that discussions ZHUH EHLQJ URXQGHG RͿ on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), to see that the passage of the legislation is done within the next WZR ZHHNV

Barkindo Optimistic as OPEC+ Decides on Production Easing The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO 'U Sanusi Barkindo, expressed optimism over the overall conditions of the oil market as the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the cartel and OPEC allies yesterday began a meeting to herald a resolution on whether to further ease crude oil SURGXFWLRQ FXUEV OPEC stated that the fundamentals have VLJQLÀFDQWO\ LPSURYHG in recent months, a hint that a resolution to allow member countries pump more oil may be in the R΀QJ WRPRUURZ GXULQJ the OPEC+ ministerial PHHWLQJ “The overall brighter picture in relation to the pandemic recovery HͿRUWV KDV OHG WR WKH VLJQLÀFDQWO\ LPSURYHG oil market conditions and prospects for future JURZWK µ %DUNLQGR VDLG DW WKH -7& FRQIHUHQFH The 53rd meeting of the body, which held via videoconference to review the latest oil market developments and discuss future prospects, was convened in preparation for the 31st meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) and the 18th OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting planned for between today and WRPRUURZ

Barkindo underscored the vital role carried out by the JTC in providing highquality technical analyses of the latest oil market developments, adding that the research and assessments conducted by the committee will serve as a crucial input to the decision-making SURFHVV RI WKH FDUWHO He stated that the discussions will build on the successful deliberations of the last meeting and lauded the unwavering commitment DQG WLUHOHVV HͿRUWV demonstrated by the SDUWLFLSDWLQJ FRXQWULHV “The Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) participants clearly continue to play an important and valuable role in accelerating the oil market rebalancing SURFHVV µ KH VWDWHG In the last edition of the OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), OPEC projected global oil demand to rise by six million barrels per day in 2021, while world economic growth was IRUHFDVW DW D UDWH RI SHU FHQW LQ WKH VDPH SHULRG Usually, the DoC ministerial meetings are supported by the JMMC, which is tasked to analyse oil market developments, monitor the conformity of the DoC voluntary production adjustments and recommend further DFWLRQV “A combination of improving market indicators and the ongoing commitment of DoC countries to restore stability to the global oil market suggests that we are on the right path to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, despite lingering XQFHUWDLQWLHV µ %DUNLQGR DGGHG

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

RIVERS STATE; HE CAME, HE CAPTURED AND HE TESTIFIED 1. The uninvited response by Dr. Dakuku Peterside to the Articled opinion of Dele Momodu, the Pendulum, of Saturday June 19 2021, with the title “My close encounters with Governor Wike” refers. It is rather interesting that he chose the wrong subject to test his columnist’s apprenticeship which can be described as the comedy of the century. What is most hilarious is that he ventured into a veiled comparison of Administrations in Rivers state particularly the defunct former Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike, whom he lost woefully to in the 2015 Governorship election. 2. On the issue of Governor Wike completing ongoing projects purportedly started by Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Peterside must be commended for acknowledging the fact that Governor Wike’s projects include some initiated by the now Minister of Transportation. This distinguishes Governor Wike as an astute and developmental administrator. It is a rare in our clime for an incumbent to carry RQ ZLWK SURMHFWV QRW LQLWLDWHG E\ KLV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ $V D PDWWHU RI IDFW 'U 3HWHUVLGH KDV TXDOLÀHG Governor Wike as a better Governor who is committed to completing ongoing projects as against Dakuku’s benefactor and boss, Rotimi Amaechi who is known to have without denial sold off Rivers state owned Assets including Power Plants etc built by his own predecessor His Excellency Sir Dr. Peter Odili without accounting for the proceeds. However these projects referred to above remain only a small fraction of the entire projects being handled by the NEW ( Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) administration. One thing that has distinguished this administration is the culture of having project seasons. That is a season when a set of previously ÁDJJHG RII SURMHFWV DUH FRPPLVVLRQHG DQG QHZ VHW RI SURMHFWV DUH ÁDJJHG RII , ZDV D FULWLF RI WKLV but with people like Dr Dakuku Peterside, l now see every sense in it. The table below show a small fraction of projects CURRENTLY being handled by the ministry of works, NOT even the special projects bureau.

has largely contributed to the present rate of unemployment both in Rivers state and the country in general. Oil and gas being the mainstay of our economy has suffered tremendously with no clear cut laws to regulate the sector as the prolonged non passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has led to massive divestment by the International Oil Companies. Dr Peterside failed to tell Nigerians that the National average for unemployment is 33.3% and Rivers State at 41% is even due mainly to the effort of the state governments massive capital expenditure. It could have been worse but for the massive expenditure on capital projects by the NEW administration which currently represents over SHUFHQW RI WKH VWDWHV EXGJHW ,Q 5LYHUV 6WDWH ULJKW QRZ ZH NQRZ WKDW LW LV GLIÀFXOW WR JHW ERWK VNLOOHG and unskilled artisans such as masons, carpenters, iron benders, welders, unskilled labor etc. as they are all employed. Dr. Peterside and his co-travelers have boasted that Rotimi Amaechi regime employed thirteen thousand Teachers in Rivers state. This again is a facade as the former Governor only handed over thirteen thousand Teachers for Governor Wike to employ. Indeed, Governor accepted these Teachers and started paying them their salaries and entitlements, a thing the former Governor failed to do. The Amaechi government never paid those Teachers a dime throughout his tenure. 6. One this same issue of unemployment, it is a thing of joy that Rivers people did not vote Dr. Peterside to be Governor in 2015 because of his failure to make any economic contribution to advance the business life of his home State. Dr. Peterside as CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA did nothing to boost the Maritime sector in Rivers state. He failed to bring back the Cabotage Department of NIMASA which was moved to Lagos from Port Harcourt. His boss, Amaechi is the Minister for Transportation today and the ports in Port Harcourt and Onne are dysfunctional and grossly underutilized. The biggest drivers of the Rivers State economy in terms of employment and empowerment are the oil and gas as well as maritime sectors. To the duo of Dakuku 3HWHUVLGH DQG $PDHFKL 5LYHUV SHRSOH PXVW QRW EHQHÀW HFRQRPLFDOO\ EHFDXVH RI WKHLU VHOÀVK SROLWLFV Until the Maritime sector in Rivers state is fully revived by the federal government, we will continue WR PLVV RXW RQ WKH KXJH HFRQRPLF EHQHÀWV WKDW VKRXOG FRPH WR RXU VWDWH 7. On the issue of insecurity in Rivers State, Dr. Peterside lacks moral right to speak on the issue particularly because of his failed scorecard in Rivers maritime environment. He was the DG of NIMASA, we know the state of maritime security in Rivers state. As a matter of fact, his interpretation and understanding of insecurity is a manifestation of crass ignorance on governance mechanics. He fails to realize that issues of insecurity bothers largely on the federal government which has the exclusive right and control of both the armed forces and all security agencies. Yes Governors have a role to play but it ends at providing logistics support and this is where Governor Wike again tops the list and it is on record. Peterside and his boss should share the responsibility for the failed security situation in Nigeria particularly in Rivers State where Commissioners’ of Police are changed and redeployed almost every year as instigated by them. 8. On education, Dr. Peterside again exposed the poor vision of his principal, Amaechi who according to him built over 400 primary schools with many in locations where there are no pupils. A committee set up by Amaechi himself to assess his administration headed by Prof. Nimi Briggs condemned most of Amaechi’s projects as Governor especially the schools and health centers that they are unplanned and a colossal waste of public funds. Many were abandoned at various stages of completion. This is elaborately captured in the committee report which Rotimi Amaechi stopped from circulation upon realizing the shame his administration had caused Rivers State. 9. Dr. Peterside ridiculed himself in his diatribe against against Governor Nyesom Wike’s achievements. His boss, the former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, for his lack of appreciation for quality education, abandoned to rot all the legacy Schools in the state possibly because he never had the chance to attend any of those schools. Today, Governor Nyesom Wike CON has revived them and restored the lost glories of these Schools namely Enitona High school, Government Comprehensive Borokiri, Baptist High school, Stella Marris College, Nyemoni Grammar school, County Grammar school Ikwerre Etche, Birabi Memorial Grammar school, Okrika Grammar School etc. The pain and agony of the likes of Dr. Peterside is that contrary to the lies and falsehood they sold to their supporters, Governor Nyesom Wike has breasted the tape beyond their imagination. 2Q WKH GHEW SURÀOH RI 5LYHUV VWDWH ,W LV ZRUULVRPH KRZ D SHUVRQ ZKR DVSLUHG WR EH JRYHUQRU ZLOO worry that a state with the second largest economy and GDP in Nigeria second only to Lagos state ZLOO KDYH WKH VHFRQG ODUJHVW GHEW SURÀOH 5LYHUV 6WDWH·V WRWDO GHEW VWRFN VWDQGV DW 1 ELOOLRQ 1DLUD This is far less that 40% of the GDP of the state which is our national goal. It is worthy to note that a chunk of this money was borrowed to build the gas turbines which Dr Peterside and Rotimi Amaechi sold for $308 million. Had that money valued at N154 billion which is still unaccounted for, been applied to debt repayment , am sure we will be more credit worthy today. Part of this debt is the agric loans from CBN which also developed wings under the watch of the previous administration of $PDHFKL $UH ZH WKHQ VXUSULVHG WKDW WKH 0LQLVWHU LV ÀJKWLQJ KDUG WR PDNH VXUH -XVWLFH 2PHULML UHSRUW does not see the light of day.

From these 14 projects listed here, only number 12 is an inherited project. There are several projects in the ministry of health, education, Social Welfare, Housing, Justice etc. we have witnessed several EHLQJ FRPPLVVLRQHG DQG VRPH RI WKRVH ÁDJJHG RII DUH LQ YDULRXV VWDJHV RI FRPSOHWLRQ One project that the NEW administration has found no value in completing remains the AMAECHI MONORAIL PROJECT which 1.5km has gulped $317 million under the Amaechi government. Amaechi has been Minister for Transportation for 6 years now and railway has been his selling point especially completing those started by the previous administrations. He should make bold and prove the Governor Wike wrong by completing the monorail he Amaechi started. Yet another project Governor Wike will certainly have loved to complete would have been the NON EXISTENT KARIBI WHYTE Hospital. The Governor has shown his zeal in the health care sector with the commissioning of the Mother and Child Hospital, renovating and upgrading several General Hospitals, establishment of a medical school at the Rivers State University as well as upgrading WKH %UDLWKZDLWK 0HPRULDO +RVSLWDO WR D VWDWH RI WKH DUW 7HDFKLQJ +RVSLWDO DQG WKH WKH ÁDJ RII RI WKH Cancer specialist Hospital. Had Rotimi Amaechi not duped Rivers people of $39m in the name of a non existent Karibi Whyte hospital, if only he even had a structure to

12 On Foreign Direct Investment. I read with keen interest when the former Ambassador Oji Ngofa ranted about the functions of an ambassador. We were opportune to have an ambassador of Nigeria to the home country of Shell. Not one trade delegation to Nigeria and from Nigeria. This is at the core of being an ambassador. It is worthy to note that the trio of the Minister for Transportation, the DG NIMASA and the Ambassador to Netherlands, there could not have been a better team for 5LYHUV VWDWH +RZHYHU WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ ZKDWVRHYHU WR VKRZ IRU LW 7KH\ FRXOG QRW LQÁXHQFH even one project in the national budget nor attract any foreign investment to the state. What indeed will your tenures be remembered for by Rivers people.

show, as attested by you Dr Peterside that the NEW administration indeed completes projects, may be we would have had a hospital in that name.

13 The argument by Dr. Dakuku Peterside in his Article titled “What Gov Wike Did Not Tell His Guest” is merely infantile and putrid. It is unfortunate that he, his friends and master have committed themselves though unsuccessfully to de-market Rivers State. It is amazing how these persons who have become what they are through Rivers People’s goodwill only pride in themselves in running down the same state that made them. The indelible projects of “Mr Project” are very visible for them and to all well meaning Rivers people and lovers of Rivers state. No matter how much they SHQ GRZQ DJDLQVW 5LYHUV VWDWH 'HOH 0RPRGX OLNH RWKHUV FDPH KH VDZ KH FDSWXUHG DQG KH WHVWLÀHG We say to Dakuku and his likes “As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us”. Rivers state has grown way beyond and past bitter and mediocre politic of hatred, malice and bad energy.

4. On the issue of Rivers State ranking second in the unemployment rating by the National Bureau of Statistics NBS, again Dr. Peterside seeks to ostensibly portray himself as a good boy of a bad party in a bid to shift the blame and take the unmerited gain. What he failed to do was to tell the world the colossal damage his Party, the APC has done to the economy of Nigeria for which Rivers State is an integral part. People naturally migrate to more economically viable states like Rivers State. As a matter of fact, Rivers State is among the chief stabilizers of Nigeria’s economy. This is because of our incredibly high contribution to the National purse from oil and gas proceeds. The failure of the federal government to create the enabling environment and partner states like Rivers State to thrive

FORMER MEMBER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PDP STALWART

RT HON IGO AGUMA

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

COMMENT

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

BEFORE POVERTY KILLS ALL OF US

Sonnie Ekwowusi writes that government is not doing enough to contain the hunger in the land

ou may have come across on the internet the reports of two bizarre incidents that speak volumes about the grinding poverty ravaging Nigerians. The two incidents allegedly occurred in 2018. The first incident was how a poverty-stricken mother of six living in Ilesha, Osun State, traded off her eldest daughter for a basket of garri. This mother allegedly went to the market with her eldest daughter to buy garri. After the garri seller had told her the price, she had no money to pay for it. Thereafter she deceitfully told the garri seller that she was leaving her daughter whilst she rushed home to bring the money. Never did the garri seller suspect that this poor mother had ingeniously traded off her daughter for the garri. After waiting in vain for this mother, the garri seller quickly invited the police into the matter if not for anything to avoid being accused of kidnapping the girl. When the police arrived, they ordered the girl to take them home. On getting to this mother’s home, the police met her and her remaining children feeding on the garri. Before the police could interrogate her, she opened up and told the police that her family had been starving for days and consequently she had no other option but to trade off her daughter order to avert the death of the whole family. Unworried that the police might arrest her for false pretence and stealing, she pleaded with the police to allow her eldest daughter to join her and sibling in eating the garri because she too had been starving for days. The Police wept. Thereafter they went away. Case closed. The second incident is similar to the first. A certain poor Warri woman (Warri no dey carry last) was arrested for exchanging her child for a mudu of garri under the pretence of buying garri. This woman went to the market with her child. After the garri seller had delivered the garri to her and was expecting payment, the woman told the garri seller that she was leaving her child behind in order to quickly go to another area in the market and buy other things and thereafter would return and pay for the garri and pick up her child. But after waiting for hours for the woman to return, it dawned on the garri seller that the Warri woman had traded off her child. To cut the long story short, after the woman was arrested by the police, she made the following confession. “It’s President Buhari’s hard administration that caused it. My family have been starving for a long time. I have five children, I decided to exchange one of them with a mudu of Garri.” The aforesaid incidents may sound apocryphal, but they are negligible compared to the woeful poverty-related stories being told these days in Buhari’s Nigeria. I don’t think the Warri lady was too uncharitable or inconsiderate in tracing her predicament to President Buhari’s failed administration. The truth of the matter is that the economic hardship has led to the death of many Nigerians. I don’t know about you but I must tell you that I come face to face with the poorest of the poor in Nigeria almost every day. For example, last week my intervention was needed in a certain hospital in Lagos (name withheld) where a middle-aged housewife was being detained for the inability of her husband to pay the outstanding balance of her hospital bills. The lady underwent a

THE MOST TRAGIC IS THE SOARING PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO THE MARKET TO BUY FOODSTUFFS SUCH AS GARRI, RICE, PEPPER AND TOMATOES?

complicated surgery at the hospital. Her husband, a retired civil servant, was only able to offset half of the bill leaving a gargantuan sum of N2.7 million. Sobbing uncontrollably in front of me, this man claimed that God had told him that his wife would survive the surgery and live for a long time because he (the husband) did not steal government money while he was in government service. Moved by his faith, honesty and simplicity, I went to the hospital proprietor and told him to look at heaven and release this daughter of Eve from false imprisonment. He did. The poor lady regained her freedom. Her highly-elated husband took her home. Sad stories of this nature abound in Nigeria today. For the first time in the history of Nigeria she has become a suicidal country. Today Nigeria is ranked fifth in the world among countries whose citizens are prone to commit suicide. The most tragic is the soaring prices of foodstuffs. When was the last time you went to the market to buy foodstuffs such as garri, rice, tomatoes, yam, egusi, pepper, egg, and so forth? A mudu of garri that sells N600 today could sell N1,400 tomorrow. Ordinary sachet of “pure” water now sells for N10. Meat is no longer affordable. Ditto for fish. A bag of rice now sells between N18,000 to N22,000. Nigerian farmers are in agony. Some of them have lost their farmlands to the ravaging Fulani herdsmen. President Buhari should look at heaven and have mercy on his fellow Nigerians. Taking care of the sick is a religious duty for all Muslims. Allah will not have mercy on anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures. What does it profit Mr. President to be junketing to and fro London every three months for expensive medical treatment at the expense of tax-paying Nigerians who are dying of poverty? Meanwhile the World Poverty Clock has named Nigeria the poverty capital of the world with statistics showing that 87 million people live in abject poverty. It is no longer news that Nigeria has overtaken India as the poverty capital of the world. What perhaps is news is that Nigeria’s frightening poverty statistics is increasing day by day. About 152 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day, representing about 70 per cent of the country’s estimated population of 200 million. It is wicked to think only about one’s welfare. Obsessed with his Fulanization policy and the open grazing right, President Buhari hardly spares a thought for poor farmers whose farm lands are consistently being destroyed by the cows of the Fulani herdsmen resulting in acute food shortage. This is sad. Life is live and let live. Whatever a man soweth so he reapest. This world is not our home. We are all wayfarers. Sooner or later all of us would one leave this world in answer to the call of our Maker. In consideration of this timeless truth, Mr. President should lessen the worsening hardships and living conditions in Nigeria before it is too late. First, Mr. President should stop the Fulani herdsmen from destroying the crops and farmlands of farmers. The Buhari government should stop uttering the meaningless phrase, ”lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty” . Why? Because the phrase is a hoax. It is just a convenient catchphrase to give the impression that the government is doing something.

BUHARI, NIRSAL AND AGRO-NIGERIA

The NIRSAL is working quietly in deepening the agro-business value chain, writes Jackson Udemba

hen chroniclers of history take stock of the Nigerian story, President Muhammadu Buhari would most likely be remembered as the best farmer-friendly president. The rice revolution and quantum leap in local production of grains, cotton among others attest to a new era of genuine economic diversification through agriculture. And it’s all thanks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ambitious funding of agriculture and introduction of safety nets to ensure strict compliance with the rules governing loans. One of the chief drivers of the growth in agriculture is the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL). Quietly and sure-footedly, NIRSAL, launched in 2011 and incorporated in 2013 wholly by the CBN, has thrust Nigeria forward like never before in the entire agro-business value chain. In a world racked by climate change, insecurity, hunger and poverty, delivering and deepening the agriculture value chain is touted as the most sustainable strategy for achieving food security which will ultimately reduce poverty and ship more people out of the breadline. The World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), among other relevant bodies have continued to advocate for more people to be mainstreamed into agriculture especially among developing nations. This, they argue can be achieved through structured financing that would reduce loan risks and ensure inclusivity of more players in the value chain. This is why the federal government’s intervention through the instrumentality of NIRSAL is commendable. Founded as a strategic $500 million public-private non-bank financial institution to boost financial flow and investments into fixed agricultural value chains and incentive-based risk system, it simply mirrors what the World Bank represents to global agriculture. It’s CBN’s tool to de-risk agriculture loans in line with recommendations

by global bodies on how to grow agriculture as a counterfoil against poverty and insecurity. Without food security, a nation has no sovereignty. This is the modern concept of sovereignty, a nation being able to feed her citizens. The Managing Director/CEO of NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed, has continued to insist that developing the nation’s agriculture value chain offers the most veritable pathway to achieving genuine socio-economic advancement for Nigeria, rated globally as one of the top countries in the world with a hefty youth bulge. Nigeria has a healthy youth population with population of persons between 15 and 64 years standing at over 50 percent. This is not a liability. It’s indeed an asset waiting to be husbanded in a country with an enviable 34 million hectares of arable land. Abdulhameed bears a burden but he has in recent years shown demonstrable capacity to navigate through the slippery contours of this burdensome challenge chief of which is to continually meet the core mandate of the agricultural lending agency. Established in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee in 2013, NIRSAL was handed a clear mandate which is to stimulate the flow of affordable finance and investments into the agricultural sector by de-risking the agriculture and agribusiness finance value chain, fixing agricultural value chains, building long-term capacity, and institutionalizing incentives for agricultural lending through its five strategic pillars of risk-sharing, insurance, technical assistance, incentives and rating. Always self-effacing, Abdulhameed cuts the picture of an effective modern day leader: Not wanting to be noticed but allowing his result to speak for him. And yes, he has results to show. Little wonder, he was recently reappointed by President Buhari to oversee Nigeria’s growing agriculture value chain for another five years. An agricultural economist, administrator, risk management expert and chartered manager, Abdulhameed brings to bear his cognate

experience and hands-on knowhow honed in both private and public sector. This, no doubt, has helped his pioneering role at the helm as the chief driver of the enterprise which de-risks loans in a sector that has just begun to catch the fancy of more Nigerians. For his efforts and manifest success at repositioning Nigeria’s agriculture value chain, he was honoured recently with the 2021 Global CEO Excellence Awards by the authoritative international CEO Monthly Magazine. He was among 25 world leaders in risk management, enterprise solution providers, financial experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders chosen from across the world. He shared the honour dais with policy-shapers, thought and business leaders like Kan Shi (China), Sven Daniel Koechler (UAE), Dr. Adullatif Al Shamsi (UAE), Philipp Weisser and Michael Lampel (both from Germany), Ruairi Kelleher (Ireland), among others, including winners from United States and other parts of Europe. The award was not only an honour for him, it was a clear attestation to the fact that there are still bright spots and brilliant sparks in Nigeria’s public sector space which some Nigerians still rate poor in terms of efficiency and work ethics. The award is another evidence that the Buhari government has moved agriculture forward. It’s a testimony that through the risk-sharing system for agricultural lending, the CBN has stepped out of the rhetoric band of agriculture financing and has moved into the frequency of pragmatism through the Anchor Borrower’s Programme and other instruments. The result is that in a state like Kebbi, for instance, a new community of economic boosters, job creators and emerging millionaires is emerging in the agriculture eco-system made up of farmers, off-takers, processors, produce-distributors to last mile, and sundry value-adders in the entire value chain. Again, the evidence is that most Nigerian homes now feed on Nigerian-produced rice, millet, beans and other grains. The result shows in the gradual

revival of the once-dead textile industry with the supply of cotton from farms across the nation to the textile factories. Even the fiercest critics of the Buhari government cannot deny the reality that this government has been outstanding in deepening agriculture, more than any government since 1999. Facilitating over $550 million to various activities in the agriculture value chain for purposes of mechanisation, input distribution, production, processing and marketing of agriculture commodities, NIRSAL is the cream in the nation’s agriculture cake. Those who have continued to call out CBN for side-stepping commercial banks in its quest to fund agriculture got it wrong. Federal Reserves all over the world finance agriculture, some directly, some through commercial, microfinance and agriculture financial institutions. The CBN has deployed NIRSAL to good use and has through it set an example of a public-private partnership that works. Latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), puts the current unemployment rate in Nigeria at 33.3 percent, the second highest on the global list. But for employment generated through the agriculture value chain, it could have been worse especially with many Nigerians shipped out of jobs last year due to Covid-19 pandemic. But Nigeria cannot remain tethered to the inglorious stump of unemployment and underdevelopment. With huge expanse of arable land and growing advances in technology, the nation must make the most of the risk-sharing system for agricultural lending. This nation - just like China, US, India - must rally to create billionaires out of farming. The aggregate net worth of the world’s top five richest farmers is in excess of $22 billion. And none of them is from Africa. They are farmers in China (two), US (two) and one from Saudi Arabia. Nigeria ought to be among them. The difference is not in arable land but in financing and technology. Udemba wrote from Abuja

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

EDITORIAL THE HIGHWAYS TO DEATH The authorities must do more to stem the grave perils on our roads

igerian roads are now considered too dangerous to ply by many global agencies within the transport sector. Even the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola recently expressed his concerns. More people, according to Fashola, died from road accidents than from Malaria and COVID-19 combined in January this year. To highlight the gravity of the situation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently revealed that no fewer than 41,257 deaths were recorded on our highways in the last eight years. Hardly any day passes without report of a road accident that leaves on its trail grisly tale of fatalities, horrific injuries, wrecks, traffic hiccups and loss of productive hours. Multiple causes are responsible for the rise in road carnage in the country. The factors range from faulty SEAT BELTS AS SAFETY road design to poor EQUIPMENT MAY NOT BE 100 PER CENT RELIABLE BUT road quality, insuffiCOULD SAVE LIFE WHEN IT cient safety features in vehicles and MATTERS speed limit violation by reckless drivers, who disregard all safety codes, and many of whom are half asleep behind the wheels under the influence alcohol and drugs. All these, in addition to reckless driving culture occasioned by making calls or texting on cell phones while on the wheel, have made Nigerian roads a theatre of blood. As we have argued repeatedly, what is happening on most of our highways is anathema to decency in road usage while the armada of trailers and petroleum tankers has become a major source of incessant accidents. Much as we appreciate the primacy of the long vehicle drivers in the product distribution chain, the authorities must ensure that they render their services carefully and within the

Letters to the Editor

ambit of the trafﬁc rules and regulations. The high turnover of victims on our roads is undesirable given that victims are often people in the prime of their productive years.

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 OGED ENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: ﬁrst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

SOLUDO AS OBIANO’S PARTING LEGACY

nambra State Governor, Willie Obiano is often reckoned with for giving his state a befitting NYSC Orientation Camp; a Court of Appeal Division; the first oxygen plant in the southeast, a cargo airport, community, self - choice projects and international conference centre among other landmarks. But the choice of a succession candidate in the person of Professor Chukwuma Soludo should be seen as Obiano’s parting legacy. It may well be the most definitive of his legacies. And the reason is simple. Leadership ranks among the highest values of government and governance. Nelson Mandela did not rise to international honour because of the infrastructure he built as President of South Africa. No, he became a hero for inspiring the dismantling of apartheid and forging a stabilising, rainbow framework for the new nation. At the time of Ben Gurion’s reign, Israel was in critical need of modern transformation but the former leader is best remembered for the founding of a Jewish nation. Former Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, was rated highly by his constituents as much for his development projects as his vision. And so from a consideration of management - goals perspective, Senator Ben Murray Bruce declared in just two years of Obiano’s governoship: “There is something to be learnt in Anambra.” Thus, while the multiple increase of Anambra’s fortunes in many sectors under the APGA - Obiano watch cannot be downplayed, Obiano’s greatest achievement in governance may

esides the socio-economic burden that these road mishaps place on the victims’ families, they also take a huge toll on the national economy. Many of the nation’s productive manpower are lost to accidents. It is also estimated that about N450 billion is lost annually from goods and services in road accidents. Mr. Fashola disclosed that over N2.6 billion was required by government to repair the incessant vandalism caused to bridges and other road infrastructure across the nation by drivers of articulated vehicles who are either drunk or are driving poorly maintained vehicles. Which is why we urge the FRSC to do more, in line with its statutory functions, to minimise the scourge on our roads by making the highways safe for motorists and other road users. It is only when motorists and members of the public are enlightened about the importance of safety and essence of discipline that road accidents on the highways can be minimised. But there is need to move from rhetoric to concrete measures that will help address the problem. We urge the federal government and its agencies to take steps that will help to ensure that our roads remain safe for travellers. And when an accident happens, it does not have to be fatal. For instance, seat belts as safety equipment may not be 100 per cent reliable but could save life when it matters. In studies carried out in many developed countries it had been proved statistically that seat belt, if properly worn, greatly reduces the risk of death and injury in many car crashes. With the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other bodies placing Nigeria as one of the countries with very high road fatalities, the authorities must do something to contain this menace that is cutting short the lives of our citizens.

well lie in the reign of standards. From security to social services, from infrastructure to investor - friendly economy, Obiano makes the statement: we’re here presently; why can’t we move on to the next level? Governor Willie Obiano’s leadership is noted for instilling a sense of confidence in the Anambra State community. “Umunnem”, he would invite in that endearing term that never fails to rally, this generation has a duty to push forth the frontiers of development. That insistence on extending the standards of heritage is reflected in the fact that no other government has celebrated the state’s galaxy of pace - setters in different walks of life as the present. That consciousness has led the administration to break new grounds. Accordingly, Willie Nwokoye submitted that Obiano has raised the bar of governance in Anambra State. Nwokoye’s prediction four years back in 2017 that the Obiano experience would scare off mediocres from future governorship contest has come to pass. As far back as 2019, any discerning student of Anambra politics could tell that Professor Chukwuma Soludo was the APGA heir apparent. And that singular prospect of a very strong APGA candidate influenced the quality of aspirants and contest in the main opposition parties. Soludo’s credentials need no debating. Even members of opposition parties guardedly admire him worthy to be Anambra’s next governor. His choice and grooming in the past three years is a statement on Obiano’s commitment to the cause of Anambra State. IfeanyiChukwu Afuba, ifeanyichukwuafuba@gmail.com>

IKEDC: HOW LONG WILL THIS AFFLICTION LAST?

n mid-February this year, electricity consumers in Orisumbare, Alimosho Local Council Area, heaved great sigh of relief. Ikeja Electric, IKEDC, after almost a year, agreed to restore electricity to the community. This comes after the community was compelled to pay a huge amount of money. It is also worth stressing that several meaningful socio-economic activities in the area were already brought to a standstill. The same source of relief is fast turning into a burden, too heavy to bear. There is equally no clear sign that the excruciating pain is ending very soon. Therefore, the consumers are clearly left to lick their wounds and prepare for whatever IKEDC throws at them. The questions are endless and the desired answers are not even provided. How does one justify the billing of a one-bedroom apartment, with one or absolutely nothing to be counted as power-consuming appliances, as high as N30,000 in a

month? How does one justify that a house, with an unoccupied shop, is considered as a commercial building and must be billed as high as N60,000 in a month? The acquisition of pre-paid meter is consistently touted as the best alternative to estimated billing. Findings, however, showed that most electricity consumers in Orisumbare, who got theirs, after long years of waiting, are equally wailing. This further confirmed that whatever is issued by IKEDC as a bill is even beyond the reach of the rich. It is clear that power distributors, across the country, not consumers, are king. The staff of IKEDC, however, operate as more than kings. They are having an unchallenged run as super-powerful emperors. In short, the manner and time they go about disconnecting so-called defaulters is strong enough to overpower the strongest of hearts. Sunday Odiaka, Lagos

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

‘Mr. Electronic Voting’ Makes a Bold Bid for APC National Chairmanship

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the race for the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress may have entered a high wire season with the interest shown by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa from Niger State

Buhari

few days after the life of the Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State-led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was extended for the umpteenth time, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa revved the engine of his campaign for the office of National Chairman of the party, a move he hitherto kept within his circle of close friends and political associates. Now, that it has become clear that the Caretaker committee is close to the end of its assignment, there should be no tip-toeing about his political aspiration. Senator Musa, the serving senator representing Niger East Senatorial District parades excellent professional and educational credentials. He believes he is the right man for the job. Exhibiting an unblemished record in his distinguished career both in the public and private service, since 1986, Senator Musa is a passionate ICT oriented person. To his credit, he developed and promoted Electronic Voting for the first time in Nigeria. This manifested in the introduction of Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC), the revolutionary steps is the instrumental to the transformation of political party election in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015 and 2019. “I am a person with proven integrity,” said the Senator basking in the glory of the game changing experience that his innovative electronic devices brought to election in Nigeria. “My experience in private and public sectors, the capacity required to manage diverse people and interests irrespective of tribe, religion and region is already imbibed by me. I am a mobilizer, a bridge builder and a strategist that is passionate about wholesome development of the nation. I possess a strong interpersonal skill by demonstrating the utmost discretion and integrity in all of my dealings.” In 2015, Musa went through a trying period for which he believes he will yet be recommended for National Honour. He narrated the incident. “My integrity was brought to test in 2015 when I was arrested and detained and later induced with financial and material gift to compromise the 2015 general election by revealing the confidential information on the Card Reader, but for my believe and stand for the nation, I refused to compromise and the success of the 2015 general election was celebrated across the globe. My zeal and determination is always to get the best for Nigeria and Nigerians.” An indigene of Paikoro Local Government Area in Niger State, Musa can be said to

Buni have sharpened his interest in serving the public during his tenure as President of the Zodia Club, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1988 and 1989. He bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree (Hons) Business Administration (Banking and Financial Managament) from the ABU in 1990. He previously got a Diploma in Insurance from the Institute of Administration, ABU Zaria in 1996. In 2007 and 2012, Musa obtained postgraduate diploma and certificate in Public Policy Management; International Management from the University of London and University of Liverpool. A beneficiary of different executive courses, certifications and affiliations, he was at the United States Institute of Peace - Professional Certificate in Conflict Analysis in 2007. The next year, 2008, he was at University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Pennsylvania USA. Leadership Training Programme on Accountability, Ethics, and Corporate Governance. In 2012, he was at the Harvard Business School, Harvard University Cambridge Boston USA Theme: Strategic IQ - Creating

Musa Smarter Corporations. An astute politician, he proudly said that his political career is just as accomplished and rich with experience as his academic and business pursuits. “I am a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and was in 2014 an aspirant for the Niger East Senatorial Dostrict; member, Niger State Gubernatorial Campaign Committee in 2007, a delegate to the National Convention in 2007 as well as a gubernatorial aspirant in Niger State in 2007. “As a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Team 2019, I donated the biggest Presidential Campaign Office in Northern Nigeria not to mention my championing of the usage of the PVC during the voting process.” He was an Ex-Officio of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and also held the same post in the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1997. Since 2019, Musa has been a Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, serving as the Chairman of Senate Services committees and member of the committees on: Appropriation,

My experience in private and public sectors, the capacity required to manage diverse people and interests irrespective of tribe, religion and region is already imbibed by me. I am a mobilizer, a bridge builder and a strategist that is passionate about wholesome development of the nation. I possess a strong interpersonal skill by demonstrating the utmost discretion and integrity in all of my dealings. In 2015, Musa went through a trying period for which he believes he will yet be recommended for National Honour. He narrated the incident. “My integrity was brought to test in 2015 when I was arrested and detained and later induced with financial and material gift to compromise the 2015 general election by revealing the confidential information on the Card Reader, but for my believe and stand for the nation, I refused to compromise and the success of the 2015 general election was celebrated across the globe. My zeal and determination is always to get the best for Nigeria and Nigerians

Petroleum Resources, FCT, Water Resources, Foreign and Local Debt. He sees himself as a dedicated and committtted member working for the success of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. He has also served as a member of various committees of the APC; a member of the NEC, Contact and Strategy Committee and Constitutional Review Committee. Born May 11, 1965, Musa is married with children. He is a member of the Niger State Economic and Social Advisory Council, from 2007 to date. A delegate on Presidential Trade Mission to Japan in 2006, member: Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Culture; Patron: Tea and Coffee Producers Assoc. of Nigeria; Member: National Sesame Seed Assoc. of Nigeria; Member: Board of Trustees, National Shea Products Association of Nigeria; Member; Stakeholders Group on the Diversification of Commerce in Nigeria (Commerce 44) in 2006; member: Shippers Association of Nigeria. He enjoys travelling, tennis, Polo and horse racing. Senator Musa may have largely been misunderstood in some quarters, particularly in the media. In 2019, the Information Minister supported an anti-social-media bill titled: Protections from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations, sponsored him. While the controversy on the Social Media Bill is still raging, Musa, again dived into another hotbed of argument, positing that cryptocurrency has made the Nigerian Naira valueless. He said during a Senate Plenary “Cryptocurrency has become a worldwide transaction of which you cannot even identify who owns what. The technology is so strong that I don’t see the kind of regulation that we can do. Bitcoin has made our currency almost useless or valueless.” “If we have an economy that is very weak and we cannot regulate cryptocurrency in Nigeria, then I don’t know how our economy would be in the next seven years,” he claimed. But many who are familiar with Senator Musa’s background as President/CEO of Activate Technologies Limited? an ICT company, argue that his position, even if, controversial is based on knowledge and familiarity with the subject matter. As a gentleman and democrat, he is not shy to put his opinion forward and stand by it, until it is defeated by the majority or by superior argument. Over the years, Senator Musa has co-ordinated several projects and ensured due diligence; ensured strict confidentiality of sensitive project documents and contracts agreement, undertaken management of JV Agreement with local and international partners.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

POLITICS

In Search of True Federalism as Basis for Democracy

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Kemi Olaitan writes that the 2021 Governor Seyi Makinde National Democracy Summit, held in Ibadan, was geared towards the narrative of true federalism in Nigeria

Makinde

wenty two years on Nigeria has witnessed unbroken democratic governance; with Nigerians every four year since 1999 going to the polls to elect leaders both at the state and federal levels. To many, however, voting is the only benefit that Nigerians derive from the nation’s democracy. With the horrid experience that has been the lot of Nigerians since the country returned to democracy under the present fourth republic, apart from the ritual of the National Assembly organizing reviews of the 1999 constitution which is the groundnorm of Nigeria’s democracy, governments have put together conferences, the last being the 2014 National Conference under the administration of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Various bodies and individuals are also not left out. The essence of virtually all these exercises is to chart a way forward for the country’s democracy for it to have meaning in the life of an average Nigerian. It was in this direction that the Oyo State Ministry of Justice recently gathered Nigerians from all walks of life that include elected officials, academia, legal, financial and security experts, in Ibadan, for a two day event tagged, 2021 Governor Seyi Makinde National Democracy Summit, with the theme, “The Future of Democracy in Nigeria”, where all the speakers spoke on the imperative of federalism. The sub themes of the summit include Towards a More Effective Federalism in Nigeria; Insecurity and Conflict as Threats to Nigeria’s Democratic Future; Can There be a Case for State Constitutions in Nigeria?; Fiscal Federalism and National Development; Challenges of Constitutional Amendment in Nigeria; Poverty and Socio-economic Exclusion in Nigeria; Nation Building, Citizenship and National Identity and Political Parties and Citizens Participation in the Democratic Space. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, while welcoming participants, said the summit with the choice of the theme, was a contribution to save democracy from dying in Nigeria. According to him, the present state of Nigeria’s democracy characterized by failure in governance, inept leadership, fragmented political parties, trust deficit (open and glaring distrust) and lack of confidence in government by the majority of citizens, collapse of the security architecture, proliferation of arms in the hands of non-state actors, unprecedented wave of insecurity, unimaginable population of internally displaced people in peace time, massive infrastructural development deficit, rabid corruption, existential problems of poverty, separatist/secessionist violent agitations, demands purposive and selfless action by all Nigerians to ensure that democracy does not die in the country. While maintaining that the summit was organised to enrich the discourse needed to steer the country from the precipice, he charged President Muhammadu Buhari, to listen to voices of reason and save democracy in Nigeria. He said,

“We are mindful of the fact that democracies, like everything associated with life, do die, if not well well-maintained! It is patently clear that the Nigerian democracy is in peril, and it behoves the Buhari Presidency to heed to the myriad of calls, counsel, plea, recommendations, and what have you, all demanding for a change and reform of our democracy, constitution, polity, governance, and practices to stem the tide of doom that looms on the horizon if the present course of tyrannical undemocratic rulership persists. Quite frankly, it is in the best interest of the ruling class to secure the future of democracy in Nigeria, as the cost of a failed democratic governance in Nigeria is too worrisome to contemplate.” In his goodwill message, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, said the effective practice and strict observance of the rules, principles and ethics of democracy and its values is the means through which the society can be transformed to greater heights. He maintained that the concept of democracy has gained prominence as it is largely believed to be a sine-qua-non for growth, development and sustainability of the body polity as opposed to military rule, stating that after the return of civil rule in 1999 there were expectations that the newborn democracy will deliver Nigeria from the long decades of savagery and oppression. According to him, until there is total submission to the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers are strictly adhered to, there would be no effective checks and balances among the three arms of government and Nigeria may not achieve much in practicing democracy. Ogundoyin disclosed that Oyo state’s 9th Assembly under his leadership has been up and doing to touch the lives of the people positively with various bills and resolutions while working hand in hand with other arms of government. His words, “The Oyo State 9th Assembly on our part is quite aware that government is among other things measured by the quality of legislation from the parliamentarians. The 9th Assembly is making meaningful contribution towards making lives meaningful for the citizenry of Oyo State ensuring that enabling environment for necessary legislation, passing of bills into law and effective oversight function which had indeed impacted positively over the last two years on the success achieved by the executive arm of government. “To date, the 9th Assembly had passed 83 Resolutions and 56 Bills into Law.The three Arms of government in this ‘Pacesetter’ state has been working harmoniously with mutual respect which has greatly contributed to the enviable growth so far covered by this administration.” Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, in his goodwill message, submitted that the country was not practicing true federalism but rather what he termed unitary form of government. He said, “What we have had so far in this country is not federalism but a unitary system of government. Yes, in a situation whereby it is the central that dictates for the component body; in a situation whereby the state goes cap in hand every month to beg for funds from the FG, instead of the state contributing for the control and funding of the centre. “These are local issues, which the state can easily handle, and for us to have true federalism that we are talking about, these are areas that should be permanently handed over to the states of the Federation.” Governor Makinde in his keynote address, said fiscal federalism and devolution of powers remained the only ways to take Nigeria away from the edge of the precipice, stating that the country must devolve powers to the federating units, especially the powers to control natural resources and the state security architecture, in order for it to avoid the path of destruction. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

From left; Executive Director (Networks) Niger Delter Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Engr. Ife Oluwa Oyedele; Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; former Deputy Governor, Chief Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles Akinola, during the Official Flag-off of the Construction of IleIfe/ Garage Olode 33kv Power supply line and Rehabilitation of Ifetedo/ Garage Olode 33kv Power Supply Line by Osun State Government in collaboration with Niger Delter Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), at Market Square, Garage Olode

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the celebrant/ ex-Registrar WAEC, Chief Olu Alex Ajayi; his wife, Yeye Olu Ajayi; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the 91st birthday reception for Chief Ajayi in Ado-Ekiti

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (left) with Mr. Volker Heiden, Area Vice President of Marriott International at a meeting at the Marriot Envoy in Accra Ghana to ﬁnalise arrangements for the commencement of operations at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene

Deputy Director, Oﬃce of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Nana Afein on behalf of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila presenting to a physically challenged tertiary education student at the LEA Nursery and Pry Sch, Angwan Guragu, Karmajiji, Abuja in celebration of the Speaker’s 59th birthday in Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FEATURES

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

Gripping Call for Emotional Intelligence Rebecca Ejifoma reports that Abiola Champ Salami's Magic of Emotional Intelligence: How Champions Apply Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Peak Performance and Advancement in Life, is more than a gripping call for some conscious adjustments

biola Champ Salami's Magic of Emotional Intelligence (How Champions Apply Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Peak Performance and Advancement in Life) is more than a gripping call for some conscious adjustments. It is a compass to help everyone nurture, manage, control, and dispense the right and healthy emotions for everyday affairs. First, the rare title of the book leaves you curious to want to have a peep into the content, which is fully packed with intriguing illustrations. It also has other captivating features like compatible colours to delight the mind, brilliant images to communicate the message, bold fonts for an easy read, and familiar idioms to make reading more interactive. Skilfully, Magic of Emotional Intelligence introduces each of the 25 chapters with a check-and-balance mechanism for one's personal consumption. With this, a reader begins to scale his or her own sentiments first rather than highlight faults of others -- at the home, society, workplace, institution or a global platform. This well-written book put together by one of the Most Influential Coaching Leaders reminds everyone why emotional intelligence is a necessary tool to achieving sterling results and advancement in life. One of the magic the author endorses is improvement through the examples in his book. He listed "Get Familiar with Your Mind", "Negative Emotions: How to Handle Them" to "Positive Emotions: How to Cultivate Them, Work the Magic", through to "Work and Magic", which make up the five parts of the book. In his book, the worldclass performance coach discusses considerably how to start off this undemanding journey of attaining emotional intelligence. Coincidentally, the 174 paged book with 25 chapters is coming at a time when emotions have been woven into every affair. Hence, part two of the book - Negative Emotions - extensively addresses how best to handle detrimental emotions like anger, hatred, pride, sadness, grief, fear, anxiety and depression among others. This, the author is certain, would help people weigh their actions and inactions to making the fitting decisions at all times. In the words of the writer, emotions are necessary because they help in our social interactions by telling us and those around us how we feel about certain things. However, he chips in that the way one expresses emotions can either be healthy or unhealthy. Hence, everyone needs to cultivate emotional intelligence. Since positive emotions cannot be overemphasised, Salami acknowledges cheerfulness as a soothing balm to attain emotional intelligence. "Have you ever met someone who can light up any room they walk into all because they carry a shipload of cheer within them?" He notes that although a pile of wrongs may be happening simultaneously, choosing to smile still is doable. To further help his readers realise this feat of intelligence, the Get MAD author endorses humility, courage, joy, confidence, hope, pleasure, love, honour, and happiness. Of course, Salami has got other books to his credit. They are: Get

Abiola Champ Salami holding a copy of his book, The Magic of Emotional Intelligence

MAD!, You Can Make A Difference (Foreword by Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON), and Who Says It's a Man's World (Foreword by Dr. Mo Abudu) among a handful of others. He has clinched over 10 years experience of corporate engagement and capacity development with signature interventions. This composer of knowledge says he is committed to raising world class

leaders and improving the productive capacity and brand perception of organisations and governments with the release of his latest book. The alumnus of Harvard University, Lagos Business School and American Government's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is also devoted to workforce productivity, youth and women empowerment as well as leadership development.

He is committed to raising world class leaders and improving the productive capacity and brand perception of organisations and governments with the release of his latest book...he is also devoted to workforce productivity, youth and women empowerment as well as leadership development

This led him to publishing books, audio and visual content as well as designing and implementing capacity development programmes towards achieving the relevant Sustainable Development Goals. This is why the author is enthusiastic about raising eminent leaders and improving the productive capacity and brand perception of organisations and governments with the release of his latest book. As part of his quest, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Abiola championed a campaign that reached over one million people in "Handling Panic in the Wake of Coronavirus". He also released a free eBook on "How to Enjoy Sound Emotional & Mental Health during the Coronavirus Pandemic". Indeed, with his latest book, Salami is sure that anyone who reads and employs the listed magic for ultimate emotional intelligence will become a first class born again.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FEATURES

Poverty - A Systemic Failure Not a Personal One Olaoluwa Awojoodu

our out of every 10 Nigerians, more than 82.9 million people live in poverty according to a 2020 report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The World Poverty Clock estimated the figure to be 86.9 million in 2018, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported in 2019 that 98 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty. No matter the source, the indication remains that an alarming number of Nigerians are poor, one needs no reminder that in 2018, Nigeria overtook India, as the poverty capital of the world, and with the outbreak of COVID-19 making matters worse, many Nigerians lost their source of income or experienced income cuts. Given these circumstances, the World Bank predicts that an additional 15-20 million people could be pushed below the poverty line by 2022. This is an issue that deserves significant national attention and that should be dominating public discourse because of the sheer scale of the problem and the implications for Nigeria’s future. Despite an increased number of government interventions aimed at alleviating poverty in Nigeria, the situation remains dire. The NBS measures poverty as an annual expenditure below N137,430, this means poor Nigerians are living on roughly N376.5 per day and below N11,452.5 monthly. 60% of this income is spent on food, the NBS records N81,767 as the annual food line, this means that N227 daily is spent on food, leaving only N149.5 for non-food basic needs, such as clothing, housing, education and health care, that is N55,663 annually. And you have to ask yourself, in a country where a sachet of tomato paste costs between N100N150, a derica of rice costs between N500 - N1300, and a bag of 20 pure water sachets costs about N150, what can N227 really afford you? Meanwhile, the World Bank has stated that rising prices (mostly driven by food) have pushed an estimated 7 million Nigerians below the poverty line in 2020 alone, and Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) reported that the livelihoods of 86 million Nigerians (80% of the 106 million adult population) were negatively affected by the pandemic. What this means is that there are people who despite earning less than N400 a day, have had even that meagre amount reduced as a result. With the price of food on the rise and earnings reducing, many are spending over half of their income on food and water, leaving little to no room for other expenses and necessities such as education, healthcare and transportation and even less for business resilience. This is what multidimensional poverty looks like. In this reality, poverty goes beyond not having enough money. In Nigeria, millions of people do not have access to the most basic resources and social amenities: food, water, shelter, electricity, education, or financial services. Without which they are unable to counter poverty and as such, they are confined to the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid for generations to come. Poverty becomes a vicious cycle that very few escape from- one that is directly related to Nigeria’s worst development indicators - approximately 800,000 children and mothers die each year, one in 9 Nigerian children never reaches the age of five, and life expectancy is 55 years. It is not enough to simply focus on the symptoms of poverty, it is lack of access to education, basic healthcare, quality nutrition, sanitation, infra-

Awojoodu

structure, and electricity, and degrading economic and environmental conditions that are the root causes of poverty. Each root cause has to be separately addressed by stakeholders for the desired overall outcome. Public spending must be reprioritised to support critical development expenditures, and a combination of direct poverty alleviation measures and broader economic development strategies must be deployed to protect vulnerable communities. One can consider the Federal Government’s school feeding programme, a strategic intervention that increases enrolment rates while helping poor families reduce the burden of feeding. Its significance to Nigerians living in rural areas, where 52 out of every 100 people are living in poverty, cannot be overstated. Access to quality education is one of the most reliable ways of escaping poverty cycles. Households headed by individuals with no formal or primary education record higher incidences of poverty. More of such interventions are needed to have the desired impact of poverty reduction. It is only through the provision of welfare services, driven by the government with the support of the private sector, that Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid will be able to break out of poverty traps. For example at E-Settlement, our financial services solution makes tangible

contributions towards eradicating poverty and improving standards of living for vulnerable groups. Through our agent banking offering we are creating direct jobs, we are enabling MSME’s to thrive by providing access to solutions that help them transact businesses which the unbanked and underserved can access to funds to create a source of income. For instance, redeploying funds from agencies with minimal developmental impact towards healthcare services will not only improve the quality of service but will also increase the capacity of the National Health Insurance Scheme. Insurance as a financial service is an important tool because the benefits of the service outweigh the cost of providing it. Increasing access to health insurance, significantly reduces the burden on the millions of Nigerians unable to afford basic healthcare and reduces financial shocks from unexpected health emergencies, it also allows them to engage their limited income in other productive ventures. Nigeria’s broader revenue generation problem means that there are competing priorities for available funds. Consequently, whatever little funds are available must be channelled effectively and optimally by ensuring that pro-poor interventions and policies are targeted and speak to every day realities of the most vulnerable households. A lot can be

It is not enough to simply focus on the symptoms of poverty, it is lack of access to education, basic healthcare, quality nutrition, sanitation, infrastructure, and electricity, and degrading economic and environmental conditions that are the root causes of poverty

achieved through the little available. The NBS data shows that households with a male head recorded a higher incidence of poverty than those with a female head. Nigeria also has one of the highest numbers of female entrepreneurs in the world. As such the provision of targeted microcredit facilities to these women, who mostly work in the informal economy and often do not have direct access to financial services that drive resilience in their livelihoods, can instigate a knock-on effect of improving developmental outcomes because women more than men spend their income on nutrition, health and education. By accessing credit, they are able to leverage additional funds and their incomes, to improve their livelihoods both at home and in their enterprises. The simple truth is that hard work is not the solution to deprivation. We cannot depend on the success stories of a few unicorns who have been able to leapfrog destitute circumstances through hard work and good fortune. The volume and impact of poverty in Nigeria are far too great to not be considered a national emergency. One must remember that the most recent poverty data released by the NBS excludes Borno state, and does not reflect the number of children who are likely to remain poor far into adulthood without the requisite government intervention to break the cycle. In the long run, safety net programmes designed with the intention for the local context, including the provision of unemployment benefits, health insurance schemes, and broader-based access to financial services transform the lives of Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid, engender class mobility and lead to better outcomes for all Nigerians. ...Awojoodu is the co-founder & CEO, E-Settlement Group

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078

Ͱ ͳ ˜ Ͱ ͮ Ͱ ͯ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 23 22

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

S & P INDEX 20 21 21.50

INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

S & P INDEX 5528.35% - 0.006% 3.97%

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE - 5.42% - 21.17%

N411.67//1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes NDIC to Pay Liquidation Dividends

TheNigeriaDepositInsuranceCorporation(NDIC)hasannouncedplans tocommencepaymentofliquidationdividendstouninsureddepositors, creditors and shareholders of additional 14 banks in-liquidation. In a statement by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir Nuhu, the NDIC stated that while stakeholders of eight closed banks are to receive their first round of liquidation dividend payments, those of the other six are to be paid additional sums due to them as part of their liquidation dividends. TheNDIClistedthebanksasCityExpressBank,AllStatesTrustBank, Allied Bank, Commerce Bank, North South Bank, Cooperative and Commerce Bank and Nigeria Merchant Bank. Others are Hilltop MFB, Olomoyoyo MFB, Evo MFB, Ngwegwe MFB, Bekwarra MFB, Argungu MFB and Edet MFB. The corporation advised eligible stakeholders of the banks to visit its offices nationwide for the verification of their claims or do so on its website. In a related development, the corporation said it has commenced verification of depositors of 22 MFBs whose operating licences were recently revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The verification exercise is geared towards payment of insured sums to eligible depositors.

STAKEHOLDERS’ENGAGEMENT

AIICO Refreshes Website

L-R: Director,MembershipServices,CharteredInstituteofBankersofNigeria(CIBN),AkinMorakinyo; President,Dr.BayoOlugbemi,presentingtheinstitute’scresttoGovernorof OsunState,AdegboyegaOyetola,duringaStakeholders’EngagementwithOsunStateGovernorinhisofficeinOsogbo,OsunState...recently

Banks Urged to Rise to Fintechs’Challenge Dike Onwuamaeze A report on the Nigerian banking sector has stated that the current phase of rising interest rates in the Nigerian financial market will not pose challenge to the sector. It also warned that the banking sector should not be complacent to the threat posed by financial technology companies (fintechs) on its profitability and growth. The report, which was released Monday by Coronation Asset Management (CAM) with the title, “Nigerian Banks, Resilience Built-In,” showed that the Nigerian banking system has been resilient over the interest rate cycle, adding that its profitability has improved over time while the stock values of Nigerian banks have remained remarkably cheap compared to their counterparts in Ghana and Kenya. It also rated Access Bank, the United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, and Stanbic IBTC Bank as stocks

ECONOMY to buy. The report written by Mr. Ope Ani and Mr. Guy Czartoryski of the Coronation Research was based on the sampling of six public quoted banks, namely the Access Bank, the Guaranty Trust Bank, the Zenith Bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Stanbic IBTC Bank and the First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), which examined what has happened within the Nigerian Banking industry in the last 10 years. It also noted that the fintechs would be one of the major sources of threat to the overall profitability of the banks because their banking platforms would be attractive to tech-literate customers who do not like visiting their local bank’s branch and could offer much more efficient service than the conventional banks. It added “Most of the conventional banks we speak with are apparently not concerned with

this threat. They see themselves as partners with internet banks, for example offering their customers cash withdrawals and supplying them with clearing service. “At the same time, they offer their own USSD-based (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) offerings and therefore compete with internet banks in some areas. Time will tell whether the conventional banks are justified in their confidence, or merely complacent.” The report stated that growth in the banking sector looked impressive as the total Average Interest Earning Assets (AIEA) of the six banks according to the study, rose by 311 per cent, from N6.5 trillion in 2010 to N26.9 trillion in 2020. It added: “So far we have established that Nigerian banks are skilled at adapting their businesses to fluctuations in interest rates and good at preserving their Net Interest Margins (NIM) and spreads through the cycle. “Therefore, the current phase

of rising interest rates presents no real challenge to their businesses, in our view. At the same time, and with the significant exception of Access Bank, they have struggled to deliver meaningful balance sheet growth over the long term.” It, however, added that the good news among the sampled banks “is that things are getting better, with profitability much improved (in all cases except one) during the period from 2016 to 2020 compared with the period 2010 to 2015. Bankers, for the most part, are getting better at making money.” It pointed out that financial institutions depending on shortterm funding in the marketplace, and have relied excessively on duration trades for their asset yields, could face challenges this year. It attributed the movements of rates to the CRR, which though at 27 per cent could indirectly be as high 50 per cent and warned that, Continued on page 24

NCDMB, NEXIM Bank Seal $30m Funding Deal for Oil Service Firms Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM-Bank) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the administration of $30 million working capital fund for oil and gas service companies. The deal was signed recently in Abuja between the two government establishments. The Fund was conceived by the NCDMB to support the operations of local oil companies against the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic, loss of

ECONOMY contracts due to low oil price and ensure the companies retain their personnel in employment. The working capital scheme, according to a statement, is one of the newly introduced products in the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) approved by the NCDMB Governing Council under the leadership of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. The target beneficiaries of the fund include members of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and Oil

and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) that are commercially viable with a business relationship with either an International Oil Company (IOC) or major Nigerian Oil Company (NOC). Giving details of the Fund, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote was quoted in the statement as stating that the roll-out date was July 1, 2021, and that NEXIM Bank would provide matching funds of the same amount in naira. “The scheme would cover loans for working capital support and capacity building, invoice discounting and capacity building,

including acquisition of low-end equipment to service short-term contracts/service obligations,” Wabote said. He also explained that the maximum amount that could be borrowed by a single obligor is $1,000,000 or its naira equivalent, while the tenure of the loan would be up to 12 months for working capital loans and up to three years for capacity building loans with moratorium of up to 12 months. “The applicable interest rate shall be five percent per annum all-in for Dollar-denominated Continued on page 24

AIICO Insurance Plc said it has launched a new corporate website and e-business portal. This, it stated was in line with its commitment to providingsuperiorandremarkableexperienceforbothitscustomers andthepublic.Thecompany,saidbesidesprovidinginformationabout itsoperations,itsproductsandservices,itisstrategicallypositionedas adigitalmarketingecosystemwheretheusers’journeyfromawareness topurchaseandpost-purchaseexperienceisnoweasyandseamless. AIICOManagingDirectorandChiefExecutiveOﬃcer,Mr.Babatunde Fajemirokun, speaking on the new website said: “Our obsession for superior customer experience is the key driver for the development of the new website. “Werestructuredthelayouttomakenavigationawholeloteasier.The contents are now simpler and more relatable. Also, we considered speed and responsiveness to diﬀerent users’ devices, guaranteeing a uniform experience at all times.” Fajemirokun,furthersaidthenewwebsiteisAIICO’swayofrefreshing the minds of its audience on its brand values, while keeping value to customers and other stakeholders in mind. “Weareintouchwiththerealitiesoftherapiddevelopmentsinthedigital spacevis-à-viscustomerexpectationsandweareuniquelypositioned to keep meeting and surpassing these expectations,” he added. Accordingtohim,onekeyfeatureonthenewwebsiteandthee-business portal is security, adding that the company has put measures in place to guarantee safe transactions at all times. “We invite existing and prospective customers to do business with us without worries,” he assured.

United Airlines Orders 270 Aircraft

United Airlines on Tuesday unveiled its largest ever order for 270 Boeing and Airbus jets worth more than $30 billion at list prices as it seeks to grow domestically after the pandemic. According to FOX Business, the order for 200 Boeing 737 MAX and 70AirbusA321neoplanes,confirmingdetailsreportedbyReuterson Monday,willreplaceolder,smallermainlinejetsandatleast200small regional jets between 2022 and 2026, the airline said. That will allow America’s third largest airline by revenue to boost the number of seats it has across its domestic network, which lags major rivals, by almost 30 per cent and get better use out of hubs. Chicago-basedUnitedisthemostexposedUSairlinetointernational travel, which suffered heavily during the pandemic and is rebounding more slowly than domestic travel. ChiefExecutiveScottKirbysaidthefleetshake-upwould,“accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel”. Thedealincludes50Boeing737MAX8and150MAX10,acceleratinga recoveryfortheMAXinthewakeofatwo-yearsafetycrisisoverlapping with a COVID-19 travel slump.

“We are going to continue to work with NEITI to deepen beneficial ownership disclosure in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, beyond statutory ownership in the CorporateAffairs Commission records”

GMD, NNPC,

Mallam Mele Kyari

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD BANKS URGED TO RISE TO FINTECHS’ CHALLENGE “a banking system can support a high CRR, so long as depositors do not turn up at their banks, all at once, and demand their money, or spend it electronically outside the banking system.” The report further warned that, “a bank that protects its margins and spreads too much may see its market shares erode.” It, however, noted that the story looked less impressive when the 311 per cent growth in Average Interest Earning Assets (AIEA) of the six banks within 10 years is matched with their gross loans to the economy that grew by 12 per cent from 2010 to 2020. “This makes it easy to understand the frustration of policymakers with the lending activity of commercial banks, which are blamed for making insufficient loans to enterprises. This is the rationale for the Loanto-Deposit ratio policy, which obliges banks to meet certain levels of lending relative to their customer deposits,” it added. NCDMB, NEXIM BANK SEAL $30M FUNDING DEAL FOR OIL SERVICE FIRMS

loans and eight percent all-in per annum for Naira-denominated loans and the rate shall be fixed throughout the tenure of the loan. “Maximum processing time shall be 21 working days from the date the applicant has provided all required documentation,” Wabote added. He also confirmed that, ”all applications for the fund shall be through the web and that NEXIM shall develop and avail a dedicated portal to facilitate the process, with access given to designated NCDMB staff for monitoring and necessary functions.” Transactions that are eligible for funding support include those connected with oil service contracts, projects or contracts that boost the operations and viability of a qualifying service providers and transactions for the supply of low-end assets or other equipment for the execution of an oil service contracts from IOCs/ major NOCs.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

NALDA Partners Abia on Job Creation for 3,000 Youths James Emejo in Abuja The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has entered into a partnership with the Abia State Government to boost agriculture and provide employment opportunities for over 3,000 youths. The landmark initiative culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by both parties towards the rehabilitation of the Ogwe Golden Chicken Farm Estate in the state. The deal was sealed recently in Umuahia, where the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, had hosted the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, and his team. Ikonne said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the authority to rehabilitate all farm estates across the country, including the Ogwe chicken facility in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state. He stated that the visit was meant to formalise the modalities for the rehabilitation of the poultry to reduce unemployment in the state. He said the estate was expected to employ about 3,000 youths, adding that the first phase of the project will be inaugurated in December He said: “NALDA programmes are community-based and this one will engage youths in the entire poultry value chain. What this means is that Abia

Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed plan to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with an envelope of $200 million. The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Afrexim Bank, Benedict Oramah, who made this known when he led management of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun, at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday, equally said the bank would partner Ogun in ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and begins operations soon. Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing

Comms/e-Business Editor

Access Bank Plc, has reiterated its support for customers whose businesses may have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank’s Regional Head, North Central and North East, Mr. Adebanji Jimoh, who gave the assurance, said it appreciates its customers and realises that “we exist because our customers exist”. Speaking at the Access Bank Business Club engagement with customers in Abuja, he said the pandemic had impacted busi-

Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) Ë×ÏÝ ×ÏÔÙ (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

The NALDA boss said Abia was entitled to three integrated farm estates and urged the governor to donate land for the two other remaining farm estates. Responding however, Ikpeazu expressed gratitude to Buhari for appointing an indigene of Abia to head NALDA, assuring the federal government that the Ikonne would continue to deliver on the mandates assigned to the authority. The governor said NALDA had inspired hope for Nigerian youths, adding that agriculture remained a significant sector

that needed quality personnel for proper management. Ikpeazu said: “You (Ikonne) have inspired hope through NALDA for our youths. Also, I will state that agriculture is a very strategic enterprise because it is one of the greatest sector for job creation and food provision. “We applaud NALDA’s drive to ensure local participation in its programmes to create local economies and power houses to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product and we assure the President that the chief executive of NALDA will continue to deliver.”

Separately, the NALDA boss also announced that it was establishing fish ponds meant for women in both Abia and Borno States. According to him, the fish ponds were being established under the NALDA’s Women in Fishery Programme, adding that 50 of the ponds were being constructed in the fish village in Ikwuano LGA of the state. He added that for Borno, the ponds were being established in 50 different locations, while about 50 ponds in 10 locations in Maiduguri would be inaugurated in October.

REWARD FOR CUSTOMER LOYALTY

L-R : Group Head Emerging Businesses, Access Bank Plc, Ayodele Olojede; Regional Sales Director, Abuja and North Central, Adebanji Jimoh; and CEO, Bold Artistry and Winner MSME of the year 2021, Abaver Vitalis, at the MSME Awards held in Abuja…. recently

heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines and other drugs, declared that Afrexim Bank is also ready to collaborate with the state-owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals in similar direction. “We are willing to dedicate an envelope of $200 million for projects and initiatives here in Ogun State; we will also be happy to see the hospital project. We will be very pleased to look at this asset and see how we can partner with your government. I assure you that we will consider the Gateway Pharmaceuticals in our plans to invest in the health sector,” he hinted. The Afrexim Bank President who added that the bank would be working with the state government in its quest to make its road infrastructure more accessible for investors, also said that the bank would be interested in the Cargo Airport being built by the state. “On the highways we are also

developing, there is a connectivity we are looking for in terms of how we connect Nigeria to the Benin Republic and others, connecting Ogun to Lagos and of course to the border. It is something that is of interest to us, if there is any road that goes from here to the border, connecting where you stopped, that will be interesting, we can work with you. “The airport is also hetoropolis, it is something of importance because we even have a project there called The Quality Assurance Testing Inspection Center. This will be critical for implementing this airport, we can assure that it is something we would be interested in developing with you.” He added: “We are willing under the $200 million envelope that I mentioned, to provide technical assistance which can be grants. We will look at how we can support to help you develop

some ideas, by providing advisory services.” “We can also use our Project Preparation Facility to help prepare projects. For example, this hospital we are talking about, we can use this facility to develop it,” Oramah stated. Earlier in his remarks, Abiodun noted that the Quality Assurance Testing Center would complement the International Cargo Airport, adding his administration would continue to do all it can to make Ogun the destination of choice for investors. Abiodun said his administration had in the last few months embarked on the construction of roads across the state, especially the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Agbara-Lusada-Atan Roads, which according to him, are capital intensive, expressing his administration’s readiness to receive support from the bank. “We have built one and we are building another at great

expense to the state. These roads are federal roads and they are also commercial roads. We invite Afrexim Bank to partner with us. “Agbara-Lusada-Atan Road is the road that used to be called the Lagos-Sokoto Expressway. That road in its present state is very shameful and we have since intervened. We have awarded the contract of that road and it will be delivered in 15 months time at a great expense to the state. “We will concession and toll these roads on completion in order to be able to recoup the investment. We invite Afrexim Bank to come and look at how to partner with us”. Abiodun said. The governor, who also called on the bank to support his administration’s quest to build an international Cargo Airport, said the airport when completed would be a cargo hub for the country and the continent of Africa as a whole.

COVID-19: Access Bank Pledges More Support for Businesses James Emejo in Abuja

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe

will be known for egg production and finished chicken products. “It will also reduce unemployment, because by the time you take away 3,000 people from the job seeking environment you are automatically creating security, as an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” He said: “Ogwe Golden Chicken is going to have many facilities because the land is over 300 acres and with that size we will have the processing and hatchery points, residential area, production area in terms of producing feeds, and the packaging area.”

AfreximBank to Support Ogun with $200m

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

NEWS

nesses adding that the bank realised the need to interact with customers to know the areas which they could be assisted. Jimoh said: “And as you know, 2019/2020 and even till now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of businesses have been challenged. “So, we decided that we needed an interactive session to take back as to how we can serve them better and to also provide support where the need be because we need to all stay alive to grow and expand together.” According to him: “So we are

looking taking insights into how we can better support their businesses and also make them feel as part of the Access Bank family and that’s the whole idea of the club.” He stressed that COVID-19 has had significant impact not only in terms of loss of life in some extreme instances but also in relation to market size. He told THISDAY that, “What we’ve seen is that most people lost their market and we have to even reschedule a couple of those who have exposure with us to ensure that during this period we

suspend interest on loans, give them interest moratorium, just to ensure that they remain in business. So that’s how bad it’s been.” Jimoh, further expressed confidence that the interaction would embolden customers to be upfront about their issues so the bank could proactively address them. He added: “So we expect that they also will take the necessary precautions because the pandemic is still here and there are protocols. “We want to also engage them to make them understand that

there’s the need to keep to those protocols and get vaccinated because you have to be alive to do business and that’s why we felt this is important to us.” He said: “Our message to our customers is to keep faith, observe the COVID-19 protocols and be upfront by their issues so that we can continue to support them and we will grow together.” However, one of the bank’s MSME customers who attended the event confided in THISDAY that the financial institution’s support to small businesses had been unprecedented adding that it stood by them in difficult times.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Positioning for Interim Dividend Payments Goddy Egene writes that the bearish state of the stock market offers opportunity to buy stocks of companies that pay interim dividends as half year earnings are being expected

he Nigerian equities market is set to close the ﬁrst half year (H1) of 2021 on a negative note following weak demand for stocks by investors. As at Monday, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited All-Share Index (ASI) had suffered a year-to-date decline of 6.49 per cent. Many equities have witnessed higher price moderations making them to be more attractive to investors considering their strong fundamentals and prospects. Hence, it is believed by market stakeholders that the decline in prices of equities in H1 is an entry opportunity for investors to take position and reap good returns on their investments. Stakeholders stressed that it is even a better opportunity for investors to position for companies that pay interim dividends given the fact that the H1 earnings season is around the corner. Companies will soon begin to announce their results for the H1 ended June 30, 2021, which will indicate their financial performances and what investors should expect at the end of the year. According to operators, this is a development that would also determine investors’ demand for the stocks going forward. However, THISDAY checks have shown that investors targeting stocks that regularly pay interim dividends have a good opportunity to move in now at good bargain because most of the stocks are trading below their year’s opening prices. When the market is highly volatile or bearish, the payment of dividends is what investors look up to as a good form of returns on their investment. Apart from dividend paid at the end of every year, some companies have developed the habit of paying interim dividends, thereby improving the liquidity of their shareholders. And as the market awaits the H1 earnings reports of companies, opportunities have opened for investors to take position in interim dividend-paying companies at very attractive valuations. Companies known for the payment of interim dividends include: Access Bank Plc; Custodian Investment Plc; Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc; MTN Nigeria Plc; Nigerian Breweries Plc; Nestle Nigeria Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc; United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and Zenith Bank Plc. A look at the prices of the stocks showed that they offer very attractive valuations opportunities for discerning investors eying undervalued equities ahead of interim dividend announcement. For instance, Access Bank Plc, which opened the year at N8.45 per share, traded at N8.50 on Monday. The bank is known for regularly interim dividends. It paid an average interim dividend of 25 kobo per share in the past three years. Custodian Investment Plc closed at N6.00 per share on Monday, compared to N5.85 at which it had begun 2021. The company has paid an average interim dividend of 10 kobo in the past three years. Investors buying into GTHoldCo Plc now would be getting the stock at a lower price of N30 per share as against its year’s opening value of N32.35. The bank has rewarded investors with an average interim dividend of 30 kobo every year since 2018. For MTN Nigeria Plc, its Monday’s price of N163.00 is lower than its year’s opening value of N169.90, which an entry opportunity. The leading telecommunications firm has paid an average interim dividend of N3.50 per share in the past two years. Nigerian Breweries Plc, which has paid an interim dividend of 45 kobo in the last three years, was traded at N54.85 per share as at Monday down from its opening price of N56.00 per share. Nestle Nigeria Plc traded at N1, 400 per share, compared with N1, 505 at which it began 2021. The firm has rewarded shareholders with an interim dividend of N23.33 per share in the past three years. Stanbic IBTC has paid an average dividend of 80 kobo per share, while its share price stood at N40.05 down from N44.05 at the beginning of the year. UBA, which traded at N7.35 per share on Monday, compared to its opening price of N8.65, has paid an average dividend of 19 kobo, just as Zenith Bank Plc paid an average interim dividend of 30 kobo. The stock ended Monday at N23.65 per share, down from N24.80 at which it opened for 2021.

Trading Floor Analysts at InvestData Consulting noted that H1 interim dividend stocks are becoming more attractive at this point for income investors and traders, even as the market anticipates positive news. While advising investors on what to do in this bearish trend, the analysts said: “Target dividend-paying stocks and fundamentally sound companies with growth prospects in 2021, looking the way of mispriced equities ahead of interim dividend announcement. This is especially given that despite the seeming improvements, fixed income yield continues to offer negative real rate of return due to the galloping inflation.” Although the actual level of dividend would only be known when the companies unveiled their H1 results, the first quarter (Q1) earnings and assurances given for improved performance, are pointers to a very attractive harvest. For instance, Access Bank Plc recorded gross earnings of N222.1 billion in Q1 of 2021, up by six per cent from N2029.8 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2020. Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 30 per cent to N60.1 billion, from N46.2 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 28 per cent to N52.6 billion compared with N40.9 billion in 2020. According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Q1 the performance showed the strong capacity of their business to generate sustainable earnings on the strength of their balance sheet, diverse revenue streams and their dedicated people. “As a result of effective implementation of our cost reduction strategy, operating expenses remained flat, despite the inflationary environment and increased regulatory cost. Our retail banking business also showed steady growth with a 112 per cent increase in revenue to N57.5 billion and a 941,631 new customer

“Target dividendpaying stocks and fundamentally sound companies with growth prospects in 2021, looking the way of mispriced equities ahead of interim dividend announcement

sign-on via our financial inclusion drive during the quarter. This improvement is evidenced by the consistent and robust savings account growth to N1.3 trillion , leading to asignificant reduction in our cost of funds,” Wigwe said. He said that with the increased adoption of digital channels and the growing customer base, the bank recorded a 29 per cent growth in USSD transaction value and 40 per cent increase in mobile and internet banking transaction value. “In line with our risk appetite and efficient risk management, our asset quality continued to improve as guided with NPL Ratio of4.0 per cent (Dec. 2020 4.3 per cent), as we intensified our recovery efforts. Likewise, we expanded our loan portfolio cautiously as reflected by the marginal growth in our net loans and advances to N3.65 trillion year-to-date (Dec 2020: N3.61trillion). Furthermore, we maintained robust capital and liquidity positions, well above regulatory levels with a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 22.2 per cent and a liquidity ratio of 48.3 per cent, positioning ust o support our customers across various markets and adequately execute our expansion strategy,” he added. Wigwe stated that in furtherance of their vision to be the World’s most respected African bank and Africa’s payment gateway, they remain committed to a disciplined and thoughtful expansion strategy. “Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), we will focus on key markets to drive outside Africa and intraAfrica trade. In alignment with our objectives, we recently announced our intention to acquire a majority shareholding in African Banking Corporation of Botswana Limited to further strengthen our Southern African footprint. Looking at the quarters ahead, we are poised for strong earnings growth fueled by our retail momentum, robust balance sheet, and operational efficiency,” he said. On its part, UBA recorded a growth of 5.5 per cent in gross earnings in Q1 of 2021 to close at N155.4 billion compared with N147.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020. The bank leveraged on modest growth in both interest and non-interest income as well as increased efficiency to deliver an impressive 24 per cent in profit before tax (PBT), which printed at N40.6 billion, compared with N32.7 billion in 2020. PAT grew faster by 26.8 per cent from N30.1 billion to N38.2 billion. A further breakdown of results, showed that interest expense fell from N43.69 billion to N34.209 billion, the biggest of which was

the reduction in expense incurred on deposits from banks, which depreciated from N26.633 billion to N18.51 billion, resulting in net interest income of N74.381 billion, up from the previous N65.417 billion. Also, fee and commission income rose to N34.955 billion from N28.237 billion, helped by the N12.483 billion income from electronic banking, which increased from N8.301 billion, while commissions on transactional services rose from N4.733 billion to N5.535 billion. The bank’s total assets also rose by 2.5 per cent to N7.9 trillion in the period under review, compared to N7.7 trillion recorded at the end of the 2020 financial year whilst shareholders’ funds grew to N762.4 billion up by 5.3 per cent from N724.1 billion as at full year 2020. Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating that the result reflected the bank’s capacity to sustainably grow earnings even in a highly uncertain macroeconomic environment. He explained that its robust capital and liquidity have positioned the bank as it continues to support its customers across diverse sectors and markets, guided by prudent risk management practices. “This impressive Q1 results reflect the capacity of our business to sustainably grow earnings even in a highly uncertain macroeconomic environment. We remain upbeat on the macroeconomic outlook of the countries in which we operate, especially as the COVID-19 vaccine distribution gains traction globally, whilst commodity prices and currencies continue to stabilise. Our robust capital and liquidity positions have positioned us to continue to support our customers across diverse sectors and markets, guided by prudent risk management practices,” he said. Uzoka noted the bank’s effort towards diligently executing its priorities for the year 2021, saying it is leverages people, process, and technology to deliver the best customer experience across all its channels and touch points, achieving industry leadership and dominance. He said: “The bank is making strong progress in Nigeria where our continuous market share and efficiency gains are translating into higher profits. We are committed to sustaining this strong start throughout the year, leveraging our customer-First (C-1st) philosophy and unparalleled execution to deliver even stronger returns to our esteemed shareholders in 2021 and beyond.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Battling Opacity in Extractive Sector If anything, the extractive industries in Nigeria, have always donned the toga of being some of the least open in the world. Emmanuel Addeh writes that with the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which appears to be pushing the frontiers of transparency in the sector, a lot appears to be changing

t would be stating the obvious to say that Nigeria has a poor track record when it comes to operations in the oil and gas as well as the country’s mining industries. Indeed, whether in the award of oil blocks, exploratory activities or even in basic matters like how many litres of petrol the country consumes daily, it is mostly discussed in hushed tones, with various agencies of government releasing conflicting figures. There have been various scandals in the oil and gas industry, ranging from the Malabu Oil Production Licence (OPL) 245 and the associated unending court cases in which a former oil minister literally awarded an oilfield to himself to the other case in which the petroleum ministry allegedly purchased biros and letterhead papers for N116 million as revealed by the national assembly. Historically, in 2003, during the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Nigeria voluntarily signed up to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which basically meant that it would thereafter accede to the EITI and establish the NEITI. Having accepted of the principles and criteria of the EITI, in 2004, the federal government inaugurated a 28-member Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) to implement the EITI in Nigeria. That group was headed by Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, supported by a Special Assistant to the President, Mrs. Apollonia Okigbo, and a journalist, Mr. Ogbonnaya Orji, who was seconded to the team to head a sub desk that interfaced with the media and civil society. In 2007, a specific law was enacted to enforce the implementation of the initiative in the country, with Nigeria becoming the first country in the global EITI to support implementation with an enabling law to institutionalise the body. At the time, the current Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed was the Executive Secretary of the organisation which was directly supervised by the Office of the President, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Since then, the organisation has evolved, waxing stronger and is now led by Orji, an insider who has been with the initiative from inception, working from the NEITI’s modest office in Asokoro, Abuja, and who appears to be in a hurry to make the difference. Orji was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in February this year, following the expiration of the term of office of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the organisation, Waziri Adio. Before his selection, Orji, who started out his professional career with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), was the Director of Communications and Advocacy at NEITI. Also at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he worked at point in his career, Orji, who holds an MSc degree and PhD in Political Economy and International Development from the University of Abuja, successfully managed several donor-funded projects. Immediately after his appointment, the initiative’s helmsman commenced a national shuttle of stakeholders, including agencies of government, civil society groups, the media, anti-graft bodies among others, seeking their cooperation in NEITI’s attempt to rid the extractive industries of graft. He has pledged to continue to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessors in order to give Nigeria and Nigerians the deserved value from the nation’s extractive sector, promising to expand the frontiers of their good works and fixing any lapses where necessary. NEITI is also currently working on retrieving the over $11.6 billion that are recoverable, in collaboration with some agencies of government to work out modalities for the recovery of those revenues. In recent years, NEITI has been working to make audit reports timelier, reducing report publication time from 29 months to 15 months, releasing over 60 per cent of the total of industry audits. NEITI contributed in no small measure to the first attempt to enact a Petroleum Industry

Orji Bill (PIB) and the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act. Aside that, NEITI has automated the data gathering component of its reporting process, deployed NEITI Freedom of Information Portal and succeeded in nudging the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to embrace more transparency. But away from the past, nothing else gives more hint of what is to come, than last week’s release of two comprehensive reports covering both the petroleum sector and the country’s mining industry. Packed with industry data that is hardly available elsewhere in the country, NEITI, in the documents that can best be described as reservoir of layers upon layers of information, again showed how companies and public institutions could indeed help themselves by not hoarding information that should ordinarily be available to the public. And to think that the feat was achieved with just about 50 members of staff! In what appeared to be an abiding avowal for open data in the industry, NEITI in the oil and gas report, noted that the country earned a total sum of $34.22 billion from the oil and gas sector in 2019, an increase of 4.88 per cent over the $32.63 billion revenue netted from the sector in 2018. It stated that a breakdown of the earnings, contained in the audit report, showed that

I have only ﬁve years to make an impact. I do not have the luxury of a second term. I do not want any of those ﬁve years not to be accounted for. Every minute of my tenure must count

payments by companies accounted for $18.90 billion, while flows from federation sales of crude oil and gas accounted for $15.32 billion. From 2010-2019, NEITI said the aggregate financial flows from the oil and gas sector to government, amounted to $418.544 billion, with the highest revenue flow of $68.442 recorded in 2011, while the lowest revenue flow of $17.055 was recorded in 2016. According to NEITI, the total crude oil production in 2019 was 735.244mmbbls, representing an increase of 4.87 per cent over the 701.101mmbbls recorded in 2018. It stated that Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) contributed the highest volumes of 312.042mmbbls followed by Joint Venture (JV) and Sole Risk (SR) which recorded 310,284mmbbls and 89.824mmbbls respectively. The Orji-led organisation, listed others as Marginal Fields (MFs) and Service Contracts (SCs) which accounted for 21,762mmbbls and 1,330mmbbls respectively. “Analysis of crude oil lifted by NNPC showed that 159.411mmbbls was for export, while 107.239mmbbls was for domestic refining and 97 per cent of the volumes for domestic refining (104.475mmbbls) was utilised for the Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) programme while the remaining 3 per cent (2.764mmbbls) was delivered to the refineries,” it stated. NEITI reported that the value of the 2019 domestic crude oil earnings was N2.722 trillion, while of the figure, N518.074 billion was deducted for petrol under-recovery by the NNPC. On recommendations, NEITI urged the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to advice the NNPC to prepare its budget on a gross basis by stating its gross revenue and costs. The report noted that the practice if adopted, would improve transparency and accountability in NNPC’s transactions on behalf of the federation and further requested that NNPC should carry-out detailed reconciliation on transportation revenues regularly as a mechanism for checks and balances. It also observed that entities are reporting crude losses higher than the ‘fiscalised’ production and recommended that the DPR should take steps to reduce losses by the terminal operators.

In a separate report on the mining sector, the NEITI report stressed that Nigeria earned N79.96 billion from the solid minerals sector in 2019, representing a 15 per cent increase when compared to the N69.47 billion recorded the previous year. It noted that the 2019 earnings accounted for 16 per cent of the total revenues of N496.28 billion that have accrued to the federation from the sector over the period of 13 years (2007 to 2019). A breakdown of the 2019 receipts as reported by NEITI showed that taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on behalf of the federation accounted for N69.92 billion or 87.4 per cent of the total, while fees and royalties paid to the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) and Mines Inspectorate Department (MID) accounted for N2.37 billion (3.0 per cent) and N2.55billion (3.2 per cent) respectively. Revenue accruals to the states stood at N5.1 billion, representing a 42 per cent increase when compared to the N2.1 billion recorded in 2018, with FIRS accounting for the highest flow to the coffers. In addition, the outstanding amount of N8.887 billion which accrued from the solid minerals sector as of December 31, 2019 was distributed amongst the three tiers of government in May 2020 using the revenue sharing formula while the balance as at 31st October 2020 was N3.948 billion. It wasn’t just about data for their sake, the transparency initiative further made recommendations which if implemented by all stakeholders would like lead to a likely more robust transparency space in the extractive industries. It was perhaps, in recognition of the commitment of NEITI that its executive secretary, Orji was recently appointed as the chair of the EITI global Network on Contract Transparency to represent Nigeria. The body is tasked with the specific responsibility of developing a global framework, standard and tools of engagement on contract disclosures in the extractive industries to guide in the 54 member countries of EITI. On the selection of Nigeria for the position, Orji noted that the appointment of country to lead the global network was an acknowledgement and recognition of the enormous work and leadership that Nigeria has shown towards the implementation of the EITI over the years. The global network is made of 2O EITI implementing countries including Nigeria, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Armenia, Cameroun, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Others include: Ghana, Malawi, Guinea, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Senegal, Sao Tome & Principe, Togo, Zambia as well as Tanzania. Earlier, Uzoigwe informed participants that the EITI secretariat was taking the issue of energy transition seriously and urged NEITI to lead the engagement and discussions in the country with stakeholders. He affirmed the readiness of the EITI to support the Nigerian government in this direction, pointing out that Nigeria remains the most elaborate EITI implementing country among 55 member countries through the work of NEITI. It is still early days yet and much more ground to cover by the transparency initiative, but what is clear if that if the saying that morning tells the day is anything to go by, then it may be safe to say that Orji has truly come clean the Augean Stable. Like he said recently: “I have only five years to make an impact. I do not have the luxury of a second term. I do not want any of those five years not to be accounted for. Every minute of my tenure must count. “So, I am in a hurry to get the job done because I am ready for this job, trained and equipped for this job. So, God being on our side, I want to make sure that by the time I look back in five years, there will be credible impact.” Obviously, Orji’s job is clearly cut out. Hopefully, he will deliver and make a mark for posterity.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD

Plentywaka Partners GUO Transporton Travel Offerings Oyefusi Idowu Transportation technology company, Plentywaka, and GUO Transport Services Limited have announced a partnership to further simplify the bus booking travel experience for Nigerians. According to them, the partnership would see both companies combine technology and marketing to bring transport into one simple product, which is the Plentywaka mobile app. Founded in 1980, GUO Transport Services Limited is a division of G. U. Okeke and Sons Limited. A household name in the transportation industry and one of the largest providers of intercity and interstate transportation, serving more than 200 destinations across Nigeria and West Africa with a modern, environmentally friendly fleet. “The company has become an iconic in the transportation industry, providing safe, enjoyable and affordable travel to millions of passengers annually,” a statement explained. In the statement, Plentywaka stated that it has in the last 20 months completed over 350,000 rides and recently launched its interstate travel service called travelwaka, which provides affordable tickets from major bus travel companies such as GUO Transport Services Limited and other transport companies. It noted that it has created ease of ticket purchase for travel commuters across the country, and “its travelwaka service offers commuters the luxury of booking bus trips directly on the Plentywaka mobile app, while also giving its users comparison options from a wide range of travel companies in a single search. This enables users the opportunity to plan their entire journey without having to leave the comfort of their homes or

stand in long queues.” According to the statement, in light of the partnership, GUO Transport Services Limited and Plentywaka, would be providing millions of bus commuters’ access to explore different states across Nigeria through the Plentywaka app. GUO Transport Services Limited is expected to onboard over 600 vehicles to boost Plentywaka’s fleet size to 820+ vehicles. “This will also mean major routes like Lagos - Abuja and 200 more destinations will now be opened up on the Plentywaka App for customers to book them at affordable rates,” the statement added. Speaking on the partnership, the statement quoted the CoFounder, and CEO of Plentywaka, Onyeka Akumah, as saying: “The partnership with GUO Transport Services Limited is great for our users, especially because we know a lot of them have been looking for routes that GUO operates on. “We are very excited to have developed the technology behind an easy-to-use mobile app that will make the travel experience seamless for Nigerians. “PlentyWaka is Nigeria’s first bus hailing solution that offers commuters convenience, safety, and comfort in their daily rides. We are providing a convenient and effective driving experience one route at a time. Plentywaka is changing the way people get around. Our app allows commuters to book and pay for fast and convenient trips in real-time.” Speaking also on the partnership, the Director of Operations for GUO Transport Services Limited, Kene Okeke, said: “We are excited about this partnership with PlentyWaka because their values and offerings align closely with ours. We can now move more people from across Nigeria conveniently and without hassle.”

NEWS

Oil Price Predicted to Hit $100/ bbl in 2022 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Crude oil price may surge to $100 a barrel next year as travel demand rebounds, the Bank of America Corp. has predicted, the strongest call yet among major forecasters for a return to triple digits. Global oil consumption will continue to outstrip supply in 2022 as the economic recovery from the pandemic boosts fuel consumption, while investment in new production is crimped by environmental concerns, the bank said in a report. “There is plenty of pent-up oil demand ready to be unleashed,” the bank’s New York-based head of commodities research, Francisco Blanch has predicted. Brent futures traded $75 a barrel last week. While other market-watchers, from trading house Trafigura Group to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., have already said that oil could reach $100 again in the right conditions, the prediction from Bank of America was the firmest to date. If crude does return to triple digits, it will be the first time

since 2014, before a flood of North American shale oil sent the market into a slump from which it has never fully recovered, Bloomberg reported. The increasingly bullish outlook for oil is adding to pressure on the OPEC+ coalition led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, which meets this week to consider reviving some more of the production it cut during the pandemic. While Riyadh has signalled it prefers to move cautiously, an ever-tighter world market could compel the alliance to open the taps a little. Prices have been stoked this month as fellow OPEC member Iran failed to clinch an agreement to relieve U.S. sanctions on its petroleum exports. According to Bank of America, the immediate prospects for the OPEC+ alliance are bright, adding that oil consumption will be bolstered next year as mass transit struggles to keep pace with extra travel demand, prompting passengers to make greater use of private cars. Even the ongoing popularity of remote working won’t dent fuel consumption as much as expected, as home-workers

use cars during the day to run personal errands, the bank said. “Work-from-home means ‘work-from-car’ in many cases,” it added. At the same time, the bank expects that new oil supplies will remain constrained while shareholders will pressure major companies to invest in renewable energy, or push shale drillers to return cash rather than spend on new drilling. Still, expectations for a tight market in 2022 are far from unanimous. A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) earlier this month showed that half of the projected increase in demand can be met by recovering output outside OPEC, predominantly from the U.S. That would leave the OPEC and its partners with significant quantities of idle output and even more if Iran can strike a nuclear accord with the U.S. by then. On its own, Trafigura Group said oil could top $100 a barrel in the next 12 to 18 months as the recovery from the pandemic drives a rebound in demand. “The market is hungry for oil,” Saad Rahim, Trafigura’s global chief economist, said in an interview with Bloomberg

Television. The trading house joins a chorus of market-watchers predicting that crude could reach triple digits again in the right conditions. Benchmark Brent has surged above $75 a barrel for the first time in two years as economies emerge from Covid-19 restrictions, pushing up demand for gasoline, diesel and even jet fuel. “Eventually, you are going to be in a situation where demand has not only recovered but is stronger than it was, and you don’t have that capacity you need,” he said. “Oil Could hit $100 as soon as next year and are likely to exceed that level within 18 months, if the conditions are right, with the increase happening “gradually and then suddenly,” Rahim said. Trafigura is the world’s second-largest independent oil trader, handling more than 6 million barrels of crude and petroleum products a day. The Singapore-based company has thrived during the pandemic, posting record half-year profit of $2.1 billion as it seized opportunities to cash in on volatile swings in commodity prices.

Group Plan Wealth Summit in Lagos Some real estate experts have described Lagos State as a land with many opportunities yet to be discovered. The Co-founder of Pertinence Group, Mr. Wisdom Ezekiel, said this during a media briefing on the forthcoming Wealth Summit 2021, with the theme: ‘The Real Money of Lagos.’ He said the wealth of Lagos resides in every sector of the state’s economy, but required knowledge to unravel it. He added that there are some identified and unidentified challenges faced by residents in Lagos that required solutions. “If you look at the challenges of Lagos, you would mention traffic, bad roads and a couple of others; but mention real estate you would say that is much more problematic. “The thing about challenges is that once you see one, realise that there is money in there. If you solve the problem, you get paid for it. So the real money of Lagos is in solving problems. “If you can solve the problem of the people of Lagos, it means that you make the money that is in Lagos,” Ezekiel posited. Meanwhile, the Group CEO, Pertinence Group, Dr. Stephen

Oluwatobi, added that many still believed that money making was mystical and dedicated to family pedigree. “The wealth summit is an initiative of Pertinence Group and the idea is to help people capitalise on the opportunities available in Lagos. Our mission is to empower people and that’s why we are an enterprise development and people empowerment company and to do that we need to educate people about wealth creation and money so that people stop thinking that making money is mystical but attainable by anyone,” the university lecturer added. Oluwatobi listed the lineup of guest speakers for the July 10, 2021, summit to include: Debola Williams, Olumide Emmanuel, Sam Adeyemi, Sunday Olorunsheyi, Wisdom Ezekiel, Akin Alabi and Ali Baba. Pertinence Group is an enterprise development company and has been involved in rewarding productivity based on partnership with stakeholders and staff, who promote their products. The reward come in cash and kind as many have been made millionaires on the platform of Pertinence Group.

Fashola: FG Undertaking 800 Projects through Works Ministry Nationwide Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said the federal government is currently carrying out 800 projects, including the construction of 37 bridges across the country. Speaking when the Council of Ohafia Monarchs and Leaders of Thought visited him in his Abuja office, over the reconstructed Nmuri bridge which links Ohafia and Umuahia, the minister said the ongoing projects underscored the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was performing.

He stressed that the completion of the abandoned Nmiru Bridge in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria would bring succour to the road users in that area. According to Fashola, the Ohafia bridge is one of the 37 bridges and over 800 projects that the ministry was repairing, restoring, rehabilitating and constructing across Nigeria. He pointed out that some of the bridges had been abandoned for the past five to six decades, noting that the Nmuri bridge was among those receiving attention already. He also said the ministry through the intervention on

the roads and bridges across the country had further demonstrated that the APC as a party has an ideology, contrary to some opinions. “The APC led government is governed by progressive ideology which is progressivism, which simply means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improve human condition through investment in many pillars such as agriculture, mining and in particular, infrastructure expansion, repair and development,” he said. The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa (SAN),

said the visit was in response to the federal government’s quick response in fixing the dilapidated old bridge. He further called on the federal government to also expedite action to facilitate the completion of the construction of the road linking Ohafia, Bende and Umuahia which the Nmuri bridge is part of. Other members of the delegation included monarchs and chiefs and leaders, Emmanuel Onugu, Kalu Ikenga, Awa Kalu, Umeh Kalu (SAN), Mr. Okpo Kalu, Mr. Sunny Mbila, Lucas Eme, Sunday Idika, Ogbonna Kalu, Dr. Eni Kalu and Charles Nkata.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

CBN, NIRSAL: Boosting Agric Financing

Jennifer Daniel

Before the coming on board of the present leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headed by Mr. Godwin Emefiele, banks hardly lend to farmers, particularly, small holder farmers. In fact lending to the Agricultural sector at the time was like throwing the money away because it was perceived as a high risk area. As a result, lending to the agric sector was a paltry 1.4 per cent of the country’s total lending. This is far below the lending ratios that apply in other high performing developing countries such as Brazil, Mali and Burkina Faso that lend over 10 per cent to agriculture as a percentage of their total loans. Over the years, successive Nigerian governments have developed policies and programmes aimed at making financing available to the agriculture sector. Unfortunately, these policies and programmes failed to have the desired impact because they did not take into cognizance the full scope of the Agricultural value chain. They failed to see as one whole linked process the agricultural challenges which range from underfunded research and development and financial risks for farmers who do not understand talk less of adopting best practices. Reports show that agriculture is by far the largest sector of the Nigerian economy with the potential to become the main driver for more equitable income growth. According to a UN Report, the sector has enormous potential – with an opportunity to grow output by 160 per cent, from $99 billion to $256 billion by 2030. However limited access to finance has prevented the sector from unleashing this potential. Emefiele, justifying CBN’s interest in agricultural financing said it was in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to guarantee food security. According to him, “The CBN has created several lending programmes including the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and provided hundreds of billions of naira to smallholder farmers and industrial processors in several key agricultural produce.” These policies according to the CBN governor, are aimed at positioning Nigeria to become a self-sufficient food producer, creating millions of jobs and supplying key markets across the country. “So the CBN has both a direct and indirect rationale to ensure that this sector is revived in a significant way,” the CBN governor said. “In this regard, we are gratified that the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), together with other initiatives like Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) are proving to be successful in many states.” Just recently, the Managing Director of NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed revealed that as at the end of 2020, NIRSAL had facilitated over N148 billion in finance and investments for agriculture and agribusiness, a pointer to the volume of funds now going into the agric sector. This speaks to the vision and foresight of the leadership of the CBN which reactivated NIRSAL. Though established in 2011 based on learnings from the gaps that were noticed while implementing earlier credit guarantee programmes, NIRSAL had remained largely dormant. NIRSAL was designed to encourage the growth of bank lending to the agricultural sector by providing risk mitigation, financing, trading and strategic incentives and technical assistance to Agribusiness with a start-up capital of N75 billion provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The agency is structured to reduce significantly the risk of banks’ lending to the Agricultural sector through its risk sharing vehicle. It guarantees up to 75 percent of agriculture bank loans. It pays about 50 percent of losses incurred to large farmers and roughly 75 percent to small and medium scale farmers. These were just what were needed to ensure seamless flow of funds to the agric sector, an opportunity the CBN saw and latched on to. The NIRSAL boss, Abdulhameed while giving a scorecard recently, said NIRSAL had also aggregated over 3,000 Agro Geo-Cooperatives with 500,000 farmers on nearly 800,000 hectares of land. According to him, “We are taking these strides towards the short term target of eight million smallholder farmers on four million hectares of land.” He revealed that over 1.4 million persons have utilised NIRSAL’s innovative index-based insurance products which protect farmers from risks posed by nature. “Our efforts so far have been more about gainfully engaging the majority of smallholder farmers who are predominantly in rural areas, boosting and optimising production, as well as building a reliable supply chain for Nigeria’s industries,” he said. A cursory look at the NIRSAL’s five year performance show that over 26 financial institutions are using the NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee (CRG) instrument to minimise possible losses in financing agribusinesses. Prompted by the CBN through the Bankers’

Brands and Negative Power of Eminence

Emeka Oparah

At the time of starting this piece, CNN reported that Coca-Cola lost market value of over $4 billion and 1.6 per cent of share price in a day, due, apparently, to Christiano Ronaldo’s snub of the brand at the presser after their Euro Cup 3-0 win against Hungary in Budapest at the ongoing UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. The 36-year-old Portugal captain and a renowned healthy living and fitness freak openly removed two Coca-Cola bottles from the table during the press conference. The Juventus star not only made it clear what he thinks of the carbonated soft drink, he followed up by holding up a bottle of water declaring in Portuguese “Agua”, apparently urging people to choose water instead. Ronaldo was not alone. Elsewhere in Germany, Manchester United and French star, Paul Pogba, took a cue from Ronaldo and removed a bottle of alcohol-free Heineken Emeﬁele from his table at a press conference immediately after France defeated Germany 1-0. Pogba, a Committee, commercial banks have pledged Muslim, made no comments after he took the to provide an additional N160 billion to fund bottle of Heineken and placed it on the floor. Shortly after Ronaldo’s actions, Coca-Cola, agriculture, provided the NIRSAL guarantee and which is one of the official sponsors of the its structured approaches are in place. The agency has also trained over 2,600 staff tournament, reportedly experienced a dip in its share price from $56.10 to $55.22 and of financial institutions and engaged with 17 market value from $242 billion to $238 billion Bank Management Credit Committees for in one day! There is no evidence yet anything capacity building, joint product development, happened to Heineken’s standing after Pogba’s and bottom-up and top-down engagements for action unlike Ronaldo’s. While the Marketing world awaits the juror financing commitments. The rate of bank lending to agriculture has on whether it was Ronaldo’s action that led to risen from 1.4 per cent at inception to 4.49 per Coca-Cola’s losses, there is sufficient wisdom and historical antecedents to back up such cent as at December 2020. a claim. National President, All Farmers Association NBA player Kawhi Leonard removed a of Nigeria, Arc Kabir Ibrahim who commended Gatorade bottle from the table during a press CBN for its bold initiatives in the agric sector, conference at last year’s All-Star Weekend. At said there has been a remarkable improvement the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when the USA in flow of lending to agriculture over what was Dream Team won the basketball gold medal, Michael Jordan strategically covered the Reebok obtainable in the past. logo on his team uniform with the American According to him, “CBN has through NIRSAL flag so as not to be photographed wearing a drawn some reasonable funding to agriculture. Nike competitor. But then, these are situations where sports You know before now, commercial banks will not lend to farmers because of the perceived stars are basically protecting their sponsors or high risk, but that perception is changing now rather trying not to jeopardize their sponsorship deals. with the intervention of NIRSAL.” In the meantime, Coca-Cola has reacted to He however believes that NIRSAL will do what has been widely described as a Ronaldo better if some observed bottlenecks bordering Snub by saying that, “everyone’s entitled to alleged sharp practices by some of its staff could their drink preferences as people have different tastes and needs.” be addressed. The company didn’t comment on the reported The Anchor Borrowers Programme which the losses. Initially, UEFA, the Euro 2000 organisCBN is facilitating through NIRSAL has so far, ers had only said “players are offered water according to CBN, financed over 3.1 million farmers alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, to the tune of over N492 billion for the cultivation on arrival at our press conferences”, generally of 3,801,397 hectares across 21 commodities. This playing down the incident and, more tellingly, was done through 23 Participating Financial the direct and unintended consequences. Institutions in the 36 states of the federation However, the European soccer body came out and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from stronger, reminding participating teams, “that partnerships are integral to the delivery of the the inception of the programme till date. tournament and to ensuring the development NIRSAL has introduced Agro Geo-Cooperative of football across Europe, including for youth concept for structuring of farmers with proper and women”. UEFA’s EURO 2020 Tournament governance structures and aggregating their Director, Martin Kallen, said “players were farmlands into contiguous stretches of 250 contractually obliged through their federation of the tournament regulations to follow”, hinting hectares each. that disciplinary action was a “possibility” So far, 2,743 Agro geo-cooperatives have been against the federations not the players. formed by NIRSAL covering 600,000 hectares and Interestingly, Ronaldo’s antics have been over 408,000+ farmers which are being presented to described by some as hypocritical because he the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financiers for had featured previously in ads for Coca-Cola, funding of primary production (farming) activities. KFC and McDonalds. All manner of stories have emerged online Over 700,000 farmers have been trained by around Ronaldo and Coca-Cola including one NIRSAL on good agronomic practices (GAP) and associated with another Manchester United financial literacy. teammate, Ryan Giggs, who once confronted the The CBN through NIRSAL has moved the Portuguese star for coming to breakfast holding Nigerian agriculture sector from indemnity-based a bottle of Coke in his hands! There are even to Index-based Insurance as a major sector risk conspiracy theories too, one of which suggests Ronaldo’s stunt may have been orchestrated management strategy. by Coca-Cola, but it bombed! Some allege it Within two years of intervening in agricultural was a personal beef at Coca-Cola even if they insurance, from 2017 to 2019, the number of small- couldn’t say whether the bottle of water he holder farmer subscriptions to agricultural insurance held up was by Coca-Cola or not. rose exponentially to 1.8 million with the NIRSAL Factually, though, his name was mentioned Area Yield Index Insurance (AYII) accounting for in an advertisement for McDonalds ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Four years 70 per cent of total subscriptions. This it said is attributable to the influx of the later, he worked on a TV advertisement for Coca-Cola ahead of the 2010 World Cup. His private sector with up to nine private insurance Manchester United teammate, Wayne Rooney, companies adopting NIRSAL’s innovative index- also spoke about how Ronaldo consumed “junk based agricultural insurance products whereas, food” when he first moved to the UK as he agricultural insurance was previously handled tried to gain weight. His recent epiphany about mainly by NAIC only given the dearth of viable dieting and fitness may sound good to health and fitness freaks and advocates, but soft drinks, and innovative products. especially Coca-Cola, are not smiling-not to Sixteen innovative agribusiness models have been the banks, not anywhere. developed for optimised value chain operations on Gerardo Riquelme, who writes for Marca. various agricultural commodities and are being com, the Spanish online sports magazine, says demonstrated by NIRSAL and adopted by the of Ronaldo and Pogba’s actions, “these were two unwise and selfish gestures. These are two private sector and other actors. sports stars who, as they say in the United States, “know the game” and who know that t%BOJFM JT BO BHSJDVMUVSBM &DPOPNJTU CBTFE without private money this cannot be sustained.

Their attitude is reprehensible because they are at the forefront of promotional events when it is their money that is at stake. “The effect of Cristiano Ronaldo’s childishness has translated into a four billion dollar loss for Coca-Cola. If that figure is true, the renewal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contracts in the coming years will have to be multiplied by a factor of five given the magnitude of the consequences. Not even the COVID-19 pandemic has created such a big hole. There’s even the other dimension to the saga regarding the investments in and commitments to sports by both Coca-Cola and Heineken. According to Riquelme, “the most disgusting thing is that it has been done to two sponsors who move on the edge. “Coca-Cola”, he stated, “the first Olympic sponsor and therefore the first sponsor of sport in its global concept, is going through a critical moment in terms of image. It has gone from being the spark of life to heading the catalogue of unhealthy foods with hamburgers, when the Atlanta-based company has worked hard to bring low-sugar products onto the market and diversify the market with up to 50 other products. Heineken, for its part, has been supporting UEFA for more than 25 years and has also had to exploit alcohol-free options in order to continue to have visibility in sport.” Whichever be the case, sponsorships and product placement in sports will never be the same. Brand Managers will have to spend more time studying celebrities, their habits and predilections particularly when they will have direct interaction with their brands and products. More importantly, there will be more attention paid to branding contracts going forward to ensure nobody does a Ronaldo on another generous brand in future. Celebrities and stars are powerful brands in their own rights. Some of them are so big they can dim the lights of any brand or product they are endorsing or those they come across in passing, like Ronaldo and Pogba. The flip side of their eminence is when it negatively activates deleterious consequences on perception, reputation, market value and share price. There’s also the little matter of the Woke Culture, which controversial British TV celebrity, Pierce Morgan, described in his book “Wake Up” as “illiberal liberalism”. According to him, “it is not what you believe that matters much so much as how you express your beliefs, the precise language you use and a total unquestioning compliance with what ‘they’ say is the way to behave.” Sports stars seem to have joined the bandwagon speaking and acting regardless of stated rules of engagement. Naomi Osaka’s eventful exit from Rolland Garros, though cleverly masked in mental health smacked of “Wokeness”. Sponsors really need to watch it! So, Brand Managers might as well recognise the negative power of eminence of celebrities and forget product placement, if they can’t enforce it. They can make do with the backdrop logos, in-venue, perimeter and other forms of branding. Product placement is not a do or die affair-or may be it is, going by Coca-Cola experience! At the end of the day, it is hard to say that Coca-Cola’s consumer market share will react as timidly as the share price and market valuation. Only time (and Coca-Cola consumers) will tell. t 0QBSBI JT 7JDF 1SFTJEFOU $PSQPSBUF $PNNVOJDBUJPOT $43 BU "JSUFM /JHFSJB

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: Director, Membership Services, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Akin Morakinyo; President, CIBN,Dr. Bayo Olugbemi; presenting the Institute’s crest to Executive Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, during the Stakeholders’ Engagement with Osun State Governor in his oﬃce in Osogbo, Osun State...recently

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the celebrant/ex-Registrar of WAEC, Chief Olu Alex Ajayi; his wife, Olu; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the 91st birthday reception for Chief Ajayi in Ado-Ekiti...recently

L-R: Chief whip of the Senate, Senator OIrji Uzor Kalu; Minority Leader of the Senate; Senator Enyinaya Abaribe and Chairman Diaspora commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa at the wedding of the daughter of Dr Orji Ogbonaya Orji in Abuja...recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: Outgoing Commandant, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Adamawa Command, Mr Mustapha Talba handing over to the incoming Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Mohammed Waksha, during the handover ceremony in Yola...recently

R-L: Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Alpha Mead Group Chairman, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu (CON); Alpha Mead Development Company (AMDC) Chairman, Engr. Dada Thomas; and GM Enugu State Housing Dev Corporation (ESHDC), Hon. Chuks Agu, during a tour of the Coal City View Estate developed in partnership with AMDC in Enugu...recently

Ogun First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun(right) presenting deep freezer to one of the beneﬁciaries, Mrs. Thomas Bola during the commemoration of 2021 International Widows’ Day with the theme” Invisible Women, Invisible Problem held in Abeokuta…recently

L-R: Country Manager, MainOne Ghana, Emmanuel Kwarteng ;, CEO, GIIF, Solomon Asamoah; CEO, MainOne, Funke Opeke; Director, Ministry Of Communications, Ghana, Mrs. Veronica Rita Sackey; Board Chairman, MainOne, Ghana, Aﬁcanus Mensah; Board Member, MainOne, Ghana, Mrs. Olusola Ogundimu and COO, MDXi, Gbenga Adegbiji during the launch of MainOne MDXi DATA Center in Accra, Ghana…recently

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

L-R: Representative of the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Plateau Command, Mr Nkom Samson; Secretary General, Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), Comrade, Nanle Gujor; and Director General, Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr Joseph Lengmang, during the monthly State Peace Architecture Forum with the stakeholders in Jos…recently

L-R: The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi (NASME), Brigadier General, Mark Nebanat Bagudu Mamman; Finance Oﬃcer/New Captain of NASME, Ngbede Mathew Aleyi and his Wife, Mary Ochanga during the decoration of the new oﬃcer in Makurdi, Benue State…recently

L-R: Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle; Head of Lagos Operations of NAN, Mr Ephraim Sheyin and Chief Facilitator, Mr Dejo Olatoye, during a training organised for the Editorial Staﬀ in Lagos...recently

L-R: General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Bishop Francis Wole Oke and the FCT Overseer, Pastor Adebiyi Elijah, during visit of PFN executives to the General Superintendent Kumuyi at the ongoing Divine Connection crusade in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Rep. Mohammed Monguno; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Ahmed Wase; and Leader, House of Representatives, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, during the 9th House of Representatives Northern Caucus Retreat in Niger..recently

L-R: Commissioner of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya; Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel; during the Governor’s inspection visit to some schools to assess ongoing and completed projects in Gombe ..recently

L-R: Groom’s father, Mr. Anthony Ogedengbe; Bride’s mother, Mrs. Alice Moronkeji; Couples, Mr. Ayokunle Ozomata Ogedengbe and his wife,. Florence Olamide; Bride’s father, Mr. Isaac Moronkeji, and Groom’s mother, Mrs. Temitayo Ogedengbe during the wedding ceremony of the couple in Lagos...recently

Outgone Provincial Pastor, (RCCG), Lagos Province 36 and presently Pastor in Charge of RCCG, Delta Province 5, Warri, Delta State, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi and his wife, Olatokunbo, during a send forth ceremony in honour of Olubiyi in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ, ͰͮͰͯ

EDUCATION How Old Boys Revived St. Columbas Agbor For Saint Columbas Grammar School, Agbor, Delta State, hope had practically faded away for the restoration of the glorious days that made the school a dream centre for quality secondary education more than 50 years ago. The sad story of its disintegration began with the improptu takeover of missionary and privately owned schools across Nigeria by the then military regime in the mid-1970s, which was clearly ill-preprared to run the school and hundreds of others across the country efficiently. Omon-Julius Onabu highlights the efforts of some members of the alumni association, who recently embarked on a rescue mission for the school

he Principal of the school, Very Rev. Fr Joseph Ugboh likened the remarkable intervention by the donor, at the behest of some committed old boys, to a time in biblical history as recorded in Psalm 126:1-6, “when the lord brought back Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream, and then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there was songs.” He commended the “old boys of this great institution spread across the country and beyond for their immense contribution to the growth of the school.” A visit to Saint Columbus Grammar School today will reveal a pleasant array of new blocks of classrooms, science and ICT laboratories equipped with exquisite furniture and all set majestically on a beautiful green landscape. That is the outcome of the initiative by the alumni to rescue the school from the precipice. Speaking during the inauguration and grand dedication of eight blocks of classrooms, skills acquisition centre, science and ICT laboratories at the school recently, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged well-meaning individuals and groups in the country to join hands with the government to make quality education more accessible to the people, especially children and youths, because the requirements for delivering standard education cannot be met by government alone. He stated that education remains the bedrock of development in any society and must be given the serious attention it deserves. The governor, who was represented by the Chairman, Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Sunny Tatabuzogwu, lauded the commitment of the former students, as well as the parents and teachers for their contributions to the survival and growth of the school. He noted that human capital development is essential in equipping the children and youths for future responsibilities as parents and leaders, adding that the spate of insecurity in the country calls for concerted efforts, more than ever before, “to prepare our children for responsible citizenship, and there is no better way to do

St. Columbas ICT Lab with 60 brand new computers that than to give them sound education and training that will make self-reliant.” He noted that one of the three new universities recently established by his administration is located in Agbor, adding that the government decided to implement the policy of locating one technical college in each of the 25 local government areas of the state to give youths in the state broader opportunity to acquire technical knowledge and skills that would enable them become self-employed and employers of others. While congratulating the students and appreciating “the contribution of the Catholic Church in Nigeria to human capital development through the provision of standard quality education”, he urged men and women of means in the state “to emulate the most commendable donor of these state-of-the-art facilities and equipment we are inaugurating today.” Okowa said such intervention would greatly complement the efforts of his administration in “providing functional critical infrastructure and facilities in our schools and colleges, as well as establish new ones,” in order to improve access

to quality education for the future leaders in the state and the naton at large. In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and the pioneer senior prefect of the school in 1965, Mr. Bath Ibegbulem, appealed to government officials and policy makers or influencers to be mindful of the counsel or recommendation they give in fashioning government policies and programmes, especially in the education sector. While reminiscing about what he termed “the good and glorious days of this school, when it was a missionary school and one of the best in this part of the country”, Ibegbulem regretted that the abrupt and forceful takeover of schools by the then military government had robbed St. Columbas (formerly St. Columbus and Gbenoba) Grammar School of its past glory. He noted that the school had remained in deplorable condition even after the state government decided to return the school to its original owners, the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, despite spirited efforts of the alumni association to revive the school. He thanked members of the school’s

Parent-Teacher Association “whose efforts and commitment encouraged the donor” of the new classroom blocks and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, Messrs Sunday Egede and David Ojei of Prince Ebeano Supermarket. Also speaking, the Director of Education, Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Rev. Fr. Anthony Banye, on behalf of the Bishop, Most Rev. Michael Elue, also thanked Prince Ebeano, saying that education is an invaluable asset to both individuals and the entire society. “Education is an effective tool to promote transformation and development of individuals and the nation, from the point of ignorance to the state of enlightenment and self-awareness,” he said. On behalf of the donor, Mr. Chidi Kossi said the gesture was in line with their objective to invest massively in “critical infrastructure that directly impact the lives of the people.” Kossi, who noted that the donor was not counting the cost, said, “by this exemplary corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, we are leaving footprints on the sands of time, to be remembered long after we are all gone, as a legacy and an emblem of our unflinching commitment both to the development of human capital, as well as national development.” A spokesman of the alumni association and legal aide to the Deputy President of the Senate, Dennis Nwanokwai, chronicled how the journey began to salvage the school as the facilities had practically become an eyesore. The school is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a large computer/ICT centre and library. The ICT lab is solar-powered, internet enabled, with 60 computers, smart-board and a projector, in addition to three large science labs (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), as well as three halls for wood work, mechanical, electrical and electronics workshop. The monarch of Agbor, HRM Dein Benjamin Ikenchukwu, was represented by Obi Onyeagor, and appealed to the Catholic Church to consider reducing the school fees to enable more children utilize the facilities available in the school.

Philanthropist Donates Cash, Gifts to Orphanage Home to Mark 70th Birthday Chris Asika As part of activities marking his 70th birthday, the Chief Executive Officer of Icepok Nigeria Limited, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okaro recently donated provisions, food stuffs and toiletries worth N100,000 and N200,000 cash to the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere, Lagos. Okoro, a retired senior staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, told THISDAY that he decided to celebrate his birthday at the facility because of his love for children. “My love for children started very early in my life, even though it took me 10 years before I started having my own children, it did not stop me from loving children. I cant’s count how many kids I have sponsored through school both in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. It is a call I have from God. Don’t hold back, you must reach out particularly to the less privileged. That is the essence of Christianity. I had to follow the scripture which tells us to show compassion to humanity.”

The celebrant during the donation of items to the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice The event, which was well attended by friends, well wishers and the chaplains and members of St. Georges Military Church Apapa, was followed by a holy communion service at the church. In appreciation, a staff of the orphanage, who preferred anonymity, thanked the celebrant and invited guests. “On behalf of the founder, God will bless you for creating out time to visit these abandoned children, 8/10 of the children here are deformed. If not for COVID-19,

we usually encourage visitors to go inside and see them and even play with them, but because they are vulnerable to ailments. This facility was built and handed over to us by Mr. Raji Fashola on Sunday, June 28, 2009 when he was Governor of Lagos State during his birthday just like Sir Okaro is celebrating today and ever since then we have only survived by generous donations of people like you today.” “My prayer for you is you

will cross 80, 90 and beyond in Jesus name, Amen. Happy birthday Sir.” On her part, the founder, Mrs. Theresa Onolaja explained how some of the children were picked where they were abandoned in churches, mosques and other public places and how the home has given shelter and confort to save the lives of the children. “Disability is nothing as these children are created by God. They are unique and should be treated as

such by society at large. Integration and equal rights should not be denied, they are disabled which means they are there already, we think we are normal but the truth is we are more disabled than these children. I thank God for this vision and my unquenchable thirst for loving, caring, working, walking, wining and dining with these society rejects. They are my treasure.” She said the facility cares for children with terminal and life threatening illness which offers comfortable, caring and loving environment with state-of-the art facility to support the society rejects with care, comfort and pain management. Speaking during the church service the Vicar Venerable B.G Newton, admonished all in attendance to emulate the exemplary life of the celebrant by giving to charity especially the less privileged. “Today is a day to give thanks to God in your life and the care you have given to the society. God will grant you more happiness, many more birthdays and prosperity. May the grace of God be sufficient for you in your life. We wish

you happy birthday sir.” In his sermon titled ‘One day at a Time’, he said the number 70 appeared many times in the bible, but not in respect to birthdays. For instance, he said in Exodus 24:12 Moses was accompanied by 70 elders to worship the lord and collect the two tablet of stones where the commandment was written; relating it to Okaro gathing people through Grace so Amazing Foundation (GSAF), a daily scripture manual which he has distributed to many to build their spiritual lives. “Continue to praise God and worship him for all you have achieved because some of your school mates may not be as privileged as you are. Keep the flag flying.” Okaro also called on Nigerians to recognise the less privileged institutions, stressing the need for wealthy citizens to show support just like in the civilized world. He prayed that God will touch the hearts of the ministers of health, internal affairs, social development and education to wake up to the social menace of lack of care for the less privileged institutions.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ, ͰͮͰͯ

EDUCATION

Babcock Varsity AKSU Denies Gov Emmanuel’s Alleged Graduates 2,079 as 82 Involvement in Student’s Expulsion Bag First Class Okon Bassey in Uyo

Funmi Ogundare Babcock UniversIty, IlishanRemo, Ogun State has graduated a total of 2,079 graduands with 82 bagging first class in various faculties of the institution. A breakdown of the total number of graduates showed that 1,660 finished with Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc), while 419 finished at the postgraduate level. A student of the Department of Mass Communication, Miss Teslimat Okunola emerged the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.91 on a scale of 5. She won the President’s Award for the best performance in leadership, academic, community and spiritual services. The overall best postgraduate in the PhD programme went to Mr. Femi Olomojobi with a CGPA of 4.81. Miss Peace Amarachukwu of Public Health Department was the overall best master’s degree graduate with a CGPA of 4.77. Speaking during the 19th undergraduate and 10th postgraduate second virtual convocation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ademola Tayo admonished the graduands to always remember that learning does not begin or end in classrooms. According to him, “learning is a life-long commitment. Education is for life and for living. But you will be going out today with an education backed by one of the most valued degrees.” He expressed concern about the myriad of development challenges facing the country today, saying that they have a role to play in resolving these

issues. “Some of these include corruption, deepening poverty, lack of credible leadership, increasing unemployment and widening inequality to mention a few. Development predicts whether a country is progressing or retrogressing. The country waits for your contributions in the form of solutions. You are the solutions. Unleash your ingenuity and the knowledge you have acquired here on the world and make it a better place.” The VC congratulated them saying, “though we are not celebrating with the usual pomp and pageantry in our warm and emotional setting on campus, we rejoice with you in your various locations as you mark this academic milestone.” In his remarks, the commencement speaker and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola expressed concern about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, which he said has made life difficult for many. He said despite the challenges, the graduands should be independent, creative and think outside the box on how they will live their lives. “Unemployment rates are high, many have become poor, prices are increasing and there is increasing pressure on your parents and guardians. Start to think of what to do to earn a living and improve on yourself. I know you have heard this many times, but it is the truth. You must learn to be resourceful, spend wisely and learn the intricacies of managing and surviving with the little resources available.”

Rotary Year 2021/22: District 9110 to Focus on Education Uchechukwu Nnaike Rotary International, District 9110, has identified education as its main focus area for the 2021/2022 Rotary Year, which will begin on July 1. The incoming District Governor, Rotarian Remi Bello, who announced this while briefing journalists in Lagos, said the intervention tagged ‘Adopt a School’, is aimed at improving the infrastructural condition and learning environment, as well as providing minimum basic hygiene requirement like water, hand sanitizer and good toilet, among others in the face of ravaging COVID-19, across a minimum of 30 adopted primary schools in the various zones of the distric. He said District 9110 is divided into 12 zones between Lagos and Ogun States. According to him, Rotary Clubs or Zones are to choose a public primary school to adopt, do a need assessment, evaluate and execute the project at an estimated value of N3,500,000 per school. Bello said the project is to cover some or all of these areas: provision of clean water, sanita-

tion and hygiene, provision of sick bay, renovation of existing structures, provision of reading chairs and tables, writing aids, and provision of or equipping a small library. He said the project, which will cost N105 million, will span across at least two areas of Rotary seven areas of focus: basic education and literacy; and water, sanitation and hygiene. “The project is therefore qualified for Rotary International Global Grant, which we are to pursue.” The District Governor-elect added that the district has awarded scholarship worth N100,000 each to 153 indigent but brilliant students to pursue their tertiary education. He announced plans to embark on the District Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP), where a total of 200 beneficiaries would be given an interest free loan of N100,000 so as to alleviate the prevailing economic hardship of the downtrodden in the society. It will all help the beneficiaries to send their children to school. He said a total of N20 million is required to fund the DEEP.

The management of the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has stated that Governor Udom Emmanuel has no hand in the expulsion of one of its students, Iniobong Isang Ekpo from the university contrary to reports. Ekpo, a 500-level Agric Engineering undergraduate, was expelled for allegedly insulting the state governor on social media, specifically his Facebook page. The letter dated April 9, 2021 and signed by the Registrar of the University and Secretary to Senate, Mr. John Udo, was captioned ‘Expulsion for Cross misconduct’. The school authority explained that the decision to expelled the student was taken at the senate meeting of March 31, 2021, after deliberation on the school disciplinary report on Ekpo’s misconduct.

“You will recall that you had appeared before the said committee on a case of publication of derogatory and defamatory article on the Facebook platform about the governor of Akwa Ibom State and visitor to the university. “This act constitutes a breach of the matriculation oath and a violation of the university rules and regulations enshrined in the Student Information Handbook. You are hereby expelled from the university for this act of gross misconduct which constitutes a breach of the matriculation oath,” the letter read. The letter advised the affected student to hand over the school identity card to the dean of students’ affairs, while his head of department and dean of his faculty were advised to strictly implement the senate decision. The chief security officer was also advised to make sure

that Ekpo does not get into the university premises. When asked whether the school authorities have rights to expel its students for writing what the school considers defamatory to the governor, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nse Essien told journalists that students who should graduate from AKSU should be such with good character. “In our university, if you must earn a degree, you must be of good character. In the university handbook, we have spelt out what constitutes bad character and good character. So if you are using Facebook, you must use it in a very responsible way; not use it to abuse people. “Apart from that, this same student had already been expelled from the University of Uyo. There were a lot of other things we were supposed to find out from him. We invited him the first time, he refused

to show up and that is why he was placed on an indefinite suspension. And immediately he was suspended, he appeared. “We set up a committee called Students’ Disciplinary Committee. I am sure it was there in all the universities and he appeared for the first time. He was very unruly; the second time, we gave him another opportunity and he appeared. “At the end of the day, our regulations are very clear. We have them in our handbook which I can make available to you and the penalty is clearly spelt out. We didn’t end there. We sent the report to the senate for final consideration. “The senate is a very impartial organ of the university. We have people of diverse backgrounds, political, religious and all that. His case was discussed there and the senate found out that the offence that he committed merited expulsion.”

L-R: Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Oyo State, Mrs. Folake Ogundero; President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Bayo Olugbemi; Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi; Deputy Rector, of the polytechnic, Mrs. Abiodun Olubamiwa; and Director, Membership Services, CIBN, Mr. Akin Morakinyo, during the CIBN stakeholders’ engagement with the polytechnic, in Ibadan, Oyo State... recently

Tolaram Science Challenge Produces Winner Iwerekun Community High School, Lagos has demonstrated its academic prowess as one of the best among the participating schools from Ibeju-Lekki as it emerged the winner of the 2021 edition of the Tolaram Science Challenge. The Tolaram Science Challenge is a science-based competition among schools in the Ibeju Lekki axis of Lagos State facilitated by the Tolaram Group, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives targeted at developing and promoting science education among students of the area. Iwerekun Community

High School emerged winner by defeating Magbon Alade Senior Grammar School in a keenly contested grand finale of this year’s competition which was sponsored by the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Company with product support from other companies in the group including Dufil Prima Foods Limited, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, TG Arla, makers of Dano Milk and Kellogg Tolaram. A total of 14 secondary schools participated in the fifth edition of the annual competition from group stages to the grand finale with each school represented

by six students. The students were drilled in five core subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and General Knowledge. Apart from the scholarships support given to the best students from each school as has been done in every year’s edition, the first, second, third and fourth position were rewarded with cash prizes, and trophies whereas all the other participants received several gifts, including science textbooks. Speaking at the grand finale of the competition, the Chairman, Lekki Worldwide, Mr. Biodun Dabiri, who commended Tolaram Group on the

initiative, stated that such gesture would go a long way to create a better future for the youths and Nigeria especially in the area of technological advancement. “In any country that is emerging like Nigeria, the future is in the hands of the youth. We must mould them while they are young. There is no way we can have a better future without moulding them and that is what Tolaram is spearheading,” Dabiri said. He advised the students to work hard and study courses that are relevant such that they becomea part of the growth process of the economic zone in the future.

FSTC Principal Seeks More Involvement of Parents in Students’ Security Uchechukwu Nnaike Worried by the increasing rate of insecurity in schools, the Principal, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Mr. David Omada, has advised parents to be more involved in ensuring the safety of their children, especially those that are day students. Speaking during the school’s 50th annual inter-house sports competition recently, he said parents should always advise their children to be security conscious; and they should always monitor their children and to know the people bring-

ing them to school and those taking them back home to ensure that they are safe on their way to and from school. He commended parents for doing their best to cooperate with the school in many areas and urged them not to relent in their efforts. He stated that the government has provided security infrastructure in unity schools and has directed schools to beef up security. So he said the school has increased the number of security personnel manning the gates and other places. Highlighting his achievements so far since he assumed

office two years ago, Omada said there has been relative peace in the college because he has maintained a cordial relationship with the staff and has been meeting a lot of their requests and demands, paying their entitlements. According to him, a number of projects are ongoing, while some have been completed. “You can see our clinic that is being renovated; we have the science laboratory; we are also constructing a four classrooms block, we are also working on the college assembly ground. “The laboratory will improve the teaching and practical work in the Science

Department, for biology, chemistry and physics, when it is complete. It is going to be about 12 laboratories. So there will enough space for practical.” He however said the school still needs more classrooms, more hostels, but the Federal Ministry of Education is doing a lot in providing them. “In fact we have a number of projects that will be coming up this year and next year that will handle classroom and hostel needs; renovation of hostels, expansion of workshops and classrooms. These are intended to alleviate the shortage of classrooms.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ, 2021

EDUCATION

Literacy, Human Capital Devt, Recipe for Growth, Says Ex Attorney General Uchechukwu Nnaike A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) has said for Nigeria to forge ahead on the path of sustainable growth and development, there is need to focus more on exterminating illiteracy and investing more on human capital development. He stated this recently at the second Chief Arthur Mbanefo blended lecture series, at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre, University of Lagos. The lecture was titled ‘Nigeria: Reinforcing and Safeguarding a Sustainable Union’. Ojo, also a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, advised that this must be done in an even manner to ensure no part of the country is left behind. According to him, a nation whose citizens are not educated will certainly face daunting challenges of survival. ‘’We need to get serious with compulsory mass literacy and having the over 30 million children of school age that are yet to be absorbed into the school system, into the

classrooms, instead of leaving them out there at the mercy and vagaries of elements. ‘’We need to scale up our national budgets on education. When we succeed in educating our people, we will certainly have less security worries. It is only the protection of our territorial integrity that will be left to contend with,’’ he said. He stated that the school is the most fertile ground for sowing and nurturing the seed of national integration, adding that as impressionable youngsters, students will always have engrained in their subconscious minds, all through their lives, the fine memories and friendships they forged in their early years and formative stages in school, particularly post-primary. The former NBA boss therefore urged all patriots, young and old to continue to work towards safeguarding project Nigeria. He regretted that one of the major challenges which the country had been confronted with since the beginning of the pre and post-union is that every constituent part wants the country at its own terms.

The guest lecturer noted that there was no doubt that the elite consensus to make Nigeria a united and great country that worked for all, had sadly eluded the citizenry, particularly from 1966. He added that building a nation us about building a common sense of purpose, a sense of shared destiny and a collective imagination of belonging. ‘’Our fault lines have been enlarged and intensified and the country has been negatively impacted in a manner that the divisions that such actions engendered have become a collective burden for all. ‘’We need to find a way to do away prejudices and forge a common passion for the sustenance of the Nigeria union, by forging a congruence of thoughts and positive actions towards building the country into the land of our dream. ‘’For our country to be strongly positioned to face the challenges of the future with assured chances of achieving greatness, we must resolve and commit to building a united great country. We must radically change our attitude of imbibing negative values and

principles and rather, imbibe passionate acts of patriotism. ‘’What we need to do is to embark on a rigorous national campaign that will engender a re-orientation of the mind frame of the citizens and a deliberate shift of paradigm in the management of our national life by those saddled with the sacred responsibility. ‘’As a people, we have to engineer positive change into our value system, such that will propel the kind of sustainable development that we all desire for our nation,’’ he said. Ojo also stressed the need to shift the present dependence on the sharing and distribution of “national cake” and work towards designing a startegyled development generation of wealth and inclusive growth which would in turn help in sustaining the country. The high point of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant, Chief Mbanefo, who turned 91. Mbanefo, a Chartered Accountant was a former ProChancellor of the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

CHILDHOOD SHENANIGANS It was school over on Friday when Mr. Carpenter, Kevwe’s father sought me out from the collection point wanting to have a word. Kevwe, a nineyear-old child in my class, was right at his tail looking very apprehensive and shifting from one foot to the other. I looked from one to the other “Can I help you Mr. Carpenter?” I asked “Timmy is really getting out of hands!Teacher he cried. Yesterday, I kept him down on his knees for two hours to teach him a lesson! Can you imagine what he has done again? ... andhetellsalotofliesnowadays.” “Calmdown,calmdownMr.Carpenter” I replied, “What has he done to upset you so much? He then proceeded to recount the incidence. Kevwe had sneaked into the kitchen and taken a cube of Knorr-cube from the work top to his room. Obviously not finding it pleasant to taste, he threw it behind his chest of drawers. When questioned about it by his auntie, Mine, who had left it there minutes before, he swore never to have seen it, let alone taken it. Mine, noting the fastbecomingtell-talelookofguiltwhenquestioningKevwe,proceeded to search Kevwe’s room firmly engaging him in the search. Auntie Mine was not to be toyed with, it was very difficult to wrap her round your little finger. She had come to rely on his guilt-grimace.When she did not see it on his face, she was 99 per cent certain that Kevwe was telling the truth. Forty minutes into this relentless search, Mine recovered the nibbled knorr-cube from behind Kevwe’s chest of drawers! Kevwe just stood there sheepishly looking and sweating profusely from the search and hopefully from his guilt. In his little mind, Kevwe was again puzzled. How on earth does auntie Mine see through him? He was very certain that she either had binocular eyes or had invincible eyes 360 degrees around her head. Her stare into his face was fast sending shivers down his spine. I promised Kevwe’s father that I would have a word with Kevwe and hopefully gain some insight into why he had done it. All day Monday andTuesday, I decided not to visit the issue with Kevwe. He did appear to be very pensive and troubled at times. I caught him staring in my direction with the look of apprehension now and again. I was very sure that his daddy had told him that on Monday, I would be turning into an ogre and banishing him into further punishments on the knorr-cube matter. I decided to tackle the issue differently, and in this way:Wednesday and ThursdaymorningsaremyCircle-Time.Imakeitasmuchadidacticactivity aspossible.Subjectsfordeliberationarederivedfromsuchoccurrences asKevweandtheknor-cube(butallconfidentialitiesobserved),aswellas from news on the national and international media.The lesson is taught through drama, role-play, poetry, miming, storytelling etc. So, bright and early on Monday morning, I informed the class that our circle time in the weekwouldbeaboutflavoursandflavouring.Thesetwowordswerealso to feature in every lesson that week. In preparation, the children were to; 1) look up the meanings of both words in their dictionary and supply other synonyms from their thesaurus and 2) bring in little samples of their choice flavouring. Deliberately, I turned to Kevwe and asked him to bring in one Knorr-cube.

Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate Chief Arthur Mbanefo (fourth from right), with the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (ﬁfth right), and members of the Digital Centre, UNILAG, at the second Chief Arthur Mbanefo blended lecture series, to mark his 91st birthday... recently

American Heritage Varsity Honours Ejimagwa with COEASU Seeks Upgrade of FCE (Technical) to Doctorate Degree Degree-awarding Institution In recognition of the influence for the privileged degree award. He also commended her for of her networking business, Funmi Ogundare

Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos chapter has called on its governing council to liase with the National Commission for Colleges of Education so that the college can be upgraded to a degree-awarding institution. The Chairman of the union, Ebenezer Oje, who said this recently, during the inaugural meeting of the seventh governing council with the college community, said it is blessed with high calibre of academic staff who have duly cetified masters degrees in their various fields of specilisation, adding that a good number of them already posses PhD, while others are at different stages of completing theirs. “Even though the college is affiliated to University of Benin,

it is ripe to be upgraded to degree-awarding institution. What is required is to upgrade the existing infrastructure to meet up with the National Universities Commission (NUC). Our NCE students who have been attracted to other institutions can also be retained here for their degree.” He also stressed the need to strengthen existing programmes through adequate provision of instructional materials in line with the NCCE and NUC minimum requirements, adding that its workshops, studios, typing pools and provision of modern equipment and laboratory apparatus to keep pace with the increase in students’ population, should also be retooled. “What we have now is inadequate and for our students to compete effectively in the world of work, they should be

exposed to modern techniques and equipment,” he said. Oje highlighted other issues to include infrastructure, staffing, professional growth and career progression, as well as staff welfare. He expressed concern that members of staff were being owed over 33 months arrears of Peculiar Earned Academic Allowance (PEAA), and appealed to the governing council to assist the management in paying the allowance. In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr. Azeez Ademola recalled the contributions of the sixth governing council to the development of the college, saying that when they came on board, there were a lot of issues which they were able to resolve. He expressed hope that the seventh council will build on the achievements of the sixth

council, adding that the welfare of staff and students will be of priority during their three-year tenure. “Matters that have to do with promotion and others that require approval will be presented to the council,” he said, adding that since the council is out to uplift the college, the staff should give it the support it deserves. The Chairman, Governing Council, Alhaji Muazu Adamu said one of its responsibilities is that of general management and policy direction, adding that the council may not be able to achieve its objectives without a highly motivated staff. “We understand that every issue in an establishment must be dealth with immediately because there is no way we will be able to attain the vision without taking care of the welfare of the staff.”

Nigerian business woman, Titilope Ejimagwa, who is also Longrich’s first black Five Star Director, has been awarded a honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC) USA. The award was conferred in recognition of her selfless services to humanity, outstanding contributions in business, women development and empowerment and also her philanthropic manners. The programme was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, while her decoration took place in her home in Lagos, Nigeria. The President of the university, Dr. Aitua Ogiamien at an exceptional occasion held in Southern California lauded the characteristics of the beneficiary, saying that this stood her out

her efforts in improving the lives of women and children in Africa. In her acceptance letter, Ejimagwa thanked the president and the university council for finding her worthy of the honour. “I am hoping this will be a beacon for other women to emulate my work and make a difference in the lives of other women and children.” The award came as Titilope and her spouse Emmanuel celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary, which was well attended by families, friends and well wishers. The award of honorary degree is an important symbol in the life of the university, which recognises uncommon meritorious accomplishments and activities both in the academic arena and in broader areas of benefit to society,

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ, ͰͮͰͯ

Develop Maritime NRDF, Catalyst for Massive Scientiﬁc Varsity’s Permanent Innovations in Nigeria, Says TETFund Site, Okowa Urges FG Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has appealed to the federal government to develop without further delay, the permanent site of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, in Warri South-west Local Government Area of the state. Okowa, who made the appeal while welcoming the Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the university at the Government House, Asaba, said such intervention would go a long way in putting the university on a sound footing for effective delivery of its core mandate of imparting sound maritimerelated education and research methodology in the students. While expressing delight that the institution had commenced serious academic activities at its temporary site, the governor urged the federal government to mobilize necessary resources for the provision of buildings and amenities that would enhance teaching, learning and research in the university. He stressed that the giant strides of his administration in the creeks and other riverine communities was to give the people in those difficult-toaccess areas a stronger sense of belonging by carrying them along in the scheme of things. While promising to look into the list of requests made by the NMU governing council within the limit of available resources, Okowa said, “we thank God that the Maritime University has started even when we have challenges because we do know that the take-off of the university actually brought good news to our people and helped us to build peace particularly in

our riverside areas. “So, we are very glad we do understand the challenges that still exist and we hope that working together, we can continue to find ways to surmount the challenges “I have taken note of various requests made but before then, we appreciate your very kind words concerning the things the state government has been able to do thus far. Yes, we do it because we believe that the establishment of that university is in the best interest of the people and that it will also help grow, to a large extent, the economy and the education in the communities that are within the riverside areas. “Many times, in the planning that we do in this country and even in the states, we tend to put everything in the upland ignoring the fact that there are people who exist in the riverine areas. We do know that the riverine areas contribute a lot towards the growth of the economy of our nation because many oil facilities actually do exist in these areas. “So, we want to make a promise that we will continue to do the best that we can. I have noted during your comment concerning the grant that was promised, we will try to follow through. I think it truly escaped my mind because I do know that we have met with other things but that grant of N100 million is a promise made. So, we will try to quickly see what we can do to fulfil the promise.” The Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Elias Courson had earlier commended the governor for his support towards the effective take-off and sustained development of the country’s premier maritime university.

UNICEF Tasks Nigeria on Safe Schooling Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to employ all measures in protecting schools in the country so as to make learning more secure for children. The appeal was made following the highly risky schooling environment in the country due to the persistent abduction of children in schools. An Officer in Charge, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, in a press release also called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 150 abducted pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina, Rafi LGA, Niger State, two weeks ago. He expressed concern over the fate of the children some of whom are as young as three years old. According to Rushnan, UNICEF is appalled that two weeks after their kidnap from school, the children are still with their captors. According to him, “parents

are grieving their children’s disappearance, siblings are missing their brothers and sisters, these children must be immediately and unconditionally released and safely reunited with their families.” He regretted that children in schools continue to be targets of attack, saying, “we can only begin to imagine how frightened they are and the impact this will have on their mental health and well being.” The fund reminded Nigeria of its promise to implement the Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria conference in April this year which will enable children go to schools without fear, while parents will also not be afraid of sending their children to schools. It stressed that attacks on students and schools are not only reprehensible, but a gross violation of the rights of children to an education. “It is a right that any society cannot afford to violate. Schools must be safe places to study and develop; and learning should not be a risky endeavour. “

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said a new vista is emerging in Nigeria with the inauguration of the committee on National Research and Development Foundation’s (NRDF) draft executive bill. The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, stated this during the fourth edition of the virtual Global Engagement Series: ‘The Paradigm Shift, with focus on the Institutionalisation of R&D in Nigeria’s Engineering, Technology and Material Sciences Sector’. Bogoro said there is hope for Nigeria once the bill is signed into law, adding that it will reflect a new and realistic beginning for knowledge economy to take its rightful place in the

country. “A new vista is emerging in our country that gives hope that we could do something right and we proceed to define the knowledge economy through institutionalisation of R&D. “It is a long but realisable journey of reality for our country but I remain positive and I am happy to share this information with you today that from today the draft committee on the research foundation that will prepare the executive bill has been inaugurated by the federal ministry of education. It reflects a new beginning, a realistic beginning for the knowledge economy to take its rightful place in our country,” he said. Earlier, the lead presenter, Professor Mosto Onouha stressed the need to strengthen the curricula in technological

entrepreneurship in universities and polytechnics across the country. He also harped on the need for proper linkages between the academia and the industry through the establishment of intellectual property technological transfer offices. “We want to develop a culture of introducing technological innovations that can yield significant revenues that will positively impact on our economy and reduce dependence on earnings from crude oil and gas sales for financing our national budget and gradually become a nation that designs and invents things that can be branded and marketed globally. “There is therefore an urgent need for our nation to establish an institutional framework for funding and management of

R&D activities for its sustainable development,” he said, and applauded the executive secretary of TETFund for the current effort to do something about the situation. “To improve the competitiveness of our goods and services, enhance the ranking of our tertiary institutions on the global scale and for the nation to move from a resources based economy driven by innovation, adequate funding of R&D especially in engineering, technology and maternal science should be provided. “An institutional framework needs to be put in place to domicile, drive and oversee Nigeria’s progress to a knowledge based economy. The NRDF is the special purpose vehicle being recommended to actualise the above.”

Winners of the 2021 Abia Schools Quiz competition, during the prize presentation ceremony... recently

Ikpeazu Advises Students on Responsible Usage of Mobile Phones, as Schools Quiz Ends Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has urged students to imbibe the habit of using mobile phones in a responsible manner to avoid a situation where the mobile devices would constitute distraction to their studies. He said this in Umuahia, during the grand finale/award of prizes of the Abia Schools Quiz competition, organised by the State Ministry of Education and sponsored by Ray Nkemdirim Foundation (RNF). Over 250 public and private secondary schools participated

in the quiz competion, which started at the local government level and progressed to the zonal level from where three schools emerged for the final. Mayfair Academy, Umuahia, represented by Ezeoma Ihejiabueze and Great Ijioma won the competition, receiving the grand prize of N1 million; Ovom Girls High School, Aba came second and won N500,000; while Holy Brilliance College, Bende, placed third and got N250,000 prize money. The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chris Ezem, regretted that android

phones have taken up much of the time that students should be using to study their books. “It is a major distraction,” he said, adding that students spend over 40 per cent of their time chatting, pinging, watching videos or playing music on the mobile phones instead of using such valuable time for studies. He reminded students that they must lay a good foundation on which to build their future careers by studying hard to excel in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). The founder/Chairman of RNF, Chief Ray Nkemdirim said his foundation undertook

the sponsorship of the quiz to bring to the fore the importance of education and encourage students to aim high and excel. “Do not rest on your oars (because) with education you can do a lot in life,” he charged the students, adding that his foundation is determined “to impart commitment and hard work in the young ones.” Nkemdirim promised that RNF would sponsor the winners of the quiz competition to the university and follow it up with mentorship so that they could give back to the society after achieving success in their chosen careers.

Experts Make Case for ICT in Schools’ Curriculum Oluchi Chibuzor Stakeholders in the education sector and strategists have called on the federal government to reposition the education curriculum towards ensuring that Information Communication Technology (ICT) creates wealth and promotes self-reliance. Speaking at a youth leadership summit recently in Lagos tagged ‘Imaging the future’, the founder/ Lead Strategist, Eduxtra Solutions, Dr. Dolapo

Tukuru, said the present education curriculum will not help Nigerian students for the future. According to him, it is necessary to let students know the power of technology because most of the future professions are hinged on technology. “We want to introduce technology to students so that they can start early to incorporate this new trend into their learning. Even if the school does not teach this trend, students can get the relevant information through

the platform we create for them. “We must remember that the world has become a global market, and we must make out time to produce students that can compete with other students from any place across the globe,” he said. The Principal Facilitator, Invent Youth Leadership Initiative, Mr. Elijah Olupona, said the programme was targeted at preparing the youths and secondary school students on how they could be relevant in

the future, and how they would become solution providers to future challenges. “The summit has several secondary school students from all over Lagos State in attendance, and the project has been on since 2012. The project is a mentorship programme, which focuses on batting exchange, knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing. He commended the Lagos State government, Sahara Foundation, and other organisations for their support.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

NEWSXTRA

Benue Rejects Planned Review of Land Use Act George Okoh in Makurdi Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that the state will reject the planned review of the Land Use Act by the federal government with vehemence, alleging that the plot is meant to grab land for open grazing, cattle routes and grazing reserves.

Ortom spoke yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, while inspecting ongoing projects by the state. He said the insinuation of planned review of the Land Use Act of 1978 to give ownership of land to the federal government and to push for takeover of waterways and River Banks by the federal government will not work

The governor stated that the attempt to review the Land Use Act by the presidency would not be acceptable by Benue State, insisting that it was another attempt to grab land from the people for open grazing, pointing out that continued insistence on open grazing and cattle routes connotes a hiding agenda.

force has to be applied to impound the cattle, which could result to some of them straying He stated that if herdsmen had obeyed the ranching law of the state and complied with its provisions, nothing of such would have happened in the ÀUVW SODFH OHW DORQH WKH EODPH JDPH Ortom described the allegation

He also noted that Livestock Guards cannot be held responsible for any strayed cattle in the course of trying to impound livestock that contravenes the ranching law of the state. The governor noted that as herders attack and sometimes kill livestock guards and security agents in the course of discharging their responsibilities,

as cheap blackmail, stressing that it was ridiculous for the presidency to continue to look for solution to farmers and herders crisis when ranching is there and had proven to be a global best solution. He warned that the manner the presidency is trying to impose grazing routes on states will lead to crises

Makinde Dissolves Cabinet Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday announced the dissolution of the state’s Executive Council with the Chief of Staff (CoS) and 17 commissioners affected. The cabinet was constituted on August 14, 2019, following Makinde’s victory in the March 9, 2019, election. The remaining Council members who were not affected include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HOS) and the Director General of Due Process office.

A statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said Makinde announced the dissolution of the Executive Council after a meeting of the body held yesterday, which lasted for about five hours. The governor, according to the statement, expressed the gratitude of the State government and the people of Oyo State to the council members, and wished them well in their future endeavours. Makinde equally praised the dedication to duty and the commitment of the council members to the cause of taking the state from poverty to prosperity.

Court Sentences LASU Student to 21 Years in Prison for Raping Fellow Students An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced a student of Lagos State University (LASU), Afeez Ogunbowale, to 21 years’ imprisonment for involvement in armed robbery and rape of two fellow LASU students. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced Ogunbowale after finding him guilty of five counts bordering on conspiracy, rape and armed robbery. Taiwo said that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She held that testimony of the victims were compelling, adding that they were able to positively identify Ogunbowale as one of the culprits. “The defendant is hereby sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, 21 years’ imprisonment each for counts of armed robbery and 21 years’ imprisonment each for counts of rape. “The sentences are to run concurrently,” she said. On hearing the sentence, Ogunbowale who has been suspended by LASU over the case, wept profusely at the dock. NAN reported that prosecution team led by Mrs O.A BajulaiyeBishi, had said that the defendant committed the offences alongside others who are at large, on April 18, 2018, at the Okokomaiko area of Lagos. “The defendant and his ac-

complices, while armed with a gun, knife, machete and bottle, robbed the two students in their off-campus accommodation. “They were robbed of their phones, power bank, earpiece, gold chain and N1, 200. “The defendant and one of his accomplices, who is still at large had unlawful sexual intercourse with the complainants. “The offences contravene Sections 260(1) and 297(2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” she said. NAN reported that in their testimonies on November 4, 2019, the two students, told the court that they lost their virginities to the attack. The witnesses said they were robbed by five men but raped by two members of the gang – Ogunbowale and another – who is at large. They said that they were able to identify Ogunbowale through Facebook, adding that they belonged to the same faculty. The complainants testified that when they confronted the convict at a police station, he prostrated and begged for forgiveness. In his defence on September 30, 2020, the convict denied involvement in the crime and gave an alibi to the court. Led in evidence by defence counsel, Mr. Bisi Salau, he said that on the night the offences were committed, he was in the school premises preparing for an examination, which was to begin in May 2018.

Wrong Syllabus Not Responsible for Mass Failure in 2021 UTME, Says JAMB Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has denied that the use of ‘wrong syllabus’ for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was responsible for the poor results so far released by the board. The board, in a statement issued yesterday by its Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, noted that the rumour of mass failure in the examination was “a fluke and a campaign by those whose source of illicit income has been further blocked.” “The rumour of mass failure is a fluke and a campaign by those whose source of illicit income has been further blocked. It is our belief

that based on facts on the ground, every right-thinking Nigerian would question the 6,944,368 figure on which the 14 per cent “pass” is based,” the board said in the statement. Some candidates who wrote the UTME examination had alleged that they were given old syllabus of 20152020 for Literature – in English text as against the one of 2020 – 2025. The candidates said the mix-up in the syllabus was responsible for their failure in the examination. But JAMB in the statement argued that all UTME questions are based on texts prescribed for the UTME in its syllabus. “To ensure that its syllabus is accessible to all candidates sitting its examination, the Board has made the material available on three platforms

ENHANCING BUSINESS RELATIONS… P F N B C C BUA G M A S R ft F P M E M ft P F …

NLC Vows to Defend Kaduna Workers’ Rights Through Lawful Means Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that it would deploy all lawful means, including strike to protect the rights and dignity of workers of the Kaduna State. It condemned the alleged killing of student during peaceful protest over hike in school fees at Gidan Waya, Kaduna State by security agents. NLC also deplored the threat by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai to use Judicial Commission of Inquiry to address

a pure industrial dispute, saying it is totally unprecedented in the history of country. In a statement issued yesterday by the NLC’s President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, the labour union said it would not fold its arms and watch a situation where thousands of workers are sacked with impunity and in clear violation of the clear provisions of the labour laws. NLC said that workers are not slaves, adding that the labour movement has a mandate to protect them from being maltreated with impunity. “Workers are not slaves.

They have families. They have dependents to take care of. They have rights! Protecting the rights and dignity of workers using all lawful means, including strike actions falls under the mandate of the Nigeria Labour Congress. “This mandate to protest and protect the interest of Nigerian workers as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and labour laws will be robustly deployed again by congress in Kaduna State. This time, it will be total and in defence and protection of the rights of Nigerian workers and pensioners whom Mr. Nasir El-Rufai relent-

lessly seeks to convert to his foot carpet,” it said. NLC lamented what it described as the deteriorating situation in Kaduna. “It has been tales of sorrows, tears and blood from Kaduna State, especially as occasioned by increasing waves of kidnapping, banditry, general insecurity, mass sack of workers and killing of students peacefully protesting the hike in school fees at Gidan Waya, Kaduna State. This situation is being encouraged by the neo-liberal policies of the Kaduna State Government,” it said.

PDP May Lose Five Senate Seats to APC Two House members defect to ruling party Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja There are indications that five out of the 43 Senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This is coming as two members of the PDP in the House of Representatives yesterday defected to the ruling APC. The members are: Hon. Idagbo Ochiglegor representing Obanliku/ Obudu/Bekwarra and Hon. Michael

Etaba representing Obubra federal constituency of Cross River State. Already, one PDP Senator, Muhammad Hassan Gusau (Zamfara Central) yesterday resigned from the party via a letter read at plenary by President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan. Although he failed to disclose the party he is defecting to, THISDAY however learnt that the Senator along with his colleague, Senator Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West ) may be joining the APC. Gusau in the letter, hinged his resignation from PDP on alleged

collapse of internal democracy and factionalisation of the party in Zamfara State He explained in the letter that, “My decision is necessitated due to the collapse of internal democracy and factionalisation of the party from ward levels in Zamfara State. “Further decisions on political movement and party affiliations will be communicated to this chamber in due course.” Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), had last Friday defected from the PDP which earned him presidential congratulation when he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

Two other Senators waiting at the departure lounge of the party, are Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara North) and Senator Stephen Odey (Cross River North). Sources close to Senator Ya’u however, said being a principal officer as Deputy Minority Whip, he may not want to defect now so as not to lose the position. By the time the defections are officially made and carried out in the Senate, PDP which started with 44 Senators at the beginning of the Ninth Senate in June, 2019 will have 37 Senators while APC which started with 66 Senators will increase to 71.

2021 Constitution Amendment: SAN Warns against Elevation of Islamic Law Alex Enumah in Abuja A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, has warned members of the National Assembly to shun move in some quarters to elevate Islamic laws to the level of general law, because such move would only plunge the country into further crisis. Akinseye-George, who is also the President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), said Nigeria is not only a circular state but that rights to freedom of worship remains sacrosanct.

He was speaking at a consultative meeting on the Proposed National Minimum Standards and Review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He said, “In the larger interest of peace and religious harmony in the country, the National Assembly should steer clear of controversial or divisive amendments, which may undermine the integrity of the whole constitutional amendment exercise and will not bring any meaningful improvement in the quality of life of the majority of Nigerians”.

The senior lawyer stated that the centre had already revealed “Attempt to enlarge the scope of Islamic law beyond the current provisions of sections 262 and 277 of the Constitution,” which clearly provide for the application of Islamic personal law to civil proceedings. “In our considered view, there is no justification to delete the word “personal” from the phrase Islamic Personal Law. The National Assembly should not create further confusion in the polity by tampering with the secular character of the Constitu-

tion. The right of all Nigerians to freedom of worship and freedom from discrimination must remain sacrosanct”, he said. While he observed that there are several laudable proposals for improving administration of justice in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, the law Professor urged the National Assembly to use the process to improve the access of poor Nigerians to social justice and greater economic opportunities by enlarging the scope of justiciable socio-economic rights.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

NEWSXTRA

Monguno: Terrorism, Greatest Threat to Human Existence The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), has stated that beyond the COVID-19 and climate change, terrorism remains the greatest threat to human existence. He also added that to deal decisively with the complex nature of terrorism and other transnational organised crimes, the international community must see the threat of terrorism to a particular country as a threat to global peace and security.

Monguno said this on Monday at the ongoing Second United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of members states, convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The NSA said terrorism has continued to manifest itself as a vicious and relentless global threat, recognising no border, nationality and all religions; adding that it has

become a contemporary weapon of violence for non-state actors in this era of globalisation. He said, “I can say with total conviction that apart from pandemics, natural disasters and the climate itself, today the greatest threat to the existence of human race is the global scourge of terrorism”. Monguno added that preventing terrorist attacks, safeguarding borders, empowering national police, improving the criminal justice system, curbing

illicit financial flows as well as hurting the abuse of drugs and hard substances remain extremely daunting challenges for most nations, including Nigeria in addressing the scourge of terrorism. He said, “The fallout of activities associated with jihadist and other forms of terror have collectively heightened insecurity in the greater part of the African continent with serious economic, social and political implications for its people. “In the North-Eastern part of

Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and the so-called the Islamic State West Africa Province with known affiliation to other international terror networks such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda have continued to undermine the security and livelihoods of the whole of the people, while at the same time overlapping into neighbouring countries of the Lake Chad Basin” The NSA pointed out that terror groups have leveraged social media to propagate their ideologies, recruit

vulnerable youths, radicalise them and instill fear in the target communities, as well as deflate the morale of defence and security forces. He noted that these terrorists tend to portray the government as incapable of guaranteeing the protection and well-being of the population. Monguno stated that the Nigerian government has continued to confront these challenges by establishing new structures and national institutions and empowering them.

Court Grants Sowore Extension to File Appeal Challenging Bail Terms Alex Enumah in Abuja The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has granted an application by Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, to file a notice of appeal against his bail terms. The Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested Sowore in Lagos on August 3, 2019, and was later moved to Abuja. The federal government had charged Sowore with treasonable felony, “insulting” President Muhammadu Buhari and money laundering. The court had granted Sowore N100 million bail with two sureties who must be residents in Abuja and have landed properties within the federal capital territory (FCT). The court had held that the sureties must deposit original documents of those properties. The judge also ordered that one of the sureties must deposit N50 million with the court pending the determination of the case While barring Sowore from travelling outside Abuja, the judge ordered him to deposit his passport with the court.

Subsequently, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu set aside the previous order on Sowore’s surety depositing N50million, holding that the surety could deposit N30 million. She also reduced the bail sum of Olawale Bakare, Sowore’s codefendant, to N30million instead of the initial N50m. But she refused to alter all the other conditions for bail. Sowore’s counsel, Femi Falana, had approached the court seeking an alteration of the previous bail conditions which he said were stringent, and thus, could not be met. In the sitting yesterday, Marshall Abubakar, Sowore’s lawyer, urged the court to grant an order “extending the time within which the applicant/ appellant may file his notice of appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in CHARGE NO. FHC/ ABJ/CR/235/2019, between Federal Republic Of Nigeria V Omoyele Sowore and 1 other delivered by His Lordship, Honourable Justice ljeoma Ojukwu, on the 21st day of October 2019, the time within which to file same having elapsed”.

Senate Moves against Funding of Criminals, Terrorists Bill passes second reading Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday at the plenary moved against illicit funding for criminals and terrorists as it considered a bill that would disrupt the financial flow and funding of criminal enterprise and terrorist financing in Nigeria through the seizure of assets and monies marked as proceeds of crime. The bill entitled: ‘Proceeds of Crime Bill, 2021,’ and sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, passed second reading and was referred to relevant committee for further legislative work. Leading debate on the bill, Senator Abdullahi said it seeks to provide for a comprehensive legal and institutional framework

for the recovery and management of proceeds of crime or benefits derived from unlawful activities. He explained that its passage and assent into law would harmonise and consolidate the legal provisions on the recovery of proceeds of crime in Nigeria. According to the ranking Senator, Nigeria had severally attempted to put in place an appropriate Proceeds of Crime legislation since 2007. He said: “Efforts to develop a comprehensive bill have been impeded by agency rivalry since 2011. The effort to sign the Proceeds of Crime Bill into law in 2019 was delayed as a result of complaints by agencies that claimed that the Bill is intended to take away their powers”.

FG Honours 98 Public Workers for Outstanding Service Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government yesterday honoured 98 public servants for rendering outstanding services to the nation. The presentation of certificate of awards was in commemoration of the 2021 civil service week. Some of the awardees were three FCTA officers. They included the Director Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu; Secretary, Health Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu and the Director Human Resources Management, Dr. Bashir Mohammed. Speaking at the Public Lecture, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said her office was on course to deliver on its mandates to improve on quality service to

Nigerians. “She said the civil service is the most potent and viable instrument available in the country for the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of government and is on course to deliver on its mandate. “The federal government has put in place a number of mechanisms to improve efficiency and enhance performance of the civil service in the face of the current global dynamics, especially the new normal, “ she said. She listed some of the mechanism provided by the federal government to enhance the sector to include; digitalisation through the deployment of an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Solution. Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, expressed delight over the choice of the theme for the 2021 civil service celebration.

SIGNED AND SEALED… L R M D N N E I B M A B ft E S N C D M B NCDMB M S W ft ‘W O G I F ’ Y B S …

Osinbajo: Nigeria will Soon Triumph over Kidnapping, Banditry Four clerics killed, 18 kidnapped in Kaduna in five years, says CAN Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday promised that kidnapping, banditry and insecurity generally would soon become things of the past as Nigeria would soon triumph over them. This is coming as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has disclosed that four pastors have been killed, while 18 others were kidnapped since the banditry began in the state in the last five years. Osinbajo was Special Guest of Honour at a one-day peace and security

summit, organised by Kaduna State chapter of CAN, which held at ECWA Goodnews church, Narayi, Kaduna. The theme of the summit was entitled, “Nigeria’s Insecurity: The church’s response in the 21st century”. The Vice President said Nigeria’s socio-economic problems were like that of a woman in a labour room, saying after much pains, there will be celebration by the people when they eventually overcome the hardship. The Vice President who was represented by the Chaplain, Villa,

Pastor Joseph Oluseyi Malomo at the summit,said “we all desired a nation devoid of any form of kidnapping and terrorism.We have heard prophecies of a shining Nigeria, we are longing for the day those prophecies will come to reality. We need to fight the fight of faith because God’s plan for the greatness of Nigeria has not changed, it will surely come. We need to pray for Nigeria.” “Many are weighed down because of problems they are going through, we must as Christians keep the Altars of

God burning with prayers to overcome these problems. “We must keep faith and see the problems we are going through as bread. God will take us to the promise land of a great nation with great values. We must reject politics of identity and ethnicity. Nigeria is going to be a shining nation, and insecurity will soon end,” he said. A leader from the Middle Belt and Professor of Theology and social ethics, Prof. Yusuf Turaki, in his remarks on the occasion, alleged that government knew the kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in Nigeria.

AfCFTA: We’re Ready to Collaborate with FG, Says Okowa Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday promised that his administration would partner the federal government towards domesticating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement He gave the assurance in a meeting with a federal government Trade delegation led by the Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, in Asaba. He urged the federal government to quickly address the issues of the high cost of funds and poor power supply in the country. He pointed out that there were bottlenecks associated with export

trading and urged the federal government to work towards eliminating the constraints to encourage more traders. The governor commended the minister for the enthusiasm in moving from state to state in ensuring that more states were involved in the trade agreement to boost export and increase internally generated revenue. “It is of great interest to us and I am glad you are moving from state to state to sensitise them well enough and to enable us collectively take advantage of the agreement to boost trade in the country.

“There is no doubt that in preparing to ensure that more states get into the market, we will welcome this collaboration because it will enhance productivity once we have access to the market. “We have tended to stay satisfied with crude oil without actually developing it in a way that it becomes more useful to us. “We are glad that this relationship is coming at this time because it will actually stimulate and expand production thereby creating room for greater employment and people will make more money. “When more and more people

get employed there is less insecurity because when you take off more people from the unemployment market, you have fewer people available for criminal tendencies. “We hope that the issue of the cost of fund and power supply will be addressed because it leads to a high cost of production and it will affect producers in such a way that their products cannot compete favourably,’’ he stated. Okowa also called on the government to ensure that setbacks involved in exports were taken care of because many exporters were already discouraged in doing the business.

NCDMB, NEXIM Bank Earmark $40m for Women in Oil Sector Peter Uzoho Qualified women entrepreneurs in the Nigerian oil and gas industry can now benefit from the $40 million Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund initiated by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nexim Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM-Bank). The NCDMB is contributing $20 million to the pool and it will be matched by the same amount in Naira by NEXIM Bank, to be

converted at prevailing official exchange rate. The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote and the Managing Director of NEXIM-Bank, Mr. Abubakar Bello signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the administration of the Fund yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The target beneficiaries are firms where women hold majority shareholding of 51 per cent or where at least 50 per cent of the management are women or where

the chief executive officers and at least 40 per cent of management are women. According to the executive secretary, the roll-out date of the fund is July 1, 2021 and the scheme would be availed to both startups and existing companies. The scheme would cover manufacturing, oil service contracts, environment management, leasing, logistics, catering and training. Wabote confirmed that the maximum amount that can be borrowed by a single obligor is

$500,000 or its Naira equivalent at the official exchange rate prevailing at the time of borrowing. He added that the tenor shall be up to five years and the applicable interest rate would be five per cent all-in per annum, fixed throughout the tenor of the loan. Wabote also confirmed that the maximum processing time shall be 21 working days from the date the applicant has provided all required documentation and all applications shall be through the web.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Ebonyi to Seek N’Assembly, NBC’s Co-operation to Relocate Citizens in Benue Ebony State Government has expressed the will to seek the cooperation of the National Assembly and the National Boundary Commission (NBC) for the relocation of its citizen wrongly located as Benue State people. Reacting to allegations of cooperation issues between states and security agencies, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, emphasised that every state should take care of its citizens irrespective of their ethnicity. He spoke speciﬁcally about a recent viral video following an attack in Benue State where persons assumed to be from Ebonyi State lamented that they alerted the state security before the attack but didn’t receive any help.

The commissioner said:“Ordinarily, the issue of lives and security is the duty of Benue State Government, but where cooperation lies in the fact that when they (Ebonyi people) have a problem, Ebonyi State will always ask questions. So we’ll always interface or engage the government of Benue State to ensure that our people are taking care of. But come to think of it, it is the responsibility of every government to take care of the people in its state, whether they are indigenes or not. “Whether they are there by any circumstance of creation of state or by whatever means, you are meant to take care of the people within the conﬁnes of your state, even if it’s a disputed place. In so far as the record is in your favour, you still need to

take care of lives or otherwise stated. No matter the discouragement that greeted some of our people in the face of those security challenges, we need to continue to do our best to give information to security agencies whenever there is any problem.” He, however, stated that the government is looking at the constitution amendment process to“see how

opportunities can be given to the people through referendum to go to any place of their choice, especially where they have their descendants. This may augur well for the people who have situations like that of the Ebonyi people in Benue State.” In the past few months, communal clashes and violent attacks have rocked the state and other parts of

the South-east, but Orji assured the people that peace has been restored in the state and that Ebubeagu and other vigilante groups in the region are doing their best to maintain peace and order in the state. “When people say that they want a true federalism system, and you are still talking about the independence of the local government system, that

is not true federalism. We want the kind of restructuring whereby the judiciary should also be given an independent environment and the necessary funding. In Ebonyi State, we are giving the House of Assembly and the judiciary a level playing ground. The governor releases whatever is due to them to the two arms of government,” he stated.

TB Joshua for Burial on July 9 Segun James The founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, will be buried on July 9, 2021, in Lagos, the church has disclosed. The church, which disclosed this at a press conference at its headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos, said the burial would be a week-long celebration of the life and legacy of the Christian leader. According to Dr. Gary Gonge, who addressed journalists on behalf of the church, “Prophet T. B Joshua was a man of the people with global influence, and we know that the eyes of the world are upon this event.” On security and health protocols given the number of people who may attend the event, Gonge said: “In our abiding commitment to the ideal of responsible corporate citizenship, we wish to assure you that we are working hand-in-hand with the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the current public health and security protocols, as well as other general guidelines and regulations of

the state and federal government are observed throughout the duration of the events.” He appealed to those who stay at home to watch the broadcast on television from home. Although the church is silent about the location for his burial, THISDAY gathered that he may be buried at the Prayer Mountain which was where the mission began for him and where Joshua lived until his death. According to the source, “Workers are still working round the clock to complete the burial site. The prayer mountain is about 10 minutes’ drive from the church premises.” Gonge, who was flanked by the Colonel Andy Anieboh, Dr. Ugochi Alika and Mr. Ayodeji Olabiwoninu, said the burial activities will begin with a private ceremony on July 5, which will be closed to the public, but other activities, including the lying in state on July 8 will be open to the public and they will be allowed to view his body before interment on July 9.

Maduka: How I was Schemed out in PDP Primary in Anambra Amby Uneze in Owerri After last Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Anambra State, one of the top aspirants in the primaries, Mr. Godwin Maduka, has finally broken his silence, alleging that he was schemed out. Speaking to journalists at his campaign office in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, Maduka said the party has sacrificed its successes on the altar of mediocrity, which he said may affect its performance during the governorship election by November this year. According to him, “I was edged out in order to satisfy the selfish interests of the so-called party leaders in the state, who allegedly have not been comfortable with my interest to govern the state.”

He added that all the pre-primary election policies adopted by the party like moving from the three-man ad hoc delegates to the statutory delegates and then the super delegates were all ploys to disenfranchise delegates that support him from participating in the election, adding that the party is a betrayer. Maduka, however, said he would not relent in his efforts to govern the state, as he will fight the battle to finish. He added that in order to deliberately manipulate him out of the process, it was noticed that the super delegate list released last Thursday, which had about 197 names on it, was later altered with another list that had about 220 names on last Friday evening and then another that had about 285 names which only appeared in the voting hall on Saturday morning.

We Saved 175 Lives, N3.7tn Property in Three Months, Says Fire Service Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has disclosed that in the first quarter of 2021, the Service saved 175 lives and N3.7 trillion worth of property from destruction, identifying industrial fire as the major reason for the spike in fire incidents. The Controller-General of FFS, Dr. Liman Ibrahim, who disclosed this during the 11th National Fire Conference held in Jos, Plateau State, said: “We had 986 fire calls, 34 rescue emergencies, 175 lives saved, 11 lives lost, an estimated property of N3.7 trillion saved and an estimated property of N9.42 billion lost during the first quarter of 2021.” Liman noted that the phenomenal increase in fire-fighting and emer-

gency asset base in the President Muhammadu Buhari government is unprecedented in the history of the FFS, adding that it is a confirmation and demonstration of Buhari’s administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across Nigeria. He said the state-of-the-art fire-fighting trucks and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances have been deployed across the country to tackle any fire incident. While observing that the conference, by its characteristics, remains the highest technical session of fire services to deliberate and brainstorm on contemporary issues, Liman said it was therefore apt to adopt this year’s conference with the theme: ‘Fire Safety Management as an Imperative to National Security’.

PROMOTING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY… L-R: Wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; her husband, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat; wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Iyaloja General of Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Ojo; and Executive Director of BOSKOH, Mrs. Nike Osa, at the Third edition of BOSKOH Lagos Outreach (Jigi Bola Relaunch) in Lagos…yesterday

Rabiu Appointed Inaugural President France-Nigeria Business Council Dike Onwuamaeze French President, Emmanuel Macron has inaugurated the France-Nigeria Business Council – a private sector initiative to enhance business relations between the two countries. The Founder/ Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, is the inaugural president of the council. According to a statement, the newly inaugurated council also has Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group; Mike Adenuga of Globacom and Conoil; Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries; Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA & Heirs Holdings, and Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access

Bank as the Nigerian members of the council. The largest French companies including Dassault, Danone, Axens, Ponticelli and Total Energies are also members of the council. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the council in Paris, a statement quoted to have thanked Macron for his vision in creating the French Nigeria Business Council which he said had led to a reset in the business relationship between Nigeria and France and has created a viable platform for business from both countries to partner and improve business ties. According to Rabiu, “Nigeria is blessed with numerous potentials for French companies to do business

across different areas, notably solid minerals, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, associated equipment, power, food processing, and even in the business of associated equipment or infrastructure for the value chains of these sectors. “Where French businesses have formerly been risk-averse or outrightly unable to do business with Africa’s largest economy, they can now be assured of a platform through which they can penetrate and mutually grow the market. Where Nigerian companies had not seen French companies or the French market as a viable destination due to a lack of information, they can now be sure of a platform to facilitate this. This is all thanks

to President Macron’s foresight and vision.” Rabiu also thanked President Macron for appointing him to be the first President of the France-Nigeria Business Council and pledged to use the platform to create better opportunities for businesses on both sides. On his part, Macron, praised the BUA Chairman and newly appointed president of the council for having confidence in French businesses which led to a partnership for BUA’s new 200,000barrels per day refinery. He also pledged his government’s support to facilitating better dialogue amongst the Nigerian businesses present and their French counterparts.

Afrexim Bank to Support Ogun’s Infrastructural Devt with $200m Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed its plans to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with an envelope of $200 million. The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Afrexim Bank, Mr. Benedict Oramah, made this known when he led management

of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday. He equally said the bank would partner Ogun in ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and begins operations soon. Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines and other drugs, declared that Afrexim Bank is also ready to collaborate with the state-owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals in similar

direction. “We are willing to dedicate an envelope of $200m for projects and initiatives here in Ogun State; we will also be happy to see the hospital project. We will be very pleased to look at this asset and see how we can partner with your government. I assure you that we will consider the Gateway Pharmaceuticals in our plans to invest in the health sector,” he hinted. The Afrexim Bank President, who added that the bank would be working with the state government in its quest to make its road

infrastructure more accessible for investors, also said that the bank would be interested in the Cargo Airport being built by the state. “On the highways we are also developing, there is a connectivity we are looking for in terms of how we connect Nigeria to the Benin Republic and others, connecting Ogun to Lagos and of course to the border. It is something that is of interest to us, if there is any road that goes from here to the border, connecting where you stopped, that will be interesting, we can work with you.

You’re Shameless, Hopeless, Wike Tells govs, Other PDP Defectors Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday described governors and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as lacking conscience and not trustworthy. Wike at the flag off of Woji-AletoAlesa-Refinery Road and bridge with spur to the East-West Road at Woji town, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers, said it was treacherous of anyone to abandon the PDP after riding on the back of the party to power. He said, “People who could not win ordinary election. “The

party used technicality, went to court and got victory. Now, they are leaving the party - hopeless, shameless human beings; people who have no conscience.” On perceived ruling APC’s intimidation to win PDP governors over, Wike said, “Bring everything you have against me, I will not join you. Rivers state will not join you. Even if it is only Rivers in this country, we will continue to be PDP.” Reacting to an alleged statement by a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr.

Dakuku Peterside that the federal government having paid Rivers Government N78 billion cash as refund for federal projects done by the State, Wike said, “I didn’t know he (Peterside) does not understand what they call promissory note. N78 billion was not backed by cash by the federal government. N78 billion was approved, but not in cash. “So the bank has to come in to take and discount it, because federal government is going to pay them back in the next four years. What Rivers State government got was N52 billion out of N78 billion.

But, in principle, N78 billion was approved, but was there any cash? No cash to back it up.” Senator Theodore Orji, who as Special Guest performed flag off of the Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road commended Wike for running an inclusive government and executing projects that impact positively on the people of Rivers. “God specially packaged you to be the governor of Rivers State. And to show them that there is God, whatever you are doing is from the inspiration of God. Don’t relent”, the former Abia state governor stated.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Benue Electoral Commission Chairman, Others Arraigned for Alleged N500m Fraud George Okoh in Makurdi 7KH 0DNXUGL =RQDO 2IÀFH RI WKH (FRQRPLF DQG )LQDQFLDO &ULPHV &RPPLVVLRQ ()&& \HVWHUGD\ DUUDLJQHG WKH &KDLUPDQ %HQXH 6WDWH ,QGHSHQGHQW (OHFWRUDO &RPPLVVLRQ %6,(& 7HUVRR -RVHSK WKH 6HFUHWDU\ 6HUNL 0WRPED 0DQDVHK WKH 7UHDVXUHU $NDQJH $NXOD DQG ÀYH RWKHU PHPEHUV FRPPLVVLRQHUV $EH $ER\L $XJXVWLQH 'RQDOG .HUW\R $JEHU $RQGRQD (PPDQXHO 6XQGD\ $JEDML DQG (NRMD 'DQLHO EHIRUH

House Summons PPPRA Boss over Unremitted N1.62bn IGR Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance has summoned the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr. Abdukadir Saidu, over unremitted N1.62 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federation account. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Faleke, gave the directive yesterday during an investigative hearing into alleged $30 billion annual revenue leakage on Tuesday in Abuja. Faleke said that the directive was necessary to enable the PPPRA boss to explain what actually happened to the N1.62 billion and why it was not remitted to the federation account. He said that the committee would go through the agency’s book from 2012 to date to ensure that it provided the IGR generated since 2012. He also said that the PPPRA must provide the identity of the person it lent money to, adding that on no account should any withdrawal be made from the revenue account.

Niger Sacks 754 Civil Servants for Various Offences, Retires 5,258 Others Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger State Government has sacked 754 civil servants for various offences ranging from age and certificate falsification and violation of the civil service extant rules. This is even as 5258 other civil servants have left the service after completing the mandatory 35 years of service or attained 60 years of age. The Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Shehu Yussuf Galadima, who disclosed this to newsmen in Minna yesterday said the sacks and retirements took place between 2016 and this year adding that among those sacked were a medical practitioner, 31 staff of the state Pension Board, five accountants and two health workers.

FG: Only 61 of 774 LGs in Nigeria Free from Open Defecation Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, has revealed that 61 out of the 774 local governments in Nigeria have been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF). Adamu also revealed that an estimated population of 46 million out of 200 Nigerian citizens continued to find pleasure in open defecation that is hazardous to the wellbeing of the citizens. He spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the flag off of the National Youth Volunteer Programme (NYVP) for hand washing and Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC). Adamu, who was represented by an official of the Ministry, Mrs. Damilola Akomolafe, described the programme as one of the interventions of the federal government to halt the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens.

-XVWLFH $EGX 'RJR RI WKH )HGHUDO +LJK &RXUW VLWWLQJ LQ 0DNXUGL %HQXH 6WDWH FDSLWDO 7KH GHIHQGDQWV ZHUH GRFNHG RQ D FRXQW FKDUJH ERUGHULQJ RQ FRQVSLUDF\ FULPLQDO EUHDFK RI WUXVW PLVDSSURSULDWLRQ IRUJHU\ DQG PRQH\ ODXQGHULQJ WR WKH WXQH RI 1 &RXQW RQH RI WKH FKDUJH UHDGV ´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

MXULVGLFWLRQ RI WKLV +RQRXUDEOH &RXUW GLG FRQVSLUH DPRQJVW \RXUVHOYHV WR FRPPLW IHORQ\ WR ZLW PRQH\ ODXQGHULQJ DQG WKHUHE\ FRPPLWWHG DQ RIIHQFH FRQWUDU\ WR 6HFWLRQ D RI WKH 0RQH\ /DXQGHULQJ 3URKLELWLRQ $FW $V $PHQGHG DQG SXQLVKDEOH XQGHU 6HFWLRQ E RI WKH VDPH $FWµ &RXQW WKUHH UHDGV ´7KDW \RX +RQ 7HUVRR -RVHSK WKH &KDLUPDQ RI %HQXH 6WDWH ,QGHSHQGHQW (OHFWRUDO &RPPLVVLRQ %6,(& RQ RU DERXW WKH

WK GD\ RI 0D\ LQ 0DNXUGL %HQXH ZLWKLQ WKH MXULVGLFWLRQ RI WKLV +RQRXUDEOH &RXUW GLG DFFHSW FDVK SD\PHQW RI 1 WKURXJK RQH RI \RXU $GPLQLVWUDWLYH 2IÀFHU $XQJZD 'RPLQLF ZKLFK VXP H[FHHGHG WKH FDVK SD\DEOH WR DQ LQGLYLGXDO DQG WKHUHE\ FRPPLWWHG DQ RIIHQFH FRQWUDU\ WR 6HFWLRQ D DQG G RI WKH 0RQH\ /DXQGHULQJ 3URKLELWLRQ $FW $V $PHQGHG DQG SXQLVKDEOH XQGHU 6HFWLRQ

E RI WKH VDPH $FWµ &RXQW IRXU UHDGV ´7KDW \RX +RQ 6HUNL 0WRPJD 0DQDVVHK WKH 6HFUHWDU\ RI %HQXH 6WDWH ,QGHSHQGHQW (OHFWRUDO &RPPLVVLRQ %6,(& RQ RU DERXW WKH WK GD\ RI 0DUFK LQ 0DNXUGL %HQXH 6WDWH ZLWKLQ WKH MXULVGLFWLRQ RI WKLV +RQRXUDEOH &RXUW GLG DFFHSW FDVK SD\PHQW RI 1 WKURXJK \RXU &RQÀGHQWLDO 6HFUHWDU\ 7VHWLP &KULVWLDQD ZKLFK VXP H[FHHGHG WKH FDVK SD\DEOH WR DQ LQGLYLGXDO DQG

WKHUHE\ FRPPLWWHG DQ RIIHQFH FRQWUDU\ WR 6HFWLRQ D DQG G RI WKH 0RQH\ /DXQGHULQJ 3URKLELWLRQ $FW $V $PHQGHG DQG SXQLVKDEOH XQGHU 6HFWLRQ E RI WKH VDPH $FW µ 7KH GHIHQGDQWV SOHDGHG ¶QRW JXLOW\· WR WKH FKDUJHV SUHIHUUHG DJDLQVW WKHP %DVHG RQ WKHLU SOHDV SURVHFXWLRQ FRXQVHO 5DPLDK ,NKDQDHGH DVNHG IRU D WULDO GDWH DQG WKDW DOO WKH GHIHQGDQWV EH UHPDQGHG LQ D &RUUHFWLRQDO )DFLOLW\

3,000 APC Members Defect to PDP in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi More than 3000 members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Toro Local Government Area (TLGA) of Bauchi State have decamped to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Meanwhile the Bauchi State Chapter of the PDP has denied that the Governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, might dump the PDP for the APC ahead of the 2023 general election.

Majority of those that left the APC for the PDP said that they joined the APC because of President Muhammadu Buhari, but their aim of supporting the party has failed because Buhari’s administration failed to make any significant impact in their areas. They alleged that all their elected representatives at both national and state levels have performed below par as they have refused to influence any development to

the area stressing. Their Spokesperson, Mr. Bala Ahmad Zalau, said: “The best option for them is to leave the APC in order to team up with the PDP led by the Governor Bala Mohammed in its resolve to develop the state’s infrastructure and build up the people.” The Bauchi South Zonal Vice Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Idris Hassan Zaranda, received the new entrants in to the PDP and told

them that they made the right choice to come back home. Zaranda assured the new PDP members that they would be well accommodated in the party saying that, “as members of the PDP, as soon as all formalities are concluded, you will be fully integrated into the party. He said that people were attracted to the PDP because of the good leadership quality of the party has demonstrated in the state.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Uduaghan Demands Probe into Delta Couple’s Assassination Syvester Idowu in Warri The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has challenged security agencies to do all they can to apprehend and prosecute everyone involved in the death of a notable Itsekiri couple, Mr. Joseph Ayomike and Dr. Chinyere Ayomike. Their decomposing corpses were found in their Warri GRA residence on Monday, June 28, 2021. Policemen from the Area Command, Warri, were at the scene in the early hours of the day. Welders were also said to have mobilised to break the lock on the gate and doors to enable police operatives

and sympathisers to gain access to the house. In a statement signed by his media assistant, Monoyo Edon, the former governor said he was “heart-wrenched over the barbaric murder” of the couple, adding that the news was more touching because his wife, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, was a niece of the late Ayomike. Uduaghan urged security agencies to “launch a rapid and thorough investigation into the murder of the founder of the Warri Choral Society and his wife” who until her death was a senior lecturer at the Delta State University, Abraka. “The Ayomikes were very peaceful and quiet people. Why would anyone

want to kill them and in the most dastardly manner in which they were killed? This sad event has thrown my family and everyone close to the Ayomikes into a state of deep grief. “A respected Itsekiri and community leader, late Pa Ayomike was a renowned economist who graduated from the London School of Economics. He was a very successful businessman, especially in the hospitality industry, at various times running some of the busiest restaurants in Nigeria. He was also the founder of Agura Hotel in Abuja. A nationally and internationally renowned organist, he formed the Warri Choral Society that organised annual programmes in Warri.”

Navy Recovers 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher in Borno Operation Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Special Boat Service personnel of the Naval Base Lake Chad in conjunction with personnel of 403 Special Force Amphibious Brigade and Civilian Joint Task Force have conducted a clearance/recovery operation at Baga. The operation covered Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Doro Baga, Tangon Guava, Kwatan Gaba and Kwatan Kuyet and lasted for four days. According to a statement by the

Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Suleman Dahun, a box of 40mm automatic grenade launcher balls was recovered during the operation. The statement was titled, ‘Nigerian Navy Special bait service personnel conduct successful clearance operation in Baga, Borno.’ “Special Boat Service personnel of the Naval Base Lake Chad in conjunction with personnel of 403 Special Force Amphibious Brigade and Civilian Joint Task Force have conducted a clearance/ recovery operation at Baga. The operation

was led by the Commander NBLC, Commodore Alexander Bingel. “The operation, which lasted for four days covered Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Doro Baga, Tangon Guava, Kwatan Gaba and Kwatan Kuyet, was successfully executed and resulted in the recovery of a box of 40mm automatic grenade launcher balls was recovered. “The troops, not swayed by the success of the operation, projected further to ensure no elements of ISWAP terrorists were left within the area.”

APGA Faction Elects Njoku as Anambra Governorship Candidate David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka A faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday held primary election in Awka, Anambra State, and elected its National Chairman, Mr. Edozie Njoku, as the party’s flag bearer for the oncoming governorship election in the state. Meanwhile, another faction of the party under the leadership of Dr. Victor Oye, elected former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as the

candidate of the party for the election which holds on November 6. Njoku, who spoke after his election, said he was the authentic National Chairman of the party, adding that he was elected by consensus to fly the party’s flag in the election. He said: “The APGA has a very big chance. Don’t worry. The PDP has got their enormous problem. The APC has got the one even bigger than all. They are 15 or 16 in number. PDP is steaming, their pot is boiling. “The case in APGA is over. We don’t have internal problem. It is now

a mandamus compelling the INEC to recognise me as the national chairman. I don’t have a case with Oye.” “I learnt that Oye has rushed up to the court to get an order against him. I don’t see that as necessary but if he did, it’s all good. But the thing is that I’m really in a battle because Oye did a purported convention without delegates.” He said that the emergence of Soludo as the candidate of the party was encumbered by ligation and pronouncements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Non-oil Sector Grows Delta Economy to 51% in Six Years Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The oil and gas played a less dominant role as the size of the Delta State’s economy rose by 51 percent in four years with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hitting N4.471 trillion in 2019, from N2.961 trillion in 2015. The latest Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on Delta State’s economy for four years stated that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the state’s GDP shot up from N1.74 trillion in 2015 to N2.356 trillion in 2019. The period under review witnessed a corresponding growth in the gains from the non-oil sector,

which played a more significant role in driving overall economic growth in the state. The Delta State also emerged as the second least poor in the NBS’ poverty ranking among the 36 states in Nigeria in 2020, up from being ranked 12th in 2010. The Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Kingsley Emu, described the NBS report as a testimonial of the disposition of Okowa’s administration to sound policies, meticulous planning and fiscal discipline. Emu said: “The impressive poverty ranking is the outcome of interplay of factors, including efficient public resource manage-

ment, sound economic policies, effective sector interventions, social and youth-targeted job and wealth creation programmed.” He said that agriculture has consistently grown by 13 per cent year-on-year and rose from N432 billion in 2015 to N583 billion in 2019, an increase of 35 per cent. He attributed the growth in agricultural output to the effect of value chain development coupled with youth agricultural entrepreneurship programmes of the Okowa’s administration. He noted that the construction sector’s GDP recorded a sharp rise as the figure for 2015 rose from N38.98 billion to N54.749 billion in 2019.

Nasarawa Workers Resort to Mass Protest Igbawase Ukumba in Laﬁa Workers in Nasarawa State yesterday resorted to mass protest in Lafia, the state capital, to vent their displeasure over government’s alleged negligence to their demands. The workers on the pay roll of the Nasarawa State Government had on June 15, 2021, began an indefinite strike over partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage and other

welfare related issues. But the state government said in a recent press statement that it was not borrowing to pay the striking workers in order not to burden the state. However, the state organised labour has disclosed that it would mobilise its members for a mass protest across the state capital. The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yusuf Iya, made the disclosure during

a press conference yesterday in Lafia. Isa explained that the organised labour and the Nasarawa State Government had reached an agreement only for the labour to notice on the day the agreement was to be signed that an indicting clause has been included in the document. He said: “Workers have resolved to continue in the industrial action until the Nasarawa State Government is ready to resolve the challenges workers are facing in the state.”

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021

T H I S D AY

NEWS

Senate Receives PIB Report,

Begins Consideration Tomorrow Kyari meets House today over bill Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

as budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This was a sequel to The Senate yesterday the consideration of the received the report of report of the Committee its Joint Committee on on Federal Capital Petroleum (Downstream), Territory on the FCT Petroleum (Upstream) Appropriation Bill, 2021. and Gas Resources on the Presenting the report, Petroleum Industry Bill Chairman of the (PIB) 2021 and promised Committee, Senator to debate the report Abubakar Kyari, said from tomorrow (Thursday). the projected revenue Also, the Group of N329,963,491,523, Managing Director N74,323,382,813 is of Nigerian National for personnel costs; Petroleum Corporation N 5 8 , 7 2 8 , 6 1 4 , 4 6 6 (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari, for overheads and will today meet with N196,911,494,243 for members of the House of capital projects. Representatives as part of According to him, the HͿRUWV DLPHG DW HQVXULQJ overall performance of the smooth passage of the the FCT 2020 Statutory PIB. Budget Allocation was The Senate also passed an 88 percent as of 31st N329.963 billion statutory December 2020. budget for the Federal Kyari added that most Capital Territory (FCT) of the projects executed IRU WKH ÀVFDO \HDU by the Federal Capital The PIB report was laid Territory Administration during the plenary by (FCTA) and the Federal the Chairman of the Joint Capital Development Committee, Senator Sabo Administration (FCDA) Mohammed. were still ongoing “due Speaking after the report to overbearing ineptitude was laid, the President of getting the due process of the Senate, Dr. FHUWLÀFDWHV RQ WLPH µ Ahmad Lawan, told his He said new and colleagues that the report ongoing projects were would be considered QRW VX΀FLHQWO\ IXQGHG tomorrow. due to delay in the release He, therefore, mandated of funds, occasioned by the joint committee to bureaucratic bottlenecks. provide all senators with According to him, copies of the bill ahead projected revenue accrued of its consideration to to FCT Administration enable them to study its was N30 billion naira, content. due to additional revenue He said: “Let me derived from Additional use the opportunity Statutory Allocation to thank our joint received from the committee for working GLͿHUHQWLDO GLVWULEXWHG VR KDUG VHOÁHVVO\ DQG patriotically to produce the report on the Petroleum Industry Bill. This report, a copy each, must be made available to each and every senator this Tuesday afternoon. I don’t know how the committee would arrange it, but every senator must Chuks Okocha in Abuja have a copy today. “[And] we would be Barely 24 hours after considering the report on the Continuous Voter Thursday. So, we have Registration (CVR) online today, tomorrow until the pre-registration portal beginning of Thursday was launched by the to look at the report, so Independent National that when we consider Electoral Commission it, we will be doing so (INEC), 1,669 people on the basis of what we have applied for voter have been able to read transfer, while a total from this very important of 42,211 applications report.” were received within the Also yesterday, the period. upper legislative A breakdown contained chamber approved in a statement by INEC’s N329,963,491,523 billion Commissioner and

from the Excess Crude Account for receipts from January to May 2021, and expected receipts for the remaining seven months of the year and stamp duty refunds. According to him, the Committee on FCT consequently increased WKH ÀVFDO IUDPHZRUN WR accommodate revenue receipts from additional statutory allocation and stamp duty fees to bring the total expenditure to

who disclosed this at the resumption of plenary Kyari to Meet House yesterday, met with members of the Special Today over Reform Ad hoc Committee on Bill Meanwhile, the Group Petroleum Industry Bill Managing Director of yesterday (Tuesday) to the NNPC, Malam Mele tidy up some issues. Kyari, will today meet He also committed the with members of the lawmakers to pass the House of Representatives PIB, Electoral Act, and the DV SDUW RI HͿRUWV DLPHG Supplementary Budget in at ensuring the smooth two weeks’ time. Gbajabiamila tasked the passage of the PIB 2021. The Speaker of the House, lawmakers to ensure Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, these key legislations are N329,963,491,523 billion

passed within two weeks before they embark on their summer break next month. He said: “I will be meeting with the ad-hoc committee on PIB, today by 3 pm to tidy up some things. We need to pass these legislations before we go on summer break. Two weeks is a very short time. We must do it all. These are landmark legislations, including the supplementary budget.”

HOSPITALITY MEETS TECHNOLOGY…

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Edet Akpan; the Minister of State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi; and the Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, during the visit of a TRANSCORP delegation to the minister in Abuja…recently

INEC Receives 1,669 Voter Transfer Request, 42,211 Applications Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, showed that “the CVR online preregistration portal was launched at 7 am on Monday, June 28, 2021. By 7 am, June 29, 2021, twenty-four hours after the launch, 59,331 accounts were created. Within the same period, 42,211 applications were received out of which 27,759 individuals applied for new voter preregistration services.

“11, 177 requested for voter review record; 1, 669 applied for voter transfer; 853 asked for information update; 335 applied for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs; while 418 applicants requested for uncollected PVCs. These statistics have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.” He assured Nigerians that the commission will provide them weekly updates on the activities on the portal and the

online registration status. “It is imperative to remind Nigerians that physical CVR will commence on 19th July 2021 at INEC state and ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW R΀FHV nationwide. Those that are unable to register online will be attended to from the scheduled date. Every eligible Nigerian will have an opportunity to register. The CVR process will continue for at least one year. “Scheduled appointments for online registrants

will also begin on July 19, 2021, while the commencement date for physical CVR in all the 2, 673 registration centres nationwide will be determined based on the evaluation of the security situation in the country. “We encourage those that can register online to do so, while all other Nigerians will commence their registration on the 19th July 2021,” the statement added.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

E U R O 2020...EUR O 2020...EURO 2 0 2 0 . . .

England End 55-year Wait for Knockout Win Over Germany ngland struck twice late on to end a 55-year wait for a knockout tie victory over Germany amid scenes of huge tension and elation at Wembley to reach the uro ŘŖŘŖ uarter-ęnals. ngland will feel conędent but not com lacent against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday. Gareth Southgate's side baĴled hard to earn the statement Ř-Ŗ victory that has so often eluded ngland, and it was their talisman of this tournament, Raheem Sterling, who made the decisive breakthrough. Sterling, who scored the winners against Croatia and the Czech Re ublic in the grou stage, steered in Luke Shaw's cross after 75 minutes to send ngland's fans, with more than ŚŖ,ŖŖŖ inside Wembley, into wild celebrations. The win was secured with another moment of signięcance four minutes from time when ca tain arry ane, who had once again struggled to inĚuence the game, headed in from substitute ack Grealish's erfect delivery for his ęrst goal of uro ŘŖŘŖ. ngland were again thankful for the brilliance of verton goalkee er ordan Pickford, who has yet to concede a goal in the tournament and saved crucially from Timo Werner and ai averĵ in each half, while Thomas Muller missed a glorious chance to e ualise before ane struck.

England’s Captain, Harry Kane (left) and teammates celebrating the Three Lions 2-0 victory over Germany ... yesterday Southgate's team selection raised eyebrows when he decided to leave the creative talents of Grealish and Phil Foden on the bench and showed huge faith in Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka by starting him after his ęne erformance against

Fashola Hails Kunle Solaja’s Book on Eagles Works and ousing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola has hailed the book, ȁSu er agles ȓ7Ŗǳ Soaring On the WingsȂ wriĴen by unle Solaja, a renowned author and s orts journalist. The anniversary of the ęrst com osition of the igeria national football team was at the weekend as the ęrst 17 of the eventual 1Ş ioneering national team footballers was announced on ŘŜ une 19Ś9 by the Selection CommiĴee of the then igeria Football Association, ǻ FAǼ The book which chronicles the igerian national football team from ince tion in 19Ś9 till date is su orted by the igeria Football Federation ǻ FFǼ. In acknowledging the recei t of a co y of the book, Mr. Fashola remarked: ȃI write with dee leasure and gratitude to acknowledge the recei t of your delightful book ǳ and to say that chronicling of 7Ŗ years of the growth and achievements of our dear countryȂs foremost soccer ambassadors, es ecially at this time, is both refreshing and morale-boosting.” Continuing, the ace-seĴing former governor of Lagos State wrote: ȃThe uni ueness of the book, I must say, lies in its historic outlay with memorable hotogra hs and nostalgia evoking texts on the foundation members of the team, who motivated by sheer atriotism and love for their country, layed barefooted to bring honour and glory to our nation. “It also manifests in the exciting nuggets of information about historic moments in the evolution of the national team and even its colours which has over the last 7Ŗ years transmogrięed from lain green and white to the variegated and designer varieties.” In the leĴer ersonally signed by the s ortsloving former governor, Fashola, a legal luminary congratulated unle Solaja for the “uni ue eěort to document and ut in very illuminating ers ective our countryȂs worthy 7Ŗ years of soccer history.”

the Czechs. Saka was excellent, the early s ark when ngland struggled, while Grealish added the crucial factor when he came oě the bench to ęnally hel break Germany down. he scenes at the ęnal whistle

demonstrated ust how im ortant this win is for Southgate and ngland, digging dee and surviving eriods of struggle to overcome old rivals who have so often got the beĴer of them. And this may just rank as the biggest and most im ortant

victory of Southgate's time in charge. The last 1Ŝ was round that carried so much jeo ardy for ngland when the draw was made, with the knowledge that to ing their grou would likely mean a meeting with the ever-dangerous Germany, World Cu holders France or reigning uro ean cham ions Portugal. While Grou F minnows

ungary very nearly caused a huge u set,in the end it was Germany who confronted them and Southgate, who most tired of seeing re lays of his enalty miss against them in the uro ȁ9Ŝ semi-ęnal, now has a ha y memory to cherish from this ęxture, not to mention a otentially favourable route forward in this tournament. This defeat was the end for Joachim Low as Germany coach after a gliĴering career that brought a World Cu win in ŘŖ1Ś in Brazil.

e now makes way for Bayern Munich's Cham ions League-winning coach ansi Flick - and this erformance showed there is rebuilding to be done. Germany still have lenty of talent in the sha e of layers such as the elegant averĵ, Joshua immich and others but this may well have been the last Ěing for older stars like Mats ummels, Toni roos and Muller.

ngland will feel conędent but not com lacent against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, and the shock exit of France to Swiĵerland shows no-one can be taken lightly.

...Ukraine Beat Sweden with Last-gasp Extra Time Winner Artem Dovbyk scored in added time in extra-time as Ukraine edged out ŗŖ-man Sweden at am den to set u a uro ŘŖŘŖ uarter-ęnal with ngland. Oleksandr Zinchenko smashed Ukraine in front with a owerful drive but a deĚected shot from mil Forsberg levelled maĴers before half-time. Sweden lost Marcus Danielson to a red card in extra time after a VAR check. And, with enalties looming, Dovbyk - one of ŗŘ substitutes used - headed a dramatic winner from close-range. Ukraine had cre t through from the grou hase with a mere three oints and a negative goal diěerence while Sweden to ed their section with seven oints ahead of S ain.

Dare Drums Fresh Support for Home-based Eagles as Team Departs for Mexico Friendly Minister of outh and S orts Develo ment, Sunday Dare, has once again canvassed for more injection of home-based layers into the mainstream Su er agles. The ome-based agles are ex ected to de art Abuja today for California, USA where they are ex ected to lay Mexico in an international friendly on July 3. S eaking on Tuesday when he visited the ome-based agles at their training in Abuja, the Minister said he was ha y with the decision to use layers from the domestic league for the friendly with Mexico. "IȂm ha y that the conversation and the meetings weȂve had in the ast several months with the FF about changing the hase of our football develo ment is beginning to bear fruits. “IȂm an advocate of a blend of home-based and foreign-based layers to create a level laying ęeld. They are all talented, so we need to give them e ual chance to com ete for the igerian jersey. That has been the history and tradition of igerian soccer, So the o ortunities should be the same. Let them ęght for the s ots. Whether home or foreign-based, itȂs your talent that counts,” observed the minister. On the friendly against Mexico in the United States, the Minister

Home-based Eagles shortly after their last training session at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja yesterday. They are expected to depart Abuja for USA today said "It really gladdened my heart when I heard that the team will be traveling to the USA to lay a friendly against Mexico. ȃThe Friendly is im ortant as you have an o ortunity to showcase your talents and also dis lace some layers in the main team. nsure that when you go out there you make this country roud. IȂm sure the FF will not just make this a show, IȂm sure that igerians will see between three to six of you eventually end u in the mainstream Su er agles. ȃI watch the rofessional league very closely, IȂve seen some of the fantastic goals some of you have scored. As I walked into

your training, I asked if the ęve to goal scorers in the domestic league are in this team and I was told that just four of them are in. This is im ortant because a goal is a goal. If youȂre laced in the team and you lay well you will score goals for this country. ȃSo you have an o ortunity to im rove yourself. IȂm sure sure when next we lay our World Cu ualięers, we are going to see home and foreign-based layers blend together which would mean that this country is maximizing her talents. IȂm sure youȂll do the country roud. It might not count with FIFA ranking because ItȂs friendly but itȂs going to count

for us,” the minister concluded. Meanwhile, the s orts minister has hinted that more fans will soon be allowed to watch league matches in the country as long as they obey the laid down Covid-19 Protocols. Dare gave the assurance during his visit to the home-based agles training in Abuja on Tuesday. In the words of the Minister: "We ho e to see our fans back in the stadiums as soon as we are assured of established strict Covid- 19 rotocols in lace. weȂll see what we can do about that. The fans are very im ortant to the game so we shall monitor the situation and work with the relevant agencies to actualize this".

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

utch coach Frank de Boer stepped down yesterday after the Netherlands' dismal Euro 2020 last-16 elimination by the Czech Republic. De Boer's decision comes as speculation mounted over his future as manager of the Oranje following the team's 2-0 loss in Budapest on Sunday evening. "I have decided not to continue as national coach. The target has not been achieved, that is clear," De Boer, 51, said in a statement released by the Dutch football federation KNVB. De Boer said when he was appointed in 2020 it was an "honour" but he was also "aware of the pressure that would come upon me from the moment I was appointed". "That pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such an important game for Dutch football on its way to World Cup qualięcation." The KNVB said in any case, De Boer's contract stipulated that the team should reach at least the quarter-ęnals, adding "the contract will not be renewed". "It has been decided that both parties will separate," the KNVB added, speaking from its headquarters in Zeist near the central city of Utrecht. De Boer's short tenure at the helm of the once mighty Dutch football team, which won the European Championship in 1988 but has struggled in recent years, also means that he will not be in charge for the World Cup qualięer against Norway on September 1. "Despite Frank's hard work the team did not reach the quarter-ęnals. We hoped for a beĴer Euro and the choice of Frank turned out diěerently than we hoped," KNVB director Nico-Jan Hoogma said.

SPORTS EUR O 2020...EUR O 2020. . . EU RO 2 0 2 0 . . .

Frank de Boer Quits as Dutch Coach after Elimination by Czech

Frank de Boer (centre) has quit his post as Netherlands Coach after his wards failed to go beyond the Last 16 of Euro 2020

Bruyne, Eden Hazard in Fitness Battle for Italy Clash

Belgium are sweating on the ętness of captain Eden Hazard and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne ahead of their 2020 European Championship quarteręnal against Italy in Munich on Friday, according to coach Roberto Martinez. De Bruyne went oě with

an ankle injury in Sunday's 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16, while Hazard also pulled up three minutes from time in a double blow to the top-ranked Belgians. De Bruyne has ligament bruising and Hazard suěered a hamstring twinge, Martinez

told a news conference, putting their chances of playing at 50-50. "The initial information that we have from medical staě is positive for both, they will remain with the squad and they have no structural damage," said Martinez.

"But we are running up against time and it is very diĜcult to see them fully ęt. So we have to take it day by day to try and get them ęt." Both Hazard and De Bruyne had recovered from injuries just before the European Championship to help Bel-

Serena in Tears After Injury Retires Her from Wimbledon 2021 American great Serena Williams broke down in tears as her latest aĴempt for an elusive record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title was cruelly ended by injury. Williams started against Belarusian world number 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich with heavy strapping on her right thigh and then slipped in the ęfth game. The 39-year-old went down again in the seventh game and then retired after struggling to get to her feet. "I'm so sad for Serena. She is a great champion," said Sasnovich. "It happens sometimes in tennis, but all the best to her." Williams, seeded sixth,

seemed to do the damage when she rocked backwards on the baseline before unleashing a forehand back to her opponent. After going oě court for treatment, the seven-time SW19 champion returned with a heavy limp and tried to continue before it soon became apparent she would be unable to. Tears ęlled her eyes as Williams thanked the crowd, who had been trying to encourage her, for their support. At 15-15 on her service game, Williams buckled as she prepared to receive a return and spent a few moments kneeled on the court. The umpire came down oě

her chair as Williams slowly managed to climb to her feet. Fans on Centre Court rose in unison to give a heartfelt standing ovation as Williams waved goodbye - with everyone hoping this would not be the ęnal one at SW19 for a player who turns 40 in September. The retirement came less than an hour after Centre Court watched France's Adrian Mannarino also have to retire from his match against Roger Federer. The 33-year-old slipped on the same baseline, leading to Britain's Andy Murray - who had played there on Monday - tweeting about the surface. It was a cruel blow for Wil-

Serena Williams failed in her bid for a 24th Grand Slam title as injury forced her to retire from Wimbledon 2021

liams, who had broken for a 3-1 lead. After losing to Simona Halep in the 2019 ęnal - and ęnishing runner-up to Germany's Angelique Kerber the year before - Williams was hoping this would ęnally be the time that she won her 24th Grand Slam.

Matching the number won by Australian Margaret Court has so far proved beyond her, having lost four major ęnals since returning from maternity leave three years ago. The Wimbledon grass seemed the place most likely to yield another major but it will not be this year, at least.

gium through the group phase and inject more conędence into the squad. "We were all a bit concerned before we got the news from the scans and it was a relief to all that we can now work on trying to get them ęt again," Martinez added. Meanwhile, second-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has injured his knee and, after scans showed he would not recover in time, he has been released back to his club Club Brugge. He is replaced by uncapped Thomas Kaminski from English club Blackburn Rovers. Teams cannot replace outęeld players in their squad once they have played their ęrst game at the tournament but goalkeepers can be replaced in case of injury.

Messi Celebrates Most Capped Argentine Record with Brace

Lionel Messi celebrated his record 148th international cap with two goals as Argentina trounced Bolivia 4-1 to clinch top spot in Copa America Group A on Monday. Messi – who had equalled Javier Mascherano's Argentinian caps record of 147 last week – marked his 148th appearance in style, seĴing up the opening goal before bagging a brace of his own. The victory at Cuiaba's Arena Pantanal stadium sees Argentina advance to a quarteręnal on Saturday against Ecuador, the fourth placed ęnishers from Group B. Bolivia, who had already been eliminated after three defeats in their opening three games, were outclassed from the outset by a rampant Argentina. The Argentines almost took the lead after three minutes, only for Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to pull oě a remark-

able double save from Sergio Aguero and Angel Correa in quick succession. But Argentina did not have to wait long for the breakthrough, when Messi's delightful chipped pass released Papu Gomez who volleyed past Lampe to make it 1-0 after six minutes. Argentina doubled their lead on 33 minutes when Gomez was brought down in the area by Bolivia's Diego Bejarano. Messi duly stepped up to convert the penalty to put Argentina ęrmly in control. Bolivia got their ęrst shot on goal shortly afterwards, Jeyson Chura's ferocious long-range effort forcing Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani into a diving save at full stretch. But Argentina reasserted their dominance and it was Messi who made it 3-0, latching on to a clever lofted pass from new Barcelona teammate Aguero and lobbing a cheeky ęnish over

the advancing Lampe. Bolivia pulled a goal back in the 60th minute with a cleverly worked move, Chura's deft back heel releasing Leonel Justiniano down the right Ěank, who crossed for Erwin Saavedra to score. Argentina responded swiftly though, substitute Lautaro Martinez tapping in from close range in the 65th minute just two minutes after coming on for Aguero. In Monday's other Group A game, Uruguay clinched second place in the table after downing Paraguay 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro. Edinson Cavani's ęrst half spot kick proved decisive for 'La Celeste', sending Uruguay into a quarteręnal against Colombia on Saturday. Paraguay ęnished third and will now play Peru on Friday. Chile, who ęnished fourth in Group A, face a daunting task against hosts Brazil on Friday.

W J 30 2021 Tuesday June 15, 2021 Tuesday June 29, 2021

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE

PDP to Matawalle Moghalu APC Soyinka toto Buhari

“A then combined 221 the 1999 as “And somebody sits inSection Aso and to them that well, there is a “A reading of Rock of says Constitution A the APC pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Faleke v. INEC (2016) is clear APC N 6 cattle constitution, I am instructing my attorney general to dig up some kind in holding that it is the political party that stands for election, that votes ” of law,incolonial law whichtoarbitrated between and ” scored election belong the political partyoffarmers and thatGeorge the herders... candidate –Managing Director and Chief Executive Oﬃcer NIWA, Moghalu, – Nobelrejecting Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, condemning President Buhari’s language nominated to contest an election byUba his party." the APC primary thatatproduced Andy as candidate –The PDP tacklingduring Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle his recent interview.

MAGNUSONYIBE GUESTCOLUMNIST

Buhari and the Leadership Question I

n his no-holds-barred interview on ARISE Television, broadcast on June 10, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the Commander in-Chief-of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a position that he ascended since May 29, 2015, basically responded to the most critical questions that have been boggling the mind of most Nigerians. The anxiety is owed to the fact that President Buhari’s disinterest in holding media interviews as evidenced by the fact that the past six years or so of his leadership represents an unusually extended period of time that Nigerians have been unable to hear directly from their president. And that is the origin or justięcation for the insinuations and presumptions that President Buhari has not eěectively been at the helm of aěairs in Aso Rock Villa and which perhaps gave ęllip to the conspiracy theory that our collective destiny as a nation is in the hands of a cabal. Before their unfortunate and sad demise arising from complications from Coronavirus disease in 2020, then Chief of Staě to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari was alleged to have been the driver of the sinister cabal just as Mallam Isa Funtua, a close conędant of President Buhari who is also his In-law (his son is married to Buhari’s daughter) was also claimed to be a member. Evidently, it was not enough that Mr President had been speaking through his coterie of spokespersons, ranging from the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, media adviser, Femi Adeshina, special assistants on media, Garba Shehu and Laureta Onochie as well as a baĴery of other defenders of the Buhari doctrine in the social media. The change of tact which has seen President Buhari engaging in a tete-a-tete with the fourth realm of the estate via the ARISE TV interview, can be likened to a successful coup detat by ARISE TV. And it is actually a scoop by the trend seĴing THISDA ȦARISE Media Group led by Nduka Obaigbena whose intention was perhaps aimed at helping the misunderstood president get beĴer understood by those that he is leading via a candid conversation. Although, the interview was more of a monologue rather than a dialogue since the masses did not get to ask the existential questions for which they have been dying to receive answers, (as a typical media chat with the president should be) the one way communication was nevertheless an improvement on the silent treatment which President Buhari had hitherto applied in the management of his relationship with the masses before ARISE TV broke the jinx. And ARISE TV’s quest for geĴing President Buhari to engage with the apparently neglected masses or the electorate is justięed or underscored by the fact that when he ęrst campaigned for their votes in 2003, and particularly since 2015 when he ęrst got elected president and subsequently in 2019 when he got re-elected, then presidential candidate and later President Buhari visited Nigerians and interacted with them in their locations or natural habitats nationwide. But since his assumption of oĜce, deęnitely not by omission, but by commission, (bearing in mind that his spokesmen have been celebrating his taciturnity) Mr President seems to have become content with being cocooned in Aso Rock Villa, while only resorting to third party communication with the hoi polloi who obviously are not enamored, but are abhorrent of such

Buhari aĴitude of oě handedness. The cold shoulder treatment that president Buhari has dished out to Nigerians in terms of liĴle or no direct communication with them in the past six years of presiding over their aěairs has largely contributed to the apparent disconnection between President Buhari as a leader and the critical masses that he is supposed to be shepherding. That is what has created an atmosphere that became rife for the fertilisation of negatively imaginative minds that took undue advantage of the void to invent the death of Mr President (following his long hospitalization in the UK in 2017) and the cloning narrative about a certain Jibrin Al Sudani that is allegedly Buhari’s body double. Such absurd claim festered due to the silence from the man at the centre of the rather absurd and burlesque allegation-President Buhari. Given the robust response by the masses to the 10th June rare, but candid interview that has now debunked the conspiracy theory that President Buhari had ceded the leadership of our country to the so-called cabal allegedly featuring elder statesman, Mallam Maman Daura, and Abba Kyari as well Isa Funtua (two of whom are now diseased), it has been a sort of coup de gras for the culture of silence between President Buhari and the long suěering Nigerian citizens who in their diĜcult moments have been craving words of encouragement directly from their president. As for Nduka Obaigbena’s ARISE TV, it is now undisputedly the new leader in broadcast news and Nigeria’s equivalent of CNN International. Although Nigerians would have loved to see the panel of interviewers ask President Buhari hard questions, which did not happen perhaps based on ARISE TV’s prior agreement with the presidency, it was nonetheless a commendable eěort in cracking open the window into the mind of President Buhari who had hitherto been an enigma of sorts, if not a hermit in the light of his aĴitude or policy of liĴle or no two ways interactions with Nigerian masses media chat. The assertion above is underscored by the fact that the ARISE TV interview now considered a peep into President Buhari’s mind, aěorded him the platform to exhibit some presence of

mind as he demonstrated a reasonable grasp of the issues bedeviling Nigeria and justięed the solutions that he had proěered thus proving that contrary to allegations of high level of senility and dementia leveled against him, apart from the usual memory lapse associated with old age , he is to a large extent in control of the aěairs of the country. The assertion above is reĚected by some of President Buhari’s views previously conveyed by his media husbandmen and which he candidly re-emphasised while justifying the actions and inactions of his government. Now, Mr. President’s justięcations for his policy actions may be adjudged by some pundits to be jaundiced, archaic and narrow in scope. But no one would be in doubt about whether the policies of government in the past six years are products of president Buhari’s critical (although somehow primitive) thinking and therefore bear his imprimatur. So fortuitously, the ARISE TV interview has been both a revelation and or resource for the psychological assessment of President Buhari by non professional psychologists like my good self. It is deęnitely a two edged sword. On one hand, no more would critics accuse him of being a passive leader while heaping the blame of poor leadership on his advisers. The false claim that a combination of age (78) and poor health have signięcantly imperiled his faculty, as such he is suěering from dementia has been proven to some degree to be exaggerated. On the other hand, no more would President Buhari be absolved of the blame for the leadership miasma associated with this government. So, the days of innocence for President Buhari may be gone. Going forward, members of his inner circle such as the late Chief of Staě, Abba Kyari that used to be blamed for manipulating the president (before his passage) are now absolved. But that cloak or badge of dishonor has recently been aĴached to the current AĴorney General, Abubakar Malami who has been branded the new cabal executioner. Fortunately for him, that allegation has also been vitiated by the very revealing ARISE TV interview. Because Mr President had been incommunicado by failing to have one-on-one conversations with Nigerians via media interviews, the fallacies about him were unwiĴingly allowed to ęll up the space because nature abhors vacuum. One leadership style that had been the best kept secret during his ęrst tenure as military head of state is having other people serve as a cannon fodder for him. And that appears to be President Buhari’s administrative modus operandi which has taken Nigerians so long to decode. It is probably a tactical trait that he developed while in the military. The trend analysis below validate the point. During his time as military head of state (1983-85) his second-in-command, late Tunde Idiagbon was a target for the Ěaks from aggrieved Nigerians for the maladministration of then General Buhari’s government. As Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Chairman, Buhari literarily dodged the bullets as the head of Afriprojects , Ahmad Salihijo, the consulting ęrm that he appointed to manage the infrastructure development agency set up by former military head of state, Sanni Abacha, was also the cannon fodder that was blamed for all the inequities of the development behemoth, PTF which was under the chairmanship of then General Buhari. Let’s be clear, delegation of power is not an anathema in management or leadership. But going forward, President Buhari will be

deęned by his actions and inactions while in oĜce. Even Mr President himself admiĴed that much when he was pressed to comment on what would be his legacy and he responded thus: “I will accept whatever verdict Nigerians pass on me. I hope they will be fair..." In my personal assessment, the ARISE TV interview has been an opportunity for discerning members of society to identity the pride and prejudices of Muhammadu Buhari on three fronts: (a) as a person, (b) a military oĜcer and (c) as the president of our great country in the past six years that he mounted the saddle of leadership. My analysis of his responses to the questions posed by the ARISE TV panel which is without prejudice is aimed at helping readers determine whether President Buhari has indeed been a re-born democrat as he informed an eminent gathering of democrats in Chatham House, UK some six years ago and the vast number of Nigerian voters that gave him their mandate via the ballot box to be their president in 2015. Candidate Buhari in that Chatham House presentation made a compelling case for himself as the best man for the job. To put things in a proper perspective, an excerpt from presidential candidate Buhari’s speech at Chatham House in February of 2015 is worthy of reproduction: “…It is much more important that the promise of democracy goes beyond just allowing people to freely choose their leaders. It is much more important that democracy should deliver on the promise of choice, of freedoms, of security of lives and property, of transparency and accountability, of rule of law, of good governance and of shared prosperity. It is very important that the promise embedded in the concept of democracy, the promise of a beĴer life for the generality of the people, is not delivered in the breach.” Those lines would melt the heart of any democracy advocate, adherent or devotee that aĴended the event and even those with the contrarian mindset of candidate Buhari not being suitable for the job due to his authoritarian and totalitarian antecedents. He then threw in the clincher: “I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. So before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.” If there were any cynics left in the hall, this closing stanza of then candidate Buhari’s swan song of democracy demolished any further doubts because by every measure, it was a perfect clincher. And after that event, his ascension to the presidency was a sort of fait accompli in the eyes of both local and international stakeholders. But six years on: has President Buhari manifested what candidate Buhari professed in Chatham House in February of 2015 under the chairmanship of sir Richard Grozny and in the front of an audience comprising of very distinguished proponents and exponents of democracy and its ethos? Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts niversity, assachuseĴs, S and a former commissioner in Delta State, sent this piece from Lagos.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. L2222: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. A2222: 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 L222220802 2924721-2, 08022924485. A22222Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 2427 AD2ERTISING HOT LINES20811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES 2 BOOKING2adsbooking@thisdaylive.com