FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Nigeria Returns to Int'l Capital Market for $6.2bn Eurobonds Holds virtual meetings to woo investors To avail domestic investors opportunity to participate

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Three years after it issued a debt instrument in the International Capital Market

(ICM) with a $2.5 billion aggregate Eurobonds under its Global Medium Term Note Programme, Nigeria has announced plans for another

visit to the global market. On offer this time is the issuance of N2.343 trillion ($6.2 billion) Eurobonds to part-finance the N5.2 trillion 2021 Budget

deficit.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) disclosed yesterday that it had secured virtual meetings with investors

holding from today to September 20th, 2021.

In order to avail domestic investors the opportunity to invest in the Eurobonds, the

debt management agency said meetings would also be held with local investors.

Continued on page 8

World Bank Doing Business Report Enmeshed in Ethical Irregularities, Discontinued... Page 6 Friday 17 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9657. Price: N250

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RESILIENT SOUTHERN GOVERNORS...

L-R: Deputy Governors – Prof. Ivara Esu (Cross Rivers); Engr. Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo); Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu (Abia); Prof. Placid Njoku (Imo); Governors - Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Mr. Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo); Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Mr. Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Sen. Douye Diri (Bayelsa). Others are Deputy Governors of Edo, Ekiti and Ebonyi States, Mr. Philip Shaibu, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi and Dr. Eric Igwe respectively, during the Southern Governors’ Forum in Enugu...yesterday

Southern Govs Meet, Insist on States’ Collection of VAT Reiterate demand for presidency FIRS opposes inclusion of Lagos in suit Appeal Court reserves ruling Report: Lagosians back Sanwo-Olu on VAT collection, anti-open grazing law

Alex Enumah in Abuja, Gideon Arinze in Enugu and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian Southern Governors Forum rose from a prolonged closed-door meeting yesterday in Enugu with a resolve not to drop the ball on critical issues that affect the South. They agreed, among other things, to commence the

collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) in their various states.

The southern governors reiterated their demand that the next president of the country should come from the South, in line with the principles of equity, justice, and fairness.

The resolutions came as the Federal Inland Revenue Service Continued on page 8

BUHARI GETS NO. 10 JERSEY FROM FIFA PRESIDENT...

L-:R: CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe; President Muhammadu Buhari; FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino and Sports Minister Sunday Dare, during a courtesy visit to the President at Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

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NEWS

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 08033506821, 08097777322

GUINEA ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; SAN, (representing president Muhammadu Buhari), former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo; President of Senegal, Macky Sall and President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, during the emergency ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Political Situation in the Republic of Guinea in Accra, Ghana...yesterday tolani alli

Debt Accumulation: PDP Backs Salami, Alleges APC, Buhari Wrecking Nigeria Says borrowed funds being looted by ruling party Ndume: Nigeria's external borrowing worrisome, declares Senate becoming rubber stamp Chuks Okocha, Deji Elumoye and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the comment by the Chairman of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Dr. Doyin Salami, over Nigeria’s worsening pubic debt position was a confirmation of its earlier allegation that the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) were wrecking the nation.

Similarly, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has described as worrisome and disturbing the increasing rate of external borrowing by federal government, warning that caution must be exercised in taking and approval of loans in the country.

In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the “State of the Nation” revelation

by Salami that the nation’s debt profile under Buhari had become unsustainable at N35 trillion and growing, with an alarming debt service-to-revenue ratio of 97.7 per cent, further confirmed that the president Buhari and his party have allegedly mortgaged the national patrimony to foreign interests.

According to the PDP. "Salami’s revelation only validates apprehensions that President Buhari, who is still borrowing more money, is completely disconnected from his economic team, while the corrupt cabal in his Presidency has taken advantage of the situation to pillage the vaults.

"It is distressing that despite the already terrifying situation, and with the further depreciation of our naira to N570 to a dollar, President Buhari is moving to take a fresh N2.66 trillion ($4 billion and €710 million) external loan, for very opaque purposes.

"More frightening is the revelation by the EAC that the nation’s debt stock might soon hit N45 trillion", the PDP added.

The party noted that rather than develop strategies to create wealth to run its affairs and repay the loans it collected, “the incompetent, lethargic and corrupt Buhari administration is only resorting to more loans in a reckless fashion.”

Moreover, the party stated that, “the fact that the APC and its

government cannot point to any legacy project financed with the loans validates apprehensions in the public space that the funds are being frittered by APC leaders and cabal in the corridors of power.”

It further noted that its position was corroborated by the report

by Salami that the federal government’s expenditure had been, “on the increase and at a faster pace” even when there are no projects on ground to justify such astronomical increase.

Moreover, the main opposition party stated, “that the corruption and incompetence, in addition to policy inconsistency, insecurity and macroeconomic instability, under the Buhari-led APC administration, as also observed by the EAC, had stifled investments and crippled the national economy.”

While commending the EAC for, “their courage in further exposing the failures of the Buhari administration,” the PDP urged the council to impress it on President Buhari to “take urgent steps to recover the over N25 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders in various government agencies.”

According to the PDP, “the EAC should task President Buhari to recover the stolen N9.3 trillion as detailed in the reported NNPC memo; the N2 trillion allegedly siphoned under fraudulent subsidy regime and the N1.1 worth of crude oil reportedly stolen using 18 unregistered vessels.”

According to the PDP, in addition to the N500 billon allegedly stolen from Social Investment Programme fund, there was an alleged N1.5 trillion and $9.5 million from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the $65 million (N31 billion) frittered from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), N165 billion stolen from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) as well as the N90 billion looted from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

It also urged President Buhari to recover the funds stolen from National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in which a very top official of his government was indicted.

Also, the opposition party stated that the Salami-led EAC team must also summon the courage to tell President Buhari that culprits of corruption in his administration should not only be “eased out,” but made to cough out every kobo stolen and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

Ndume Says Senate Almost Becoming Rubber Stamp Meanwhile, Ndume has accused the Ahmed Lawan-led Ninth Senate of failing to marshal the Senate as a house for debate and deliberation on critical issues already creating wrong perception about the Senate as a rubber stamp.

Ndume spoke to newsmen yesterday, following a new request sent to the Senate by President Buhari on Tuesday for the approval of another tranche of foreign loan.

Buhari had on Tuesday written formally to the Senate seeking the upper legislative chamber's

approval for a fresh foreign loan of $4 billion and €710m to address critical infrastructural projects across the country.

Speaking with journalists on the issue, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Army said though he was not an, "expert in debt analysis, the rate of our borrowing is increasing and is worrisome."

According to him: "It is not wrong, for example, to borrow money from the bank with some reasonable interest to buy a car, especially when you have a family - wife and children to take to school, and you plan to repay gradually with your salary. It is fine, because you cannot afford the money to buy the car on your own. Borrowing to you, becomes a necessity.

"But, when you borrow and you cannot buy fuel, then you keep borrowing to buy fuel, and you give the car as collateral to collect fuel... I don't support that.

"It is not the borrowing. And this request for loan that the president sent to the National Assembly is part of the approved external borrowing plan, but as I said. I am just being very careful".

He advised the Senate to take

a critical look at the condition of the loan, its purpose, and if necessary look for an alternative or negotiate the terms, rather than hastily approve it just to remain in the good book of the President, even at the expense of the country.

His words: "Look at what the borrowing is for in the first place, is it necessary? Are the terms good? Borrowing is not a crime but when the rate of debt service increases and I understand it is getting to 80 to 90 per cent, you have to be cautious, you have to look at alternatives.

"There are certain borrowings that are just absolutely necessary, there are some that are not necessary. There are some that can be delayed, there are some that the terms can be negotiated or renegotiated. This is what we should analyse and see if it is necessary. Let us look at the implications and what the money is meant for.

“For example, we have infrastructural deficit in this country and what we hear when people come to Abuja or when allocations are made, you can't tell what is done with it".

Nigeria’s LPG Penetration Programme Threatened as Supply Declines by 21.9mmt in August Despite 206TCF reserves, US, Algeria top country’s import destinations Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) decreased by over 21.9 metric tonnes on the back of increasing disparity between the value of the naira and the dollar as well as the 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) recently imposed by the federal government, THISDAY has learnt.

The development is a clear threat to the avowed pledge by the government to ensure domestic penetration of LPG or cooking gas, as demand continues to outstrip supply amid rising prices.

Last month, the federal government began the implementation of the 7.5 per cent tax on imported cooking gas,

with the cost of the commodity leaping by about 100 per cent in the last few months.

The price of a 12.5kg of cooking gas which was hitherto about N3, 500 in December 2020, as of September, now sells for about N7, 000 in parts of the country, putting the much talked about effort by the government to ensure Nigerians adopt gas as the first choice of cooking fuel in jeopardy.

When asked recently as to what the government was doing about the skyrocketing prices, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, noted that the pricing of gas was no longer under the purview of government since it has been fully deregulated.

“We are not in position to

determine gas pricing because gas is not a regulated product.

But, of course, we are also very concerned that prices are rising and so I am actually doing something about it in the interest of the ordinary Nigerian.

“I am calling some of the suppliers to discuss the reason for this hike,” Sylva said.

Before now, successive governments had roadmaps towards ensuring that Nigerians jettison fuels with higher carbon emissions like firewood, which is estimated to kill over 600,000 Africans yearly.

A THISDAY analysis of data on the status of supplied LPG in Nigeria released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) yesterday,

had indicated that a total of 85,264.803mt of the commodity was supplied nationwide in August, 2021.

A breakdown of the supply report for the month signed by the Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Mr. Abdulkadir Saidu, indicated that 38,040.457mt was sourced locally by eight companies, while a number of private concerns also imported the product.

The companies which sourced LPG locally were: Ever Oil, Stockgap, NIPCO, 11 plc, Greenville Natural Gas, PNG Gas Ltd, NPDC and Ashtavinayak Hydrocarbon Ltd, while 47,224.346mt were imported by NIPCO, Matrix, Algasco, Techno Oil, Prudent, A.A Rano, Stockgap.

Additional analysis of the data on importation in the month of August, showed that 21,606.301mt was imported from the USA, while 13,044.266mt was imported from Algeria and 12,573.779mt was brought into the country from Equatorial Guinea.

“The volume of LPG supplied in August suggests a decrease of about 21,959.781 MT compared to the 107,224.584 MT supplied in the month of July. In addition, 102,787.234mt was also supplied in the month of June.

“On the other hand, out of the 38,040.457MT sourced locally, 7,042.058 MT was sourced by Ever oil, 9,429.761 MT by Stockgap, 7,687.112 MT by NIPCO, 4,761.626 MT by 11 plc and 440.380 MT by Greenville Rumuji, River State.

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SANWO-OLU HONOURS INFANTINO...

L-R: FIFA President, Mr. Giovanni Infantino; President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) dinner reception in honour of the FIFA President at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday

W'Bank Doing Business Report Enmeshed in Ethical Irregularities, Discontinued Investigation indicts IMF MD, Georgieva

James Emejo in Abuja

The World Bank yesterday announced that it has discontinued further publication of its “Doing Business” report series for 2018 and 2020, following data irregularities uncovered by both internal and independent investigation.

The bank explained in a statement that following data irregularities uncovered by an internal probe on both reports in June 2020, its management had resolved to pause the next edition and initiated a series of reviews and audits of the report as well as its methodology.

The Washington-based institution added that after reviewing all the information available to date on Doing Business, including the findings of past reviews, audits, and the report the bank released yesterday on behalf of the Board of Executive Directors, the World Bank Group’s management took the decision to discontinue the Doing Business report.

The statement added, "The World Bank Group remains firmly committed to advancing the role of the private sector in development and providing support to governments to design the regulatory environment that supports this.

"Going forward, we will be working on a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate. We are deeply grateful to the efforts of the many staff members who have worked diligently to advance the business climate agenda, and we look forward to harnessing their energies and abilities in new ways."

The bank had in January engaged an independent law firm, WilmerHale (WH) to review the internal circumstances at the Bretton Woods institution that contributed to the data irregularities identified in the Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business 2020 reports.

The investigation had examined the improper changes to the data for China in the Doing Business 2018 report; Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan in the Doing Business 2020 index respectively.

The probe also sought to establish who at the bank directed, implemented or knew about the changes to the data and how their

direction or pressure manifested among others.

Preliminary investigation by the World Bank had already established that irregularities occurred in both editions of the Doing Business reports.

The bank in a review further established that China’s position in the 2018 report, released in October 2017, should have been seven places lower -at No. 85 rather than remaining at 78.

The bank in a statement yesterday stated, “The changes to China’s data in Doing Business 2018 appear to be the product of two distinct types of pressure applied by bank leadership on the Doing Business team."

The investigation further indicted the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, who was called out by the World Bank, her previous employer, for applying pressure to boost China’s position in a ranking of economies.

But Georgieva has faulted the outcome of the probe.

The investigation was produced by the law firm which was retained by the World Bank executive board’s ethics committee, the body responsible for ethical matters involving Board officials.

The findings were shared with the World Bank’s executive directors on Wednesday, and the board authorised their release.

"Published on October 31, 2017, the Doing Business 2018 report was released at a pivotal moment for the Bank and its leadership: From mid-2017 to April 2018, Bank management was consumed with sensitive negotiations over its ongoing capital increase campaign.

"Among other issues complicating the process, there was concern that at least one key stakeholder would meaningfully reduce its commitment to the institution, and that other significant countries, including China, were apprehensive about how ownership shares at the Bank were going to be re-calculated in response to increased financial commitments", the report stated.

The findings however, hailed the bank's commitment to investigating the circumstances and motivations that led to the data irregularities in Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business

2020.

But it added that "those efforts will achieve maximum positive returns for the Bank’s culture and processes only if the institution endeavors to take concrete actions to ensure that similar irregularities do not occur again."

It, therefore, recommended among other things, for formalisation and enforcement the methodology and procedures used by the Doing Business team to collect, analyse, and confirm the data incorporated into the Doing Business report.

The report also called for the establishment of an authorisation process at the senior management level for changes to the Doing Business report’s methodology or publication process to avoid abuse of discretion by a single manager.

It reinforced the need to enhance procedures/safeguards

to data changes occurring during or after Bank-wide review.

The findings further recommended further embargoes on distribution of rankings, including not sharing rankings outside of the Doing Business team until the report is finalised.

It urged the bank to develop and implement procedures for the routine audit of Doing Business data and rankings by an independent party (i.e., external to the Doing Business team).

The report called for, "firm procedures to protect the Doing Business team from pressure or influence from Bank senior management, regional vice presidencies, advisory services colleagues, and member countries."

Nevertheless, the World Bank in August 2020, stated that over the 17 years of its existence, the Doing Business report had

been a valued tool for countries seeking to measure costs of doing business.

It stated that Doing Business indicators and methodology were designed with no single country in mind, but rather to help to improve the overall business climate, it stated.

It stated: "A number of irregularities have been reported regarding changes to the data in the Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business 2020 reports, published in October 2017 and 2019. The changes in the data were inconsistent with the Doing Business methodology.”

Pointing out that the integrity and impartiality of its data and analysis remained paramount, the bank had further announced immediate measures to address the situation.

"We are conducting a systematic review and

assessment of data changes that occurred subsequent to the institutional data review process for the last five Doing Business reports.

“We have asked the World Bank Group’s independent Internal Audit function to perform an audit of the processes for data collection and review for Doing Business and the controls to safeguard data integrity.

"We will act based on the findings and will retrospectively correct the data of countries that were most affected by the irregularities.

"The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has been briefed on the situation as have the authorities of the countries that were most affected by the data irregularities.

"The publication of the Doing Business report will be paused as we conduct our assessment."

UNICEF: Attack on 20 Schools in Nigeria Scares One Million Children from Resuming Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said Nigeria has recorded no fewer than 20 attacks on schools with the abduction of 1,436 children this year alone.

In all of these, UNICEF noted that 16 children had died while 200 others were still missing.

This development, the global body pointed out was scaring away no fewer than one million children from resuming schools in most parts of the country where schools are expected to be open for academic activities after the break.

According to statement

by UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, yesterday, "the excitement of children returning to school at resumption is being stollen for these Nigerian children as insecurity threatens their safety and education."

He added: "It is unacceptable that communities should be worried to send their children over fears they will be abducted from what should be a safe space."

He also decried a situation

where children are afraid of returning to their friends and classrooms adding, "the insecurity must end so that children can return to their normal lives and benefit from all the important things being in school brings to them."

Hawkins noted that, "the first day of school is a landmark moment in a child's life, setting them off on a life changing path of personal learning and growth."

He regretted however that, "for so many Nigerian children whose education already suffered during Covid-19 lockdown, that important day has been indefinitely postponed and for many children still missing, it is unclear when they will ever come back home or enter classroom again."

Hawkins further stated: "For the most vulnerable children, including children affected by conflict, girl children and children with disabilities, their risk of never stepping into a classroom in their lifetime is skyrocketing.

“We need to end this insecurity and make our priorities clear, that Nigerian

children can and must be allowed to benefit from an education in a safe space.”

It added: “While countries worldwide, including Nigeria, are taking some actions to provide remote learning, many students are not being reached.

“In addition to lack of assets for remote learning, the youngest children may not be able to participate due to a lack of support using the technology, a poor learning environment, pressure to do household chores, or being forced to work.

“Studies have shown that positive school experiences are a predictor of children’s future social, emotional and educational outcomes.

“Children who fall behind in learning during the early years often stay behind for the remaining time they spend in school, and the gap widens over the years. The number of years of education a child receives also directly affects their future earnings.

“Every hour a child spends in the classroom is precious, an opportunity to expand their horizons, maximise their potential and build their

country’s future. With each passing moment, countless amounts of opportunity are lost,” Hawkins added.

According to him, “We must put our children’s future first.

We can and must tackle the insecurity, stop attacks on education, and keep schools open. The clock is ticking for our young students.”

Unless mitigation measures are implemented, the World Bank estimates a loss of $10 trillion in earnings over time for this entire generation of students globally.

“Existing evidence shows the cost of addressing learning gaps are lower and more effective when they are tackled earlier, and that investments in education support economic recovery, growth and prosperity.

“UNICEF is urging governments to reopen schools for in-person learning as soon as possible, and to provide a comprehensive recovery response for students.

“Together with the World Bank and UNESCO, UNICEF is calling for governments to focus on three key priorities for recovery in schools,” he added.

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Matawalle: We Stopped Dialoguing with Bandits Because of their Deceit Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has declared that the state government stopped dialoguing with bandits troubling the state because of their deceit.

Matawalle, who accused the bandits of reneging on earlier agreements reached with them, however, disclosed that relative peace had since returned to the state with the people now happy and going about their normal business.

The governor Thursday told newsmen after meting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, that the state government had been steadfast in the fight against banditry.

According to him, people had started seeing results of the stringent measures put in place to restore security, adding that though the measures were tough, the people had not minded,because they are now feeling secured.

The security situation in Zamfara State got to a desperate level recently, leading to the imposition of a couple of security measures, including the shutting down of telecommunication equipment and operations in the state.

Governor Matawale had also recently proposed dialogue as a strategy for ending the violent activities of bandits and kidnappers in the state.

When asked if the dialogue approach was no longer an option, the governor said, “They have deceived us. Some of them did not

follow what we agreed with them.

We thought it was something we could continue with them, but we later realised that they had deceived us. So, we had to back out of it and decided to fight them to a logical conclusion.

“As you know, we are there fighting and we have taken a lot

of measures in order to curtail this problem of insurgency and we thank God it’s yielding a lot of results. We’ve recorded a lot of successes from what we have done. As you are aware, we have a lot of security personnel that were deployed to Zamfara State and they are working seriously,”

he said.

On the current state of play, Matawalle said, “The situation is calm and people are going on with their day-to-day activities, just that we have cut a lot of things, particularly, moving food stuff, animals and selling of petroleum products.

“We have imposed a lot of measures and the people are happy with the measures, because the people had suffered a lot.

People were being killed and kidnapped every day before, but today, we have succeeded, we don't have much of such issues in Zamfara State.”

NIGERIA RETURNS TO INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKET FOR $6.2BN EUROBONDS A major highlight is that this is the first time local investors would be included in the road shows, a development DMO explained was one of the reasons a Nigerian Bookrunner (Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Services Ltd.) was appointed among the transaction advisers.

The DMO stated, "Through the Eurobond issuance, Nigeria is expected to raise up to $3 billion but no more than $6.2 billion.

"In addition to providing funding to part-finance the deficit in the 2021 Appropriation Act, the issuance of Eurobonds

by Nigeria benefits the country in many other strategic ways."

According to the DMO, it would also bring about an inflow of foreign exchange, leading to an increase in

external reserves to help support the naira exchange rate as well as Nigeria’s sovereign rating.

It further explained that when Nigeria raised funds externally through Eurobonds, it freed up space in the domestic market for private sector and sub-national borrowers.

The debt management body stated, "In effect, it helps the sovereign not to crowd out other borrowers in the domestic market. The issuance of Eurobonds by Nigeria has opened up opportunities for Nigeria’s corporate sector, notably banks, to issue Eurobonds to raise capital in the ICM. “By so doing, their capital base has been strengthened to provide banking services whilst also meeting regulatory requirements"

Nigeria has a sovereign yield curve in the ICM, extending up to 30 years.

The agency observed that the local listing of Nigeria’s Eurobonds on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited had increased the range of products on the two exchanges and their respective market capitalisation.

The DMO explained that overall, Eurobond issuance

by Nigeria and the investor meetings that precede the pricing, had provided a strong global platform for Nigeria to tell itsown story and opportunities available in Nigeria for investors.

The federal government had on August 5 announced the appointment of eight

international and domestic transaction advisers for the proposed Eurobond offer.

The transaction advisers included international bookrunners/joint lead managers–JP Morgan, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, and Goldman Sachs.

The Nigerian bookrunners to the proposed issuance are Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Services Ltd and FSDH Merchant Ltd who will act as financial adviser.

White & Case LLP would act as the international Legal Adviser while the firm of Banwo & Ighodalo are the Nigerian Legal Advisers.

The DMO disclosed that the eight Transaction Advisers emerged following an open

competitive bidding process as outlined in the Public Procurement Act, 2007 (as amended).

It stated that a total of 38 institutions responded to the Expression of Interest (EoI) request, adding that after rigorous evaluation to ascertain their technical capacities, eight institutions were selected.

The DMO stated that while the federal government expected a successful outing, it would be mindful of cost and risks (in terms of tenor and pricing) in determining the amount of the Eurobonds to issue.

According to the agency, since the Eurobonds are being issued to part-finance the 2021 Budget deficit, the proceeds would be used to fund various projects in the budget.

the state has not shown how its interest would be jeopardised if not allowed in the matter.

Magaji further faulted the application on the grounds that it breached section 243 (1),(a), (b) of the 1999 Constitution, which forbids a respondent from challenging the judgement.

He urged the panel to dismiss the application for lacking in merit.

However, the processes filed on behalf of the AGF, through his counsel, Tijani Gazali, also in opposition to the Lagos application, were struck out on the ground of being incompetent, having been filed out of time.

Earlier, while moving the Lagos application, the Attorney General (AG) of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, submitted that Lagos had vested interest in the VAT collection, adding that the decision of the court would affect the state when delivered.

Onigbanjo noted that FIRS, in its appeal against the judgement of Pam, made some allegations against it, saying it would be in the interest of justice for it to be allowed to join in the appeal to ventilate its defense.

"From the contents of the appellant’s affidavit, Lagos has been made a necessary party in the appeal by some references to It and for it to be bound by the final decision, it is in its interest that It should be allowed to make defense to allegations against it," Onigbanjo said.

Similarly, counsel to Rivers State, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, in adopting his processes, aligned himself with the submission of Onigbanjo and urged the court to join Lagos as a party in the appeal.

After parties concluded their arguments for and against the joinder application, Magaji urged the court to reiterate its order on status quo ante bellum made last week, restraining Rivers and Lagos from collecting VAT in their respective states.

Reacting, Rivers and Lagos states urged the appellate court to rather appoint a Receiver or Manager for the purpose of collecting and keeping VAT collected in the interim.

The two states, in addition, argued that the order of status

quo ante bellum be put on hold in view of the appeal filed against it at the Supreme Court.

Adedipe, arguing orally, urged the court to exercise its power under Order 4 Rule 6 of the Court of Appeal to appoint a Receiver or Manager to take custody of the VAT in the interest of justice to parties in the matter.

Onigbanjo, in addition, urged the appellate court to restrain FIRS from further collecting the tax and replace it with a Receiver or Manager that would act for parties locked in the legal battle.

He said FIRS, apart from collecting the tax, had been sharing it among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT, despite the pendency of the legal tussle, adding that recovery of the shared fund would be difficult if the court upheld the judgement of the trial court.

Responding, the presiding judge, Justice Haruna Tsammani, asked the two states to make their request formal by putting it in writing. Tsammani further announced that the judgement of the panel on the joinder application had been reserved to a date that would be communicated to parties.

said the poll was supervised by the organisation's team, made up of experienced development experts, media entrepreneurs, and data analysts. Lawson stated that the two top issues raised by the poll, seen by THISDAY, were in line with the prevailing subjects of discussion among Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, the largest contributors to the VAT regime in the country.

Data generated from the state-wide survey also showed that concerns over the menace of farmers/herders conflicts, occasioned by the now unpopular uncontrolled open grazing of cattle across the country, generated a lot of interest.

Lawson said the two issues cited above were at the highest point in the surveys.

He said the FREDDAN SMS poll was conducted Sunday through Wednesday, and over 50,000 residents were contacted through the Short Message Services on major telecom networks spreading across the state.

Lawson said the poll found no significant differences between respondents who had largely subscribed to participate before and after the eventual outcome.

Lawson stated, "The poll, which we conducted via telephone SMS, requested respondents, if they are in support or not, of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu proposed bill on VAT and anti-open grazing recently presented to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

"From a total number of 24,564 Respondents out of the over 50,000 who received the SMS poll, a total of 21,125 voted YES, in support of the governor's decision, while 3,439 voted NO, against the VAT and anti-open grazing bills, amounting to about 86 per cent to 14 per cent, respectively.

"Analysis of the poll results shows there is a popular acceptance of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration's decision on these bills and this cut across almost every section of Lagosians."

SOUTHERN GOVS MEET, INSIST ON STATES’ COLLECTION OF VAT (FIRS) opposed a request by Lagos State to be joined as an interested party in the agency’s appeal against a Federal High Court judgement that opposed the agency’s collection of VAT in Rivers State.

In a related development, a report revealed that eight in 10 residents of Lagos State, representing the majority of the residents, had thrown their weight behind the Babajide Sanwo-Olu government and the state House of Assembly on the passage and signing into law of the VAT Law and the prohibition of open grazing Act. The southern governors’ meeting was a follow-up to earlier meetings held in Delta and Lagos states, where the governors reached conclusions to ban open grazing to curb increasing farmer-herders crisis, and demand restructuring of the country, and introduction of state police.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was attended by nine governors and seven deputy governors from the region, Chairman of the forum and Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the state governments had the power to collect VAT within their territories. Akeredolu noted that the collection of VAT by various state governments would boost economic growth and promote development.

The forum expressed satisfaction with states in the region that had successfully implemented the anti-open grazing law in line with the decision reached during the southern governors’ meeting in Delta State. The forum called on other states in the region that were yet to implement the decision to do so expeditiously, as according to Akeredolu, it represented the aspirations of the people in the region.

The governors, in the communiqué, “expressed satisfaction with the rate at which the states in the southern Nigeria are enacting or amending the anti- open grazing laws, which align with the uniform template and aspiration of southern governors and encouraged the states that are yet to enact this law to do so expeditiously.

“Encouraged the full operationalisation of already agreed regional security outfits; which would meet, share intelligence and collaborate, to ensure the security and safety of the region.

“Reaffirmed its earlier commitment to fiscal federalism as resolved at the inaugural meeting of the Forum held on Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at Asaba, Delta State, and emphasised the need for the southern states to leverage the legislative competence of their respective states Houses of Assembly as well as representation in the National assembly to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution through the ongoing constitution amendment.

“The meeting resolved to support the position that the collection of VAT falls within the powers of the states.”

The forum also said, "There is the need for the southern states to leverage the legislative competence of their respective state Houses of Assemblies as well as representation in the National Assembly to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian constitution through the on-going constitutional amendment".

The communiqué said the forum aligned with the larger Nigerian Governors’ Forum on the handling of the issues around the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as well as ownership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The governors present at the meeting were Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Nyesom Wike of Rivers; Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom; Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State, and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.

Others were Akeredolu of Ondo; Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun; Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.

Deputy governors present were Mr. Bisi Egbeyemi of Ekiti; Mr. Rauf Olaniyan of Oyo; Dr. Kelechi Igwe of Ebonyi; Chief Ude OkoChukwu of Abia; Mr. Philip Shuaibu of Edo; Prof. Ivara Esu of Cross River and Prof.

Placid Njoku of Imo.

FIRS Opposes Inclusion of Lagos in VAT Collection Suit Meanwhile, FIRS yesterday opposed the request by Lagos State to be joined as an interested party in its appeal challenging the judgement of a Federal High Court that had ruled against collection of VAT in Rivers State by FIRS. A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja had last week adjourned to Thursday, the consideration of an application by Lagos State for joinder after it held that Lagos may be affected adversely if the state was not heard before decisions were made in the matter.

Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had in a judgement on August 9 held that the Rivers State government, and not the FIRS, had the right to collect VAT and Personal Income Tax in the state.

Pam, in the judgement, restrained the Attorney General of the Federation and FIRS (1st and 2nd defendants) from collecting VAT in Rivers State and directed the Rivers State government to take charge of the duty.

As a result of the court’s decision, the Lagos State government commenced moves to stop the collection of VAT by the FIRS in the state.

However, having failed to stay the judgement of the Federal High Court, FIRS approached the appellate court to challenge the judgement. The service also applied for two orders – the first seeking to stay the execution of Pam's Judgment and the second, an interlocutory injunction restraining Rivers State from collecting VAT in the state.

But because of the request of Lagos State, the two applications could not be taken, as the court said priority should be given to the Lagos application for joinder.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the appellant, Mr. Mahmoud Magaji, vehemently opposed the request

by Lagos State, claiming that

Report: Lagosians Back Sanwo-Olu on VAT Collection, Open Grazing Ban Eight in 10 residents of Lagos State are in full support of the Sanwo-Olu administration and the state House of Assembly on the passage and signing into law of the VAT law and the Act prohibiting open grazing in the state.

Lagosians, according to a poll conducted by Lagosbased FREDDAN Continental Services, a public relations and ICT consultancy firm, believed that domestication of the collection of VAT by Lagos State would improve the capacity of the state government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Executive Director of FREDDAN Continental Services, Olufemi Lawson,

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Buhari: I’ll Use Football to Develop the Girl-child, Nation's Unity Says his govt has adopted sport as national asset Deji Elumoye in Abuja

sport was being accorded the highest level of attention possible by the government to enable rapid development of abundant talents in the country.

“I have also approved the unveiling of a committee to draw up a 10-year football development master plan for the country. I expect that the recommendations of this committee will accelerate the development of football. It is my hope that it will further improve the fortunes of the game internationally," he said.

On the Aisha Buhari Cup (ABC), with the theme “Playing

for Good”, which was on-going in Lagos, President Buhari said the tournament could not have come at a better time.

According to him, “This Women’s football competition is a novel idea here and I am sure it will be exciting in its execution for our women folk and lovers of football. It is also a confirmation of what we already know about our women."

The President, therefore, thanked FIFA for making ABC, a ranking tournament, adding that he looked forward to more countries joining to participate in future.

Buhari, who described football as one of the greatest sources of unity in the country as well as in many parts of the world, said: “Our hearts beat as one anytime our teams are playing a football match. Our youth are always positively engaged, when our national football teams are on assignment. Without any doubts here, football is a major tool of national unity”.

He commended the enormous work done by the organisation in the development of football, using it as a tool for positive social change and to drive global unity.

The president pledged support

for the latest FIFA initiative, the FIFA Connect programme, which aimed to drive football development at the grassroots using technology and assured it of Nigeria’s active participation in the programme.

Emphasising Nigeria’s huge pedigree in global and continental football, the President said the country had achieved successes in many international and continental competitions while maintaining close, cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with FIFA. “Nigeria is one of the few nations of the world that

has participated in all FIFA competitions, at all the different levels for both men and women.

These have opened doors of opportunities for a lot of our young boys and girls, men and women to have rewarding careers in the game," he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said Nigeria, as the leading black nation in the world, was central to all that FIFA was seeking to achieve in its football development plan.

“We love football and we follow the game passionately,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared his administration’s commitment to use football as a tool for the development of the girl-child, inspiring young people to have rewarding careers in the game.

He also said his government had since the last four years adopted sports as a national asset.

Speaking Thursday at the State House, Abuja while receiving in audience, the FIFA delegation led by its President, Gianni Infantino, and the President of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, the President called on the top echelon of the world football governing body to see Nigeria as one of its greatest assets, when it comes to the development of football.

On women's football, President Buhari expressed delight that Nigeria has produced excellent role models to inspire the next generation of stars to take up the sport.

His words: “Our National women’s football team, the Super Falcons are a force to reckon with, both on the continent and internationally. Some of our women footballers such as Asisat Oshoala, who only recently became the first African to win the women’s European Champions League with her club Barcelona.

“Rasheedat Ajibade, Rita Chikwelu, Onome Ebi, who is the only African to have played in five FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, Desire Oparanozie and before them Perpetual Nkwocha, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Nkiru Okosieme and Ann Chiejiene, are globally recognised stars."

Buhari, therefore, urged the FIFA leadership to consider Nigeria top on its plan for support and investment.

He also told the visiting FIFA boss, who was in the country for the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Football Tournament, that since 2017 his administration had adopted football as a national L-R: Director-General, Bayelsa State Project Monitoring Directorate, Ebiye Tarabina; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei,; asset.

The President explained that Project Manager, Setraco Construction Company, I. Julian, and Governor Douye Diri during the latter's inspection of the Sagbama-Ekeremor road project

THAT SAGBAMA-EKEREMOR ROAD MAY BE COMPLETED...

New Calculations Emerge in PDP Chairmanship Race S’West makes strong bid for post Chuks Okocha in Abuja As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) committee for the zoning of offices in the National Working Committee (NWC) began sitting, new calculations have begun to emerge over which part of the country gets what office, amid highwire politics and intrigues.

This is even the more interesting, because of the likelihood that the committee might not necessarily zone offices to states but zones and the office of the national chairman specifically zoned to the three zones in the South: South-south, Southwest and Southeast.

However, for other offices of the NWC, indications showed that they might be left open as they were before the 2017 national convention of the party.

A top PDP source told THISDAY that the committee headed by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and others, has decided to be fair to any of the national chairmanship aspirant from the south by ensuring that the office was open to all to avoid any litigation against anyone that might claim his or her constitutional right has been abridged.

To this end, the source said, "It has been decided that the office of the national chairman would

be thrown open and by so doing, all interested persons from the south are free to contest.

"This is mainly for the national chairmanship position. But we intend to be slightly different in the approach for other offices of the NWC," the source explained.

For instance, the source posited that in the office of the two deputy chairmen – South and North – they would not be micro-zoned to states, but also to the zones that had earlier produced them in the pre-2017 national convention.

Accordingly, the source said, "Under the circumstances, therefore, when it is zoned to the operating geopolitical zones, the stakeholders will then decide where and which of the states in the zone will produce what."

THISDAY gathered that the party had considered this option to avoid any aggrieved person seeking legal action on the ground that he or she was stopped from re-contesting, because the present members of the NWC of the PDP have their constitutional right to seek re-election.

It is, however, expected that the entire work of the Governor Ugwuanyi committee would be subject to the final ratification of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

Also, a former senate president, David Mark, has been consistent

that the PDP should allow the embattled national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus to complete his tenure as an elected national chairman.

Secondus has already approached the Court of Appeal to seek an affirmation of his four years tenure, having been elected in December 2017 at a national

convention in Abuja.

The PDP constitution in section 59 (3) stated that all offices of the NWC were guaranteed for four years and constitutionally allowed for reelection.

Meanwhile, leaders of PDP in the six states of the Southwest have sent strong message to the leadership of the party on the

need to zone the post of national chairman to the zone in the forthcoming national convention.

It was learnt that the 44-member zoning committee led

by Ugwanyi has been faced with the difficult choice of whether the chairmanship should come from North or South, a decision that would also have implications

on where the next presidential candidate of the party would come from in the next election.

The Southwest PDP leaders believed that the chairmanship should be zoned to them to compensate for the 2017 situation in which it was unjustly denied the slot after the post had been zoned to it.

Sanwo-Olu Approves Appointment of Olatunji-Bello as LASU Vice-Chancellor Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).

She is the wife of the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, a former Editor of THISDAY. The government in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, explained that Olatunji-Bello was appointed following recommendation by the Joint Committee of

Council and Senate of LASU in accordance with the LASU Law, Cap 169 Vol 7, Laws of Lagos State.

Olatunj-Bello assumed duty as the First Professor of Physiology in LASU College of Medicine on the 2nd of October 2007, after rising through the ranks from Assistant Lecturer (1988 to 1991) to Associate Professor in 2005, at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba In year 2012, she attended the Course 34 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, the highest policy advisory body of the federal government, as a nominee of the National Universities Commission.

Olatunji-Bello A member of the National Institute (mni), Olatunji-Bello holds a Fellowship Award of the Physiological Society of Nigeria and was also appointed a Fellow

of the Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation in the year 2019.

Olatunji-Bello as well as two other candidates, Professor Omotayo R. Awofolu and Professor Senapon Bakare, were recommended for the position in order of ranking respectively.

The process of selecting a substantive Vice-Chancellor for LASU commenced with advertisements for the vacant position in three national dailies on Friday, July 30th and Friday 13th August, 2021 respectively.

The tenure of the eight substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, ended on January 11, 2021.

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A DEFECTOR FINDS ACCEPTANCE AT LAST...

L-R: Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; President Muhammadu Buhari; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, during the presentation of Fani-Kayode, the APC's newest defector to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday gowin omoigui

Fani-Kayode Returns to APC, Woos Makinde, Ugwuanyi, Mohammed to Ruling Party Says spirit of God led him to defect Deji Elumoye in Abuja A former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Thursday, left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his decision to the guidance of the spirit of God. The former minister, who was a member of the APC in its formative years, however, expressed his readines to woo three serving PDP governors to the ruling party in a matter of time.

Fani-Kayode, who spoke with newsmen at the State House, Abuja after being formally presented to President Muhammadu Buhari as the newest member of APC by the party's National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, said he waited this long to return to APC, because he was waiting for God's direction "which has now come".

He explained that he joined the APC to help work for the unity of the country, adding that he was against anything that would cause disintegration of Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode boasted that he was instrumental to the exit of three PDP governors to the APC namely, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Bello Matawale of Zamfara State.

He further disclosed that he has friends across party lines and was currently wooing the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed to also defect to the ruling party.

His words: "If you ask my friend and brother, Governor Matawale here, there are many people within the PDP, who do want to come over to the APC, I can tell you that, I was there and very instrumental when Governor Umahi joined the APC. "I was there and very instrumental when Governor Ayade did the same thing. I was there and very instrumental when my friend and brother governor of Zamfara, Governor Matawale did the same thing.

"There are many others, some

of the most remarkable men in this country are still within the ranks of the PDP, it's our job to try to win them over.

Now, if you don't mind me mentioning names, somebody like the governor of Enugu State, the governor Oyo State, and of course, my good friend, the governor of Bauchi State, great friends of mine, and I sincerely hope that they too may end up coming in this direction."

The former spokesman of former President Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign in 2015 said he believed Nigerians must recognise that there are two more years for Buhari's administration and that people should come together to make sure they survived it.

Bearing in mind what he had said in the past about the government in power, FaniKayode said the only thing that is constant in life is change and that he should not be held for what he had said in the past.

According to him, Nigerians must come together to make sure the country was a better place and work together, regardless of party affiliation.

He said though he had friends in his former party, whatever they say, whatever they choose to say, is entirely their business.

Asked why the choice of APC, he retorted: "Why not? The point is that I felt that this was the appropriate time to do the right thing, to put Nigeria first, and to appreciate the efforts that have been made, particularly, in the last couple of years in terms of security, fighting insurgency, fighting terrorism, and most importantly, is the appreciation of the fact that we must remain one as a nation, build bridges, work together to move the country forward.

"The efforts of the governor of Yobe State, the governor of Zamfara State, and several others, including the governor of Kogi and several others in their respective states and in moving this country forward and helping Mr. President move this country forward, cannot be ignored.

"We need to appreciate the fact that when we see that there are good things that are happening, we appreciate those good things, it's not always negative and when the time is

right, we change direction to join forces and join hands to move the country forward.

"Doing this doesn't mean we're enemies to anybody. All of us, even if we're in another party, the PDP or any other party or any other group, can still work together across party lines, regional lines, ethnic lines, and religious lines, the most important thing is for us to understand and appreciate the fact that Nigeria must not disintegrate and those that want us to end up fighting one another in a war will be put to shame.

"There are people that think like that and that is what informed me to come here to meet Mr. President. He was very gracious, he was very good to me today, spoke so well and it's an honour for me to be here and we will move the country forward together. " On how he thought the PDP would receive the news of his defection, Fani-Kayode said, "Well, that's left to them. I have many friends in the PDP. If you remember, in 2013, I was one of those that formed the

APC, there were a few issues and I went back to PDP, but I think it's an individual thing.

As a party, of course, they may not be too happy, but I have no enemies there and I have nothing negative to say about anybody there.

"I believe in moving the country forward together with everybody that believes in Nigeria and wants Nigeria to progress and I also believe that we must recognise the fact that there are two more years for this administration or thereabouts.

"We must come together to make sure we survive it, we must come together to make sure Nigeria is a better place and we must work together, regardless of party affiliations, but whatever they say, whatever they choose to say, is entirely up to them. I have many friends there, let's hope that they don't feel too bad about it. We're all Nigerians.

"The most important thing is that we work together as a people, as a country, and move our country together and fight and kill the terrorists and put to

shame the foreign elements and I emphasise that word, foreign elements, that want us to end up fighting one another in this country and turning our country into a massive refugee camp."

On what he would say to those who would criticize him for criticizing the APC in the past, he said, "I'll say that the only constant thing in life is change.

You can't hold me to what I've said in the past if circumstances change and I will always bow to superior argument and logic.

"For me, the primary cause today and let me say this, there's no way I will renege on my fundamental core values and principles, anybody that knows me will tell you that.

"I believe in certain things; how the country should be moved forward. I will fight for that from within this party to ensure it's done. I believe in fairness and equity. But the most important thing for us today is we must not allow our country to fall apart based on disagreement and misunderstanding amongst one another.

"I've recognised the fact that

we're very close to war, a lot of people don't know this and God forbid we should go into that.

We should come together, build it. If they criticise me for that, it's their right to do so.

"I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but I've made a choice, I believe I've been led by the Spirit of God and I will fight and fight for what I believe is right within this party as I would anyway. I will never give up on my core values and principles."

Earlier, Buni said he came to present Fani-Kayode to the President and leader of the party.

He described him as the newest member of APC, adding that, "We just received him and in appreciation and understanding of Mr. President's vision, and magnanimity."

When asked how President Buhari received the new party member, Buni said, "He received him very well and, you know, Mr. President is a magnanimous leader, who shares his vision with anybody, who is looking towards greater Nigeria. So, he's happy and he received him very well.

He commended his courage."

Oluwo, King Chu Defend Sultan's Alleged Snub of Sanwo-Olu, Describe it as Honest Oversight Chiemelie Ezeobi and Mary Nnah The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and his Rivers State counterpart, HRH King Appolus Chu of Eleme Kingdom, have described the purported snubbing of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, by the Sultan of Sokoto, HRM Muhammadu Sa’ad as an honest oversight.

The Oluwo, in a chat with THISDAY, had reacted to a viral video where the Sultan allegedly ignored Sanwo-Olu, who was trying to greet him at a public function.

When the video surfaced on the social media, many alluded to the fact that the traditional ruler's action might not be unconnected to the governor' recent signing of the controversial anti-grazing bills into law.

However, in his reaction, the

Oluwo said the Sultan was known in all circles as a humble man and would therefore not deliberately snub the governor.

He said: "No, anybody can do that. You might be on your own, anybody will try to, you know you shake everybody. The Sultan is very humble; he shakes everybody.

"Even you’ll see his people will never shake him but Sultan will come and shake everybody, even my own people. He has shaken my own Dongoyaro (..sic).

"Maybe his mind was somewhere else, or maybe he was looking somewhere and the governor was trying to greet him. The Sultan doesn’t have any problem with people. Even the people that abuse us, you’ll still see Sultan talking and greeting them.

"He’s a jovial and loving person to be with. If you get close to the Sultan and you know him,you

will laugh all day. He knows how to make jokes that he won’t even laugh at.

"People who are making skits can’t make people laugh like Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, because when he talks like this, and he has that turban and covered his mouth so he talks and people won’t know that he’s talking and you by his side when you hear what he said you’ll be laughing.

"You don’t know what he was thinking at that time. He might not even be looking in the direction, or he was looking but there were other things distracting him. The governor might come and the governor is stretching his hand but the Sultan's mind was not there. So, you see another person comes and he shakes them.”

King Appolus Chu, on jis part, said: "The Sultan I know does not insult or disrespect people in any way. In fact, he doesn’t give room for anything like that

around him.

"I see this whole episode as people reading unnecessary meanings into the video clip and blowing things out of proportion for cheap publicity.

"The Sultan of Sokoto that I know, personally, is one of the most humble, approachable and sociable traditional rulers we have in this country today.

"If you look at the video, you will notice that he wasn’t going about looking for people rather people were approaching him on their own, because he is a very approachable, welcoming and hospitable person.

"His warm and hospitable nature is also why he has been able to successfully bring the people of the Northern region of the country – Christians and Muslims, politicians and non politicians – together to address issues affecting the North and Nigeria in general.”

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COMMENT

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

INEC AND JUDICIAL ENDORSEMENT OF POLITICAL RASCALITY To sanitise the political process, INEC must assert its regulatory authority over political parties, argues Bolaji Adebiyi

S

peaking with leaders of political parties a couple of weeks ago, Mahmood Yakubu, national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, raised a familiar concern about the worsening legal disputes that attend the conduct of primaries for the selection of candidates for elections. He noted the negative impact of this on the electoral body’s preparations for elections, lamenting that it hampers its plans and confuses the electorate.

Mahmood had in the past complained about the rising intervention of the judiciary in the electoral process to the extent that the third arm of government rather than the ballot is now becoming not only the determinant of the eventual outcome of electoral contests but also decides who participates at all.

The latest manifestation of this is the impending Anambra State governorship election slated for November 6, 2021 where the hand of the judiciary is already all over the place with a couple of conflicting rulings rendering interim orders that put in abeyance the nomination of the candidates of the three major parties namely the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). No doubt, some of the rulings are scandalous and Mahmood’s complaint has since attracted the attention of Ibrahim Mohammad, the chief justice of Nigeria, who summoned the chief judges of the culprits and warned them that such further acts of judicial rascality would be punished.

Time will tell if Mohammad’s warning would be heeded. For behind these legal actions and rulings are politicians who have perfected the act of perverting the political process and corruptly securing judicial stamp for their perfidy. The rules are usually very clear. But the politicians sidestep the rules, overwhelm their party’s processes and proceed to shop for court orders to legitimise their manipulations. It follows the regular pattern of factional congresses being held and one or more of the factions approaching the court for an order restraining the electoral commission from recognising the candidate of other factions. A pliant judge is always available to grant the interim order behind the back of the defendant. And as it happens most times the final judicial outcome is so technical that it calls to question the essence of the ballot in an electoral process that is supposed to be based on popular will. The outcome of the judicial contest over the 2019 Imo State governorship contest where the man who came fourth in the field was declared the eventual winner by the Supreme Court is still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians.

The Imo scenario almost repeated itself in Ondo State but for a last-minute split decision of the apex court. Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP’s candidate in the 2019 governorship contest, had approached the election tribunal after his defeat by the incumbent, Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC. Clearly worsted in the contest, the PDP flagbearer did not bother to dispute the figures. He raised a technical issue about the signatory to his opponent’s nomination form.

By the electoral law and INEC guidelines a candidate’s nomination form can only be endorsed by the national chairman and national secretary of the sponsoring political party. But shortly before the contest in October last year, the APC had in controversial circumstances dissolved its national working committee and appointed a national caretaker committee to take charge. There were legal issues raised about this move but the APC power establishments went ahead with the

A COMBINED READING OF SECTION 15 (C) OF THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE CONSTITUTION AS ALTERED AND SECTIONS 85 – 87 OF THE ELECTORAL ACT 2010 AS AMENDED GIVES THE ELECTORAL BODY THE POWER TO REGULATE THE POLITICAL PARTIES BY MONITORING THEIR OPERATIONS AND ENSURING THAT THEY COMPLY WITH ALL LAWFUL REGULATIONS

contentious decision. In the absence of a substantive executive committee, it was Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, who doubles as the chairman of the caretaker committee of the party that signed Akeredolu’s nomination papers. Jegede challenged the validity of the nomination.

His case was that Buni being a governor could not hold a party position under the 1999 Constitution as altered, arguing that since something cannot stand on nothing the signature of Buni had nullified Akeredolu’s nomination. Although the tribunal did not find merit in his case and dismissed it, the Court of Appeal agreed with Jegede’s argument in part but still dismissed it on the technical ground that Buni was not joined. In a split decision of four to three at the Supreme Court, Akeredolu was saved by the failure of Jegede to join Buni.

The point here though is that the will of the people could have been upturned by a mere technical but avoidable error wilfully committed by the APC political establishment that would not be minded to obey rules. The technical argument arose from the controversial dissolution of the executive of the APC even when it was obvious that the decision breached the constitution of the party.

At the root of the crises arising from the selection process of candidates is the refusal of the parties to obey their own constitution.

Although the Supreme Court has held severally that the only valid selection process is the one guided by the national executive committee of a political party, disputes still arise on the validity of candidates presented to INEC. This ought not be if INEC will be willing to assert its authority under the constitution. A combined reading of Section 15 (c ) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution as altered and Sections 85 – 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended gives the electoral body the power to regulate the political parties by monitoring their operations and ensuring that they comply with all lawful regulations, including their own constitutions that are registered with it.

Section 87 of the Electoral Act especially makes the conduct of primaries compulsory for the selection of candidates by the political parties, and INEC is required to monitor the exercise. The question, therefore, is why INEC does not intervene to enforce the law and would rather wait for the plethora of conflicting court orders that only serve to confuse the electoral landscape?

The answer may well be that it does not want to be blackmailed by the usually unruly politicians who are not given to obeying rules.

But rules are meant to be obeyed and the enforcement agency cannot afford to be blackmailed into shirking its responsibility simply because there would be perception of interference in the internal affairs of the offending group. INEC had in the past asserted its authority as it did in the case of the APC in Zamfara in 2019 and much earlier in 2013 when it compelled the PDP to repeat its congresses in about eight states.

Mahmood’s indication to leaders of registered political parties a couple a weeks ago that his commission’s roles as both an electoral umpire and political process regulator would be diligently enforced going forward would be a befitting return to the past; at least to instil sanity in the fast-deteriorating polity.

Adebiyi, managing editor of THISDAY, is at bolaji.adebiyi@ thisdaylive.com

MELE KYARI AND DANGOTE REFINERY Callistus Uzoma writes that NNPC’s 20 per cent equity in Dangote Refinery is in the nation’s interest

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t is remarkable that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is undergoing profound transformation at a time of perceived corporate despondency. Most significant of the positive indicators is the elevation to its top job of Mele Kolo Kyari, arguably a thoroughbred professional in the extractive industry.

The strategic advantages of appointing pure-bred professionals to head government institutions and companies in their areas of competence need no edification especially in the face of the disappointing outcomes of undue prominence of politically-correct credentials in considerations for such appointments.

The appointment of Mele Kyari as the 19th Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC is one of the departures from this trend that upholds the functional efficiency of round pegs in round holes.

The circumstances surrounding the recent acquisition of 20 per cent stake in the upcoming Dangote Refinery by NNPC provide ample insights that underscore this fact.

For sure, his name did not ring any bells outside NNPC when he was named GMD, a pointer to his political obscurity even though he had risen to the top hierarchy of the corporation where obscurity is usually overshadowed by “high society” profiling.

This laid-back uniqueness was as much a result of Mele Kyari’s quiet and humble nature as it was due to occupational isolation associated with his profession. His CV reveals that he started his career with the Department of Geological Survey of Nigeria as Field Geologist and later joined NNPC as Processing Geophysicist with Integrated Data Services Limited and was exploration geophysicist with the National Petroleum Investment Manage-

ment Services (NAPIMS).

Kyari headed the Production Sharing Contracts Management in Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) and became the General Manager, Crude Oil Stock Management before heading the Production Sharing Contracts Management in Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD). Before his elevation, he was General Manager, Crude Oil Stock Management and the Nigerian National Representative at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 2018. Obviously, there was little or no time for high profiles and paparazzi! This briefly captures the professional and work experience that defines the uniqueness and proficiency he deploys to give the NNPC what amounts to a timely transformation propelled by foresight dedicated to the changing dynamics of the international oil and gas sector.

The NNPC ‘s acquisition of 20% stake worth $2.76billion in the Dangote $19 billion Refinery at Ibeju Lekki scheduled to produce 650, 000 barrels of crude petroleum daily, making it the largest refinery in the world, was greeted with the usual cynicism and insinuations among citizens, hitherto disillusioned by the NNPC’s past shortcomings such as the incessant fuel supply shortages, fuel subsidy scam and perpetually malfunctioning refineries.

People gossiped about “deal” and “scandal” out of disbelief that national interest could be enhanced by a huge investment of public funds in the private project of Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote who is surely self-sufficient.

The rapid propagation of such sordid interpretation of NNPC’s share in Dangote’s world leading project was fuelled by the resurgence of another

round of refinery repairs in the news until even the National Assembly could not resist the “pressure” to summon the NNPC management to clear the air, suggesting that the legislators were as uninformed as the man on the street on the issue. However, there were more reassuring responses from the better informed oil sector stakeholders relying on the NNPC GMD’s observed track record in striving to achieve significant nationalistic objectives he identified as priorities soon after his appointment in 2019. Among such progressive objectives that he was seen to pursue with vigour are increasing crude oil reserves to about 40 billion barrels.

Exploration work commenced with the drilling of the Kolmani River II Well resulting in confirmation of commercial quantity in the Upper Benue Trough while exploratory work continues on Kolmani River III Well, Bida and Sokoto Basins. Mele Kyari also expressed determination to boost the nation’s oil production to three million barrels per day which is also being realized through resolving existing disputes that halted production in some oil blocks such as the dispute involving Shell and Belema Oil over OML 25, restoring over 30,000 barrels per day production, among others.

When he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance at the interactive session on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Mele Kyari defused the pervading distrust of NNPC’s 20% stake in Dangote refinery by disclosing that Aliko Dangote was actually against the 20 per cent equity and that the initiative was at the instance of the NNPC, categorically stating “I believe up to this moment, Mr Dangote does not want us to take equity in this plant”.

He explained that by the terms of the NNPC equity participation in Dangote Refinery, it must buy at least 300,000 crude from NNPC which amounts to a guaranteed market, as every country is now struggling to secure market for their crude oil. “This refinery does not owe us any responsibility if we don’t have this arrangement. This refinery is a very complex one in our industry because it can crack any crude. So, it can buy any cheap crude from anywhere and bring it into this country and leave you to your crude”, the GMD remarked.

Other aspects of the investment in the national interest highlighted by the GMD include not using any government money but borrowing money from the AfriExim consortium to pay for initial payment and also tying subsequent payment to buying from our production, giving Nigeria a right to 20 per cent of the production from this facility and the fact that no resource-dependent country like ours with a national oil company that imports 100 per cent of its refined products will have an entirely private venture that will produce close to 50 million litres of petroleum products with its very clear energy security implications.

By the time Mele Kyari concluded his submission, there was a new realization of the salient national interest considerations that informed the decision to take a 20% equity in Dangote Refinery, particularly the uncommon principled courage to secure the consent of Aliko Dangote, whose patriotic instincts clearly and commendably override his capitalist concerns. Imagine the tempting possibilities accruable from looking the other way while Dangote reaps the full dividends of his legitimate investment!

Uzoma wrote from Port Harcourt

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

EDITORIAL UNMASKING THE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM Government should work with critical stakeholders to expose those funding the insurgency

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he conviction last year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of some Nigerians offered the federal government a window of opportunity to uncover the enablers of Boko Haram in the country. Before then, a variety of ideas and thoughts had been presented on how the insurgency was being funded.

Many local and international security experts had wagered that the insurgents made their money with which they carried out their nefarious activities through membership fees, extortion, bank robberies, kidnappings for ransom, drug trafficking, etc. But the arrest and conviction of six Nigerians by the federal appeal court in the UAE opened a new vista in understanding the sources of their funding.

Unfortunately, that lead was never pursued, even though the insurgency has claimed more than 100,000 lives, displaced millions and laid many areas waste.

On Tuesday, six Nigerians were designated sponsors of terrorism by the UAE authorities. The said Nigerians are Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim AN IMPRESSION IS Ali Alhassan and GRADUALLY GAINING Surajo Abubakar GROUNDS THAT THIS EVIDENT LACK OF INTEREST Muhammad. “The resolution underscores IN UNEARTHING WHO THE SPONSORS ARE IS NOT ONLY the UAE’s commitment to target and dismantle EMBOLDENING INSURGENTS networks that finance TO ACT WITH IMPUNITY terrorism and its related BUT CONTRIBUTING TO THE activities,” according SECURITY CHALLENGE WE to the report. “The FACE TODAY resolution demands that regulatory authorities monitor and identify any individuals or entities affiliated with or associated with any financial, commercial or technical relationship and take the necessary measures according to the laws in force in the country in less than 24 hours.”

We hope the federal government will take a cue from the UAE and be more proactive on the issue. A fortnight

Letters to the Editor

ago, the United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard said her country was prepared to partner with Nigeria to identify the sponsors of Boko Haram and violent extremism. She added that she had held at least three conversations in the last two months with top federal government officials on the subject. Any serious government keen on resolving a serious national security challenge would seize the offer.

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

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

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

DEBT IS KILLING NIGERIA

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ebt is good. That is a phrase that is popular in business but the caveat is that debt has to be managed properly.

The problem is in Nigeria. We have never used debt properly.

We have always squandered debt and use it to fuel unsubstantiated and unsustainable consumption and when that happens a nation suffers. I have read extensively Yanis Varoufakis titles, And the Weak Suffer What They Must.

The book tells the story of the Greek debt crisis and how Greece reached a debt ceiling so high it couldn’t sustain. Greece did all the wrong things by spending about six billion on an Olympics and incurring other debts that culminated into the massive problem it faced. Nigeria is making the same mistake and it is time to stop the madness. In 2015 the debt was $7.3 billion and now it’s about $33 billion. Nigeria has constantly borrowed but the projects on ground and the GDP growth are not commensurate to the debts taken. They have been allegations of corruption and Nigeria is in dire straits. Don’t get me wrong. We need infrastructural development but it must be done with financial wisdom and that I must say is lacking. It is sad that we have gone back

or a long time, many stakeholders have been urging the government to collaborate with the international community to put an end to the costly insurgency. But the silence of the government on a serious problem that has paralysed governance for more than a decade raises many questions. Why is the government hesitant in the identification, investigation, arrest, and prosecution of alleged sponsors of Boko Haram? Why has the president been holding series of security meetings with service chiefs and yet not interested in acting on available information about those funding the terrorists and with that, attack the main source of the security challenge we face as a nation?

That the insurgency has lasted this long is a critical challenge that deserves all attention. Yet, never has there been such a veritable clue to unearth the sponsors of the terror group than now. Even before the offer by the American ambassador, there were three key findings in an earlier report from the UAE that should have compelled the authorities to action. One, Boko Haram enjoys the support of some key government agencies in Nigeria and two, the insurgents launder money with the aid of some Bureau de Change operators. Three, the insurgency was being sustained by some communal endorsement of its creed.

At the end, an impression is gradually gaining grounds that this evident lack of interest in unearthing who the sponsors are is not only emboldening insurgents to act with impunity but contributing to the security challenge we face today. With Boko Haram making vast territories practically ungovernable, we believe that time has come for the federal government to work with critical stakeholders that may be willing to help to unmask those who sponsor terrorism in Nigeria.

to where we were in 2004. In 2004 Nigeria had a debt burden of over $30 billion and it had spent over $35billion in 20 years to service the debt. In fact President Obasanjo did say he was ready to resign if Nigeria’s debt will be forgiven. Finally we got debt forgiveness. It is a shame that we have returned to our bad ways.

In 2004 we spent 1.4 billion to service debts which was the size of budgetary allocations to the health and education sector. This is to show the harmful effect of debt service. The money that ought to be spent on the development of crucial sectors are spent on servicing debt. The sad reality is that Nigeria has started the same macabre dance. It has spent about 11 trillion in servicing debt in five years. Spending over N11 trillion on debt servicing is scary as that is a full year budget for Nigeria. Debt is bad as it steals the development of a nation. Just imagine the $30billion we spent cumulatively leading up to 2004 and the over 11 trillion spent now in servicing debt is spent on health and social development. I think it is time to be more circumspect and frugal and start saving for the future. Norway had the same oil with us and they have saved trillions for generations yet unborn. Let’s think Nigeria.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

PDP: THE NEED FOR PROACTIVENESS*

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nce upon a time, the PDP was the hope of Nigeria’s democracy and the masses.

It’s to the PDP’s credit that it successfully midwifed the transition from military to democratic governance and held sway till the unfortunate 2015 disputed presidential vote.

But, sadly, since that 2015 fiasco, our Party appears to have lost the capacity to manage and cope with the terrible circumstances that necessarily go with being out of power - in effect, playing the constitutional role of the opposition.

It seems that we were so used to wielding power in those 16 years that when we were suddenly kicked out of Aso Villa, we virtually lost our political focus.

Nevertheless, we must not lose sight of the fact that, since that 2015 tragedy, the APC has deliberately strategised to continue chipping at the very base of the PDP in order to strengthen its own hold on power by all means. As a result, Nigerians are terribly suffering now.

After the 2019 general elections, the APC consolidated even more on that. And that policy of attrition against the PDP gained even more traction thereafter.

Which is why they have been going after

Goodluck Jonathan for a long time now. We may not know the entire truth about what’s really happening in that regard. Only time will tell.

And now, the Femi Fani-Kayode matter is cropping up - over which the PDP is now splitting hairs. The APC must now be elated that they are causing disaffection and consternation within our ranks all over the country.

The truth is, we must accept the fact that, even if as some have said that FFK is simply a rabble rouser who has no electoral value, the APC has successfully shown us that they have been more proactive than us and are presently calling the shots.

We are now practically at their mercy and react only when they have taken the lead.

But there’s still hope. Honestly, we must find a way to restrategise so as to put a stop to the APC’s current onslaught aimed at depleting our ranks towards 2023.

How? Through unity of purpose and giving all party members a genuine sense of belonging. In short, reverting to the very principles and values that once made PDP not only the best choice for Nigerians but the largest party in Africa. *This piece was first written on February 10, 2021 Chris Gyang, Jos

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG, Doctors Fail to Resolve Dispute, Refer MoU to Legal Team Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Federal government and the striking resident doctors have, again, failed to reach agreement to put an end to the nationwide industrial action that has grounded the health sector.

The much-awaited talks to resolve the issues that led to strike that is in its second month

did not hold.

The National Industrial Court had stood down the case of striking on Wednesday to allow for an out of court resolution of the dispute.

However, what happened on yesterday at the scheduled talks was that the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and National Association

of Resident Doctors (NARD) merely came with a document containing their positions which they exchanged with the federal government team.

The delegation of the doctors led by the Secretary General of NMA, Dr. Philip Ekpe and NARD President, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi left the conference room of the Ministry of Labour and Employment saying that they were going to consult with their

lawyers.

When THISDAY asked Okhuaihesuyi why there was no meeting to sign the MoU, he said:” We came here and they gave us a paper and we decided that we should go and showe it to our lawyers.

We gave them our own papers and everybody decided to go and more interpretation from the lawyers on the implications so that we can come to discuss

on it”.

Earlier the government side had a meeting in the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in attendance However, Ehanire left the venue without speaking with journalists. when journalists also sought to know from the Minister of Labour why MoU was not signed, Ngige said: “No they

couldn’t have signed an MoU that was done on August 21, what we supposed to do was to see if they can have some addendum to that old MoU because some of things there have been overtaken by events.

“So unfortunately we have been able to put the TS and dot the Is so we have given some time to go and consult with their lawyers because tomorrow is court, so that is where we are.

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) the ex-militants, insisted that Dikio had done no wrong and should be allowed to actualise his laudable plans for the region and all beneficiaries of the programme.

LPCDI, which comprises 95 per cent of first phase leaders, in a statement on Thursday by its National President, Chief

Reuben Wilson and the National Secretary, Nature Kieghe, said those behind frivolous petitions against Dikio were on a mission to distract him.

Wilson said such individuals were pursuing a selfish agenda against the collective interests of the region and ex-agitators, who were disposed to having Dikio’s appointment confirmed as a substantive coordinator of

PAP. He said: “The programme has witnessed too many frequent leadership changes due to such unnecessary petitions and protests. This has led to sudden truncation of the plans and projects of the past coordinators of the programme and it has slowed down the pace of implementation of the mandate of the programme.

Police Resolve Recruitment Dispute, Target 20,000 Men Ex-militants Warn against Frivolous Petitions, Protests Laleye Dipo in Minna The dispute between the Police Service Commission and the Police Hierarchy over who should recruit into the force has been resolved the Inspector General of Police Alkali Baba disclosed in Minna Niger state on Thursday.

Baba who did not give details of the resolution of the dispute which impeded the recruitment of over 10,000 policemen into the force for over one year said now that the dispute is over recruitment will commence in earnest into the force.

According to Baba between now and 2022 not less than 20,000 men will be engaged into the force to boost its manpower though he did not say if it is the police hierachy or the Police

Service Commission that will carryout the recruitment.

The IG who made this known while addressing officers and men of the Niger state police command at the police headquarters in Minna declared : “Our problem with the Police Service Commission on who recruits is over the recruitment which we started in 2020 will be completed soon “By 2020 ,20,000 men would have been added to the force” Baba declared.

He also disclosed that training and retraining of officers and men of the force will now be given top priority even as he said the police colleges will now be made more functional submitting that trainees in the college’s “ Will now eat and sleep there”.

Ex-militant leaders under first phase beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have warned aggrieved stakeholders to stop unnecessary petitions and protests against PAP’s Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).

Under the auspices of

Benue Laments Plight of Displaced People George Okoh in Makurdi The Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, (BSEMA), Mr. Emmanuel Shior, has expressed concerns over the conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) following the inability of the federal government to

release the funds it has promised for their care.

Shior stated this yesterday while speaking with newsmen during the distribution of food item to the IDPs in the state.

He also accused the Presidency of not doing enough for IDPs in the state.

“What we are experiencing

here is a colossal humanitarian and developmental crisis as our roads, bridges, markets, churches, schools and homes have been destroyed,” he said.

The federal government had promised to intervene with a N10 billion assistant to the state, which has not been redeemed.

“All we hear in the news

is the North-east. What is the population of IDPs in the North-east? What we have in Benue State on account of the ceaseless attacks on the farming communities is worse than the North-east. Is it that the APC’s government of Buhari is playing politics with the problem in the state? he queried.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

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POLITICS

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

Emmanuel’s Riveting Agriculture Legacy Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Moses Ekpo, commends the vision of his principal, Governor Udom Emmanuel, in the agriculture sector of the economy

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kwa Ibom State Information and Strategy Commissioner, Comrade Ini Ememobong and I may have been brought together by a kindred spirit. The two of us are completely sold on the “Udomestication” gospel in the agric-sector, a gospel which we preach on every available podium.

On a recent Comfort FM radio programme, I reiterated that: “a significant proportion of the food consumed in Akwa Ibom is home-grown,” courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s renaissance in agriculture. And by a fortuitous happenstance, Ememobong was at the same time leading a team of visiting Rotarians to plant coconut trees in Ekpeneobom, unwittingly providing field-backing to my claims.

It was not our first time on such open-air agri-evangelism devoted to the governor’s revolution in the sector.

Apart from hands-on involvement in sponsoring his constituents on farm programmes initiated by this administration, including the Akwa Prime Poultry out-growers scheme, I, not long ago made a signal appearance on the BushHouse show at the ObioAkpa Campus of the Akwa Ibom State University, the veritable cradle and heart of agriculture in this part of the country, which I have ably railroaded into a farm broadcast.

That scintillating performance was captured on the back page of The Pioneer newspaper edition of October 15 - 16, 2018, captioned: Deputy Governor Takes Udom’s Green House to Bush-House.

As for Ememobong, a visit to his village is all you need to know that for him the “husband man that laboureth must be the first partaker of the fruits of his labours.” His entire homestead has been transformed into a demonstration farm, illustrating that Governor Emmanuel’s back-to-land crusade has caught on well within his “work-place family circle” as an example for others to follow. And this was when he was still the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state You can can take the Information Commissioner and I as a cross-section of the State Executive Council, indicating that the immediate foot soldiers of the administration are leading from the front. But a farm culture, or any other culture for that matter, is never genuinely ingrained until the ordinary folks have been seen to run with it. How then has the agri-Dakkada credo of Governor Emmanuel fared with the mass of Akwa Ibom people? How deep are the roots of the governor’s legacy in agriculture – have the people enduringly imbibed his vision of a farm-driven revolution in the economy of the state?

Inherent in these queries, is the more fundamental question of approach; for as we know, the end is largely a function of the beginning. The governor started out on the road to revolutionize the agricultural sector of the state’s economy appropriately with a road-map, the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Policy and Food Sufficiency Strategy document, which was publicly presented in July, 2017.

Here is Governor Emmanuel’s definition of the relevance of the document as captured in his foreword to the document, “The time-tasted model used by most developed economies of the world to shift the frontier of human development has been that of laying a strong foundation for building a nexus between agriculture and industrialization. Having to provide a blue-print that clearly shows the intent and direction of government in the area of agriculture is a fundamental issue, hence the need

for an Agricultural Policy and Food Sufficiency Strategy document.”

And for the necessary psychological disposition to perseveringly and steadfastly follow the road-map, the governor launched “The Rise To Greatness (DAKKADA)” campaign, which among other things, typically reassured the people of the state that agro-speed, though snail-speed,

is indeed durable speed. “Now is the time for us to obey the Biblical injunction to wake up our mighty men and beat our swords into plowshares and spears unto pluning hooks,” Governor Emmanuel said in his official Dakkada launch speech, quoting Joel 3:10.

To spearhead the field deployment of the resultant plowshares

That Timely Engagement by South-east National Assembly Caucus Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko opines that the resolve of South-east caucus of the National Assembly to engage groups struggling for self-determination from that part of the country is praiseworthy

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he steps taken by the Igbo National Assembly members, to engage the agitators and seek political solution to the agitation, is very commend-

able.

They have done well and therefore should be supported.

Ignoring the agitation, staying aloof and shying away from reality, will never resolve the crisis.

Now that they have stood up to be counted, it is imperative they go the whole hog, and initiate talks with the central government.

It may be time to partner with other regions and articulate the grievances driving the agitation, bring stakeholders together, and sincerely search for a mutual meeting point with the federal authorities.

The delay in doing this over the years, actually hurt early reconciliation and resolution.

Rekindling the search for resolution, peace,harmony and closure, is the way to go.

I therefore call on all and sundry, to join hands and assist in any way they can in the duty of restoring sanity to our land.

It may be important to remind our politicos, that search for a resolution of the matter under the current unitary system is an insincere and unhelpful gambit, as the choking and suffocating unitary structure, is actually at the root of the frustrations fuelling the agitation.

Any search for resolution, that doesn’t

include the reconstructuring the polity, may not resolve the loss of faith driving the agitation.

Sincerely facing the truth and commitedly working with others to seek an all encompassing roadmap agreeable to all, should be their guiding compass.

Too much time has been wasted already, many avoidable mistakes made.

The lack of appreciation of the truth, that was responsible for the mishandling of the earlier peace process four years ago, must not be repeated.

I also call on the agitators to humbly cooperate with the peace process. I disagree with those suggesting that the legislators are not sincere.

I believe the legislators are sincere because I know they don’t know an alternative route of escape from the crisis.

There’s no alternative.

There’s no better alternative to engagement, dialogue, peaceful agreement and closure.

Meanwhile, I commend the Southern Governors Forum for their sagacity and their newfound dedication to the truth and dynamism.

The people are with them and are very proud of their steps so far.

Nigeria needs an overhaul, struggling to avoid the needful overhauling is unintelligent and dangerous.

-Ugochukwu-Uko is the President of the Igbo Youths Movement

and pluning hooks, the state government floated the Akwa Ibom Enterprises and Employment Scheme, AKEES, a youth engagement programme, meant to leverage the “can do” spirit of the young amongst us in order to prove a critical possibility – namely, that common vegetables such as tomatoe, carrot, cucumber, onion and water melon, etc, can also grow on Akwa Ibom soil. AKEES was placed under the supervision of the Bureau of Due Process Technical Matters led by Elder Ufot Ebong, a Senior Special Assistant.

Six years down the road, Breghnev Langwa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cameroonian firm, Benny Agric Group, commissioned by the Bureau to replicate in the state his country’s success in the cultivation of these crops, has this to say on how the experiment has fared so far, “Cynics have been converted, prominent among them is one of our farm managers, Ukpong Ukpong, who used to write for a very critical tabloid here in the state. The special Cameroonian Ndini and Saira earlymaturing varieties of cucumber which were initially rejected in the local market are current market leaders. And the tomato content of the Udom vegetable experiment came in handy during the “tomatoeebola.”

He said Governor Emmanuel heralded a revolution in vegetable farming which has come to stay. The value-chain created is one of its kind. The chain includes farms across the state, belonging to 13 forward-looking youths of the one hundred he trained under AKEES, to the popular Ibom Vegetable Inputs Company at No. 500 Oron Road, Uyo; among other agri-allied outfits currently servicing the resultant and ever spiraling cyclone of farm activities in the state. It also includes the 10 hectare hydroponic Green-House near Ibom Airport, which is also a demonstration initiative to illustrate that the dichotomy between nature and nurture can be collapsed, putting the farmer’s fate squarely in his own hands.

What about the refrigerated off-taking van component of the value-chain, which he said Benny is bringing in with an eye toward eventual processing and packaging of vegetable products in order to cross the Rubicon with the revolution. “And so with what has been demonstrated so far, the story has since changed from ‘it cannot work here, to Governor please give us money to grow vegetables,’’’ Langwa said with a glint of vindication in his eyes.

In between, the state government has introduced other epochal and life-touching agricultural programmes, obviously firing on all cylinders so as to deliver the utmost from its limited tenure. These include the One Million coconut-per-day-processing-capacity coconut refinery and its accompanying 11,000 hectare coconut plantation project.

To augment its feed-stock requirement and put the company firmly on the road to sustainability, the governor recently declared August 21st every year as the State Coconut Day, during which about 300,000 coconut seedlings are expected to be planted across the state.

Local Government Councils in the state have also been directed to provide at least 50 hectares of land for coconut cultivation, while about 230 public schools are planting an estimated 300 coconut trees each in their respective premises, all in an effort to ensure that the refinery is fed to capacity when fully operational.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

19

PERSPECTIVE

The ‘Bush’ Man turns ‘Big’ Man The Generals, the Presidents and this Explosive New Book Chido Nwangwu gives an advance hint on likely controversies, contained in an impending book, that maybe generated around the American Presidency

T

here are two major controversial reveals in the latest, best-selling blockbuster book, ‘Peril’, by the legendary journalist Bob Woodward and Robert Costa both of The Washington Post. Both of them understand the ways of Washington DC. Woodward has worked at the same place for 50 years, won two Pulitzer Prizes (first regarding Watergate coverage with Carl Bernstein) and has written 20 national bestselling books. The much younger but very diligent Costa is a national political reporter at The Washington Post, and former moderator of Washington Week on PBS. It’s a formidable investigation journalism tag team.

The first controversy off the book is that the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley called his Chinese counterpart twice during the closing weeks of the relatively erratic Presidency of Donald J. Trump, complicated by the attack and insurrection against the US Congress by Trump supporters and their allies, Milley, reportedly called to reassure Gen. Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army of China that “Things may look unsteady… but that’s the nature of democracy, General Li. We are 100 percent steady. Everything’s fine. But democracy can be sloppy sometimes.”

The book also reported that the American top soldier Milley said in his first call: “General Li, I want to assure you that the American government is stable and everything is going to be okay….. We are not going to attack or conduct any kinetic operations against you. If we’re going to attack, I’m going to call you ahead of time. It’s not going to be a surprise.”

The second issue is regarding the report the President of the United States Joe Biden overruled his Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Defense Secretary retired General Lloyd Austin’s efforts to extend the presence of the Armed Forces of the United States in Afghanistan.

In terms of sequence regarding the calls, Gen. Milley’s first call took place on Oct. 30, 2020, with the alleged knowledge of President Trump’s Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Mr. Trump lost the November 2020 presidential elections to Mr. Biden, four days after the call. Although Trump and his followers in the United States and millions in Africa especially Nigeria remain fixated on the fertile fiction that he was rigged out! Evidently, for Trump and others, it is a good fundraising story and lie to spread all these months.

The second call was made by Gen. Milley on January 8, 2021; two days after the violent attacks and insurrection

directed at the U.S. Capitol/Congress by mainly angry and disappointed Trump supporters.

Meanwhile, it’s being reported that Gen. Milley communicated similar assurances to his counterparts in major countries around the world.

However, for some Americans especially the conservatives, activist Republicans, millions of individuals and groups, the soldier went too far with his phone call to his counterpart military affairs leader of the Super-power country that I will classify as America‘s favorite frenemy, China!

As at the time of my wrapping up the concluding paragraphs of this column, #TheViewFromAmerica early on September 16, 2021, America’s embattled top soldier Milley did not have any reaction or statement on these issues. The controversial, new book will go on sale next week.

Meanwhile, we will witness some congressional investigations and drama in Washington DC. Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican from Trump’s new home state of Florida, has written President Biden a letter on September 14, 2021 calling on him to dismiss Gen. Milley, allegedly in his words for “actively undermining the sitting Commander-in-Chief.”

In fact, an enraged former President Trump who should have been aware of the recorded and monitored highest levels security calls, only a few days ago called for the trial for treason against Gen. Milley — if the report was true. “I assume he would be tried for treason in that he would have been dealing with his Chinese counterpart behind the President’s back and telling China that he would be giving them notification ‘of an attack.’ Can’t do that!…. Actions should be taken immediately against Milley,” Trump wrote.

Trump added that Milley is a “Dumbass.’

Interestingly, permit me to point out, that this, now, so-called “dumb ass” Milley was appointed by Trump in 2018!

Mikky Attah, a broadcast journalist, celebrates the lifetime achievements of an iconic broadcaster, Michael Bush

T

he “everlasting 30 year old” Akparawa Michael Bush shocked a great number of people when he announced recently that he had attained the Golden Age. Indeed, one could take as many extra glances as one would want to, but would still not see a single spot, not a wrinkle, no pot belly- nothing on him.

Michael Bush is the archetypical E.Y.Y.(Every Year Young looking fellow).

Akparawa Bush is the Founder/CEO of Bush House Nigeria, which started humbly as a one-man production squad operating at a single station in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It commenced at a time when broadcasting was just beginning to boom across Nigeria as well as in the rest of Africa- but was barely crawling in the Akwa- Cross region of Southern Nigeria.

I vividly remember once when I went for an extensive stay in Akwa Ibom from Lagos in 2006, to try and persuade the local money-bags to begin to invest in the broadcasting sector. I visited the veteran broadcaster Jones Usen and we teamed up to meet with a number of Akwa Ibomites to convince them to start up private radio stations ( nobody saw the vision with us, and Jones Usen was invited back to Lagos to start TVC. It was not until 2013 that Planet FM, the first private radio station entered the airwaves).

Back then, there was only the stateowned broadcasting corporation in existence; in fact, even the state- owned television was comatose, and off- air.

Listening to the radio as at then was, to say the least, distressing. Essentially, there was this doleful tune that was always rolled out, predictably followed by: “The Death Has Been Announced Of......” And on and on, from one deceased person to another at short, regular intervals!

Ironically, in other parts of Nigeria the radio was, and is a constant companion, even before the advent of smartphones.

But over in Akwa Ibom, it was an active source of depression.

It was against this background that there came Michael Bush; brought up in Cameroun, fresh from school and who delved straight in to the broadcasting world, without any existing template.

Michael Bush; brought up in Cameroun, fresh from school and who delved straight in to the broadcasting world, without any existing As at the time of template. He utilised my wrapping up the the only broadcast concluding paragraphs station available and of this column, created his own groove. #TheViewFromAmerica He started off with the early on September soar-away programme 16, 2021, America’s Makosa Agogo which embattled top soldier became an instant hit Milley did not have any with listeners (it is now reaction or statement rested). He went on to establish The Bush on these issues. The House and it too became controversial, new a red hot success, both book will go on sale on radio and television next week -Dr. Nwangwu is the Publisher of USAfrica magazine (Houston) and USAfricaonline.com, first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper published on the internet

He utilised the only broadcast station available and created his own groove.

He started off with the soar-away programme Makosa Agogo which became an instant hit with listeners (it is now rested).

He went on to establish The Bush House and it too became a red hot success, both on radio and television.

His programme was unique. It was fresh, it was modern. Most of all, it was balanced. It adhered to all the injunctions of broadcasting, and did not pander to any interests. It became an instant hit, and Michael Bush became the most sought after Master of Ceremonies across the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom State. No event worth its salt went on without Michael Bush as compere.

His soar-away success however, did not come without a hard price. Michael Bush paid dearly for all his daring.

A broadcast journalist who strives to be professional in all his doings will very likely, at some point, anger the powers that be. Michael Bush was to be no exception. His young family was attacked, his wife spirited away! After they were reunited, the family relocated to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital where Michael Bush was forced to start life all over again. Literally; from scratch.

But just like the case of the Biblical Joseph, what was meant for Mr Bush’s harm turned out to work for his ultimate good.

In his 10 years stay in Abuja, Michael Bush the “local champion” transformed his programme to a brand name. The Bush House Nigeria became a national brand. For an unbroken decade his radio programme in Abuja captured national attention; so much so that he himself applied for a radio licence, to begin operations himself ( it has still not been granted him!). He also began writing in The Sun, a national daily, and his weekly column , ‘Talking Nonsense’ is a Monday delight, till date.

He relocated back to Uyo a few years back, where he is on all major radio stations and on TV, he is streamed live on all social media platforms and now has a popular game show running called ‘20 Questions’.

His achievements have caught the attention of the Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel who has appointed Akparawa Michael Bush the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media.

Today, just like a dream, he has clocked 28 years on air. His office, Bush House Nigeria has been running for 18 years.

And he is waxing stronger both in impact, and in outreach.

So there you have him. Iconic Broadcast Journalist. Master of Ceremonies Extraordinaire. Businessman. The Big Boss.

Husband and father. Role model and Mentor. A Pioneer. A Philanthropist.

A man of humility, simplicity, yet cerebral and financially very, very comfortable.

This is the essential Michael Bush.

-Attah is an Uyo-based radio presenter

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

S E P T E M B E R

S & P INDEX

1 6 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

14.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

565.29%

1/4 TO DATE

6.06%

N412.08/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

14.50%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.11%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.66%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.41%

Doubting their Competence, Aviation Experts Frown on Plans to Concession Airport Terminals to State Govt

SOURCE: ACI INVENTORY OF PROVITISED AIRPORTS

Chinedu Eze There are mixed reaction to the plan by the Lagos State government and Kano State government to take over the management of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport terminal and the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano Terminal respectively in the ongoing effort to concession some

major airport facilities in the country under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

It was learn that Lagos and Kano state governments have bided for the terminals and were strongly pushing their bids with the advantage of being the hosts to the two airports.

But many industry stakeholders and experts are sceptical about

handing over the two major airport infrastructure to states to manage because many state governments have built airports in the past and were unable to manage them and at different times begged the federal government to hand them over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Stakeholders also posited that the major objective for the concession

of the airport terminals is to ensure effective management, upgrade of the facilities to generate huge revenue and create jobs.

Aviation experts expressed the fear that state governments might not have the needed competences to ensure the objective is realised.

MMIA is the busiest airport in Nigeria, generating 70 per cent of the FAAN’s revenue of N22

billion per annum.

Aminu Kano International Airport is arguably the third busiest airport in Nigeria and the host of Nigeria’s flight information region that links the country to the world in air transport.

The federal government under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration recently approved the concession of major airports in

the country and information from the Ministry of Aviation indicated that the federal government is at advanced stage in the concession process.

Principle officer of the upcoming NG Eagle and the former CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, told THISDAY that the Continued on page 22

UN Calls for Urgent Global $470bn Agricultural Incentive’s Scheme Review Oluchi Chibuzor A United Nation (UN) report has called for an urgent review of the global $470 billion agricultural support schemes that distort prices and threaten the achievement of environment and social goals.

The report also states that various supports within the agricultural industry, mainly to producers are inefficient, distort food prices, hurt people’s health, degrade the environment, and are often inequitable, putting big

agri-business ahead of smallholder farmers, a large share of whom are women.

With this, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimate that 87 per cent of growing producer support is harmful to the 2030 agenda.

The UN’s report, titled, “A multi-billion-dollar opportunity: Repurposing agricultural support to transform food systems,” was

launched by FAO, UNDP and UNEP. Commenting, the DirectorGeneral of FAO, QU Dongyu, said: “This report, released on the eve of the UN Food Systems Summit, is a wake-up call for governments around the world to rethink agricultural support schemes to make them fit for purpose to transform our agri-food systems and contribute to the Four Betters: Better nutrition, better production, better environment and a better life.”

However, FAO noted that global support to producers in the agricultural sector amounts to $540 billion per year, making up 15 percent of total agricultural production value.

It also noted that by 2030, this is projected to soar up more than three times to $1.79 trillion.

FAO maintained that yet 87 per cent of this support, approximately $470 billion, was price distorting and environmentally and socially harmful.

It explained that these are

findings of a new United Nations report calling for repurposing damaging incentives to achieve more of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and realize the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

It also finds that current support to producers mostly consists of price incentives, such as import tariffs and export subsidies, as well as fiscal subsidies, which are tied to the production of a specific commodity or input.

“In 2020, up to 811 million

people in the world faced chronic hunger and nearly one in three people in the world amounting to 2.37 billion did not have yearround access to adequate food.

In 2019, around 3 billion people, in every region of the world, could not afford a healthy diet, “it said.

According to the UN body, while the majority of agricultural support today has negative effects, about $110 billion supports infrastructure, research and development, and Continued on page 22

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 1 FGN BONDS DESCRIPTION 12.175 FGNSB 10-OCT-2021 11.244 FGNSB 16-OCT-2021 10.296 FGNSB 13-NOV-2021 13.390 FGNSB 14-NOV-2021 9.091 FGNSB 11-DEC-2021

Price

Yield

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OTC FX F U T U R E S

Discount Yield

Change (%)

100.54

3.77

0.00

NTB 30-Sep-21

3.65

3.65

0.00

100.60

3.82

0.00

NTB 14-Oct-21

3.76

3.78

0.00

100.97

4.07

0.00

NTB 28-Oct-21

3.88

3.90

0.00

101.48

4.08

0.00

NTB 11-Nov-21

4.00

4.02

0.00

NTB 25-Nov-21

4.12

4.15

101.11

4.32

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

NGUS SEP 29 2021 420.93

2

NGUS OCT 27 2021 422.38

3

NGUS NOV 24 2021 423.83

0.00

4

NGUS DEC 29 2021 425.28

0.00

5

NGUS JAN 26 2022 426.73

C Ps MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change (%)

MTNN CP III 20SEP-21 MREP CP XXXIX 20-SEP-21 CMBL CP XV 11-OCT-21 UBNP CP VIII 18-OCT-21 CMBL CP XII 31-OCT-21

6.71

6.72

1.12

17.70

17.74 1.12

7.15

7.19

1.04

8.76

8.82

1.02

4.98

5.01

0.97

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Global Citizen Live Demands $100bn to Address Climate Challenges Dike Onwuamaeze The Global Citizen Live (GCL) is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to hold an event that will celebrate Nigerians who are working on the frontline in the fight against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic disease.

The GCL, which is an international advocacy organisation, would also demand that the world’s wealthiest nations deliver on their promise to give $100 billion annually to address the climate needs of developing countries A statement issued yesterday in Lagos by the GCL stated that the event would be, “filmed in advance with a fully-vaccinated audience or attendees who have presented a negative PCR test.”

The GCL also announced that the Lagos event would be hosted by two notable television personalities in the persons of Mr. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Nancy Isime while Tiwa Savage, Davido,

Femi and Made Kuti, among other artists from Lagos would perform during the event.

The statement revealed that Burna Boy would be performing from New York while Sho Madjozi and Muzi would participate from Johannesburg, South Africa just as Angelique Kidjo would perform in Paris on September 25, 2021.

The GCL is hyped by its promoters as one of “the once-ina-generation day of unity across seven continents, to be broadcast over 24 hours around the world on Apple Music, Apple TV App, YouTube, Twitter and also aired on partner television and radio stations across different regions.”

The statement described the GCL as the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers who are dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030.

It revealed that the GCL has over 10 million monthly advocates whose voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability,

Textile Industry: Sector of Historical Economic Values which Government Must Strengthen – Oyetola Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has described textile industry as a strong commercial sector that can play a significant role in the nation’s economic development.

He said the sector needed to be developed for it to play a significant economic roles to attract foreign investment and generate employment.

The governor disclosed this through his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye during an engagement meeting with the Osun State Textile Dealers at the Centre of Civic Engagement, Osogbo, the state capital.

Oyetola noted that it was in the realization of historical economic benefits of the sector that his administration has been putting in place necessary infrastructures and enabling environment for not only the textile industry, but also other sectors of economic importance to thrive.

He said, “we cannot underplay the pivotal role the sector played in stemming the tide of unemployment between late 1950s and early 1990s and this has precipitated the efforts of the current administration to make this sector thrive among many others for sustainable socioeconomic development.

“It should be noted that our administration’s declaration of every Thursday being ‘Osun Adire Day’ and the directive that all public and civil servants be dressed on

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Aviation Editor Chinedu Eze Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

Adire same day, is in furtherance of our efforts not only to promote our culture and tourism but also, to specifically develop the state textile industry.

“The initiative of establishing an international trade centre in Dagbolu is part of the concerted efforts towards sustainable industrialization and commercialization as its inland port would greatly help the state in strengthening importation and exportation of goods such as textile products as well as giving the state businesses an international exposure.

“Many road networks and other necessary infrastructures such as Olaiya flyover, capital city roads, intra and inter community roads among others are being massively constructed to provide ease of doing businesses and to also advance the state foreign investment strategy.”

Oyetola then, reiterated his administration’s commitment to executing and facilitating more empowerment opportunities such as loans and grants to improve the capital base of the textile industry among others and for the purpose socioeconomic development of the state.

equality, and humanity.

It added: “We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen” and to elicit actions from “government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens” toward improving lives.

“By downloading our app, the Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn

rewards with tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world.”

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state was thrilled to be a part of GCL. Sanwo-Olu explained that with the, “challenges of rising poverty, hunger and vaccine inequity facing Africa, we need businesses and governments around the world to respond to the call of citizens,

stand in solidarity with the people of Africa, and commit to defending the planet and defeating poverty and inequality.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, observed that women bore disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it is on the frontlines, in various sectors of the economy

or in their homes.

She said: “Every woman and girl should be guaranteed safety in their respective homes, schools, communities, and places of work.

This is a shared responsibility and through GCL. We are calling on key stakeholders across private and public sectors to join hands in accelerating our common goal of ensuring that women are safe and economically empowered.”

WELCOMING INVESTORS…

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote; Chairman, Dorman Long Engineering Limited, Dr Timi Austen-Peters; and Managing Partner, Africa Capital Works (ACW), Mr. Nana Sao, at the Dorman Long and AfricaCapital Works Investment Ceremony in Lagos… recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Buhari Orders Biometric Collating Agencies to Harmonise Citizens’ Data before 2023 Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

President Mohammadu Buhari has directed all government data and biometrics collating agencies to harmonise their data collation before the end of his second term in 2023.

He gave the directive, Thursday in Abuja, at the third National Identity Day celebration, with the theme “Identity, a Tool for Sustainable Digital Economy and National Security.”

The president who was represented by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami was quoted as saying: “I have instructed the

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Ibrahim Pantami and and all other government agencies that collate data and biometrics to harmonise all the data they have collected, so that Nigeria can have a central data base before the end of my tenure.

“With the right database in place, it will guide government to plan and take take critical decisions on education, health agriculture and data also will guide government to come up with effective national policies with the issue women, children and unemployment.

“As a country, we seek to use efficient ways to deploy national identity trust systems not only

to deliver government services in areas such as social welfare, taxes, voting, health administration, security, and education but also to build an indigenous digital economy that will stimulate the private sector and make it thrive.”

“With an efficient, secure, accessible, and reliable National Identity Infrastructure we can empower Nigerians to exercise their rights and responsibilities fairly and equitably, thereby driving social inclusion. Hence, the unprecedented approval of N25 billion by the Federal Executive Council for upgrade and replacement of the NIMC Identity Infrastructure.”

He also spoke on the importance

of celebrating the national Identity, saying that at the heart of the celebration was the need to raise awareness and sensitise the citizenry about the pivotal role of digital identification in Nigeria.

He noted that government’s enthusiasm to build a local digital economy, curb widespread economic and social exclusion is hinged on the necessity to assign every Nigerian and legal resident with a unique identity.

According to Buhari, subscribers can link their phone lines with their National Identity Number (NIN) through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) App without physically going to any telecoms provider.

UN CALLS FOR URGENT GLOBAL $470BN AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVE’S SCHEME REVIEW benefits the general food and agriculture sector.

“Reconfiguring agricultural producer support, rather than eliminating it, will help end poverty, eradicate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, foster sustainable consumption and production, mitigate the climate crisis, restore nature, limit pollution, and reduce inequalities.

“Agriculture is one of the main contributors to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from different sources, including manure on pasture

land, synthetic fertilizers, rice cultivation, burning crop residue, and land-use change. At the same time, agricultural producers are particularly vulnerable to impacts of the climate crisis, such as extreme heat, rising sea levels, drought, floods, and locust attacks, ”FAO said.

FAO warned that continuing with support-as-usual will worsen the triple planetary crisis and ultimately harm human well-being.

“Meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement requires shifting support especially in

high-income countries for an outsized meat and dairy industry, which accounts for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“In lower-income countries, governments should consider repurposing their support for toxic pesticides and fertilizers or the growth of monocultures,” FAO urged.

Similarly, the Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, said, “Governments have an opportunity now to transform agriculture into a major driver of human well-being, and into a solution for the imminent

threats of climate change, nature loss, and pollution.

“By shifting to more naturepositive, equitable and efficient agricultural support, we can improve livelihoods, and at the same time cut emissions, protect and restore ecosystems, and reduce the use of agrochemicals.”

The UN’s report highlighed cases where such a process began to include the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh that adopted a policy of Zero Budget Natural Farming and the 2006 reform of agricultural policies in China that supports decreased use of

mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Although FAO explained that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for repurposing agricultural producer support, the report recommends a broad six-step approach for governments.

“Measuring the support provided, understanding its positive and negative impacts, identifying repurposing options, forecasting their impacts, refining the proposed strategy and detailing its implementation plan. Finally, monitoring the implemented strategy, “the report advised.

DOUBTING THEIR COMPETENCE, AVIATION EXPERTS FROWN ON PLANS TO CONCESSION AIRPORT TERMINALS TO STATE GOVT desire for Kano and Lagos states to take over the airport facilities under the PPP arrangement is good if they would meet the conditions set out for the concession in addition to having the technical knowledge to effectively manage the airport terminals.

“I can confirm that Kano state government is interested in winning the concession for Kano airport facility. It will be good if it is done under a transparent process.

Bidding should be published and due diligence should be followed.

The would-be concessionaire must have the funds needed to transform the airport facility and the technical partners. Airport is part of the nation’s security architecture

and this should be taken into cognizance in the concessioning of airport facilities.

“We have to also realise that some state governments built airports and were unable to manage them and FAAN had to take them over. Although the state governments could be given the first right of refusal, but they must show capability to manage the airports; what financial and technical know-how are they bringing? Yes, in some countries airports are run by local councils, counties and others, but they must show management and technical capability,” Sanusi said.

On his part, industry security expert and the General Secretary of

Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojikutu told THISDAY that the state government are free to bid for the airports if they have wherewithal and therefore should not be discouraged.

He noted that states, local councils or even cities manage many major airports in the world.

He however, warned that bidders must meet the terms of concession before the facilities are given to them.

Also, he counseled that the concession should not be politicised, noting that eyebrows would be raised if Kano government were given the concession and Lagos government is denied.

Ojikutu said that currently the

airports are grossly underutilised adding that for their benefits to be maximised they must be concessioned, projecting that Lagos airport alone could generate over N150 billion annually, which is far above the N22 million all the airports are generating currently.

“We cannot get what we want if you want to concession for political reasons. There must be transparency in the concession process and the major objective of the concession is to upgrade the facilities and to earn more revenue. Lagos airport alone can generate over N150 billion annually,” Ojkutu said.

In his view, industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult,

Chris Aligbe said that any state government can bid but they must have technical partners with needed competences.

“Investors, including state governments can bid for the airport facilities but they must have technical partners and competences without which the airports cannot be developed. Anybody can win the concession but the winner must have technical partners with sound technical knowledge for the efficient management of the airports.

“It will be interesting if any state government decided to invest, but without technical partners such airport under concession is gone, ”Aligbe said.

23

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

BASL Rewards Driver over Return of Lost Bag Containing Money, Other Valuables at MMA2 Chinedu Eze A staff of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, Mr. Emmanuel Eluu, has been rewarded by the terminal management for the honest and upright behaviour, which he displayed while discharging his duties.

Eluu, had on August 30,2021, returned a bag containing bundles of local and foreign currencies, including jewelries and other valuables worth millions of Naira, which was left inside one of the passenger buses used for conveying travellers at the Airside of MMA2.

While narrating his experience, Eluu said he was returning to the operations

office when he discovered a bag left by one of the passengers and decided to do the right thing by escalating the development to his immediate supervisor, who in turn related it to Aviation Security (AVSEC) supervisor in charge of the air side operation.

For this exemplary display of honesty, the management of BASL handed a cash reward and letter of commendation to Eluu.

Presenting the cash reward and letter of commendation, the Group Head, Human Resources, Resort International, Mr. Ola Azeez, said anyone who displays such exemplary behaviour such as Eluu, would be celebrated.

Azeez continued, “Some others would have picked the

bag and walked away, and such would be difficult to trace – if not totally impossible.

What could only happen is to indict everybody working the shift of the time it occurred, but we thank you for your honesty, for picking up the item and handing it over to the appropriate authorities.

Your singular action is clearly in sync with the core values of the organisation.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Acting Business Head of BASL, Mr. Raphael Uchegbu, also extended the commendation across the entire operations of MMA2, stressing that, “we also commend his supervisors and head of the unit for toeing the path of honour, as it could easily have been dismissed by anyone.”

Processing, Packaging Non-oil Exports for Optimum Value

NYIF Partners Next Titan to Launch Business Reality TV Show Ugo Aliogo The Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) under the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) has announced that it is partnering Nigeria’s Business Reality Television Show, the Next Titan to launch the 8th edition in its bid to transform lives with entrepreneurship skills, which can be beneficial to the socio-economic development of the nation.

The show which is Nigeria’s foremost Business Reality Television is a 10-week competition show that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit of budding Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and scales them to greatness with a market and with Nigeria’s population, is tagged: “The Uncaged” with Heritage Bank being the headline sponsor, NYIF being its official partner and MSport and SIFAX group as its Gold associate sponsors.

Speaking to journalists during a media briefing for the commencement of the season 8 of the business reality show in Lagos, its Executive Producer, Bravopoints International Limited, Mide Akinlaja, said that apart from the success stories of the previous winners of the show which has been

phenomenal, the Next Titan being on national television has positively impacted on the generality of other young people which resulted in a paradigm shift in their minds to moving from job-seekers to job-creators.

Akinlaja stated that the show has already received thousands of entries from young aspiring entrepreneurs across the nation.

He also noted that the show would give young ambitious entrepreneurs another opportunity to showcase their business ideas and battle one another for a grand prize of N15 million to start their dream business.

He remarked that the Season 8 would start by allowing contestants to pitch their business ideas through auditions from 6 major cities- Abuja, Kano, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan and Lagos.

According to him, “Those who would not be able to attend physically will be given an opportunity to audition virtually.

The Top 50 would be selected for the Top 50 Boot Camp which will be trimmed to 16 contestants with brightest ideas to compete by carrying out weekly business tasks and challenges around the city of Lagos for 10 weeks on television and with weekly evictions in the boardroom by the judges.

“A minimum of 500 and maximum of 1000 contestants from auditions will qualify for funding of up to N3 million courtesy of the FMYSD. We are excited about the new season and we know that this would change the mindset of the young people by awakening their entrepreneurial audacity and creativity.”

Corroborating him, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said that youths no longer need empowerment but investment.

He explained that for this reason, the President as at last year, approved the NYIF, which is the N75 billion ring-fenced fund for youths MSMEs. Dare, who was represented by his Special Assistant to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Oluwakemi Areola, stated that access to funding is very important to the young people and called for partnership between the FG and the private sector to ensure that its initiatives/ strategies empower budding entrepreneurs.

“If we are able to get up to a thousand people out of the show and are able to receive between N2.5 million to N3 million from the Federal government, that will be a win for us,” he said.

Qatar Airways Celebrates 10 Years Operation to Sofia, Bulgaria Qatar Airways marked a milestone in its history with Bulgaria, celebrating 10 successful years since its first flight between Doha and Sofia Airport (SOF) on 14 September 2011.

The service is currently operated by Qatar Airways’ modern Airbus A320 featuring 12 seats in Business Class offering the luxurious 79-inch long, 21-inch wide 180° lie-flat bed, and 120 seats in Economy Class. All benefit from the famous Oryx One on-demand in-flight entertainment system.

Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We have long been proud to serve Bulgaria and connect this beautiful country with our global route network. I knew when we first

began flying to Sofia that this was the start of a strong and enduring relationship. Over the years we have witnessed the benefits of our services to Bulgaria that extend well beyond our mission of bringing people together. Our flights have enabled travellers from around the world to experience Bulgaria’s hospitality and cultural history while supporting the export of Bulgarian products to overseas markets.

“It is a testament to both strong demand and our deep commitment to the country, that we are set to recommence direct flights between Doha and Sofia, from December this year.”

Sofia Airport’s Chief Executive Officer CEO Jesus Caballero said: “We are extremely happy that

we are serving the Doha to Sofia route with our partner Qatar Airways. It allows business and leisure customers to explore our beautiful capital of Bulgaria or the seaside cities of Varna and Bourgas thanks to the codeshare between Qatar Airways and Bulgaria Air with flight connections from Sofia.

Our long-term partnership with Qatar Airways means so much to us and we look forward to strengthening it especially in 2022 when the FIFA World Cup™ will take place in Qatar.”

The flights have also helped boost Bulgarian trade connections over the past decade and currently Qatar Airways Cargo offers more than 10 tonnes cargo capacity each week, each way on flights operating on the route.

Chinedu Eze Specialists in non-oil export business have attributed the low value of agricultural produce from Africa in the international market, to the raw state in which they are exported without processing and packaging to attract more financial value for them.

Many years ago, at the twilight of his administration, former President Bill Clinton, visited African countries, including Nigeria and in one of his speeches, he said Africans would earn more revenue from their produce if they added more value to it.

The report is rife about the entrepreneur farmer, Yemisi Iranloye who started a huge agricultural farm, where she processes cassava to starch and other products and sells to major manufacturing companies like Nestle and also exports with turnover of $12 million annually.

“Today, four years after starting production, Psaltry has emerged as one of the biggest cassava processing companies in the country, with two lines that each produces between 20 to 30 tons of food-grade starch per day; that’s about 10,000 metric tons per annum,” Iranloye said.

What is remarkable, observers say, is that she was not exporting raw cassava; she processes them and exports after selling to local users.

The Managing Director of Flight Logistics Solutions, Amos Akpan said that in encouraging non-oil exports, Nigerians should take lessons from Nigeria’s current predicament in the oil exports.

“We were exporting crude oil without paying attention to creating products from the crude oil. Countries bought our crude oil and created products from it, which we imported with the forex we earned from the export of crude oil.

The unit price of the finished products is higher than the proceeds from the crude oil exports.

“Now, as we discuss the need to export agriculture produce, we should emphasise the export of more products than export of produce. Tomato paste as a canned product attracts higher price than raw tomato fruit as a produce. It is the same for oranges, pineapple, mango, gum, rubber, cocoa etc. The efforts we will make to get the produce accepted in other regions’ trade blocks should also be used to get the products processed from the produce to be accepted.

“Juices make more by price tags than the orange fruit. The orange fruit has less shelf lifespan in the retail market than the sachet of juice. We really need to interact with produce trade blocks in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Possibly bring them to see what we are doing and improve on our bargaining position. We should not rule out the politics of trade protection.

Our first step is to bring together the various government and non-government groups working to streamline non-oil export procedures. This will eliminate duplicity and reduce ignorance of requirements that result in losses. Synergy needed between the farmer, the agency that regulates produce specifications, the truckers,

the freight handlers, the air and sea carrier, and the international trader,” Akpan said.

The Chairman of the Board, Nelike Capital, Dr. Alexander Nwuba, noted that the nature of a commodity economy was about getting resources to market and remarked that traditionally Nigerians simply gather and export products in raw form, attracting less than 10 per cent of the value to the nation’s economy while enriching others.

“The real value is in transformation to retail but to do that the entire process from gathering to market must be managed and that has been our challenge. If suddenly an American company requested one million pieces of chocolate, we have the cocoa and most likely need to produce more but, converting cocoa to chocolate requires a lot of inputs, suppliers and producers; the process of managing all of these and delivering to specifications is the challenge, and has been our challenge even with raw materials this is where supply chain management comes in.

End to End process management,” he said.

Expressing his views, the Managing Director of Daniel Young Global Investment Limited, Daniel Young, noted that airport facilities had not been developed to make full provision for export of farm and other produce.

He noted that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had not so far been able to demonstrate commitment to building a strong domestic cargo operation.

“As we speak, there is no functional domestic cargo terminal in Nigeria except MMA2 that has a domestic cargo bay. FAAN is currently losing over N18 billion every year on domestic agro revenue for failing to provide a turnkey cargo service system that should allow airlines and domestic cargo to flourish.

“Leveraging the gaps created by an inept revenue system and the COVID-19 ambitious cargo agents have set up a private operation cargo village next to the airport. What Nigeria needs now is robust cargo terminals with cutting- edge technology platforms with modular architecture to provide cargo - rate management, barcode labeling and processing, flight assignment etc.,” he said.

Young warned that if Nigeria fails to growth domestic cargo, which feeds international cargo, the country cannot hope to have increased efficiency in cargo handling, optimizer revenue for airport owners, cargo integrators, freight forwarders and above all enhanced cargo reporting to provide data for growth and capacity planning.

He noted that failure to take care of domestic cargo operation would only lead to international cargo failures.

Nigerians have gained a lot about export of agricultural and other products since experts from different economic sectors met at the Aviacargo Conference (CHINET 2021) on August 25 and 26, where they brainstormed on how to boost exports, which is a huge alternative as foreign exchange earner to the country compared to oil.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Shenbanjo: Economy Ticket to London has Risen Astronomically Due to Naira Devaluation The Chief Executive Officer of Shenbee Travels Limited, Wole Shenbanjo, in this interview, spoke about emerging issues in Nigeria’s economy, and events in the travel and tourism industry. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts How has the devaluation of the Naira affected international air travel? t has affected travel a great deal. Ticket fares have increased astronomically. You have economy tickets to London costing as high as N1 million. Not to include the cost of Covid-19 tests here and there especially the ones you have to pay for abroad.

It has really affected holiday travels this period.

I know quite a number of families who have had to postpone, cancel or reschedule their holidays due to cost constraints.

the government needs to create an enabling environment. We ought to consider the movement of visitors to other neighboring countries as being serious cause for concern, but we have not been able to latch onto such opportunities. Nigeria is blessed with the history of many ethnic groups, beautiful beaches and wonderful natural landscapes.

The government can adopt a few measures to encourage inbound tourism. We need a National tourism policy, which would serve as a guide and must be conscientiously implemented. The private sector can be encouraged to develop and operate tourist sites on a PPP arrangement with the government.

As part of CSR, blue chip organisations can be encouraged to adopt tourist destinations within their operating locality in partnership with the government. All of the above can only be possible if the government is ready to work on the infrastructure side of things and most of all security.

We should also take presentation and packaging of festivals very seriously. Take for example the annual Calabar festival, this attracts so many visitors from all over, we need more of that. Tourism will really boost the economy by way of job creation while adding to growth of our GDP. By promoting investment in tourism and rebranding the industry, the potential for growth on the economy is limitless.

I

What do you think will be the long-term impact of COVID-19 on air travel?

Before talking long-term impact, we have already started to experience the impact and more importantly the recovery. Initially, we had everything come to a standstill with nations shutting their borders and all of that. A lot of countries that know what they are doing and understand the importance of travels have started to experience what we call the Post Covid-19 recovery.

In the long term, I believe we will experience safer travels. Most countries would not go back on the health and safety measure put in place as a result of Covid-19. As more people get vaccinated, we will see a pick up in travels across the globe. In another two years, we hope to be back to our Pre-Covid-19 numbers.

Would you say that the shrinking of international holiday destinations has made travel agents innovative and in what way?

Absolutely. It has caused us to be more innovative. We have had to research and explore more destinations to offer our clients.

Personally, I have had cause to visit two new destinations this year to experience firsthand and be able to offer more options to our clients.

So, we will continue to see more of that.

We now have to look inwards into Africa and other safer destinations that are open to receiving tourists.

It has made a lot of us go all out in exploring and pushing our domestic tourism, which I strongly believe will thrive as we look to better days ahead.

With selective lockdown of many places in Europe and Americas, do you foresee a boost in African tourism?

Most definitely. Just this August, I went on holiday with my family to Ghana. You can imagine, as exposed and well traveled as we are, we had never visited Ghana, which is literally next door. It was a beautiful experience seeing lovely resorts and all that. We have had a lot of people reach out to us to help package similar tours. I am sure a lot of the top agencies and tour operators would be getting similar requests and experiences. People are now more interested in seeing Africa.

Agencies and tour operators are beginning to showcase more of Africa; it will really be a great boost for African tourism if we are able to sustain it.

Do you think the federal government took a wise decision by introducing stringent protocols against South Africa?

From a personal standpoint, I did not understand nor subscribe to the ban of travellers from South Africa into Nigeria. The reason we heard was that the Covid-19 variant there is stronger, but I believe it is not a problem at all. There are health measures that we needed to put in place, closely enforce and monitor.

But if we continue to sell fear, we will continue to experience huge economic loss and we will be losing out in the grand scheme of things.

Knowing that South Africa and Nigeria are key economic pivots in the continent, how is not having direct flights affect the business partnership of the two countries?

The two countries have a bilateral agreement, which should eliminate trade barriers and by extension what this implies for the aviation sector is that our own Air Peace cannot fly

S h e n b a n jo

there and bring back passengers. That is a loss to the airline. We ought to use this opportunity to support and grow our indigenous airlines. Things are looking up now though and soon everything will be back to normal.

Do you think we have come to a tipping point on the fall of the Naira and how has that affected the prices of air tickets?

Frankly speaking, it is a tough call to say if we have gotten to the tipping point or not. Neither the agencies nor the airlines have the power to control or influence the currency exchange rate.

Several factors control that. Yes, prices of air tickets adjust strongly to exchange rate and the impact here is a lot more are unable to afford tickets on direct flights to their destinations or airlines of their choice. Again, adaptability is one of our strong points as a people. We will continue to adjust.

What can travel agencies do to boost international travel, as nations seem to be closing doors on inbound flights?

I actually don’t think nations are closing doors on inbound flights anymore. At most, they are introducing more testing and quarantine rules to suit them as advised by their health authorities.

What travel agencies can do to support or boost travel is to stay abreast with the ever-changing Covid-19 rules across countries and destinations of interest and advise their clients accordingly.

Do you think the intransigent position taken by UAE against Nigeria in terms of Covid-19 protocol has political undertone?

That will be for the governments of both countries to comment on. I believe that the governments need to come to roundtable and iron out the diplomatic challenges between both countries. Again, it brings us back to the issue of bilateral agreements and something not being right about it, there is need for them to

come to an amicable resolution as quick as possible. The challenge between the two governments goes beyond you and I. But whatever the reason is, it is not doing any good to either of the countries and I believe we will get positive news on it soon. We hear engagements are ongoing.

How has not flying to Dubai affected the revenue of Travel Agencies?

Without a doubt, it has. Dubai has been our highest selling destination for a very long time. It is like second home to a lot of us here. Guess what? Nigerians are still going to Dubai, and they are going there via Cotonou and Accra. Who is losing out? We are the ones losing out.

And it goes beyond travel agencies.

You know how we are losing out? This is because revenue that would have come to our NCAA (the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) is being lost.

Other countries are benefiting from our losses. We are helping other economies to grow. Because Kenya Airways is lifting Nigerians to Dubai, Qatar is doing the same. Egypt is doing the same. Only Emirates and Nigeria are not benefiting from it because we currently do not have direct flights. So why can’t we just put our ego aside and go into discussions and get it resolved. Dubai needs us as much as we need them. Both governments just need to sit and get this thing resolved because as the popular saying goes, “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”.

It is the travellers that are feeling the pinch; it is the business people that are feeling the pinch. Because instead of booking a direct flight, they now have to connect through other countries, having to spend at least 14 days in those places before proceeding to Dubai. We keep getting resumption dates but it is still from one party.

What do you advice government to do to encourage inbound tourism in Nigeria?

In any clime, for businesses to thrive,

To what extent has insecurity imperiled domestic tourism?

To a very large extent. I mean investing in tourism in areas such as hospitality, attractions, events, commercial outdoor recreation, festivals, arts and crafts etc. requires a very high level of security and safety. We read reports of terrorism, banditry, insurgency and kidnappings almost on a daily basis. And you know bad news travels fast. Nobody will love to invest or go out exploring unsafe territory.

Do you think destinations like conservation Centres, water falls; game reserves and others in Nigeria could attract throngs of international tourists in future?

Oh absolutely. These sites in Nigeria are places you will always find holiday seekers traveling to, during weekends and public holidays. Identifying these spots and giving them the necessary attention will well position the states who are the custodians of such locations to be at the heart of tourism development in the country.

In other countries, they have some cities they refer to as call holiday cities. We can mirror such here; they will attract more developments in terms of infrastructure like road network, ease of transportation and all of that.

By improving infrastructure, the governments both state and federal partnering with local tourism organisations to promote the tourist attractions of the country, I believe in a few years we can boast of tourism adding significantly to our GDP, away from our sole reliance on oil. Revenue from taxes too will rise easily.

Shenbee Travels Limited is known for driving travel innovation and exciting customer experience. What plans do you have for your existing and prospective clients as travel and tourism emerge from the lull of the year 2020?

As you know, we are all adjusting to what we have now known to be our new normal. We would ensure that we are able to provide safe, healthy, and prompt service to our clients so that they are able to fly seamlessly or with the airline that respects COVID-19 protocols. Information is being updated by different countries and airlines almost on a daily basis, we continue to stay close to our clients and keep them updated with the ever- changing Covid-19 protocols.

We will encourage our clients to safely learn to travel again while offering them best value deals. I remain optimistic that we would all weather this challenging period and come out of it even better than the pre-Covid-19 days.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Association Laments Invasion of Mining Communities by Foreign Nationals Advocates regulatory framework for sector Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday decried the rising trend of foreign nationals invading mining communities across the country.

This is even as an investigation by the Red Chamber of the National Assembly has revealed that Nigeria losses $9 billion annually to illegal mining and smuggling of gold in the country.

Disclosing this in Abuja, the President of the Association, Alhaji Kabir Kankara, stated that 99 per cent of rich miners in the country were not members of the association.

Kankara, during a parley with journalists, expressed dissatisfaction with the increasing number of foreign nationals, especially from Asian countries, in Nigerian mining sites.

He regretted the lack of proper regulatory framework to check the excesses, saying, “for Nigeria to be able to explore the mining sector adequately, the government must put in place, a proper regulations to make sure everything in the sector

is being checked.”

The miners’ association boss alleged that illegal mining in the country was being closely monitored and carried out with the connivance of security operatives and rich Nigerians, adding that lack of adequate manpower, low level of technology and invasion of mining communities was leading to the increasing loses of revenue in the sector.

Kankara emphasised that no country in the world was as endowed with minerals resources like Nigeria.

But he expressed regret that the nation losses billions of dollars annually through smuggling and to improper channeling of the mineral resources.

He added: “In the nation’s law, no one can be a miner without registering with the Miners Association of Nigeria but yet, many foreigners are engaged in illegal mining activities in the country and no one is talking action on that.

“If you go to the mining sites you see them all over the place taking advantage of our artisanal miners and this has to stop.”

Kankara stressed the need for provision of adequate logistics, equipment for fieldwork, training and retraining of mining engineers and resuscitation of the revenue generation committee of the ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

He noted that following the destruction that goes on in mining communities across the country, there are presently four bills before the National Assembly for consideration.

These bills, he listed are the Nigerian Minerals Development Corporation Establishment Bill 2021; Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission Establishment Bill 2021; Institute of Bitumen Management Establishment Bill 2021, and the Explosive Act 1964 Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2021.

According to him, the bills when passed into law would encourage people in communities to go into mining while mineral producing states would be well taken care of.

He however called for improved funding for the sector as well as a regulatory framework to monitor foreigners.

NAICOM Advised to Draw Roadmap for Insurance Penetration Rather than Statutory Recapitalisation Ebere Nwoji The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has been advised to draw a roadmap for deep penetration of insurance across Nigeria and to embrace the policy of self-recapitalisation among insurance sector operators rather than its current regulatory and statutory based recapitalisation.

A Lagos based Legal practitioner and National Coordinator, Cogatla Group of Lawyers, Chijioke Ndubuisi, gave the advise to the commission in a statement made available to THISDAY. In his view, creating Penetration road map for the insurance industry would lead to optimal performance and would engineer growth rather than concentration on forceful recapitalisation in the face of the prevailing hostile economic environment that does not support businesses survival.

He stated, “Businesses on ground in the country as at today cannot support the insurance industries as they are not viable at all. The situation in stock exchange with respect to insurance stock is pitiable as the value is nothing to write home about.

“It is less than one percent.

Government is the largest supporter of insurance companies in Nigeria, although 85 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from private sector, unfortunately, private sector is weak, a situation caused by ravaging poverty, insecurity, inflation and general decline in the economy.”

Against this backdrop, Ndubuisi, suggested that what would be more beneficial to the industry at this critical time was for the commission and the operators to evolve ways and means to make insurance services penetrate the public and encourage Nigerian business community to see investment into the industry as business worth venturing into.

He noted that insurance awareness was still at its low ebb as he called the on federal government to stop the labeling and tagging of Nigeria a war and risk prone zone that calls for imposition of higher insurance premium.

The Lagos lawyer, further urged government to remove other impediments on the way of the insurance operators.

He pointed out that the planned compulsory recapitalisation exercise as a policy that should be set aside for now while encouraging deep penetration of insurance to the public.

He insisted that it was necessary to set aside the recapitalisation exercise for now because Nigeria’s economy by all parameter of measurement was not at its best, as such, compelling the insurers to go out and get the required compulsory capital would spell the demise of many firms.

“Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s economy is in a serious quagmire and almost comatose, embroiled in recession upon recession and burdened by heavy debts, hyperinflation, internal insecurity, shaky and highly hemorrhaging with the government clueless about how to end the mess. It seems as if it has defied all economic logic, courtesy of former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.

“According to HSBC, the Nigeria’s economy is not growing and IMF declared recently that Nigeria’s economy is under performing. Poverty is seriously ravaging the country and according to report released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) the number of Nigerians who are poor was estimated to be 82.9 million in May, 2020 and the forecast has it that the National poverty rate is likely to jump from 40.1 percent in 2019 to 45.2 percent in 2022 implying that 100.9 million out of 200 million Nigerians will be living in poverty by 2022, “he said.

NGO Donates Mama Pack to Support Victims of GBV The Women’s Helping Hands Initiative (TWHHI) has donated mama pack to support women and girls who were victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in order to help them over maternal depression.

Speaking during the presentation of the mama pack in Lagos yesterday, the Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Omowunmi Omotayo, the event is an off shoot of their rehabilitation services to support survivors of gender based violence, noting that many of the women the foundation has in it shelter came only with the clothes on their back in the beginning, “so we realised that they have a lot of financial strain, coupled with the trauma they have gone through.”

She expressed confidence that providing the mama’s pack would reduce the financial strain they have gone through, thereby reducing maternal depression and

encourage them to visit hospitals for delivery, “this will help reduce maternal mortality and enhance child survival. By the time they have these items in this mama’s pack, we are upholding their dignity.”

Omotayo also noted that the aim of the foundation is to reach out to 100 women who are survivors of GBV, adding that some of the women are from their shelters and others are from partner organisations and volunteers they work with in Lagos.

“The mama pack will be given to women in our shelter, and some will go to our partner organisations. We have been doing this initiative since 2006 and we have been running our shelters since 10 years. Since 2006, we have been giving the mama’s pack in-house, but this time around with the support of our sponsors, we are giving it to people outside our organisation. What this initiative

means to me is impacting lives from a ground zero to a place of hope and ensuring that lives are changed.

We nurture them to ensure that they can support other people.”

She further explained that tackling GBV is a continuum and there is no one side fit all approach, adding that everyone has a role to play either through advocacy, or strengthening the existing policies.

She hinted that in tackling the issue of GBV, there is need for more advocacy to ensure that people have the right information to which would change their orientation, “in that way we can have more people on the right side of anti-gender based violence.”

Omotayo expressed confidence that a lot of work is being to tackle the issue of GBV and the younger generation are more aware of it and they are playing their role because of the advocacy.

The Private Agony of Dr. Chris Ngige Okey Nwachukwu

A

huge relief came the way of Dr Chris Ngige last week. As a hapless nation resigned to bear the brunt of another paralysis in the health sector, a sudden truce was announced. The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals had on September 3 threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if after 15 days the Federal Government failed to address some grievances. The countdown began.

Then the lucky break came as Ngige announced that both parties had reached an understanding.

For the Minister, the breakthrough may be short-lived. The two-month old strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is still ongoing, while the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is considering joining the fray in solidarity with the resident doctors. A meeting on a separate discussion on hazard allowance, for which N37.5 billion has reportedly been budgeted, is being planned.

The cycle, symptomatic of Nigeria’s Russian roulette, captures the fate of a trapped nation, consistently in motion without movement.

Getting into high office in Nigeria, especially political positions, does not come on a platter of gold. It demands strong connection to the power elite, powered by your ethnic origin, religion and selfishness. The fact that we assassinate, consult oracles and perform rituals, as well as observe an occasional fasting, underscores the importance and/ or desperation for such offices. What is the reward then?

When the lists of potential political appointees are being compiled, there could be as many as three of such lists, depending on the number of interest groups or power blocs in play. And there is no certainty about the names that will eventually make the final cut.

So, a huge measure of prayers and rituals is not unusual. Those are the high stakes to scale in order to secure political appointments. And because of the huge returns tied to such positions, the jostling seems vindicated.

After securing the approval of the power blocs and the candidate is eventually cleared to appear before the Senate, the nominee is assured of confirmation, unless being promoted by a weak or disunited clique, who may misgauge the influence of Ghana Must Go in political lobbying in Nigeria. Merit and competence are secondary considerations in this clime.

So, when Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, a medical doctor by training, appeared before the Senate for screening and confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015, his confidence was understandably high. He was a former Senator and still wears the sobriquet.

So, he only bowed and left.

But being assigned a portfolio is a different ball game, a decision that resides with the president and his inner circle.

Unwritten considerations come into play at this stage. Nonetheless, everyone craves to be posted to a lucrative and powerful ministry: Petroleum, Defence, Finance, Works, Power and Transport, among others. These ministries command huge budgetary allocations and oversee revenue-generating parastatals that shirk accountability. In a deeply corrupt country, these agencies guarantee instant accumulation of personal wealth through massively inflated or ghost contracts, or just by brazenly dipping hands into the till.

To augment, the civil service reeks with opaque accounts for siphoning funds. With such cushioning, the political appointee is more than sufficiently motivated to

face the challenges of his office. Note that in Nigeria, politicians are normally richer than business people.

No one will joyfully accept posting to a Ministry of Labour, Health or Education where upheavals are eternal and offer very minimal underhand financial returns. In any case, the funds are not even available. The Labour Ministry, for instance, will generate enormous visibility for the supervising minister, something a typical politician would normally embrace. But in this case, the visibility is often engendered by endless altercations with activist trade unions.

Well, Dr Ngige found himself as the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, a portfolio that is at the heart of fundamental human rights and economic development. At the onset, several scenarios would have played in his mind, most of them quite discomforting.

The mere thought of such acronyms as ASUU, NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN, NARD, NUPENG, and NMA evokes anxiety and anger. Their calling is anchored on the fight for the protection of the fundamental rights of workers, which, in the Nigerian case, is trenchantly breached by employers. The enforcement of such rights naturally leads to disruption in the ecosystem.

Today, Ngige’s consternation has fully unraveled. Hardly does any quarter pass without an upheaval triggered by organized labour for the breach of one right or another of the workers. A huge measure of the minister’s troubles emanates from serving in an enormously unpopular and despotic government which in the past six years has displayed utter disregard for human rights and democratic tenets.

I have no doubt that Ngige and others in troublesome and non-profitable ministries would be continuously dreaming of a cabinet shakeup, a wish hinged on the hope of being transferred to ‘better’ ministries. But the danger of praying for a cabinet reshuffle comes with the risk of being dropped completely. Two ministers lost their jobs in a minor shakeup earlier this month. So, it would seem preferable to remain where you are and deal with the dynamics of your portfolio.

It is unknown from my position how these incessant labour upheavals are affecting Ngige. But speaking from a psychological standpoint, he would not be a happy man. He lives under permanent pressure, so to speak. I may be wrong though. He may actually be someone cut out for the job. As a trained medical doctor, he definitely knows what medications are required to keep his blood pressure stable. And then, if there is a correlation between height and hyperactivity, then I would say from a layman’s viewpoint that being diminutive, Ngige may actually be operating in his natural environment.

In that case, Ayuba Wabba and co have only been availing the Anambra stateborn politician the chance to ventilate.

With hindsight, it may be that the previous experience of being forced into a toilet by a godfather, even while serving as a sitting governor, would have hardened Ngige like a Taliban. Also, his longevity in Nigeria’s perfidious political space, speaks of a cat with over a dozen lives.

Nonetheless, 2023 would look like eternity for Ngige to exhale, especially if Buhari does not reshuffle his cabinet again. But Ngige may not be transferred elsewhere if that happens. So, he hangs in there, carrying a cross he would rather offload, while hoping that something keeps distracting labour from issuing another strike notice. Poor fellow! t /XBDIVLXV DBO CF SFBDIFE WJB JOGPSNPLFZOPX!ZBIPP DPN

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Yetunde Ajibade: Fighting Hunger in Nigeria

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, ͰͮͰͯ

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COVER

Yetunde Ajibade: Fighting Hunger in Nigeria YetundeAjibade can best be described as a woman of many parts- lawyer, educationist, Montessori proprietor and more all rolled into one, who firmly believes in the fact that there are limitless ways to share kindness and generosity to the world. A global partner of Provide a Meal Nigeria, an NGO, she and her partners are deeply concerned about the level of hunger in the country and are working purposefully to bring succour to less privileged individuals through the distribution of food to local communities. Recently, Ijede, an Ikorodu community in Lagos, was a recipient of their benevolent efforts. In this interview with MARY NNAH, Ajibade talks about the rising hunger pandemic in Nigeria and measures by her group to ameliorate it give them more accountability.

Tell us about your recent mission in Ijede? y partners, Samson Ibitoye, Adekunle Gbagba, Yemi Adeshina and I, went to Ijede to implement an initiative organised by Provide a Meal Nigeria (PAM). We are a non-profit organisation focused on SDG 2 under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to eradicate poverty. We are focused on ensuring that no man, woman or child goes to bed hungry in Nigeria. We are supported by our project partners, GIZ and Ministry of Labour alongside other partners and sponsors, such as Tantalizers, House of Jahdara, Code Management Group, Urban Primer Ltd, Gemini Luxury Homes, Polaris Marine and Offshore services Ltd, and Owonikoko Farms to mention a few. The goal is to positively impact the community, to encourage the youth.

M

How often do you run these outreaches and do you have any future projects apart from the launch?

We are signing up a lot of charities right now.

We are going through the right processes to get them. We will be organizing initiatives focused on all these different charities. We had one with widows. We also had some with the children in the rural areas.

We will also be focusing on men and the youth.

We have people who are out of jobs for some reason and are unable to feed, we are looking at supporting these people and helping them to sustain themselves at least when it comes to food, till they are employed again. This is also something we can tell organisations that are laying people off. We saw what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A lot of organisations could not continue with their staff strength. If we have their profile, we can always send them meal-codes to claim food from restaurants around them. The good thing is that anybody can sign up from any part of the world to help someone in Nigeria. All you need to do is to set up an account, decide who your beneficiary charity will be and they will pass the meal codes out on your behalf.

If someone calls and says Aunty, Uncle, I don’t have something to eat; no problem, a meal will be given to the person everyday for three months. The Meal Sponsor pays money into the PAM account and PAM will deliver food to the beneficiary until he gets back on his feet. Some people don’t look hungry but are hungry. You will be surprised at the people who walk up to you and say “Madam, Uncle I have not had anything to eat today, please help me.” Even in the city, people who look like you and I, who look seemingly well-fed, some of them are hungry.

What influenced your decision to start up this NGO? I have spent over 10 years pursuing empowerment programmes focused on women.

I have seen people going through pain, and it is not something you would wish on your worst enemy. If you go into the rural areas and see what people are going through, you will realise that what we are complaining about in the city just sounds ungrateful.

I have seen people who have lived in garri for about a week; people who don’t know when they are going to eat a proper meal. I saw this when I visited the Niger-Delta many years back.

I have seen hungry people first-hand. Imagine a child walking up to the mother and asking for food, but the mother is helpless. The situation is real. If you cannot eat, if there is no food in your tummy, you cannot think of anything else.

As a mother, how do you feel when you are on the field attending to people who are victims of hunger?

I think it is just motivation to do more. There is this misconception that giving back is only for the rich. We believe that we need to have enough and even more than enough before we think of other hungry people. There is a popular saying that givers never lack. If your neighbour is hungry, the next person they will come for is you if you don’t help them with food.

So, I think we are trying to change the narrative where people are thinking that they cannot do anything. With a thousand naira, someone will go to bed with a meal. Even if that’s all you do in a year, a month, a day, you have been able to transform someone’s life; you have been able to add value to someone’s life. It’s really bad on the streets. Every time we have to go on the streets to give them food, you see them running over one another, so excited to collect our meal packs and all of that.

But I will also say this: PAM is not encouraging laziness. It is not encouraging irresponsibility in any form. However, if you have someone who cares enough about you to give you food to eat, please care enough about yourself to get something done so that you will be able to provide for someone else. That is the cycle we are looking to create here where someone lifts you, then you empower yourself to lift someone else.

Where are you presently and how far do you think you have to go to meet the target?

We are still a very small team. Provide a meal started off in the UK with Samson Ibitoye and Kunle Gbagba, while Yemi Adesina and I are at the forefront of the Nigerian chapter, along with a couple of volunteers. Then we have those who have volunteered all over Nigeria to support our initiatives. We are gaining momentum even with the popular food chains like Tantalizers and Chicken Republic who are willing to come on board to partner with us.

We are looking to do more. This is why we are looking for partners and support. One hundred percent of donor’s donations go to the beneficiaries. For example, if you donate a thousand naira, a thousand naira’s worth of a meal will be delivered to the beneficiaries, that’s

Ajibade what we are focused on now. Right now, we are very happy with what we have done so far but we know that we can do more and that is why we are creating awareness for more people to come on board.

Tell us about the hurdles that you face so far?

Financing is the major hurdle. It is when you reach out for initiatives like this that you realize that some people are not as interested in doing good as one might think; that is why we are here to enlighten the public that you don’t need to have a lot to give a little to someone else. Funding is the major issue.

Is this your first outreach here?

No, we have had a couple of outreach programmes. We have our launch in Nigeria on World Food Day which is October 15, 2021, since then we’ve had several outreach programmes across the country with our

partners.

So far which one has been memorable?

Each one has been memorable; it is like asking a mother which of her children is her favourite. Everyone is. If we are impacting five lives or a thousand lives, everyone one of them is memorable. The fact is that we leave someone with a smile on their face.

With your experience so far, what will you advise the Nigerian government?

We would love to partner with the government; you know the government is into initiatives focused on food and especially for the children, so we are looking to partner with them. The government is trying, but we believe that if they also make use of technology, more people could have access to the feeding initiatives the government is working on right now. They are doing their bit now, but I think using technology will

We would love to partner the government; you know the government is into initiatives focused on food and especially for the children, so we are looking to partner them.

The government is trying, but we believe that if they also make use of technology, more people would have access to the feeding initiatives

So how does one become a Meal Sponsor to someone, somewhere that is hungry?

On our website, www.provideameal.ng, you can donate directly to PAM foundation’s account with your email as reference or you can sign up and create your account so that you give out meal-codes to people. If you have people in your neighbourhood who are hungry, as long as they are on our database, they can walk into the restaurant and pick up food.

So, rather than give them money, give them meal codes.

If you have an organisation that is willing to partner with PAM and donate a thousand meals, meals can be donated through our platform, to your nearest charity and the meal-codes can be picked up from there and used to get food at any preferred vendor by the beneficiary. We don’t have cash exchanging hands, we transfer directly to the meal vendor through the platform, and everything is a seamless process to encourage transparency.

It makes it very easy to coordinate initiatives that have to do with feeding.

If you have the power, what would you do to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry?

I would encourage the government to take PAM up and monitor the distribution of supplies and database collection. If I were the government, I would ensure that we partner with the private sector, the public sector, individuals, corporate organisations and even international non-profit organisations to see how we can come together and eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

Where next after Ijede?

We will go round Nigeria. We are going to the East. We are going to Imo state.

How many people do you target per outreach?

With the Ijede outreach, we targeted about a thousand; we are going up to maybe about 1500. We want to help as many people as we can, small numbers, large numbers, we just want to touch and affect as many lives as we can and we need all the support we can get.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, ͰͮͰͯ

Ikoyi Lions Club Enlightens Youth on Potentials in Waste Recycling Stories by Mary Nnah The huge opportunities that youths can avail themselves of in proper management, disposal and recycling of waste was the focus at a recent programme organised by the Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club in collaboration with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

The event Themed, “Importance of Proper Waste Disposal: Using the 3Rs”, held at the premises of the Master Moulder International School, Lekki, Lagos, was in commemoration of the 2021 International Youth Day, an awareness day designated by the United Nations to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

The guest speaker, Assistant Director, Head of Unit, Advocacy, LAWMA, Mr. Adedeji Victor, said the impact of improper disposal of wastes in Lagos was enormous.

“If the citizens are not abiding to proper waste disposal management, considering the population and social economic activities, you will have continuous unwholesome environment, you will have continuous littering on our streets,” he said.

Taking the youths through the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) of waste disposal, Victor applauded Lion’s Club for embarking on the social responsibility in as-

sisting LAWMA to teach the school children how to manage waste products.

President of Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Abdulkarim Yusuf, explained that Lions Club has five focused areas which are Pediatric cancer, Hunger, Vision, Environment and Diabetes, adding that the club chose to take the youth through an environmental issue which the club felt was essential.

“We know the impact of improper waste management to global change and how it affects us here considering the enormous fact that Lagos is a low land area and we suffer a lot as a result of the global warming that is happening,” he said.

Yusuf further said Lagos as an aquatic state has had enormous challenges due to improper waste management.

“We felt the need that it is better to catch them young, to sensitise them about the importance of protecting their environment from dangers posed by human beings through improper disposal of waste”, adding, “We want to prepare them for the challenges of now so that the society will be better off tomorrow.”

Zonal Chairperson, Zone IA, Lions District 404A1, and past President of Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion TPL Soledotun Abdulkarim-Yusuf reiterated that the club’s aim was basically to enlighten the youths on the proper way of wastes disposal using the 3 Rs. “By so doing, we were able

to collaborate with LAWMA as the agency in charge of waste in Lagos State and today the youths have learned how to dispose wastes in the proper way and this goes a long way.”

She revealed further that the event had students from two schools in attendance – Master Moulder International Academy and the Lekki Peninsula College, adding, “So by impacting on these youths, they would be able to enlighten other youths

too”.

Youth Committee Chairperson of the Club, Lion Afolake Ogunkoya, described the event as awesome, eye-opening and knowledgeimpacting, noting, “Before now, I have not learned how to dispose waste using the 3 Rs method -separating the recyclable wastes from the reusable wastes. I have learned, unlearned and relearned, so it is quite an experience.”

Taking students through

an old time, Nursery Rhyme, “See a Pin and Pick it up”, she told them that doing the right thing at the right time was very important, adding, “It doesn’t really matter that it is a pin as in the context, it could be any form of service and activity”.

Proprietress of Master Moulder International Academy, Mrs. Titilayo Shonaike expressed joy. She was optimistic that the children have learned that they need to segregate their waste and

that in segregating the waste; they are able to recycle, reuse and reduce the waste.

“This is a lot on us because as a school we generate a whole lot of wastes. We use pet bottles a lot. It is a worthwhile project and it is going to have a long impact on the kids because now everybody will know that they don’t need to dump everything together and that they can even make some money from wastes by recycling”, she noted.

L-R: Proprietress, Master Moulder International Academy, Dr. Titilayo Shonaike; Youth Committee Chairperson, Lion Afolake Ogunkoya; President, Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Abdulkarim Yusuf; Assistant Director, Head of Unit, Advocacy, LAWMA, Mr Adedeji Victor and Past President, Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Soledotun Abdulkarim Yusuf at the event

Fans Agog as Naija Game of Thrones, Naija X-Factor Enter Crucial Stages Fans of celebrities like 2Baba, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Wiz Kid, Olamide, Don Jazzy and Genevieve Nnaji; and Naija X-Factor, involving celebrities like Phyno, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, King Rudy, Yemi Alade, Funke Akindele, Timaya and Mr P, are currently intensifying voting efforts to ensure their preferred favourite wins the Social Media Award 2021.

Ahead of the December 11, 2021 grand finale of the Nigerian Social Media Award 2021, the fans of celebrities drawn from the music, movies and sports sectors,

Yemi Alade, contestant in Naija X-Factor competing in the two prime Thrones, m categories, Naija Game of Inadvertently, this has

precipitated a considerable volume of online traffic in the past weeks at both the portal www.nigeriansocialmediaawards.com and the social media handles as the voting process climaxes.

The Nigerian Social Media Awards (NSMA) was created to recognise personalities, products and services whose influence on the social media space has had a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

The project coordinator, Francis Amirize said that the competition will not only help Nigerians to know who the ultimate online brand influencers in the country

should be but also serve as a platform to help the celebrities strengthen their service to humanity as the winning celebrity would get N20million to pursue any CSR of his/her choice.

“A confirmation of the degree of engagement the celebrities have with their online fans, the contest involves the fans visiting: www. nigeriansocialmediaawards. com to vote for them to boost the celeb’s opportunity to win N20m grand prize that will be paid to the celebrity to support his/her Corporate Social Responsibility project.

Speaking further Amirize said Nigerian Social Media Award is a concept whose time is here, adding, “We are looking at the brands, individuals, enterprises, art forms and events “that are making these impacts on a yearly basis. Everyone is on social media today, so it is appropriate to recognise and celebrate things going on there.”

The final event will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites with recognition and honours spiced with robust performances by some of the contesting celebrities.

Nathaniel Bassey, Nuel Robinson, Efe Nathan, Wale Adenuga, Others to Perform at Green Worship 2021 Plans are on to gear for the 2021 edition of “Green Worship”, an annual benefit gospel musical concert organised by Worship for Change, an NGO founded in 2006 to create awareness and support for indigent children, orphans and children with special needs.

This year’s edition will be featuring famous gospel artists like Nathaniel Bassey, Nuel Robinson, Efe Nathan and of course Wale Adenuga.

Other gospel musicians to feature during the event scheduled to hold virtually on Saturday September 18 by

5 pm (WAT), include Laolu Gbenjo, Folabi Nuel, Evans Ogboi, Purist Ogboi, Femi Okunuga, Ore Macaulay, David Omodunmiju, and Angelo.

The convener, Wale Adenuga, said the gospel concert, which aims at creating aware-

ness and raising funds which are disbursed to charity to help orphanages, leprosy centres, and other care-giving outfits, for the benefit of the needy in society, hopes to raise N100 million this year.

This year’s edition Adenuga said is the 11th, and has the

theme, “More with You”, adding that the beneficiaries of this year’s benefit concert include: The Farid Centre, Irede Foundation, Leprosy Mission Nigeria, and Godswill Orphanage. The Green Worship, which has made tremendous impacts on the

activities of caregivers through generous financial assistance courtesy of the earlier editions of Worship for Change, presented N7.5m from proceeds gotten from last year’s edition to six charities that care for vulnerable children and children with special needs.

IDAN Presents GUIDE Interior, Product Design Expo 2021 After months of extensive planning, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has announced that registration is now open for GUIDE 2021 as it gears up to welcome the design community for this year’s edition of the event even as excitement is building around the reopening of events.

Billed to take place from September 17th-18th from 10am - 6pm daily, GUIDE will be the largest official Interior and product Design trade destination in Nigeria.

And the longest running trade show dedicated to interior, product and furniture design in the country. The dynamic and propelling show

will be housed at Balmoral hall, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the forthcoming event, IDAN National President, Omon AnenihMordi, said, “Built on years of success, GUIDE is constantly evolving to ensure we remain the destination of choice for design-led brands and top buyers”.

She noted that exhibitors will present their latest collections and showcase their brands to over 5000 industry professionals and visitors.

The theme for this year, “The Evolution”, she said is aimed at the gradual development of the design industry as it relates to interior design, product design and

embracing form and function in built environments where health, safety and welfare of the public are of foremost importance.

“IDAN’s purpose is to create a platform that educates, inspires, exposes and motivates designers in Nigeria as we showcase to the world at large.”

IDAN National President, Omon Anenih-Mordi

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, ͰͮͰͯ

E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Siji Awoyinka on Celebrating Nigerian Music Legends Vanessa Obioha Over 10 years ago, US-based musician Siji Awoyinka teamed up with his friend Ade Bantu to make a documentary. Having been introduced to Nigerian sounds while in the United States by his father, Awoyinka was inspired to pay tribute to them.

However, the music direction expanded as they embarked on making the ‘Elder’s Corner’, which is Awoyinka’s debut film as a director. He also wrote and co-produced the documentary with Bantu. In the series, Awoyinka met and recorded music with Nigeria’s greats like Ebenezer Obey, MonoMono rock band, playwright and folk artist Jimi Solanke among others. Through their eyes, he told the history of Nigerian music.

“In a way, the mission was to tell the history of Nigerian music through the eyes of these musicians. It was important for us to look at what was going on in the country at the height of their glory,” he said.

“When the nation was celebrating independence, it was reflected in Highlife. The country was happy, boisterous and lively and that was reflected in the music. When we fell into the windfall of petroleum dollars in the 70s, Juju music was all the rave. It was all about celebration, spraying money around, etc. When the country began to get into trouble with the military, we saw the likes of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti calling out the corrupt leaders, singing about the inequity in the country. So all great music is a reflection of the situation in the country.”

He however observed that the present generation of musicians is not socially conscious.

“Nigeria is going through a lot of turmoil now but I don’t necessarily think that is reflected in the music. It’s more of partying.

Maybe because the socially conscious among them have not been heard.”

Notwithstanding, he acknowledged the role the artists have helped in promoting the indigenous language of Nigeria through their music.

With ‘Elder’s Corner’, Awoyinka set out to arouse curiosity on the foundation of Nigerian music. The documentary does not focus primarily on Afrobeat, rather, it brings to the fore Highlife, Juju and Waka music. These genres he said were there before the popularity of Afrobeat or Afrobeats.

“There were other genres of music that

Awoyinka

came before Afrobeat or Afrobeats. It was important for the world to understand the foundation of where the music came from, the people who laid the groundwork like

Ooni of Ife Lauds Goldberg for Showcasing Yoruba Culture in New TV Commercial

E.C Arinze. It was important for people to be aware of these folks.”

But there were only a few that the director could pack into the 97-minute documentary.

For instance, their efforts to feature King Sunny Ade was not successful. He plans to run it as a series where each genre will be standalone.

Super TV to Offer Nigerians Zero Data Streaming Services Vanessa Obioha

Omoluabi Ooni Of Ife’s seat

Vanessa Obioha The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi recently marked the inaugural edition of Goldberg Omoluabi Day in his palace in Osun State.

The day was set aside by the revered traditional ruler to recognize and laud the efforts of industrious sons and daughters from the southwest region, commonly known as Omoluabis.

To mark the day, Goldberg released a new TV commercial celebrating the rich, vibrant, exciting culture and traditions of the Yoruba people

of Nigeria. The commercial featured celebrities including Goldberg’s brand ambassadors: popular Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, DJ Kaywise, and comedian Debo Adedayo, aka Mr Macaroni.

“The TV story is built around the hard workers who come together to deliver enjoyment to our people at one of the popular festive events in Yorubaland – Owambe. We adopted a traditional wedding setting that incorporates several of the brand’s values, such as enjoyment, hard work and respect for customs/traditions,” explained Senior Brand

Manager, Goldberg, Olaoluwa Babalola.

Speaking after the premiere of the TV commercial, the Ooni of Ife praised Nigerian Breweries for the concept and beauty of the ad. He also praised the company for organising the first Goldberg Omoluabi Day. Also, 10 people, including artisans, labourers and bakers, were honoured by the brand with a cash prize of N200,000 each, while in a surprise show of solidarity, the Ooni also honoured three other people, including a security man and a cleaner, with N200,000 each.

By October 1, Nigerians will be able to access a rich library of film and video content from Super TV, a new subscription video-on-demand service. In a launch event, the platform’s Chairman Dotun Sulaiman announced that its groundbreaking innovation will democratise access to quality video content through a partnership with MTN Nigeria.

According to him, this can be achieved through four ways that include making their curated content readily available for Nigerians who use MTN lines; making it affordable and accessible to grassroots Nigerians.

“That way, we are putting an end to exclusivity to access.”

He added that the video and live TV content will reflect the local taste of the country while building a strong local ecosystem where both content creators are compensated for their works and Nigerians get value for their money.

The idea of Super TV was hatched seven years ago and

RMDand Dakore in Castle & Castle

was initially marked for launch last year’s October. But due to the pandemic, the launch was postponed to coincide with the country’s independence anniversary this year.

Elaborating on the business strategy of the service, Ijeoma Onah, who serves as theActing CEO and Director of Content Strategy and Partnerships, said that the platform is a content distribution marketplace. According to her, the strategy is to build sustainable content monetisation for content aggregators. So far, they have engaged with both local and

international markets to ensure they offer unlimited local and international content. There are about 30 live TV content and hundreds of VOD. Films released in theatres can also be rented on the platform.

A unique feature of Super TV is that it has eliminated the stress of logins. Once a user is an MTN subscriber, he/she does not need to register on the platform. The user is also allowed to have a one-day trial period which costs N200.

Super TV will be available on Play Store, iOS, Windows, Mac and a setup box.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, 2021

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

SNA’s October Rain 2021: A Downpour of Creativity The Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos Chapter in collaboration with Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi and OmoobaYemisi Shyllon Art Foundation is raring for its annual exhibition tagged‘October Rain’with no less than 80 artists on board. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

O

ne of the most anticipated shows in the art scene in Lagos, ‘October Rain’ is bound to shake the city with a varied collection of works from 80 participating artists. Art grandmasters such as the Nigerian-American painter and scholar, Prof. Dele Jegede; accomplished painter and the X-factor of the Yaba School, Kolade Oshinowo; leading modern art figure Abayomi Barber and the revered painter Abiodun Olaku are some of the artists whose works will be showcased at the Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi from October 3.

With the theme, ‘Art as a Glorious Passion,’ this edition celebrates one of Nigeria’s most insatiable art collectors, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon. While explaining the rationale behind this choice to a handful of art journalists in Lagos last week, the Chairman, October Rain 2021 Planning Committee, DamolaAdepoju revealed that collectors form an important part of the extended art family.

“Omooba Yemisi Shyllon’s passion for art and cultural promotion in Nigeria is legendary and enviable. This is evident in the thousands of wonderful art collection and in his numerous self-sponsored art projects of iconic importance,’’ he noted. Part of the legacies of the art patron is the newly established Shyllon Museum of Art at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos; OYASAF residencies and self-named awards for Best graduating art students in various institutions.

The SNA Lagos Chairman, Kolawole Olojo-Kosoko also hinted that in addition to the aforementioned grandmasters of art, masters and emerging artists will be featured at the ground and first floor of Mydrim Gallery.

“October Rain this year is going to be in two

Some participating artists at the 2021 October Rain Exhibition press briefing

phases. We are going to have the exhibition which will celebrate Otunba Shyllon. We are also calling for papers which will transform into a conference on art patronage and related issues. Hopefully, before the end of the year, we are going to have a conference at the Omooba Yemisi Shyllon Museum in Ibeju Lekki. We need to move away from

the tradition of just exhibiting. What we are trying to do is to create an avenue for people in the academics who do not have any works to exhibit to write. We hope to launch October Rain journal,’’ he revealed.

The exhibition which runs till October 16 will also give many female artists a voice.

The Vice-Chairman, SNA Lagos, Ayoola

Omovo disclosed this in her remarks at the press briefing.

“We want art galleries and everybody that is promoting the arts to be under the Society of Nigerian Arts and tell people that art has come to stay. Every company, home and institution needs to have an art piece. The environment needs to be changed. Our society needs to feel the beauty of arts,’’ she said.

With Eight Artists, Diversiform Births its Fourth Season Tupac’s ‘Murder’ Car and a Yinka Olatunbosun Seven painters. One sculptor.

Each artist has three works to exhibit at the fourth edition of ‘Diversiform’- a group exhibition in Lagos that parades some of the most brilliant, predominantly young artists in Lagos. The show which started from Moor House, Ikoyi in 2018 is to be staged at TAG, The Adeline Gallery, Adeyemi Bero Crescent, Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos.

An offshoot of the need to breed a class of forward-looking artists, Diversiform has been a platform for artists’ voices to be heard. Initiated by Popoola Nurudeen, an award-winning painter, the show parades a collection of culture-sensitive works that reflect and question the society as well as urban culture. For Popoola, this show is a continuity of his impressionistic style, inspired by environment and the African culture.

“One of my works to be shown is about the influence of social media on the youths.

Everyone wants to take a selfie before going out. Everyone wants to post a picture on Instagram even if they have not eaten,” he said during a media chat in Lagos. Since his graduation from Yaba College of Technology, Popoola had been on a winning streak. In 2018, he received the award for the best painting/mixed media at the Life in My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF).

Ubong Etuk, the oldest of the

Beat of the Ikoro

exhibiting artists, this edition of Diversiform is a comeback.

The 1991 graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka relishes the youthful energy in the group, describing the young artists as “the future.’’

“And sometimes, you learn from them too,” he said with a smile of satisfaction. “New ideas to tackle present-day issues come from them. Although, I try to stick with the tested and tried,” he said.

In doing so, he reaffirms his stylized abstract art forms in this show with a work that revolves around the theme of integrity, tapping from the culture of the traditional drum that was once exclusively beaten for the noble. With this work “Beat of the Ikoro,” the artist makes a valid commentary on moral decadence and inverted societal values.

“In those days when they beat the drum, it is only people who have contributed to the society positively that are recalled and talked about. It is because they have genuinely given their heart to the com-

munity. Nowadays, if they beat this drum, it is people with money that would dance,” he explained.

Edward Samuel, a mosaic artist and a LIMCAF winner brings his unrivalled style to the show by painting with tiles. “I have been doing this for eleven years,” he began. The 2010 Best graduating student in Fine Art at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Yaba had been doing commissioned jobs but creating site-specific works is not enough for this artist with a photo-realistic, impressionistic style.

“I kept experimenting and improving over the years. I didn’t see much role models in Nigeria for this specialization.

I almost a self-taught artist,” he said.

Ejiofor Ogochukwu who hails from Anambra, got her BA and MFA at University of Nigeria Nsukka and University of Benin, respectively. From paintings to installations, the waste-to-wealth artist likes to explore with waste materials thus making her contribution to a cleaner earth.

A product of YABATECH and University of Lagos, Adenle Kehinde works with different art media. Kehinde has participated in very few exhibitions in spite of numerous state and federal commissioned mural projects. As a studio artist, he is currently working on synthesis in painting techniques as part of his personal studio research.

Adewale Ojo, also groomed his turf at the Yaba College of Technology plunging into a full-time studio practice.

Adewale explores cultural and visual metaphor in his paintings using vibrant hues.

Segun Okewumi’s energy transmutes into his didactic and reformatory creations. Using durable metallic materials, Okewumi shows a good degree of dexterity in his pieces.Acommitted moralist and serial art workshop attendee, his skills had been refined through art residencies that had shaped his style.

Adeyemi Oluwaseun Dare completed his Ordinary National Diploma in Art and Industrial Design at Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu where he graduated as the best of the department at the 2011/2012 session. He proceeded to obtain the Higher National Diploma where he graduated in 2016 at YABATECH. An experimental artist, Oluwaseun has participated in several group exhibitions.

Clairvoyance is a two-piece work that he contributes to this show. “I got inspired to do the work from the situation of things in Nigeria, the way we view things differently and how our plans are affected by government policies. The work is a mix of plastic, rubber, rug. I don’t usually like making plain painting. I prefer mixed media,” he said. The show which opens on September 25 runs till October 2.

Dishonour of Memories

Yinka Olatunbosun Asymbol of the morbid memories of 25 years ago, when one of hip-hop’s fiercest lyricists of all time, Tupac Shakur was killed, is up for sale. Death Row Records is trying to sell the car in which he had been shot for almost $2m. The black BMW 750il, with 121,000 miles on the odometer, is listed on a site for celebrity automobiles at a starting price of $1.75 million.

The car was- or maybe still is- an exhibit in the murder case which remains unsolved till today. The 1996 BMW 750Il was driven by Suge Knight while Tupac sat on the passenger side where he was struck in the chest, arm and thigh by multiple gunshots. Tupac would have been 50 years old on Monday September 13, 2021 but for the hip-hop rivalry that culminated in his murder and later, that of Notorious B.I.G, his former friend-turned-foe six months later.

The car had been restored to its original condition, retaining some tell-tale bullet holes. The purported sale of it sounds like a misappropriation of an object of historical value from a moralist perspective. One would have thought it would be acquired by the state or donated by the recording label itself to an institution like The National Museum of

African American History and Culture at the National Mall in Washington D.C or turned into an installation in a public space around the scene of the shooting.

Or maybe Tupac, in death, is still a potential cash cow for the recording label. From the rapper’s philosophy shared through music, Tupac was not exactly a moralist as his music glorified the thug life that fuelled gangster rap and saluted that existential streak in the black neighbourhoods.

Drug dealing and stealing are the bi-products of poverty and unemployment, that is, in Tupac’s summation. But is selling the car Tupac rode in the night he was shut an antidote to poverty?

Keeping the car as an installation would be a reminder of the hip-hop rivalry that should never be repeated in history.

Losing two top-ranking rappers -Tupac and Biggie- within the spate of six months on a childish spat-gone-too-far could be discouraged in music using the medium of art installation.

Better still, the proceeds from the car sale may be used to advance music through endowment funds or grants for artists, especially rappers. That would be a great way to honour the memories of Tupac rather than selling it off to the highest bidder with an offensive lifetime boasting right.

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How AIFA Reading Society Commemorated International Literacy Day On September 8, 2021, AIFA Reading Society, a registered non-profit organisation that seeks to achieve sustainable educational development by promoting a reading culture, joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Literacy Day with various activities aimed at creating awareness on the importance of literacy to sustainable development in Nigeria.

The Society featured on live radio and television broadcasts to create awareness of the importance of literacy in Nigeria while emphasising bridging the gap in the digital

divide brought to the limelight through the COVID-19 pandemic. AIFA Book Club sessions were also held for friends of the Society as well as young professionals.

In an interview, the Vice President of AIFA Reading Society and Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System Plc, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri stated that the lack of the ability for children to continue learning which has been prevalent in the last 18 months is dangerous for Nigeria.

He stated that bridging the digital gap in Nigeria is a joint

effort by the government and the private sector as the government has the responsibility for creating the policies for private sector investments to occur in that sector.

Jalo-Waziri, emphasized the need to catch up with the world in using digital tools in learning. “The pros of virtually learning far outweigh the cons.

The world has moved, and we must not be left behind…a digital classroom is what we have now, and digital devices have become infrastructures.

Children are resilient and easily adapt to changes. With time, they will get used to virtual

learning, which makes things easier.”

During the AIFA Book Club held for some young professionals as part of the activities to mark the International Literacy Day, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Principal Partner of Kenna Partners and Fellow of the AIFA Reading Society, encouraged attendees to be deliberate about reading and to encourage others around them to do the same.

He reminded all of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights -- given that UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 calls for

inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities, and since every functional society is built on quality education as literacy is the door to the development of such society. He encouraged all in attendance to support the improvement of literacy in Nigeria, as this will lead to Nigerians discovering, revitalizing, inventing unexplored horizons AIFA Reading Society, supported by Kenna Partners and Central Securities Clearing System Plc, celebrates literacy as a means of empowering people. Literacy is an inte-

gral part of education and lifelong learning, as outlined

by Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

AIFA Reading Society has reached over 70,000 children and adults in Nigeria through its various initiatives including Book Donation Scheme, Young Writers’ Awards, Calculate to Succeed, AIFA Book Club, and Spreading Cheer. The Society plans to increase its reach in Nigeria as it addresses gaps in the educational sector.

Idris Olorunnimbe Appointed Project Lead for NUGA 2022 The founder and Group Chief Executive of The Temple Company, Mr Idris Olorunnimbe, has been appointed as project lead for the 2022 edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games.

This prestigious appointment was made by the management of the University of Lagos based on Mr Idris’s track record of leading and executing herculean projects that position the state and country positively, his passion for sports, and

being a proud alumnus of the university.

Conveying the appointment in a letter, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, Vice Chancellor, noted that the appointment is based on Olorunninmbe’s “enviable track record and integrity as a great alumnus of this University.”

The letter read: “As the Project Lead for the Games, you will be expected to support the University in galvanising technical and financial support

necessary for the success of the Games. You will also be expected to support in areas of equipment and state-of-the-art facilities for the Games. We are certain that your appointment is important and will ensure success of the game.”

While accepting his new assignment, Olorunnimbe said: “I’m honoured to be counted worthy to serve as an ambassador of my alma mater, University of Lagos.

Working from the frontline in

the creative industry for many years has brought me in direct touch with the huge potential that can be harnessed from the Nigerian youth population.

For me, this task presents a wider platform to make more contributions.”

Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe leads the Temple Company team, a content and entertainment powerhouse that nurtures creatives, develops content and manages talents to actualize their full potential.

NUGA is a body that organizes University-level sporting events in Nigeria.

It hosts an inter-university sports competition called the University Games. The first NUGA games were held at the University of Ibadan in 1966, and it now boasts of 36 Nigerian universities as members.

NUGA approves fifteen different sporting events at the University Games: track and field, badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, handball, hockey,

judo, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball, with the intent to foster unity and leadership qualities amongst the students of the various universities.

With Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe leading the team to execute the 2022 NUGAGames, it promises to be a NUGAGames like never before experienced.

Further enquiries, please contact: manager@templecompany.com

Turu Ugo Lota: Life Continental Beer’s Visual Masterpiece Celebrates Igbo Culture Life Continental Beer recently introduced a new television commercial targeted at celebrating the progress of its Igbo audience. This commercial is the latest project in a series of commercials celebrating the culture and traditions of South East Nigeria.

The ad tagged Turu Ugo Lota which translates to Bring Home the Glory, is a message of hope and one that celebrates the individual who is able to overcome challenges in spite of all odds. It depicts the real essence of Igbo culture, how it celebrates life and also features traditional music.

The commercial was met with favourable reception all over the Country when it was shown and gained over 3 million views within 72 hours of its official unveiling across several platforms.

Turu Ugo Lotawas introduced to the public at a panel discourse organised

by Life Continental Beer with the theme; Bringing Home the Glory: A Toast to Progress and Success. The discourse was well attended by high ranking government officials, traditional rulers, celebrities of Igbo extraction and other guests within a well-coordinated space in line with Covid-19 safety precautions.

The Life Continental Beer ad

emphasises the point that no matter where one is coming from, no matter the challenges or obstacles in a person’s path, as long as one has “life”, then there is no challenge within a person’s path that cannot be overcome.

In the ad, Pete Edochie, who is the lead character takes us on a nostalgic journey into the past by showcasing prominent and notable locations across the East.

A frequent visitor or people from the Eastern part of the Country will easily recognize places such as the Niger Bridge, Onitsha main city and of course the iconic Ojukwu bunker.

His son, Yul Edochie picks up on the narrative seamlessly and introduces us into the present, reemphasising the resilient spirit of the East and goes ahead to belaud the Igbos by indulging in praise and extoling them to go out and bring home the glory whilst embracing their culture.

The Igbo language is prominent in the commercial and viewers automatically identify with it as its local phrases resonates in their hearts.

Life Continental Beer’s Igbo celebration is the culmination of several initiatives undertaken over almost four decades to celebrate and honour the strength of South East Nigeria.

As a progressive brand, Life recognises that the world is

a dynamic place and as the world progressed, so too did Life Continental Beer.

In 2012, the newly reformulated brand introduced itself as a regional powerhouse in the South East with its campaign theme Friends for Lifeand metamorphosed

through various stages such as MmanyaNdu and Taste Progress, and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand encouraged its people to stand strong (because) NduKa. As the people’s choice Lager, the brand progressed from merely providing

Celebrating the rich Igbo culture

a refreshingly appealing beverage to customers, to one offering hope to its various host communities and loyal consumers.

Today, Life Continental Beer is not only building hope, it is also entrenching a mind-set and preserving the Igbo Culture

and stories for generations to come. With portrayals like TuruUgoLota, the brand’s storytelling becomes a conduit to showcase the wealth of cultural heritage and spark conversations that can provide winning narratives for people and for country.

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DiamondXtra: A Decade of Impacting Lives Nume Ekeghe and Chiamaka Ozulumba write on how Access Bank through its hybrid savings account ‘DiamondXtra’ has been impacting on thousands of families over the past 12 years through its array of winnings and its consistency in rewarding its customers

I

n the past 12 Seasons, many Nigerians smiled to the banks with prizes ranging from Salary-For-Life to Education Grants and Cash prizes gotten through the DiamondXtra Customer Savings Scheme.

The DiamondXtra savings scheme, an interest yielding hybrid account which allows deposits of both cash and third-party cheques was first launched in 2008 and has been meaningfully impacting lives through rewarding its loyal customers with cash and gift items.

While speaking to THISDAY, Mr. Richard Anyanwu, Season 10 winner of Education Grant for 5 years said “I am very grateful to Access Bank as it came at a time when I needed it the most and it helped take the burden of paying my children’s school fees away from me”.

“I just got a call that I qualified for the Education Grant due to the fact I have an account with the bank, I was shocked as I never expected it and it helped put smiles on my children faces as the issue of school fees payment, no longer became a problem for me.

“The Grant would end in April 2022 and I will be forever grateful to Access Bank for what they did for me”.

One of the first beneficiaries of the Salary-for-Life, Mrs Nnena Chukwu was full of joy, according to her, “We were asked to open an account and deposit N5,000 which I did and I never knew I would win and did not still believe it when they called me, I thought it was a scam until it became a reality.

“They have been crediting my account with N100,000 every month since I won in 2019 and it has really helped me a lot and I am forever grateful to Access Bank for making me smile”.

According to Victor Etuokwu, the Executive Director, Personal Banking, “ DiamondXtra has running every year since inception 12 years ago and has seen over 22,000 customers rewarded with over N6 billion given away in cash and gift items”.

He made known that despite being a reward scheme, entry is quite simple as existing customers only need to have a minimum of N5,000 in their DiamondXtra account monthly while new customers can open a DiamondXtra account with a minimum balance of N5,000 and grow the account.

For every N5,000, a customer deposits in their account they would get a ticket in the draws, so for every N5,000 saved the higher the customer’s chance of winning at the draws.

During the monthly draws, about 10 bank customers have the chance to win N1 Million each while for the quarterly draws one lucky customer would win the Salaryforlife grand price of N100,000 every month for 20 years while other winners would receive the Education Grant for 5 years, Rent for a year and cash consolidation prices ranging from N50,000-N1 million.

Etuokwu further disclosed, “The DiamondXtra reward scheme is one of the ways, Access Bank creates value and meets the needs of its loyal customers. “ We have been rewarding and changing the lives of our esteemed customers for 12 years and are excited to launch the 13th season of this amazing scheme”.

“This scheme is one of the most successful deposit products in the country as it not only

L-R: Senior Banking Advisor Retail, Mr Robert Giles; N1 million winner in DiamondXtra season 11, Ms Nkechi Ezeilo; and Executive Director, Personal Banking, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, at the Access Bank’s DiamondXtra season 11 prize presentation encourages customers to save their money, gain interest on their savings but also rewards them as they keep saving with so many life transforming prizes and with launch of this new season, the reward scheme has been revitalized and reloaded to create winners everyday”.

As seen in the case of Season 12 winner, Mrs Adeola Muliat Adewusi who won N1 million and used the prize money to boost her hairdressing business.

She said, “ I lost my husband a few months before I won the N1 million and at that time, my landlord wanted to evict my family over unpaid rent. Then I got a call that I won, I didn’t believe until I got to the office and it became real to me”.

“I was able to pay my house rent and also use some of the prize money to boost my business, Access Bank brought smiles to my face when I almost lost all hope”.

Also another winner of the Rent-for-a-year, Akitiyan Yerimah who is based in Kaduna State and has been a customer for just three years disclosed, “it wasn’t stressful as I was not able to make it to Lagos to redeem my prize but I was able to liaise with the branch office here in Kaduna and they credited my account. “ I got to know of the account from one of the Access Bank staff and I keyed into it and I kept saving regularly and I was called a winner due to my saving attitude. A lot of people think that things like this are scams but it’s real, even me I had thought it was a scam at first but as one of the beneficiaries, I believe that a lot of people can start saving too even if it’s a little, they can still have a chance to win”.

She was full of praises for Access Bank, adding that the reward has “gone a long way in

solving some financial issues” and she urged Nigerians to open a DiamondXtra account and save because the promo is real and would also improve people’s savings culture. On his part, Senior Banking Advisor Retail, Mr Robert Giles disclosed that, “From inception DiamondXtra was designed by our customers themselves. They told us that the return on savings was small, yet the reason to save was to transform and improve lives.

Since the initial launch, we have shared over Five Billion of prize money through daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly draws. We have given out Education Grants, Business Grants and Salary-for-Life.

“Season 13 was designed by over 600,000 customers who were surveyed to inform them of the changes they want to see. Our customers said they want to keep Salary-for-Life, Business Grant and Free Rent. They also told us to add lots of smaller prizes so everybody has a chance to win. And finally, they asked us to bring it closer to home. and that’s why this year we are taking DiamondXtra into every neighbourhood so that people can see the difference and share with friends”.

Meanwhile, the Group Head Consumer Banking, Adaeze Umeh said, “DiamondXtra has evolved into a big family and now has about 2.5 Million customers and everyone is qualified to win provided they’d have a minimum balance of N5,000 and multiple of N5,000 in their account”.

She added that the bank has positively impacted over 22,000 families with several prizes and Season 13 was going to be an interesting one.

Customers will be awarded every quarter while customers of the bank and new prospective customers would have access through opening

a DiamondXtra account.

Umeh said, that for Season 13 over 2,000 customers would now be part of the consolation prizes every quarter with special attention given to women; for every draw we have, about 10 of the winners will be women.

One person would have the opportunity of winning a shopping allowance of N100,000 for the next 12 months and nine others will get N300,000 each. 14 people will win about N1 Million each to pay their rents because there is something for everyone. The one customer advocated for is the opportunity to get the Business Grant and to make it closer to home.

According to her, “we have our clusters across all our 600 branches so all the associations, markets, groups of journalists can actually come together and open a DiamondXtra account with a minimum of N5,000 and participate in the draw”.

After more than a decade of putting smiles on the faces of its customers with over N6 Billion won in cash and gift items monthly and quarterly by almost 20,000 customers and although the merger between Access and Diamond Banks raised concerns; Access Bank through DiamondXtra has been positively impacting the lives of its customers with the reward scheme.

Though the scheme underwent repositioning in 2013 to be able to cater to a wider audience, it still stands as the longest reward scheme with over Two Million customers.

And with over 12 years of rewarding loyal customers under its belt, DiamondXtra now in its 13th Season has taken the notch higher through the inclusion in the scheme’s benefits a Family Health Insurance Cover for a year worth N1.6 million; an increase in the number of winners for the Rent-for-a-year prize to 21 per quarterly draw and a N1 Million Business Grant.

Tech start-up, CoAmana, is Inspiring the Community Conscious Food Buyer Last month, community conscious consumers and farmers came together at Amana Community Supported Agriculture Day in Abuja hosted by tech startup CoAmana.

Amana CSA Day brought together farmers and conscious consumers who have an interest in buying directly from farmers at affordable prices.

The event featured farmers and agriculture products from 16 farming clusters across Kaduna [Soba, Cikun, Zaria, Igabi & Kargako], Kano [Kura], Plateau [Mangu], FCT [Bwari, Abaji, Kuje & Deidei] and Jigawa (Hadeja & Kirikasamma).

The event also hosted specialty farmers that supplied rare vegetables and herbs. Produce was sold at rates from two per cent less than Abuja market price all the way down to 40 per cent.

According to Founder and

CEO, Hafsah Jumare, the event is part of CoAmana’s movement to encourage the conscious consumer by linking them to farmers in their local communities. Worldwide, CSAs are systems based on mutual trust, with the aim of giving farming communities more stability while reconnecting people to their food sources.

CoAmana’s digital market place, Amana Market, enables buyers to source produce directly from farmers and connect with other local businesses, cutting out the middleman.

Over the years Hafsah, a behavioural economist, came to realise that trust between farmers and buyers and misinformation about local farming markets were some of the biggest barriers to trade in agriculture.

“While solving some technical issues such as logistics and

storage are part of our mode of operations, I see the market access problem as not only a technical issue, but also a human behaviour one. The breakdown of trust has made us a cash based economy.

“Farmers want to be paid on pickup and buyers want to pay on delivery. Prices and contracts also never hold and terms could change from one community to the next or within the span of an hour. Our goal is to not only deliver the technology needed for buyers to connect with small businesses and farmers, but to support the right human circumstances that enable such a connection to thrive. “ We work with a substantial field force in addition to our technology. Our job is to make things easier and move the market towards trust and reliability”.

In a bid to drive better com-

munications, CoAmana’s Amana CSA Day brought together farmers and buyers as well as policy makers and private sector, enabling farmers to see their consumers and engage the people that define the space they operate in, which made for a rich exchange of experiences, perspectives and ideas.

During the events town hall session and in a compelling moment, Timothy, a farmer from Chikun explains to consumers how farmers are able to operate in their communities in spite of security challenges.

“One of our fellow farmers has to sacrifice his whole work day, sitting on a tree as look out, in order to enable other farmers to conduct their activities. He prompts us to run when there is trouble”.

According to Hafsah, “these experiences help us understand

the cost to farmers and some of the inflation we face today.

Amana Market is not just about solving problems but creating a shared responsibility while doing so.

“To be true to the consumer or farmer, we have had to straddle the line between impact and profitability but it’s not as complicated as it seems.

Sustained impact has to be profitable and true solutions have to make deep impacts.

You have to listen to the local culture and contend with the realities of the Market or you will be stuck in Lagos and Abuja, with your technology and good ideas, but not reach other markets.

“Moreover, I can’t compete using the Lagos Startup modus operandi as a non-Lagos based founder. I have to bring my own unique perspective to entrepreneurship”.

In response to what she thinks made her Amana CSA Day event successful, ‘We sold out all but livestock and I spotted many notable faces buying from farmers, but my biggest joy was when I realised that the farming clusters were also trading with each other. It occurred to me that we were connecting markets to markets.

We will do this again at the end of October, this time with even more farming clusters represented”.

In addition to other grants, CoAmana has raised about $340k from MercyCorps Agrifin and GIZ to do things differently, working with AGRA, to digitize smallholder farmers’ sales through technology and a human centric operating model.

Sterling Bank alternative finance committed N2.25billion in loans to AGRA smallholder farmers through Amana Market.

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Tony Ajero: We’re Driven by the Mantra “Public Relations for Good’’ Foremost strategic communications firm, C&F Porter Novelli, recently introduced a Purpose and Legacy service. In this exclusive interview with MARY NNAH, C&F’s Group Accounts Director, Mr. Tony Ajero, speaks on the service, state of the industry, the nation and more It is said that the marketing communication industry is the worst hit in economic downturn; what is the situation in Nigeria, considering the economic situation? hat’s very true. Marketing communication for some CEOs is secondary, so it is the first to go in challenging times.

But for discerning organisations run by the more enlightened, global-quality MBA, CEO-type, crisis and downturns require even more, or should I say better, marketing.

They understand the opportunities depression offers competing brands; but survival-focused, short-term brands cut marketing.

It takes huge courage though to dive deeper into the market during depression when volumes are down and margins thinned out. Yet, as is the case in life, crises are opportunities for those who understand it, are prepared for it, and navigate it with the end in sight. Isn’t it said that “every cloud has a silver lining?”

There are a number of organisations that are positively navigating this epoch particularly through latching onto what is for me the greatest change agent of our times – digital technology.

Now, the traditional PR practice has given way to digital tools, realities, and players.

Let me give you one example. Influencers have taken over the public opinion space especially in the middle class. Where columnists and opinion moulders were in charge in the past, influencers of all sorts now hold sway.

That’s why one blog owner commands tens of millions in naira for a single comment on a brand, basically endorsing that brand with his/her followers, who repost with their own networks ad infinitum Specific to your question, these are trying times for us in Nigeria. COVID-19 plus two recessions in five years, plus the dwindling value of the naira, plus the internal security challenges, aaah, these are very, very trying times indeed! The average CEO runs a pen across marketing budgets right now. Hence, Tony Ajero communications firms, and this is true for other sectors too, are laying off at best, or closing shop entirely.

T

So, how come you are introducing a new service in these “very, very trying times” to use your words?

Remember that in answer to your first question, I was reminded of the wisdom in the saying that “every cloud has a silver lining”, and “every crisis is an opportunity”.

Life is not so much what is thrown at you, as much as what you do with what is thrown at you. The former is not within your control but the latter is in your power.

At C&F Porter Novelli, we are driven by the mantra “Public Relations for Good ‘’, so we are constantly seeking ways and means to improve the society through public relations. Our strategy is always bounded by, and rooted in, the multiple bottom lines of people, planet, and profits. Like Rotary International’s four-way test, we look at our work through the lens of its truthfulness, fairness, goodwill and holistic benefit to all concerned.

We are constantly asking questions around, and seeking answers to, societal challenges and development. We have a process for interrogating briefs from clients, and our internal brief “PR for Good”. This is called the PN Way which stands for the Porter Novelli Way, used in 60 countries and 100 offices where the Porter Novelli network serves its diverse clients world over.

By the way, PR purists have always believed that the practice is about doing good and telling it well through quality narratives.

Unfortunately, many now go about telling, even when no good has been done. Of course, the castle built in the air will always be burst by the wind.

At C&F, we believe that our challenges as a nation provide an opportunity to seek how Public Relations can assist in building the better nation of our dreams. The Purpose and Legacy service is a product of that.

Your new service “Legacy and Purpose”, what is it about?

You want me to divulge our trade secrets?

Actually, we really don’t mind for “the sky

At C&F Porter Novelli, we are driven by the mantra “Public Relations for Good ‘’, so we are constantly seeking ways and means to improve the society through public relations is wide enough for a million birds to fly without any accident” as that African proverb reminds us. Indeed, as a knowledge-driven organisation, we are willing to share with anyone who wants to learn.

The Legacy and Purpose service enables discerning brands, both corporate and individual, to go beyond the muddle to defining their Brand Purpose. This, in turn, develops a unique and crossgenerational Legacy that impacts their products and services making them even more profitable and making the society a better place for us all.

While this is a bespoke service, we have had great responses from every organisation and individual we have presented it to.

It is interesting that as we were signing on one of Nigeria’s premier brands to the service, three eminent Nigerians: Uche Orji, the MD and CEO of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority; Ibukun Awosika, founder of the Chair Centre Group; and Arunma Otteh, the University of Oxford academic scholar, who was formerly Director-General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission were appointed to join a global Impact Task Force under the United Kingdom’s 2021 Presidency of the G7.

The simple way to define their work is harnessing private capital for public good.

Please note that that capital is primarily intellectual before material. Look at these three, their appointments are based on the wealth of ideas which of course is able to produce the wealth of money

and materials.

Part of the activation of this Purpose and Legacy Product is the recent sign-on of Chinedu Ikedieze brand (Aki of the Aki and Pawpaw fame) by C&F PN to design and execute a branded Purpose driven initiative(s) with brand Aki. More corporate and individual brands are also in the pipeline.

Do you think Nigerians are still interested in ideas?

Good questions, the latter even more so as it over arches over the first through its historicity. I will take them one after the other.

Yes, it is true that we are witnessing an ever-growing deafening loudness of the type only crass materialism and obscene squander mania can produce.

However, everywhere you look you see great Nigerians doing great things, both locally and globally. Good always triumphs over evil. In Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare says “the evil that men do lives after the…”

In other words, it is their legacy forever.

Their generations will forever carry that albatross. Like all men, they will have to account to God for their deeds. Even though Alfred Nobel built the Nobel Prize with a larger portion of his bequest it hasn’t and can’t erase the notoriety that his wealth came partly from the dynamite.

Yet, the man had over 350 other patents to his name!

I mean I have just pointed you to three of our citizens who in the midst of all our national foibles were singled out from across the waters to sit with the world’s

best brains. Every year, we read of Nigerian students breaking academic records at entry or/and graduation. Didn’t you notice the number of Nigerians flying the flags of, and winning medals for, other nations at the just concluded Tokyo Olympic Games?

To then answer your second question as to if we are an ideas-driven people, absolutely yes. Our African proverbs tell you it is our way of life. For instance, the Igbos say “onye ajuju adighi efu uzo”. The one who asks questions (knowledge seeker) can never get lost. Our folklore is filled with wisdom as exemplified by the tortoise. Unfortunately, we threw away our heritage with the advent of western civilisation. Only now, are we beginning to say, “Wait a second, our culture is better in this area!”

One of our campaigns “Spirit of Lagos” under the cerebral Governor Tunde Fashola spoke to this attitudinal change. While social amenities are good, it is the people’s mind that determines the quality, usage, and durability of the roads, taps, houses and all what not.

It is about restructuring the infrastructure of the mind.

How do you see Public Relations in the near future?

In mysecondary school class, I think Form Five – this was in the early 80s before the era of junior and secondary school formats – there was a statement on top of the board which occupied most of the front wall. That statement rings true in answer to this question “take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” That statement is from the Holy Bible, Matthew 6: 34.

Yet, it is said that “he who fails to plan has already planned to fail.” Public Relations will be more and more technology driven. There will be a return to the fundamentals of “PR for Good” at all times. I see PR playing a huge part in charting the Nigerian renaissance.

In addition to enlarging the core tenets of PR for Good, we envisage a PR practice that is totally informed by data and analytics, activations (physical and virtual) to create the Reputational Capital that most brands desire .

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͮ, ͰͮͰͯ

METRO

…Your city life in print

Kabba Jailbreak: Rejigging Kogi’s Security Architecture Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that with the recent jailbreak at Kabba Medium Custodial facility in Kogi, it has become imperative for the state’s security architecture to be rejigged to prevent a re-occurrence especially in the light of intelligence reports about a build up of planned attacks

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n Sunday, September 12, 2021, some suspected gunmen stormed the premises of Kabba Medium Custodial facility in Kogi State at about 11 pm, shooting sporadically as they practically forced their way in. Upon entering the facility, they freed the 240 inmates and left two two security personnel on duty for dead- a soldier and policeman.

The heavily armed men suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists, were said to have stormed the custodial facility in seven Hilux Vans and shot their way in, thus enabling the inmates escape.

But prior to this attack, the state was touted as the most secure, despite being bordered by 10 different states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But it wasn’t always like that as the state was once plagued with a host of insecurity challenges which were inherited, prominent among these includes terrorism, kidnapping, assassination, political agitation, pipeline vandalism, herders/host community clashes, communal clashes and high rate of cultism.

To tackle this, Governor Yahaya Bello government was said to have found the need to restore peace and confidence to the people by embarking on programs and policies as immediate priority and strategic solutions- a relative peace that was almost shattered by the jailbreak.

Rejigging Security Architecture Following the incident, the next logical thing would be to rejig the security architecture to prevent a re-occurrence. Acknowledging that, the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Kogi State Governor on Security, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd.) said the state was resolute in its drive to ensure security and safety.

Already, Omodara said 120 of the inmates who fled have been re-arrested, adding that the state has given the issue all necessary attention despite that the correctional facility was the Federal Government’s jurisdiction.

According to Omodara, security apparatus of the state was already being rejigged to prevent a recurrence of such sad incident.

He said: “Security is work in progress. It is not far from the knowledge of security architecture put in place by the government.

Kogi used to be one of the worst in terms of security in this country so much so that people were avoiding the state because it was the capital of kidnappers.

“But that changed along the line because concrete steps were taken to contain insecurity.

We see the incident of Monday as a set back on our records in terms of security but it will also make us prepare more and rejig our architecture.

“You should know that where was attacked is a federal institution but that not withstanding, the response to the attack was fantastic. For now, I can tell you that about 120 of the inmates have been gotten. We are moving very fast to make sure we get them all back into the cell because that will rebuild confidence.”

Omodara admitted the incident must have been thoroughly planned, adding that high profile criminals were released during the break.

“If you are saying it was politically motivated, I won’t shy away from that because we have high profile criminals there.

However, with our own apparatus in place, it has given us leverage to look at how to prevent it in future. What happened cannot be far away from politics because of the emerging political situations in the country.

“We will not look at what has happened rather, we will be very focused on what we are doing and ensure we do not allow this to distract us but put our eyes on the ball to be sure we keep the state safe.”

Need for Adequate Structure On this, former Department of State Services (DSS) director, Dennis Amachree, blamed lack of structures and process for the jailbreak, adding that the incident told a lot about the country’s criminal justice system.

Governor Bello He lamented the absence of standard re-inforced perimeter walls, anti-scaling concertina wiring on the walls and alarm system to alert the guards of a breach.

“A system where innovations are only in name and not in structure or process.

Kogi Medium Security Correctional Facility was breached because lessons were not learnt from previous jailbreaks in Kogi State and indeed in the country at large.

“The faults can be found in the structures of our prisons. Some of these prisons environment are not designed to prevent a breach. There are no standard re-inforced perimeter walls. No anti-scaling concertina wiring on the walls and definitely no alarm system to alert the guards of a breach.

“Secondly, the prisoners are still locked up like animals in a zoo, rather than being helped to reform from their crimes.

Except we correct these anomalies I can

tell you another prison break is around the corner,” he said.

Amachree dismissed insinuations that the attack was political, noting that there were over 100 persons awaiting trial in the facility, adding that “some of them are bandits. Their colleagues outside felt they should attack the facility and free their buddies”.

Intelligence Report Meanwhile, sources had alleged an intelligence report was intercepted that revealed a plan to make Kogi State insecure through a number of attacks on Koton-Karfe, Mopamuro, Yagba East, Yagba West, Adavi, Ankpa and Idah.

Also schools in Lokoja, Dekina and Kabba were said to have been targeted by the attackers, whose aim, conspiracy theorists believe, was to whittle down the exploits recorded in terms of security.

Security is work in progress...We will not look at what has happened rather, we will be very focused on what we are doing and ensure we do not allow this to distract us but put our eyes on the ball to be sure we keep the state safe

At the receipt of the Intelligence report, it was gathered that the state immediately commenced combing of the mentioned areas to arrest persons suspected to be connected with the planned attacks.

Way Forward Touting citizen participation as key in line with an efficient security architecture, the latter which was sorely tested by the jailbreak, Omodara had in an earlier address made available to THISDAY, said the governor recognises the need for sensitisation to guarantee the required support and confidence of the public towards strengthening internal security framework in the state.

Harping that the concrete programmes and policies embarked on by the government have been yielding the much desired results as the security situation in Kogi State today has improved tremendously as compared to what obtained in the past, he said in the last five years, the results speak for themselves, adding that by 2018, after about two years in the office, Kogi went from being a violent crime hub and the kidnap capital of Nigeria to the ‘second most peaceful state in the country’ and ‘the state with the second lowest crime statistics in Nigeria’ according to the rating agencies and law enforcement records.

Security is an important and critical element to the progress of any government or organisation as no valuable development can be achieved without adequate security. Kogi is no different and lessons learnt from this jailbreak all point to the fact that internal security should be continuously harmonised and upgraded.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Purple Concludes N5bn Sukuk Bond Issue, Achieves 100% Subscription Darasimi Adebisi Purple Urban Limited, a member of the Purple Group, has announced that it has concluded its Sukuk Bond privately issued to the investing public raising N5 billion.

The company in a statement said the bond issue, which opened and closed recently, was 100 per cent subscribed.

“With a maturity date of 1st September 2026, the Sukuk Bonds were issued to finance the construction of 94 out of 112 housing units in an urban residential development of mainly 4 bedroom semi-detached maisonettes and penthouses, as well as 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments just off Freedom Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria, “the company said.

It added that the lead arranger of the bond issue was CardinalStone Partners Limited, while Marble Capital Limited acted as a Joint Shariah Adviser alongside One17 Capital Limited.

“The Purple Urban Sukuk follows the Sukuk Al-Ijarah concept. The Sukuk Al-Ijarah (Lease) is a lease agreement in which the owner of a property transfers the legal right to use and derive profit from the property to another person, for an agreed period, at an agreed consideration. In this instance, for a 5 year period with an option for the lessee (musta’jir) to pay up the consideration (Ujrah) on a fixed term at an agreed return, “it added.

Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer, Purple Group, Mr. Olaide Agboola, said: “The Sukuk gave an avenue

for alternative funding, which we decided to explore. It’s no secret that the investor market has gone through some shocks with the effect of the global pandemic and other perceptions affecting investor confidence.

We found that the asset-backed nature and the flexibility of the Sukuk structure especially for real estate gave us the impetus to issue a Sukuk that would ensure investor comfort and confidence.

“As at today, it was 100 per cent subscribed, and the order book met our expectations. Considering the current economic climate, we think the Sukuk performed extremely well, as it gave investors an avenue to release funds for a world-class real estate development where the instrument can be properly secured.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

Ganduje Commends Crown Flour’s Donation of Irrigation Equipment to Female Wheat Farmers

Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

Dike Onwuamaeze

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Umar Ganduje, has commended the Crown Flour Mill Limited (CFM) for empowering women smallholder wheat farmers in the state with a donation of irrigation equipment meant to contribute to the realisation of Nigeria’s food security aspirations.

Ganduje, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment, Hon. Faruk Sule Garo, said that the gesture of the CFM would help sustain the livelihood Nigerian women and boost the country’s economy.

The irrigation equipment, which comprised mainly of a high-pressure water pumping machine, was recently presented

to the female farmers in Giyamusu, Ajingi LGA of the state.

The Wheat Development Programme Officer, CFM, Ms. Rauda Musa Umar, said that the organisation is committed to assisting the government to achieve its food security and economic diversification agenda.

Umar said: “We will keep providing the necessary farming support and modern agronomic capacity-building training to local wheat farmers to boost wheat farming practices and yields in the country. Our focus, of course, is food security and improving livelihoods.”

The President of Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Salim Saleh, described various intervention programmes implemented by CFM as laudable.

Saleh said: “The presentation of these farming equipment to our women will go a long way to boost the women farmers’ productivity and raise the economic contribution levels of the women.”

“Let me seize this opportunity to encourage other corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians, especially those operating in the agric value chain, to emulate CFM in developing and boldly executing impactful agricultural development programmes that will reverberate across the local landscape, ”he added.

Atika Shuaibu, who spoke on behalf of the women smallholder farmers, expressed appreciation for the delivery of the irrigation facility.

CAC to Curb Corruption with BOD Implementation Sunday Ehigiator In line with the commitment made by President Mohammadu Buhari during the London anti-corruption summit in 2016, the Registrar General and CEO of Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Garba Abubakar has disclosed that Nigeria has started the implementing of Beneficial Ownership Disclosure (BOD) aimed at curbing corruption in the country.

He also disclosed that the commission was also working

in collaboration with the Nigeria Identity-card Management Commission (NIMC) to integrate its system with NIMC’s database such that, for every individual that is going to be a shareholder, or a director, or trustee, of an incorporated trustee, the information will be validated from the NIMC database before we approved by CAC. He made this known while answering questions from journalists at a two-day advocacy and sensitisation dialogue themed; themed ‘The Anti-Corruption Potential of The Beneficial

Ownership Register’, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in Lagos.

According to him, the implementation of the BOD took this long to start because of the absence of a legal framework to back it up.

According to him, “The Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 was reenacted and it now provides for mandatory disclosure of persons with relevant control. The CAC is the agency responsible for giving effect to the provisions of this new law.

Chivita, HollandiaYoghurt Bags Marketing Edge Awards It was an evening of recognition and celebration at the recently held 2021 edition of the Marketing Edge Awards that saw two brands from the stable of CHI Limited honoured for delivering value to the market with effective marketing strategies guaranteeing leadership in their respective categories. The event, which is one of the biggest gatherings of brands and marketing industry stakeholders in Nigeria saw leading juice brand, Chivita emerge as the Outstanding Juice Brand of the Decade, while Hollandia

Yoghurt emerged as the Outstanding Dairy Brand of the Year.

According to the organizers of the award, the emergence of Chivita as Marketing Edge Outstanding Juice Brand of the Decade and Hollandia Yoghurt as the Outstanding Dairy Brand of the Year, is an attestation to the high equity which both brands have attained, as well as the splendid traction they have gained amongst Nigerians across varying demographics and geographies.

“Chivita and Hollandia Yoghurt

have continued to expand their coast and frontiers in the Nigerian FMCG eco-system. Indeed, both brands have maintained a domineering presence in the juice and dairy segment of the market.

The uniqueness of their offerings for families/kids, corporates and individuals, brand extension, effective route to market and brand building activities over the years, have continued to guarantee Chivita and Hollandia Yoghurt an unprecedented rise in brand equity and talk-ability,” the award organizers stated.

JANUARY 2021

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͷ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.82 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $71.17 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), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵, ͰͮͰͯ

Lagos Freeze Zone Company Raises N10.5bn 20-yr Infrastructure Bond Darasimi Adebisi Lagos Free Zone Company (LFZC), the first free zone in Nigeria with a fully integrated deep seaport, has successful issued N10.5 billion 20-Year Series 1 Senior Guaranteed Fixed Rate Corporate Infrastructure Bonds Due 2041 under a N50 billion Debt Issuance Programme.

LFZC is the infrastructure development subsidiary of the Tolaram, the Singaporean

conglomerate with more than 45 years of presence in Nigeria and business interests in consumer goods, infrastructure and fintech space.

Backed by an irrevocable and unconditional guarantee from InfraCredit, LFZC Series 1 Bond is accorded a ‘AAA’ long term credit rating by Agusto and Co. and GCR, reflecting the highest degree of creditworthiness for these bonds. The Series 1 Bond, a 20-Year Guaranteed Fixed

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Bond, was oversubscribed by institutional investors including eleven domestic pension funds, two insurance firms, banks and high networth individuals (HNIs). The transaction is the first 20-year non-FGN Bond issue in the Nigerian debt capital market and the first Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved infrastructure bond for the development of an industrial hub.

Commenting on the transac-

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

tion, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of LFZC, Mr. Ashish Khemka, said: “This is a milestone transaction for us at LFZC and it is a testament to the capacity of the Nigerian debt market as a veritable source of domestic capital for infrastructural development in Nigeria. The response to this bond programme further strengthens our commitment to realize our vision and thereby enhance Nigeria’s competitive

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

positioning with our continuous focus on Ease of Doing Business parameters. LFZ further underscores Nigeria as a compelling industrial hub within the West African coast and ideally orients itself in anticipation of the imminent single market regime under AfCFTA. We are particularly excited by the confidence demonstrated by pension fund managers and other institutional investors at

O F

this debut issue and we appreciate the team at InfraCredit, StanbicIBTC Capital and other parties to the transaction for this novel structure, which helps to de-risk the transaction and aligns the interest of different stakeholders”.

Also commenting, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of InfraCredit, Mr. Chinua Azubike, said: “It has been exciting working with LFZC on this landmark transaction.

1 4 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Friday, September 17, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell shedby24bps 14bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ƐŚĞĚ ϮϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89 ϭ͕ϲϮϵ͘ϱϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ pointsĚƵĞ dueƚŽ to ƐĞůů sell-pressure ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ on ŽŶ ZENITH GTCO (-0.6%), WAPCO (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͕ (-1.3%), ĂŶĚ and FBNH UBA (-0.7%).

(-1.3%). These These stocks cumula-

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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ASI upBourse Local 11bps Records as DANGCEM Losses...

Gains ASI3.3% down 15bps

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ sell pressure Yesterday, ƉƌŝĐĞ onƵƉƟĐŬ ETERNA (-9.4%), ŝŶ CUTIX ,KEz&>KhZ (-Ϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ (+9.8%), and WAPCO E' D (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ ĚƌŽǀĞ ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶĚ ůŽĐĂů & E, ďŽƵƌƐĞ (+0.7%) ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚ͘ bol ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ E'y ůů-Share stered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ the Index localdeclined bourse as15bps the Allto close Share at 38,911.31index points, YTD loss rose worsened to -3.4% by

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Price Change Index to Date

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,629.53

-0.24%

11.0%

63.0%

15.0%

3.5%

715.00

0.0%

28.7%

-16.1%

-16.1%

12.3%

4.4%

68.00

0.0%

10.8%

-12.1%

-12.1%

19.1%

11.2%

32.7x

6.2x

27.05

-0.6%

8.5%

-16.4%

-16.4%

24.8%

3.9%

4.1x

1.0x

11.1%

24.3% 31.4%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc 3 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC 5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.2x

P/BV

0.7x

5.6%

15.6%

2.2% 3.1%

23.65

0.0%

7.0%

-4.6%

-4.6%

21.8%

2.9%

3.2x

0.6x

12.7%

245.00

0.0%

6.6%

0.0%

0.0%

44.7%

17.5%

12.3x

5.3x

6.6%

8.1%

175.00

0.0%

5.5%

3.0%

3.0%

143.0%

12.4%

14.1x

17.8x

5.9%

7.1%

1,400.00

0.0%

4.0%

-7.0%

-7.0%

143.5%

17.1%

28.4x

48.6x

4.3%

3.5%

22.00

-2.2%

3.8%

4.5%

4.5%

9.9%

7.1%

9.9x

1.0x

4.5%

10.1%

18.3%

1.5%

2.5x

0.4x

9.1%

40.1%

2.1x

0.4x

7.2%

47.9% 28.6%

ǁŚŝůĞ 11bps to 39,550.36 ŵĂƌŬĞƚ points.ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ĚĞĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

9.30

0.0%

3.4%

10.1%

10.1%

േϮϵ͘ϳďŶ proved to to േϮϬ͘ϯƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ -1.8% while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

7.60

-0.7%

2.6%

-12.1%

-12.1%

7.50

-1.3%

2.8%

4.9%

4.9%

10.6%

1.0%

3.5x

0.4x

6.0%

12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

48.75

0.0%

1.9%

-12.9%

-12.9%

5.6%

2.2%

40.9x

2.3x

1.9%

2.4%

38.90

0.0%

2.2%

3.0%

3.0%

17.4%

2.1%

8.4x

1.3x

10.4%

11.9%

-5.9%

-2.5%

ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϳ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ ϱϮ͘Ϭй ƚŽ േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ϭϯϬ͘Ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ േϭ͘ϰďŶ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ value were ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ACCESS ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ;Ϯϰ͘ϴŵ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ UNIVINSURE The most (15.3m traded units), stocks and by volume ZENITHwere (8.5m dZ E^ KZW units) while ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ACCESS ;േϮϯϬ͘ϯŵͿ͕ & E, (11.1m ZENITH ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ;േϮϬϬ͘ϳŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ GTCO ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ;േϭϴϮ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ Bearish Sector Performance WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌͲ Bearish Sector Performance age as 4sectors indicesunder lost, 1our gained, while the AFR-ICT index Across coverage, performance was ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ Oil Gas 1and Consumer Goods indices led bearish as 4 indices&lost, index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ d ZE ;-ϵ͘ϰйͿ͕ down K E K ;-1.5%), er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance indices, 4.6% and E'^h' Z ;-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;-3.9%). Similarly, ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (the ĂŶŬŝŶŐ and Industrial Goods indices dipped 0.3% and 9.1%), hE/> s Z (-3.5%), >/E< ^^hZ (-6.4%), Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ & E, ;-1.3%), and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ h E ;-ϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ t W K ;-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Insuring indices fellĂŶĚ by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůance index was(-0.8%), the lone gainer, up 0.5% due to bargain ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ ^KsZ E/E ;нϰ͘ϮйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ er,

up

1.8%

driven

by

price

apprecia-

ƟŽŶ in E' D Investor ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ (+3.3%).

Investor ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϳdž ĂƐ 10 stocks advanced 16 stocks declined.

UNITYBNK /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ while ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ (+9.6%), FTNCOCOA (+8.7%), and CORNERST (+8.3%) led ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x the gainers while ETERNA (-9.4%), SCOA (-9.4%),stocks and ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ INTBREW (-4.0%) ledstocks the laggards. /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĮŶĂů ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐͲ advanced while 15 declined.

MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC 17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC

-19.3%

-19.3%

1.3%

11.7%

11.7%

710.00

0.0%

2.0%

76.5%

76.5%

3.1%

1.7%

-100.0%

7.4%

3.2%

T ic k er UN IT YB N K

0.9x

-13.3%

0.7x

5.7%

18.8x

0.6x

5.8%

5.3%

110.00

0.0%

1.1%

20.9%

20.9%

37.4%

23.6%

8.1x

2.8x

6.4%

12.3%

2.41

0.0%

0.7%

-4.4%

-4.4%

12.7%

1.2%

2.1x

0.3x

9.1%

47.8%

5.05

0.0%

0.6%

-15.8%

-15.8%

1.5%

0.1%

16.8x

0.2x

17.20

-0.6%

0.6%

-2.3%

-2.3%

25.6%

12.1%

6.6x

1.6x

8.7%

15.1%

2.97

0.0%

0.5%

-10.8%

-10.8%

1.50

1.4%

0.3%

-26.5%

-26.5%

8.9%

0.8%

3.8x

0.3x

3.3%

14.15

0.0%

0.4%

-2.4%

-2.4%

20.7%

5.9%

14.1x

2.9x

2.8%

7.1%

0.93

1.1%

0.4%

3.3%

3.3%

-1.3%

-0.3%

0.6x

1.1%

-2.3%

79.50

0.0%

0.3%

12.1%

12.1%

1.9x

2.7%

13.50

0.0%

0.2%

-2.9%

-2.9%

-6.2%

-4.1%

1.2x

5.80

-0.9%

0.2%

9.4%

9.4%

6.0%

5.1%

-5.1%

8.35

1.8%

0.4%

77.3%

77.3%

35.5%

4.2%

6.4x

2.1x

8.4%

0.0%

0.3%

57.9%

57.9%

1.7%

0.8%

52.0x

0.9x

1.5%

1.9%

6.70

0.0%

0.2%

14.5%

14.5%

24.7%

7.5%

3.3x

0.8x

8.0%

30.3%

21.6%

3.3%

4.0x

0.4x

0.95

-1.0%

0.2%

-15.9%

-15.9%

199.20

0.0%

0.3%

53.2%

53.2%

27.00

0.0%

0.2%

53.2%

53.2%

18.3%

2.4%

5.4x

0.76

0.0%

0.2%

10.1%

10.1%

11.7%

0.7%

-3.0%

0.0%

-100.0%

7.5%

-1.5%

0.2%

23.0%

23.0%

15.7%

24.8%

6.3x

2.1%

15.8%

0.9x

1.5%

18.4%

4.3x

0.5x

5.3%

23.2%

0.9%

5.4x

0.6x

5.2%

14.5%

2.6%

2.0x

0.3x

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-38.7%

-9.5%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

12.8%

8.7%

4.50

0.0%

0.0%

25.0%

25.0%

2.1x 5.4x

18.7% 51.0% -21.2%

0.7x

2.0%

18.4%

0.8x T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

0.57

9.6%

A C C ESS

24.8

0.0%

15.3

0.0%

F T N C OC OA

0.50

8.7%

UN IVIN SUR E

C OR N ER ST

0.52

8.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

8.5

0.0%

CHA M S

0.21

5.0%

GT C O

6.8

-0.6%

SOVR EN IN S

0.25

4.2%

J A P A ULGOLD

6.0

2.0%

J A P A ULGOLD

0.50

2.0%

F ID ELIT YB K

5.5

0.0%

UC A P

8.35

1.8%

WA P C O

4.6

-2.2%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.50

1.4%

M B EN EF IT

4.6

0.0%

T R A N SC OR P

0.93

1.1%

UB A

4.4

-0.7%

A F R IP R UD

6.15

0.8%

T R A N SC OR P

3.7

1.1%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

ET ER N A

6.52

-9.4%

A C C ESS

230.3

0.0%

SC OA

1.06

-9.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

200.7

0.0%

IN T B R EW

4.80

-4.0%

GT C O

182.8

-0.6%

H ON YF LOUR

3.91

-3.9%

SEP LA T

143.0

0.0%

UB N

4.85

-3.0%

WA P C O

101.8

-2.2%

22.00

-2.2%

F LOUR M ILL

96.6

0.0%

N EST LE

78.7

0.0%

WA P C O

26.5%

30.00

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

STOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Today, we expect the market

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

1.4%

0.0%

4.55

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

T ic k er

winds up.

-4.0%

0.0%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc

ƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ŝŶ BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers ƚŚĞ ĂďƐĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĐĂƚĂůLJƐƚ͘ while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season gradually

4.80 29.05

C UT IX

4.90

-2.0%

LIVEST OC K

2.10

-1.9%

T OT A L

69.8

0.0%

38.7

-0.6%

33.6

-0.7%

OA N D O

4.55

-1.5%

D A N GSUGA R

FB NH

7.50

-1.3%

UB A

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu| dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021• T H I S DAY

39

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 15Sept-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 160.05 161.39 -1.14% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.24% Nigeria International Debt Fund 314.67 314.67 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.79 110.84 -1.00% 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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.67% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.29 3.45 -3.27% info@anchoriaam.com 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 7.84% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.35 135.00 1.02% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 -15.90% 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 19.50 20.08 7.50% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 430.67 443.65 7.57% ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.10 -0.52% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.98 -7.10% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.26% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.24 106.24 4.45% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,034.32 1,034.32 3.43% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -7.27% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.12 2.16 -6.62% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.12% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.58% Paramount Equity Fund 16.47 16.78 3.00% Women's Investment Fund 136.66 138.23 2.69% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.58% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.07 119.84 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.09 108.09 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.26% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 6.36% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,155.75 1,173.26 0.37% 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 1,417.18 1,417.18 11.34% FBN Balanced Fund 190.96 192.20 1.75% FBN Halal Fund 112.80 112.80 9.91% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.71% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

126.94 158.15

126.94 3.44% 160.17 4.61% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 7.63% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 -2.33% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.17 153.44 -1.50% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.41% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.17% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.43 1.45 4.86% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,151.41 1,151.41 6.01% 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 11.40 11.44 8.85% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.13% 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 1.68 1.70 7.10% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.61 11.60 -4.57% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.46% PACAM Equity Fund 1.69 1.71 7.01% PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.21 115.16 3.10% 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 130.98 133.26 8.69% 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 1.05 1.05 10.04% 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 3,290.96 3,325.68 2.46% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.01 233.01 3.63% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 307.41 307.41 4.33% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 226.15 229.49 3.62% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.59% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,443.46 10,584.78 -0.52% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.85% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.64 115.64 4.11% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 103.77 103.77 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 2.29% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.72% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.42% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.16% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.32 120.32 5.12% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.70% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.25% 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 12.84 12.94 8.13% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.28 14.43 16.97% Zenith Income Fund 24.44 24.44 1.87% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.96%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.10

10.62% 5.15%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.34

13.44

0.94%

120.98 96.49 17.17 18.30

124.00 98.60 17.27 18.40

0.62% -2.75%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.85 5.47 17.39 1.00 19.50 155.91

3.89 5.55 17.49 1.00 19.70 157.91

1.91% -3.88% 7.16% 7.58% -4.96% -29.03%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

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.

40

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

TANZANIA PRESIDENT APPOINTS WOMAN AS DEFENCE MINISTER This week, Tanzania’s first female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, named a woman as defence minister — the latest in several appointments of women to top government posts.

The appointment came as part of the second Cabinet reshuffle Hassan has made since the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, earlier this year.

At the swearing-in of Stergomena Tax as Tanzania’s first female defence and national

service minister, Hassan said she made the choice to shatter the myth that women cannot serve in such a position.

“I have decided to break the longtime myth that in the defence ministry, there should be a man with muscles. The minister’s job in that office is not to carry guns or artillery,” Hassan said, adding that Tax’s main duty will be to coordinate and manage the administration of policies at the ministry.

Gender activists have welcomed the appointment but said more needs to be done to address the country’s gender equality gap.

Anna Henga, who heads the Legal and Human Rights Center, says there must be an amendment of laws such as the marriage act and the education act, laws that put women in low decision positions.

She added that the government should also allocate money through the Health

Ministry to educate people that women can also be leaders.

Analysts say an increase in women’s political representation at the national level does not automatically lead to women having more power in daily life, especially in highly stratified societies.

MACRON: ISIS LEADER IN SAHARA KILLED BY FRENCH TROOPS President Emmanuel Macron has said that the head of the Islamic State group in the Sahara has been killed by French troops.

Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi formed Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) in 2015. The group is blamed for most attacks in the region, including the targeted killing of French aid workers in 2020.

Mr Macron called Sahrawi’s death “another major success in our fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel.”

The Sahel is a vast, three million sq km (1.16 million sq miles) area that stretches across Africa south of the Sahara desert, from Senegal in the west to Somalia in the east.

Mr Macron did not disclose the location or any details of the operation.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly tweeted that Sahrawi died after a strike by France’s Operation Barkhane force, which fights Islamist militants in the Sahel, mostly in Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso.

She added that it was “a decisive blow against this terrorist group” and that the “fight continues.”

Sahrawi, who was born in the disputed territory of Western Sahara in 1973, had been a member of the Polisario Front, which

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

41

FOREIGN DESK is fighting for independence from Morocco.

He later joined al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and co-led Mujao, a Malian Islamist group responsible for kidnapping Spanish aid workers in Algeria and a group of Algerian diplomats in Mali in 2012.

Last August, Sahrawi personally ordered the killing of six French charity workers and their Nigerien guides and drivers, the French presidency said.

HAITI PM, SUSPECT IN ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT, REPLACES JUSTICE MINISTER Fresh turmoil hit Haiti’s government on Wednesday as Prime Minister Ariel Henry replaced his justice minister and a senior official stepped down, saying he could not serve a premier under suspicion in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Amid a brewing political crisis, Henry replaced Justice Minister Rockfeller Vincent with Interior Minister Liszt Quitel, who will take charge of both portfolios, according to a statement in Haiti’s official gazette.

The resignation of Renald Luberice, who served more than four years as secretarygeneral of Haiti’s Council of Ministers, came after new evidence emerged linking Henry to the former justice ministry official who investigators say is one of the main suspects behind Moise’s killing.

Prosecutors say phone records show the two spoke twice around 4 a.m. on July 7, just hours after Moise, 53, was shot dead when heavily armed assassins stormed his private residence.

Henry has denied any involvement in the murder, but he has not directly addressed the phone calls, and on Tuesday, he replaced Haiti’s chief prosecutor, who had been seeking to charge him as a suspect and ban him from leaving the country.

The premier last week dismissed attempts to interview him over Moise’s killing as politicking designed to distract him from the work at hand in the poorest country in the Americas, where power struggles have for decades hampered development.

In a letter shared on social media Wednesday, Luberice said he cannot serve someone who “does not intend to cooperate with justice, seeking, on the contrary, by all means, to obstruct it.”

CHINA ENVOY BANNED FROM VISITING UK PARLIAMENT The Speaker of the British House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, has banned China’s ambassador to Britain, Zheng Zeguang, from entering Parliament until Beijing lifts sanctions it imposed six months ago on five Conservative lawmakers and two peers.

The ban — the first ever imposed on a foreign envoy by a House of Commons Speaker — is the latest sign that British authorities are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as Beijing’s aggressive diplomacy.

Hoyle consulted with Downing Street and Britain’s Foreign Office before announcing the ban, according to local media reports.

His bar on Zeguang came just hours before British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed former trade minister Liz Truss as Britain’s new foreign secretary, part of a wider cabinet reshuffle. Truss is seen as a China hawk and has lobbied for much tougher measures to be pursued against China’s Communist government for rights violations.

MOST VALUABLE AFRICAN FOOTBALL CLUB WORTH €30M El Ahly SC from Egypt is the most valuable club in Africa for the 2021/22 season – valued at €30.75 million, according to data presented by Wette.de.

The African continent is a rich source of football talent that often ply their trade in the biggest football leagues around the world.

The professional leagues within Africa are also developing, with some African clubs reaching significant valuations.

Football is the most popular sport on the African continent, and the region has produced plenty of stars that showcased their talent in the most elite football leagues of Europe.

African nations also regularly qualify for the World Cup, more so than ever before in the continent’s sporting history.

In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host a World Cup. In a statement midweek Hoyle said: “I do not feel it’s appropriate for the ambassador for China to meet on the Commons estate and in our place of work when his country has imposed sanctions against some of our members.”

Last week Hoyle met with British lawmakers targeted by the Chinese sanctions. They urged him to impose a ban on the envoy.

The Chinese embassy in London described the prohibition on Zeguang as “despicable and cowardly.”

Zeguang, who was appointed as envoy in June, was scheduled to speak to a British parliamentary group on China, but the invitation was withdrawn.

SOMALI PRESIDENT SQUARES OFF WITH PRIME MINISTER, REDUCES POWER

In terms of club competition, the historic Egyptian club El Ahly SC was ranked as the most valuable club on the continent in 2021 with a valuation of €30.76m. El Ahly was established in 1907 and is Egypt’s most successful club with more than 40 Egyptian Premier League titles.

South African club Mamelodi Sundowns FC are the second most valuable team on the continent with a valuation of €21.3m.

Another Egyptian club, Zamalek SC, is the only other club to be valued above €20m and rounds out the top three.

South Africa had the most entries in the top 20 most valuable clubs of Africa, with six clubs on the list that have a combined market value of €82.12m. Algeria had the second-most teams on the list with five clubs for a combined valuation of €49.66m.

Egypt only had three clubs on the list but have a combined value of €70.73m – the second-highest among the countries.

Somalia’s president has announced the suspension of the hiring and firing powers of the prime minister during the Horn of Africa country’s slow-moving election period.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, commonly known as Farmajo, announced this via a Facebook post on Villa Somalia, the official presidential account. Farmajo accused Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble of making rash decisions, which he said: “could lead the country into [a] political and security crisis.”

Roble did not respond immediately to Farmajo’s statement. A source close to Roble told VOA’s Somali Service that he would “soon” share his views with the Somali people.

The two leaders’ relationship has grown increasingly strained over the case of missing intelligence officer Ikran Tahlil Farah, a young woman who disappeared on June 26.

CHINA, FRANCE ANGRY OVER US-UK DEFENCE PACT WITH AUSTRALIA Australia has signed a new security partnership with the United States and Britain to share defence technologies in what analysts say is an effort to counter the potential threat from China.

France President Emmanuel Macron has described the pact as a stab in the back as the country had initially been on the project. The US-UK pact with Australia will cost France millions of dollars.

British officials have stressed that the pact was not a response to one country, but analysts believe it is an unmistakable

sign of concern about China’s military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.

They have said it has highlighted the region’s strategic importance to both the United States and Britain.

The new pact was announced Wednesday during a virtual joint statement President Joe Biden made along with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

AFGHAN ENTERTAINERS FLEE TALIBAN VIOLENCE Afghan singers who escaped to Pakistan say they had no choice but to flee when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan.

The BBC spoke with six singers who crossed the border to Pakistan illegally and are now living in hiding. One said he feared he would be executed if he stayed in Afghanistan.

The Taliban have banned music and are accused of executing a folk singer in northern Baghlan province in August.

The militant group has not responded to the allegation.

Singer Fawad Andarabi’s son Jawad told the Associated Press that his father was shot in the head at the family’s farm in the Andarab valley.

Music had been banned under the previous Taliban regime, but business had been good since they were overthrown in 2001.

As the Taliban advanced across the country this year Khan and others were unconcerned; they believed that the militant group had changed and would allow them to continue their music-making.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

43

NEWS XTRA

New Loan Will Compound Nigerians’ Sufferings, FG Warned James Sowole in Abeokuta A former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Peter Akinola, yesterday warned President Muhammadu Buharii against obtaining further external loan, saying further loan would compound the sufferings of Nigerians.

Akinola, who is the founder of Peter Akinola Foundation for Youths Center, spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the graduation of 138 youths who have acquired skills in six different vocations.

He warned that no nation that desired to develop her manpower would continually rely on external loans, stressing that “a nation who goes aborrowing, goes asorrowing.

Borrowing is immoral”.

He said: “We are borrowing money to do what? The one they had borrowed before, what can they show to have done with it? If we can see the work of the money you had borrow no problem, but you borrow money and share among yourselves. It’s a crime against Nigerian people.”

While lamenting the spate of insecurity across the country, the former Anglican Primate declared that Nigeria may find it difficult to overcome challenges

of kidnapping and other vices if she failed to place high premium on engaging qualified Nigerian professionals for contracts which would in turn, lead to reduction

of unemployment in the society.

He said: “The beginning of the solution to the insecurity in the country is to begin to appreciate and put high

premium on what we have. If we don’t do that, 10 years from now, the Nigerian market will be overcrowded and the crime rate will continue to increase.

When you have trained people who have acquired skills, you won’t give them job to do and they will start roaming the street and commit crimes.

ADEDOYIN JOINS IPI…

Chairman, International Press Institute (IPI), Mr. Markus Spillmann (left), congratulating newly elected member of IPI, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin in Vienna…recently

Lawmakers Decry Buhari’s Northern Group Accuses Masari of Abandoning PDP Projects Violation of Federal Character Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has decried the violation of the principles of federal character

by President Muhammadu Buhari following the recent appointment of the Secretary and Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) from the same zone.

To this end, the House has advised the federal government to ensure it adheres to the principle of Federal Character.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary yesterday by Hon. Unyime Idem.

Idem, while moving the motion said in compliance with the resolution of the House dated February 25, 2020, the President had on April 28, 2020, appointed the Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission.

He said the current Secretary

of the Commission was appointed as a substantive Secretary to the Commission in March 2017, whose tenure was expected to end on April 7, 2021, but was re-appointed by the President on 7 April 2021 for a second term; Idem added: “Cognisant that the current Chairman of the Commission and the re-appointed Secretary are from the same Zone. Also cognisant that the Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaint Commission and secretary of the Commission are from the same part of the country.”

Idem said the FCC is one of the agencies of the federal government with the responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, and political positions at all levels of government.

...Seek FG’s Intervention on Herdsmen Invasion of Delta Communities Udora OrizuinAbuja The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to mobilise security personnel to dislodge the alleged invasion of Obiaruku communities in Delta State by suspected herdsmen, and also intensify efforts to ensure that peace is restored to the communities in the area.

The House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims of the killer herders.

The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored

by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai at the plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Ossai alleged that since the first week of

July 2021, suspected herdsmen have been invading, attacking and taking over communities’ farmlands and other landed property in Obiaruku, Umuebu, Eziopkor, Obinomba, Owah-Abbi, Ebedei and Umutu communities in Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency of Delta State.

According to him, the herdsmen barricaded the major entrance leading to communities’ farmlands, thereby depriving members of the communities from accessing their farms which is their main source of livelihood.

He lamented that women who venture to enter their farms are being raped on a daily basis by the herdsmen, who continue to destroy economic trees, farm produce and other staple crops such as yams, cassava, maize and vegetables.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has accused the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, of abandoning uncompleted projects initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state.

The group claimed that the state is suffering from numerous forms of backwardness ranging from insecurity, poverty, selfish leadership, mass joblessness,

economic hardship and infrastructural decay.

The North-west Coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in a statement issued yesterday titled: ‘Enough is Enough’, said: “As we are all aware, the state, as it stands today, is at a crossroads. The state is suffering from multiple problems, especially selfish leadership, poverty, insecurity, mass joblessness, economic hardship, infrastructural decay and all other

forms of backwardness.

“The Katsina State we used to live before is not the same we are living today. Our people are suffering; our people are becoming homeless, women and children are roaming our streets everyday in search of a daily bread. Our economy is dwindling, and unemployment is skyrocketing.

“Our dream of small London by 2030 has been shattered, uncompleted

structures constructed by previous government have been abandoned; our structures are becoming dilapidated; our roads becoming death trap, and all these are as a result of absence of leadership in the state.”

He explained that it was time for the youths in the state to develop an agenda to salvage the state from those he described as self-centred and incompetent leaders “that are ruining us by mortgaging our future.”

‘Nigerians are Dying from High Cost of Cooking Gas’

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Chairman of DAS Energy Services Limited, Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has decried the recent increase in the prices of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) also known as cooking gas, noting that it will add to the suffering of the downtrodden in the country.

He also warned that the initial objective of domestic

availability and preservation of the forest would be defeated if cooking gas goes beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians due to the current increment in prices of the commodity.

Onuesoke lamented that the price of refilling the 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder, which had been between N3, 200 and N3,500 for a very long time, has suddenly jumped to N6,500 and N26,000 respectively, adding

that refilling camping gas cylinder which was N1,500 is now N2,500.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain at a press conference in his office in Warri, Delta State, yesterday argued that the recent increase of prices of the product were outrageous, considering the current situation in the country.

Despite the abundant LPG reserves and gigantic

production plans, Onuesoke, who is also an oil and gas magnet, expressed dismay that a country so richly blessed in gas can be plagued by evils of skyrocketing prices.

He said: “According to a report by the NLNG, Nigeria is blessed with abundant reserves of both associated and non-associated gas, estimated to be in excess of 202 trillion standard cubic feet.”

New Anambra CP Vows to Sack Corrupt Police Officers David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tony Olofu, has warned that the command would not hesitate to sack police men involved in bribery.

Olofu in a maiden press conference with journalists in Anambra State urged members of the public to report police officers to the command if found to have indulged in

bribery for appropriate sanction.

The new police commissioner had assumed duty in the state about a week ago.

He said: “I am firm in my believe that every resident or visitor to Anambra State deserves to be treated decently in line with the policing principles handed down by the Inspector Generally of Police, Alkali Baba Usman.

“This command under my watch shall take drastic

measures in crime prevention across the state,” Olofu said.

He said his mission to the state was to rejig and stabilise the security architecture of the place to be able to fully reclaim the public space as well as maintain law and order.

Olofu acknowledged that there were major crimes in the state, including; armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, dispute over land; kingship tussles, boundary issues,

farmers/herders clashes, public disturbances, attack on unsuspecting members of the public, security personnel, government infrastructures and sundry offences.

He said: “I am not unmindful of other challenges bordering on professional misconduct on the part of our officers and men such as extortion, unlawful detention and incivility to members of the public among others.

2020 Flood: Niger Worse Hit, Says NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that Niger State was the worst hit by the 2020 flood, which ravaged most parts of the country with 32,557 farmers affected by the disaster.

The Director General of the NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, disclosed this in Minna yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello before the flag -off of distribution of farm inputs to those affected by the flood.

Ahmed said: “You will recall that during the 2020 flood disaster, NEMA staff was deployed to the field including to communities in Niger State that were affected by flood and other secondary hazards to undertake

damage and loss assessment in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

“A total of 32, 557 farmers were verified and are slated to benefit from the federal government agricultural inputs intervention for Niger State.”

He said that the NEMA decided to commence the

distribution of the materials for the North Central Zone from Niger state because of the level of impact the state suffered from flood.

He, however, lauded the “doggedness and unflinching commitment” of President Muhammadu Buhari, for placing priority and supporting small scale farmers.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Police Parade Notorious Kidnapper, Suspected Killers of Senator’s Son John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Police Command yesterday paraded two suspects in connection with the killing of Abdulkarim Na’Allah, son of Senator Bala Na’ Allah, representing Kebbi South senatorial Zone, Kebbi state.

The command also paraded Usman Abubakar, a notorious kidnapper terrorising Chukun, Igabi and Giwa LGAs of Kaduna State.

Abubakar is also said to have links with the recent abduction of students at Greenfield University, Bethel Baptist High School and the Federal School of Forestry Mechanization all in Kaduna.

The junior Na’Allah was killed on August 29, when the hoodlums entered his Malali GRA resident, Kaduna.

The suspects, Bashir Mohammed 22, and Nasir Salisu Balarabe 28, were said to have made away with some valuables, including a Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle belonging to the deceased.

They were said to have sold the vehicle at the cost of N1million in Niger Republic.

Parading the suspects at a news briefing, spokesman of the

command, Mohammad Jalige, said the two principal suspects in the killing of Na’Allah were arrested following investigations by the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB).

He said the suspects sold the deceased car in Niger Republic for N1million and shared the money among themselves.

Jalige said one of the suspects is an immediate neighbour to

the deceased.

He said: “On getting the report of the unfortunate incident the Command immediately ordered for a fullscale investigation to be

carried out by the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) to unravel the circumstances of the dastardly act.”

According to him, the investigation has yielded a

positive result with the arrest of the principal suspects as one Bashir Mohammed who happened to be the immediate neighbour to the deceased and Nasir Salisu Balarabe.

SUPER TV/MTN PARTNERSHIP…

L-R: Chief Technology Officer, Super TV, Mr. Rahman Saliu; General Manager, Digital Services, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Aisha Mumuni; Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Super TV, Mrs. Ijeoma Onah, and Chairman, Super TV, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman during the launch of Super TV/MTN partnership in Lagos…recently ABIODUN AJALA

IMF, WHO Worry over Non- I am Hale and Hearty, Says EFCC Boss attainment of 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Target Goddy Egene

Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja International Monetary Fund, (IMF), World Bank Group and World Health Organisation taskforce on deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, has lamented that unless urgent steps were taken, the world was unlikely to achieve the 2021 target of vaccinating at least 40% of the population in all countries.

The concern came just as the heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation met with the Chief Executive Officers of leading vaccine manufacturing companies to discuss strategies to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines, especially, in low and lower middle-income countries and in Africa.

A statement issued Thursday evening by the WHO, said the taskforce has expressed concerns

that without urgent steps, the world was unlikely to achieve the end-2021 target of vaccinating at least 40% of the population in all countries.

It said the attainment of the set target was a critical milestone to end the pandemic and for global economic recovery.

The Task Force members noted that, despite adequate total global vaccine production in the aggregate, the doses were not reaching low- and lower middle-income countries in sufficient amounts, resulting in a crisis of vaccine inequity.

The Taskforce, therefore, appealed to countries that have contracted high amounts of vaccine doses, and vaccine manufacturers, to come together in good faith to urgently accelerate COVID-19 vaccine supplies to COVAX and AVAT, two multilateral mechanisms that were crucial for equitable distribution of vaccines.

Eleven in EFCC Net for Alleged Internet Fraud Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arrested 11 suspects for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The Media and Publicity Head of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement Thursday, revealed that the suspects were arrested at Ozuobo Area, off NTA Road, in Obio/Abio, Rivers State.

According to the Commission, the suspects are “Chidindu Michael, Timothy Emmanuel, Nweke Joseph Jeff, Francis David, Pedro Enuaghanam Nnaemeka, Promise Amesi,

David Eke and Michael Okoroah.

Others are David Achi, Justic Arugba and Collins Wedeh.

Uwujaren further disclosed that the suspects were arrested through surveillance and verified intelligence on their suspicious internet- related criminal activities.

Items recovered from them include: one wine- coloured Lexus ES 350 car, six Plasma Television laptops sets, three, ten( 10) mobile phones of different brands, one LG Home Theatre, one black and red Boom Speaker, one Hisense Speaker, one Hisense Sound Bar, 5 Automated Teller Machine( ATM) cards of different banks and two Apple wrist watches.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, yesterday said he was well and in good shape after feeling unwell at an event in Abuja.

Bawa, was reported to have slumped at the event organised by

the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). However, speaking on the what happened, the EFCC boss said while giving his goodwill message during the progamme, there was a bit of dizziness on him, and he had to excuse himself from the stage.

“Of course, I went straight to the hospital where the doctors

confirmed to me that everything about me is ok, except for the fact that I am a bit dehydrated, and I need to take a lot of water,” he said, adding that he went straightaway from the hospital to his office to tidy up some things after which he headed home.

Bawa thanked Nigerians for their prayers and good wishes,

saying their actions meant a lot and have become a source of inspiration for him to forge ahead.

Before the incident, the EFCC boss was delivering a speech titled, ‘Importance of Digital Identification’ in commemoration of the National Identity Day when he was said to have become emotional suddenly.

Kogi Killings: Indigenes Call for Gov’s Intervention Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Worried by incessant communal clashes and breach of peace in Bagana and its environs, the people of Bagana community have called on Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, for his intervention save them from extermination.

This was contained in a

petition written to the acting Inspector General of Police AIG Zone 8 and Kogi State government, which was signed

by Mr. Ismaila Umar, urged the governor to use his good office to rescue the town from the land grabbers, allegedly using militiamen to kill and destroy the properties of the people.

Bagana is a riverine

community located on the northern part of Omala Local Government Area (OLGA) and bounded by Benue and Nasarawa States.

The petition alleged that heavily armed militias with sophisticated weapons would come to the community to kill, harass and intimidate the people on invitation

of some persons come. It alleged that militias from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State would attack their communities and cause the death of hundreds of people and destruction of properties worth millions of Naira while those who survive their brutal attacks would flee to neighbouring communitie.

Gbajabiamila Seeks More Women Participation in Politics Gbajabiamila, in his remarks for Legislative & Democratic start paving the path towards

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said there is need to pave the path for a more equal, safer and inclusive Nigeria where women can optimally and effectively contribute their own quota to leadership at every level.

yesterday at an intergenerational consultative and strategic dialogue titled, “Paving the Path: Forum for Women’s Participation in Political Leadership in Nigeria; Past, Present and Future, organised by the House Committee on Women’s Affairs in collaboration. She is doing it at the ElectHER, National Institute

Studies (NILDS), with support from the Office of the Speaker, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada, USAID, and UN Women, who charged women to come out to seek political offices as power is never served a la carte, said.”

“We have gathered here to

ensuring that our society is more equal; that our women and girls can play their rightful role in decision-making in any level of political leadership they aspire to in our country; and they can do so, without the fear of violence, intimidation or discrimination on the basis of their gender.

Igbo Group Condemns IPOB’s Forced Sit-at-home Order Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja A pan-Igbo group, Igbonine Sociocultural Organisation(ISO) has flayed the sit-at-home order allegedly declared by separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that has led to the

loss lives, the shutting down of businesses, banks, schools and markets in the past seven days.

At a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, the President General, Igbonine, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, said the forced order was destroying

Igbo enterprise and causing economic hardship and ruin to the businesses of their people, who were losing income on a daily basis in spite of their enterprise and acknowledged dynamism.

He warned that South-east

zone can no longer continue on the voyage of self-destruction and cutting off its nose in order to spite the face.

He said there would be more hunger and poverty if businesses were not allowed to thrive in the zone.

Adedoyin, 15 Others Elected to World IPI Board

Nigeria’s Raheem Adedoyin was on Thursday elected alongside 15 others to the governing board of the 70-year-old International Press Institute (IPI) in Vienna. Adedoyin, chairman of the editorial board of The Herald newspapers and Secretary of of the IPI Nigeria

chapter, was elected unopposed to the board of the prestigious body that focuses exclusively on press freedom and welfare of journalists across the world.

Adedoyin succeeds the late Wada Maida, the publisher of People’s Daily. Maida had succeeded Kabir

Yusuf, the publisher of Daily Trust. The election was held at the 70th General Assembly of IPI holding in Austria, with at least 200 member journalists, some of whom virtually tuned in to the event worldwide.Other newly elected IPI board members are

Walid Batrawi (Palestine); John Daniszewski (USA); Marton Gergely (Hungary); Emre Kizilkaya (Turkey); Elizaveta Osetinskaya (Russia); Etaf Roudan (Jordan); Hiroki Sugita (Japan); Jussi Tuulensuu (Finland); and Sami Zeidan (Qatar).

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NEWS XTRA

Ekiti Denies Administering Spoilt COVID-19 Vaccines on Citizens Says 117,000 have been Injected

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Commissioner for Health in Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, has dispelled the rumour that the Moderna vaccines being administering on residents to curtail the spread of Covid 19 virus have spoilt due to epileptic power supply.

Revealing that a total of 117,000 residents had taken the vaccines, Filani described as unfounded , the rumour claiming that COVID-19 vaccines in Ekiti State have spoilt as a result of lack of electricity supply.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti

yesterday, the commissioner, said the Ekiti State Ministry of Health would like to state clearly that this statement was not only false and unfounded, but also meant to misinform the general public.

He said the available COVID-19 vaccines were delivered to the State in good condition, adding that the vaccines are being stored in the State Cold Store in line with the appropriate guidance and requirements on vaccine handling and storage.

He stated that Moderna vaccine is currently stored at a temperature of -43.2-degree

Celsius.

“The State Cold Store is equipped with 24/7 power supply to maintain the potency of the vaccines. The State has also trained, motivated and deployed 92 vaccination teams comprising 582 persons, to ensure accurate movement and administration of vaccines.

“During vaccination campaigns, vaccines are moved from the State Cold Store in Cold Chain Boxes to maintain the optimum temperature. We have continued to ensure that these vaccines are transported within the recommended temperature range.

Kano Assembly Approves Ganduje’s N4bn Loan Request for Power Project Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State House of Assembly has granted the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, an additional N4 billion loan for a power project in the state.

THISDAY gathered that the governor had transmitted a letter to the Assembly seeking approval for the loan to finance the final phase of Challawa-Goje and Tiga Hydro Electric Power

Project.

“This is because the earlier N10 billion loan obtained was inadequate for the completion of the projects, and considering the present economic challenge and naira exchange rate variation. And the projects are dollar-dependent; that’s why we requested an additional N4 billion to complete the projects,” the governor stated in a letter.

Ganduje in the letter explained that the State

Executive Council at its meeting on October 6, 2020, deliberated on the projects and approved an additional N4 billion loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Power and Aviation Intervention Fund at its completion Adopting the motion to the Assembly, the Majority Leader, Mr. Labaran Abdul Madari, during the plenary, explained that the Assembly unanimously approved the request.

Bauchi Appoints New Head of Service, 22 Perm Secs Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna as the new Head of Civil Service of the state.

Similarly, the governor has also approved the appointment of 22 new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.

The appointment of Haruna followed the retirement of the state Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Aliyu Jibo. Prior to Jibo’s

retirement, the governor had approved his confirmation as the substantive Head of Civil Service with effect from April 1, 2021.

According to a statement issued and signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the governor, Mukhtar Gidado, which was made available to journalists last Wednesday night, the governor thanked the outgoing Head of Civil Service, Jibo, for his invaluable contributions to the development of the state civil

service, and wished him well in his future endeavour.

The newly appointed Head of Civil Service, Adamu, hails from Ningi Local Government Area of the state. He attended the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, where he graduated in Economics. He also holds a Master degree in Agric-economics from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU) Bauchi, and a Master degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Bayero University, Kano, (BUK).

Oyetola Calls for Strengthening of Textile Industry Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has described textile industry as a strong commercial sector that can play a significant role in the country’s economic development.

He said the sector needed to be developed for it to play a significant economic role in attracting foreign investment and generating employment for the citizenry of the state.

The governor disclosed this through his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, during an engagement meeting with the state Textile Dealers at the Centre of Civic Engagement, Osogbo, the state capital.

Oyetola noted that it was in the

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to notify the general public that WILLIAMS OGHENETEGA HARLEY and WILLIAMS TEGA HARLEY is the same person, and now wish to be known as WILLIAMS TEGA HARLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

realisation of historical economic benefits of the sector that his administration has been putting in place necessary infrastructures and enabling environment for not only the textile industry, but also for other sectors of economic importance to thrive.

He said: “We cannot underplay

the pivotal role the sector played in stemming the tide of unemployment between late 1950s and early 1990s, and this has precipitated the efforts of the current administration to make this sector thrive among many others for sustainable socioeconomic development.

Health Group Reconstitutes BoT, Pledges Unity Among Members Ugo Aliogo and Loveth Chinagorom In a unanimous decision, the President of KeepFit International Club, Mr. Christopher Adiorah, and other members of the club yesterday dissolved the former Board of Trustees (BoT) setup by a few disgruntled members, and reconstitute a new BoT, stating that the former BoT didn’t have the backing of the club and didn’t follow due process.

He also noted that the club remains united despite the activities of some individuals, “who are causing nuisance to the growth and success of the club.”

Adiorah, who disclosed this yesterday in Surulere, Lagos, during an emergency meeting with members, said the issue of some KeepFit members trying to run another parallel BoT against the constituted BoT has been going on for three years.

He stated though there have been efforts to resolve the differences that existed to ensure that they remained united, some disgruntled members saw it as a sign of weakness, and decided to take their own decisions, and “they didn’t only take their own decisions, but also we went ahead to overthrow the elected executives.”

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Health Benefits of Saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ By: Karima Burns/IslamiCity/The Modern Religion

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here are many examples in the Qur’an and Hadith of the virtues of a positive mental attitude, perseverance and optimism in the face of adversity.

However, did you know that patience and a positive outlook on life are two of the greatest healing tools that you can use?

The Qur’an (2:155) says, “Give glad tidings to those who exercise patience when struck with adversity and say, ‘Indeed, we belong to God and to Him is our return.’ Such ones receive [the] blessings and mercy of their Lord, and such are the guided ones.” According to the findings of modern science, it appears that this mercy may often come in the form of improved health.

Bernard Jensen says, in his book The Science and Practice of Iridology, “The doctor of the new day will recognize that a man’s most important workshop is not the physical body, but the mind that controls it.” Dr. Ted M. Morter confirms this in his book, Your Health... Your Choice, when he says that “negative thoughts are the number one acid producer in the body (and high body acidity levels are a major cause of disease) because your body reacts to negative mental and emotional stress brought about by thought the same way it reacts to ‘real’ threats of physical harm.”

In fact, hospital studies show that, of all the patients who consult outpatient clinical facilities in the United States, an astounding seventy percent are found to have no organic basis for their complaint. That figure is amazingly high.

However, although medically these patients are not found to have an obvious organic source for their complaints, there actually is a physical basis for this phenomenon. Since Freud popularized the idea of psychoanalysis, people have often focused exclusively on the mental realm to solve certain problems, forgetting that we cannot separate the physical and mental realms.

The mind is in the brain, and the brain is an organ. Like all other organs, it feeds from the same pool of nutrients that other body organs feed from and is susceptible to all of the same problems. Ultimately, the brain is just a part of our body like all of the other parts and is completely dependent on the body. It requires sugar to develop energy unlike other tissues that can develop it from potassium and fats. Consequently, it is the first organ to suffer from low blood sugar and it reacts most severely. Freud himself said that psychoanalysis was not suitable for treating diseases such as schizophrenia, and he postulated that their causes eventually would be found to be biochemical.

If we keep in mind that the brain is an organ and that it works in harmony with the other organs and feeds from the same bloodstream, we can understand how various mental events can affect us physically. For example, simply using our brains to think and study burns up nutrients in our system, particularly phosphorus.

Heavily exercising the brain can cause us to suffer from a phosphorus deficiency. And

we find that the reverse is also true in this relationship. People who have high intellectual capacity usually have high levels of phosphorus in their system.

There is much wisdom in the Prophet’s (SAW) statement (narrated by Abu Huraira), “The strong [person] is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong [person] is the one who controls himself while in anger.” In fact, staying patient and calm is key to physical strength.

Phosphorus is not the only nutrient that can be depleted by mental stress and a lack of spiritual calm. If the thyroid gland, the primary organ to handle our emotions, works overtime, we can suffer from a deficiency in iodine. Stress from a demanding job, a divorce or relocating can cause a loss of potassium and sodium in the body because it effects the adrenal glands creating more of a need for these minerals.

Even hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be caused by excitement. The prophet (SAW) recommended our taking the more moderate path in life; however, we often engage in or expose ourselves to intense excitement by yelling, excessively watching television, and going to the mall, movies, parties, amusement parks, etc. When we see something exciting, our adrenal cortex is stimulated and there is an increase in our blood sugar. This, in turn, stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin into the blood to lower the sugar level, causing us to then feel tired or weak.

It produces calm and health to practice saying, “Alhamdulillah” for what we have and for what we are faced with. We should try to keep our home and work environments peaceful and as free from stress as possible. One way we can counteract the effects of stress are to simply be aware of the stress we are encountering, and to consume sufficient nutrients and supplements such as herbs.

For instance, if a person is up late praying or reading Qur’an during Ramadan, they can eat phosphorus rich foods and those that will help them maintain their phosphorus intake.

If a person is moving, traveling or making Hajj or Umra, they may want to increase their intake of foods high in potassium and sodium as well as vitamin B complex.

If we completely ignore the relationship between mental and physical health, we are missing an important detail in the picture of personal health. And, as in most health problems, practicing prevention is superior to finding a cure. Therefore, the best manner to avoid having negative attitudes and emotions control our bodies is simply to practice the wisdoms that we have been given throughout the Qur’an and Hadith.

We should say, “Alhamdullilah” for what we have; “Insha’Allah” for what we intend; and, “Subhana’ Allah” when we see something exciting or amazing. We should remember to say, Astaghfir’Allah” when we lose our tempers or become weak, and most importantly, “Allahu Akbar” when we are faced with the challenges of life. These five phrases, said regularly, are like taking a multi-vitamin for holistic health.

Be Good Even if You Don’t Receive Good By: Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim/IslamiCity

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his is a beautiful advice by the great scholar Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya (rahimahullah): “A friend will not (literally) share your struggles, and a loved one cannot physically take away your pain, and a close one will not stay up the night on your behalf.

So look after yourself, protect yourself, nurture yourself and don’t give life’s events more than what they are really worth. Know for certain that when you break no one will heal you except you, and when you are defeated no one will give you victory except your determination.

Your ability to stand up again and carry on is your responsibility. Do not look for your self-worth in the eyes of people; look for your worth from within your conscience. If your conscious is at peace then you will ascend high and if you truly know yourself then what is said about you won’t harm you.

Do not carry the worries of this life because this is for Allah. And do not carry the worries of sustenance because it is from Allah. And do not carry the anxiety for the future because it is in the Hands of Allah.

Carry one thing: How to Please Allah. Because if you please Him, He Pleases you, fulfils you and enriches you.

Do not weep from a life that made your heart weep. Just say, “Oh Allah compensate me with good in this life and the hereafter.”

Sadness departs with a Sajdah. Happiness comes with a sincere Du’a. Allah Does Not forget the good you do, nor Does He Forget the good you did to others and the pain you relieved them from. Nor Will He Forget the eye which was about to cry but you made it laugh.

Live your life with this principle: Be good even if you don’t receive good, not because for other’s sake but because Allah Loves those who do good.”

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FRIDAYSPORTS

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

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Moroccan players celebrating upsetting Cameroon at the ongoing Aisha Buhari Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos... yesterday

Morocco Upset Cameroon in the Battle of Lionesses in Lagos

A brilliant goal by Fatima Tagnaout 13 minutes from time separated Cameroon and Morocco in the second match of the maiden edition of Aisha Buhari Invitational

Women’s Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Both Lionesses were matched in all aspects for large swathes of the game,

Banyana Banyana Coach Thumbs up Onikan Stadium Turf Banyana Banyana of South Africa Head Coach, Desiree Ellis has said that her girls are set to fire on all cylinders in the Aisha Buhari Cup after having a feel of the Onikan Stadium turf constructed by Monimichelle Group.

Ellis would lead her team out against Ghana this afternoon in what would be their first game of the six-nation tournament.

The coach who spoke ahead of the match was full of praise for organizers of the tournament and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing facilities that are top notch.

She said the Onikan Stadium turf is something she has fallen in love with declaring that her girls would enjoy themselves on the field.

In her words: “The facilities here are top class. The grass is so beautiful. This is unarguably the best pitch I have played on here in Nigeria…so I am very excited about this. We have enjoyed ourselves since

arriving Lagos and we hope to have a good tournament here.”

South Africa no doubt would pose the biggest threat to the Super Falcons in the tournament which started on a fantastic note on Wednesday with the host Nigeria cruising to a 2-0 victory over Mali.

The Monimichelle Group which constructed the Onikan Stadium turf also constructed the Enyimba Stadium in Aba where the two -time African champions have in the last couple of years been playing their continental games.

The Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Ebi Egbe, has always made it clear that the vision of his company is to eradicate bad football pitches in Nigeria and Africa as well as change the face of stadium facilities in the continent.

He’s presently constructing three turfs in prime locations around the country to bring the number of football pitches having his trademark quality to 11.

with the North Africans showing both power and athleticism on similar scale as can be found in subSaharan teams.

Goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi and defenders Zineb Redouani, Nahla Nakkach and Sabah Seghir stood firmly between the France 2019 World Cup finalists and any goal, before the nimble-footed Tagnaout showed much calmness

AISHA BUHARI CUP in picking her spot on a counter attack to put the more experienced Lionesses to the sword.

Cameroon reached the final of the Women African Cup of Nations the country hosted in 2016 (losing the trophy to Nigeria) and featured at the FIFA World Cup finals in

France, but that did not matter to the Moroccan girls as they went tacklefor-tackle in the evening sun.

Bella Rose, who plays for Malabo King in Equatorial Guinea, brought the crowd to its feet after the quarter-hour when she targeted the near post after beating two opponents on the edge of the penalty box.

The ball rocked the crossbar

and went out.

Tagnaout, Ghizlane Chebbak, Chhri Ghizlane, Redouani and Salma Amani all showed flashes of brilliance in a match officiated by Zouwaira Souley Sani from Niger Republic.

Today, Ghana’s Black Queens and the Banyana Banyana of South Africa will square up on Match-day 3 of the tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the Lagos Island.

A'Ibom Billionaire Promises Akwa Utd $20,000 to Beat Algerian Club Okon Bassey in Uyo An International Businessman from Akwa Ibom State, Akan Udofia has promised Akwa United FC $20,000 if they beat Algerian Champions, CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary round match in Algiers this weekend.

Udofia, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Desicon Engineering Limited made the promise yesterday in Uyo while redeeming a pledge of N5million to the club for scoring five goals in their last NPFL match against MFM FC of Lagos last month.

He had promised to give the team one million for each goal scored against MFM FC in the game played at the Godswill Akpabio

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE International Stadium which the home side won 5-2.

He commended the team's effort last season which saw them emerge champions of the NPFL for the first time in the team's 25 years history, adding that the team deserves every support and encouragement to do more.

"I am proud of Akwa United, much more proud to be an Akwa Ibomite. I have been following your activities online and when I saw that Akwa United needed a win or draw in their last home match of the season to win the league I decided to come up with cash incentive to encourage and motivate the boys.

"Your achievement

epitomized the can-do spirit of an Akwa Ibom person. You have made the state proud and that's why I identified with you, to show my little support and to encourage you to do more." The Philanthropist said.

He also congratulated the team for winning their first CAF Champions League match, presented another N1million to the team while members of his AK-Prosperity Team donated N2.2million to the team.

To encourage the team ahead of their trip to Algeria Udofia also promised to give the team $20,000 if they beat CR Belouizdad in Algiers on Sunday September 19.

"If you go to Algeria and win, as you will be coming

back, twenty thousand dollars will be waiting for you courtesy of me and my team, the prosperity group."

He announced.

Responding on behalf of the club, the Chairman of the team, Elder Paul Bassey expressed gratitude to Obong Akan Udofia for his kind gesture and thanked him for identifying with the team.

He appealed to other wellmeaning Akwa Ibomites to support the effort of the state government to make the team succeed.

Udofia had in 2017 offered the Super Eagles $20,000 for every goal scored in a FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in Yaounde.

The match ended 1-1 and the money promised was given to the team.

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SPORTS Victor Osimhen (right) was the hero of the night as Napoli came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Leicester

RESULTS Leicester 2-2 Napoli Galatasaray 1-0 Lazio L’Moscow 1-1 Marseille Midtjylland 1-1 Ludogorets Zbvezda 2-1 SC Braga Leverkusen 2-1 Ferencvaros R’Betis 4-3 Celtic D’Zagreb 0-2 West Ham R’ Vienna 0-1 Genk HJK 0-2 LASK Monaco 1-0 Sturm Graz PSV 2-2 R’Sociedad E’Frankfurt 1-1 Fenerbahce

EUROPA LEAGUE

Osimhen’s Brace Rescue Point for Napoli at Leicester, Ndidi Sees Red Onuachu wins for Genk, Balogun, Aribo in action as Rangers fall at home

Femi Solaja

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen was the hero of the night as his brace rescued Napoli from the jaw of defeat at the King Power Stadium where they secure valuable 2-2 draw against former Premiership Champions, Leicester City.

Nigeria’s midfield strongman, Wilfred Ndidi got sent off for a second booked infraction on a night the Foxes squandered a two-goal lead.

The attacking duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Paston Daka started well but Leicester gave up the two-goal lead as Osimhen double secured the well-earned draw for Napoli in yesterday’s Europa League opener.

Leicester began the night brightly, and after Harvey Barnes came close to netting an early goal, Ayoze Perez did manage to find the back of the net, thundering home from a cross inside the first ten minutes.

With the defeat, Legia Warsaw are top of the group on three points with both Napoli and Leicester on one apiece. Legia won 1-0 at Spartak Moscow yesterday thanks to Lirim Kastrati's injury-time strike.

The Foxes go to Legia on Thursday, 30 September for their second game of the group.

Elsewhere, another Super Eagles forward, Paul Onuachu, scored the lone winning goal in added time as Belgian side Genk secured a 1-0 away victory at Austrian club Rapid Vienna in their Europa League clash at the Allianz Stadion last night.

Onuachu scored in the 92nd minute after he was set up by Junya Ito to hand the Belgian Pro League side all three points in the Group H encounter.

Nigerian-born forward Ike Ugbo was unused substitute for the Smurfs in the game.

The story was however a sour one for Nigerian duo of Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo who played all 90 minutes as Glasgow Rangers lost 0-2 at home to visiting Lyon.

Karl Toko Ekambi scored the winning goal in the 23rd minutes to earn the French team all three valuable away points in Scotland.

At the RZD Arena, substitute Faustino Anjorin was on target in Locomotiv Moscow’s 1-1 home draw against French club Olympic Marseille.

Cengiz Under’s own goal put Marseille in front a minute before the hour mark.

Anjorin, who replaced Rifat Zhemaletdinov in the 63rd minute equalised for the hosts a minute from time to save the Russian club’s blushes.

In another Group H

encounter played at the MCH Arena, Raphael Onyedika put up a fine performance in Midtylland’s 1-1 home draw against Bulgarian club Ludogorets. Onyedika, who was in action for 90 minutes in the game was cautioned in the 85th minute.

English Premier League side, Tottenham came from behind to draw 2-2 their Europa Conference League opener at Rennes.

Nigeria Golf Network Debuts Nigeria’s first national golf magazine ever, the Nigeria Golf Network, will make its debut on Tuesday, September 21.

The magazine which shall be published every fortnightly is a project of a member of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.

The magazine shall be edited by the nation’s foremost golf writer, Tony Akhigbe.

Runsewe, who is equally the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture disclosed that he embarked on this lofty project because in all his travels to golf destinations across the world, he had observed golf clubs owning house journals and several golf publications on newsstands only to discover that Nigeria has none.

He even mentioned that this was appalling given the fact that South Africa has over 25 weekly magazines on golf alone.

Runsewe however promised that Golf Networkwhich will be an all-colour 48-page package shall at once strive to amuse and educate golfers and non golfers on this great game of golf.

He said the stories that shall

be published in the magazine will be honest and heartfelt and it will also play well to the readers.

Even though the magazine will immediately be on selected newsstands, all efforts have been geared towards getting it across all over 150 golf clubs in Nigeria and selected ones abroad.

“The magazine shall also be in major hotels, federal

ministries, libraries and airports across the nation and to other hands largely by subscriptions’’, Runsewe disclosed. ‘’It is clear that this publication shall provide great fun every fortnight. Moreover, it shall serve as one vehicle that will drive the nation’s golf consisting of over three million golfers to the hearts of other golfers across the globe’’.

Paul Onuachu scored winner as Genk defeated Rapid Wien 1-0 ...yesterday

South West Athletics Association Set to Unveil Programmes Meets Friday and Saturday in Lagos The South West Athletics Association (SWAA) said yesterday that it will soon unveil its programme of activities for the zone following the election of Lagos Athletics Association Chairman, Dr Solomon Alao as its new representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Dr Isaac Ogada, chairman of Oyo State Athletics Association who is also the Secretary of SWAA said a meeting of the association has been fixed for this weekend to formally introduce

the new zonal representative on the executive board of the AFN who will automatically become the chairman of the association.

“The meeting of the South West Athletics Association will hold this Friday and Saturday (September 17 and 18 respectively) at the conference room of CIDL group headquarters in Anthony, Lagos where Dr Alao will formally be presented as our zonal Djokovic representative on the board of the AFN and as the chairman

of the association.

“The programme of activities for the development of athletics in the South West will also be finalised,” Dr Ogada said in a statement.

The South West Zonal Director of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Femi Ajao will be the special guest at the two-day meeting which will be preceded by a media briefing at the conference room of CIDL group headquarters in Anthony, Lagos ,starting from 4pm.

Nigeria's first individual track and field medalist and the only athlete to win two medals at the same edition of the quadrennial games, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya who is the chairperson of Ogun State Athletics Association is among the members of the executive board of the association expected at the meeting.

Also expected is Mr Samuel Fatunla, a respected track and field statistician and a recognised member of Association of International Track and Field Statisticians.

TR

Friday September 17, 2021

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MISSILE S’West PDP to APC “It is gross incompetence on the part of the Buhari-led APC Federal Government that Nigeria has become a graveyard. Between 2015 and now, more than 20,000 Nigerians have lost their lives due to the inability of the government to protect the lives and property of the citizens, ranging from jihadist Fulani herdsmen to Boko Haram to bandits/highway kidnappers” – South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, lamenting the spate of wanton killings by terrorists in the country.

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26 years

AKINOSUNTOKUN Yoruba Don’t Like One Another DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

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s a Nigerian ideological statement, the prioritisation of the politics of consumption over the politics of development gathered momentum in the wake of the Action Group crisis and the supremacist struggle that ensued between the late Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola in the 1960s. Awolowo vacated office as Premier of the Western region in 1959 to seek the position of the Prime Minister of Nigeria and was succeeded by Akintola. After an unsuccessful run he settled into office as the leader of opposition in the Nigerian Parliament. He rose to this platform in his capacity as the leader of the Action Group (AG), the dominant party in the Western Region. There was therefore the need to carry his party along in this new role and consequently required the subordination of his successor (Ladoke Akintola) to his authority as party leader. The latter took the position that such subordination ought to stop short of rendering him a proxy Premier at the beck and call of Awolowo.

More importantly, Akintola belonged to the ideological school of reaching an accommodation with the party in control of the federal government, the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), to secure substantial patronage for the Western Region. Awolowo took the countervailing position of principled opposition and whatever sacrifice it entailed.

Taken to its dysfunctional conclusion, the emphasis of Akintola on the politics of consumption is synonymous with the bane of tribalism- “a ruthless struggle for power and resources by individuals and cliques and leads to the state’s development policy being made against the interests of society as a whole”. Unfortunately, in the long term perspective of Nigerian politics, it is the cynical realism of Akintola that won out. It is this realism that is at the root of judging Yoruba politics by how successful it has become in adapting to this ideology.

Not long ago, the ideology played out in the poltics and recriminations over the removal of the former finance minister, Kemi Adeosun from office. The recrimination boiled down to the charge that it was the Yoruba, spearheaded by the Premium Times, that exhumed and orchestrated the youth corps certificate scandal which ultimately resulted in her resignation. I put it to a proponent of this tradition that if the Yoruba is guilty as charged in this instance, shouldn’t it be credited to the Yoruba as objective and modern development oriented behaviour?

Here, however, is where the predisposing context of underdevelopment syndrome and dysfunction kicks in- which distorts, perverts, normalises the abnormal and turns virtue into vice and vice versa. Two things are of concern to me. One is the false extrapolation that Yoruba are thereby uniquely ill-disposed towards another and should emulate the contrasting generous disposition of the Northern region power elite. This extrapolation is then enlisted to formulate the thesis of Northern region power politics strategy as superior and enviably successful. In the first place, there is no basis for the presumption that the Yoruba

Awolowo are historically and uniquely ill-disposed towards another otherwise it would have been a conspicuous exception to the kinship and African extended family system. What we grew up knowing as the norm of Yoruba culture is the responsibility of successful family and community members (to employ their accomplishment) to leverage their kith and kin into upward socioeconomic mobility.

The factual and typical mentor-protege narrative of traditional Yoruba society was recently illustrated in a piece of family history. As recalled by an uncle, “The best friend of my mother was Iyasunna of Ilawe.

She celebrated Christmas with us and we celebrated sallah with her and we and her children regarded ourselves as brothers and sisters. Ambassador Lasisi Fabunmi, iyasunnah’s son, and as DG NIIA gave me scholarship to go to Russia to study International Relations’’ I have the courage to cite this personal example because the would be protege objectively merited the patronage offer haven academically distinguished himself in his first degree. As there is no basis for the definition of the Yoruba as self-hating, so is there no basis to commend the politics of the “North” as successful and worthy of emulation. And no one has better articulated this criticism than fellow Northerner than Dan Agbese. In thinly veiled disdain, he contends “Audu Ogbeh, immediate past minister of agriculture and chairman, ACF, was recently quoted as saying that politics is the only industry in Northern Nigeria. His statement intrigues me for two reasons. One, I have often wondered why the north which has ruled the country longer than all the other regions put together is in dire straits. If it is only the industry, then it must be an industry that has failed disastrously. The difference between the northern states and the southern states in terms of resources and human development is clear. The south is soaring in modern development and the north is sinking in under-development. But however much we tend to shy away from it, there is no

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

hiding the fact that politics as a northern industry is a failed industry. It has failed where it matters most: lifting the people from illiteracy, poverty and mind-boggling squalor”.

Now let’s get it straight, more than any enabler it is the contrivance of a debatable higher population and a cultivated upper hand in the balance of terror (all attributable to the machinations of the British colonialists) that account for the political advantage of the North over other regional contenders. This fundamental enabler is then complemented by the almajiri typified unquestioning herd mentality and the absence of a critical mass; and the Buhari personified unscrupulous use and abuse of of state power to entrench their ranks in power.

Beyond the (Northern) primary patronage beneficiaries of this entrenched power are the secondary ones especially the conniving members of the Yoruba political elite. Very many of them would tell you the story of a personal experience of typical generous disposition of a Northern benefactor and a contrasting adversarial disposition of fellow Yoruba. Never mind the paradox of charactering a culture that condones and perpetrates preordained servitude (of order of the almajiri trado religious system) as generous.

This sociological thesis of ‘Northerner good versus Yoruba bad’ has gathered wide anecdotal acceptance and typically emanates from the ideology of the status quo in which the oppressor cadre is cast as the ideal cultural group whose ways and manners are worthy of emulation.

In this insight I owe an intellectual debt to the marxist Italian intellectual, Antonio Gramsci.

He was the first to formulate such trends as characteristic of hegemonic societies in which the ruling elite propagates its own values and norms so that they become the “common sense” values of all and thus maintain the status quo. There is also the interpretation provided by what is identified as the Stockholm syndrome-defined “as an emotional response from the abused and hostage victims when they have positive feelings toward an abuser or captor”. Between these two interpretations,

explanation will be found for the behaviour of the Yoruba/Nigerian when next he comes preaching the gospel of “Yoruba bad vs Hausa-Fulani good”. What I know of the Yoruba DNA is the virtue of competitiveness which has been denatured by adaptation to the Nigerian context of the prioritisation of the politics of consumption over the politics of self-sustenance and development.

Pantami the Pantomime

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven” so says the scriptures. What struck me most about the Isa Pantami scandal was how desperate the man wanted to remain in office. Let us not forget that he practically renounced and disowned his religious past just to retain his plum ministerial appointment. For the Pantamis of Nigeria, it seems as if piety stops where access to power and plenty of dollars begins. The inconstancy, inconsistency and hypocrisy is eerily similar to how his mentor, President Muhammadu Buhari took Nigeria for a ride and sold us the dummy of a (fake) anti-corruption reputation. And just to prove how much impious and dishonest Mullah Pantami could be, he has now provided a rock solid evidence in a 419 procured “Professorship” at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Aren’t mullahs supposed to be impervious to unmerited adulation and the worldly accretions of political office? Here is a rather cryptic testimony from someone who should know, the first lady, Aisha Buhari on Pantami “The minister burst into tears after his reciter read a verse of the Holy Quran. “That is the Garden we shall give (as their own) to those of our servants who were devout,” Surah Maryam, Verse 63. In response, Pantami sobbed, “O Allah! Make me one of them. O Allah! Make me one of them!” And the First Lady admonished “Pantami please be courageous to do the right thing”. Which can only mean the minister has done something wrong, very wrong.

To the VAT Lobbyists: Thanks But No The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) is literally awashed in cash and in case anyone needs be convinced, the rash of slush fund inspired experts falling over one another to defend the role of the agency as the right and proper collector of Value Added Tax (VAT) should serve as reminder. Besides his personal failings, the removal of Tunde Fowler as the Executive Chairman of the agency and replacement with someone from Buhari compliant ruling caste was quite predictable. Inevitably, the temptation to coral that ‘lucrative and juicy’ parastatal would prove too difficult to resist. If you have come across any of the tortuous logic on why the legal victory of the Rivers State is (self) detrimental to the state (and other states following its footsteps), know that

rather than sense, it is the bottomless riches of FIRS that is speaking. First if the Rivers State position is the position of the law then no other argument should take precedence.

Second, the utility of the legal victory is that it is federalism compliant and the stipulation that the state is a coordinate tier and not subservient to the federal tier of government.

According to Onikepo Braithwaite, “I submit that it is clear from the constitutional provisions that VAT is excluded from items 58 and 59 of the exclusive legislative list and item 7 on the concurrent legislative list and therefore does not come under the federal government’s. Ergo it is a residual matter falling squarely under the purview of the states alone.”

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