THURSDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2020

CBN Begins Clearing of $2bn Forex Backlog Obinna Chima In line with its earlier promise to foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started the sale of foreign exchange (FX) to banks to clear the backlog of

demand in the market, which currently stands at $2 billion.

THISDAY gathered that the apex bank is utilising the strategy of a combination of spot and 150-day forward sales to clear the accumulated FX demand.

The exercise, which commenced on Monday, has seen the bank selling $25 million daily and would continue weekly until the backlog is cleared, a source told THISDAY. “As it is now, all the

foreign portfolio investors are relaxed because of the intervention by the apex bank.

They (CBN) have promised us that it would be weekly until everything is cleared,” a source told THISDAY. CBN Director, Corporate

Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, who confirmed the clearance, said: “We have always said that once we understand the depth of the situation fully, we would start intervening. So, we have started clearing the

FX backlog.”

THISDAY also gathered that in order to stimulate FX liquidity, CBN has also been intervening at the Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) window, Continued on page 8

Gbajabiamila Optimistic about Peaceful Resolution of Nigeria, Ghana Row... Page 6 Thursday 3 September, 2020 Vol 25. No 9278. Price: N250

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Seeking Peace, Oba of Benin Chides Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu over Electoral Violence Warns kingmakers against making political statements Urges candidates to emulate Buhari, Jonathan No cause for alarm, Edo CP assures monarch Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, yesterday rebuked politicians in the state, particularly the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for the pre-election violence and belligerent

electioneering utterances, threatening to tear the state apart ahead of the September 19 election.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, has assured the monarch and the people of adequate security, saying there's no cause for alarm.

“The utterances, statements and activities that I hear [are] most immature,” the Continued on page 8

Buhari Laments Destruction of Lives, Farmlands in Kebbi Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed concern over the heavy floods, which destroyed lives, submerged thousands of hectares of farmlands and houses in Kebbi State.

The flood, according to a

statement by the presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, also destroyed farm produce and personal belongings in the affected communities.

He quoted the president as saying, "I am particularly sad Continued on page 8

ROYAL INTERVENTION… L-R: Governorship candidate, All Progressives Congress, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; Edo State Governor and gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at a peace meeting with the monarch in Benin City…yesterday

Northern Lawyers Rally Support for NBA, Disown Splinter Group... Page 5

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NEWS Northern Lawyers Rally Support for NBA, Disown Splinter Group

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

We remain one indivisible bar, says Akpata Alex Enumah in Abuja Northern lawyers from about 40 branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday rejected the formation of the New Nigerian Bar Association (NNBA) and declared support for a one united NBA. Following the withdrawal of a letter of invitation to Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, as a guest speaker at the justconcluded Annual General Conference of the NBA, a group of aggrieved northern lawyers had last week announced the formation of NNBA as a splinter group.

But lawyers from the northern zone yesterday dissociated themselves from NNBA, stating that NBA could not be polarised along ethno-religious divides.

The northern lawyers at a meeting yesterday in Abuja distanced themselves from the splinter group.

They urged northern lawyers and all legal practitioners in the country to rally round the new NBA leadership led by Mr. Olumide Akpata, to ensure that the original aspirations of the body are realised.

The stakeholders’ meeting was facilitated by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from the North, Mr. Yunus Ustaz and Mr. Elisha Kurah, as well as 40 branch chairmen of NBA. However, the communiquÊ of the meeting was read by Kurah, who is also the Acting Chairman of Arewa Lawyers Forum.

He said: "We the undersigned individuals, who are chairmen of the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that make up the northern geo-political zone as defined in the NBA Constitution 2015, and other senior members of the Bar have today, Wednesday, September 2, 2020, in the

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, met with the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata and the national officers of NBA. "We have unanimously agreed to support his leadership of NBA, and we hereby restate our true allegiance to NBA and disassociate ourselves from the ‘New NBA’ or any splitter group whatsoever making the waves in recent weeks as a new association/ body of lawyers in Nigeria.

"We understand that NBA has historically and in recent times been fraught with several challenges, but we are indeed assured that NBA under the leadership of Mr. Olumide Akpata will surmount these challenges and birth an all-inclusive Bar that will work for all lawyers

in Nigeria regardless of any part of the divide one may belong.�

The northern lawyers said they were gratified to hear Akpata during his inaugural address, restating that the bar that he wants to lead henceforth is one that "is united on all fronts and which recognises that our diversity is our greatest strength."

The lawyers urged their northern colleagues, including those behind the establishment of NNBA and all legal practitioners in Nigeria to come together to support Akpata and the new national officers to ensure that they deliver on their core mandates.

The lawyers commended the new leadership of NBA for the meeting, as one of

their first official engagements after their inauguration, noting that it showed the value the new leadership placed on the need for an all-inclusive bar.

Earlier, Akpata had said NBA was one and was not split along ethnic or religious lines.

He assured lawyers that steps would be taken to heal wounds caused by NBA election and the conference.

"At NBA, we remain one, united and indivisible bar.

We have not split along ethnic or religious lines. As lawyers, we disagree and agree...We will learn from past mistakes. Only those who refuse to learn from past mistakes are doomed.

Due apology would be rendered to those offended," he said.

He reiterated his commitment towards making NBA better and also building a stronger nation, adding that lawyers would not be in the vanguard to break up the country.

"Where our country is going wrong, we as lawyers will give the light. We are here to build Nigeria and not to destroy it.

"All is well with us in NBA and we are doing well. If there is still any group aggrieved, we will reach out to the group. Our ability to surmount challenges make us leaders. We will remain focused because expectations are high.

"We in NBA will speak loud to support the teeming people of this country on issues affecting them," he added.

Police Arrest Seven Suspects over Attack on Abiola’s Home

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Lagos State Police Command has arrested no fewer than seven persons over an attack on the home of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Some suspected armed robbers had burgled Abiola’s family home in Lagos and made away with valuables.

Although the hoodlums subjected the family to emotional torture and harassment before stealing cash and other valuable items, no life was lost in the operation.

The robbers were said to have accessed the residence through the canal before scaling the high-rise fence into the compound.

A press statement by Ms. Tundun Abiola for the family said: “In the early hours of Tuesday, September 2, armed men invaded and ransacked the residence of Chief MKO Abiola in Ikeja, Lagos. “The hoodlums subjected the family to extreme emotional torture and harassment and stole cash and other valuable items belonging to the family. “The police have since been informed. The crime is being investigated. We are consoled by the fact that no life was lost in this unfortunate and frightening incident.�

Acting on a report from the family, the police said they began an investigation that led to the arrest of seven persons, including the domestic workers in the residence.

Alluding to insider

connivance, the police said they arrested persons of interest that would help them unravel the case.

Already, the arrested persons are undergoing questioning at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Confirming the incident, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, who visited the crime scene, said there was no physical assault or injury on occupants of the building.

He said: "Yes, robbers went there and carted away an unspecified amount of jewelry and some money. I was there personally and I spoke with the mama. “There was no physical assault on her or the two daughters who were home. I know that some suspects are in custody but I have not been fully briefed on the number of people arrested. “Some of the domestic staff were also arrested. The security on the ground did not alert the police or any security agency when the incident was going on. “They said they noticed unusual movement within the compound at the time, but did not inform us. The police were only told several hours after the robbery.

"The robbers were alleged to be three and came in through the canal and scaled the fence, carried out the act and left. The occupants said one of them was armed but there was no gunshot. “We are suspecting elements of connivance. We are working on all fronts.

Investigations have already commenced."

COVID-19 GREETING‌ L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; and Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, during the virtual Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja... yesterday godwin omoigui

Afenifere, PANDEF, PDP Kick as FG Raises Petrol Price IPMAN directs members to sell at N162 Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The federal government yesterday came under fire from the pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, its Niger Delta counterpart, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the hike in the ex-depot price of petrol from N138 to N151.56 per litre.

The ex-depot price is the amount depot owners and

marketers pay to lift products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) storage facilities.

With the increase, the pump price of the commodity, which is within the N145-N148 per litre band, would shoot up to about N162.

Already, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has directed its members in the South-west region of the country to begin the sale of petrol at N162 per litre.

Earlier yesterday, the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, which has recently taken over the communication of the new prices, had said the N151.56 depot price took immediate effect.

A memo from PPMC to Ibadan stakeholders, including depot owners, which was signed by D.O Abalaka, sighted by THISDAY, directed all operators to abide by the new price review.

Others stakeholders copied

in the circular included the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), NNPC Retail, major and independent marketers as well as northern bridgers.

The circular said: “To this end, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) is now one hundred and fifty-one naira, fifty-six kobo (N151.56k) per litre. This is effective from September 2, 2020.�

Before now, the Petroleum Continued on page 9

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NEWS

Gbajabiamila Optimistic about Peaceful Resolution of Nigeria, Ghana Row Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed hope that Nigeria and Ghana would arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution of the diplomatic row between both countries.

The speaker, who led a delegation of lawmakers to a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, Hon. Mike Oquaye, in Accra, said the two-day visit to Ghana was to explore legislative diplomacy towards resolving the issues affecting both countries.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, while thanking his counterpart for the warm welcome, said within the next two days of discussions, they would be able to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution of the diplomatic crisis.

He said: “There’s something in modern-day parlance called legislative diplomacy or parliamentary diplomacy, and that’s what obtains all over the world today. Diplomacy is done from all angles, including backchannel such as what we are doing now and sometimes you get results that you can only imagine.

So, I look forward to a fruitful discussion as we move forward. “Like you rightly said, Nigeria and Ghana are more like Siamese twins and brothers. I love the analogy you came up with, like the tongue and the teeth. Brothers

will always have squabbles, healthy ones, national interest on both sides will always come to play, but it’s not the misunderstanding that matters, it’s how you resolve it that matters. “In Africa, you cannot talk about Nigeria without talking about Ghana and you cannot talk about Ghana without talking about Nigeria; and therefore, it has become incumbent on us, one, as leaders of parliament, and two, generally as parliamentarians, to bring to bear this concept of legislative diplomacy for fruitful results. “The weight and the burden of our international relationship rest actually on parliamentary shoulders and it is my hope that we will, in two days, reach some resolutions that will settle both countries.�

While welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Oquaye expressed confidence that there would be an amicable resolution of the issues.

He said: “Ghana and Nigeria are like the tongue and the teeth, they must interact, and sometimes the teeth may do havoc, and yet it never regrets the taste that the tongue gives to it. That’s what happens if we don’t interact. “Even when we step on one another’s feet, in the process, we should come to realise that there’s a need to continue to be together and we, therefore, welcome you, thank you very much for your keenness in responding to my call that we should

meet and you took a quick step in arranging to be here today. I trust in the next two days we will bring a beautiful reunion to our two nations."

Gbajabiamila also led his delegation to the Nigerian High Commission where they met with leaders of the Nigerian Union of Traders and selected stakeholders.

The leader of the Nigerian traders in Ghana, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nnaji, informed Gbajabiamila and his entourage that Nigerian

traders had been subjected to hardship by the Ghanaian authorities since 2007.

He noted that despite complying with laws, Nigerians traders were always the target for harsh treatments whenever both countries are having issues.

Nnaji stated that Nigerian traders have their trades registered with appropriate agencies, pay their taxes as and when due, yet they are still subjected to harsh treatment by the

authorities.

He added: "For instance, while many Nigerian traders could not afford the latest $1 million trade registration fees, those that paid still had their shops under lock and key."

Nnaji said with about 250 shops locked up by the authorities, the situation has led to the death of some of their members.

He appealed to the speaker to follow up on the legislative diplomatic initiative in order to ensure

that the resolutions arrived at are implemented by the Ghanaian authorities.

Besides Gbajabiamila, others on the delegation are: Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Buba Yusuf; Chairman of House Committee on Media, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; House members of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Bayo Balogun, Hon. Ikenna Elezieanya, Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi and Hon. Balarabe Shehu.

MOBILISING REVENUE‌ Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left), and Federal Commissioner and leader of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) sensitisation team, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, during a courtesy visit by the team to the governor in Yenagoa‌yesterday

With 27.3% Decline, Analysts Offer Recipe to Boost Foreign Trade CBN says situation not peculiar to Nigeria James Emejo in Abuja Analysts yesterday called on the federal government to intensify the opening up of the economy as well as ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols in order to reverse the decline in external merchandise trade, which fell by 27.3 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has allayed fears over the decline, saying though unfortunate for Nigeria, it's not peculiar to the country.

The analysts also urged the government to create additional incentives to enhance the ease of doing business, particularly by creating tax incentives.

They urged the federal government to privatise the Nigeria Commodity Exchange and provide incentives for the development of commodity exchanges, while the apex bank should scale up interventions in the agriculture value chain.

The country's external merchandise trade declined by 27.30 per cent to N6.24 trillion in the second quarter of the year (Q2 2020) compared to

N8.59 trillion in the preceding quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday.

The performance further indicated a drop of 27.46 per cent when compared to Q2 2019 when the country recorded N8.61 trillion in trade.

According to the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics (Q2 2020) report released by the bureau, the country posted a trade deficit of N1.80 trillion, marking the third consecutive quarter of negative trade balance.

Total trade within the year, however, stood at N14.82 trillion, indicating a drop of 11.96 per cent compared to half-year 2019.

The value of imports stood at N4.02 trillion, representing a drop of 10.69 per cent in Q2 compared to N4.50 trillion recorded in Q1. But it showed an increase of 0.39 per cent year-on-year.

According to NBS, the value of exports amounted to N2.21 trillion of total trade, indicating a decline of 45.64 per cent compared to the N4.08 trillion posted in the preceding quarter and 51.73 per cent compared to

Q2 2019.

According to the report, trade in goods deficit stood at N421.3 billion in Q1 compared to N579.06 billion recorded in Q4 2019.

The value of imported agricultural goods rose by 59.01 per cent in the review period compared and 66.28 per cent in Q1 2019 as raw material imports increased by 85.69 per cent in Q2 compared to Q1 and 64.69 per cent year-on-year.

On the other hand, total exports fell by 45.64 per cent in Q2 as agricultural goods export dropped by 38.2 per cent.

NBS stated that raw material goods export recorded a decrease of 56.2 per cent in the period under review.

Total trade in agricultural goods stood at N493.7billion, of which exported agricultural goods accounted for N78.1 billion.

Trade in raw material stood at N585.4 billion with import and export components valued at N570.6 billion and N14.8vbillion respectively.

However, Spain, India, France, China and The Netherlands were the

country's five major trade partners in terms of exports within the period.

Commenting on the trade figures, CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, explained that since the fourth quarter of 2019, all emerging markets have been facing challenges, adding that the Nigeria challenge is also being experienced globally due to the COVID-19.

He stated that the situation is, however, under control

by CBN. He said: “Today, there is a recession in the United States, England and indeed in China. So, COVID-19 has had its impact on growth and the drop in crude oil prices has had its impact on not only flows but also on growth. We believe that as the uncertainty in the global economy due to the pandemic reduces, flows would pick up."

A former Director-General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, also told THISDAY that the country's performance could largely be attributed to the COVID-19 lockdown.

He said the government should sustain current efforts at re-opening the economy in the midst of observation of COVID-19 protocols.

"International travels will start on the 6th of September.

That is the right step. There should be the availability of foreign currencies to all sectors that want to engage in the importation and the Investor and Exporter FX Window should be vibrant again.

"When we compare the Q2 figures, with the figures for the same period in 2019, we still recorded growth yearon-year in some sectors. The implication is that although there is a decline compared to Q1 2020, Nigeria hasn't suffered a drastic drop compared to 2019," he added.

On his part, an economist, Dr. Muhammad Rislanudeen, canvassed predictable monetary and fiscal policies to incentivise more businesses towards export expansion, especially during the pandemic period where investors are faced with a plethora of equally competing investment options.

He stated that improved export trade would help in

supporting current economic diversification efforts and provide foreign exchange market stability, adding that the government needs to create additional incentives towards the ease of doing business, inclusive of tax reliefs.

However, Professor of Finance and Capital Markets at Nasarawa State University, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said external merchandise trade would receive a boost if the country could develop the commodity trading ecosystem.

He noted the need for the recapitalisation of NEXIM Bank to enable it to extend the scope and increase the size of financing for merchandise exports.

According to the former Imo State commissioner for finance, efforts should be made to take advantage of naira devaluation to promote exports and earn forex.

He said: "To this end, the government should privatise Nigeria Commodity Exchange and provide incentives for the development of commodity exchanges in the country.

"CBN can scale up interventions in the agriculture value chain in particular."

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DPR Remits N673bn to Federation Account in Six Months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday said it remitted N673.72 billion to the federal government coffers in the first half of 2020.

The disclosure came against the backdrop of a recent query by the Senate accusing DPR of remitting N44.5 billion into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) out of the N2.4

trillion it generated in 2019.

DPR had told the Senate that it generated a total of N2.4 trillion in 2019, but N44.5 billion was remitted, a development that angered senators.

It added that N88 billion was removed as four per cent collection fee out of which N5.72 billion was also remitted, while the balance was used for overhead.

However, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, DPR Director, Mr. Sarki

Auwalu, who spoke during a visit of the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) Postmortem Sub-committee, promised to surpass its revenue target for 2020.

He explained that the organisation is a revenue-collection agency for revenues accruable to government from oil and gas industry operations, including oil and gas royalties which represent proportional value of oil and gas production and

sales from oilfields.

Auwalu stated that DPR's remittances to government also come from the collection of gas flare penalties imposed for gas flaring, concession rentals paid for the grant of oil and gas acreages by exploration as well as production companies and miscellaneous oil revenue, which consists of statutory application fees, licence and permit fees and penalties.

He said the agency operates a cashless revenue

system, which enables all revenue remittances to be paid directly to the Federation Account in compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

According to him, DPR also conducts comprehensive quarterly and annual reconciliations of revenue payments to ensure accurate and timely remittances to the Federation Account.

Chairman of the subcommittee, who led

the delegation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Mr. Kabir Mashi, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with revenue collection agencies to ensure seamless analysis of revenue inflows into the Federation Account.

He urged DPR to initiate policies that would continue to stimulate the economy so that oil and gas current contribution of 10 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could increase.

SEEKING PEACE, OBA OF BENIN CHIDES OBASEKI, IZE-IYAMU OVER ELECTORAL VIOLENCE revered monarch told the two leading candidates and their promoters, including former governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, in subdued anger during a peace meeting in his palace in Benin.

The Benin monarch at the meeting initiated by him said there were talks about the candidates of the two major parties arming thugs.

He warned them to desist from the act and expressed worry about what the guns would be used for after the election.

Oba Ewuare II, who said he was worried about the violence across the state over the September 19 poll, stated that politicians must learn to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner, noting that election was not a do-or-die affair.

He admonished the parties and politicians to note that they have only Edo State to call their own and must do everything possible to protect it from disintegration.

He said not only has the state been in the news for

the wrong reasons, but that the governorship election has divided the people.

The first-class monarch said: “I have noted that Benin’s politics has been in the news for quite sometimes for all the wrong reasons. I have been having sleepless nights for some days. We are all from Edo State. We are no strangers. “Why do you want lives to be lost by arming thugs, who will later hide the guns? Enough is enough.

Let the September 19 governorship election in Edo State be peaceful. “Be mature and be proud of Edo State. Do not make Edo State a laughing stock.�

He added: “I am very sad about what is happening in Edo State. This is the worst scenario. Let us eschew violence and give peace a chance in Edo State. “I cannot have you fighting. I want to plead with the politicians and the political actors to sheathe their swords, because the international community is watching.�

He said the monarchy had offered traditional

prayers to avert violence before, during and after the September 19 governorship election in Edo State and pleaded with Edo politicians to control the youths.

"Don't kill yourselves over an office; don't kill yourselves over votes; let us have a working relationship that President Muhammadu Buhari had with Goodluck Jonathan; it is not a do-ordie affair,� he said, adding: "The two candidates must toe the line of peace just like Jonathan did when he willingly announced his acceptance of defeat in 2015."

Oba Ewuare added that Jonathan's conceding victory to Buhari changed the prediction of the international community that Nigeria would break up due to the 2015 elections.

The Benin monarch urged the politicians, particularly the two political gladiators to calm down the tension in the state.

He stated that the traditional institution remained non-partisan and warned the dukes

against making any political statement.

"I have already sacrificed my franchise over this because if I do cast my vote in favour of a particular candidate, I would have already taken side.

"If any of them (dukes) makes any statement, they are only taking your money and cannot do anything beyond what the palace wants. They are not speaking for me or the palace, they are only speaking for themselves," he stated.

In their responses, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu assured the monarch that they would promote peace and promised to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves in a peaceful manner henceforth.

Obaseki, who commended the monarch for his fatherly role, said: "I have sworn on oath to protect the people and it will be irresponsible of me to do otherwise, especially that which can lead to the destruction of lives and property."

He said he was as worried as the monarch over what

was happening in the state.

He assured the monarch that he would strive to see that there's peace in the state.

Ize-Iyamu said he would ensure that his supporters conduct themselves in a peaceful manner throughout the remaining campaign and during the election.

Oshiomhole said as a product of peaceful elections, he would not deviate from that which would lead to a peaceful poll, assuring the monarch that they would heed his counsel.

No Cause for Alarm, Says Edo CP Ahead of the governorship election, the state police commissioner has assured the people of adequate security, saying there's no cause for alarm.

He gave the assurance while briefing Oba Ewuare on security during the election.

Kokumo said maximum security would be provided before, during and after

the gubernatorial election despite the seeming rising tension in the state.

He explained that adequate measures have been put in place to forestall violence and breakdown of law and order.

The CP said anyone found wanting, irrespective of position would be made to face the wrath of the law.

He said the police had joined forces with other security agencies including the military to ensure violence-free poll.

The Benin royal father expressed disappointment over the failure of the Department of State Services (DSS) to gather intelligence on the clash of some youths loyal to the two main political parties near the palace weeks ago.

While charging DSS and other security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities, Oba Ewuare blamed the underperformance of security agencies on poor funding.

The monarch urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as sacrificial lambs.

CBN BEGINS CLEARING OF $2BN FOREX BACKLOG where on Tuesday it sold $5 million and also sold the same amount of FX on the window yesterday.

The Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ Group, Mr. Bola Onadele; the co-founder of Cardinal Stone Partners Limited, a Lagos-based investment firm, Mr. Mohammed Garuba; and the Managing Director of Afrinvest Securities Limited, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, all confirmed the development in separate interviews with THISDAY. Garuba said: “I can confirm to you that the CBN started clearing the backlog on Monday, August 31. “It was a big shock to the market and a very pleasant surprise. On Monday, CBN supplied just $10 million, Tuesday it did $25 million and another $25 million today (Wednesday).

“The one they did on Monday gave CBN clarity on the total outstanding demand. So, the bank was able to get the total volume and demand. Now, CBN knows the amount of backlog and now has full clarity on accumulated demand to date.�

According to him, the fact that CBN has started clearing the FX backlog is giving confidence to the market. “Most of these monies would not come back because interest rates are too low to attract them back. So, why waste money when you know the person would not come back?

CBN is not interested in increasing interest rates aggressively to destroy the economy,� he said.

However, the Cardinal Stone boss anticipated that

the stock market might record some depreciation in the short-term because of the development. “But I believe that this strategy adopted by CBN might make sense because the FPIs come in and hit you when you least expected. If we would see FPIs come into the country again, they would be honest, long-term investors who are coming to seek good returns and I think that message has been passed. “CBN kept to its words.

It had said there would be an orderly clearance of the FX backlog and luckily they have lived up to that expectation. They shocked the market by doing this when we least expected.

So, I think they are also doing this ahead of the World Bank funds and this

is a show of confidence,�

Garuba added.

Onadele stated that the outbreak of the COVID-19 brought about a collapse in crude oil price, which went as low as $10, and led to dislocation in the FX market.

According to him, whenever there's market dislocation, the regulator easily would think of how to stabilise the system to ensure that there is no collapse. “So, what CBN did was to take control of the market. Now that the apex bank has seen that there is stability in crude oil price, which we know has a high correlation with the FX market in Nigeria, CBN has started taking action. “The first one is to clear the backlog. What has happened is that when

CBN took control of the market, it couldn’t satisfy all the demand. So, CBN has commenced sales to the corporates, selling spot and forward,� he added.

According to him, the development has calmed the market and strengthened investors’ confidence.

Onadele said: “Since this pandemic started, we must acknowledge that CBN kept the futures market and guaranteed the rates, and that is commendable. “You have also seen that in the retail market, the apex bank has also supported that market and you can see that the parallel market rate is dropping. In actual fact, a lot of people that had been sitting on dollar position are now selling. “The expectation is that the banks would

for our farmers and other Nigerians who looked forward to a bumper harvest this year in order to reduce the current astronomical rise in the costs of food items in the markets.�

The statement also said

the president sympathised with the bereaved families and farmers affected by the devastating floods, pledging: "We are going to work closely with Kebbi State Government in order to bring relief to the victims."

BUHARI LAMENTS DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, FARMLANDS IN KEBBI over this incident because it's a setback to our efforts to boost local rice production as part of measures to stop food importation.

"Kebbi State is the focal point of our policy to produce rice locally as

part this administration's commitment to agricultural revival which suffered relative neglect in favour of food importation.

"With the loss of six lives and still counting; thousands of hectares of land flooded

and estimated economic loss of more than N1 billion by rice farmers in Kebbi State, we face a major setback in our efforts to boost local food production.

"This bad news couldn't have come at a worse time

also support the market liquidity by selling. So, the more everyone sells, the naira would continue to strengthen. All the other markets would benefit if the FX market ramps up again and so we should continue to support the central bank.�

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN CORNERSTONE 0.05 0.65 UNIONDAC 0.02 0.27 REGENCYINSURE 0.01 0.24 STERLBANK 0.05 1.25 TRANSCORP 0.02 0.59 TOP LOSERS NGN ACADEMYPRESS 0.03 0.27 INITIATESPLC 0.07 0.63 AXAMANSARD 0.17 1.67 UPDC 0.08 0.84 GSK 0.25 4.85 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,256.80 Volume: 181.321 million shares Value: N1.122 billion Deals: 3,408 As at yesterday 2/9/2020 See details on Page 37

% 8.3 8.0 4.3 4.1 3.5 % 10 10 9.2 8.7 4.9

9

THURSDAY, ÍťËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Buhari: COVID-19 Poses Threat of Online Radicalisation Laments escalated prices of food items Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the massive migration to cyber space following the outbreak of COVID-19 posed a greater risk for radicalisation, especially with the growing limitations placed on physical contacts and movements.

Buhari also, yesterday said his administration was concerned about sudden skyrocketed prices of food items in the face of the decline in economic activities caused by the pandemic ravaging the world.

The president, who raised the alarm on online radicalisation, while participating at AQABA Process virtual meeting conducted from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, said the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had largely aided movements of activities to cyberspace.

He also observed that the lockdown of policies of various governments as well as restrictions placed on movements had compelled people to transfer their activities to cyberspace with an attendant increase in tendencies for online radicalisation. “It is important to state that the spread of COVID-19 has led to the movement of activities to cyber space. “Furthermore, lock-down policies and restrictions of movement in affected areas means that people would move

their day to day social and business activities to cyber space. This, however, comes with an increase in the risk of individuals being radicalised online," he said.

A statement by the president's media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari appreciated King Abdullah II of Jordan for inviting him to the meeting and also thanked Hashemite Kingdom for hosting the meeting under the AQABA Process.

Adesina said Buhari pledged federal government's sustained efforts to adjust to new lifestyles and be sensitive to current security situations as experts strive hard to find vaccines and possible acceptable cure for COVID-19.

Buhari said Nigeria had developed a robust framework championed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to coordinate and oversee the country’s multi-sectoral intergovernmental efforts meant to contain the spread and reduce the impact of COVID-19. “This was done while currently monitoring the effects of the measures and taking steps to mitigate these effects as quick as possible. This was in a bid to ensure sustained human security across the population. “Earlier, we had established the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee with the responsibility of providing among others a national vision for humanitarian actors and

settling disputes that may arise from interactions between the security services and the humanitarian community. This committee was timely as a stop gap measure in coping with the effects of COVID-19," he said.

The statement said Buhari disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria had also taken steps to address the social and economic effects of COVID-19 by focussing on the most vulnerable citizens of the society through the provision of palliatives and other economic stimulus packages.

It also said Buhari told the meeting that even though such measures were capital intensive, it would be sustained, citing Mali as the example of a geo-graphical location where social and economic challenges took a toll on government, leading to a crash of democracy in the country. “Such a situation could create a vacuum that can be exploited by terrorists and violent extremists," Buhari observed.

Adesina said Buhari also submitted that Nigeria's security landscape and that of entire West Africa had continued to evolve with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, bearing in mind that various systems in the society had been at a lull as a result of urgent measures taken to contain the spread of the disease. “These measures were taken

while being mindful of the toll that the virus has had in the various epicentres across the world where medical structures were strained up to breaking point while dealing with mass casualties as a result of infections from the disease. “These measures are not without their challenges as livelihood were drastically affected and civic lifestyle is being tested to its limits.

The whole instruments of government are now mobilised to confront what has now turned both a health emergency and an economic crisis," he quoted the president as said.

He also said the president pledged government's continuous monitoring of activities of terrorists online with a view to controlling radicalisation of citizens by terrorist groups, as well as other violent cells as a result of huge traffic online caused

by COVID-19.

Buhari Laments Escalated Prices of Food Items Meanwhile, Buhari yesterday said his administration was concerned about sudden skyrocketed prices of food items in the face of a decline in economic activities caused by the pandemic ravaging the world.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media

and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari, however, encouraged Nigeria to keep hope alive because the situation would be temporal, adding that his administration had begun to put in place certain measures aimed at alleviating the plights of the citizenry.

He quoted the president as saying, "While providence has been kind to us with the rains and as such an expectation that a bumper harvest would lead to crashing of food prices and ease the burdens on the population, government’s concern is that the exploitative market behaviour by actors has significantly increased among traders in the past few years and may make any such relief a short-lived one.

"This year has indeed tested us in ways that globalisation has never been tested since the turn of the century. These challenges have disrupted lives and supply chains all over the world and Nigeria has not been spared.

"The effect has been deeply felt in the delays encountered in the procurement of raw materials for local production of fertiliser (damaging standing crops before harvest) and the speculative activities by a number of rice processors who are ready to pay for paddy at any price to keep their mills running non-stop.

"But of all these problems, the most worrisome are the activities of 'corrupt'

middlemen (with many of them discovered to be foreigners) and other food traders who serve as the link between farmers and consumers found to be systematically creating an artificial scarcity so that they can sell at higher prices.

"In dealing with these problems, the administration has, in line with its ease of doing business mantra, avoided imposing stockholding restrictions, in order not to discourage investments in modern warehousing and cold storage."

The statement said consequent upon the current development, the president approved the release of food items from strategic reserves, including 30,000 tonnes of maize to animal feeds' producers to ease the high cost of poultry production.

It also said Buhari's administration had discussed some of the current challenges with various associations producing food in the country, particularly producers of rice and other grains, saying with their cooperation, the high food prices would drop soon.

Buhari also said investments in the agro-allied sector by the private sector would significantly increase the production of local farming inputs especially fertiliser and consequently crash prices, create employment and ease the pressure on foreign reserves.

Development (AIED) described the increase in the price of petrol and the upward review of electricity tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as "draconian antimasses policy by a heartless administration."

In a press statement issued yesterday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. O’Seun John, the organisation urged the federal government to revert to the initial price of petrol and electricity tariff.

"All over the world, people are just starting to pick up the pieces of their livelihood after months of economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While responsible governments are giving out tax relives, grants and offering succour to the citizens, including cash benefits and free electricity, the present government has chosen this low time in the lives of Nigerians to further elevate their suffering,� it said.

more transparent, efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also resulted in a constant availability of fuel nationwide.

"The pricing template now reflects competitive and market-driven components, which is supported by the citizenry."

Nabena noted that an effort by the APC administration to put an end to estimated and arbitrary billing for electricity, made Buhari to recently direct a nationwide mass metering programme for electricity consumers in the country.

"For PDP that is only concerned with pushing the interest of its few cronies over the general interest and welfare of the citizenry, we don’t expect PDP to grasp the import of this landmark presidential directive, which aside improving electricity and service delivery is also protecting the poor and vulnerable Nigerians from increased electricity tariff and arbitrary/estimated billings," he said.

The ruling party said the federal government is already working to ensure that Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) commit to increasing the number of hours of electricity supply every day and also improve on their quality of service.

Nabena said, perhaps, PDP was also unaware that the current administration has approved a one-year waiver of import levy on electricity meters, so that Nigerians who do not have meters could be supplied as early as possible at a reasonable cost.

APC called on PDP to wake up to the new Nigeria where the government works for the citizens and not for a few interests.

AFENIFERE, PANDEF, PDP KICK AS FG RAISES PETROL PRICE Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) was vested with officially communicating what it described as “price bands� or ‘’guiding prices’' for each month.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, also recently said PPPRA would now communicate directly with the marketers just like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does with the banks, rather than releasing the monthly figures to the public.

Although the federal government said the downstream part of the petroleum industry has been deregulated, it added that it could not fully hands-off the sector to prevent extortion by marketers.

Monthly product prices incorporate landing cost, margins for the marketers, dealers, transporters, jettydepot throughput and taxes paid to government agencies.

In July, the federal government raised the price of petrol to between N140.80 and N143.80, while in August it sold for between N145 and N148 per litre in most parts of the country.

Following this development, IPMAN has directed its members in the South-west region to sell petrol at N162 per litre.

IPMAN South-west Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, in a telephone interview with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said his members would sell at that price to cover their cost and a profit margin.

He said IPMAN members would have to make provision for the cost of diesel to run their generator that would power the dispensing

machines; pay the cost of transporting the fuel from the depot to their respective filling stations and also settle their statutory levies with the appropriate regulatory agencies.

However, in a reaction, PDP rejected the fresh increase in the price of fuel and electricity tariffs, describing it as callous, cruel and punishing.

The party demanded an immediate reversal of the prices to avert a national crisis, adding that the increase would result in an upsurge in costs of goods and services and worsen the biting hardship being faced by Nigerians.

According to a statement

by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, "Our party asserts that by increasing the price of fuel from the N87 per litre it sold under the PDP to an excruciating N151 while at the same time allowing the hike in electricity tariffs from N30.23 per kWh to over N66, the APC has left no one in doubt that its agenda is to inflict pain and hardship on Nigerians to satisfy their selfish interests.

"The unjustifiable increase in the price of these essential supplies, coming barely a week after APC brazenly posted support for the fuel price hike, while attempting to rationalise the excruciating hardship being suffered by Nigerians under the Buhari administration has further confirmed that APC is at the centre of the harsh policies of the Buhari Presidency."

PDP said it was distressing that the APC administration increased the cost of essential commodities at the time the leadership of other countries were offering palliatives to their citizens to cushion

the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said: "We know that APC is an unfeeling party but it is indeed shocking that it could go to the extent of approving such a hike at this trying time, when many Nigerians are struggling to afford staple foods and other necessities of life.

"Our party challenges APC and the Buhari administration to publish the parameters with which it arrived at the increase of fuel price to N151 per litre given that with the prevailing values in the international market, the appropriate price template for domestic pump price in Nigeria ought not to be above N100 per litre."

Afenifere and PANDEF, in their separate reactions, wondered why the federal government would want to further impoverish the people with the fuel price at this trying period.

Spokesman of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, told THISDAY that the latest development was the fallout of the fake promises made to the electorate by APC to assume power over five years ago.

He also flayed Nigerians who he said failed to hold politicians to account for promises made to them during campaigns.

He said: "This is coming from those who made all fake promises to them before they got power. It is a reward for people who don't hold politicians accountable for their words."

PANDEF condemned the increase in the pump price of petrol, saying it was unfortunate that Nigerians were continuously being made to pay for the inefficiencies of the government and its agencies.

The group's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ken Robinson, said: "How can the government even consider increasing the pump price of fuel again at this time in the face of the COVID-19-induced socio-economic challenges when citizens are struggling to carry on with everyday living?

"Many businesses are barely managing to survive; workers in the private sector are either not being paid salaries or being sacked. And it is in the face of such damning situations that the government has again introduced conditions in the guise of a fraudulent deregulation regime that has reportedly warranted the increase in the pump price of fuel in the country.

"The action is insensitive, callous, and clearly anticitizens and is definitely going to adversely impact on citizens’ livelihood and I wonder why do the people have to always bear the painful consequences of the failures of government?"

He called on the federal government to rescind the latest price increase so as not to further add to the hardship Nigerians are facing.

He stated: "It is unfathomable that a country said to be the sixth-largest oil-producing country in the world, has, paradoxically, for decades, depended on imported fuel products to meet domestic needs, due to lack of refining capacity.

And we have four refineries in the country that have largely become economic drainpipes.

Why do we have to continue like this? Why can’t citizens optimally benefit from a commodity that we produce, in abundance?"

Also, the Advocacy for Integrity and Economic

Nigerians Supported Price Increase, Says APC Meanwhile, APC has said the reviewed petrol pricing template has the support of Nigerians.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement issued yesterday, said successive PDP governments foisted on the country a corruption-tainted fuel subsidy regime.

Nabena noted that under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the tortuous fuel queues as a result of biting scarcities are gone.

He stated: "The reviewed petroleum products pricing template has resulted in a

10

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Buhari: COVID-19 Poses Threat of Online Radicalisation Laments escalated prices of food items Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the massive migration to cyber space following the outbreak of COVID-19, posed greater risk for radicalisation, especially with the growing limitations placed on physical contacts and movements.

Buhari also yesterday said his administration was concerned about sudden skyrocketed prices of food items in the face of decline in economic activities caused by the pandemic ravaging the world.

The president, who raised the alarm on online radicalisation, while participating at AQABA Process virtual meeting conducted from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, said the spread of COVID-19 pandemic had largely aided movements of activities to cyber space.

He also observed that the lockdown of policies of various governments as well as restrictions placed on movements had compelled people to transfer their activities to cyber space with attendant increase in tendencies for online radicalisation.

“It is important to state that the spread of COVID-19 has led to the movement of activities to cyber space. “Furthermore, lockdown policies and restrictions of movement in affected areas

means that people would move their day to day social and business activities to cyber space.

This, however, comes with an increase in the risk of individuals being radicalised online,” he said.

A statement by the president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari appreciated King Abdullah II of Jordan for inviting him to the meeting and also thanked Hashemite Kingdom for hosting the meeting under the AQABA Process.

Adesina said Buhari pledged federal government’s sustained efforts to adjust to new lifestyles and be sensitive to current security situations as experts strive hard to find vaccines and possible acceptable cure for COVID-19.

Buhari said Nigeria had developed a robust framework championed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to coordinate and oversee the country’s multi-sectoral intergovernmental efforts meant to contain the spread and reduce the impact of COVID-19.

“This was done while currently monitoring effects of the measures and taking steps to mitigate these effects as quick as possible. This was in a bid to ensure sustained human security across the population.

“Earlier, we had established

Nigeria COVID-19 Cases Rise By 216 to 54,463 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 216 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 54,463 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Plateau recorded 59 new cases; Rivers, 27; Abia, 22; Lagos, 20; Oyo, 18; Enugu, 17; Kaduna and

the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 11 each; Ogun, 10; Ebonyi, Osun, and Ekiti, four respectively; Delta and Edo three apiece; Akwa Ibom, two; while Bauchi recorded one case.

It said “So far, Nigeria has recorded 54,463 cases of COVID-19. 42,439 persons have been discharged, while 1,027 have died.”

FG Approves Restructuring of NCAA, Cuts Directorates to Six Chinedu Eze The federal government has approved the restructuring of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the safety oversight agency of the aviation industry in the country.

NCAA’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Musa Nuhu, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday He explained that the restructuring affected the directorates of the agency – the major organs of the agency.

Nuhu revealed that the directorates, which used to be nine have now been cut down to six.

He listed the new and retained directorates to include the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS), Directorate of Operations, Licensing and Training (DOLT), and Directorate of Air Transport Regulations (DATR). Others are Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Directorate of Finance and

Accounts (DFA), and the Directorate of Human Resources and Administration (DHR&A).

The NCAA boss noted that the Directorate of Consumer Protection (DCP) and Directorate of General Aviation (DGA) have been phased out. He added that while the former was merged with the DATR, the latter was subsumed under the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards.

According to Nuhu, the government has appointed two new directors to take charge of the Directorates of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS) and Operations, Licensing and Training (DOLT).

“The newly appointed directors, who are aviation professions with several decades of industry experience in their areas of expertise in the aviation industry, are: Kayode Ajiboye for DAWS and Captain Elisha Bahago for DOLT,” the statement said.

the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee with the responsibility of providing among others a national vision for humanitarian actors and settling disputes that may arise from interactions between security services and the humanitarian community. This committee was timely as a stop gap measure in coping with the effects of COVID-19,” he said.

The statement said Buhari disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria had also taken steps to address social and economic effects of

COVID-19 by focussing on the most vulnerable citizens of the society through the provision of palliatives and other economic stimulus packages.

It also said Buhari told the meeting that even though such measures were capital intensive, it would be sustained, citing Mali as the example of a geographical location where social and economic challenges took a toll on government, leading to a crash of democracy in the country.

“Such situation could create a vacuum that can be exploited

by terrorists and violent extremists,” Buhari observed.

Adesina said Buhari also submitted that Nigeria’s security landscape and that of the entire West Africa had continued to evolve with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, bearing in mind that various systems in the society had been at a lull as a result of urgent measures taken to contain the spread of the disease.

“These measures were taken while being mindful of the toll that the virus has

had in the various epicentres across the world where medical structures were strained up to breaking point while dealing with mass casualties as a result of infections from the disease.

“These measures are not without their challenges as livelihood were drastically affected and civic lifestyle is being tested to its limits.

The whole instruments of government are now mobilised to confront what has now turned both a health emergency and an economic crisis,” he quoted the president as said.

WE SHARE YOUR GRIEF...

L-R: Director General of Tokunbo Abiru Campaign Team (TACT), Mr. Olusegun Olulade; senatorial aspirant for Lagos East on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru; widow of the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo of Lagos East, Alhaji Mariam Osinowo; and daughter of the late senator, Ms Noimot Osinowo, during a condolence visit to the family of the late senator in Ogudu GRA, Lagos…recently

NLC Threatens Industrial Action over Petrol Price Hike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected yesterday’s increase in the price of petrol, threatening that it would no longer guarantee industrial peace.

It added that an emergency meeting of its organs will be summoned to deliberate on the actions to take., The President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, while reacting to the fuel

price increase yesterday told journalists in Abuja that the labour movement was shocked at the development He said: “In fact, Nigerians and even NLC we are shocked, and this increase is coming at a time when many Nigerians are passing through very peculiar and precarious times.

“It is like Nigerians are being taken for a ride; the increase in price of petrol is like adding salt to injury. “The increase in price of petrol has happened now

more than three times in three months; only yesterday they hiked the tariffs of electricity.

And to compound it, they also reduced the interest rate of savings, which affects mostly the poor and the vulnerable.

“While rejecting this with the strongest terms, I think Nigerian government is taking Nigerians for granted.

“At the end of the day, Nigerians are becoming poorer and poorer; in fact, many people are already on the edge. Many

workers are already on the edge.

“Certainly, we cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony, and we will have to call our organs and we will have to also react but we reject it in its entirety,” he explained.

Wabba said that federal government has betrayed the trust of Nigerians.

He said the government has failed to protect Nigerians against “the economic challenge that is affecting us.”

Presidency: No Buhari’s Aide Tested Positive to COVID-19 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency yesterday advised Nigerians to ignore a report by an online medium that a presidential Aide, Sarki Abba, tested positive to COVID-19, describing it as fake news.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said presidential aides always go through routine COVID-19 test, adding that Abba, who is

a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs, has always tested negative to the virus.

According to the statement, the report was meant to mislead the public and create needless anxiety about the president’s safety.

Shehu also described the publication as yellow journalism and advised the general public not to allow itself to be manipulated to believing falsehood.

“This report is sheer fabrication and brazen effort by the online news medium to mislead the public. Upon the directive of doctors and scientists and supervision of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, all staff working for and around the President, are routinely and rigorously checked for the virus.

“The Senior Special Assistant, Social Affairs and Domestic Matters, Sarki Abba, always

tested negative. “The general public is hereby advised to ignore such stories that are intended to mislead the people and create unnecessary anxiety about the safety of the President.

“Don’t let yourself to be manipulated by any medium that thrives on yellow journalism and specialises in peddling fake news in the desperate quest for the market and donor money,” the statement said.

Two Killed, Six Injured as Trucks Collide With Bus in Lagos Two persons were killed and six others injured in a road accident in the Anthony area of Lagos State.

THISDAY gathered that the accident occurred when four vehicles involving two trucks, a tanker and a commercial bus had a collision.

This was confirmed in a statement issued yesterday by the Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

“The agency received distress calls about the above incident

and upon arrival at the scene of incident, discovered that a four vehicle accident had occurred comprising two tipper trucks, one with registration number AKM-741ZT, a second tipper with unknown registration number, a loaded tanker with unknown registration number

and commercial bus with unknown registration,” the statement partly read.

Oke-Osanyitolu explained that emergency responders comprising the Nigeria Police, Fire Service, LRU Fire Unit joined LASEMA at the scene of the incident.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS XTRA

FG Approves $3.1bn for Customs Automation, Targets $176bn Revenue Earmarks N13bn for automation of four airports Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government in pursuit of diversification of the economy is targeting $176 billion revenue from $3.1 billion concessionary investment for full automation of the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has also approved N13.122 billion for the automation of four Nigerian airports and consequent transformation of the airports from their current analogue to full digital operations Briefing journalists after the 14th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House, Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said whereas some services of the NCS are automated, the vast majority of them are still analogue and hence, the necessity to bring the entire operations of the agency to full modernisation and automation for optimum output.

According to her, the $3.1 billion project, which she said would not cost the country a dime, would be concessioned to E. Customs HC Projects Nigeria Limited for a period of 20 years.

She listed sponsors of the project as Bionica Technologies West Africa Limited, and Bargain Securities and Supplies Nigeria Limited.

She also listed the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as the lead financier and Huawei Technology as a technical service provider.

She explained that the $3.1 billion approved yesterday was an anticipatory contract for customs’ full-fledged transformation.

She said: “The purpose of the memo we presented to council was for a project that will enable the complete automation of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) processes and procedures, using the application and information technology in all aspects of customs’ administration, in favour of a firm known as E. Customs HC Projects Nigeria Limited for concessionary period of N20 years.

“The main objective of this project is to completely automate every aspect of the customs’ business and to institutionalise the use of smart and emerging technologies that will enhance the statutory function of the Nigerian Customs’ Service in the areas of revenue generation

as well as trade facilitation and enhancement of security.

“The total cost of the project is in the sum of $3.1 billion. The consortium, the PPP group that has been approved is led by Messrs Y. Technologies with four other members.

“The committee that led this process also looked at the national trade impact process that has been going on for years and confirmed that the Nigerian e-customs’ project is a subset

of the National Trade Impact and would prefer the Nigerian Customs to play its lead role in the national trading platform.

“The Bionica Technologies West Africa Limited, Bargain Securities and Supplies Nigeria Limited are lead sponsors and co-sponsors. We also have the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as the lead financier and Huawei Technology as a technical service provider.

“So, council today ratified Mr.

President’s approval for the PPP concession for a 20-year period to Messrs E. Customs HC Project Limited as a concessionaire for the delivery of customs modernisation project.

“This is a project that will not have an immediate cost to the government. The investors are providing all of the financing and this revenue will be deployed in three phases and they will look over the investment in the concessionary period of 20 years.

“The key point is that it is not costing the federal government one thing. The $3.1 billion being proposed will be sourced by the sponsors and the partners.”

Ahmed who explained that the project would be implemented in phases, disclosed that these phases would involve a capital investment of $1.2 million in three years and $1.1 million projection of operational cost during the 20 years of implementation.

Ojougboh: I Didn’t Say N’Assembly Members Received N20m The Acting Executive Director in charge of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has denied accusing the National Assembly members of receiving N20milion each as COVID-19 palliative from the commission.

Ojougboh in a statement he personally signed insisted that a statement credited to the Senate quoting him as saying that the commission paid varying sums of money as COVID-19 palliatives to each of the federal lawmakers was dubious, malicious and infantile lie against me.

He said: “I want to state without equivocation, without any hint of doubt, that I neither

issued, nor made, such a statement. Indeed, there is no provision in the commission’s budget for such a payment.

“Let me make it clear, with all due respect to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, as well as to the entire Nigeria public, that I would have resisted such a payment if it were ever brought up in the commission. “In the past few months, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has championed a campaign to cleanse the commission of obvious corruption and frivolous payments, and restore it to its core mandate of facilitating the sustainable development of the

Niger Delta region. A pillar of this campaign is instituting due process and plugging every dubious hole through which the funds of the commission are diverted and frittered away.

“In the course of this campaign, it bears to emphasise once more that I and the IMC, as well as the commission, have been clear to state that the National Assembly, as a distinguished body, as well as the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, are absolved of blame. Indeed, the main body of the National Assembly is unaware of the questionable happenings in the NDDC.” He said concocting such lie

against him showed the extent, and how low, people could go to bring harm to individuals and cause disaffection among people and between institutions.

He added: “My service to my fatherland and the zeal of my patriotism, as well as unwavering love for the wellbeing of the Niger Delta region and our people will not allow me to denigrate the lofty institution such as the National Assembly, an important beacon of our collective democratic journey. As a former member of the National Assembly, I hold that institution in the highest esteem and will not undermine nor denigrate its integrity.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

NNPC Invites Bidders for Crude Oil Contracts Ejiofor Alike The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has invited local and international companies

to submit bids to lift Nigerian crude and condensates for 2021.

S & P Global reported that these crudes normally command a premium to Dated Brent, since they are largely light and sweet,

Lagos Gives Tank Farm Operators One Week to Regularise Permits Segun James The Lagos State Government has given tank farm operators one week to commence the process of regularising their facilities by filling the application for Planning Permit.

This directive was given yesterday by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako at a meeting with tank farm operators at Alausa, Ikeja.

The commissioner observed that only eight out of the 41 tank farms existing in the state had Planning Permits authorising their establishments.

According to him, most of the tank farms in the state had been operating illegally and at variance with Section 27 of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regulations 2019, which stipulates that anyone who built in Lagos State without Planning Permit commits an offence liable to enforcement, the imposition of Penal fees or removal of the structure.

He emphasised that any Tank Farm that failed to start the process of regularisation of its facility after one week would face serious sanctions.

“Considering the importance of the activities of the Tank

Farms to the economy of the country, it is pertinent that they embrace best practices and operate in the most friendly manner to the host communities,” he stated.

Salako said that the operations of the Tank Farms had thrown up many challenges for the state, including pipeline vandalism, environmental degradation, fire outbreak, traffic congestion, and destruction of public infrastructure among others.

He stated that viewing the challenges posed with serious concern, the state government had chosen to engage operators of tank farms to find a lasting solution.

To ease the challenges, the Physical Planning Commissioner maintained that it was paramount for the Tank Farms to provide complementary facilities and services such as holding bays, traffic personnel as well as the maintenance of a buffer zone of 250metres to 500metres between the tank farm and the community.

He added that the government had approved the preparation of the Action Area Plan for Ijegun Egba to address the planning issues raised by the operations of Tank Farms such as road connectivity, security, and transportation linkage.

making them rich in gasoline and middle distillates, and so are popular with global refiners.

However, the Nigerian crude oil has continued to depend on Asia and Europe as its two main destinations.

Bids for these contracts, which will be valid for one year, are to be submitted by 12:00 pm Nigerian time October 15, according to the tender

document released by NNPC. The document specifies that refiners, companies forming part of a government-togovernment arrangement, global crude oil traders and “indigenous Nigerian companies engaged in Nigerian oil and gas downstream activities” can apply.

The current Nigerian crude oil term contracts (2018-2020)

involve the export of around 1 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude and condensate, out of the 2.2 million b/d Nigeria has the capacity to produce.

The guidelines said the crude will continue to be sold on a FOB basis, “subject to the execution of a sales and purchase agreement with selected buyers.”

Sources said the current

contract, which had been expected to expire in mid-2020, will be rolled over until the end of the year. The current 2018-20 crude term contracts are held by more than 60 recipients, making it the largest list Nigeria has ever allocated.

A sizeable chunk of these are domestic Nigerian companies that are new to the world of international oil trading.

STRATEGISING AGAINST OIL THIEVES...

L-R: Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (left), and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, during the minister’s courtesy visit to Naval Headquarters in Abuja...yesterday

2023: My Opponents Have Nothing to Offer, Says Makinde Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Amid effusive commendations for the successful execution of Light-Up Oyo project, Phase One, which saw some major roads and streets in Ibadan come alive with lights deploying Smart LED street-lighting technology, the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, yesterday kicked-off the second phase of the LightUp Oyo Project, in Ogbomoso town.

The governor also kicked-off the construction of the threekilometre Under-G-LAUTECH Road.

The governor also used the occasion to fire a warning salvo

at opposition politicians in the state, saying they have nothing to offer to in 2023.

Makinde said that the same opposition politicians who have been posturing about 2023 were roundly rejected by the people in 2019, stating that such politicians have nothing to offer by trying to distract him with talks about 2023.

He asked them to calm down, as, adding that, it is too early to start talking about second term.

Makinde stated that even if he decides not to seek re-election in 2023, the state will not fall into the hands of charlatans anymore.

“Let me sound this: If I

will not seek re-election, I am sure that Oyo State will never, again, be in the hands of charlatans. So, calm down.

It is even too early to start talking about a second term.

Some parties that do not have even one councilor are saying that they will send me out of the Government House in 2023,” he said.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated these while kicking-off the second phase of the LightUp Oyo Project, awarded at the cost of N28,360,975,609.76 .

He said the project is expected to cover 223.8

kilometres of roads across all the zones of the state, commending the state’s Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for saving the state over N1 billion after it vetted the original proposal.

He added that the second phase of the Light-Up Oyo Project is expected to be completed within nine months, noting that the first phase in Ibadan is already at 87.5 per cent completion.

He stated that the phase one would have been 100 per cent completed but for the COVID-19 pandemic, which stopped a number of expatriates from making it to the country.

Labour Gives Abiodun 14-day Ultimatum, Threatens Strike The organised labour in Ogun State yesterday gave the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, a 14-day ultimatum over non-payment of the negotiated new minimum wage.

Rising from an emergency meeting at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) state secretariat, Abeokuta, the labour leaders, threatened industrial action if the governor

failed to pay and address other issues within the ultimatum period.

This was contained in a letter addressed to the governor titled, “Declaration of Trade Dispute,” jointly signed on September 2 by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Bankole Emmanuel; the Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi; the

Chairman and the Secretary of Joint Negotiation Council, Folorunso Olarewaju and Adebiyi Olusegun respectively The statement reads in part, “We hold the believe that the state government has no clear cut roadmap for solving any issue (s) or matter (s) that bother (s) on its personne welfare.

“We therefore request of the state government to, without

further delay, set the machinery in motion to address all of the items within 14 days from the date above failing which the State Organised Labour will call out its members for full industrial action.”

In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications, Remmy Hazzan expressed the government’s commitment to pay the minimum wage.

MTF Brings New York Film Academy Webinar Series to Nigerian Viewers The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), MultiChoice’s flagship shared-value initiative, is proud to announce the launch of a virtual pop-up event The 20/20 Series on the MTF Portal www. multichoicetalentfactory.com. MTF has partnered with the New York Film Academy College of Visual & Performing Arts (NFYA) to bring this web series to African filmmakers exclusively through the MTF Portal.

Created and moderated by

NYFA’s Creative Director of Filmmaking and Cinematography, Liz Hinlein, each episode of The 20/20 Series features a conversation between Liz and creative visionaries across the globe, bringing viewers into their homes, hubs and workspaces to share their artistic practice and process.

From cinematographers to screenwriters, producers and more, The 20/20 Series includes industry professionals spanning

filmic disciplines. Guests so far have included award-winning filmmaker and MTF Academy Director (West Africa) Femi Odugbemi, writer, director and producer Sarah Pirozek and Golden Globe nominated actor Piper Perabo, and many more.

Liz Hinlein, who curated the discussions to provide insight into the creative vision of artists, has also opened up the conversation to audiences, giving them the chance to ask questions.

“African storytelling is extraordinarily unique and has roots that are deep in traditions and history like no other. New York Film Academy has been privileged to host thousands of African creative storytellers over the years as students and we are always looking for new ways to share NYFA’s approach to film education with aspiring African filmmakers and members of the vibrant African film industry.”

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COMMENT

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

BEIRUT EXPLOSIONS AND AFRICA Okello Oculi writes that Africa is a nursery bed for social explosions

T

he tragic explosion in Beirut port is attributed to combustive phosphate stored there. An explosion killed and injured hundreds of people and destroyed a vast number of houses.

Neglect by security officials made it attractive to foreign and local intelligence officers for use at a strategic moment. A photographer for an international news agency was seen taking pictures of a little fire near the storage structure a short time before the explosion.

In Africa, moments of explosive social processes offer opportunities which were exploited by those with interest in lighting up explosions. One example from Nigeria is events that made up the chemistry of political crisis from 1956 to 1966. The two-stage voting processes used by British colonial officials, shut out of the regional and national parliaments members of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). They won the first stage in which the poor masses cast their votes. Those they defeated voted for each other for the seats to be taken.

The decision denied Nigerian politics more moderate voices and visions in relations with politicians from Eastern and Western Regions. Rigged elections gave Northern People’s Congress a strength not reflected in the electorate.

The strategy of Action Group and NCNC seeking political influence in the North, without enabling NEPU and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) to win seats in their regions, shaped their electoral politics as that of conquest rather than seeking for a cooperative national progress.

Moreover, the joint attack by NCNC and NPC to crush Chief Awolowo, forced a resort to self-defensive violence by supporters of Action Group in the Western Region.

Following the imprisonment of Chief Awolowo, leaders of NCNC found themselves confronted with NPC leaders as a behemoth to overpower with divine-aided violence in way David conquered Goliath.

In a context in which powerful American, British, and French oil companies would lobby their governments to give them a weak and fractured Nigeria; rulers of racist South Africa regarded Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as a dangerous ‘’Communist’’ (and refused to accept his offer to visit their country), and a competition between Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia against Israel for winning Nigeria’s influence, someone would ignite the thick phosphate powder floating over the increasingly bitter struggle for power in Nigeria’s politics. Nigeria’s politicians failed to shut their door to a military coup in 1966.

In Uganda, Britain’s Colonial Office invested in Captain

LOSS OF OIL REVENUES FROM SOUTH SUDAN, AND ECONOMIC EMBARGO BY THE UNITED STATES, CRIPPLED THE REGIME’S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE JOBS TO BLOOMING YOUTH NUMBERS. THEY EXPLODED

Frederick Lugard’s call for troops from colonial India to be sent to crush a mutiny in Uganda by Idi Amin’s Nubian mercenaries, cut off when victory by Sudan’s revolutionary movement led by a Muslim preacher cut them off from Egypt, a colony of the Ottoman rulers. Fighters were later recruited from this group to fight the Mau-Mau war in Kenya. Idi Amin Dada would become a legendary figure from this group.

By 1971, Milton Obote’s politics of outwitting and imprisoning political opponents; failing to hold elections; pushing Britain to take her Asian citizens into Britain; abolishing monarchies, and nationalising properties owned by Asians and British companies, constituted an explosive environment. Foreign diplomats, academics, and their local allies, began to cultivate military officers for a coup. A race started around Idi Amin’s loyalty. With limited Western education, Amin was attractive to British and American diplomats as easy to depose with an early counter-coup. The educated classes from the five small monarchies abolished by Obote also bought into this plot.

It was a very costly error.

The 1972 World Bank report estimated that Uganda’s economy shrank by 30 years one year into Idi Amin’s repressive defence of his power. Budget allocations for health, education, transport infrastructure and agroindustries were diverted into buying military weapons and brandy. President Milton Obote had accumulated the political equivalent of the phosphates that blew up Beirut.

President Omar Beshir of Sudan had built his power around claiming ‘ownership’ of Islam to undermine the support for political clans anchored on the Mahdi and Al Mirghani families, as well as the ideological appeal of the Sudanese Communist Party. As a former military Intelligence officer, he built up networks of informers inside institutions, associations and families. In the military, the large number of officers from Darfur made them targets of purges. The preponderance of three clans around Khartoum in key government institutions alienated groups from outlying regions of a vast country.

Resort to punitive rules in Islam alienated educated women. Loss of oil revenues from South Sudan, and economic embargo by the United States, crippled the regime’s capacity to provide jobs to blooming youth numbers. They exploded.

The African Union has a unit for undertaking ‘’preventive diplomacy’’. Its telescope should have warned about Mali in August 2020, Islamists slaughtering ordinary citizens in impoverished northern Mozambique, Oromo convulsions in Ethiopia, etc.

MINISTERING TO THE VULNERABLE Sa’adiya Umar Farouq is riding to the rescue, writes Danliti Goga

U

nlike the proverbial lizard which resorted to self-praise for surviving the selfinflicted ordeal of hitting the ground after leaping from the top of a tall tree, the recipient of well-considered but unsolicited accolades for sterling service to humanity, delivered diligently by sheer organizational acumen and humane passion, has earned posterity’s praise which needs no embellishment.

Hajia Sa’adiya Umar Farouq, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development basked in such glory as she kept a date with public accountability just a year after answering the call to national duty via an unprecedented presidential assignment to actualize the establishment of a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

After being relentlessly targeted by hack-writers and mudslingers unleashed by political detractors to disparage her enthusiastic efforts and remarkably rapid and impactful performance in the multi-tasking demands of setting up a functional new mega-ministry by harmonising and consolidating several uncoordinated but related agencies while simultaneously fine-tuning and ensuring continuity of their respective programmes, authoritative endorsements and credible commendations from important stakeholders at the grand finale of events in commemoration of the ministry’s first year anniversary in Abuja, were welcome consolation and morale-booster for the Amazon of Ministers.

It was sufficient, for example, for UN Resident Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Edward Kallon, to emphasize that though the responsibility of the ministry was enormous “Sa’adiya has started well, many people will be making negative comments, but she has done well. We are with you and we support

you in all that you do�. Yet Plateau State Governor and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Mr Simon Lalong added an assurance that the Forum would continue to support the minister in implementing her programmes. He urged Hajia Farouq “not to be discouraged by side talks and negative comments�, and remarked that it was a tree with good fruits that people threw stones at.

Vindication par excellence!

Of course, the minister has always impressively remained calm and collected in the midst of all the orchestrated rabble-rousing, a subtle strategy that enabled her result-oriented performance to speak louder for her than any vendetta or rejoinder. This was evident in her candid comments at the anniversary as she commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s wisdom in establishing the ministry whose first year of existence she described as “eventful, challenging and rewarding�, pointing out that the ministry is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing responsibilities that were hitherto domiciled in other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and also to provide the coordination of humanitarian interventions in Nigeria. “It is rewarding in the sense that when we visit the field and see beneficiaries whose lives are being changed by the federal government’s humanitarian interventions, it leaves us with a sense of fulfilment that we are doing something worthwhile for humanity. In spite of seemingly daunting and often demanding situations, the ministry and its agencies have provided humanitarian interventions and proactively developed structures to prevent and mitigate disaster�, the minister declared.

She was still more concerned with raising the tempo of actualization of the humanitarian and rehabilitative agenda of her ministry, obviously conscious of the unfortunate prevailing circumstances

that have aggravated the plight of the populations of poor and other vulnerable persons with pathetic pressures of enforced destitution, displacement and deprivation of basic survival and livelihood conditions, even as government’s capacity to respond robustly is significantly curtailed.

For Hajia Farouq however, there can be no turning back or despondency in maximizing available resources and expanding the avenues for government intervention by innovative policies to reach more poor and other vulnerable persons, including the teeming population of youths in need of self-sustaining means of livelihood.

After substantially reversing the declining fortunes of many existing programmes, especially N-POWER where about 109,823 beneficiaries from Batch A and B have gone on to set up businesses in their communities while the 500,000 Batch A and B beneficiaries who were in limbo for years have also been successfully exited, paving the way for Batch C with a total of 5,042,001 registrations received.

Going forward, the minister was elated with the take-off of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities following the presidential approval of the appointment of the executive members of the commission expressing her happiness and fulfilment that one of the vulnerable groups “close to my heart� finally have a commission in place to cater to their needs, protect their rights and provide an enabling environment for them to maximize their potential, thrive and contribute values to the society and the nation as a whole.

She disclosed that the ministry was working on the take-off of the National Senior Citizen’s Centre and a Humanitarian Assistance Help Desk to provide feedback and complaint mechanism for humanitarian actors to report and resolve challenges that impede humanitarian activities. Nigeria has over 30 million persons living with disability that the

commission will serve. The ministry is also addressing the equally important issue of creating structures and policies to guide humanitarian activities having held the first-ever civil security cooperation workshop where the civil security coordination framework and other structures were considered.

Only sworn enemies of the various categories of vulnerable people in Nigeria will persist in a vain charade to deliberately disparage the transparently impactful performance of Hajia Sa’adiya Farouq as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in one year of setting up such a complex ministry and clearing the logjams and inconclusive loopholes afflicting existing intervention programmes for smooth and enhanced implementation processes. What matters most to the minister is that the key stakeholders and target beneficiaries should continue to feel the tangible impact of the programmes under the ministry as they have testified to.

Huge as the task is, it only represents the next level in Sa’adiya Farouk’s rise to prominence as an accomplished administrator of humanitarian operations, disaster management and social development matters. Just before joining the Federal Executive Council in such a big way, she was the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons where she built an outstanding career in supervising the harnessing and delivery of relief materials, life-saving palliatives and vocational incentives for meaningful intervention in the distressed lives of refugees and other vulnerable people. She is visible wherever Nigerians are in distress which unfortunately is an inevitable occurrence, as the flood victims she is currently busy attending to with characteristic empathy and authoritative concern. r(PHB XSPUF GSPN ,BOP

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

EDITORIAL

POLICE AND THE INSURGENCY Police are needed to boost the efforts of the military

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or several years, well-meaning Nigerians have made persistent calls on the federal government to equip the police and enhance the protection of life and property. This call topped the demands of the six Northeast governors at a recent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. The governors had made a save-our-soul visit to the president following worsening insecurity in the Northeast caused by the activities of Boko Haram. “We also recommended that police should be empowered, to be provided with certain state-of-the-art equipment, armoured personnel carrier with a view to bridging the manpower gap that we are having in the Nigerian military,” the governors had said while briefing journalists on the outcome of their meeting with the president.

Ordinarily, a demand of this magnitude ought to be given an accelerated attention, especially in a situation of asymmetric warTHE WORSENING fare for which SECURITY SITUATION IN Boko Haram THE NORTHEAST CALLS insurgents and FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF other terror affiliates have ALTERNATIVE SECURITY now become FORCES TO BRIDGE THE proficient. But CONSPICUOUS MANPOWER the attitude GAP IN THE MILITARY of the federal government to this call has not been encouraging. Meanwhile, insurgency in the region has in recent times continued to be on the rise, claiming dozens of lives of both soldiers and civilians on a regular basis. If anything, the escalating state of the insurgency is a bold statement that the military must do more to win the war, particularly under the current crop of the heads of the armed forces.

A clear affirmation to that was the recent declaration by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, that consultations with spiritual forces might be necessary to win the war. Therefore, the worsening security situation in the Northeast calls for the engagement of alternative security

Letters to the Editor

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

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

forces to bridge the conspicuous manpower gap in the military.

As the governors lamented, after the meeting with the president, residents of the region can no longer go to farms. Consequently, the governors said hunger and starvation have been prevalent in the region. According to Babagana Zulum, Chairman of the North-east Governors’ Forum and Governor of Borno State, the prevalent hunger in the region has become a tool in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents to lure innocent citizens into their camps. “This is one of the reasons the insurgents are recruiting more into the sect. Therefore, creating enabling environment that will enable the people to go about their normal duties will no doubt reduce the cases of insurgency,” Zulum said.

We understand that equipping the police with modern weapons, including armoured personnel carrier may not mean automatically ending the protracted insurgency. We also understand that the level of indiscipline and incompetence among the police in handling less severe matters in the country imbues no confidence in citizens that they can muster forces to bridge the expected human resource gap. But there is no doubt in our mind that it will help tremendously, particularly with systematic and strategic planning. We therefore implore the federal government to give the demands of the governors who bear the brunt of the devastating activities of Boko Haram on their citizens a deserved and urgent consideration. This must also not be done to fulfil all righteousness.

It should rather be a deliberate move designed to complement the efforts of the armed forces and achieve desired results.

The continuous destruction of lives and property as well as the economies of the Northeast and attendant hunger and recruitment of the helpless victims into the violent extremist sect and seeming loss of confidence in the ability and capacity of the military to tame the insurgents, should challenge the government of Buhari to use the police to complement the efforts of the military. We task the president to treat this demand by the governors with dispatch.

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.

THE ROAD TO YUSUFARI

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ixteen years ago, many assumed that building a road from Gashua to Yusufari in northern Yobe State was an impossibility. There are 31-kilometres in between the two towns. The idea of impossibility was born out of experiences of travelling on that desert and dusty path, with vehicles and people, often moving, as if on a wild guess or a game of chance, trudging through sand dunes, acarcia trees and tonnes of thorn. It was short journey full of suspense. The wheels of the vehicles can be stuck in sand dunes that can terminate the journey or make it look like an adventure. The dust will keep rising and obscuring the view of both the driver and the commuter. The types of vehicles that undertake such journey were largely open four-by-four trucks and outdated USSR made military vehicles.

Whenever such vehicles were auctioned they are moved to start a new life on the route from Gashua to Yusufari and Bulatura and beyond.

These are places quite close to Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic. In 2009 I and colleagues visited Bulatura on BBC Hausa’s outstanding ‘BBC Hausa A Karkara’ - village roadshow that took radio to the people; to neglected places.

As we finished broadcast in Bulatura, a man took me aside and started narrating how desert encroachment was working hard to render him homeless. The sand dunes moved and he had to move too. Years ago, he said, desertification

claimed his farm and he was close to tears while narrating how it is moving towards putting him and his family in a cul-de-sac of desert.

Days before my recent visit to this area a friend told me that now, you can travel to Yusufari in minutes and return back to Gashua. It sounded like a fantasy until I took a road that leads to Yusufari. Although I did not travel all the way to Yusufari but I took the road and went on and on, as if trying to cast away doubts. Indeed there was a road to Yusufari and beyond. In fact there is now a road that easily connects people through; to Geidam and Baymari. These are places in the vast arid part of Yobe State that were largely neglected to the extent that, years ago, many people never believe a road can be built to connect communities that need to be accessible to each other to survive. Until the former governor of Yobe State Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam built the roads that connected these places within minutes rather than the previous hours of toil. What these roads mean socially and economically can hardly be understood if one never experienced the daunting nature of travels in these areas.

People in some parts of Nigeria need only roads and development follows. On the road to Yusufari there is a gigantic ongoing hospital project that is near completion. The sign board by the road shows that it is a project brought by the Senate President Ahmad Lawan. It is meant to be a women and children’s hospital but it is going

to be more than that. With rapid increase of population the hospital standing tall in the desert will be of service to both the people of Gashua and Yusufari.

The road to Yusufari began from a point where a new model primary school was built

by Governor Mai Mala Buni. Such schools were built across all zones of the state. Getting education right from the basic point, or from the beginning was the reason why such schools were provided. The road to Yusufari, for me, on that day ended with a housing estate project the current government of Yobe State is undertaking in major towns.

In areas largely neglected by federal government, until almost a decade ago, a road is more than a road. It is more than mere concrete and asphalt. It is also a new lease of life that opens the doors of possibilities. Location close to the border creates real and imagined distance; the type of distance that begets an isolation that, to a large extent a road can eliminate.

For me, the road to Yusufari is not another version of Robyn Davidson’s 1977 trek across Australian desert accompanied by four camels.

It is not the journey of a stranger in the wilderness. But it is an experience that shows that the familiar can wear the look of the strange. It just depends on our ways of seeing things. r*TB 4BOVTJ B KPVSOBMJTU XSPUF GSPN "CVKB

REMOVING THE DOUBT

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gain, the chief mangler of the English Language, Donald Trump, has spoken about “Dark Shadows”, basically almost a tautology although his reference to police who “Choke” under “Tremendous Pressure” is nothing but offensive to everyone. Also, the logic of going to Kenosha, which is in mourning, defies common sense and could only be seen as a desperate appeal to his now diminishing support base.

Perhaps he should take the advice of the President he speaks so highly of, Abraham Lincoln, who is quoted as saying “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt”. r%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘A Young Person Will Never Rule Nigeria if we Don’t Harmonise with the Common Vision’ Udora Orizu holds a conversation with House of Representatives member, Hon. Shina Peller, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State on a wide range of issues, particularly why replacing service chiefs will bring change in the security apparatus

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lot of people believe that the service chiefs are not doing enough in tackling the insecurity in northern Nigeria, the National Assembly has called for their resignation, but President Buhari has refused to heed to their resolution, what’s your view on this and the way forward?

Well it should be noted that the constitutional rights to hire and fire service chiefs lie with the Mr President, who’s also the Commanderin-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However as federal legislators we are very concerned about the security of lives and property of Nigerians, whose mandate we represent in government and as the legislative arm of government, it’s our duty to bring to the notice of the executive the needs, yearnings and aspirations of our people as well as things that affect them negatively. Nigerians are very disturbed with the ugly situation of security in the country.

Daily lives are being wasted especially in the Northern region of the country, the situation is worsening everyday and it calls for a serious concern, this was what necessitated the resolution reached by the National Assembly advising Mr President to replace the service chiefs. However it is visible that our military is ill-equipped to fight this war against insurgency in the country, efforts should also be doubled to ensure that the delivery of ammunition is hastened. I’m someone that believes so much in change, I will say when something is not working, then change is the most important strategy to approach. When you look at armed forces, where people get promoted and all, when you don’t change the service chiefs, this is going to send some sort of wrong information down the line of the hierarchy of the system where you have others already looking forward to promotions when service chiefs are changed. I believe a lot will be achieved if Mr President can effect that decision to change our security apparatus. Another change is to ensure we give adequate support to armed forces, also beyond sacking the service chiefs, community policing should be enforced and strengthened.

Information sharing between vigilante and social outreaches should be encouraged as well.

On Niger Delta Development Commission Probe, what do you think President Muhammadu Buhari should do? Also at this point do you think it’s better to disband NDDC? Disbanding NDDC isn’t the best option, as it will hinder the purpose for which the Commission was established, which is to aid development across the Niger Delta region.

Mr President has done the needful by allowing for NDDC probe on the mismanagement of funds. That investigation should be done thoroughly and no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that anyone found culpable is exposed, and prosecuted accordingly. I don’t believe the problem of headache is solved by cutting the head off. I don’t support the idea of disbanding the NDDC, what’s required is to fish out the culprits and make them face the music and it will serve as a good deterrent to the rest of the people in the system.

As Secretary of the Ondo state APC Reconciliation Committee what’s the update? and chances of the party in the state?

I can tell you point blank that Ondo is an APC state and I can tell you that APC will win Ondo. Even before APC took over the governorship of state, it had already recorded 58% in previous elections and as a matter of fact we the reconciliation committee have done a very good job. What’s happening in Ondo

this school and be taught the duties and roles of the three arms of government. And if people pass through that leadership school, all these problems we face like court cases they use to throw people out of office will be less because.

The proper accreditation would have been done at the school.

Sani state is normal to any party that is in power.

When a party is in power there’s possibilities for it to face so many challenges and that’s why we made His Excellency Bola Tinubu set up the reconciliation committee and I can tell you that since we started we’ve been able to mend fences and bridge broken trust and proffer recommendations that will help our party to win the elections in October 2020.

We met with all relevant stakeholders both the aggrieved ones and those that are ready to work with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and I can tell you that all hands are on deck to ensure a landslide victory at the polls. I’m also confident that the National Campaign Council for Ondo State under the leadership and chairmanship of Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu we will build on our gains to do a super fantastic job.

At every election, the two major parties APC and PDP always blame each other of instigating violence, how can this end?

I can tell you right now these are our main point of focus especially, before I left Lagos I still had a meeting with the Chairman of campaign council, that’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu who really placed a lot of emphasis on how to lead a a violence free campaign that will result in a violence free election and I believe this can set a proper trajectory for us in moving forward, especially looking at 2023 election where you believe that there’s going

to be a lot of struggle within and between the two major parties when you don’t have an incumbent President. So we are working so hard to show to people that elections can be peaceful and we can win elections in landslide maintaining peace and no violence.

There seems to a blatant disregard for the legislative arm of government, some Ministries, Departments and Agencies shun summons and even when they appear they tend to walkout on lawmakers, what should be done about this?

This is a country that has a constitution, and in a country where there are rules and we have the right laws in place, it’s expected that people should follow the right processes. It’s not just about the legislative arm of government, you can see that the present disorder in the country becoming unbearable even in the judicial system and executive. I just think it’s high time for the right processes to be taken in order to make institutions function. I believe so much for institutions to function and before we set an institution if the right steps are taken and we follow the processes there will not be reasons for us to believe that some people are acting above the law. I’m planning to sponsor a bill on the establishment of a leadership school in the six geopolitical zones in the country, where I believe that anybody that wants to run for a political office should have passed through

This is a country that has a constitution, and in a country where there are rules and we have the right laws in place, it’s expected that people should follow the right processes. It’s not just about the legislative arm of government, you can see that the present disorder in the country becoming unbearable even in the judicial system and executive. I just think it’s high time for the right processes to be taken in order to make institutions function

With the current agitation and unease in the country, the need for national cohesion and understanding has become imperative, to eliminate and defeat the many negatives, So how can the National Orientation Agency (NOA) be put to the best use.

The National Orientation Agency can further be strengthened with proper funding.

Sometime ago I visited the agency myself because I noticed that the agency has been performing so poorly. And I sat down with the director of the Agency, and he was able to identify the problems that they are facing and I believe that once the government prepares the NOA in way for them to be able to discard its duty, this will be achieved through a proper improved budgetary allocation. Also after I went to the agency, I decided to come up with a motion and also to sponsor a Bill, and immediately the house resumes we will be able to see that. Similarly if you look at the provision of NOA Act as regards funding there are no specific provision for funding apart from the funds that come directly from the Federal Government, an amendment to that Act will go a long way in strengthening the NOA, I have worked on the amendment of the Act and we will pursue it at resumption of plenary. We also have a role to play as individuals about our attitudes towards Nigeria as a country. Whether it’s an ‘I don’t care attitude’ or patriotic one, we need to make all Nigerians to know that the country is a system made up of different components and that each of the component affects the direct system as a whole, so if you want the best for Nigeria then your actions and attitudes must be positive. If at least 80% of the components of that system could be sincerely positive driven towards the country in their daily activities, then we are bound to have a favorable overall outcome.

As the voice of the common man, what’s your drive? And what have achieved in the past one year of the 9th House?

I’m always driven by the desire to touch lives positively and effect a societal change, it has always been my drive even before I ventured into politics in fact that was actually what drove me into politics. As the voice of the common man, I want to continuously build a platform through which the oppressed can be liberated. I’m always focused on any motion or bills that affects the life of the common man.

Regarding my legislative activities in the last one year, I have successfully lent my voice especially on issues that’s affecting my people. The most important one is the dilapidated roads of Iseyin/Oyo and Okeho/ Iganna road and the need to rehabilitate those roads, so hopefully this is expected to attract results in the 2021 budgetary implementation.

Similarly I moved the motion on the need to curb the child rape and sexual offenses against women, this has subsequently led the federal government to launch the first ever, National Sex Offenders Register in the country.

I sponsored a Bill seeking amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act 2004, that has passed through first reading and I’m sure by the time we come back that should be able to be gazetted for second reading.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

POLITICS

‘Many of Us in Gov. Bala’s DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS Cabinet Are With Him to We Agree With Northern Sacrifice to Develop the State’ Elders Forum Segun Awofadeji discusses the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State and his visible efforts at ameliorating the harsh living conditions of the people in the last one year with Hon. Hamish Mu’azu Shira, former Member, House of Representatives and current Commissioner of Housing and Environment in the State

able to pay on the 25th as we started, it is not true, the money was there, they were contemplating on embarking the payments on a platform that the people we brought wanted but we later realized that they had some challenges and so we had to advise them to suspend it and that was what brought about the two or three days delay and I want to assure you that this month we will revert back to 25th as usual.

Shira

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auchi State electorates voted out APC- led government because of poor performance.

How has the present government faired in the first one

year?

Some of us that are very close to His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, right from his days as a minister are not surprised at his level of achievements within his fist year in office. I want to tell you without fear or favour that since the advent of democracy to the best of my knowledge as far back as 1979 when Shehu Shagari took over, Abubakar Tatari Ali became the first Executive Governor elected on the platform of a political party, no governor has done what Bala has done so far. Tatari Ali did so much, so well that till tomorrow we will continue to praise him because he brought about development into Bauchi state. He built hospitals in Alkaleri and Darazo. He carried out a lot of developmental projects across nooks and crannies of Bauchi state. He was so honest and he carried all the people along, since that time, another governor we had whom I will compare Bala with is Ahmad Muazu but even Ahmad Muazu was not able to achieve what Bala achieved within one year, because he took over from the military. By and large, in four years or eight years of Muazu you will not deny the fact that he also tried his best but I can assure you that Bala is going to beat Muazu’s record hands-down even within the first four years, the first term which we have spent only one year for now and I have no doubt in my mind that Bauchi state people will reciprocate this very good service to the people of Bauchi state by voting him for a second term, without even going out to campaign, if the people can appreciate service and loyalty and work, development with the meagre resources that we receive today I think there is no point for us to go out and campaign, because already we have proven to the people of Bauchi state that Bala is a good manager of resources, that he can deploy little and achieve great. You can see that since the beginning of his administration salaries are paid at almost every 25th day monthly. For the first time since he took over salaries are paid,. People were saying that what they were predicting has happened, that Bala won’t be able to maintain the tempo, that Bauchi state is broke and that is why we have not been

There are rumours going round that Governor Bala Mohammed is eyeing the Presidential seat come 2023.What is your take on this?

There are those who are clamouring, with rumours flying here and there that Bala is interested in going for the presidency come 2023, I want to tell you that Bala is capable, he has the capacity to lead this country, that I have no doubt in my mind but as of today, that is not his priority, his priority for now is to ensure that he delivers what he promised Bauchi state people during our campaigns, we went round the 20 local government areas of Bauchi state and Bala is the first gubernatorial aspirant to have visited every single ward of the state to see things for himself with the view to taking note of what is on the ground and of course designing a blue print to know where to start if eventually he was voted into office and Alhamdulillahi, he was voted into office. After that, he brought in some consultants.. that came up with a blue print, he gave them the mandate to carry out a study and see why the state is left behind, what is it that we can do to better the living standards of the citizenry and they came up with series of recommendations, many are being implemented and of course quite a number of them are still on the drawing board, we will get there soon.

On the issue of presidency, let me come back to it again Bala has the capacity like I said but like I also said, that is not his priority, some are saying that he is going for vice president, some are saying he is going to be picked to serve as a vice president, that I don’t know but I can confess to you that he has the capacity to serve in any position but that is not his interest for now. They are not doing it because Bala has in any way expressed his interest to run for the office. It is because of what they have observed he has been able to achieve in his first one year in office as the governor of Bauchi state that prompted their desire to invite him to come on board and lead this country because Nigeria truly needs proactive leaders like him. It’s just like out of their appreciation for what Bala has been able to do in Bauchi within this short period of time that has generated that clamour. He has been able to achieve in one year what the previous administration did not achieve in five years, that is what is bringing all these rumours. So, the truth of the matter is we have no plans for that but I am not ruling out the possibility, at the end of his eight years, by the grace of God I will be one of those who will call and urge him to come out and contest because I know him very well, he will deliver.

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

Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, Secretary, Eastern Consultative Assembly writes on the urgency of bringing patriots from all over the country together at a constituent assembly to fashion a peoplesoriented constitution

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ruth they say, is unpopular. But truth remains the only road to peace and salvation. The constitutional amendment project embarked upon by the National Assembly, aside serving as a conduit pipe to siphon scarce national resources, will not, in all sincerity, serve any useful purpose whatsoever.

The Ekweremadu and Ihedioha constitutional amendment rigmarole, is still fresh in our memory and the report is still there. The plan to repeat same excersice at this time, does not make sense one bit, except if someone or a cabal is bent on altering a particular or particular sections of the constitution to suit his or their hidden agenda.In that case, such conspirators will only find themselves stoking trouble.

The unitary 1999 constitution ought to be discarded and replaced with a people’s constitution. The confidence of the people needs to be restored in our constitution, only when the people feel part of the making of the constitution. The military crafted, supritended and supervised the 1999 unitary document, that has proven deficient and faulty through practice.

Lovers of Nigeria believe that only a people’s constitution affirmed at a referendum can and will move Nigeria forward.

Accordingly, we agree with the Northern Elders Forum, that a gathering of committed patriots is needed at this time, to begin the needful process of drawing up and designing a new people’s constitution that will replace the unitary military constitution of 1999. Such a people’s constituent assembly is actually long overdue.

Events in the country confirm our constitution needs a revamp and an overhaul, not piecemeal amendments. A decades-old insurgency in the North east, that not only won’t go away, but is gradually spreading to other regions as well, seccesion agitation in the east, that is so deep rooted, yet grossly misunderstood and mishandled, violence and banditry, the kind never experienced before and certainly not experienced by any nation in history.

Economic problems that have defied solution, unemployment and hunger reigning all over the land. Mistrust and suspicion that has sadly raised regional, ethnic and religious faultlines to frightening levels. Loss of faith, anger, poverty and fear for tomorrow, that turned millions of marooned compatriots into gambling and pool betting as the only means of solace and keeping hope alive. Sad. In spite of all these dangerous signals, even as oil prices slide down, we regrettably choose to pretend that piecemeal amendment of the contentious 1999 constitution remains better option to a wholesome reengineering of our union, genuinely addressing our fears and granting every region a sense of belonging that would engender faith and trust in the fatherland, through a new people’s constitution.

The termites that are eating up the foundation of our union are busy at work weakening our union, while we choose to ignore the truth.

Addressing the fears of every constituent part of Nigeria, cannot be effectively achieved by constitutional amendment at the national assembly. Nepotism and discrimination has clearly created and established a mindset of the oppressor and the oppressed in minds and souls of compatriots.

Only an opportunity to air their grievances at a conference, can assuage their fears and anger at the painful feeling of domination and dichotomy terrifying their souls and their beings. Refusal to allow them express their fears and pains at a constituent assembly, gives them the impression of a hidden agenda to deny them justice.

Refusal to collate the reports of past National

Buhari conferences and summon a constituent assembly that will save Nigeria, gives the impression of a predetermined and deliberate agenda by the people in power today, to use a rubber stamp National Assembly to create a Nigeria along their whims and caprices. This will certainly be stoutly resisted by sections who feel oppressed and marginalized. A constituent Assembly will carry every body along. That is the truth.

This particular government of ‘97%/5%’ fame, and their nepotistic style of appointments, together with her equally suspicious rubber stamp National Assembly leadership, does not inspire trust and faith to amend the disliked 1999 constitution. Insistence on obstinately following that route, will only deepen the fears in the land, embolden and find more sympathizers for the secessionists and confirm the existence of an unfriendly hidden agenda of the rulers of today, to enslave, dominate and oppress others in perpetuity.

In conclusion, this government has already provoked fear and distrust with the CAMA law that empowers government to disband the leadership of churches and others and appoint trustees for them, embarked on the contentious national water resources law that seeks to empower Fulani herdsmen to part-own all the rivers and streams in Nigeria.

When you remember that this same government has tried and attempted severally, to cage, gag and paralyse the free press. Declared war on the same social media they effectively used to hound former President Jonathan out of office, tried to merge religious studies in schools, same government tried to seize and annex ancestral lands in all the 36 states and hand same over to Buhari’s kinsmen in the name of RUGA, a government that is comfortable with skipping the South east in all the projects covered by external loans the same excluded South east will repay. Same government totally schemed out the South east in the headship of any of the military, paramilitary and security agencies and organisations, same government excluded the South east from the ongoing railways mordernisation project,same government woefully failed to rein in the rampaging herdsmen slaughtering citizens all over the land.

When such a sectional government embarks on constitutional amendment through a perceived rubber stamp national assembly, it arouses great premonition, trepidation and tension in land. Nobody knows their true agenda.

Difficult to understand why reconstruction of the polity into a truly federal structure, through devolution of powers and true federalism seems offensive to some people. Raising fears if those opposed to restructuring Nigeria truly want Nigeria to survive.

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

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

FEATURES

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

Vaults of Secrets for Independence Day Olukorede Yishau, award-winning journalist, novelist and short-story writer, is releasing his collection of short stories, Vaults of Secrets, on October 1st. Yishau, who is also the author of the critically-acclaimed novel, ‘In The Name of Our Father’, shares with Chiemelie Ezeobi about his love for writing and the journey of publishing two books

Yishau

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hen Olukorede Yishau, an award-winning journalist, novelist and short-story writer, released his first novel ‘In The Name Of Our Father’, it was a subject of critical reviews, including graduate and undergraduate theses. Not done with the literary world, he soon put together a collection of short stories titled ‘Vaults of Secrets’ which is set to be released on October 1, 2020.

Given the attention the first novel generated, Yishau is confident this collection of short stories will receive the same adulation. “If the feedbacks from the people who have read the advance copies of ‘Vaults of Secrets’ are anything to go by, then I do not expect it to be less accepted. If anything, I am expecting it to do better. There is a story for everyone in the collection. My friend, Nnamdi Oguike, the author of ‘Do Not Say It Is Not Your Country’, feels that the stories will appeal to everyone who has ever done something they want to keep to themselves. “He also feels that even if you are a saint, you will also find something to enjoy in the collection. Two other authors, Nze Sylva Ifedigbo and Ever Obi, who have also read the advance copy, have shared their views. Secrets are what we all cannot do without. Even people who say their lives are open books still have stuff they do not want to share with the public. Some people can even kill to have their secrets kept. “I think the theme of secret will help endear the book to readers. Secret can be used as enormous power over. Both the rich and the poor harbour secrets that can be used against them, but the rich are the ones who have something to protect and as such will go to any extent to have their secrets permanently locked away in vaults buried. “Having access to a secret can be a weapon, but it can also expose one to danger because

chances are that those who have something to hidewill also be after you. Many people have been killed because of secrets they stumbled on, because of the need for preservation. It is a double-edged sword,� he added.

Sharing his writing process Yishau said: “The stories in the collection came to be as a result of what happened to others, which I was privileged to hear about and use as materials for these emotional stories. It took me about two months to do the first draft of the stories that eventually become ‘Vaults of Secrets’, but over the next one and a half years, especially when the editing process was activated, some stories had to be reworked to make them better. “I don't strive for perfection in the first draft because it stifles writing. I wait to do that in the second draft, third draft, and during editing.

Two or three of the ten stories were written over one year after the first set. So, in a way, it took over one year to get everything together.�

Juxtaposing the challenges of writing a novel and the short story he said: “For me, I always like to say the difference between the short story and the novel is like a room apartment and a mansion. A novel is a mansion and you have the luxury of space complete with plenty rooms, swimming pools and other facilities. For me, a short story is a room apartment. “The writer must manage to do everything essential within the space; he must avoid frivolities.

He has to be very disciplined with character development in a short story because there is no room for too much details; conflicts must be resolved within the available space. It is not particularly easy to write because I remember we kept going back and forth at the editing stage. A novel can afford to give more details and all that.�

Sharing the reason why his new book would be released on October 1, which happens to be Nigeria’s Independence Day, he said: “October 1

has deeper meanings in my life and my siblings than just being Nigeria’s Independence Day. Picking October 1st is like killing two birds with one stone. One, I wanted to identify with our nation, a victim of secrets being kept by men and women who have had the chance to lead it. “Two, my parents, the late Kayode Yishau and Titilayo Yishau, got married on October 1. And for a reason or reasons only the heavenly bodies can explain, my father also died on October 1 eight years ago. The book is dedicated to the memories of my father and my late sister, Olusola whose death made me the third born of the family. “It is also dedicated to my mother and the rest of my siblings who have more than one reason to see October 1 as extraordinary. I had to plead with my publisher, Azafi OmoluabiOgosi to do me the honour of releasing the paperback, kindle and e-book versions of the book that day.�

Still on the collection of stories, Yishau who gave a sneak peak of the characters noted that there are many flawed female and male characters in this book. �I do not set out to denigrate either sex. I just wanted to tell a story. There are many other male characters that are secretive, such as the one who keeps his paternity issue away from his caring wife; there is also Emmanuel, who specialises in helping people to bury their secrets even when it can harm the society; we also have Nelson, who was planning treasonable acts and kept his adorable wife in the dark only for her to suffer as a result of his action; and there is the annoying Nonso whose life is built around secret adventures. “I can also remember the annoying Olola Akioye who is impotent but keeps dating women to hide the secret from the society. On a last note, there is also a male character who wiped out a whole family and sets up a law firm from the proceeds and he keeps this secret to

himself. Then there is the man caught with his house-help and begging to have the secret hidden from his church and his wife�.

Delving into the choice of ‘secret’ in the title of his short collections he said: “I really did not set out to do that. What eventually became ‘Vaults of Secrets’ started as an attempt by me to do a second novel. I had this idea of doing a novel about three politically-exposed persons in jail for treasonable felony. It was to take the form of diaries by each of them about their lives in prison and before prison, but after writing over fifty thousand words, I felt something was missing. “ I left it for a year or so and when I went back to it, I needed no one to tell me that it would work better as short stories. So, I started working on the script all over again. And another secret, I did not set out to write about secrets, but when I finished, it jumped at me that secrets have forced themselves on me as a motif and I am glad they did�.

Sharing his thoughts on the Nigerian publishing landscape, Yishau noted that it is coming back alive; thanks to the small presses. “The big presses are only interested in textbooks because they want to recoup their investment. The small presses are also interested in recouping their investment but they are giving room for new voices to be heard as far as novel writing, poetry and so on are concerned. I believe better days are ahead�, he added.

On whether African literature exists, the author said: “For me, literature is literature.

But for categorisation, we can permit terms such as British literature, European literature, African literature and so on. Our writings are defined by our experiences, so if I am African, you will feel Africa in my writing, but it does not make it inferior to American literature. We can just define African literature as one written by an African, especially on African themes�.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

#THISISNIGERIA - Olumide Babalola

ECOWAS Court Judgment Compelling Nigeria to Repeal Or Amend Its Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, E.t.c) Act Of 2015

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hen in 2016, the trio of Edeaten Ojo (Media Rights Agenda), Gbenga Sesan (Paradigm Initiative) and Adeolu Adekola (EiE Nigeria) approached me to mount a constitutional challenge against Sections 24 and 38 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act of 2015, little did I know that it was going be a long haul of legal battles that would take us to the regional courts.

At a time when internet scam had reached an all-time high in Nigeria, the Cybercrime Act was enacted in 2015, as evidenced by its explanatory notes, to predominantly provide an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria.

However, the piece of legislation soon became a tool in the hands of a few privileged and powerful Nigerian politicians and business moguls to harass, intimidate and silence every perceived voice of dissent especially in the press. Hence, our job in the courts was clearly cut out.

In a 2016 report titled “How Nigeria’s cybercrime law is being used to try to muzzle the press�, Peter Nkanga, an investigative journalist and Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) West Africa representative, narrated how the Act has been used to intimidate and incarcerate journalists who criticised politicians and businessmen online and on social media.

On May 23, 2016, I took out an originating summons with Suit No. FHC/L/CS/692/16 at the Federal High Court on behalf of Paradigm Initiative (PIN), EiE Nigeria (EiE) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police seeking certain declarative reliefs nullifying Sections 24 and 38 of the Cybercrime Act. By the time the Federal High Court, per M.B. Idris (now JCA), delivered its judgment on January 20, 2017 striking out the suit; there had been more cases of the Cybercrime Act

by politicians against journalists. Some of the victims were: Seun Oloketuyi (Section 24 of Cybercrime Act (CA) and 374 of Criminal Code Act), Chris Kehinde Nwandu (Section 24 CA and 375 Criminal Code), Desmond Ike Chima (Section 24(1)(b) CA), Emmanuel Ojo (Criminal libel), Abubakar Sidiq Usman (section 24(1)(b), and Musa Balarable Azare (Section 24(1)(b).

Dissatisfied with the decision of the erudite and venerable Idris, J. (as he then was), we immediately appealed. The appeal was dismissed on June 1, 2018. However, the Court of Appeal, per Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, JCA extolled us in the following terms: “I commend Mr. Babalola of learned counsel for the appellants, for the industry and research put in the brief for the appeal and also for the secondary copies of the foreign decisions and materials learned counsel graciously made available.�

The commendation must essentially be deflected to the fantastic legal team at Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) of the United Kingdom which provided very useful materials and support for the appeal.

After the judgement, we approached the Supreme Court where our appeal has been lodged and appellant brief filed since February 2019. Unfortunately, due to the frightening workload of the apex court, almost 18 months later, we still do not have a hearing date for the appeal.

In the interim, Laws and Rights Awareness Initiative, another NGO that we represent, approached the Community Court of Justice (ECOWAS Court) in 2018 on the unconstitutionality of Sections 24 and 38 of the Nigerian Cybercrime Act in Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/53/18 and on July 10, 2020, the court delivered a judgment compelling the Nigerian court to repeal or amend the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.

The Court speciďŹ cally held that: 126. As mentioned, it is not enough that the restrictions are established by law, it must be formulated with sufficient precision, that is, it must be sufficiently clear to allow the

individual to adapt his conduct to its predictions and still allow the enforcers of the rule to determine which forms of expression are legitimately restricted and which are duly restricted.

127. The provisions of section 24 of the law in question typify criminal conduct and define the applicable sanctions. For this reason, in all its ramifications, it must be legally well written and its elements clearly defined to avoid any ambiguity in their meanings.

131. From the exposed above it, it can be concluded that when a law does not define the parameters or elements of the crime that it typifies, it cannot pass the test of legality since, by its nature, it will be arbitrary.

The court then concluded that: The Defendant State, by adopting the provisions of Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 violates articles 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Consequently, it orders the Defendant State to repeal and amend Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 in accordance with its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Lessons for the National Assembly The recent judgment of ECOWAS court sadly scores our lawmakers low on the quality of their law-making strides, especially when tested against international standards with respect to fundamental human rights which are not only universally inherent but cannot also be taken away by legislative craftiness or bullying in any guise.

It is unarguable that, no serious legislature, worth its salt, anywhere in the world still criminalizes defamation in this age of vigorous campaigns for freedom of speech online and offline. Ours should do better.

Lessons for the Executive As far as the brazen and arbitrary “use� of the Cybercrime Act is concerned, reports

continue to show that the executive remains the biggest beneficiary. Rather than use the law to fight the growing rate of cybercrime in the country, the law enforcement agencies have selected two “potent� sections of the Act to arrest and detain citizens, journalists and bloggers who write critical stories about them.

Elected and appointed office holders should strive to live above board to the point where they do not necessarily see criticisms as attacks on their personalities, rather, as public probity and demand for accountability which the public has a right to demand.

Lessons for the Judiciary What is remarkable in this judgment of the ECOWAS Court is that, I only appeared before the court once, the first hearing date was the day we adopted our processes and judgment day was immediately fixed, it was not adjourned for “mention� “further mention� “further directives� or “continuation of proceedings�.

It is my respectful opinion that all these terms further delay our justice delivery system. I do not know if there is any particular reason a matter cannot be heard on the first day especially where the parties are ready.

With the peculiarity of our justice system, the term “for mention� and it’s like, ought to be permanently confined to the trash cans of our judicial history.

Conclusion The appallingly slow pace of our justice system needs to be confronted with more intensity and urgency as it appears things are getting worse by the day. Ultimately, it is my respectful opinion that the first decisive move must come from the heads of courts who are the masters of their courts and then, others can fall in line.

With the subsisting judgment of the ECOWAS Court, we hope the Attorney General of the Federation, as the chief law officer of the federation, will ensure compliance with the orders of the court.

-Olumide Babalola, the managing partner of Olumide Babalola LP writes from Lagos.

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A T

REPO 13.90 % 14.90 %

CALL 1-MONTH

7.25 % 8.19 %

A U G U S T S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

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

2 8 , 2 0 2 0 S&P

592.04 % -0.15 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 5.19 % 23.04 %

N379/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Verve Launches New Promo

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Managing Director, Integrated Cash Management Services Limited (ICMS), Mr Fidelis Omachonu; Head of Corporate Services, Ms Doris Ibekwe; Board Chairman, Mr Charles Nwodo Jnr, and Head of Security, Emmanuel Onyebadi, after a media briefing held at the company’s head office in Lagos…recently

Nigeria’s Broadband Penetration Maintains Steady Growth in 20 Months Stories by Emma Okonji Nigeria’s Broadband penetration has maintained a steady growth in the last 20 months, after it surpassed the 30 per cent targeted broadband penetration in December 2018, statistics obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) website has shown.

The data also showed that Nigeria’s broadband penetration surpassed the 30 per cent broadband target for December 2018, as enshrined in the previous National Broadband Plan (2013-2018), to reach 31.48 per cent, with a total broadband subscription of 60.09 million.

Since the broadband penetration surpassed its target in December 2018, which was 20 months ago, Nigeria has maintained a steady growth

TELECOM in broadband penetration to reach 42. 12 per cent, with a total subscription number of 80.2 million as at July 2020, according to the statistics.

The NCC statistics on broadband penetration, also showed that as at August 2019, when the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami was sworn into office, broadband penetration was 35.10 per cent, with a total number of 67 million subscriptions, which puts the country’s broadband penetration growth rate at about seven per cent in the past 11 months, based on the 42.12 per cent broadband penetration figure that Nigeria attained as at July this year.

It showed that as of December

2018, Nigeria’s broadband penetration reached 31.48 per cent, but it rose to 32.34 per cent in January 2019, and 33.08 per cent in February 2019, before reaching 33.22 per cent penetration in March same year.

Furthermore, as at April 2019, broadband penetration increased to 33.70 per cent before dropping slightly to 33.13 per cent in May 2019. But in June, July and August 2019, broadband penetration increased to 33.31 per cent, 33.72 per cent and 35.10 per cent respectively. Between September and October 2019, the penetration had another steady growth to reach 35.40 per cent, and 37.87 per cent, before dropping slightly again in November same year to 37.71 per cent.

It however increased again to 37.80 per cent in December

2019, before maintaining another steady growth from January to March 2020, to reach 38.49 per cent, 39.58 per cent, and 39.85 per cent respectively, before dropping slightly to 39.54 per cent in April 2020.

In May 2020, the broadband penetration increased to 40.09 per cent, and in June and July same year, broadband penetration maintained an increased growth of 41.23 per cent and 42.12 per cent respectively, bringing the total number of broadband subscriptions to 80.2 million as at July 2020.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who attributed the steady growth of broadband penetration in the past 20 months Continued on page 24

Expert Links Cyber Security Breaches to AI, IoT Adoption Worried about the increasing trends in cyber security breaches globally, where individuals and organisations with lots of data are hacked periodically, the Founder of CWG Plc and Entrepreneur in Residence at Columbia Business School (CBS), New York, Mr. Austin Okere, has attributed the trend to the fast adoption of evolving technologies among others.

Okere, listed the trends to include the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI); Internet of Things (IoT), with over 25 billion devices forecasted to be connected by 2025. Others are globalisation of cybercrime; cybersecurity skills gap; increased skill levels of attackers; increased use of the public cloud; increasing reliance on technology and digitisation, among others.

Okere, while presenting a

TELECOM paper on ‘Cybersecurity And Risk Mitigation’ at a recent webinar, explained that the results of the polls at a recent cyber-security webinar that he facilitated, revealed that 54 per cent of respondents had been hacked, 31 per cent said their company had been hacked, 67 per cent considered people the weakest link in cyber-security.

Okere, therefore called on organisations to put in place, deliberate policies that will guide staff when connecting to enterprise servers through personal computers.

According to him, “Hiring the most accomplished Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), however, will not do very much good if there is not a deliberate policy of self-awareness

of all staff, especially during this period where there is an explosion in people working from home and connecting to enterprise servers through personal systems that could more easily be compromised.

“Neither is buying the most expensive antivirus the magic wand. It is like having the best pizza toppings without the base bread. Or like having the best machine leaning algorithm without the Big Data that the system will use for pattern detections.”

He listed the impact that cyberattacks could have on businesses to include: loss of funds, theft of intellectual property, serious disruption to business, damage to reputation, loss of customer trust, huge regulatory fines, litigation costs and possible bankruptcy.

“Risk mitigation against

cybersecurity is most effective in its Dynamic Collaborative Form.

Dynamic because it requires a shared body of Knowledge that is consistently updated and available to all parties.

“Risk mitigation cannot be a competitive strategy for any organisation. This notion could be quite illusory because the nature of cybercrime can be likened to an elephant, where people at the side may think it is a wall, people at the trunk may think it is a snake. People at the tail may think in it is a monkey, and people at the leg may think it is a tree trunk,” Okere said, adding that as in the case of the elephant, it is only when you have curated the complete and accurate picture through which the breach can

VerveInternationalhaslaunchedanationwidepromotorewarditscardholderswithcashprizesandairtime.Thepromotagged“TheVerveGoodLife Promo”kickedoffonSeptember1,2020andwillruntillNovember29,2020.

TheVerveGoodLifePromoseekstoenableVerve’sloyalcardholdersto livethegoodlife,whateverthe‘goodlife’meanstothem.

ItsobjectiveistoalleviatetheadverseimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemic andsubsequenteconomichardshiponVervecardholdersandNigerians ingeneral Speakingabouttheinitiative,theGroupChiefMarketingandCommunicationsOfficer,InterswitchGroup,CherryEromosele,reiteratedthebrand’s commitmenttorewardVervecardholdersfortheirloyalty.

Shesaid:“BeyondourcommitmenttoprovideVervecardholderswithseamless,reliableandsecurepaymentsolutionsbothlocallyandinternationally, wecurrentlyidentifywiththeirchallenges,especiallyasoccasionedbythe COVID-19pandemic,thereforewedesiretoplayapartinalleviatingthese.

“ThishasinformedtheintroductionoftheVerveGoodLifePromo.During the 12 weeks of the promo, we will be rewarding over 2,500 Verve card holdersnationwidewithoverN27millionnairaincashandairtime”.

Divisional CEO for Verve International, Mike Ogbalu III, stated that the ‘Verve Good Life’ promo idea represented the latest initiative among recentinterventionsconceptualisedbyVervetorewardtheloyaltyofits cardholderswhilstincentivisingthemtowardscontinuedtransaction,in additiontootheractivationssuchasthehighlysuccessfulseriesof‘Free FuelFriday’promotionsthatarebeingchampionedbythebrand.

Ogbalu said, “Despite the economic challenges, we will continue to stay true to our commitment to being customer-centric by guaranteeing efficientpaymentsolutionstailoredtothelifestylesofAfricanconsumers andcontinuouslyrewardingcustomerswhohavestayedloyaltoourbrand.”

InstinctWave, ATCON Unveil NTITA Awards

InstinctWave,Africa’spremiumB2Beventandmediaspecialists,inconjunctionwiththeAssociationofTelecomCompaniesofNigeria,(ATCON)has concludedplansforthefourtheditionoftheNigeriaTechInnovationand Telecom Awards (NTITA).The awards ceremony is scheduled to hold in Lagos,onNovember07,2020.

NTITArecognisesandrewardsgroundbreakinginnovationsandexcellence fromindividualsandorganisationsinvolvedinadvancingtechnologyand transformingtoday’sICTindustry.

“ThemostcelebratedICTandTelecomsawards,NTITAhasgrowntobethe ‘Oscars’oftheICTandTelecomindustryattractingthecrèmedelacrème andtopdecisionmakersinthesector,”theorganiserssaidinastatement.

“Everyyearthecategoriesareupdatedtoreflectthelatestmarkettrends andtoensuretheydojusticetoourincreasinglydiverseindustry.

“Thenewfeaturedawardcategoriesallowustorecognisecontributions fromallpartsofICTsector;fromcommunicationserviceproviders,solutionsproviders,banking,health,insurance,Fintech,cloud,cybersecurity, digitisationandconsultancies,”itadded.

AccordingtoInstinctWaveChiefExecutiveOfficer,Mr.AkinNaphtal,the awardshadgrownovertheyears,inparticipationandprestige;settingthe highestindustrystandardforhonouringorganisationsandindividualsin thetelecomandICTsectorinNigeria.Theplatformhasalsobecomethe benchmark for outstanding performances in the industry and a symbol ofexcellencethatmarksleadership,qualityandinnovation.

Airtel Introduces Unlimited Data Plans

AirtelNigeriahasannouncedtheintroductionofitsunlimitedultra-plans,a newvalueofferingthatisdesignedtoensureitshomebroadbandcustomers do not run out of data while enjoying superior, uncapped speed and continuousbroadbandconnectivitytotheinternet.

According to Airtel, the new offering, which is available only to routers andoutdoorunit(ODU)customers,wouldoffertelecomconsumersthe freedomtodomoreandbecomemoreproductivewithoutworryingabout dataspeedreductionandutilisation,andensuringthatcustomersnever runoutofdata.

Withthenewunlimitedultra-plans,customershavefourdistinctpackages to choose from which include ‘Unlimited Ultra Weekly’, ‘Unlimited Ultra Standard’,‘UnlimitedUltraDiamond’and‘UnlimitedUltraPlatinum’.Each packagecomeswithunlimiteddata,uncappedspeedandapplicablefair usagepolicy.

Customers who purchase Unlimited Ultra weekly, which is priced at N5, 000onlywillenjoyunlimiteddataforsevendayswithafairusagepolicyof 30GBplus1GBdatadailyafterthefairusagepolicy,whilstcustomerswho purchase the unlimited ultra-standard for N20, 000 will enjoy unlimited datafor30dayswithafairusagepolicyof130GBplus3GBdatadailyafter thefairusagepolicy.

“The majority of Nigerians access the internet through a smart or feature phone and they typically buy data as at when they need it and usually 1GB at a time. The price for 1GB typically ranges from N300 to N1000 and these plans are usually time sensitive such as daily or weekly validity” Founder and CEO of Fiam Wifi,

Mr. Akin Marinho Continued on page 24

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NIGERIA’S BROADBAND PENETRATION MAINTAINS STEADY GROWTH IN 20 MONTHS

‘Only 9% of First Generation PR Firms Still in Existence’

to the increase in the demand for broadband service, however said there were indices that drive broadband penetration, which he said the federal government must meet in order to continue having steady growth rate in broadband penetration.

He listed some of the indices to include: Increase in broadband infrastructure, protection of broadband infrastructure and removal of impediments to broadband penetration such as Right of Way (RoW) charges and multiple taxation.

Gbenga, however advised the federal government to introduce friendlier policies in the telecoms sector, such as granting of telecoms importation waiver, saying such would enable broadband service providers to lower the cost of broadband service delivery.

Raheem Akingbolu

EXPERT LINKS CYBER SECURITY BREACHES TO AI, IOT ADOPTION manifest that you can effectively deal with it or contain it. “This is why there is a need for constant collaboration and open and transparent reporting, similar to the way that the COVID-19 pandemic is being collectively monitored and reported globally,� Okere added.

Citing a scenario that cybercrime has now become so prevalent globally that there is hardly any organisation that is yet to be hacked, and Nigeria is no exception, Okere advised Nigerian government to set up a national Security Operations Center (SOC) and Threat Database, where all cybersecurity incidents are reported. “The centre should also disseminate threats and analyse incidents to help others prevent similar infiltrations. Many firms, especially banks, think it will impact their brand if they disclose vulnerabilities and attacks. “The under reporting or cover up of breaches portends a vicious cycle of repeated unanticipated hacks, because you are inadvertently empowering the hackers to cause more damage by not reporting and exposing them and their future hacking plans,� Okere said, while calling for collaboration among government agencies in order to contain cyber-attacks.

Fresh findings have indicated that the public relations arm of the marketing communications industry is still struggling to survive, despite continuous effort by stakeholders to earn government respect and institutional recognition.

According to the country’s 2020 edition of the Public Relations annual report, only 12 per cent of the existing agencies have remained in operation for five years while only nine per cent have survived for over 20 years.

Insights from the report, which was a collaborative effort of BHM Research & Intelligence, an arm Black House Media, in collaboration with Compass Insights, also revealed that only 19 per cent of the firms have been in operations for more than five years. Perhaps more disturbing in the report was the revelation that 70 per cent of the professionals within the industry have less than five years of work experience.

It further stated that most of the PR agencies are within the SME band, with the 64 per cent of respondents qualifying by the number of employees as micro-enterprises based on the number of employees as defined by The Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). “56 per cent of PR agencies in Nigeria are reporting revenues of less than N5 million.

Together with the new entrants into the industry corroborating this finding, 64 per cent of the new agencies have fewer than 10 employees, 14 per cent are small enterprises with 11- 20 employees and 22 per cent with more than 21 employees. “One of top five challenges plaguing the industry and captured in the report is the difficulty of the industry to attract and retain the right talent within the PR industry in

Nigeria. To this end, the promoters of the report urged seasoned professionals and institutions to begin establishing teaching faculty in PR management to equip new graduates seeking career opportunities in PR.�

Since its debut five years ago, the Nigeria PR Report is believed to have lived to its billing as the most authoritative voice in PR measurement and evaluation in Nigeria and has supported practitioners in

navigating their careers and the PR space in general.

A cursory look at some of the findings from the report showed that the insights presented are prognostic at the very least, creating a framework for practitioners to successfully manoeuvre these momentous times brought about by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to theLead Researcher, Compass Insights,

Adun Okupe, “The Nigeria PR Report does not come at a better time than this. The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the world and now more than ever, PR agencies are having to prove their worth to their clients leaving consultancies with unanswered questions as to how to make sure that their businesses are providing the right services and the 2020 Nigeria PR Report helps to shape thoughts in this direction.�

PROMOTING INNOVATION

L -R : Head Administration, Primed E-Health, Hadiyijah Lawal; CEO, Dr. Abdul -HaďŹ z Are; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Adeleke Adewolu; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; Professor, Elizade University, Ondo State, Prof.

Moses Ajewole; Dr. Olugbenga. Ogidan, of Elizade University; Business Development Manager, Cyberfeet Integrated Limited, Mr. Ahmed Abdulazeez; Programme Manager, Chidi Henry; and Director, Research and Development, NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, during the virtual launch and award ceremony of the Covid -19 research grant, held in Abuja...recently

FG Urged to Declare October 1 ‘Tech Independence Day’ Stories by Emma Okonji The Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has called on the federal government to declare October 1, 2020 as Nigeria’s technology independence day.

Ekeh, the serial digital entrepreneur, who made the call in a recent virtual chat with journalists, said: ‘‘October 1, 2020 is traditionally Nigeria’s Independence Day. It is a day that commemorates Nigeria’s emergence as a sovereign state.

Considering the massive strides recorded so far in our journey to technological emancipation, the federal government should strongly consider declaring October 1 as Nigeria’s technology independence day ‘‘I have often said it that

no country achieves true independence without a level of technological independence.

The time has come for Nigeria to boldly emerge as a technology force on the continent and globally, to make the right investments and critical positioning necessary for securing our collective future in the 21st Century.’’ Ekeh, who hailed the current administration’s greater focus on technology and knowledge development, referenced the renaming of the Ministry of Communications and its subsequent enhancement as a credible institution for anchoring Nigeria’s renewed approach to the emerging knowledge economy now brought to the front burner by COVID-19.

‘‘I commend the federal government for enhancing the Ministry of Communications which, by its current status as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the appointment of a thorough-bred professional in Dr. Isa Pantami as the minister to oversee its affairs, is now eminently equipped to deliver on Nigeria’s march to digital emancipation. ‘‘It has indeed been a journey of immense leaps and bounds, right from the time of Dr. Omobola Johnson through the era of Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu and now to the current achievements being recorded under Pantami. ‘‘Nevertheless, there is a lot more to be done, especially in

leapfrogging our prevailing developmental challenges by leveraging the power of technology, as is the case in advanced climes, to unleash the abundant skilled and modern human capital that Nigeria is potentially known for, create quality jobs and unlock a certified future for the huge population of energetic youths; while reducing sophisticated crimes – we have now seen a lot of women also indulging in to survive,’’ Ekeh said.

The Zinox boss reiterated Nigeria’s pre-eminence as a key driver of technology in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, even as he urged the government to act now.

According to him, “Today, a lot of our kids are out of school

as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – a development that should not be the case, especially considering our capacity as a technologycompliant nation in finding a solution to bridge the gap. ‘‘At this level of our development, Nigeria should be regarded as a global digital giant. We have the means, the talent, the human capital and the innate intelligence to make it happen. With the government taking the step of making critical investments in technology, it is only a matter of time before Nigeria starts raising tech billionaires that will rival the likes of Jeff Bezos and Jack Ma, who have become colossus through technology innovation,’’ Ekeh further said.

Rack Centre Earmarks $100m to Expand Operations Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Rack Centre has announced plan to invest $100 million in an expansion programme that will increase capacity at its Lagos campus.

This will be in addition to the current expansion already underway to double existing capacity to 1.5MW and 1,200 square metres of white space in early 2021.

Managing Director, Rack Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, said the expansion would bring unprecedented carrier neutral scale to West Africa, which is in response to increasing demand for data centre space from cloud uptake, telecommunication

investment and outsourcing of IT facilities by enterprises in the region.

In March 2020, Actis, a London private equity firm, announced an investment in Rack Centre, taking a controlling stake in the business alongside Jagal. The funding for the expansion programme will come from a $250 million pan-African data centre platform established by Actis and Convergence Partners, a leading ICT infrastructure investor in Africa.

In addition to Rack Centre, the platform is also actively developing additional buy

and build opportunities across Africa, to establish a network of carrier neutral data centres aimed at catering to carrier, cloud and hyperscale customers.

Co-founder of Teraco Data Environments, Tim Parsonson, joined the Board as Chairperson. The platform has also engaged Frank Hassett, a veteran of the global data centre industry and previous Vice President of Infrastructure at Equinix, who brings over 1300MW of build and operate experience, to assist with hyperscale expansion.

Chairman of Convergence Partners, Andile Ngcaba, said:

“Africa is at the start of a critical time in its development, as the 4th industrial revolution offers the chance to leapfrog many of Africa’s challenges and harness the immense potential of its people. Convergence Partners is delighted to partner with Actis in accelerating the growth of high quality data centre infrastructure, an indispensable part of the foundation of this revolution in the region.� “With 138 million Internet subscribers, more than any country in Africa or Europe, and the largest population and GDP in Africa, Nigeria is a key entry point for global telecom-

munications, content and cloud players seeking access to the region. However, a lack of cost effective, energy efficient IT infrastructure has been a constraint to doing business in the region. “Rack Centre brings global best practice to Nigeria, as the first carrier neutral data centre in the region to achieve Uptime Institute Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility (TCCF). As a uniquely scale carrier neutral player, Rack Centre allows unrestricted connectivity between customers, telecommunication carriers and internet exchange points within its data centres.�

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T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2020

Ikenze: SMBs Need Financial NCC Empowers Three Startups Support to Impact Communities with N9m Research Grants Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Facebook, Adaora Ikenze, in this interview, speaks on the impact of the N500 million Nigerian Small and Medium Business Grants Programme and the need for small businesses to take the advantage to grow their businesses. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: resources for them during this difficult and uncertain year, to help them keep the lights on, save jobs and weather the storm. It is the reason why we are focused on small businesses because we recognise their impact in local communities.

Will the grant come in form of a loan, and what are the repayment plans?

This is not a loan, and it is a nonrepayable grant for small businesses to support them through these difficult times.

Businesses do not even have to be on Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp to be eligible for the grant.

Ikenze

F

acebook recently announced a N500 million Nigerian Small and Medium Business (SMB) Grants Programme for Nigerian small and medium businesses.

What motivated the initiative?

The Nigerian Small and Medium Business (SMB) Grants Programme is a part of our Global SMB Grants that aims to provide support for about 30,000 SMBs in over 30 countries. The grants programme, which opened its application in August last month for Nigerian SMBs in different regions across the country, will help SMBs during these difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook wants to provide useful resources and support during this difficult and uncertain year.

The COVID-19 crisis is more than just a public health crisis. It is an economic crisis, and small businesses, in particular, have been most affected as they face the challenge of a lifetime. Facebook has been listening and we are aware of the challenges small business owners are facing right now. To better understand the scale of the problem, we recently published the State of Small Business Report - a study

by OECD, the World Bank, and Facebook to survey SMBs. The results of the survey showed that about 37 per cent of SMBs believe cash flow to be a concern. So, for Nigerian SMBs, we believe the grant will help them overcome some of their current challenges, keep their workforce going strong, help with rent and operational costs, and to connect with more customers.

At the end of the day, 781 Nigerian SMBs will share from the N500 million grant, which will come in the form of cash grants and ad credits from Facebook. It is also important to add that applicants for this grants do not need to have a Facebook or Instagram account to apply. You just have to be a small business in Nigeria, as well as other eligibility criteria to take part.

Why the focus on small businesses?

Small businesses have a direct effect and a huge impact on their communities.

They are at the heart of our communities, providing jobs, products and services that are necessary for economic growth. However, with the lockdown and restrictions on movement, entrepreneurs and their employees are faced with huge challenges and threats to business survivability, even though the lockdown is gradually being lifted.

SMBs are an important part of our community, Facebook is listening to the challenges small business owners are facing right now and we want to provide useful

What are the other criteria for eligibility. What are the selection processes and how could SMBs apply for the grant?

The focus is on helping small businesses who need it most. We are focusing on supporting businesses in the locations where we have operations, like in Nigeria where we have a community hub, called the NG_Hub. To be eligible to apply, the SMB must fit the following criteria:Be a for-profit business; have between two and 50 employees; have been in business for over a year; have experienced challenges from COVID-19; be in or near a location where Facebook operates; and businesses do not have to be on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp to be eligible. Applications for the grant opened Monday, August 24, 2020, businesses can go the website to see whether they are eligible and for more details about the programme. Interested applicants can also stay updated via the website.

Is Facebook partnering with any organisation on this?

For this grant we are working with trusted third parties to help manage the grant distribution. In Nigeria, we are partnering Deloitte, Fate Foundation and Afrigrants who will be selecting the small business grant recipients and managing the delivery of grants. Applications will be examined objectively and in a fair manner, with all applicants treated equally.

Nigeria is a very large and diverse country. What are your plans to ensure that SMBs in all the six geopolitical zones in the country, have equal access to the grant as their counterparts in popular cities?

The grant is available for eligible businesses whether in the North-East, South-West, South-East, South-South, Northern regions and beyond. We will qualitatively be assessing applications based on a variety of factors, including business need, how you intend to use the funds, and the impact it will have on the community.

Is there going to be a monitoring mechanism by Facebook and Deloitte for the use of the grant by beneficiaries?

Business owners understand their pain points better than we do. This means that they understand better how to financially manage and structure their businesses. The grant will provide them with the support they need to pay their employees and keep business afloat during tough times.

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

Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded arrangements to award research grants to the tune of N9 million to three deserving Nigerian startups with proposals for adaptable digital solutions for containing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The selection of the three companies followed a careful and painstaking evaluation of 282 entries in the NCC COVID-19 Virtual Hackathon from digital innovation Startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by an evaluation committee set up by the commission.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, presented the research grants to the beneficiaries during a virtual grant/prize award ceremony, which held

in Abuja recently.

The health and economic crisis triggered by the novel COVID-19 Pandemic had challenged the global ICT community to search for digital solutions to address and contain the spread of the virus. Such solutions would allow citizens and businesses to rein in the virus and continue their activities with limited disruptions As a response, the NCC instituted a programme to award research grants to support Startups and Digital SME’s with adaptable innovative digital solutions that could address present and future impacts of pandemic and epidemic prone diseases in Nigeria.

Under the programme, the commission awarded N9 million research grants to three Nigerian startups with the most innovative

digital solutions for containing pandemics and epidemics in the country in the thematic areas of health, community, productivity, economy and transportation. The highlights of the ceremony include pitching/demonstration of the top three solutions by the startups, announcement of the winners and presentation of research prizes.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, supported by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Office, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta with other members of the Board of Commissioners of NCC in attendance, presented prizes to the top three startups with the most promising solutions.

Samsung Introduces New Smartphone Samsung has introduced a new foldable smartphone that pairs bold design with advanced engineering.

After releasing two foldable devices and listening to user feedback on the most requested upgrades and new features, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold2 with innovations that offer users enhanced refinements and unique foldable user experiences.

Giving details of its latest smartphone during a virtual press conference, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Nigeria, Mr. Caden Yu, said: “The journey to reach the next generation of mobile is full of originality and innovation. With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, we closely listened to user feedback to ensure we were bringing meaningful improvements to the hardware, while also developing new innovations

to enhance the user experience.

Further strengthened by our industry-leading partnerships with Google and Microsoft, we are reshaping and redefining the possibilities of the mobile device experience.�

Galaxy Z Fold2 would combine the portability and flexibility of a smartphone with the power and screen size of a tablet for ultimate productivity.

Whether folded or unfolded, customers can enjoy a luxury mobile experience with Galaxy Z Fold2’s premium design,� Yu added.

Speaking about its features, he said the smartphone comes with the best cinematic viewing, as the Galaxy Z Fold2 comes packed with two edge-to-edge, nearly bezel-less Infinity-O displays. “The cover screen is a 6.2-inches screen which delivers a smartphone view and unfolds

to a full cinematic view on the massive 7.6 inches screen. The new foldable future brings customers’ experience the next level of multitasking with the ability to open up to three windows and drag and drop content across windows.

While the flex mode allows customers to view their content at different angles and on two screens at the same time, it also provides a hands free camera experience. Customers can also capture and view images or video right after the shot is taken and instantly delete the result without entering the gallery,� Yu said.

He added that the Galaxy Z Fold2 would be available from September 11, with a limited phone cover offer, Samsung Care+(discounted screen repair, hardware repair and software coverage) and four months YouTube premium.

Spectranet 4G LTE Excites Customers with New Data Plan Spectranet 4G LTE has unveiled a unique set of data plans tagged: “Do More Spectracular Data plans� to address the changing data requirements of its customers as a result of the new normal of working from home, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the virtual launch of Do More SpectraCular Data Plans, the Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet 4G LTE, Ajay Awasthi, said: “Our study of the customer behaviour during COVID-19 period highlighted a distinct shift in the browsing habits and usage patterns. The customers are now consuming more data during night hours than day hours. Even within day hours the early morning hours are showing a spike in usage.�

Addressing these twin needs of higher data consumption while working from home and even higher data requirement during specific times of day and night, Do More

SpectraCular data plans come packed with attractive data benefits topped up with “Do More� benefits of free unlimited data during certain times of the day and night, such as unified value plans with free unlimited morning time data ( 4am-8am) for 120 hours in a month and mega value plans with free unlimited night time (1am-8am) data for 210 hours in a month. “Both the unified and mega value plans are available in various affordable denominations starting from N3,070 and come with one month’s validity.

Similarly, for customers who have significantly high data requirement and want to enjoy uninterrupted unlimited browsing 24/7 within a month, can now subscribe to “Alwayson� data plan at just N1,8425.

The plan is for both new and existing subscribers wholove to be on the internet to “DO MORE� of what matters to them like gaming, entertain-

ment, online studying and for the data requirement of the entire family,� Awasthi said.

According to him, “We are a customer conscious brand with a firm belief in giving the best of experience to our subscribers at affordable price.

As a result of our tradition of excellence in customer service, we have invested huge resources in ensuring that we optimize our network to meet the expectations of the subscribers as a leading 4G internet service provider in the country.�

Awasthi said Spectranet 4G LTE would continue to consolidate its leadership position in the market with a series of initiatives that include SpectraSure, a free device protection cover, regular data bonus of 100 per cent data on renewing within an expected time frame and customer service innovations, which include service at the customers’ door steps.

T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2020

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

CSR as Business Philosophy Eight years after instituting its corporate social responsibility project, a Lagos agency, X3M Ideas, has consistently used it to galvanise support for societal development.

Raheem Akingbolu reports.

T

he place of corporate social responsibility in business was recently revisited in Lagos when a creative agency - X3M Ideas, inaugurated a significant project to help pupils battle the enduring coronavirus which has kept them away from their school for months.

Top government functionaries in Lagos and some players in the business community, who witnessed the handing over of wash hand station facility and Glo MiFi internet modems with unlimited data, to Opebi Senior High School, Opebi – Ikeja, Lagos to further combat the dreaded Covid-19 and safeguard the health of the students’ population, took turn to deepen discussions around CSR concept.

Since the year 2012, when X3M Ideas, commemorated its first anniversary with a unique art of giving by renovating and handing over a well-equipped block of five classrooms at Opebi Junior High School, the agency has continued to build on the achievement. Last year, the agency handed over a renovated Block 4 Building, housing the new state-of-the-art library facility, counseling centre and the sick bay of Agidingbi Junior Grammar school Ikeja, as its 2019 corporate social responsibility (CSR) project.

Last week, the Chief Executive Officer, X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, again led his team to join officials of the Lagos State Government to roll out the drum again to inaugurate a first of kind disinfectant tunnel for students of Opebi Senior High School.

The donation which is largely seen to complement the efforts of government and especially, the Lagos State government led

by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in their combat against the ravaging Coronavirus, will help to further enhance the COVID-19 prevention protocols especially in the area of hand washing and general hygiene of the young students and also provide them access to information and education on the pandemic.

The facility, located the entrance to the Opebi school complex which houses the Opebi Junior School and the Senior High School, is a well-secured, special clear-view panel fence solution where the beneficiary community can walk through the disinfectant tunnel to before assessing the school. It also allows for free airflow with good headroom to give an appealing ambiance.

The tunnel measures 5.5meters x 16 meters, fixed with 10 wash handstands, automatic liquid soap and hand sanitizer decanters 10 apiece. The walk-through area is equipped with two digital thermometers.

All equipment is self operational to avoid human contamination.

While cutting the tape to declare the project open for the service of humanity, the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Hon Wahab Alawiye-King , commended Steve Babaeko of X3M Ideas and his team for providing the facility, noting that its inauguration was timely, considering the global crisis and its importance in the school environment and in the lives of the students.

Alawiye-King who chaired theevent said: “We know what COVID-19 has done throughout the world and we are to adapt to the new normal and part of the new normal is what we are here to commission today.

Commending the agency’s consistent ‘good works�, the SUBEB chairman noted, “You could have taken it to another school but you chose this school, it shows you are a community inclined organisation and we call on others to emulate you act of good works. “Education is a social good and as such, government alone cannot do all that needed to be done and that is why we call on organisations to help us�

Earlier, in her welcome address, an elated Principal of the school, Mrs. Olugbewesa Kofoworola while thanking the donor of the facility, a company she noted has consistently

supported the efforts of the Lagos State government, disclosed that X3M Ideas has brought a world-class facility to her school and “we hope to maintain it by the grace of God.�

She said: “Our proactive governor is working so hard to combat COVID-19 and this facility will complement efforts in curbing the pandemic. It’s coming at the time it’s needed the most, adding that the hygiene standard of the students and the school, in general, will be really high from now on. “The facility has brought Opebi Senior Grammar School from obscurity to limelight and rebranded and elevated it to international school standard. “You have added colour to our school, we are now the pacesetter, thank you for making Opebi Senior Grammar School your choice, I am happy you made my school to be chosen�, she added.

Making his remark, Babaeko lauded the Governor Sanwo-Olu, and his team in

the education ministry for always allowing the creative company to partner with the government annually. “This is our 8th year in business and every year, we would always come back to renovate part of a public school in Lagos and handover to them.

According to the X3M Ideas’ CEO, the company built the hand washing system for the students because they represent the future of this great state. “This year, in view of COVID-19, it becomes imperative to create the hand-washing station just to continue to maintain the high level of hygiene among the students, to protect them and to protect ourselves to ensure that we help flatten the COVID-19 curve and make sure all the wonderful health workers who have put in the time to help manage the crisis don’t have to do more work�.

He noted that the Glo MiFi internet modems were donated to help the students and their teachers keep abreast of the lat-

est COVID-19 news and also help in their academic pursuit.

Corroborating the position of the SUBEB Chairman, Babaeko also enjoined other corporate citizens to pick up a public school and support them in whatever capacity possible. “I am a product of public school as well, so I understand how it is, students in publics school have to be supported with facilities they need to be successful Nigerians�

A representative of the students community, Fatima Mustapha who sees the X3M Ideas’ 2020 CSR project as wonderful, said it was very important to the students’ population at this period of coronavirus, as they needed to remain healthy and wash their hands regularly. “This will be very useful even after the pandemic and we promise to make judicious use of the facility and keep it in good shape. We pray that God will uplift the donor, X3M Ideas�

Mustapha said.

Amber Energy Drink Inaugurates Empowerment Scheme Raheem Akingbolu Poised to ameliorate the harsh economic conditions of Nigerians, Amber Energy Drink, a premium energy drink on the stable of Amber Energy Drinks Ltd has begun an empowerment programme aimed at improving the standards of living of a teeming number of the citizens.

Specifically, Amber Energy drink is seeking to ensure that Nigerians make money in their own country through trade finance loan so as to be financially independent to cope with life while enhancing their standards of living.

Among other reasons, it is believed that the step was being taken because most Nigerians have been impoverished due to the Covid-19 pandemic that caused several months of economic lock-downs, thereby resulting into harsh economic and poor living conditions for most of the citizens.

However, Amber Energy Drink which prides itself as a business fully owned by Nigerians and for Nigerians all over the world has assured it will change the

narratives for better by improving the lives of Nigerians and teeming consumers by granting them financial autonomy through trade empowerment scheme.

Consequently, the company has commenced training programme for 400 Nigerians who would be inducted into small and medium scale enterprises to be supported to grow under a well arranged and structured semi-informal system.

Declaring open the empowerment scheme in Lagos during the week, General Manager of the company, Ms. Lola Adedeji said the, “empowerment programme (AEP) was borne out of our core values and beliefs. We believe in helping people become more self-dependent by making more money and creating a livelihood for themselves�.

According to her “we believe Nigerians will and should drive the economy, we want them to have multiple streams of income so that they can be financially independent�, she disclosed adding that the scheme is such that would be mutually rewarding

and profitable to all stakeholders.

With this, a participant gets a product loan to the value of N100,000 to trade and repay the principal while interest would only be paid within a period of Four months. Interest rate, according to the General Manager is five per cent flat rate.

The empowerment programme would also afford beneficiaries the opportunity to own Amber Energy Canopy for stocking and selling the products. The Canopy will also be repaid within twelve to eighteen months. Adedeji said the company would open an account with them and each will be credited with one-hundred thousand naira only. This will in turn be auto debited with 20 crates of Amber Energy Drinks that would be traded for repayment by the beneficiaries.

In other words, beneficiaries who have become automatic vendors and trade partners can get as many crates of the Amber Energy products on a monthly basis and make as much as fivehundred thousand naira as profit depending on their sales efficiency.

The empowerment tagged, “Choose Your Hustle� is in form of a trade loan finance and lease of Recharge Spot.

In her own presentation at the occasion, Amber Energy Drinks Head of Sales, Mrs. Temitope Adetiba said the company has put in place all arrangements to make the empowerment scheme a huge success.

She specifically revealed that beneficiaries would be greatly assisted through aggressive promotion campaigns for the product by using all relevant marketing and advertising channels.

According to her, “our strategy to make the empowerment scheme work is constant brand awareness and engagement through Radio, TVC, Social Media, Activations and below-the-line efforts�, adding that the company’s sales representatives will also regularly visit the beneficiaries to monitor their activities and challenges real time.

Mrs. Adetiba said beneficiaries are in for a good time as Amber Energy Drink is a high quality product that is presently in great demands by Nigerians.

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T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Atolaiye: Buhari Must Do More to Enhance Ease of Doing Business Samuel Atolaiye is a Kogi State-born Nigerian living in the United States of America. He is also the Coordinator, Nigeria Diaspora Network mobilising Nigerians abroad to come back and help their fatherland. He spoke to Tobi Soniyi on what President Muhammadu Buhari must do to attract more foreign investors into the country. Excerpts:

W

hat is the driving force for setting up the Nigeria Diaspora Network?

Nigeria is a Country that is blessed by the almighty God. A country that has got what it takes to be great and be a force to reckon with in the comity of nations. Unfortunately, its people are not experiencing that greatness or the impact in their daily living. This was a country that was at par with the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia about 20 years ago, but today, Nigeria is left behind in infrastructural development, Economy and in other areas. People are living below their potential; poverty has ravaged most communities and security has become a scarce commodity. Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the society that people have thrown caution to the winds just to make money. If we allow things to continue this way without a boundary, very soon we shall have no Nation called Nigeria again. This is the reason why we believe it is time to bring people of like mind together to create awareness and work the people of Nigeria to help in rebuilding the Nation. Please note that I have used the word‘re-building’ carefully. What I meant is that the very value of our Society that has been destroyed by corruption can be rebuilt. Professional Nigerians in the diaspora are being mobilized to help in this way.

At a recent event in Washington DC, you talked about assisting President Buhari as Diaspora Professional Volunteers, can you please give further clarifications?

Watching President Buhari publicly admitting that the people he trusted have betrayed him is most troubling to say the least. President Buhari has demonstrated both as a military head of state and a civilian president that he is not corruptible, a man of great integrity that Nigerians should be proud of. There is no doubt that the President has good intentions for Nigeria as a Country, but his lieutenants appear to be busy helping themselves instead of the people. How can we explain the award of Contract at NDDC? Where we learnt on the TV that one will not need more than N30M to do a Contract awarded for N700M or NNPC where a particular Refinery is not generating profit for over two years and the management is getting Bonuses and Contracts are been awarded without merits or where we borrow money from the Chinese government and bring in Chinese laborers who pose as professional at the expense of Nigerian graduates without employment. To crown it all, a minister of the Federal Republic defended the conditions of such loans. Terrible! Terrible! Terrible. The President cannot succeed with such people around the president unless something urgent and strategic that kick-starts an effective process is done. Nigerians in the Diaspora are doing very well in the strata of the society where they are located.

They excel in complex situations and get things done. These are the people we are discussing with who have the interest of the Nigerian people and are willing to bring in creative ideas that will have a significant impact in resolving some issues.

Make no mistake, these people are not coming to beg for Contracts, instead they are willing to use their contacts to bring in capitals to develop our Nation.

If you sit with President Buhari on the breakfast table today, what will you tell him frankly to work on immediately?

This is a difficult question to answer as so many things are going on in my head

Atolaiye

that I am trying to sort out in the order of priority. Haven’t said that, I will ask him to initiate and sign into law conditions that will make it easy to do business in Nigeria. This law could include effective and practicable Good Governance. This will motivate investors to come to do business in Nigeria. Investors are pouring in droves to Rwanda, Morocco and Kenya because of the ease to do business. When I was the Division Chief for Construction Management in one of the US Cities, during the time of President Jonathan, specifically year 2011, one of Nigerian politicians who is a long-time friend discussed his desire with me to have American based Contractors doing all those he discussed with turned down his offer. The reason being the stories they had about the way business is done in Nigeria. If we want development, we need to be able to make the atmosphere conducive for potential investors. Once we gain the confidence of investors, our infrastructures and economy will experience the needed boost.

What is your advice to the federal government in the areas of economy and security?

Work to eradicate corruption, do everything in its power to protect the citizens. President Buhari should replace non-performers and political opportunists in his cabinet with tested professionals who are hungry to get things done, to deliver projects that will bring about better life for the people. This has to happen sooner than later.

On the issue of the monster called insecurity, this is the product of corruption in the society. Addressing the issue of corruption will greatly reduce the security issue. For an immediate action, Buhari should constitute a think-tank consisting of people of integrity like Rtr Col. Umar Kangiwa, Femi Falana (SAN), incorruptible military leaders, police and technocrats and even community leaders including Nigerians in the Diaspora who have vast experience in security matter to strategise and advise the government on how best

to solve the nation’s security issue.

Nigeria continues to borrow from China and thereby creating a huge debt burden for the future of the country.

What is your reaction to this?

This is really an issue that is very disturbing. I wish to categorically state that I am against Nigerian continuous borrowing from China for whatever reason. The Government is putting the future generation in great danger with these loans. I understand that China is not only active in Nigeria but currently constitutes the largest overseas trade partner and one of the largest creditors in many African countries. It is pertinent to keep in mind that no nation has ever carried out a foreign policy without its national interest in mind. Chinese loans to Africa can be considered as an extension of China’s foreign policy in Africa.

Some Nigerians especially those in the Government may argue that Nigeria’s infrastructural development has benefited from China and this has been through aid and loans, which at present seem like a charity donation. The question is “at what cost?” In 2018, the White House criticised Chinese engagement in Africa, claiming that China was using bribes, opaque agreements, and debt to hold states in Africa captive to its interests.

Several observers, including some of the United States Representatives, have warned many nations on what they described as Chinese Debt trap diplomacy. Nigerian Government should be able to discern that China’s loans often include conditionalities which are strongly orientated towards Beijing’s strategic interests and increase the risk that many countries in the developing country plunge into a monetary disaster. The government should be careful that China does not re-colonise Nigeria especially when all collateral is taken over by China when the Country cannot meet its obligation to pay its debt. One of the most cited examples of alleged debt-trap diplomacy

by China is a loan given to the Sri Lankan

Government by the Exim Bank of China to build the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The state-owned Chinese firms’ China Harbor Engineering Company and Sinohydro Corporation were hired to build the Magampura Port at a cost of $361 million, which was 85 per cent funded by China’s state-owned Export-Import Bank at an annual interest rate of 6.3 per cent.

Due to Sri Lanka’s inability to service the debt on the port, it was leased to the Chinese state-owned China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited on a 99-year lease in 2017.

It was reported in late 2018 that the Zambian Government was in talks with China that might result in the total surrender of the state electricity company ZESCO as a form of debt repayment since the country had defaulted on the plethora of Chinese loans for Zambia’s infrastructure projects. Also, Kenya may soon lose its largest and most lucrative port, Port of Mombasa to its creditor (China) after it defaulted in the refund. This could force Kenya to relinquish control of the port to China.

Nigeria is where the Procurement Act is hardly followed: no public information is available on how these infrastructure projects were conceived and what appraisal process they went through, other than Presidential and Federal Executive Council’s approvals. There are no architectural or structural drawings for interested members of the public to view. The loan conditions with China are not transparent. The future of this Country is in grave danger and further loans from China should be discontinued.

You once said that there is an economic justification to allow Nigerians in Diaspora to vote. Can you explain this?

It is critical that Nigerians should be allowed to vote anywhere they may live in the world. Voting is a powerful weapon to ensure that the right leadership is put in place to help develop the Country. In Countries like the USA, there are provisions for American citizens to vote from anywhere during elections. The almost 30 Million Nigerians in the Diaspora contribute a lot to the economy of the nation through financial inflow and they should be allowed a strong voice through the voting process from the Country where they live.

Sometimes some of these Nigerians have had to incur huge travel costs and dedicate time commuting to and fro in a bid to exercise their franchise at each electioneering period. This is a shame and must stop.

While we understand that the process to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote is an uphill task, it is a serious matter that is practicable and achievable.

That is why we are calling for the adoption of electronic voting.

This will ensure that election results are sent directly from the polling units to the server where wards and INEC headquarters in Abuja can see it. This will also make voting more convenient and accessible to Nigerian citizens. Electronic Voting Mechanism (EVM) will ensure a fraud free election and will also speed up the processing of the results. The vote buying, political thuggery and intimation experience in some states in the last elections did not make a proud nation. EVM will mitigate some of those societal ills and politicians who refuse to serve people can be removed at will without knowing who voted them out.

Generally, it will bring credibility to Nigerian Electoral system.

28

T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Promoting Digital Banking Ecobank Nigeria Limited has been using digital technologies to enhance customer experience, writes Oluchi Chibuzor

T

here is an ongoing digital in banking globally. This has even been accelerated by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, more banks are offering their customers high-quality web and mobile apps to improve their lifestyle and ease the burden associated with going to the banking hall. One of such banks is Ecobank Nigeria. The subsidiary of the pan-African Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), has continued to introduce innovation to banking, pushing more of its customers to embrace alternative banking channels.

For instance, the bank recently announced that cash withdrawals can be made at all its ATMs, without a card.

The Ecobank cardless withdrawal concept, Xpress Cash, enables users to withdraw cash from ATMs using only a mobile phone, no ATM card is required. The solution is seamless, secure and is driven by the generation of a code (e-token) by an account holder via the bank’s USSD code *326# or mobile app, Ecobank Mobile.

The e-token can be sent to customers, non-customers and even people without bank accounts for cash withdrawal at all Ecobank ATMs nationwide.

Speaking on the initiative, the bank’s Head, Consumer Banking, Olukorede Demola-Adeniyi said: “Digital payments are fast evolving.

Customers want seamless experience across channels. We are committed to providing suitable options for our customers. Forgetting your card at home should not be a showstopper when you need cash.�

She went on to explain that the concept recognises the needs of the unbanked.

In her words, “With Xpress Cash, our customers can send money to their loved ones who are not even banked. You can send money to your domestic servants or unbanked staff just by generating a code and sharing the code. “As a bank, we are not only keen to make our services accessible, but also affordable. Xpress Cash attracts only a flat charge of N50. Our USSD code, *326# offers zero session charges; and transfers of N5000 or less using our digital channels are absolutely free of charge. Also, people abroad who need to send money to their loved ones can do so without paying transfer charges using the Rapidtransfer app�, she said.

In addition, the bank recently launched an

Akinwuntan

App for businesses. Known as Omni Lite App, the digital banking solution is targeted at enhancing banking experience of its large pool of commercial banking customers.

The Ecobank Omni Lite App is a highly secure, world-class and integrated electronic banking platform designed to help clients manage their business accounts online in a secure, flexible, efficient and convenient manner.

It is a fully integrated multi-geography, multilingual and multi-currency online, web-based cash management platform. The App is being launched by the Ecobank Group across 33 countries in Africa where the Bank operates.

The Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Carol Oyedeji, explained that the new App was introduced in line with Ecobank’s policy direction to meet and surpass customers’ expectations, noting that it would bring flexibility, safer and convenient banking to the users. She disclosed that it is available to existing Omni Lite users, urging them to download it from the Apple Store (IOS) or the Play Store (Android). “With the new Omni Lite App, users can view their accounts and transactions in one place, make payments and pay bills with ease, set up multiple users with different access launch, make and manage loan payment,

book time deposits and view exchange rates.

This electronic portal also allows customers manage all their online business, banking transactions and information 24/7. With easier navigation and experience that is perfectly suited to smartphones, clients can enjoy features similar to the desktop version,� she added.

The Ecobank Omni Lite App enables faster processing of instructions with loading option or file import for mass payments. It also features a customizable environment with choice of language, time zone and comprehensive userfriendly navigation menu. It’s state-of-the-art architecture meets international safety standards and it is designed to enhance productivity and manage cash flow. These largely enhance the cash management capabilities of Businesses which include account services, payments, collections, liquidity management, detailed and customisable reports, amongst others.

In line with its desire to promote e-banking, the bank during the commemoration of the National Diaspora Day that was celebrated recently, offered zero fees for money transfers on its Rapidtransfer App. The offer which is ongoing would last till October 31, 2020.

The federal government had set aside July 25, every year as the National Diaspora Day in recognition of the contributions of

Nigerians living outside the country towards the development of their homeland.

Rapidtransfer is Ecobank’s proprietary money transfer service which enables users send funds across borders, affordably and instantly. The Rapidtransfer app is available for use by Ecobank and non-Ecobank customers. Cash can be received directly into the recipient’s account or as cash at any Ecobank branch or Agent location.

Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, said the decision to waive charges underscored the bank’s commitment to helping Nigerians abroad remit money home to their loved ones without placing an additional burden of charges on them, especially at this period of economic downturn across the world. She noted that the bank appreciates the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to the development of the country and is committed to ensuring that their transfers reach home instantly and affordably.

In addition, she stated that the Rapidtransfer app delivers value to both the sender and receiver. In her words, “our rates on the app are very competitive ensuring that both the sender and receiver get value for their money.

The app also allows you see the exchange rate before your transaction is consummated, thereby providing a great level of transparency. The entire money sent reaches home, no hidden charges.�

Ecobank Nigeria recently unveiled a special loan package for female entrepreneurs in the country. The Ecobank Female Entrepreneurs’ Initiative (EFEI) loan is specially designed by the bank to financially empower female business owners and entrepreneurs in the country.

According to Head, Consumer Asset Product, Ecobank Group, Daberechi Effiong, the EFEI loan as conceived by the bank, is targeted at boosting small scale businesses owned by women, adding that it is a further demonstration of the importance the bank attaches to the role of women in sustainable development and contribution to the nation’s economy.

Effiong, who is also the EFEI Coordinator, explained that prospective female business owners could access credit with interest rates as low as 1 per cent, noting that the process for accessing the credit facility is easy and stress-free.

Surviving the Pandemic Oladoyin Phillips

R

ecently, we shared a summarised business guide for surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a quick summary of key the takeaways are: r %SBX VQ BT DPNQMFUF B QJDUVSF PG ZPVS current affairs as possible – cash available, orders, suppliers, loans, etc. r #VJME PVU DMFBS BOE EFUBJMFE QSPKFDUFE scenarios (external situations) specifically for your business. r $IBSU PVU DMFBS QMBOT PG BDUJPO GPS FBDI of the possible scenarios you have identified, given your current business situation. r 5BLF UIF UJNF UP QBJOTUBLJOHMZ SFWJFX existing contracts, and see if/how they can be re-negotiated to suit the current situation r3FBDI PVU UP ZPVS LFZ TUBLFIPMEFST m clients, suppliers, etc. – to give them clarity on how you will be moving forward. Manage expectations, be reasonably transparent and strive to maintain the relationships you have built. r *O MJHIU PG UIF DPOWFSTBUJPOT XJUI ZPVS external stakeholders, have additional conversations with your internal stakeholders – your team. r ,FFQ JU TJNQMF FTQFDJBMMZ CFDBVTF UIF future remains uncertain. r #F IPOFTU XJUI BMM PG ZPVS TUBLFIPMEFST about potential changes, delays or challenges. r 5IJT JT B EJGà DVMU UJNF GPS NPTU PG VT TP

maintaining and building community is key.

This week, we would like to share case study insights from small and medium-sized businesses so you can see how peers are adjusting to the still unknown but potentially new normal. Regardless of industry, we can already tell that the effects of COVID-19 on businesses will be varied. Beyond this, each business likely has pre-existing constraints and/or advantages based on the state of its finances and operations before the pandemic brought the world to a halt.

However, one thing appears consistent across the board in the business response to Covid-19 — a need to adapt the business model. It is the successful implementation of this change, coupled with a strong financial and operational framework, that will determine those entrepreneurs whose ventures will survive the worst effects of the economic downturn. Accept that the world in which you built your model no longer exists and seize the opportunities of the new one. Be observant, be agile, think ahead.

In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, La Tulipe Food, an importer of frozen meats and fish products, have had to change their business model due to the reduced number of open restaurants.

They launched a decade ago as a wholesale supplier of imports from Europe and the Americas and have successfully sold products across their home country. In response to reduced wholesale demand, they suspended imports and sold off stock on hand to a new

customer base – retailers, and even end-users.

To achieve this, they redefined their sales strategy for the pandemic and fitted their trucks for door-to-door delivery routes nationwide.

La Tulipe Food’s philosophy for the pandemic is hinged on flexibility. They have done this by leveraging available technology to identify and access customers.

Leveraging technology is certainly a key strategy for navigating this pandemic.

Spacefinish, corporate design consultants in Lagos, Nigeria are relying even more heavily on technology than before. Being a player in the construction industry, the company has had to make dramatic changes to process and operations flows to maintain quality whilst complying with even higher safety standards.

Additionally, the sales team has focused on emphasising the firm’s digital services, letting customers access its design services, even as the firm actively works out possibilities for remote project management offerings.

Spacefinish CEO, Remi Dada, has suggested that entrepreneurs focus on community and innovation: “Don’t jump to laying off [staff] as the only conclusion. See how you can use your team to help you innovate out of the challenge, versus just cutting your team and trying to wait it out. Some of the most innovative businesses are birthed during such times of uncertainty.� As we emphasised last week, working innovatively and supportively with your stakeholders in these hard times will inadvertently lead to better value creation.

Recognising that some businesses might only see limited room for deployments of technology at this time, there are still impressive opportunities for innovation and adaptation. Joe-Han Network Marketing Ltd, which sells, repairs and maintains automated banking equipment across Nigeria has had to deal with a slew of order cancellations as pending purchases have been put on hold.

Their engineers were, in the first few weeks of lockdown, unable to conduct site visits for repairs and machine monitoring. They allowed their engineers to offer detailed support assistance over the phone and on calls. Whilst this is not an ideal state of affairs, they have avoided a complete shutdown of operations and allowed many of their clients to receive their services. They have also benefited from the knowledge gained from this inadvertent remote servicing pilot and it will shape their operations in the coming months.

Whilst panic might seem attractive, resist the urge to make drastic decisions. Review your situation with a critical and forward-looking sensibility. We summarise the approaches taken by leaders across these three different industries as follows: Specifically identify the effects of the pandemic on your business operations and adapt your model accordingly. Get creative, get technological and get communal.

As always, we are here to answer any questions you might have and would love to hear from you. Send us an email at admin@ spurt.group

T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2020

29

Revisiting Challenges of Rising Out–of-School Children Ugo Aliogo reexamines the issue of Nigeria’s rising case of out-of-school children

Buhari

O

ut-of-School Children (OOSC) has remained a major problem in Nigeria. In March this year, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the issue of was a big challenge facing the country, adding that this constitutes a security threat to the country as a whole. He said it is the responsibility of everyone to do whatever it takes to ensure that all out-of-school-children are enrolled in school.

This is just as Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently moved a motion on the need for the federal government to address the situation.

Aliero stated that though the federal government had made efforts to reduce the menace of street begging through the introduction of the Universal Primary Education in 1976 and Universal Basic Education in 1999, there are still many children on the streets.

The senator explained that the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan built Almajiri integrated model schools, where children in northern Nigeria were enrolled and given both Islamic and Western education, “but today, most of those structures are dilapidated and others are used for other purposes they are not intended for.�

UNICEF Report The United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) in a report stated that even though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million of the country’s children aged 5-14 years are not in school. Only 61 per cent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education.

The report also asserted that in the north, the picture is even bleaker, with a net attendance rate of 53 percent. Getting out-of-school children back into education poses a massive challenge.

The report further explained that gender, such as geography and poverty, is an important factor in the pattern of educational marginalisation. States in the north-east and north-west have female primary net attendance rates of 47.7 percent and 47.3 percent, respectively, meaning that more than half of the girls are not in school. The education deprivation in northern Nigeria is driven by various factors, including economic barriers and socio-cultural norms and practices that discourage attendance in formal education, especially for girls.

According to the report, “Ensuring educational provision in predominantly rural areas and the impact of insurgency in the northeast present significant challenges. In north-eastern and north-western states, 29 percent and 35 percent of Muslim children, respectively, receive Qur’anic education, which does not include basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. The government considers children attending such schools to be officially out-of-school. “In north-eastern Nigeria, 2.8 million children are in need of education-in-emergencies support in three conflict-affected States

Adamu (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa). In these States, at least 802 schools remain closed and 497 classrooms are listed as destroyed, with another 1,392 damaged but repairable.�

To provide another perspective to the issue, THISDAY spoke by the Education Project Coordinator, Actionaid Nigeria (AAN), Kyauta Giwa, who hinted that Nigeria is ranked as having the highest number of out of school children in the world, adding that the statistics of out of school has risen from 10.5 Million to 13.2 million Nigeria children that are not in school.

She noted that considering the figures, the rate was alarming, which is why many Nigerians have called for a declaration of a state of emergency in the sector.

Giwa further added that over the years funding to the sector has drastically reduced despite the challenges bedeviling the sector.

She further posited that other factors responsible for this current situation are the inadequate infrastructures for learners and teachers, inadequate and unqualified teachers especially in rural areas, insecurity, socio-cultural beliefs, school charges, violence against girls in school and lack of gender responsive public schools among other factors.

The AAN education Coordinator argued that amongst the high numbers of out of school children, about 60 percent are girls, stating that AAN sees education as a human right issue, therefore if these high numbers of children are not in school; it implies that their right to education has been denied and hampers on the attainment of SDG4.

ActionAid’s Role On her part, Giwa opined that over the years, ActionAid Nigeria have embarked on various forms of research to underscore the underlying factors; working with various stakeholders in addressing the problem.

She pointed out that some of the roles that AAN played include promoting community participation in school governance through the formation and training of School Based Management Committees (SBMC), establishment of Safe Spaces for in and out of school girls, advocacy for increased funding in the education sector, access to school infrastructure, teacher training, facilitated and supported some states to develop policies and guidelines on SBMCs, Inclusive education and safe space intervention.

She declared that AAN has worked with community based structures such as SBMC and Parents Teachers Associations (PTA), training them to be functional, to advocate and seek support for school needs.

She maintained that there are states where government has adopted AAN ‘s model and budgeted funds to mobilise girls to go back to school, mobilize resources for school repairs, advocated for some community volunteers with teaching qualification to be converted to regular teaching staff to bridge the gap of inadequate teachers.

According to her, “AAN has reached out to government to request for the construction of a bridge to allow children from riverine communities to access schools.

In Borno state, we currently have the Back to Home intervention which brings education

to Internally Displaced children in their homes; we are also monitoring the Home Grown School Feeding Programme in order to promote accountability and transparency in the school feeding programme. These among other things we have done and collaborated with state government. “In the context of the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have embarked on sensitisation of community members especially girls on the preventive measures of COVID 19, trained girls on production of face masks and provided girls from vulnerable homes, who are members of our safe spaces with transistor radios to enable tune in to listen to the online Learning programme organised by the Lagos and Sokoto state government. “In one of the states in the northern part of Nigeria, the girls in our safe space have opened up to talk about how teachers are sexually harassing them in school, which is also keeping some of them out of school.�

Continuing, she said: ““I would say a lot of success has been recorded as government has been open, making commitment and seeking partnership to work with development agencies. This can be seen in some of the areas where government has adopted AAN model of making budgetary allocation specifically for mobilising and supporting girls to go back to school. “In some states, AAN has trained state government officials and advocated for gender responsive public schools so as to ensure schools have facilities that addresses the needs of boys and girls to remain in school.�

Presently, the government has reached out seeking for support to address this challenge and inaugurated a committee to embark on enrolment drive. On the committee, International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGOs) such as AAN and others have been invited to serve and provided the needed support where necessary. “Before now, AAN has worked with State’s Ministry of Education and Local Education Authorities on development of SBMCS Policy and guidelines.

These challenges have continued due to many factors. First, it’s the issue of low share of budget in the sector. “Despite the United Nations recommended benchmark of 15-20 per cent allocation for education on the national budget, the sector has received less than 10 per cent since 2010. Recently, the sector’s budget was cut by over 50 per cent despite the COVID 19 emergency. This does not show the commitment to address the menace thereby impacting on all effort to achieve SDG4 in Nigeria. “The lack of commitment in the delivery of quality education is affecting the sector in various ways as data is still a huge challenge and not utilised in planning. With the increase in population, the sector’s allocation is still very low. The system of budgeting does not address the rising number of out of school children,� she explained.

According to her, “Most times, the government concerns themselves with building

of infrastructure without looking at the underlying cause out of school children.

There are many communities with school buildings but no children come to those schools because there are no teachers and other facilities that will enable children access education, remain in school, transit to the next level and even complete their education cycle. “In most communities there are only primary schools, without any Junior or Senior Secondary School nearby. Here distance becomes a major factor of keeping children out of school. All these factors put together makes some parents keep their children from school and engage them in other income generating activities such as farming, hawking and cattle rearing. “The UBE policy provides for free compulsory education, but most children are charged various forms of levies. Where many families live below the poverty line, this makes it difficult for children in such homes to be school. Other factors include deep rooted socio-cultural beliefs and norms that keep more children from schools.�

Therefore, she suggested the need for increased funding to the sector while also ensuring monitoring and tracking of fund for judicious utilisation. “This will entrench accountability and transparency in the system. I will recommend third party monitoring as this has proven to work. Government should ensure free education that is inclusive and equitable for all Nigerian children. The government must stop paying lip service and tackle this menace headlong. “Government should make the budgetary process open and participatory instead of just the exclusive business of government who do not take into consideration of school needs. There should be adequate funding for the implementation of policies. Most policies lack the financial backing, which makes them end up on paper. “There should be investment in teacher training and retraining. In addition, revise the recruitment process of teachers that will ensure only qualified and committed personnel are recruited to teach. In addition to this, improve the welfare of teachers to motivate them and make the leaving profession sustainable. “There should be revisit of the school inspection traditional of the past to ensure that school administrators and teachers are doing their jobs as expected. There should ensure safe and friendly school environment for children with adequate facilities that are also disability friendly to ensure more children remain in school and are not discriminated. “Government should ensure that there are more senior secondary schools to address the barrier of distance so that those transiting can continue schooling. On school reopening, the government must ensure that schools are safe by putting in place measures that will enable parents allow their children resume schools and not contribute to increasing the number of the out of school children,� she added.

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IMAGES

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state ( right ) and President Muhammadu Buhari during Governor’s visit to the Presidential Villa , Abuja....yesterday ( 1st SEPTEMBER 2020 ) .

GODWIN OMOIGUI

R-L: Director-General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong; Board Chairman, Cross River State Social Development Agency, Mr Toni Ikpeme; Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong; Chairman of BIase Local Government Area, Mrs Ada Charles and Acting General Manager, Cross River State Social Development Agency, Mr Fidel Undie, during the inauguration of Healthcare Centre in Biase Local Government of Cross Rivers...recently

Governor Hope Uzodimma receives an award as Pan-Nigerian Governor of the Year from the Chairman of Coalition of Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders of Nigeria, Mohammed S Danlami while other leaders watch at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri‌recently

L-R: Medical Director, Lilly Hospital, Dr. Ochuba Chukwudi Robert; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia during the commissioning of the fourth coronavirus (COVID-19) molecular laboratory in Edo State, at Lily Hospital, Benin City.recently

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L-R: General Manager, Public Aairs, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr. Tunji Oketunbi and Commissioner/ CEO, AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru, during a Press brieďŹ ng held at Aviation Safety House, Airport, Ikeja on the Quorum Aviation Ltd helicopter crash in Ikeja,Lagos..recently KOLAWOLE ALLI.

Medical Doctors protesting over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr Vivien Otu, at the premises of Cross River State House of Assembly in Calabar....recently

L-R: Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba; Managing Director, Rural ElectriďŹ cation Agency, Mr Ahmad Salihijo; and Managing Director, Volsus Energy Limited, Mr Tomiwa Bayo-Ojo, during the inauguration of sustainable alternative energy solutions for eďŹƒcient primary healthcare service delivery in Nigeria, at Karu Primary Healthcare Centre, in Abuja...recently

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Mainstreet MicroďŹ nance Bank, Adegoke Adegbami; Managing Director/ CEO,Richway MicroďŹ nance Bank, Adenrele Oni; Managing Director/CEO, Daylight MicroďŹ nance Bank, Princess Adeola Ilozobhie and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Farm Funds Africa, Dorcas Omamuli during the African Brands Awards held at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja...recently

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

31

L-R : Director of Administration and Human Resources, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Khaliel Hadi; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Gbemisola Babalola-Erinoso; Managing Director, NAN, Mr Buki Ponle and Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Mr Idonije Obakhedo during the assumption of office of the new NAN MD in Abuja...recently

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba (left), and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, at the high-level breakfast policy dialogue on social protectionin in Abuja,.recently

L-R: Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Materials Science andTechnology, Dr. Babaniyi Babatope; Director General, RMRDC, Prof Husaini Doko Ibrahim,;President MSN, Prof Esther Ikhuoria; Secretary General MSN, Prof Abba Hamza and Deputy Director, Trade Facilitation RMRDC, Abubakar Shehu Kollere, during a visit by the MSN team to the RMRDC, in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chief Executive Office of Hall 7 Project, Mr Olayinka Braimoh; Director, Legal Services, Mr Tijjani Ibrahim and NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim; after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to build and equip skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development centre for the NYSC Scheme in Ezi, Delta State...recently

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi (left) and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Nasarawa State, Fatu Jimaita-Sabo, when the Commissioner and her team visited the Ministry for collaboration in the areas of Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), in Abuja...recently L-R: Director of Research and Documentation, Nigeria Press Council (NPC), Mrs Stella Jibrin; Deputy Director, Finance and Account, NPC, Mr Atang Jacob; Director in-charge of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Dr David Adeniken; and the new Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Francis Nwosu, during Nwosu’s assumption of office at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja... recently

L-R: Chief Imam of Yorubaland, Shelkh AbdulRsheen Ă€duanigba; Spokesman for the Yoruba World Congress, Dr Tunde Amusat; YWC members, Alhaji Alli Oyedeji, Bashorun Kunle Adeshokan and Princess Oyeronke Akinlolu, during a press conference on the “State of Yorubalandâ€?, in Ibadan...recently

L-R; Minister in charge of Evangelism and Outreach,Trinity House, Pastor David Edward; President/Founder, Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop Dr. David Oyedepo; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Olajide Ighodalo; and Chief of Staff to Pastor Ighodalo, Pastor Olu-Victor Oyinloye during pastor Ituah courtesy visit Bishop Oyedepo in Ota Ogun State‌‌recently

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32

T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Nasarawa and Push for Better Healthcare With the handing over of 160 bed-space capacity to Lafia Model Hospital by Nasarawa State for the take off of Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, the government hopes to change healthcare narrative in the state. Igbawase Ukumba writes

Lafia Model Hospital

I

t is obvious that Nasarawa State is witnessing a deficit in healthcare manpower, hence the intention of the state government to address this through the use of trained nurses, doctors, laboratory scientists, pharmacists and all that makes healthcare works.

It was against this background that the government donated its 160 bed-capacity Lafia Model Hospital to the Federal University of Lafia with the hope that by the completion of the project, the gigantic edifice will remain a training ground, aside the health services it is going to offer.

Nevertheless, the state government would also want to see the flourishing and the influx of researchers through the gesture.

It was in this vein that Governor Abdullahi Sule was filled with gratitude to God and a sense of fulfillment that he formally handed over the Lafia Model Hospital to the Federal University of Lafia. When handing-over the edifice to the institution, Sule recalled that his predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, had pledged to donate the edifice to the university as part of the state government’s support towards the establishment of the School of Medicine by the institution. He continued that the donation was expected to serve as a teaching hospital for students of the medical school of the university.

According to the governor, “this is in tandem with the determination of our administration to prioritise and strengthen the healthcare system of the state, consider-

ing the fact that the achievement of an industrialised state is contingent upon a healthy population. Government will continue to support the university in the training of medical personnel who will handle the issue of healthcare delivery.”

He said there was a general shortage of human resource for the health sector in the country and particularly in Nasarawa State, hence the need for the establishment of the medical school will serve as a necessary encouragement to the country’s teeming youths to take up the medical vocation.

He therefore challenged youths in that direction.

“As a reciprocal gesture, I appeal to the university to encourage our citizens by reserving at least 50 per cent of its admissions for qualified indigenes of the state. I believe this will go a long way meeting the personal needs of our health institutions. We also enjoin the university to perform its cooperate social responsibilities to the state,” Sule appealed.

For the State Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Yahaya, it was clear that Sule’s priority in his administration included health and security The health commissioner in a welcome address during the handing-over ceremony at the edifice site recalled that the project was conceived in 2014 by Governor Sule’s predecessor.

According to Yahaya, “the projects were three in numbers and each was cited in the three senatorial zones. The model hospital we are handing over to the

university is a 160 bed-capacity with full departmental activities to function as a model hospital. Those departments include medicine, surgery, orthopedic, accident and emergency, laboratory sciences, pharmacy and many more.

“It is indeed with a clear intention that this project was set up with N1.2 billion.

Time didn’t permit your predecessor to make a true picture of what he desired to make. But I wish to let the public know that over N800 million was invested into this project.” The commissioner added that the Nasarawa governor had clearly said it many times that all the projects that his predecessor had handed over to him, he will see to the end of them.

“Your predecessor has ceded the hospital to the university, and you have come to officially present it today,” he said. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Mohammed Sanusi Liman, said the entire community of the university lacks words to express its appreciation.

He said: “We will never forget what the Nasarawa State government has been doing to Federal University of Lafia. The state government donated vice chancellor’s lodge, registrar’s lodge, the former secretariat as the take-off of the university and has built a female hostel for the university.”

“The state government also supported us when we were struggling to establish College of Medicine in the Federal University of Lafia. The state government donated Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia as our Teaching Hospital.”

Consequently, as a reciprocal to the

numerous benevolence the university has received from the government of Nasarawa State, the university on its part, promised to do the needful, Prof Liman said.

“I want to inform you that we have commenced the process of admitting students into MMBS, radiography, nursing, MMS, anatomy, physiology and the rest. And I assure you that Nasarawa State will get more than the 50 per cent you requested.

“If you find out, Nasarawa State is in control of the university. We are competing with the Nasarawa State University. In fact, if you go through our records, we have more of state indigenes in Federal University of Lafia than the Nasarawa State University,” the VC said.

He further disclosed to Sule that since his assumption of office, in order to encourage indigenes to have university education, he established remedial programme were 90 per cent of students were from Nasarawa State. Those who were successful in their JAMB examination were given admission in the university. “We will also establish IJMB programme where people can go, not necessarily Federal University of Lafia, after graduation. They can go to other universities,” he added.

“Federal University of Lafia will be a pride of Nasarawa State, just as we have seen in other states where the federal government has established institutions.

It is their own if they want to make it their own, otherwise people can come from somewhere, because it is federal government properties, it will only be in your own state but other people will be taping from the benefits,” he restated.

Health Professionals Fret over HIV/AIDS Upsurge in Abia LG Emmanuel Ugwu Health service providers in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have expressed alarm over the rising cases of HIV/ AIDS in the area.

The Chief Matron, Umunneochi General

Hospital, Mrs. Jane Ezechinyereugo said that over 50 cases of HIV/AIDS were being recorded on monthly basis at the facility, adding that the situation calls for concern.

The nurse, who spoke after taking delivery of drugs and medical consumables

donated by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, noted that there was need to ring the alarm bell in order to arrest the ugly development.

She attributed the upsurge in incidents of HIV/AIDS in Umunneochi to the existence of the Lokpanta Cattle Market which breeds

prostitution with presence of large number of commercial sex workers.

Mrs. Ezechinyereugo therefore appealed to government to take urgent steps to save the situation, which has compounded the health problems in the local government.

While lauding Ohuabunwa for donating essential drugs and medical consumables to the General Hospital, the matron noted that it would go a long way in treatment of patients and eliminate out-of- stock syndrome in the hospital.

Ohuabunwa, who represented Abia North in the 8th Senate, had made similar donations to other General Hospitals in the component local governments of the senatorial district, including a brand new ambulance donated to Arochukwu General Hospital.

T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

33

NEWS

Traditional Medicine Can Be Nigeria’s Biggest Export, Ooni Says Martins Ifijeh The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye-Ogunwusi Enitan has stated that if Nigerians, policy makers and other stakeholders give traditional medicine the priority it deserves, it will become the country’s biggest export.

Disclosing this during a press briefing to commemorate the African Traditional Medicine Day held in Lagos

recently, he said the section of medicine has been in existence in Nigeria for over 500 years, and that if fully supported, it could become a major foreign exchange earner for the country, and that Nigerians will be healthier for it.

He said: “We need to rise up to the new challenge by providing the needed funding, legislative and policy support to jump start

Africa Traditional Medicine as an alternative to boost our economy.

“The current economic downturn occasioned by COVID -19 pandemic has compelled the region and Nigeria in particular to seek effective diversification of the economy, and the time is now.”

He said that the pandemic has brought the need for Nigeria to look at the im-

portance of herbal medicine, adding that the pandemic has created an incredible and virile condition for the indigenous herbal medicines to thrive.

The traditional ruler also used the opportunity to launch the Pan African Foundation for Traditional Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD).

He named a Nigerian herbal medicine, Virasol

as one of the over 40 herbal medicines submitted to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for registration as immune booster against COVID-19.

“I am very glad the herbal remedy has passed NAFDAC laboratory tests and the registration number will be out this week.

“The Virasol immune boosting herbal medicine is

one of the series of herbal remedies developed under the aegis of my new initiative, Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD) for which I am launching today to the glory of Almighty God,” he said.

He also added that traditional medicine has the capacity to prevent Nigerians from visiting hospitals; using himself as an example.

Nursing, Expectant Mothers Charged on Healthy Living Omolabake Fasogbon Nursing and expectant mothers in Nigeria have been advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep them away from diseases.

This is also as reports have established that pregnant women were clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their exposure to viruses like flu.

Speaking during a medical outreach organised by Power Oil recently, Brand Manager of the firm, Ms. Prerna Pathre said the outreach was part of the organisation’s Health Camp project aimed at ensuring the wellness of all.

She said, “It is only a healthy woman that can raise a happy family, which is why we decided to take the programme directly to mothers in primary healthcare centres across the country.

“The outreach is currently

running simultaneously across nine locations - Lagos, Ikeja, Akure, Onitsha, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin, Kano, and Warri. We are proud to state that as at mid-August, approximately 10,000 mothers have been touched and still counting, as we hope to continue with this exercise” The Public Relations Manager of Tolaram Group, Mrs. Omotayo Azeez- Abiodun stated that the initiative was thought of to remind Nigerians to lead a healthy life.

She said: “The wellbeing of our consumers is a priority to us and considering the alarming rate of health complications this period; we are taking this as a part of our responsibilities to sensitise Nigerians on the need to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular checkups and healthy choice of food consumption to achieve a sound health.”

COVID-19: Gender Justice Advocates Call for Protection of Caregivers Oluwabunmi Fache Gender Justice Advocates has charged stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure the enforcement of relevant laws, social protections, cooperation and self-care for caregivers who are on the frontline against COVID-19 and post COVID-19 recovery in Nigeria.

The call was made at a virtual care dialogue recently, organised by Red Eyes Development Initiative (REDi), a gender rights, environmental justice and sustainable development advocacy organisation, in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Gender Studies (CCGS), University of Port Harcourt.

The Director of REDi, Ekaete George said the organisation was committed to important dialogues to promote gender justice and sustainable development.

Acting Director, CCGS University, Port Harcourt, Dr Heoma Worlu advocated for women leaders to synergise and for families to operate on equilibrium where care was no longer a gender specific activity.

We should socialise our children to understand that everyone’s home is important. If boys and girls are taught to contribute equally from the home, these abuses of caregiving responsibilities will reduce,” she said.

The President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, Dr. Vetty Agala noted that: “women and girls should break the culture of silence. We need to speak up and make our voices heard, and we need to rally round each other.

“It might take time for government and policy makers to intervene, but individuals, civil society organisations and institutions must form alliances and rally to help and provide care for vulnerable women.”

Executive Director, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mrs. Loretta Ahuokpeme noted the spike in sexual and gender based violence during the pandemic, adding that law enforcement agencies should give prompt interventions and a human face to complaints.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi; Governor, Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed; and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire during the governor’s courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja recently

New Automated System Launched to Save More Sickle Cell Patients Rebecca Ejifoma The Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has formally launched the newly refurbished Muyiwa Talabi Exchange Blood Transfusion (EBT) Unit with an automated system to save more patients from painful experiences of transfusing red blood cell.

The EBT, which was launched recently at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos, donated by the Muyiwa Tablabi’s family, aims

to give sickle cell patients normal and quality lives.

The Consultant Hematologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Supervising Consultant to SCFN, Dr. Titi Adeyemo, explained how they manage complications and prevent pain in SCD patients through blood transfusion, EBT. “When they are short of red cells, which normally carry oxygen, we have to transfuse red cell so they will be able to deliver oxygen to various

parts of their body.” the doctor noted.

While describing the automated system as a lifesaver, Adeyemo decried that people with sickle cell disease suffer, adding that most of the time “we know what we have to do but what we have to use is just not readily available”.

She therefore expressed gratitude to the Alabi families for setting up the facility.

“I am happy today. It is as if for me and my patients this centre was set up for

me to be able to intervene.

I know the relief and the lives it is going to save”.

The Chairman, SCFN, Prof. Olu Akinyanju lauded Mrs. Busola Talabi and the entire Talabi family for the donation of the state of the art facility. He recalled that the man whose life was being celebrated, the late Mr. Muyiwa Talabi had impacted the work of the SCFN in different ways after he observed the challenges of the centre last year at his 60th birthday.

Century Group Health Safety Summit Holds September 4 Mary Nnah Century Group, the headliners of the Health, Safety and Environment Summit in collaboration with Global Performance Index (GPI) partners with the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Lagos State Ministry of Health and Combined Training Solutions (CTS) is poised to host the second edition virtually on Friday, September 4, 2020.

In line with the United

Nations SDG 13 goal on climate change and ending plastic and other forms of waste, the organiser aims to enlighten people on revenue generating and employment opportunities in HSE practice.

The Health, Safety and Environment Summit will bring together professionals in various fields across the continent and beyond to explore innovative ways to combat climate change and highlight the benefits that can accrue from recycling waste in Africa.

This year’s summit will have panelists and delegates from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Federal Ministry of Health, Recyclers Association of Nigeria to emphasise the need to curb harmful disposal of waste as well as create wealth through recycling.

The summit will equally sponsor selected entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in waste management, recycling, basic HSE train-

ing and discounted IOSH membership.

Notable Speakers like Richard Orton, Director of Strategy and Business Development (IOSH), Ejiro Daisy Ufondu Assistant Director (Environment) DPR, Tosin Faniro Dada Head of Strategy & Partnerships (LSETF), Essein Nsuabia (LAWMA), Jackie Lwanga, Vice President East African Region (SOWSHE A) and several others will lead the discussion and give insights on the wealth opportunities in standard HSE practice.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

NEWS

Mamora Tasks African Countries on Traditional Medicine Development Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Minister of state for Health, Dr. Olurunnimbe Mamora has said that Africa must reflect on how well it has fared in promoting research and ultimately integrating traditional medicine into mainstream health care delivery system Mamora stated this at a ministerial press briefing to mark the 2020 African Traditional Medicine Day celebration held last Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the current COVID-19 pandemic has brought the entire world to its knees due to its ravaging effect on health, economy and social well-being of humanity, with countries inevitably being forced to look inwards for local solution which makes the time for stock taking of achievement and failure in traditional medicine sector, now.

This year’s celebration with the theme “Two Decades of African Traditional Medicine (2001-2020): What Progress in Countries” focused on how traditional medicine practitioners

can help in finding solutions to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Mamora acknowledged that Nigerian traditional medicine practitioners have tremendous progress in the development of alternative traditional medicine for treatment of diseases, however expressed worry that not much success has been achieved in integrating traditional medicine into routine healthcare services.

“You will recall that Madagascar came up with a herbal product, called Covid Organics which claims to be preventive and curative for COVID-19, although this claim is yet to be scientifically proven, but it would not be out of place to acknowledge this effort and its a good step in African continent.

“I must commend the gallant efforts of some of our herbal practitioners who made similar moves in this regard; we urge them to step forward to be counted”, the minister of state said.

Speaking further, Mamora said that “in Nigeria, we are blessed with over 8,000 species of medicinal plants which provides

low hanging fruits for the production of agro allied pharmaceutical raw materials, herbal medicines, trado medicines and body care products to mention a few.

“Looking inward, the Federal Ministry of Health has requested traditional herbal medicine practitioner who claim to have herbal medicines for the management of COVID-19 to submit such claims for necessary evaluation and validation.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi said in his opening remarks that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world; it has become increasingly necessary to look at strategies by all countries to tackle this novel Corona Virus.

“It is worthy of mention that since COVID-19 was discovered, Nigeria has also joined the world in the search for cure and management of this virus.

Various traditional medicine practitioners have submitted claims for products with potential to cure this disease.

“These products have been fully handed to NIPRD and NAFDAC for further evaluation.

This development is evidence of government’s commitment and involvement towards the development, promotion of traditional medicine and its gradual integration into the main health care delivery system.”

A member of the ad-hoc Committee on Health, at the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Shehu Balarabe Kakale, reiterated support for the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government in tightening the loopholes in the area of Alternative, Traditional and Complimentary Medicine for the benefit of Nigerians.

“80 per cent of Nigerians use traditional medicine one way or the other and have got remedies and succor in many areas concerning their health and well-being, with the current new support in the sector, a lot could be achieved in reducing medical tourism, improving health and welfare of Nigerians and of course, creating jobs to

boost the economy.”

He further assured of the support of his colleagues at the National Assembly to do their best in continuous, seamless and harmonious relationship in passing bills and other resolution of the Traditional Medicine Association as well as the institution that certify this products for the benefits of Nigerians.

Similarly, the Director General of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe said that for the first time in the country’s history an interdisciplinary team of over 20 eminent and erudite Professors drawn from various universities and geopolitical regions were convened to form the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) on the verification of claims by Traditional Medicines Practitioners.

“This landmark achievement not only ensures that COVID-19 cure claims are subjected to the highest international science, it

also ensures that the highest relevant standards of safety and efficacy are maintained, in order to safeguard the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

Adigwe further disclosed that the institute is commencing a nationwide training and capacity building of traditional medicines practitioners.

“This year, the activity being decentralized to states and rural areas to ensure a robust and comprehensive engagement with governors, sub-national policymakers and regulators, as well as to mitigate identified challenges such as paucity of funds, limited information technology capacity and poor understanding of scientific, policy and regulatory processes”, he stated. “In his words: “NIPRD remains committed to undertaking activities that foster and stimulate ground-breaking evidence based methodologies and policies that would enable the inherent fulfilment of health and socioeconomic potential associated with African Traditional Medicines”.

Kwara Pledges to Compensate Frontline Health Workers after COVID-19 Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has stated that his government will handsomely reward frontline workers after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Speaking during an unscheduled visit to health workers at the COVID-19 infectious Disease Center located at Sobi Specialist Hospital recently, the governor explained that what the workers were receiving from government was allowance.

He said health workers had volunteered to help the state in combatting the pandemic long before the introduction of allowances.

“Our coming here today is to specially and specifically appreciate you for your untiring

efforts at ending the pandemic.

We wish to state that we will compensate you specially when the COVID is over. All what we are doing now is payment of your allowance.”

The governor, however urged the workers never to relent in their commitment to end the disease in the state.

In her remark, Chief Medical Director of the state COVID-19/ Infectious Disease Management Centre, Dr. Sìkirat Lambe described the visit as historic and a better way to boast the morale of the health workers.

She said that Kwara was among the few states with testing centers in the country.

This according to her helped in the early diagnosis of this infection.

PDI Extends Affordable Telehealth Services to Northern Grassroot Communities Sunday Ehigiator In a bid to push for greater adoption of innovative telehealth among the country’s vulnerable and underserved communities, Pre Diagnosis International (PDI) has commenced a programme of spreading its service base to various rural areas within the Northern parts of the country.

In a statement signed by the Managing Director of PDI, Dr. John Iguve, he said this development is the first of such tactical moves for the North Central and North Western parts of the country.

According to him, “The ‘PDI 24/7 Doctors’ Hotline and the PDI Telehealth App’ have been remodeled to serve the needs

of the Northern people in the Hausa language.

“The company’s foray into Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Abuja is in furtherance of PDI’s determination to meet the target of delivering efficient and affordable modern healthcare to 20 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians between 2020 and 2030.”

Iguve explained that the four cities were selected for the pilot scheme of the PDI 20-2030 Reach, Rescue and Fortify project in the North after the successes recorded in the South-west area over the last two years.

He said plans to extend the reach to every nook and corner of the Northern region were already in place.

L-R: Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Mohammed Sambo during the minister’s visit to NHIS Data and Contact Centre in Abuja recently

Tribunal Arraigns Doctors for Professional Negligence Woman with amputated wrist seeks redress Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, sitting Abuja has begun the hearing of cases of alleged negligence brought against two medical doctors, a Consultant Plastic Surgeon; Adeshina Jenrola and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Silas Ochejele.

Both doctors are working in Madonna hospital, Benue State.

According to the prosecution, the two doctors were alleged to have committed gross negligence in the management of the case of Rebecca Olatunbosun, who came to have her fibroid removed.

The Prosecution Counsel said that due to the negligence of these doctors, there were complications with blood transfusion, which ultimately led to the patient’s left wrist being amputated.

Speaking with journalists outside the tribunal in Abuja, the Prosecution Counsel, Sanusi Musa, said the charges had to do with the issue of a patient who

went for a procedure to remove fibroid, eventually ended up with her hand amputated.

“There are two doctors involved. The Consultant Gynaecologist who did the first test and also the Consultant Plastic Surgeon that was called to check the hand that was amputated.

“It has to do with how the doctors conducted themselves because without any explanation, her hand was amputated; she was not explained to that that would happen. We believe that what happened was in the course of blood transfusion, that there was negligence which led to gangrene affecting her hand.

“In such a case, the doctors cannot be allowed to go scot free because she has lost a hand now. Most especially, she is a secretary and all her work has to do with her two hands. Now she doesn’t have one. This can affect her source of livelihood, and it is not sending a good signal about the medical profession.”

However, Jenrola pleaded not

guilty to the charge against him.

His Defense Counsel, Tarkaa Akula, in an interview, said, “I believe that the prosecution cannot prove their case because from the papers, there is nothing implicating my client.”

The charge against Jenrola read, “That you Dr. Adeshina Jenrola, registered medical practitioner, practicing as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, between 10th and 18th June 2009 or thereabouts Madonna Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, while managing one Rebecca Olatunbosun (F), as a patient under your care, were grossly negligent in her management when you failed to do all that was appropriate for the management of her-condition, and thereby, conducted yourself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4h and 31 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under Section 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioner’s’ Act CAP. M8 LFN 2004 (as amended).”

In the case against Ochejele, the charge read, “That you Dr. Silas Ochejele, registered medical practitioner, practicing as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, between 10th and 18th June 2009 or thereabouts Madonna Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, while managing one Rebecca Olatunbosun , as a patient under your care, were grossly negligent in her management when you failed to supervise and or ensure that her treatment was properly supervised by your subordinates to her as appropriate for the management of her condition, leading to gangrene of her left wrist and its amputation thereof, and thereby, conducted yourself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4h, 43 and 31 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under Section 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP. M8 U” N 2004 (as amended).”

35

T H I S D AY Ëž SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

OPINION

Not Consulting Pharmacists Cause Grave Error Dr Charles Nwaora Nwako

degradation by acid in the stomach.

Concurrent administration of two or more drugs It is not always proper to take many drugs at the same time. Some could interact with each other and alter their properties. For example, antimalarials generally called ACTs interact with vitamin C or antioxidants like selenium and this renders the ACT ineffective.

Antacids destroy the action of most drugs if taken together. Iron preparations and proton pump inhibitors like rabeprazole interact. However, drugs like Vitamin C and Iron preparations are best co-administered to improve blood drug absorption. Only your pharmacists know the best for every circumstance.

Some Nigerian patients are still unaware that the cycle in their health-seeking behaviour is incomplete if they fail to consult with their pharmacists especially during their drug refill.

Most patients feel that their health challenges are solved once they consult their physicians, but fail to realize that the success of any health journey or outcomes depends greatly on their drug usages.

Drugs are not ordinary items of trade, but are potential poisons that could treat or harm if wrongly taken. The pharmacist is the health professional and legal authority that acts as the learned intermediary who produces, imports, distributes, and clinically audits any prescription for its appropriateness and safety, among others.

Any other personnel who assumes such roles is a usurper. As a consequence of patients not consulting with their pharmacists, many innocent clients have suffered both economic, health and other setbacks while trying to refill or administer their drugs.

Wrong Choice in Sourcing for drugs Many patients wrongly source their drugs in non-pharmacies or unregistered pharmacies. An adage says that it is not the size of the church building that makes a cathedral, but the presence of a Bishop.

Once any drug outlet is without a pharmacist, getting your prescription refilled there is tantamount to taking a risk. The patient stands the risk of either buying a substandard/fake drug or robs himself of the salient drug information/disease education necessary for the appropriate intake of the drugs.

Wrong drug administration timing Some drugs must be taken at a particular time before they work. If taken at the wrong time, they may not work optimally. For example; some Antibiotics are time or concentration dependent in order to work optimally. Examples of some timedependent drugs include penicllins like ampicillin/cloxacillin; cephalosporins like cefuroxime; macrolides like erythromycin; lincosamides like clindamycin, among others.

These drugs must maintain their concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration of the pathogens for up to or above 50 per cent of their dosing intervals to work optimally. Some concentration dependent drugs must have their concentrations up to or greater than 10times that of the minimum inhibitory concentration of the microbes.

Nature of liquid used during drug administration Many patients wrongly use very cold or hot water, tea, milk , soft drinks, alcohol and fruit Juices to administer their drugs.

These liquids could affect the chemical nature of some drugs. For instance, cold water could slow the dissolution and

Using a different container for drug storage It is always wrong for patients to use another container to store their drug. This could lead to drug interactions or accidental poisoning of drugs. Some particles of a drug could chemically react with a drug packaging if stored in a wrong container.

Also, there could be misinterpretation of labels and subsequent consumption of the wrong drug. Every drug must be properly labelled in the right container to avoid confusion and the incidence of poisoning and toxicity.

Nwako

disintegration rates of some drugs; hot water could hasten their dissolution and disintegration rates of these drugs; Coca cola, being acidic could interact with some basic drugs and form a neutral water and salt. This will automatically alter the drugs’ original state.

Fruit juices like grape, cranberry, orange and apple juices could alter the alkalinity or basicity of these drugs or even hinder the activities of some metabolising enzymes in the liver.

Use of food in drug administration Administration of food with some drugs could increase or reduce the bioavailability of those drugs. Drugs like artemisinin based combined anti-malarials have enhanced absorption if taken with fatty meals. Cefuroxime antibiotic has enhanced absorption if taken with meals; presence of food could reduce the intensity of GIT irritating properties of some drugs,etc.

However, presence of food could reduce the bioavailability of some drugs like iron builders, ciprofloxacine, proton pump inhibitors like omeprazoles, among others.

The truth is that your pharmacist remains your best guide in drug administration Drug storage Many patients poorly store their drugs leading to rapid degradation. Some drugs are temperature, moisture or light sensitive

and may be destroyed if not properly stored.

Drugs like Insulin should be stored in a cool and dry place like the door casing of fridges and not in the freezer. Very cold or hot environments denature them as protein.

Eye drops must be kept in cool and dry places. Patients should avoid freezing their drugs except instructed otherwise by their pharmacist.

No drug that is to be stored in the fridge or freezer should be allowed to be there if there is long power outage. Drugs should be kept in the proper container, sealed and in an aseptic condition. Your pharmacist will properly guide you on the best storage condition for each type of drug.

Crushing and scoring of drugs Not all drugs are crushable or scored.

Only drugs that are scored are crushable.

It is wrong for patients to try to break or crush their drugs without first getting approval from their Pharmacist.

The pharmacist knows the best in terms of drug properties. Some drugs have a narrow margin of safety and unequal division could lead to toxicities. Most uncoated drugs could be crushed just like paracetamol. Coated drugs should not be crushed.

The essence of coating could be to mask the bitter taste, reduce acidic degradation in the stomach, etc. Entericoated drugs like low dose aspirin should not be crushed to avoid

Using another patient’s prescription Some patients go as far as borrowing copies of prescriptions from another patient to treat cases with similar signs and symptoms.

It must be clearly stated that many ailments look alike in terms of signs and symptoms and have different treatments.

It is a suicidal attempt for patients to use prescriptions prescribed for another person for their personal cases. Patients must consult with their healthcare provider for better advice and guidance.

Discarding of drugs after use Most patients are unaware that what they call medicine could actually poison the same patient. Some antibiotic penicillin powders turn to a toxic product once exposed to moisture. This toxic product could kill the patient if consumed.

This means that antibiotics, especially the powders should be discarded after the recommended duration. Other drugs should also be discarded if stored after some durations, otherwise they become poisonous to the patients. Patients must always ask their pharmacist(s) about how long their opened product could last.

Most products could expire earlier than their expiry dates if poorly stored. Always consult your pharmacist on all drug related issues to guide you properly. Consult a Clinical Pharmacist in the case of advanced pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management. t %S $IBSMFT /XBPSB /XBLP JT B DMJOJDBM QIBSNBDJTU BOE IF XSJUFT GSPN -BHPT

University Don Extols Benefits of Soybeans in Addressing Protein Deficiency Chiamaka Ozulumba A leading nutrition expert has urged Nigerians to explore soybeans as a good food source, to alleviate malnutrition and achieve good health.

Professor Ibiyemi Olayiwola, Professor of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), who made this assertion recently, described soybeans as an excellent source of protein, with the addedadvantage of being affordable. She noted that the benefits of soybeans

are often understated in this country.

Speaking on the benefits of consuming soybeans, she said: “Soybeans are not only a remarkable source of protein, but they are also a rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. “Adequate proteins are a necessity for infants, children and adolescents as these life stages require high-quality protein, such as from soybeans, to have rapid growths in height and weight.�

She added that in the light of the importance of protein for healthy living,

there is a need for adequate consumption of soybeans at different stages of life.

The Professor of Food Science explained that proteins are made up of amino acids which are indispensable elements in the diet. She explained that proteins are essential for growth, repairs, replacement of worn-out cells and tissues.

According to Professor Olayiwola, “soybeans are a complete protein source, which possess the ability to prevent non-communicable diseases such as protein deficiency, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension,

which are growing health burdens in Nigeria. Soybeans have low glycemic index and low trans-fat oil, which are highly beneficial to the human circulatory system.�

She posited that increasing protein in the diet is not only beneficial to the mother and child, but to society as a whole. She made reference to the Nigerian Protein Deficiency Survey, a recent survey that examined the level of protein deficiency in Nigeria and shed light on the food consumption pattern among Nigerians.

The report indicated 51 per cent of Nigerians do not have

adequate protein-rich foods, due to high costs.

Professor Olayiwola stated that consuming an affordable high-quality protein like soybeans, in any of its forms, will gradually mitigate protein deficiency.

She suggested that there should be strategic nutrition advocacy to boost protein consumption, through the integration of soybeans into fast-moving consumer goods lines such as snacks, seasonings, complementary foods and beverages. The promotion of soy-based foods as prophylactic and therapeutic diet is necessary

for Nigeria, she insisted.

Professor Olayiwola noted that the campaign for soybeans consumption and utilisation must involve stakeholders, indigenous farmers, industrialists, nutritionists and health providers. The use of the media to increase consumption of legumes such as cowpea and soybean by all age groups must showcase Beans for life.

The nutrition expert urged the government to focus on the implementation of the National Food and Nutrition Policy and revitalise other related programmes, to improve the nutritional status

36

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

GTBank,Stanbic IBTCAnnounceN135bnHalf-yearProfit Goddy Egene Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc yesterday announced their respective audited half year results for the period ended June 30, 2020, showing a combined profit after tax of N135 billion.

Both financial institutions recommended interim dividend for shareholders.

The results showed that GTBank’s profit before tax (PBT) stood at N109.714 billion as at the end of June 2020, compared with the N115.787 billion recorded in the comparable period in 2019, while profit after tax (PAT) printed at N94.271 billion, down 4.9 per cent from N99.133 billion recorded

in 2019.

GTBank recommended an interim dividend of 30 kobo per share same as what was paid the previous year, Details of the results of GTBank also showed gross earnings of N150.48 billion, up from N146.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.Net interest income rose from N116.365 billion to N127.615 billion, while net fee and commission income fell from N33.843 billion to N22.294 billion. However, loans impairment charges jumped by 209 per cent from N2.186 billion to N6.77 billion.

On the hand, Stanbic IBTC posted gross earnings of N126.57 billion in 2020, up from N117.374

billion in 2019. The bank’s loan impairment charges was N6.404 billion as against a loan write back of N557 million in 2019.

Stanbic IBTC ended the first half of the year with profit after tax of N45.204 billion, up by 24 per cent, from the N36.245 billion recorded in the comparable period in 2019. Stanbic IBTC Holdings also recommended an interim dividend of 40 kobo per share as against 100 kobo per share the previous year.

Commenting on the performance of GTBank, analysts at FBNQuest said the PBT of N109.7 billion declined by five per cent and currently tracks behind management’s 2020 guidance of N235 billion.

AheadofFXMarketResumption, ABCON CallsforAdherencetoRules Obinna Chima The Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) yesterday advised all operators in the retail segment of the foreign exchange (FX) market to adhere to all laid down rules as the market reopens on Monday.

President of ABCON, Alhaji Amimu Gwadabe, made the call during a webinar with the topic: “Resumption of Foreign Currency Sales to BDCs, Covid-19, Challenges, Compliance and Way Forward.� “ABCON is in support of any penalty or sanction against any member. In fact, we normally recommend that the central bank should sanction any member that flouts the rules. All our

members are expected to comply. “We are also calling on our members to ensure that they render their returns to both the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit. Most importantly, our members should not sell FX to unauthorised buyers. A lot of BDCs had been sanctioned in the past, for selling to unauthorised buyers,� he warned.

He listed such unauthorised buyers to include importers, saying that the BDCs are only expected to sell the greenback to retail users such as travelers, medicals and payment of school fees. Gwadabe, also announced that funding of transactions for disbursement

would commence in four zones of the country, starting from September 4.

He added: “I want to discuss the procedures in the new resumption, they are not new, but due to Covid-19 and as an institution, we must observe certain measures that are being played down by the government. To ordinary financial transactions or funding of transactions for disbursement will start this Friday in four zones. “We have Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Awka Zones. These are our four services providers; and in Port Harcourt, Travelex is back, they are the ones to detect the disbursement of foreign currency to our members in the zone.

KPMG Urges Nigerian Banks to Improve Digital Capabilities Dike Onwuamaeze A recent study on the digital capabilities of the Nigeria banking industry carried out by KPMG Nigeria has revealed that most of the banks in the country lacked the ability to onboard a customer with end-to-end digital services.

The study, which covered 17 banks, discovered that, “85 per cent of them were unable to onboard customers digitally end-to-end.�

The 17 banks were Access Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, First Bank of Nigeriam, First City Monument Bank, Guaranty

Trust Bank, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Polaris Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Standard Chartered Nigeria, Sterling Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank.

It described ‘digital onboarding’ as a customer banking journey experience that spanned across account opening and customer profile creation on any channel of choice like mobile banking, digital lending, self-service and customer care services without requiring the customer to visit any branch to complete the process.

The report, which was unveiled during an online media briefing

on Tuesday, by the Partner and Lead, Digital Transformation, KPMG, Mr. Boye Ademola, stated that banks need to improve their digital capabilities in order to deliver products and services via digital channels. “From an industry perspective, we note that banks need to build capacity to transform user journeys by embracing design thinking principles, onboard customers digitally, articulate a pragmatic self-service agenda that will further reduce traffic at branches, reduce cost-to-serve and operational risks, embrace digital lending and digitize contact centres to cope with scale.

Comercio Partners Pledges Improved Customer Experience Comercio Partners, an investment banking firm in Nigeria has pledged to leverage on opportunities in the current business environment that was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver superior experience to its customers. A statement quoted the Head Financial Advisory/ Co-Managing Partner of Comercio Partners Limited, Steve Osho, to have predicted a bright future for Africa post Covid-19. “We like the dream of the future better than the history of the past, our words, messages,

actions, services, businesses further confirm our belief in Africa’s business ecosystem,� Osho added.

Osho said, “By leveraging on our wealth of experience, skills and knowledge of the market, we will continually explore opportunities to create significant value for our clients, Adding that “as portfolio managers, we design investment strategies based on our clients’ investment objectives, risk appetite and time horizon.�

According to the Head of Trading /Co-Managing Partner, Nnamdi Nwizu, “the world as we know

it has changed over the last six months. Comercio Partners is ready to partner with you and lead you to the new tomorrow.�

The dream of Comercio Partners has always been to be a unique investment bank in Africa committed to financial products trading and value creation hence its task to build an investment ecosystem of choice with the strategic intent of empowering minds in Africa while creating and delivering professional, and superior value across all asset classes to all our stakeholders.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $45.30 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $46.27 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

37

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Global Spectrum Grows Revenue by 31% to N2.6 Billion Goddy Egene Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc (GSES), a marine security and logistics company, with added operational competencies in energy and engineering services in the oil and gas sector, has reported a growth of 31 per cent to N2.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, from N1.87 billion in 2018.

Chairman of GSES, Osahon Idemudia, who disclosed at the

annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, said the drive for increased businesses yielded good results that translated to revenue growth.

However, the company’s profit fell from N595 million to N112.7 million as a result of a loss from the sale of one of the its assets which had been under-utilised and constituted a drain pipe on its bottom-line.

According to Idemudia, it was a sound business decision

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

to, “dispose of the asset and take the loss at this point.� He noted that in addition to strengthening its current businesses, GSES was also exploring other business lines, one of which is the merchant escort business, an area that it sees huge opportunity for growth.

The shareholders at the AGM expressed satisfaction at the performance of the company, saying that it has shown resilience in generating more businesses despite the very harsh

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

and uncertain economic condition under which businesses operate in Nigeria. According to the shareholders, the performance of the company shows that board and management are quite focused and understand the operational dynamics of their industry of business. For instance, one of the shareholders, William Adebayo, said the revenue growth is quite commendable, stressing that most organisations within the sector that GSES operates are still trying to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

find their feet in the very uncertain business environment. He urged the board and management to remain focused to ensure that the performance is sustained stopping the profit decline.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market maintained bullish trend with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciating 0.18 per cent to close at 25,460.00. Similarly, market capitalisation added N23.9 billion to be at N13.3 trillion.

O F

However, activity level waned as volume and value traded declined by 83.1 per cent and 46.7 per cent to 181.3 million shares and N1.1 billion respectively. The top traded stocks by volume were Transcorp Plc (26.8 million shares), Regency Insurance Plc (20.3 million shares) and UBA (13.3 million shares) while Zenith Bank Plc (N220.7 million), MTN Nigeria Plc (N157.5 million) and GTBank (N145 million) led by value.

0 1 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

THURSDAY, ÍťËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

NSE X-Academy Extends Capacity Building to CIBN Goddy Egene

platform of the Nigerian Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Options in Nigeria: The The workshop followed the Stock Exchange (NSE) and recently organised a workshop Synergy Between Money & accreditation of X-Academy as an Educational Training X-Academy, a knowledge- the Chartered Institute of themed: “Financial Investment Capital Markets.�

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 01- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Sep-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

Service Provider (ETSP) for the banking and finance industry

by CIBN.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.92 0.93 2.35% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 10.26% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.80% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.00 3.08 22.05% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 2.97% Anchoria Equity Fund 99.71 100.05 2.23% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 97.20 97.88 1.17% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.58% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.14 2.14 15.89% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.85 1.88 5.60% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.04% Paramount Equity Fund 11.43 11.64 -8.67% Women's Investment Fund 110.88 111.84 0.41% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.61% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 105.40 105.74 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 109.46 109.77 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 102.80 102.80 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.34% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.95 0.96 2.20% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.55 1.55 16.66% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 4.26% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.46% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,170.33 1,182.13 5.52% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,388.92 1,390.51 13.85% FBN Balanced Fund 152.17 153.21 3.64% FBN Halal Fund 107.33 107.35 7.33% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.50% . . .

FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 121.12 121.50 4.26% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 115.72 117.53 -11.07% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.40% Legacy Debt Fund 3.81 3.81 4.38% Legacy Equity Fund 1.13 1.16 0.19% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.12 1.12 3.38% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,161.61 3,196.79 3.97% Coral Income Fund 3,189.65 3,189.65 3.70% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.06% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.92% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 113.48 120.72 8.34%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.93% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.32 2.36 5.88% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.63% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 150.42 151.16 4.94% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.39 1.42 13.92% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.87 11.94 5.46% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.85% PACAM Equity Fund 1.09 1.11 PACAM EuroBond Fund 107.92 110.49 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 114.73 117.07 -5.32% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 6.62% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 5.66% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 4.85% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -0.56% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 5.64% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 4.06% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.12% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -3.05% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.20 1.20 3.70% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.11 109.11 4.70% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.15 1.17 -3.26% United Capital Bond Fund 1.85 1.85 6.82% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.68 -6.14% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.71% United Capital Eurobond Fund 114.40 114.40 4.70% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.32% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.20 10.31 -0.83% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.62 11.69 -0.16% Zenith Income Fund 24.54 24.54 10.22% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.51%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

117.93

5.15%

53.40

2.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.06 87.22 67.77

9.16 89.06 68.99

4.03% -7.69% -9.81%

Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

15.02%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • T H I S D AY

39

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Fresh COVID-19 Restrictions Across UK as Cases Rise Coronavirus restrictions were tightened in the Scottish city of Glasgow and extended in parts of northern England on Wednesday following a surge in infection rates.

The new measures come amid a steady uptick in cases across Britain, which has suffered Europe’s deadliest outbreak of COVID-19, with more than 41,500 confirmed deaths.

Regional restrictions imposed on the towns of Bolton and Trafford in England’s Greater Manchester area were due to be lifted on Wednesday but at the last minute they were prolonged.

Local politicians had called for a continued ban on social gatherings in homes and private gardens, with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham advising the public to ignore any relaxing of the rules.

But in a statement released just as the restrictions were due to be lifted, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they would stay.

“We continually monitor outbreaks across the country and have seen infection rates increase more than three times

in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review,” he said.

“We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks.”

Restrictions were however lifted as planned in other areas of north and northwest England Wednesday, including Burnley, Hyndburn, Stockport and parts of Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford.

Elsewhere, the devolved government in Scotland reimposed restrictions on Glasgow and two surrounding areas, warning against visiting other people’s houses.

The measures, which will last two weeks, came after 66 new cases were recorded in the area on Tuesday.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon — herself a Glasgow resident – acknowledged “how difficult this would be” but said it was “essential to, I hope, nip this in bud and avoid tougher restrictions”.

On the city’s streets, many people accepted the new measures

Australia in Recession for First Time in Almost 30 Years Australia has officially fallen into its first recession in 29 years with the biggest fall in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on record.

According to national accounts data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday GDP contracted by 7 percent in the June quarter – more than three times more than the previous biggest fall of 2 percent in 1974.

“This is, by a wide margin, the largest fall in quarterly GDP since records began in 1959,” said Michael Smedes, Head of National Accounts at the ABS. It marks the second consecutive quarter of economic decline, meaning that Australia is in a recession for the first time since 1991.

“Today’s national accounts confirm the devastating impact on the Australian economy from

COVID-19.

“Our record run of 28 consecutive years of economic growth has now officially come to an end.

“Behind these numbers are heartbreaking stories of hardship, being filled by everyday Australians as they go about their daily lives,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Wednesday.

The ABS found that due to the increased number of recipients and additional support payments, social assistance benefits in cash rose to a record 41.6 percent.

Meanwhile, Australians’ spending on services fell 17.6 percent in the June quarter while hours worked fell a record 9.8 percent and the household saving to income ratio rose from 6 percent to 19.8 percent.

Household expenditure declined by 12.1 percent.

Sudan: Govt, Rebels Meet to Implement Peace Deal Sudan said Wednesday that government and rebel leaders had met to begin implementing a deal that aims to end a war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed.

Rebel commanders from the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the transitional government met face-to-face on Tuesday, one day after striking the deal, state news agency SUNA said.

“This was the first joint meeting after the inking of the accord,” said Alhadi Idris, the head of the SRF rebel coalition, SUNA reported.

“We discussed in this meeting what will happen going forward,” Idris said, adding that there were “still issues related to the timeline

to implement the deal”.

The SRF, founded in 2011, is an alliance of five armed rebel groups and four political movements from the vast western region of Darfur, and the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“Our priorities now are economic progress and humanitarian issues related to people displaced by the conflicts,” said Minni Minawi, who leads a faction of the Darfur-based Sudan Liberation Movement.

Monday’s peace deal covers issues around security, land ownership, transitional justice, power sharing and the return of people who fled their homes because of fighting.

were necessary — but questioned how they would be enforced.

“It’s probably for the best in the long scheme of things. I’m just not sure how successful it’s going to be,” Rachel Hutton, a 20-year-old tour guide, told AFP.

“I feel like it’s going to be quite hard to enforce. But I hope it’s for the best and I hope it keeps people safe more than anything else.”

Nationwide restrictions were imposed in Britain in late March,

but the lockdown has since been largely lifted, with localised restrictions introduced to deal with flare-ups.

Separately, Scotland announced that anyone arriving from Greece from Thursday morning would

have to self-isolate for two weeks, after a “significant rise” in imported cases.

Greece is currently on a safe list for travellers entering England, but the policy is reviewed every week.

Teachers and non-academic personnel queue to undergo PCR tests outside the Virgen de la Paloma High School, ahead of the reopening of schools for a new academic year amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Madrid …yesterday AFP

UK Launches FCDO to Replace DFID The United Kingdom (UK) newly launched vehicle for international development, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) was officially launched on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, THISDAY has learned.

FCDO was announced by the British Prime Minister in June 2020 to replace the Department for International Development (DFID) and Foreign and Commonwealth

Office (FCO) The essence of the merger is to unite development and diplomacy in one new department that brings together the best of Britain’s international effort with the aim of enhancing the UK’s positive impact on the world stage.

Speaking on the new initiative, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said, “I strongly believe that bringing together

our diplomatic and development efforts will help us make a greater impact in Nigeria. This continues a journey we have already started where DFID and FCO have shared the same building in Abuja for three years now, and are already working in cross-departmental teams.

“We value deeply the close relationship we have with Nigeria and look forward to working closely with the people of Nigeria through our new

FCDO platform to support and encourage Nigeria’s people to realise their great country’s long-term potential.

“The UK remains absolutely committed to our world-class aid programme. We continue to have the third-biggest development budget in the world, with 0.7% enshrined in law, and world-beating development expertise and partnerships that will continue unabated.”

India Bans 118 Chinese Apps in Fresh Backlash over Border India on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps in a stepped-up backlash over an increasingly bitter border showdown between the giant neighbours.

The Information Technology Ministry said the apps – including the mobile version of the popular video game PUBG and other services provided by China internet giant Tencent – promoted activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of

India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.

India and China have been embroiled in a series of deadly clashes and showdowns on their Himalayan border in recent weeks.

In June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand combat in the Ladakh region of the border. An Indian special forces member was killed in one of two incidents at the weekend.

China has also suffered

casualties but has not given figures. India had already banned 59 Chinese apps – including the video-sharing platform TikTok – after the June battle.

The PUBG mobile phone app has millions of young users in India. Other apps closed down include games, online payment services, dating sites and even software to edit selfies.

PUBG was developed by a South Korean company, but the

mobile version that has taken off around the world was developed

by Tencent.

The IT ministry accused the apps of stealing user data.

The “mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,” it said.

Ousted Mali President, Keita Suffers Stroke Former Malian president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has not been seen in public since his August 18 ouster in a coup, has been hospitalised after suffering a brief stroke-like attack, a doctor said Wednesday.

Keita, 75, was admitted to a private clinic in the capital Bamako on Tuesday evening, he said.

“According to thorough analysis, the president was the victim of a transient ischaemic attack. It is an alert, but he is recovering well at the moment,” a doctor at the facility said.

A transient ischaemic attack, also called a mini-stroke, happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted for a few minutes, causing stroke-like symptoms such as numbness on one side of the body, vision difficulties or confusion in understanding speech.

Although the symptoms are typically short-lasting, they are often a warning sign for future strokes, experts say.

Earlier Wednesday, an aide to Keita and a medical source had said the former president had been admitted to the clinic for

a routine checkup and that he was expected to return home in the coming hours.

Asked how long Keita would stay, the doctor said: “It’s true, his return home was initially envisaged for today, but right now he is under observation.”

The president was ousted by young military officers who mutinied at a base near Bamako before heading into the city, where they seized Keita and other leaders.

Hours later, Keita announced on national TV that he was stepping down.

He was released on August 27 by the new junta, who returned him to his residence in Bamako, where according to his entourage he has limited access to a phone and the internet.

The junta has said that Keita is authorised to leave the country for medical care if need be.

Keita, who was two years into his second five-year term, had been battling mounting protests fuelled by his handling of a bloody jihadist insurgency and failure to turn around Mali’s floundering economy.

Francis Warns against Extreme Danger in Lebanon US Announces Sanctions Pope Pope Francis used a first killing more than 180 people said, holding a Lebanese flag we realise the extreme danger public audience in six months and wounding at least 6,500. brought to the audience by a that threatens the very existence on ICC Prosecutor Wednesday to warn that Lebanon “Lebanon cannot be young priest. of this country,” he said.

The US is placing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, over the continued investigations of US persons, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday.

Also added to the sanctions list is Phakiso Mochochoko, the

head of the ICC’s jurisdiction division.

This year, the Trump administration imposed economic sanctions on ICC employees involved in investigating U.S. troops for potential war crimes in Afghanistan.

faces “extreme danger that threatens the very existence of the country” following last month’s massive explosion.

The leader of the Catholic Church focused on the disasterhit country almost a month after the huge blast in the Beirut harbour ripped through the city,

abandoned to its solitude,” the pope said at the limited audience with the public, meetings that had been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.

“A month after the tragedy… my thoughts are still with dear Lebanon and its particularly hard-pressed population,” Francis

He called for a universal day of prayer and fasting on Friday, saying that he would send the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Lebanon on the day.

“Faced with the repeated tragedies that each of the inhabitants of this land knows,

The pontiff held his first audience in a closed courtyard of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, with a maximum of 500 faithful.

Jorge Bergoglio — Francis’ birth name — last hosted an audience on February 26, as the grip of Covid-19 closed around Italy.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

41

NEWSEXTRA

Lagos East Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw from Race, Endorse Abiru Segun James in Lagos

All aspirants seeking senatorial nomination in Lagos East on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the race to back the former Group Managing Director, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru.

The aspirants that withdrew from the senatorial contest included the Vice Chairman,

Lagos APC, Chief Kaoli Olusanya; a former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Segun Ogunlewe; a former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye; a former General Manager/Permanent Secretary, Lagos Television, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo; a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Odesanya; and the Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga

Development Association, Chief Olusegun Abiru.

The aspirants withdrew from their aspirations ahead of the direct primary election scheduled to hold today (Thursday) across Lagos East in compliance with the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In their separate accounts

yesterday, the aspirants agreed to support Abiru’s senatorial aspiration due to what they ascribed to the need for the APC to conduct a direct primary election free of acrimony and ensure harmony among all that aspirants that indicated interest in the senatorial seat.

Olusanya explained his decision to withdraw his

senatorial aspiration was in the overall interest of Lagos APC and to allow a candidate emerge from the primary election without internal conflict, which he said, could polarise Lagos APC. He said: ”I have to step back and allow someone else to take on the task of representing our senatorial district at this time, for some reasons that

seriously have to do with the larger interest of our dear state and our great party.”With their decision to withdraw from the race, Abiru, who formally retired from Polaris Bank on August 31, will emerge the party’s consensus candidate after all registered party members in Lagos East ratify his candidature through the direct primary election.

EFCC Re-arraigns ‘Mama Boko Haram,’ Two Others

The Maiduguri zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Chief Executive Officer of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, Aisha Alkali Wakil, popularly known as ‘Mama Boko Haram’ before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

She was re-arraigned on amended four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, giving false information and cheating to the tune of N6 million.

At the sitting, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmad, informed the court of a pending amended charge and urged the court to strike out the earlier charges filed on March 3 and 10, 2020 and substitute it with that of March 18, 2020.

Justice Kumaliya, substituted the charges and ordered them to be read to the defendants.

One of the charges read, “That you, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode whilst being chief executive officer, programme manager and country director respectively, of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (NonGovernmental Organisation), sometime between October and

November, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly induced one Alhaji Bukar Kachalla of Abks Ventures Limited to deliver to you a Toyota Camry 2012 Model worth N6,000,000 only under the guise of executing a contract for the purchase of the said car and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and punishable under Section 332 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty, following which counsel to the second and third defendants, H. Waziri, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him study the new charges with a view to applying for a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC. Consequently, Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till September 16, 2020 for commencement of trial.

Mama Boko Haram was originally arraigned, alongside the programme manager of her foundation, Tahiru Saidu Daura and the country director, Prince Lawal Shoyode on December 4, 2019.

Their trial followed their no guilty plea to the charges.

CHANGE OF BATON...

Acting Director General of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi (left), and the new Director General, Mr. Ebeten Ivara, during the handing over to the new DG, at NGA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja...recently

House Minority Caucus Rejects Petrol Price Hike Udora Orizu in Abuja The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday rejected the increase in pump price of petrol from N148 to N151.56 as announced by the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

The lawmakers in a statement by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, described the increase as unacceptable

as it will result in increase in the already high cost of consumer goods and services in the country, and worsen the current economic hardship being suffered by Nigerians.

According to Elumelu, “The minority caucus in the House of Representatives rejects the announced increase in the pump price of fuel. This is because such increase will directly result in more hardship on our citizens, particularly at this

critical time when majority of Nigerians across the country are struggling to survive under the burden of high cost of living and low purchasing power occasioned by the prevailing economic challenges. Any increase in the cost of essential commodity like fuel will therefore bring more hardship to the people, and as such, should not be contemplated.”

The Caucus challenged the All Progressives Congress

(APC)-led government to rather come up with strategies that will lead to decrease rather than increase in the cost of domestic fuel, including revamping the country’s refineries, instead of always resorting to price increase to the detriment of Nigerians.

It also directed the PPMC to immediately rescind its announcement and revert to the former price with a view of a downward review.

FG Moves to Recover over APC, PDP in Verbal War over Alleged Assassination on Oshiomhole N 100bn Revenues from Attempt Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city Publicity Secretary of the state leaves no doubt on the intention behalf of the party’s Campaign APC, Chris Azebamwan, the of the incident.

Council yesterday in Benin-city, Lottery Sector “From all indications, said: “The claim is childish, The All Progressives Congress party alleged that the crash was Daji Sani in Yola The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs , Senator George Akume, has said efforts are underway to recover the backlog of over N100 billion revenues due for government from the lottery sector.

The minister disclosed this at the virtual official inauguration and handing over of vital medical equipment funded by the National Lottery Trust Fund to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yola, Adamawa State Akume explained that it is on that note that the federal government has re-affirmed its commitment for the immediate take-off and deployment of the Central Monitoring System having been identified as a viable option to remove all inefficiencies in the lottery industry.

He said the government is at the same time strengthening the capacity of the two agencies created under the National Lottery Act 2005 (i.e. the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and the National Lottery Trust Fund) to exercise their statutory

responsibilities, curtail revenue losses to government estimated to about N100billion in the last 14 years.

Akume added that the monitoring team would ensure prompt remittance from operators and permit holders in line with the extant law.

“I will like to charge licencees and permit-holders to without further delay pay-up their outstanding liabilities or risk the revocation of their licences and permits.

“Accordingly, all persons and organisations licenced to engage in national lottery business should be ready to meet up with their statutory obligation to avoid being sanctioned.

“Consequently, the government is committed to ensuring that returns obtainable from other non-oil sources of revenues are maximised, hence lottery is one of such alternative revenue sources that this government has identified and is determined to make it more productive and sustainable,” he said.

(APC) in Edo State has insinuated that the road crash involving the entourage of former state Governor, Adams Oshiomole, on a trip to a campaign event last Tuesday was a deliberate attempt to assassinate him.

Two policemen lost their lives when a truck reportedly rammed into the former governor’s convoy at Oluku junction while heading to Usen, Ovia South West Local Government Area for a scheduled APC campaign event.

In a statement issued by the

a ‘premeditated plot’ to take the life of the former state governor who he said has been a thorn in the flesh of the Peoples Democratic Governor (PDP) since his return from Abuja to join the electioneering of the APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Azebamwan, who chronicled previous instances where the state Governor and the candidate of the PDP, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, had both allegedly threatened and orchestrated attacks on Oshiomhole, said the context

including factual accounts from members of the entourage and other eye-witnesses, the unfortunate crash which took place at Oluku Junction near Benin-city, was a plotted and near-successful assassination attempt.

But in its reaction, the state chapter of PDP has described as preposterous and irresponsible, the claim that last Tuesday’s accident involving the convoy of Oshiomhole was an assassination attempt.

The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who spoke to journalists on

irresponsible and preposterous, and if anything, Oshiomhole should be answering questions over his convoy’s frequent involvement in road crashes that have claimed the lives of about 10 persons since 2008.”

The PDP explained that “before the latest accident that claimed the lives of two security personnel and left others severely injured last Tuesday at Oluku, there had been at least three other fatal accidents involving Oshiomhole’s convoy, or is the APC saying that all the crashes were assassination attempts?”

COVID-19: Anambra Begins Gradual Resumption of Schools

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has approved the gradual reopening of schools in the state after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools in the country into closure.

Obiano and members of the State Executive Council through the Ministry of Basic Education made the approval of the gradual resumption of schools in the state

in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education, Mr. Nwankwo Nwabueze.

Nwabueze in the statement said the ministry had approved and released a timetable for the completion of 2019/2020 academic session, as well as the schedule for the state examinations.

According to him, “The third term is quite short, and we expect schools to make maximum use

of the time. We had continued to teach our children at home through various e-platforms, including the Anambra State Teaching on Air. “These various platforms shall be continued as we do a phased re-opening of schools and watch the health implication. We enjoin parents to provide hand sanitizers and face masks for their children. Let’s work together for the safety of all.”

The timetable for the completion of 2019/2020 academic showed that while NABTEB begins on September 21 to October 15, 2020, NECO SSCE begins on October 5 to November 14, 2020.

The timetable further showed that resumption for JSS 3 students begins on September 7, 2020, while BECE takes off on September 17 and runs until September 24, 2020.

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Again, Police Assure Voters of Adequate Security in Edo, Ondo Elections Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie The Police have assured voters of adequate security in the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a deputy commissioner of police, who gave the assurance, revealed that the

Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu would be adopting collaborative approach in dealing with the issues of policing the electorate during the elections.

Mba who spoke yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channel, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said: “The Nigeria Police Force (NPF)

Ngige Fires Back, Accuses Arthur Eze of Oppressing Communities

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has slammed businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, for allegedly casting aspersions on him over his position on the suspension of 12 traditional rulers by the state government.

Ngige had advised that the 12 traditional rulers suspended by the Anambra State Government be relocated from their communities to avert breach of peace. But Eze issued a statement last Sunday attacking Ngige on the matter.

The former state governor had called on the incumbent state Governor, Willie Obiano, to banish him (Eze) and the suspended traditional rulers.

The minister described Eze as ‘a fair weather politician’ who befriends “any government in power,” and uses his wealth to intimidate, oppress and brutalise the downtrodden people in Anambra State communities bordering his Ukpo hometown in his land grabbing spree.”

Obiano had sanctioned the 12 traditional rulers for travelling out of the state without clearance to accompany Eze to Aso Rock on what they tagged: ‘A thank you visit to the president’ for his infrastructural development in the South-east region and what he has done for Igbo people.

While reacting to Eze’s verbal attack on him, Ngige described it as unwarranted and indecorous, saying: “Arthur Eze is a fair weather politician, a political turncoat and an apostle and Commander-in-Chief of members of ‘any government in power (AGIP)’ in Nigeria.”

In a statement issued by his

media office signed by Emmanuel Nzomiwu, the labour minister said as a former governor and elder of the state, he had only advised the state government to relocate the traditional rulers out of their domain for administrative and security reasons.

According to Ngige, “When officials of the government, and in this case, government certified traditional rulers, are suspended from office, they cease to perform the functions of the office and hence, they should not be allowed to be visiting or threatening those carrying out their functions by still visiting the office whether it is in the palace or elsewhere.

“Much more importantly, those suspended traditional rulers have started experiencing violent protests, demonstrations and calls for their outright dethronement in their respective communities of Abacha (Idemili North council area), Alor (Idemili South LGA), Aguleri Enugu Otu and Mkpu Nando-Otu Aguleri, both in Anambra East LGA as well as in many other places, thereby raising security concerns.”

The minister added: “These two reasons are very compelling and serious enough for the state government to relocate these persons, especially the one from Ngige’s community, Alor, who was never crowned by the community abinitio, but was imposed by the Anambra State Government of Peter Obi on the Alor community as a retaliation and punitive action for their loss of the 2011 senatorial election to Ngige, who defeated their candidate, the late Dora Akunyili, sponsored by the then state government.”

Osun Asks Schools to Revert to Former Names before Rebranding By Aregbesola The Osun State Government has directed principals and heads of public elementary schools to revert to the old names used before the reclassification under the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in 2013.

The Coordinating Director of the state Ministry of Education, Taiwo Adeagbo, gave the directive in a circular addressed to principals, head teachers of elementary schools, inspectors of education and zonal inspectors of education.

Adeagbo directed the officials to comply with the directive immediately.

“Recall that at the policy review roundtable summit on some extant policies in Education Sector held between 20 and 21 of

February 2020, His Excellency, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola approved that Schools should revert to their pre-reclassification names and nomenclatures,” the circular read.

“Sequel to the above, all schools are hereby directed to revert to their old names with immediate effect as approved by the Osun State Government.

“Kindly give this circular the widest publicity it deserves.”

The administration of Oyetola had set up a committee led by Olu Aina, a professor, to review education policies of the past administration.

The panel was set up after a clamour for the policy reviews by educationists, school administrators, missionaries and school owners.

is fully prepared for the coming elections in Edo and Ondo states.

We acknowledge the fact that security in any given election is a process thing that runs till after the elections. We are also working with other security agencies as we can’t do it alone. For the first time, the inter-agency consultative committee on elections security has been able to produce a unified code of conduct that will guide the operations of the different agencies that will be policing the electoral system.

“We have also been able to

develop a uniform modus for training security personnel who will be deployed in the election.

There is a deep and strong sense of collaboration and partnership amongst the security agencies.”

Speaking further, Mba noted that he was aware that there are clandestine movements of arms and political thugs by politicians across all the divides.

“We are not working with the Civil Society groups alone; we are also working with other citizens who are on ground. We are deploying both technical

intelligence platform as well as human intelligence platform to actually monitor activities.”

“We want to re-assure Nigerians especially those in Edo and Ondo states that the police would be deploying some of its best hands in the forthcoming elections. We have enough resources in terms of manpower and logistics to be able to dominate the space, we will provide a level playing field for everyone to exercise his/ her franchise during the election,” he said.

Giving reasons for violence in elections, Mba said: “The problem with electoral violence is that apart from its short term effect, its immediate effect such as loss of lives, and property, has a way of enthroning unpopular candidates and when that happens, the candidate becomes very reckless because they are not responsible and loyal to the people . They are only loyal to their political godfathers and those who sponsored the violence that brought them to power.

FIGHTING CRIMES...

L-R: Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdurrahman; Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the state CID, Fidelis Ogarabe; and Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, when the governor inspected the office complex of the newly created Force CID Annex, Enugu, which was renovated and furnished by the state government, in Enugu, yesterday

Katsina Chief Judge Swears in 20 Sharia Court Judges Francis Sardauna in Katsina The newly appointed Sharia Court Judges in Katsina State have been urged to be transparent and ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the discharge of their official responsibilities as contained in the provision of the law.

The state Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, gave the admonition yesterday while

swearing in the 20 Sharia court judges in Katsina.

He said sanction and severe punishments await any judge found wanting while discharging his obligations, urging them to operate within the code of conduct for judicial officers.

Abubakar equally urged them to be conscious of the integrity of the justice system by doing what is right as stipulated by the tenets of Islam.

He, however, warned the newly appointed Sharia court judges to desist from inflammatory statements and the use of social media during and after court proceedings.

The CJ said: “You must be conscious of your personal integrity and the integrity of the institution by being conscious of who you are now.

“You must operate within the code of conduct for

judicial officers and other constitutional provisions to enhance professionalism as anyone found wanting will be sanctioned.

“We will not tolerate a situation where judges will use the social media against the other person. When a judge behaves in a way that compromises his integrity, he would have committed misconduct.”

Delta Approves over N1.4bn for UN Projects Earmarks N4.3bn for floating market in Warri Omon-Julius OnabuinAsaba The Delta State Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday approved a total of N1.409 billion as the state government counterpart funds for various United Nations agencies projects across the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, CharlesAniagwu, who stated this at a post-EXCO meeting media briefing at the Government

in Asaba, said the payment of the counterpart funds would open new windows of opportunity to the government in its ‘Stronger Delta’ development drive.

Specifically, Aniagwu said N600 million of the aforementioned amount would go into several projects under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) schedule while the sum of N809 million would be towards completing various ongoing projects by the UNESCO and

other international development agencies working in the state. The information commissioner noted that Delta State had benefited immensely from the prompt payment of such counterpart funds to UN development agencies in the past, hence the state government was keying into the different intervention programmes of the UN agencies and other international donor bodies. For instance, he said the Okowa administration was able to attract N6 billion into its

various infrastructural projects in the education sector following the payment of N2 billion as counterpart funds.

The meeting also approved the engagement of two consultants to investigate and reconcile the books on payment of the 13 percent Derivation Fund to the state by the federal government, Aniagwu, who was flanked by the CPS to the governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika and media aide to the governor, Mr Nduka Omodon, said.

NDLEA Destroys Indian Hemp Farm in Kogi Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has destroyed a cannabis sativa (India Hemp) farm at Oketepe in Okula community, about 10 kilometres from Ejule in Ofu Local Government of Kogi State.

The suspected cannabis sativa farmer, Mr. Clement Akor, however begged the NDLEA operatives to kill him and spare his 10-hectare cannabis plantation.

Addressing journalists after the destruction of the farm, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Alfred Adewumi, decried the increasing wave of illicit use and cultivation

of cannabis sativa in the state Adewumi said that the two suspects were arrested through intelligence gathering by operatives of his command.

He noted that the latest breakthrough in the fight against illicit use of drug in the state came three days after the command had arrested the duo of Enduarance Samson and Abah Sunday

for alleged possession of 36.2 kilogrammes wrap of cannabis sativa.

“Seeing, they say, is believing. What you are seeing today is certainly more than three football field but together. Just look around.

That is the huge expanse. We just left the first farm, which is equally a huge cannabis plantation.

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Nigeria Risks Loss of $600m on Imported Meters Peter Uzoho Nigeria may lose over $600 million to capital flight in favour of China in addition to hurting the local content pursuit with the recent presidential approval to defer for one year, the 35 per cent import taxes on three million prepaid electricity meters, which are to be imported into the country,

the meter manufacturers in the country have warned.

The domestic meter manufacturers under the aegis of Electricity Meter Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN) said such approval was a disincentive and inimical to the development of local capacity in the downstream sector of the country’s power

NCFront Rejects New Increase in Petrol Price Chuks Okocha in Abuja The National Consultative Front (NCFront) yesterday stated that it is incensed and aghast over President Muhammadu Buhari government’s ‘inhuman ambush of Nigerians’ with an increase in the ex-depot price of petrol.

It also said being a grassroots mass movement, it has observed the melancholic mood of Nigerians following the report that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC), last Tuesday increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N138.62 per litre to N151.56 per litre.

According to a statement issued by the group’s Head of Bureau of Public Affairs, Dr. Tanko Yunuda, “With the ex-depot price

being the amount at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots, it is a no-brainer that this unconscionable hike by the federal government will translate to an increase in the pump price of petrol thus worsening the woes of Nigerians who have just been yoked with an increased electricity tariff among other devastating policies of the government.

“We utterly regret that the administration is carrying on as if its sole aim of seeking and acquiring another term of political power is to punish Nigerians for a supposed grouse that has remained unclear. Else, there’s no other reason as to why a government would so prey on hapless citizens still battling with untold hardship foisted by COVID-19 lockdown.

industry and appealed to the president to review the decision.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved a one-year deferment of the 35 per cent import adjustment tax (levy) imposed on fully built unit (FBU) electricity meters HS Code 9028.30.00.00 under the 2019 fiscal policy measures for the implementation of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) common

external tariff (CET) 2017 – 2022.

The approval which was to help close the metering gap in the nation’s electricity sector, followed a request by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, to support the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to roll out three million electricity meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework.

MAP scheme is a gradual up-scaling of the patronage of local manufacturers of electricity meters with an initial minimum local content of 30 per cent with the potential of significant job creation in the area of meter assembly, installation and maintenance.

Advancing the position of the association in a statement issued yesterday, the Chairman of Momas Electricity Meters

Manufacturing Limited (MEMMCOL), Mr. Kola Balogun, said that the 35 per cent levy was the only protection available to them in the sector, which according to him, was not peculiar to the sector alone.

Balogun said the removal was an indication that the government was more disposed to favouring importation to the detriment of the country’s local industry.

WE SHARE YOUR PAINS...

L-R: Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State chapter, Chief Chris Akaraonye; Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku; and member of staff of Oziza FM, Owerri, Mr. Ogechi Iwu; when the governor’s aide visited Ogechi at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri...yesterday

Again, ASUU Vows Not Ex-gov Nnamani Lauds Ugwuanyi over Enugu Airport to Call off Strike Ejiofor Alike

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

As the agitations to re-opening universities in the country heighten, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday vowed that the members of the union would not go back to work until all the demands that led to the March 23, 2020, nationwide strike are addressed by the federal government.

The Zonal Coordinator for the Ibadan zone of the union, comprising University of Ibadan, Univrsity of Ilorin, University of Osun, KWASU, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Professor Ade Adejumo, disclosed this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at a news conference.

According to him, “Our strike, which was predicated

on government readiness to honour its MOA with us, continues, even if the universities are opened today.

It is our responsibility to call the government attention to its duties to the country and its citizens, this we have done, and there is no going back.”

He added: “It is unfortunate that the government has refused to take it upon itself to use the period of the COVID-19 pandemic to address our demands.

“One would have thought that the government would use the opportunity of the lockdown to address the issues in contention with ASUU. “Surprisingly, the government was carrying on as if the problems no longer exist, and as we speak, the government has not called ASUU for any discussion on the demands.

Ekiti is Friendly to Private Investors, Says Fayemi Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said his government will continue to partner private organisations to lift the socio- economic facet of the state to an enviable height by creating enabling environment for them to operate.

The governor stated this yesterday evening at the end of his two-day tour of projects sites across the state.

Fayemi, who commenced the inspection last Monday, visited the four newly constructed model schools in Ado-Ekiti; the ultramodern Oja Oba Market complex; Ureje Water Dam and water treatment plant rehabilitation project at Ajilosun; JMK Rice Mill at

Odo Ado; Ekiti State Water Corporation headquarters building project at Ilokun; Fajuyi Water Dam; Ado-Iyin road project; Secretariat complex projects and the Civic Centre.

The governor also inspected Ikun dairy farm, Agbado-OdeIsinbode-Omuo, Ijan-IreIlupeju, and Oye-Isan-Iye-Ikun road projects; Egbe dam, Ero dam, and the rehabilitation of health centres at Agbado Ekiti, Ikota Ekiti, Isan Ekiti, Oye Ekiti and Igogo Ekiti.

Fayemi said he was satisfied with the pace of work as well as quality of work being done, adding that he was convinced that most of the projects would be delivered at the scheduled deadline.

A former Governor of Enugu State and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has showered encomiums on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for what he described as his relentless effort and commitment towards the rehabilitation of the Akanu

Ibiam International Airport, which was reopened recently after one year of closure.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Nnamani stated that, “it is ennobling that Governor Ugwuanyi has lived up to expectation of overseeing the primary and central city of Igbo land. Not only did he coordinate, organise and champion the activities, he

was directly involved on a daily basis in the rehabilitation of the airport project”.

He praised Ugwuanyi for the bold steps taken to relocate the Emene market abattoir, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) mast and other structures that were hitherto obstructions to smooth operations at the airport.

Nnamani said he was pleased

that Ugwuanyi who now leads the Ebeano political family, has demonstrated statesmanship, courage and leadership as the governor of the coal city state that is now a pride to Igbo land.

According to him, “I welcome with excitement the news of the reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport that serves as the gateway to the Igbo area of Nigeria.

Kaduna Electric Commences Implementation of New Tariffs John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KADECO) has commenced the implementation of the new service-based tariff approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The company in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna

by the Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said: “The new tariff regime is not a blanket increase but tied to improved hours of power supply and a more efficient service delivery.”

Abdullahi said the company is also working closely with the Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) in its franchise to ensure speedy

deployment of meters as directed by the federal government.

The statement said: “Under the service-based tariff, feeders from where customers receive power supply to their neighbourhood have been categorised into bands A to E with the tariff increase in descending order.

“Customers under band A,

who will enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of power supply, are expected to pay N56 per kilowatt hour while customers on band B with minimum 16 hours supply shall pay N54 per kilowatt hour.

“Customers on band C, who will enjoy not less than 12 hours of power supply, shall pay N50 per kilowatt hour.

Sterling Bank Holds Agriculture Summit Africa 2020 September Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, has announced that this year’s Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) will hold from September 23 to 24, 2020, with the theme “Fast Forward Agriculture: Exploiting The Next Revolution.”

The statement by the bank

also announced Mastercard Foundation, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and IDH – the sustainable trade initiative as headline sponsors for the third edition of the Summit.

Other partners confirmed to be supporting this year’s event include Flour Mills Nigeria PLC., NIRSAL and Nourishing

Africa.

The emergence of Mastercard Foundation and IDH as headline sponsors of this year’s is indicative of significant strides in providing access to capital for women, small and medium scale enterprises as well as smallholder farmers in the country as enunciated

in last year’s post summit communique. Both organizations are strong advocates for the professionalization of the agricultural sector and the diversification of rural economies through improved access to a range of appropriate and sustainable financial and technical services.

Global Security Body Honours Halogen Group for Outstanding Performance Sunday Okobi Halogen Group, one of Nigeria’s leading security risk management organisations, has been voted as Nigeria’s Outstanding Contract Security Company for the third year in a row.

During a recent international webinar to mark the 2020 edition of the Nigeria Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs),

Halogen Group emerged the country’s top security risk management company in a keenly contested selection process.

According to the organisers of OSPAs, which coordinated the security industry awards in partnership with SECUREX West Africa in a statement, “The awards recognise exceptional industry talent and innovation in different categories.”

The winners, the organisers

explained in a statement, “were selected by an esteemed panel of industry figures who judged entries using the same criteria applied across the world.

Each winner demonstrated that they have performed at an exceptional level and has shown their commitment and outstanding performance within the security sector.”

In a triple win, which marked a major milestone in the security industry awards, two

of Halogen Group’s operating companies, Avert Halogen, its technology solutions company, and Academy Halogen, its degree awarding security risk management training institute, were also voted as the outstanding security technology installer/integrator and the outstanding security training initiative, emerging the singular OSPA winners in their areas of specialisation respectively.

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Maina Asks Malami to Review Fraud Charges against Him Ejiofor Alike

The former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, who is being prosecuted on money laundering charges involving alleged diversion of pension funds, yesterday wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), asking for a review of the case him.

The Premium Times reported that Maina alleged in the letter that the case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was a product of persecution by the commission’s suspended acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

The letter dated August 31, 2020, but received by the AGF office yesterday, was signed on Maina’s behalf by his lawyer, Edwin Inegedu, of Pitcher and Courts.

He urged Malami to review all the cases involving him to ensure that his prosecution was not malicious.

“Our client’s prosecution by the EFCC came to a head principally due to his demand that the EFCC should account

for the sums and property Service, recovered the sum EFCC under Magu’s watch in the commission’s custody. the EFCC should account for recovered by the PRTT, and of N1.63trn and a total of started persecuting him after The letter stated, in part, the sums and properties kept in the EFCC’s custody. 237 landed assets. he demanded accountability “This was principally due recovered by the PRTT, and “The petition became He also alleged that the of the recovered assets kept to our client‘s demand that kept in the EFCC’s custody. necessary as our client was consistently accused by the anti-graft agency of diversion of the funds recovered instead of accounting for the sums and property in its custody.”

Maina alleged that a campaign of calumny was lunched against him “to obfuscate the issues and divert attention from the inability to account for the property recovered by the task force”.

He appealed for a review of the cases on the grounds that he had at all times, performed his duties in the best interest of the nation and not his personal interest.

Maina’s request for request for a review of the case was not specific, but his letter urged the AGF to review all the case files involving Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, acknowledging cheers from appreciative crowd after inspecting the laying of asphalt on him “to prevent the travesty Pansheke-Adigbe road in Abeokuta...yesterday abuse of public office and malicious prosecution being carried out by the EFCC”.

Maina stated in the letter that as the Chairman The Lagos State Chairman of social distancing in vehicles and Commission, was titled, pandemic is real. Our life has of PRTT, he and his team the National Union of Road place hand washing facilities ‘Hygienic management after the no duplicate, please let us ease of COVID-19 lockdown’. protect our lives,” he added. members, including the Transport Workers (NURTW) in motor parks.

Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC A statement issued yesterday Akinsanya was said to have The training, which took representatives of the EFCC, Oluomo, has asked drivers to said the union leader spoke at appealed to the participants to place at the Ojota New Garage, and the Department of State fumigate their vehicles daily as a workshop for workers and complement the efforts of the Ikotun and Oshodi motor parks, part of measures to combat the stakeholders in the transport state government by obeying also featured safety talks from COVID-19 pandemic. sector. safety measures. officials of the Federal Road Akinsanya also urged The training, organised “I want to let all of us here Safety Corps, and distribution transport workers to maintain by the Lagos State Safety at this event know that the of safety kits.

SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE...

Lagos NURTW Boss Asks Drivers to Fumigate Vehicles

Two Killed as Vigilantes, Bandits Clash in Katsina Niger Bandits Abduct Nine Villagers, Demand N10m A suspected bandit was killed when members of a vigilance group in Yantara village, in the Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, confronted bandits who attacked the village early Tuesday.

A 30-year-old man and resident of the village, identified as Mamman Dahiru, also lost his life in the process.

A spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the development yesterday.

It was learnt that the bandits stormed the village around 1am on Tuesday.

The bandits reportedly assaulted residents, looted houses and rustled animals.

Members of the vigilance group were said to have laid ambush for the bandits and swooped on them, during which the two men were killed.

Isah said, “The incident happened around 1am on Tuesday. The bandits had attacked Yantara village and the vigilance group in the area engaged them, during which an unidentified bandit was killed, while a 30-year-old man from the village, Mamman Dahiru, was also killed.”

The federal government has revealed that COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the delay in the award of overseas scholarship to candidates under the 2020 Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA).

The Federal Ministry of Education made this known in Abuja yesterday while reacting to a purported list of scholarship awardees circulating on social media platforms.

A statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mr. Ben Goong, dismissed the list as fake, saying it did not emanate from the government.

Goong assured the candidates that the list of successful applicants would be uploaded on the Ministry’s website and

the market in about 15 motorcycles, took their time to do their purchase before abducting their victims.

Three days after, the abductors demanded 10m as ransom for the residents, including a man they killed while attempting an escape.

The abduction of the people is coming after the police in the state arrested no fewer

than five informants of the bandits and launched a manhunt for eight others, who were members of the communities in the Shiroro council.

Also, two other bandits were arrested in Zumba Market with AK-47 rifles by the police in Zumba in the Shiroro LGA. The activities of the bandits

had reduced drastically following the clampdown on their informants, until the recent abduction of two construction workers, and killing of three soldiers who went after the abductors.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

FEC Approves November 1 as National Youth Day

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the commemoration of November 1 of every year as National Youth Day. This followed the approval of the report of the Cabinet Committee on the institutionalisation of a National Youth Day on every November 1 through a memorandum by described the fake list being President Muhammadu Buhari. paraded on social media under The cabinet committee the title “Justice To One, Is Justice was set up to consider To All” as mere mischief. a memorandum by the The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to a fake list circulating on social Olawale Ajimotokan inAbuja media platforms under the above caption and to the effect that the The federal government has Federal Ministry of Education inaugurated a 27-man National has approved scholarship awards Humanitarian Co-ordination to the listed candidates under Technical Working Group the 2020 Bilateral Education (NHCTWG) to provide Agreement (BEA). technical support to the National “The ministry wishes to state Humanitarian Coordination that the list which has been Committee (NHCC) constituted extracted and manipulated by President Muhammadu Buhari from applications received by to oversee all humanitarian actions the ministry only for awards in the country.

The working group was obtainable for Russia, did not emanate from the ministry inaugurated by the Minister of and is purely the handiwork Humanitarian Affair, Disaster Management and Social of mischief makers.

FG Attributes Delays in 2020 Scholarship Awards to COVID-19 Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Bandits have abducted nine people from Kusasu village in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The armed men had stormed Kusasu market at the peak of transactions to restock their food items and other basic needs when they abducted their victims in the process.

The bandits, who stormed

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, for the institutionalisation of every November 1 as the National Youth Day. With the designation, November 1 will now be marked as a day to raise awareness on issues concerning youths in Nigeria, and for the organisation of public information activities on youth-related matters.

Every commemoration would have a theme around which

activities will revolve across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with each one of them bidding to host the event, although Abuja will host the 2020 maiden edition.

The FEC directed the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to present the memorandum to the National Economic Council and the Council of State for adoption and the buy-in of state governments.

Reacting to the approval,

Dare said: “The approval by the president for the commemoration of the National Youth Day on every November 1 is a further testimony to how this administration sees the youths as a resource to be harnessed and invested in.

“This development, coming on the heels of a similar approval for the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, has further energised our resolve to prioritise issues relating to the youths.”

FG Inaugurates National Humanitarian Technical Group Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and is expected to enhance coordination and seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities in the country.

Farouq charged the members to ensure the implementation of all NHCC recommendations relating to the operationalisation of the CiSEC framework and guidelines and to propose a national vision for humanitarian action.

In addition, she said besides the North-east region, the committee should also take into context the country as a whole.

“Your terms of reference also

include proposal of policies that will enhance coordination and seamless delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities in the country; ensure that CiSEC guidelines and related action plans reflect adherence to humanitarian principles and best practices while engaging all parties in crisis response situations, taking cognizance of Nigeria’s national security interests,” she said.

The minister stressed the need to ensure that functional engagements between security and humanitarian actors remain consistent with the principles under the CiSEC framework and also promote

advocacy on humanitarian access, protection and logistics issues as required.

The committee headed

by Grema Ali is made up of critical stakeholders comprising commissioners in charge of humanitarian issues in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States; heads of NEMA, NEDC and NCFRMI; representatives of operations of the armed forces, the European Union Commission, United States Agency for International Development and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

THURSDAY, ÍťËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

45

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION AKPABIO ‘KILLED’ THE BILL, IT’S ALIVE AGAIN! should take care of the river bank in Zamfara or in Bauchi. Take the Lake Chad for example, it is drying up, most of the rivers and lakes are drying up, how do we define the banks?

I believe it will create more problems, so we should just remove that one.�

Responding again, Senator Gemade said the controversy being generated by “this little clause here can be avoided completely by removing together with beds and banks, so that nobody is now concerned about definition of beds of rivers and banks, which are just changing, because the schedule is definitive.

Therefore, we remove this clause, together with the beds and banks and that should solve the problem.�

Not so fast! As far as Akpabio was concerned: “My respected senior, Senator Gemade, there is an issue even in the rider before then, that there be no private ownership of water in accordance with the provision of this Act. A lot of people have bought property where within the property it includes a small river and then of course they use it either as fish ponds or for other things. When we make a law like this, and it becomes all encompassing, it will lead to a lot of confusion. We really need to know what it means by river in this case, because I can give you an instance sir.�

As a former governor of a coastal state, Akpabio now cited an example to drive home his point: “Between us (Akwa Ibom State) and Cameroon there are many communities in Ogoja area that are sharing very small rivers.

By the time you make this thing a law, it means that the small river they enjoy, which they use for agricultural purposes, will now become a federal government property. So, when we say that there shall be no private ownership of water but the right to use water, even the water in your swimming pool can be interpreted to mean it belongs to the federal government of Nigeria!�

Not done, Akpabio now concluded: “I believe we should get legal experts to look at these things and proper definitions should be done. If we have to rush and pass this kind of bill now, you are not only creating more problems but we are further reducing Nigeria to a Banana Republic at a time that we should devolve power to the states. I do not know how we intend to describe it but I am saying that let us not do something that cannot stand the test of time even in the court and with that, cause more confusion for the communities.�

Apparently sensing that the mood of the senate had changed following Akpabio’s intervention, Senator Ahmad Lawan tried to explain the import of the contentious clause but not before replying Akpabio, “Your swimming pool cannot be a federal government water body, affecting more than one state.� Lawan then explained: “There are few rivers in Nigeria that go through more than one state and this is what this particular clause is talking about. There are some rivers that belong to communities, some within one local government. The federal government does not have control over those. It is not like we are trying to bring every water under the control of the federal government, that is not correct.�

Lawan continued: “This is an attempt by the federal government to ensure that rivers like Benue, Niger that cut across many states are really under its control and utilization.

Other rivers are not affected by this. I have River Yobe in my state. It is not under the control of the federal government and it will not be because of the nature of that river. So we are not saying all rivers would be under the control of federal government and no community would be denied the utilization of their water body that is local to them, that is within their area. No one should assume that the federal government will have a total control of all water bodies in Nigeria. That is not even practical. I want to appeal to my colleagues, please; this is one bill that we need to pass to reform the water resources sector in this country and everybody is waiting. The submission by the minority or the opposition leader definitely was off the mark and I urge that he should understand it the way it is here.�

Akpabio would not let this go without a challenge. “I do not want to argue with the Senate Leader but I believe that we are all here in a bipartisan manner so the issue of opposition leader does not come in. I am only Minority Leader. And I will only have my say, he can have his way. But I am saying that the essence of making law is for it to stand the test of time and not to bring more confusion to the community.�

And then, Akpabio provided another example of the problem with the bill: “In a place in Akwa

Gbajabiamila Ibom, there is a state polytechnic where we have a small river that the students use. That river goes into the next community in Igwa.

It is a very small river but because Igwa is in Abia State, it means that this law will affect that small river in front of the polytechnic next to Peter Memorial Seminary in Ikot Ekpene where I come from and this is not up to two kilometres.

Akpabio continued: “The moment you say any small river that crosses more than one state automatically belongs to the federal government, it means that small river is now going to be managed by the federal government.

The intention here is to look at certain rivers that the federal government wants to have control over. Let us list them and those must be rivers like Benue, Niger etc. There is nothing wrong in listing them here; but when we put this kind of ambiguous clause about federal government’s total control of ground water, surface water and particularly the one that crosses into another state, there is no river that starts and ends in one state.�

Akpabio had other examples to cite: “The Cross river for instance takes its roots from the Cameroon mountains before crossing River State and then enters into Akwa Ibom State.

And from Akwa Ibom it goes into Abia State.

In some areas, it becomes a very small river while in other areas, it is quite large. If you can deny our people just mere small water in their area because that water touches the next village which is another state, we are over legislating.�

After highlighting all the challenges, Akpabio then provided a way out of the lacuna: “The way out is that we must go back and design the rivers that we are talking about. If we want to talk about River Benue or River Niger, Nigeria is not so large that we cannot list the rivers that we think the federal government should have control over. But if you are going to say rivers, I am saying sir, it is going to be something that will cause confusion. We must make laws to protect our citizens. In fact, this is going to lead to more war, more communal clashes in future because people are going to stand up and say ‘look, this your river here belongs to the federal government because it has passed my backyard which is in another state’.�

Akpabio then posed a rhetorical question: “Can you even define the boundaries of states today? We have had problems since 1976 and many states have no boundaries because the National Boundary Commission has not been able to even define their boundaries. Some local governments have no boundaries. If we are talking about internal rivers in Nigeria and they must now be owned by the federal

government, we are over-legislating. We are supposed to remove a lot of things from the Exclusive List and devote powers to states and yet we are now denying the states and the communities on even the use of common water. We must take a second look at the bill but I am not against it.�

And the final word from Akpabio: “We should get legal experts and if there is need for us to list the rivers we think federal government should have control over, let us list them and legislate on those ones because there are too many tiny rivers that communities are depending on for their daily bread and we cannot legislate on that naturally.�

By this time, Akpabio had succeeded in making the bill unattractive to a good majority of his colleagues. All the earlier enthusiasm about its passage had also vanished. This prompted Senator Shitu to intervene. “I believe he (Akpabio) misunderstood the whole concept. If you have seen clause 2 on public trusteeship of water you will see that sub-section 4 and 5 have provided for that which says, ‘States my make provision for management, use and control of water solely within their boundaries but shall be guided by the policy and principle of the federal government in relation to integrated water resources management’. I believe he (Akpabio) misunderstood it.�

However, the battle was already lost.

Senator Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos State) who spoke next said he was going to support Akpabio’s line of argument “for the first time and the reason is not too farfetched.� In Lagos right now, according to Ashafa, “we are in court with NIWA (Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority) based on our waterways. Those are creeks that should be left to the state government to control, but what you find is that NIWA has extended its federal might in controlling the navigation and all other things. There will be need for us to identify the rivers that belong to the federal government as well as the states if we want to avoid any problem.�

Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto State) countered that a clause in the bill already covered that aspect while Senator Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa State) prefaced her contribution on the need for senators to “be more Nigerian when we want to discuss national issues�. She then argued that the same principle guiding Trunk A roads controlled by the federal government would apply to waterways. She said the bill “has covered the fears of whatever each and every one of us is saying but the federal government have a responsibility for its citizens and I think this is one of those things.�

That offered no comfort to Senator Adeola Solomon Olamilekun (Lagos State) who said “from the word go, this bill has sounded controversial and I want you� (addressing Saraki) “to use your leadership quality and style to let us take our time before going forward to pass this bill.�

Olamilekan added: “I also have reservation concerning this clause. As we speak we are currently at the Court of Appeal with NIWA concerning the right over our waterways in Lagos. These rivers mean a lot to these states and even to host communities. I believe we can set up a committee to go ahead and look into the nitty-gritty of this bill in line with the constitution and the existing Act. We have done it in the past in this chambers; we should also use this medium to address all the inadequacies or controversial issues that this bill contains so that together we can pass it and everybody can be happy going forward.�

And then Saraki ruled: “Distinguished colleagues, I think for a bill like this, despite my eagerness and enthusiasm to pass it quickly, it is important that we carry everybody along.

If we agree, the chairman of water resources committee and the vice chairman, as well as the chairman and vice chairman of Judiciary committee together with the Director of Legal should go back and look at all the issues. Let us give them maximum of one week. I would like them to look at the suggestion by Senator Binta Masi on Section 5 that if you change ‘States may’ to ‘States shall’ make provisions, does that satisfy those that have concerns? Or do we really believe that these issues truly trample on the powers of the states?�

That committee never reported back. And with that, the National Water Resources bill was consigned to the dustbin of history by the 8th Senate!

Now that the bill is back to the House of Representatives, the controversy has returned.

But the real issue is more about the inordinate ambition of the federal government to amass more powers at a time Nigerians clamour for devolution. So, whatever may be the merit of the National Water Resources bill, I do not see it sailing through the House when members resume from their recess. I doubt if there is any governor in Nigeria today, whether in the North or in the South, who would sign off on this bill that takes away the powers granted them by the Land Use Act. Incidentally, if there is anything Lagos has successfully done in the past 21 years, it is to challenge any attempt at power grab by the federal government at the supreme court. Most times the state has won. The current case between the state government and NIWA is precisely over this same issue.

So, with Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as an important stakeholder in Lagos, this bill is already doomed. But the whole controversy is really unnecessary. I wonder why the federal government did not deem it necessary to tinker with the controversial clauses before returning it to the National Assembly. Afterall, Akpabio actually provided some leeway.

When an atmosphere of ethno-religious suspicion has replaced our previous harmonious coexistence, introducing a controversial bill without consensus and wide consultations with critical stakeholders was always going to be a problem. This bill may contain some good clauses, but it is ill-timed. First, it is coming under a presidency that has increasingly found it difficult to shake off the tag of being deeply parochial and sectional. Two, it trespasses into the terrain of land and water resources and therefore conflicts with powers conferred on state governors by the Land Use law. Three, the bill presupposes a unitarist federalism which runs counter to the current agitation for power devolution and restructuring in the country.

Like the Companies and Allied Maters Act, 2020 (CAMA 2020), an otherwise necessary and important legislation that has become divisive, the National Water Resources bill has also strayed into our delicate fault-lines and lost in the brackish waters of Nigeria’s perennial political brickbats. But the president should be worried that almost his important policies continued to energize certain subliminal impulses in our society. And that Nigerians now appear incapable of having any decent conversation without resorting to ethnicity and religion.

All factors considered therefore, this National Water Resources bill has become a problem.

Conceived in a time of mutual suspicions, promoted by divisive interests and opposed by the current politics of ethno-religious distrust in the country, this bill and the debate around it now amount to a quantum waste of legislative time and energy. It is dead on arrival!

46

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS LMC, Redstrike Announce Ground Breaking Deal for Nigerian Football

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe As part of the measures to reposition the Nigerian Professional Football League

(NPFL), the League Management Company (LMC) has entered into a strategic and investment partnership with Redstrike Media Nigeria to create NPFL Media

Sports Ministry Begins Demolition of 120 Illegal Structures at Sports-city in Lagos Femi Solaja As expected, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports commenced the demolition of illegal structures within the National Stadium complex in Lagos yesterday following the expiration of the quit notice given to the occupants.

THISDAY checks revealed that not less than 120 structures mostly food kiosks, food vendor shops and sports shops that were not in the initial Master Plan of the complex are been demolished.

The clear out exercise is to end tomorrow (Friday) which will form first phase of the process by the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to restore sanity to the sports sector in the country.

Before this development, Federal Government, through the Ministerial Implementation Committee of the Sports Ministry had given all the affected owners of the illegal structures 14 days ultimatum to dismantle their shops at the stadium.

That notice expired on

September 1, 2020 before the bulldozers rolled in to start work.

It was also learnt that some shop owners had reportedly been putting pressure on the ministry’s Top officials to stop the Implementation committee from doing the needful but it yielded no dividend.

“The Sports Minister had secured the permission of President Muhammadu Buhari before taking this holistic decision which many before the current minister failed to do,” a top official from Abuja informed THISDAY last night.

Since 2004, the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, has been abandoned with virtually all aspects of the complex, including the main-bowl seats, tartan tracks, the playing turf and the media centre in terrible state of decade.

The state of the edify made some entrepreneurs to transform the ‘Sports-city’ into business venture when numerous drink bars/joints emerged to give the 48-year old monument a lifeline.

and Marketing Company to commercialise the topflight league.

In the new partnership, Redstrike has agreed to acquire the rights from the LMC/NPFL and the clubs for NPFL Marketing.

Under this Agreement, NPFL Marketing will be streaming live matches every week of the season through its own platform, the NPFL.tv as well as distributing and broadcasting through other media channels. Redstrike will also be launching opportunities for companies and brands to sponsor the NPFL and to support the growth of the professional game in Nigeria.

Nigerian Football fans will be able to engage and enjoy NPFL.tv’s innovative and ground-breaking Next Gen 360 Platform. Redstrike will also be working with each NPFL participating Club to build a dedicated club app to integrate with NPFL.tv and also enhance the revenue base of the clubs.

The NPFL is expected to re-start initially without crowds. However, Nigerian Football fans will be able to follow all the action and so much more through NPFL.tv.

The NPFL Marketing partnership will also involve the creation of an NPFL Development

Fund that will be deployed towards improvement of stadia infrastructure and connectivity, academies and community outreach programmes.

The 2020/21 NPFL Season is scheduled to kick off in October 2020 with the 20 teams and will run through to June 2021 subject to approvals of the Federal Government and the health authorities.

Speaking on the partnership yesterday, Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko said: “This is exactly what Nigerian football needs. Our partnership with Redstrike is ground- breaking, enabling the NPFL to follow its ambition of becoming Africa’s Premier Football League and to be recognised as one of the most important leagues globally.

“We are delighted to have the full support of our magnificent participating clubs and the support of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and the entire administrators of football around the country,” observed the LMC Chairman who also doubles as the second Vice President of the NFF. Dikko stressed that “Redstrike’s

global football expertise is clear, their commercial credentials impressive and Redstrike’s technical ability to deliver NPFL. tv is extremely exciting.

“Overall, the investment and technical expertise Redstrike will be bringing into the NPFL will surely guarantee the sustainable progression of the League whilst delivering value to the fans, players, club owners and other stakeholders, as well as world-class content for monetisation.”

He said that the effect of this ground-breaking development for Nigerian football “is that every Nigerian football fan will be able to follow their team and watch NPFL matches every week. We also expect that the new broadcast arrangements will energise interest in the Nigerian football leagues. I am so excited that the NPFL finally has a medium that will enable all fans of Nigerian football to engage directly with the NPFL and immerse themselves in Nigeria’s famous passion for Football.”

Dikko was full of appreciation of the immense support of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,

the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly for policies and legislation towards making sports thrive as a business and the overall enabling environment for the development of the NPFL and indeed, football in Nigeria.

Chairman of Redstrike Media Nigeria and G2P Sports, Bola Adefehinti, stated: “Firstly, as a Nigerian football fan, I am proud that the NPFL/ Redstrike partnership enables us to deliver a ground-breaking platform that makes the Nigerian Professional Football League accessible to all fans of Nigerian football, irrespective of their location.

“I am particularly delighted about the positive impact that NPFL.tv will have on grassroots football in Nigeria, raising of the standards of the NPFL, improvements in the stadia/ infrastructure and the potential for exporting the NPFL brand across the African continent and beyond .”

Redstrike founded in 2013

by CEO Mike Farnan, is now regarded as one of the elite sports marketing agencies in the UK working across Football, Motorsports, Golf and Rugby.

Germany, Spain Kickoff UEFA Nations League Today on Startimes StarTimes will broadcast the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League, starting with the group stage today.

StarTimes will broadcast the matches on its sports channels, as well as on StarTimes ON streaming application, live and in HD. The 2020/21 group stage matches will be played between September and November. Matchday 1 and 2 will be played daily this September, starting this Thursday.

Fans will see great games such as Germany vs. Spain, Ukraine vs. Switzerland, Sweden against France and titleholder Portugal vs. Croatia, among others.

StarTimes secured UEFA Nations League broadcasting rights as part of its National Team Football agreement with UEFA over the period 2019-2022.

Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the inaugural 2018/19 UEFA Nations League final in Porto on 9 June 2019.

“We are very excited to air UEFA Nations League. As Euro 2020 has been postponed, it will be the only national team event this year. All European football stars will be there and we can expect a great football show,” said Kristen Miao, StarTimes Sports Director.

Angel Di Maria (left) and Neymar were among the three Paris SaintGermain that tested positive for Covid-19...yesterday

Shehu Dikko LMC Chairman confirmed the contract with Redstrike to begin live-streaming of the NPFL...yesterday

Osimhen to Make Italian Serie A Debut versus Parma Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, is expected to play his first Serie A game for Napoli against Parma on September 20.

According to the fixtures for the 2020/21 Italian Serie A season released yesterday, Napoli were paired to open their campaign against Parma on Match- day one.

Osimhen switched from French Ligue 1 club Lille in a 70million Euros Transfer to become Nigeria’s most expensive

Osimhen

player in Europe to date.

The 21-year-old U17 World Cup winner with the Golden Eaglets in 2015, has already given Napoli fans a dose of what to expect in the new season, banging in three goals plus an assist in the team’s pre season friendly win against fourth division club L’Aquilla last week.

Elsewhere in the Italian topflight, Ola Aina’s Torino will be starting their season away to Fiorentina while William Troost-Ekong and his Udinese teammates will be at home to newlypromoted Spezia.

Simy Nwankwo and his Crotone teammates will start the new campaign away to Genoa.

Defending champions Juventus will launch their bid for a 10th successive Serie A title at home against Sampdoria.

League runners-up Inter Milan will travel to promoted Benevento while Atalanta, who finished third are away at fourth-placed Lazio. Those two matches are to be played a week later because of their European involvement.

47

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

ThursdaySPORTS TRANSFER NEWS... TRANSFER NEWS... TRANSFER NEWS...

Angry Supporters Slam Barca for Promoting New Home Jersey with Messi’s Image Angry Barcelona supporters have slammed the club for using an image of Lionel Messi to sell their new home kit – just hours before the player’s father meets with President Josep Bartomeu to discuss his son’s exit this summer.

Club officials released the advert of Messi, who is stood front and centre wearing the home strip, while Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann,

Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen flank the Argentine.

According to UK’s Daily Mail, in what appears to be a calculated move, the Barcelona board members are hoping to show that the 33-year-old still has a future at the Nou Camp ahead of talks with Messi’s father Jorge.

However, the advert has caused backlash from fans

Suarez Agrees Terms with Juventus Juventus have earmarked Luis Suarez as the worldclass player to spearhead their attack.

This Uruguayan will turn 34 this season and has been told by new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman that he won’t be in his plans.

Both Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport report that Suarez and Juventus have reached an agreement over the switch.

It is understood that he will take advantage of the Italian government’s growth decree that will allow the forward to save the club almost 50 per cent of his wages in two years.

The decree is a package of

Luis Suarez...agrees terms with Juventus

measures aimed at returning to economic stability after the country dipped into a recession due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Measures in place would help lighten the financial load of signing Suarez.

The combative forward has reportedly already contacted club chief Pavel Nedved over a transfer after Koeman told him in a short phonecall that he was no longer needed.

Pirlo will have spoken to Suarez over the phone and the sell would have been simple, he will be one of a handful of players in the world to have performed alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The transfer landscape has changed significantly for Juventus in the previous few days.

The club were originally close to a deal for Roma striker Edin Dzeko but the capital club resisted.

They are digging their heels in and it could be to Suarez’s benefit. As it stands, Roma and Juventus are at an impasse but there is a chance an agreement could still be reached.

But a move for Suarez could be completed quickly, within a day, should Barcelona release him early, paying him £22million in severance.

Bale’s Departure from Madrid Hit Rock Again Gareth Bale’s departure from Real Madrid is likely to be frustrated by the club’s reluctance to pay off the remaining two years of his salary.

Bale’s €17million (£15.1m) salary over his remaining two years would mean Madrid would have to negotiate

Gareth Bale...exit from Madrid frustrated again

a possible €34m (£30.2m) pay-off which they are not in a position to do.

Marca suggested a meeting between Bale’s representatives Stellar Group has already been set up but Sportsmail understands there is still no imminent meeting planned.

The coming together will not be instigated by Bale whose agent Jonathan Barnett has repeated the player’s intention to honour the two years remaining on his contract.

According to Marca, Real Madrid will seek clarification from Bale over his commitment to the club.

The player opted not to travel to the Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City.

Madrid’s urgency to get rid of Bale has diminished somewhat with the departure of James Rodríguez to Everton.

on social media with many claiming that the Barcelona are wrong to include Messi in any shape or form, considering he will most likely leave the club in the coming weeks.

Many hit out at the club for holding Messi hostage, after the player himself sensationally handed a transfer request to force through a move to Manchester City.

One fan demanded the club to stop using pictures of Messi to help sell their merchandise, saying: “Stop advertising the jersey with Messi, just let him go, the man deserves this

much.”

Others branded the club as ‘shameless’ for trying to capitalise on the financial gain of still having Messi on their books.

With Messi set to leave, one Twitter user insisted that the club had advertised the 2020-21 home kit on false pretenses, saying: “False advertising.

Messi doesn’t come with the kit anymore.”

Another pointed out how the talismanic forward isn’t getting the respect he deserves after what he’s done for the club.

The comment read: “Messi

deserves same respect as Iniesta, how he was let even when he was in middle of a contract, they should show Messi same respect he deserves better farewell than this.”

Twitter user @phil_papa then slated the club over keeping Messi, labelling them as a ‘disgrace’.

He said: “You’ve turned this into “Less que un club”.

Have some decency, show great players some respect, nurture talent, stop shady transfer deals and find real managers with might and a vision for the club. What you are doing to

this institution is an absolute disgrace.”

The kit, which was unveiled in July, was made available to purchase yesterday.

Manchester City are hopeful of bringing Messi to the Premier League, though it would not be financially feasible to get a deal done if Barcelona continue to dig their heels in with the 33-year-old’s release clause set at an eye-watering £629million.

Barcelona insist Messi is still under contract and have urged him to stop pursuing a move away and commit to a new deal.

Barcelona yesterday advertised their new home kit with Messi’s image

Everton Close to Signing Madrid’s Rodriguez Everton are hopeful of completing an ambitious deal worth more than £20m for Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez by the end of the week.

The 29-year-old Colombian played under Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti at Spanish champions Real and Bayern Munich.

Rodriguez, who has been marginalised under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, has been allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future.

It would be Ancelotti’s first

James Rodriguez....signs three-year deal with Everton

major signing since become boss in December.

He has been the driving force behind the deal, with Rodriguez, who is entering the final year of his contract at Real Madrid, attracted by the idea of working with the Italian once more.

Rodriguez won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup after scoring six goals in five games. He then joined Real from Monacothat summer in a deal worth up to £71m.

A three-year contract is under discussion as Everton look to pull off a transfer that would be regarded as a major coup and a powerful statement

of intent as Ancelotti moves to reshape a side that finished 12th last season.

Everton have also agreed a deal with Napoli for 29-yearold Brazil midfielder Allan which is expected to be confirmed shortly. The Italian club’s chairman Aureolio de Laurentis has already said: “We are at the final farewell.

Allan will go to Everton.”

Ancelotti made Allan a priority after working with him at Napoliwhile discussions are continuing with Watford over a deal for Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Wijnaldum Ready to Leave Liverpool for Nou Camp Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum is ready to leave Liverpool after agreeing terms with Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

The Dutch midfielder has been linked with a switch to the Nou Camp following former Holland manager Ronald Koeman’s appointment as boss.

Wijnaldum is willing to swap England for Spain despite being a key man under Jurgen Klopp last term and discussions between the two clubs have already begun, according to Sport.

The report claims that Barcelona are prepared to

offer no more than £18million for the 29-year-old.

Wijnaldum has entered the final year of his contract at Liverpool with no current sign of an extension to remain at Anfield on the table.

The central midfielder has become an integral part of the success at the Merseyside giants, missing just one game in their Premier Leaguewinning season this year.

The season before he was instrumental in Liverpool’s sensational 4-0 comeback win over Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals at Anfield with two second-half goals.

Georginio Wijnaldum... heading to Nou Camp

Koeman is looking to rebuild Barcelona after signing a two-year deal at the helm last month and

Wijnaldum is a player he knows well from his two-year stint as Holland boss.

The midfielder was in a rich vein of form for his country in 2019, scoring eight goals in nine appearances.

Wijnaldum has notched 19 goals in 187 matches for Liverpool since joining the club from Newcastle four years ago.

The Reds risk losing the midfielder for free next summer and have been heavily linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara during this transfer window.

Thursday, September 3, 2020

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Samson Ayokunle to President Buhari “From the reactions of stakeholders and a cross-section of the Nigerian-state, it is apparent that the Act either did not receive input from the respective various interest groups or failed to accommodate their views, sundry concerns and varying interests of the Nigerian people” – Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Dr Samson Ayokunle, in a letter to President Buhari on the controversial Companies and Allied Maters Act, 2020 (CAMA 2020).

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Akpabio‘Killed’theBill,It’sAliveAgain!

I n a badly divided polity, it is no surprise that a number of stakeholders have expressed opposition to the recently re-introduced National Water Resources bill in the House of Representatives.

But in describing it as “another version of Ruga which objective is to create grazing areas in the 36 states of the federation for herders and their livestock,” Governor Sam Ortom of Benue State has further raised the stakes. Consequently, he merely re-echoed the statement by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) that had earlier advocated that “Freedom-loving Nigerians should be ready for protracted resistance to this move to grab land around waterways for Miyetti Allah by the executive arm of the government.”

While I agree that this administration has mismanaged our diversity, a great deal of ignorance is being peddled on this bill. And controversial as some of the provisions may indeed be, what I find more interesting is that the man who actually raised the red flag about this bill is now a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and serves as Minister for the Niger Delta. But by the time of his intervention, he did so in his capacity as the Senate Minority Leader and member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Before I conclude with my own position, I want to take readers through what transpired in the 8th Senate. It all happened on 24th May 2018, when the Senate Committee on Water Resources chaired by Muhammed Ubali Shitu (from Jigawa State) presented its report on the executive bill by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Shitu, the bill sought to provide a regulatory framework for the water resources sector in Nigeria; ensure that the nation’s water resources are properly protected, developed, conserved, managed and controlled; meet the basic water needs of the present and future generations; enhance citizens’ right of access to clean water and sanitation; promote public-private partnerships in the development and management of water resources infrastructure, etc.

Shitu gave the highlights of the committee’s work, beginning with a public hearing.

He also listed eight legislations that cover different aspects of the water resources sector and conflicting provisions that needed to be harmonised. “The effect of this is that there is no single comprehensive legislation dealing with water resources sector in Nigeria, with the resultant poor management of this important sector.” This gap, according to Shitu, made the Federal Executive Council to, in 2016, approve the draft Water Resources Bill and two policies—National Water Policy and National Irrigation Policy. He explained in detail what each of the policies was set out to achieve and that the Water Resources Bill was designed to consolidate these laws.

When Shitu concluded his presentation, he received commendations from colleagues, beginning with Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero, former Governor of Nasarawa State, who described the bill as straight-forward. “I happened to be a member of the committee that worked seriously and diligently on this bill and even the World Bank is waiting for its passage so that they can bring in money to

Akpabio improve irrigation facilities in Nigeria. Right now, we have well over $2.5 billion that is waiting to be utilized and I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that the water sector can be regulated properly”, said Adamu. In his contribution, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (from Taraba State) said he could not see any contentious issues in the bill and that “It is one key sector that we need to work upon to bring smiles on the faces of Nigerians; I want to urge my colleagues that we should expedite the passage of this bill.”

The then Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said he needed clarification on Section 87 that talks about 2 per cent ecological fund.

“Can we put that in the bill mandating the 2 per cent ecological funds when there are already clear guidelines on how ecological funds should be applied?” Saraki asked. It was Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, (current Senate President who was at that time Senate Majority Leader), who replied: “It has often been a very difficult and dicey situation when you have to take money from the ecological fund because what this means is that we have to amend the Act itself otherwise, they cannot afford to give money. That is the implication.”

This prompted Saraki to prod further: “So how are we to be guided by that?”

Senator Barnabas Gemade (from Benue State) responded by saying that “when laws are made and we realize that the importance of such law is superior to existing laws, we do by compelling reasons amend others laws to suit it. This water bill is so important to this nation that we need to do whatever is possible to ensure it functions.”

The arguments regarding the 2 percent to be taken from the ecological fund went on with Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa State) and Senator Francis Asekhame Alimikhena (Ondo State), making their contributions. At the end, it was agreed that the issue could be resolved without stopping the passage of the bill and with that the Senate dissolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report, clause by clause, for passage. Taking his chair, Saraki laid the ground rule and then said: “Distinguished colleagues, this bill has 152 clauses. It is the leader’s first bill and it is the president’s bill so we are going to have a very swift movement in passing it.”

The first contribution came from Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi State) who argued that the senate needed to define river banks “because it is a very serious thing otherwise, a lot of conflicts is going to arise. You take the Niger river for example; that traverses several states, and then we will say the bank.

What do you mean by the bank? You have to be very clear about where the bank extends, from the centre of the river to either side of the river system?” Abdullahi said further that the senate might consider the system normally adopted in the Road Sector, where 50 metres from the centre of the road is the determined area where the governmental authority and responsibility rests. “River banks are even much more contentious than roads, because of agriculture, fishing and several other activities that take place there. So, 50 meters under this circumstances may be too much, but we have to be able to define exactly where the authority of the government lies, otherwise I have no objection to the bill.”

This comment, according to Gemade, who responded on behalf of the committee, was well taken, “but I would like to point out here very clearly that when you come to road infrastructure, you have definite measurement.

Rivers do not have definite measurements, so you cannot define banks by the way of

Apparently sensing that the mood of the senate had changed following Akpabio’s intervention, Senator Ahmad Lawan tried to explain the import of the contentious clause but not before replying Akpabio, ‘Your swimming pool cannot be a federal government water body, affecting more than one state.’ Lawan then explained: ‘There are few rivers in Nigeria that go through more than one state and this is what this particular clause is talking about.’

measurement from centreline.” Besides, Gemade further argued, the riverside can change even in the cause of one year.

It was at this point that Senator Godswill Akpabio (former Akwa-Ibom Stae governor) said he would disagree with a clause on the description of the river bank. “First, we have a lot of decisions on this, that the river banks are natural elongation of the surface of the land, and then of course the last government that had to deal with the issue of even the offshore oil said it should be allowed up to 200 nautical miles. There is already a statutory position to that also which was reconciled by the Supreme Court. Then most communities in Nigeria that have rivers, sometimes those rivers dry up, so when we start making laws to recover some of those places, when they dry up, they become residential quarters and all that, and then it will cause a lot of confusion here.”

Akpabio went further: “We need to be careful. If we want to say that all waters in Nigeria must be legislated upon by the federal government, then we will cause a lot of confusion because there are a lot of communities that depend on small rivers to survive, whether in terms of fishing or in terms of planting rice and other things. If we now say the river banks that they utilise for their daily bread belong to the federal government, and subject to federal legislation, we are doing what we are not supposed to do, we are concentrating power at the centre.

We are not adopting devolution of power, we are bringing back Nigeria as a unitary state and we are now even trying to dispossess communities of their land, because some of those places are natural elongation of the land. I do not know how we are going to implement it in order to make sure that the communities are not short-changed.”

Apparently now seeing the bill differently, Senator Paulker Emmanuel who had earlier praised it said he had a rider to what Akpabio had just said. “There is a need for us to define the types of rivers in the present situation where we are making changes in the law.

Most of these rivers even dry up, that is seasonal rivers. So if we define banks as being owned by the federal government, definitely that will be tantamount to creating a lot of problems. There is a need for us to look at it closely, and then define what these banks are, because when you talk about rivers, you talk about the weight of the river, there are some rivers that if you go there in the dry season, around November, December they do not have water. So how do you define the banks? It will create more problems.”

The Senator from Bayelsa then added: “We should look at it closely before we endorse it.

If we just say a river bank, it makes no sense.

The Leader should look at it closely and think about the definition of what he means by river bank. Like I said earlier, there are some rivers that are seasonal, so you cannot even define the banks of such rivers. So when they dry up what is the bank? There is need for us to define this river bank, if not it will create a lot of problem for the federal government.

More so, every person is talking of devolving powers, now you say federal government

Continued on page 45

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