THURSDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2021

Lawan: MDAs Sabotaging FG's Efforts to Provide Critical Infrastructure Gives erring agencies one week to appear before relevant committees Appropriation bill passes second reading, plenary suspended till Nov. 9 Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday raised the

alarm over alleged sabotage of the President Muhammadu Buhari government’s effort to provide critical infrastructure in the country by some Ministries, Departments

and Agencies (MDAs). Lawan gave those he identified as erring MDAs one week to appear before the relevant committees of the upper chamber or face the wrath

of the law.

He said despite several invitations extended to them by the Local and Foreign Debt Committee of the Senate, the MDAs had

consistently refused to appear to justify projects listed for funding through the loan requests sought

by Buhari.

Reacting to the refusal by

MDAs to justify some listed projects, Lawan described their action as an act of sabotage that would not be condoned by the Continued on page 40

CBN Okays I&E Rates for PAPSS Transactions, Excludes Items Banned from Official FX... Page 6 Thursday 14 October, 2021 Vol 26. No 9684. Price: N250

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Anambra: IG Orders MOPOL Commanders to Be Ruthless with Violent Elements Reads riot act to personnel, worried about reports of misconduct State now ripe for taking by PDP, says Okowa Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, the

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday, ordered commanders of the Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) to deal ruthlessly with violent elements

and political thugs, who might work against a transparent and credible election in the state.

Baba read the riot act to the squadron commanders and vowed

to deal with any commander found to be lacking capacity or will to key into his reform agenda. He expressed worry over reports of misconducts by some police

personnel in the country.

But speaking on the Anambra election, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the time had come for the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) to add the South-east state to the list of states controlled by the main opposition party by Continued on page 40

FG: COVID-19 Vaccination Now Mandatory for Civil Servants from Dec 1

To issue revised safety protocol in next 24 hours Removes South Africa, Turkey, Brazil from restricted nations’ list Trend of infection going down in some states, rising in others Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Federal government workers across the country will from December 1 be required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination before reporting at work. Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, announced the new policy decision yesterday in Abuja at a PSC briefing.

Mustapha said the government would issue new safety protocols in the next 24 hours.

Similarly, Nigeria removed South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the list of countries on high-level restriction, where travellers are barred from visiting, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the new directive, Mustapha said public servants would have to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and the country’s foreign missions. He Continued on page 40

REPATRIATION OF BENIN ARTIFACTS...

The signing of Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation between the German and Nigerian delegations, witnessed by representatives of the His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, in Abuja... yesterday

FG to Construct Museum in Oba’s Palace for Repatriated Artefacts...

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

HANDSHAKE FOR ANOTHER DEFECTOR...

L-R: Caretaker Committee Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC)/Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; President Muhammadu Buhari and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, PHOTO: Godwin Omoigui during the presentation of the APC flag to the new convert, Dr. Okeke, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday

Report: Nigeria is Africa’s Third Most Attractive Destination for Foreign Investment Dike Onwuamaeze The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2021 (AAFMI) has ranked Nigeria as the third most attractive country in Africa for foreign investment.

The AAFMI surveyed 23 countries in Africa and used six pillars to rank their openness and attractiveness to foreign investment. It stated that Nigeria scored 63 points to occupy the third position while the first and second position went to South Africa and Mauritius, which scored 86 and 70 points respectively.

The six pillars were market depth; access to foreign exchange; market transparency, tax and regulatory environment; capacity of local investors; macroeconomic opportunity; and enforceability of financial contracts.

Nigeria’s performance across the six pillars were: market depth, 62; access to foreign exchange, 20; market transparency, tax and regulatory environment, 86; capacity of local investors, 44; macroeconomic opportunities, 69 and enforceability of standard master agreement, 100.

The report stated that nine countries in the index, including Nigeria, have introduced products that could be classified as green or sustainable and emphasised that, “green bonds are the most popular instrument, being at investors’ disposal in seven countries.”

The AAFMI evaluated financial market development in 23 countries and highlighted economies with the most supportive environment for effective markets. The aim was to show present positions, as well as how economies could improve market frameworks to bolster investor access and sustainable growth.

The 2021index was produced by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) and sponsored by Absa Group Limited.

It showed that only seven countries scored up to 50 basis points against 14 countries that reached 50 points last year. ABSA is a South Africanbased financial services group, The report noted that Nigeria was also among countries that are using technology in their stock exchanges to boost retail participation.

It noted that Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched FinPort, a fintech and innovation portal to assist fintech businesses to understand the regulatory requirements for the Nigerian capital market.

It added that the SEC would be rolling out a regulatory incubator for fintech seeking to conduct capital market activities.

However, the AAFMI stated that Nigeria has continued to perform poorly in access to FX and has imposed administrative controls that expanded the number of

goods subject to import restrictions, enforcing existing export repatriation rules and restricting FX supply to certain windows.

“While these measures restricted capital outflows and helped keep reserves stable, market liquidity remained below pre-pandemic levels. The volatile FX market and the delays in the repatriation of foreign currency out of Nigeria caused further problems. Despite a rebound in oil prices and remittances, the FX shortage persists as imports recover faster than exports.

All these factors contributed to

Nigeria’s poor performance in Pillar 2,” the report said.

Nevertheless, the report stated that Nigeria had kept its official borrowing relatively low.

“At 8.4 per cent of GDP, it has the best debt profile, boosting its ranking by five places to fifth.

However, with oil prices expected to remain relatively low, the debt ratio is expected to go up,” it stated.

Nigeria, according to the report, has continued to make strides in creating an enabling investment environment for foreign investors, with the necessary regulatory

developments and policy initiatives.

Further to enacting enforceable netting-off provisions in the country’s Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2020, ISDA has published a legal opinion on Nigeria’s insolvency regime, elevating it to an acceptable level of international best practice in netting-off and insolvency.

The Interim Chief Executive Officer, Absa Group, Mr. Jason Quinn, while commenting on the aims of the index said: “The index has become a benchmark for the investment community and Africa generally to gauge

countries’ performance across a host of indicators important for financial market development.

“We are extremely proud of the annual report, which has become a critical toolkit for countries seeking to strengthen their financial markets infrastructure. Now in its fifth year, the index records countries’ openness to foreign investment and is an objective indicator of the attractiveness of Africa’s capital markets, intended for use by policy-makers, investors and asset managers around the world.”

The 2021 index also stated that digital developments such as digitalisation, fintech innovation and exploration into central bank digital currencies increased and spurred financial market transformation through the automation and digitalisation of trading platforms and regulatory processes.

It added: “Digital technologies are reshaping financial markets in many countries. Beyond improving accessibility, digital innovations can make capital markets more efficient and competitive, attracting investors and issuers.”

Nigeria Pumps Additional 155,000 bpd in September OPEC leaves demand unchanged for 2022 NNPC, tanker drivers strike deal on repair of bad roads, others Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria pumped about 155,000 additional barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) in September, to hit an average of 1.451 million bpd, latest data from the Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) published by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), indicated yesterday.

It was a major improvement when compared to the 1.296 million barrels per day produced averagely in August, the 1.385 million bpd in July and the 1.413 million bpd, 1.423 million bpd and 1.376 million bpd produced in the first three quarters of this year.

Nigeria has been underperforming in the last few months due to years of underinvestment exacerbated by the shutting down of various assets last year following

OPEC cuts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aside deteriorating facilities, theft and general inefficiency in production, crude grade, Forcados has spent the third of the month on force majeure in addition to the damage to the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, which has severely impaired exports of Bonny Light.

But despite the shortages in crude oil production, the country recently wrote the oil cartel requesting additional barrels, arguing that its baseline of 1.8 million needed to be updated since it was picked at a time the country was pumping very low liquids due to the Niger Delta crisis.

OPEC noted that Nigeria's nonoil economic activities grew despite the lingering effects of the current COVID-19 wave, adding that labour market pressure continued to be

a concern.

It noted that recently released National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data indicated that the unemployment rate increased to 33.30 per cent in fourth quarter of 2020, up from 27.10 per cent in 2020.

Similarly, OPEC left its forecast for global oil demand growth unchanged for next year, but revised down its projection for this year on lower-than-expected consumption in January-September.

The cartel pegged demand at 100.8mn bpd in 2022, up by 4.2mn bpd compared with this year.

"The main oil demand assumption remains as highlighted last month, with healthy economic momentum in the main consuming countries and better Covid-19 management," it said.

For 2021, OPEC lowered its oil demand growth estimate by 140,000

Masari Warns Judges, NBA against Granting Bail to Bandits Francis Sardauna in Katsina Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has warned the state judges and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) against granting bail to arrested bandits, rapists and other criminals in the state.

Masari, who gave the warning while swearing in three newly appointed High Courts Judges at the Government House, said bandits and other arrested hoodlums should be punished for their crimes to serve as deterrent to others.

The newly swore-in Judges were Justice Kabir Shaibu, the state High Court Chief Registrar; Justice Ibrahim Isaiaku and Justice Abubakar Maude.

Masari averred that NBA members in synergy with some judges in the state were securing the release of arrested bandits, armed robbers and rapists through the instrument of fundamental human right enforcement instead of prosecuting them.

He said: "The Nigeria Bar Association must call its members who are with the habit of securing release of bandits, rapists and armed robbers through the instrument of fundamental right enforcement to order, and avoid compromise under cover.

"We have had incidences where suspected bandits, terrorists, armed robbers and rapists were released on bail only for them to commit same offence. Such ugly incidences could have been

averted if bail was not granted at all".

According to the former speaker of the House of Representatives, "We are in an unusual time of serious security challenges.

Therefore, we must put our heads together to address the unusual challenges".

While urging the new judges to imbibe the culture of integrity, transparency, and good conducts in the discharge of their obligations, the governor charged them to consider their appointment as a call to duty that required professionalism.

He said the state government under his watch would continue to give the judiciary the necessary supports in order to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

bpd compared with last month's MOMR, despite the potential for gas-to-oil switching in the power sector, saying it expects demand to increase by just over 5.8 million bpd to average 96.6 million bpd for the rest of the year.

But on the supply side, the organisation revised its 2022 forecast for non-OPEC production growth up by 70,000 bpd to just over three million bpd, reflecting higher output estimates in the US and Kazakhstan.

The supply and demand projections also left the forecast call on OPEC members' crude at 27.8 million bpd in 2021 and 28.8 million bpd in 2022, each up by 100,000 b/d compared with last month's market report.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that current countries' plan to cut global carbon emissions would fall 60 per cent short of 2050 net zero target, urging leaders to use the upcoming Cop26 climate conference to send an “unmistakable signal” with concrete policy plans.

Making the disclosure in its annual World Energy Outlook (WEO), the organisation predicted that carbon emissions would decrease by just 40 per cent by the middle of the century if countries stick to their climate pledges.

The organisation stated that the difference between current plans and the change necessary to reach the net zero target was “stark”, requiring up to $4 trillion (£2.94tn) in investment over the next decade alone to bridge the divide.

Also, as a follow-up to its efforts in sustaining the current smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has engaged critical stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the road network challenges and other lingering issues.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had called off a planned strike action, agreeing instead to accept the dialogue option proposed by the stakeholders.

A statement by the NNPC spokesman, Garba Muhammad, quoted the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, as announcing that a framework for NNPC’s intervention in critical road rehabilitation through the federal government tax credit scheme had been agreed upon.

The meeting was attended by officials from the NNPC, PTD, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), ministry of works and housing, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and NUPENG. “We are committed to utilising the federal government’s tax credit scheme to rebuild some of the affected roads in line with Mr. President’s Executive Order 7.

“Upon our fruitful deliberations today, the NNPC has pledged to support the PTD and NARTO in carrying out quick intervention fixes on some strategic bad spots identified to enable unhindered movement of trucks for transportation of petroleum products nationwide,” Kyari stated.

Stakeholders also agreed to enforce mandatory installation of safety valves in all petroleum product trucks in the country effective February 1, 2022 with full commitment given by NARTO. The meeting also expressed displeasure over the abuse of axle load or tonnage limits, with the NNPC agreeing to engage the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for enforcement of preventing the importation of tanks that exceed 45,000-litre capacity.

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NEWS

MORE HOUSING UNITS FOR LAGOSIANS...

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal; Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director/CEO, Lagos State Development and Property Company (LSDPC), Dhikrullah Adedoyin Har-Yusuph and Iyaloja General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, during the cutting of the tape at the inauguration of the 100 housing units at Ikate, Lekki, Lagos... yesterday

FG to Construct Museum in Oba’s Palace for Repatriated Artefacts Signs Mou with Germany on looted Benin bronze artefacts Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof. Abba Isa Tijani, yesterday disclosed that the federal government would accelerate action on the construction of a royal palace museum in the palace of the Oba of Benin where the Benin bronze artefacts that are to be repatriated from Germany next year would be kept.

This is just as Nigeria and Germany, yesterday in Abuja, signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the repatriation of the 1,130 pieces of the artefacts presently in German museums that were stolen during the colonial era.

Speaking on ‘The Morning Show’ on Arise News Channel, Tijani while responding to a question on where the artefacts would be kept when they are returned to the country, said the first consideration by the federal government was the Edo people.

This, according to him, was because, “the artefacts were actually looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin in 1897.”

“That unfortunate incidence is in our minds. So, these artefacts would go back to Edo and the people of the state and of course other Nigerians would have the opportunity to visit where they would be displayed.

“First of all we have proposed a royal palace museum in the court of Benin. We have some palace museums across Nigeria, which are managed by the NCMM. So, we had designed a palace museum in 2018; unfortunately we were not able to start the project because of funding.

“But now that the objects are ready to come to Nigeria, we have to expedite the process of constructing a palace museum in the palace of the Oba of Benin, where some of these objects can be displayed,” he explained.

He however, pointed out palace museum are restricted places because it is usually situated in the court of the royal father. “Therefore, the idea is when the Oba gets very important visitors, he can take them round these museums. So, the entrance is restricted to members of the public and can be opened only during weekends.

“Therefore, there is need for us to have another public museum of international standard. So, part of our negotiation with our partners who are holding these objects is that they should support us with the construction of an international museum,” he added.

According to him, the issue of repatriation of the artefacts dates back to the 70s when the country made a formal request for the return of the objects from Europe and other continent.

“Now that the objects have acclimatised with wherever they were, we need to prepare ourselves to get these artefacts back. We are going through the process of negotiation with the German federal government who would in turn negotiate with the country’s regional governments for the release of the artefacts.

“In Germany alone we are talking about 1,130 Benin bronzes. Therefore, if these 1,130 Benin bronzes are sent to Nigeria today, where are they going to be? Therefore, we need to prepare.

“So, we need to have plan to receive these artefacts. Don’t forget that Benin bronzes have assumed certain value in the international market. Therefore, if they are to come

back to Nigeria, we have to make sure that the security provided for the safekeeping of the artefacts are up to international level so that they won’t be re-looted. Therefore, we are looking at the objects arriving from July 2022,” he added.

Meanwhile, the MoU was signed on behalf of the federal government

by Tijani and the Director-General for Culture and Communication of the German Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Andreas Gorgen.

The MoU in Abuja was a precursor to the conclusion of the framework agreement on the repatriation of the bronze pieces that would be concluded in Benin in December 2021.

Members of the German delega-

Members of the House of Representatives have expressed worry over the decision of the federal government to borrow the sum of N5.01 trillion to finance the N6 trillion deficit in the proposed 2022 appropriation bill.

The lawmakers made their concerns known at plenary, yesterday, during the debate on the general principles of the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented to the joint session of the National Assembly last week.

Commenting on the bill, Hon. Leke Abejide commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making capital projects a priority in both 2021 budget and the proposed 2022 budget.

Quoting a reliable source, the lawmaker said some of the projects in the 2021 budget have been funded 100 per cent.

Abejide said: "That is why I have little concern about borrowing, once the capital projects are executed, it will lead to economic growth and subsequently economic development."

The lawmaker also expressed worry about the assumptions of the key parameters of the budget, especially the issue of crude oil

production per day, it was put at 1.8 million per day Abejide said, "During our Media Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) hearing and the GMD NNPC appeared before the House Committee on Finance, he said the average production range is between 1.6 million to 1.7 million per day.

So, in projection, it is always good to be realistic. The average of 1.7 million per day is more realistic than going higher, because when there is a shock, it will be difficult for us to remedy it.”

In his submission, Hon. Onofiok Luke commended the President for the plausible recommendations in the budget and equally raising concerns about the fresh loans.

The lawmaker commended the federal government for the provision of about N50 billion for hazard allowance for medical personnel, stressing that part of the issues that led the medical personnel to go on strike was the hazard allowance which were not paid.

Luke stressed the need to invest in security considering the challenges facing the country presently.

Luke, however decried the sum of N3.9 trillion for debt service, which represents almost 25 per cent of the entire budget, saying this was worrisome.

Benin bronzes would commence in the second quarter of 2022 with the transfer of ownership to Nigeria.

Yesterday’s agreement also stated that the Benin Bronzes would continue to be exhibited in German museums while there would cooperation on exhibition projects.

Ory said: “I am delighted that the German delegation achieved so much progress. This underlines again our commitment to the NigerianGerman cooperation in this field. We commend our Nigerian partners for their cooperation and are looking forward to the next steps.”

The leader of the German delegation, Gorgen expressed delight with the agreement.

CBN Okays I&E Rates for PAPSS Transactions, Excludes Items Banned from Official FX James Emejo in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks to apply the exchange rate in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) Window for outbound payments through the Pan African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The apex bank, however stated that only eligible transactions as may be determined by the central

bank from time to time shall be eligible for payment on PAPSS. It stated that items classified as ‘Not Valid for Foreign Exchange,’ particularly the over 41 items banned from accessing FX at the official window, shall remain ineligible to benefit from PAPSS. Developed by the African Export-Import Bank, (Afreximbank) in partnership with the West African Monetary Institute or WAMI,

2022 Appropriation Bill: Lawmakers Express Divergent Views over Planned Fresh Borrowing Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja

tion included the Director of the Museum at Rothebbaum, Prof.

Barbara Plankensteiner; President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Prof. Hermann Parzinger and the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Birgitt Ory. After an initial visit to Nigeria in May, a visit by a Nigerian delegation to Berlin two months later and the latest visit to Abuja, in line with the terms of the MoU that stipulates that the return of the Benin artefacts from German museums would be embedded in a broad collaboration in the areas of archeology, museum facilities and museum collaboration.

Both sides resolved that the process leading to the return of

He added: "Another source of concern is that the proposal before us has a deficit of N6.2 trillion and government is proposing new borrowings to finance this deficit.

What this implies is that then total public debt of Nigeria is expected to rise to N5 trillion in 2022 fiscal year. This is worrisome not only for today but generations unborn and the future of Nigeria. Let us do what we can to try to reduce the deficit and how we can reduce borrowing.

"Now to the next point on the issue so borrowing. There is nothing wrong with borrowing provided we borrow and put it for production not for consumption.

So, as we begin to look at it, let us take the future generations of Nigeria into consideration while we get to borrow and make sure the borrowings are being put into productive ventures.

"While we put the money borrowed to infrastructure three clear things come to mind. We have looked at security. We need to invest in power. Let us borrow to invest in power and roads. We have road challenges across the country."

Luke noted that the federal government should make use of recovered loot and misappropriated

funds in order to reduce the county's deficit and borrowings.

Luke said, "Permit to add that in the last three years since 2018, we have had a year high at an average of about 60 dollars per barrel. So we should be advocating that there should be the upping of the pegging of 57 dollars per barrel to 60 per barrel.

"In 2018, the year high was $77.41 cents per barrel. In 2019 it was $66.24 cents. In 2020 it was $63.23 cents. As of today the Brent is $83.27 cents. Bonny bright is $82.30 cents. So we can have an average of $60 dollars per barrel and that would be sustainable for us."

In his contribution, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, also expressed concern about the huge borrowing.

He explained: "With the emergence of COVID-19, this budget should be able to address those abnormalities before us, by ensuring that our medical centers are up to date with infrastructure required.

I see no reason why this National Assembly should patronise such agencies, if we find out that truly, they have not done anything to the previous budget. I submit that this National Assembly should not for any reason give money to that agency."

PAPSS is a centralised payment and settlement infrastructure for intra-African trade and commerce payments.

The project is expected to facilitate payments as well as formalise some of the unrecorded trade due to prevalence of informal cross-border trade in Africa.

It would further provide alternative to current high-cost and lengthy correspondent banking relationships to facilitate trade and other economic activities among African countries through a simple, low-cost and risk-controlled payment clearing and settlement system.

However, the apex bank in a circular on the Guidelines on Operations of PAPSS in Nigeria, which was signed by the CBN Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. Ozoemena Nnnaji, stated: “All authorised dealers are required to ensure that prevailing exchange rate at Investors and Exporters Forex Window as advised by Financial Markets Department, FMD, should be used in cross-rates conversion between Naira, United States Dollars and third currencies within Africa, for outbound payments and vice-versa for inflows.”

It added: “For settlement of PAPSS transactions by CBN, authorised dealers shall obtain the approval of CBN for dollar cover, before initiating payments on PAPSS. "The request for approval should be forwarded to the Director, Financial Markets Department, CBN. "That eligible payment of imports and receipt of export proceeds by the CBN shall be restricted to trade-backed transactions only and that the documentation requirements stipulated in Memorandum 9

and 10 of the Foreign Exchange Manual (2018) and other extant circulars shall apply. Import payments shall also be restricted to goods of African origin," the bank stated.

The circular further noted that all the required documentation referred to should be provided before a transaction is initiated on PAPSS by authorised dealers and their customers.

It also clarified that export proceeds repatriated to CBN under PAPSS shall be subject to certification by respective processing banks as being repatriated by the exporter adding that the provisions of all existing guidelines, circulars and directives on the operations of foreign Exchange market shall apply.

Earlier in June, the SecretaryGeneral of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Mr. Wamkele Mene, had indicated that the full implementation of PAPSS would cut annual costs of transactions by $5 billion, adding that that this represented the aggregate amount spent on currency convertibility.

He had said the pilot implementation of the platform had already started and running smoothly in six countries in West Africa, which had switched on unto the system.

He had told THISDAY that it would be difficult to boost intraAfrican trade with 42 currencies of various countries, thus, this need for currency convertibility.

He expressed confidence that full implementation of the panAfrican payment platform will begin by December.

He said: "We have started a piloting phase of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS); six countries in West Africa which have switched on unto the platform.”

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NEWS

GLO BATTLE OF THE YEAR...

L-R: Globacom’s Head of Web Sales, Ugochukwu Ibe; Communications Director, Andre Beyers; Elvis Ogiemwanye of Marketing Communications and Head of Tertiary Institutions Data Sales, Osagie Esangbedo, at the launch of Glo Battle of the Year, world’s biggest dance show, in Lagos... yesterday

Sahara Group to Invest $1bn in Cooking Gas Vessels, Terminals in Nigeria, Others in Five Years Peter Uzoho The Sahara Group, an energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has said it would invest over $1billion to enhance access to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Nigeria and some other Africa countries and emerging economies through its subsidiary, WAGL Energy Limited.

The group explained that the move was part of the ways it wants to boost energy transition on the continent.

The Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, disclosed this in South Africa, at the African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) conference 2021, where he spoke on the role of LPG in Africa’s Energy Transition.

“Sahara, through its subsidiary, WAGL Energy Limited is already working towards investing $1 billion to ramp up its LPG fleet and terminal infrastructure over the next five years. In addition to the vessel fleet, Sahara is in the process of building over 120,000 metric tonnes of LPG storage in eleven countries,” a statement quoted him to have said.

According to him, the countries earmarked for the storage tanks which include Nigeria, Senegal,

Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania and Zambia, whose process has commenced and five others in the preliminary stage Shonubi said Sahara continues to lead efforts geared towards seamless energy transition in Africa through innovative energy solutions via its upstream, midstream, downstream and downstream power businesses including partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other leading organisations.

He noted that Africa had become reliant on imports to meet its LPG demand as a result of low crude oil refining capacity and absence of adequate wet gas being processed He said, “Africa’s refining capacity of 3,343,000 barrels per day is limited to just 20 countries; utilisation rates have fallen from about 75 per cent in 2010 to 55 per cent in 2020. Only six African nations have combined LPG storage capacity greater than 50,000MT. "Economic progress is key to harnessing Africa’s latent LPG demand to boost economic performance."

The executive director however lamented that Africa accounted for just four per cent of global LPG consumption last year.

Glo Brings World’s Biggest Dance Competition, Battle of the Year, to Nigeria Youth empowerment in the country yesterday received a major boost as Globacom announced its sponsorship of the world’s biggest dance reality television show, ‘Glo Battle of the Year’ in Nigeria.

The company unveiled details of the sponsorship of the show during a media briefing held in Lagos.

The telco explained that among the fantastic prizes for winners would be the rare opportunity to represent the country at the global stage of the competition.

Globacom’s Communications Director, Andre Beyers, who spoke at the event, said the show would offer unlimited opportunities for Nigerian youth to pursue their passion.

“In line with our commitment to promoting the Nigerian entertainment industry and youth talent development across the country, we are excited to unleash the unlimited potential of Nigerian dancers and provide the platform for them to showcase their abilities on the world stage,” he stated.

The Battle of the Year competition is an annual international breakdancing competition that began in Hannover, Germany, over 20 years ago.

The regional qualifying tournaments are held worldwide and culminate in the world finals,

usually held in Germany, with over 12,000 visitors across the world. It is widely regarded as the World Cup of breakdancing.

On offer are N84 million for winners across seven dance categories and other mouth-watering prizes, including the opportunity to win the grand prize of representing Nigeria at the international Battle of the Year.

The promoters said the contests would air in a soon to be announced 13 part television show, “that will keep viewers glued to their screens and on the edge of their seats.”

Beyers further disclosed that local and international dance legends such as Poco Lee, Pinky Debbie, Izzy Odigie, Big Flo, Maxbuck, Dunamis, Franc Okwara, JC Jedor, Poxy (Cameroon), Gidnasty (USA), Menno (Netherlands), Manuela (Germany) would feature as judges throughout the show.

He urged interested dancers and dance crews to register for the competition. Participants would be required to upload a 30-second entry video on a dedicated website, after which the top 20 entries per region in each category would be selected.

The competition would take place across six states namely Lagos, Kaduna, Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Abuja.

THISDAY understands that LPG consumption in Africa is low compared to other markets.

Africa's consumption was 14MT (translating to 12 kilogram per person) in 2020, compared to Asia Pacific’s 108MT ((27kg/person), North America’s 74MT (123kg/ person), Europe any Eurasia’s 49MT (49kg/person), Middle East’s 38MT (60kg/person) and Latin America’s 34 MT (53kgs/person).

Shonubi attributed the low LPG consumption in Africa to the hurdle of affordability, absence of large-

scale LPG storage infrastructure, minimal vessels dedicated to the region, low set-up cost of firewood and kerosene stoves, as well as negative perceptions and fear of explosions due to poor safety standards, among other factors.

“While set-up costs may be high, LPG has higher energy efficiency when compared to kerosene and fuel wood and it has virtual zero sulphur content.

LPG is key to achieving the UN SDG 7 – Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Access to Energy,”

Shonubi said.

He said converting just 30 per cent of Africa’s vehicle fleet to run on LPG would result in $3 billion annual fuel-cost savings and about 40 billion in CO2 emission reductions, while indirect cost savings from health and infrastructure would exceed $15 billion annually.

On the role of African governments in encouraging LPG adoption, Shonubi canvassed for an enabling policy environment to foster adequate private sector involvement and sustainability.

He said funding should be channeled into country-wide investment programmes while megaprojects and regional integration should be accelerated in order to efficiently serve a larger population and grow the economy for multiple countries.

He also advocated growing Africa’s LPG consumption, through investments in LPG infrastructure and financing of LPG use through credit schemes, Pay-as-you-use, penalty for emissions, reward for global warming reductions and inclusion of bio LPG, among others.

Foreign Registered Private Jets Ought Not Pay Customs Duties, Says Iwuajoku Chinedu Eze The Chairman and CEO of Quits Aviation Services Limited, Sam Iwuajoku has reacted to the insistence of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that private jets operating in Nigeria must pay customs duties, saying aircraft registered outside Nigeria ought not to be requested to pay the levy.

Iwuajoku, who said this in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, expressed surprise over the action of the NCS, saying customs officers ought to know that aircraft registered outside Nigeria does not operate permanently in the country and therefore ought not to pay the tax.

Iwuajoku who operates the Quits Aviation Services Free Trade Zone spoke in response to the threat issued by the NCS to impound 29 private jets whose owners did not pay statutory import duties to the federal government.

The customs had threatened that the 29 private jets would be impounded if the owners did not show up at the expiration of 14 days ultimatum it had given. The NCS also explained that within the stipulated period of verification, 86 private jets or airplane operators showed up for the exercise and presented relevant documents for verification, adding that 57 of them were verified as commercial charter operators and were duly cleared for operations, but 29 private jets/airplanes owners or their representatives were as of October 11, given 14 days to make payments to designated federal government accounts for them to be issued Aircraft Clearance Certificates after payment.

But speaking with THISDAY, Iwuajoku stressed that the NCS ought to understand that it has no right to ask for duty payment from foreign registered aircraft because those aircraft were leased and not owned by Nigerians.

“Customs is right if you have Nigerian registered aircraft with 5N and before you register you must pay customs duty and I think this

is where government is getting it wrong. They should understand the situation well before they act,” Iwuajoku advised.

He also warned that the NCS should not chase away investors with its insistence that private jets should pay customs duty, saying Nigeria was benefiting from their

operations in the country.

“The amount of money these aircraft make for Nigerian government is more than the cost of registration. They pay for their services in dollars, including landing and parking.

“All the services they pay for they do so in dollars and gov-

ernment agencies are benefiting so Customs should look at the larger picture. Even if the money is not going to Customs, other government agencies are getting the money. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is paid by these operators in dollars,” Iwuajoke said.

Agba: Economic Summit to Discuss Growth Potential, People-oriented Policies James Emejo and Sonia Mayomi in Abuja The Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, yesterday announced that the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#27) would hold from October 25th to 26th, 2021 in Abuja.

He said the theme would focus on, “Securing the Future: The Fierce Urgency of Now,” and would explore potential opportunities that would accelerate economic development.

The minister pointed out that the 2021 summit would build on conversations from last year’s edition, which emphasised the importance of harnessing critical and strategic partnership to navigate the economy towards recovery and resilience.

Speaking at a media briefing on the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#27) in Abuja, Agba explained that the theme was designed to assess the current state of the Nigerian economy, foster a people-centred approach to refocus economic, social, and political challenges and galvanise a renewed commitment of stakeholders to urgently and actively prioritise the pursuit of economic growth that can sustainably create jobs, lift millions out of poverty as well as enable the country to realise its economic potentials on the global stage The august gathering, according to him, would also reach a consensus on a compact that compel

stakeholders to take critical and immediate actions and institute an efficient monitoring mechanisms to ensure key recommendations at the NES #27 are implemented.

He said preparation for the summit had reached advanced stage, adding that the pre-summit events had already commenced.

The minister also said like the previous year, this year’s edition of the summit would be organised in a hybrid format, both virtual and in-person because of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appraising the successes of NES#26, which focused on “Building Partnership for Resilience”, the minister said the deliberations enabled the country explore new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and development.

He said summit conclusions and recommendations had been forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and distributed to all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to implement relevant aspects of the summit recommendations.

According to him, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025 also benefited from some of the recommendations of the 26th economic summit.

The summit provides a veritable platform for effective partnership and cooperation between the public and private sectors for the purpose of charting the course for stable and productive economy.

The summit brings together development partners, the civil

society and representatives of the academia as well as provides participants the unique opportunity to deliberate on contemporary economic and social issues.

Also speaking at the briefing, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, said the summit would be held at an auspicious time when the nation is faced by various challenges on different fronts.

He said the country required a major economic transformation to subdue the challenges confronting it.

Ighodalo added: “Our dear country is no stranger to challenges.

Even though we have remained the largest economy in Africa, every Nigerian will acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done as we strive for regional and global competitiveness.”

He said there was a correlation between all the causes of insecurity and the crisis of underdevelopment in the country, adding that Nigeria's predicament was largely associated with unemployment, low productivity in the manufacturing and other sectors of the economy, low foreign investment, youth restiveness, abject poverty, religious and social intolerance, decaying infrastructure and high number of children who are out of school and poor healthcare facilities.

He added: "We possess extensive human and capital resources but we have not effectively leveraged our resources to catalyse economic growth and development."

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COMMENT

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

CBN, OSINBAJO AND THE NAIRA

Jackson Akpore argues that only a productive economy will shore up the value of the naira

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ot a few Nigerians were surprised at the outrage that greeted what has now been clarified as a mis-characterisation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s submission at the mid-term retreat on President Muhammadu Buhari second tenure. Many had interpreted Osinbajo’s remarks as a call for devaluation of the naira. Hours after Osinbajo’s prescription, economists and experts of fiscal and monetary policies took turns to deprecate the vice president for recommending a therapy that could never help the naira but would only herd it to the grave.

It was heartwarming, therefore, to see the vice president’s office promptly react to the outrage by offering an explanation on Professor Osinbajo’s intendment. Osinbajo was quoted widely as prescribing a devaluation of the naira by allowing market forces to determine its value. Osinbajo had argued that the exchange was artificially low and that this has deterred investors from bringing forex into the country.

Osinbajo stated: “As for the exchange rate, I think we need to move our rates to [be] as reflective of the market as possible. This, in my own respective view, is the only way to improve supply. We can’t get new dollars into the system, where the exchange rate is artificially low. And everyone knows by how much our reserves can grow. I’m convinced that the demand management strategy currently being adopted by the CBN needs a rethink, and that is just my view.”

In his explainer after the public outrage, Osinbajo through his media aide, Laolu Akande, said he was mis-represented. In his explainer, Akande wrote: “Prof. Osinbajo is not calling for the devaluation of the Naira. He has at all times argued against a willy-nilly devaluation of the Naira.

“For context, the Vice President’s point was that currently the Naira exchange rate benefits only those who are able to obtain the dollar at N410, some of whom simply turn round and sell to the parallel market at N570. It is stopping this huge arbitrage of over N160 per dollar that the Vice President was talking about. Such a massive difference discourages doing proper business, when selling the dollar can bring in 40% profit!

“This was why the Vice President called for measures that would increase the supply of foreign exchange in the market rather than simply managing demand, which opens up irresistible opportunities for arbitrage and corruption.”

While conceding that the above was the import of what Osinbajo said at the retreat, his outburst still leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

First, Osinbajo is the number two citizen of the Federal Republic. He has unfettered official access to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. He could have used the official channel to advise the CBN. Second, Osinbajo heads the National Economic Council (NEC), a strong and highly placed advisory body made up 36 state governors, CBN Governor and other co-opted top government officials. The NEC is not an illegal body. It was established by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended; Section 153(1) and Paragraphs 18 & 19 of Part I of the Third Schedule.

LEAVING THE NAIRA TO MARKET FORCES FOR A LARGELY IMPORT-DEPENDENT ECONOMY LIKE NIGERIA IS COURTING ANARCHY. A LIMITED MEASURE OF CONTROL AND CUSHIONING WHICH IS WHAT CBN IS DOING IS NEEDED

When President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the NEC on 29 June 2015, with Osinbajo as Chairman, its mandate was advisory. It meets monthly and its brief is to “advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”

This presupposes that NEC has a full grasp of the policies of the federal government, including those of CBN. It’s therefore strange that Osinbajo who Chairs the NEC of an administration he’s the second-in-command would mount the podium to vilipend the fiscal policy of the same government. If anything, Professor Osinbajo made it look like he’s not a part of the government. Without dismissing the merit or otherwise of his argument, it’s hard to find any justification for his disparagement of the CBN policy on forex, knowing that what has put so much pressure on the naira is not what CBN failed to do, or is doing; but the exotic lifestyle of Nigerians coupled with the harsh reality that the nation has nothing to export except crude oil which Nigeria exports at cheaper price but spends more money to import, including paying subsidy, on the finished products.

It bears restating that but for Emefiele’s tact and courage to stop the forex funding of over 40 items the woes of the naira would have worsened and this would have translated to higher prices of goods.

It’s unfair for anybody to accuse the CBN of being behind the stress on the naira. If the naira can lose its value and weight in the forex market at a time the CBN took the bold step of stopping the funding for the importation of rice, wheat, maize and other products that we can easily produce here, just think of what would have become of the naira if the importation of these over 40 products were still being funded by CBN from the scarce forex.

The problem of the naira is not CBN. The pressure on the naira comes from multiple fronts: Foreign direct investment has dropped – investors no longer see Nigeria as a secure place to plough in their funds; the nation is not producing enough for export except crude oil which she sells cheaply and imports all of its finished products at higher price. The nation’s primary sector is comatose hence there is absolutely nothing to export to earn foreign exchange. Maritime experts versed in international monetary policies have continued to advocate for a holistic federal policy that would strengthen export of goods from Nigeria. They argue that most of the ships that berth on Nigerian waters leave the country empty because they have no goods to ferry offshore as export. Some others leave Nigerian waters and go to as far as Ghana to ferry products overseas. This should bother Osinbajo not the therapy of leaving naira to market forces.

The danger in this is that even the 2022 Appropriation Bill predicated on N410.15 per dollar would be imperiled. Nigeria is not South Korea, Singapore or any of the Asian nations with strong export fundamentals. Therefore, leaving the naira to market forces for a largely import-dependent economy like Nigeria is courting anarchy. A limited measure of control and cushioning which is what CBN is doing is needed.

Akpore wrote from Warri, Delta State

BUDGET 2022 TO THE RESCUE?

The National Assembly pledges to deliver a budget that meets the expectations of the people, writes Nanji Ukwata

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he appropriation bill is the second most important national document after the nation’s constitution. Everything from health, wellbeing of the citizenry is predicated on the document. Policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, media, civil society organizations and discerning members of the populace wait eagerly for the presentation of the budget.

So, Thursday 7th October 2021, was another historic day for Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari was at the joint session of the National Assembly for the annual budget presentation ritual.

Expectations are high for apparent reasons. The crushing hardship, growing poverty, the weakened naira and unprecedented security challenges that is threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria are key areas many Nigerians were anticipating the budget will address.

The Buhari government in a bid to revamp the ailing economy, grow revenues and create opportunities for beleaguered citizens to triumph over the turbulent socio-economic headwinds laid an ambitious 2022 budget estimate of N16.39 trillion before the nation.

It is christened, ‘Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability’’. The government benchmarked the mainstay of the economy and the biggest revenue earner, Crude oil, at $57 per barrel, whilst the galloping dollar exchange rate is pegged at N410.5. The appropriation bill also seeks to stimulate the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 4.2 per cent while the inflation is projected at 13 percent.

During the budget presentation last Thursday, President Buhari stated, “Distinguished Members of the National Assembly, the 2022 to 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper sets out the parameters for the 2022 Budget as follows:

“Conservative oil price benchmark of 57 US Dollars per barrel; “Daily oil production estimate of 1.88 million barrels (inclusive of Condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day); Exchange rate of four 410.15 per US Dollar; and projected GDP growth rate of 4.2 percent and 13 percent inflation rate.

“Based on these fiscal assumptions and parameters, total federally-collectible revenue is estimated at 17.70 trillion Naira in 2022.

“Total federally distributable revenue is estimated at 12.72 trillion Naira in 2022 while total revenue available to fund the 2022 Federal Budget is estimated at 10.13 trillion Naira. This includes Grants and Aid of 63.38 billion Naira, as well as the revenues of 63 Government-Owned Enterprises. Oil revenue is projected at 3.16 trillion, Non-oil taxes are estimated at 2.13 trillion Naira and FGN Independent revenues are projected to be 1.82 trillion Naira.”

These economic variables and assumptions are the formworks that are expected to stimulate economic growth.

So, the ninth House of Representatives under the leadership of Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila that has been breaking new frontiers in legislative duties and thorough oversight on the Executive arm of government are ready to interrogate the assumptions on which the appropriation bill is formulated to ensure it delivers on the set objectives.

Having restored the nation’s budget circle from January to December, the Green Chamber will work assiduously on the budget before the close of the year 2021. In the words of the Speaker, ““through the day and night, forgoing all other considerations in a joint effort to deliver a national budget that meets the highest expectations of the Nigerian people.

“Therefore, I am confident that the National Assembly will give this Appropriation Bill the

prompt consideration it demands.

“However, let me use this opportunity to say to the heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria that the determination of the National Assembly to deliver a timely budget will not derogate from our responsibility to ensure exhaustive consideration of the bill.

“We will demand a thorough accounting for the funds previously appropriated, disbursed and expended. And we will take steps to hold to account those who fail to provide the records we need to make informed decisions on the Appropriation Bill.

This is the responsibility of the National Assembly, and we will live up to it.”

Disturbing events in the nation calls for a bipartisan and patriotic collaboration from all men and women of good conscience. This ostensibly informed the seriousness Gbajabiamila placed on the budget review. A man whose legislative agenda is people-centric will not accept anything less than a budget that will guarantee prosperity for the mass of the people.

The budget deficit of N6.23 trillion amidst rising national debt is another major concern for many Nigerians including the legislators. The House has been very vocal on the need to moderate debt exposure of the country. Gbajabiamila and his colleagues on many occasions have called for sustainable borrowings for infrastructure.

Infrastructure is the driver of economic development. The infrastructure of rail, roads and other amenities are essential for commercial activities to thrive. So as this government continues to invest in critical infrastructure, the House of Representatives is duty bound to protect the interests of the masses.

In a series of reforms that the present ninth House has set in motion is an unusual harmonious working relationship without jeopardizing legislative independence. In other words, a collaborative

agenda that is geared towards ensuring that the government delivers good to the greater number of people.

“Over the last two budget cycles, by the joint effort of the executive and legislature, we have made significant progress in this regard and achieved reforms that will stand the test of time and count in our favour,” the Speaker said.

So, the (MDAs) especially the revenue generating agencies have been tasked on how to widen their revenue base, plug wastages, divest from unprofitable ventures and ensure probity in their accounting systems. Investigative panels of the House have been unrelenting to ensure that the monies appropriated for public good are judiciously utilized. If the revenue base is widened, the budget deficit will also be impacted.

The reforms introduced by the ninth Assembly in the appropriations process, “including establishing a January to December budget cycle, improving oversight procedures, and ensuring greater fidelity to the letter and spirit of our appropriation laws, have led to measurable improvements in public infrastructure, access to education and housing, healthcare and transportation, amongst others.

“These improvements, which have had a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country, inspire us to do more”, he said, adding: “We have a continued obligation to ensure that in considering this Appropriation Bill, we make all deliberate efforts to ensure that we continue to make critical investments in education and healthcare, public infrastructure and national security. Through these investments, we can hope to build an economy that provides enough well-paying jobs for our young population so that we can, in our lifetime, end endemic poverty in our country and eradicate the social ills that derive therefrom”.

Ukwata wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL THE JOURNALIST AS NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE Two journalists, Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa, win Nobel Peace Prize

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he quest for peace often takes a journalist to theatres of conflict and violent discord. Sometimes, such sacrifices do get some recognition while the journalist in question is still alive. But only on rare occasions do journalists get credit for the risks they run in defence of democracy and freedom.

This rare note has just been struck in this year’s award of the Nobel Peace Prize to two journalists: Dmitry Muratov of Russia and Maria Ressa of the Philippines.

Ms Ressa is the founder of Rappler, a digital media company founded in 2012 and devoted to investigative journalism. A former CNN regional correspondent, Ressa has been a very influential journalist in the Philippines for more than two decades. Her media organisation, Rappler, has been consistent in exposing the murderous excesses of the Duterte regime in its war against drug trafficking which has degenerated into targeted mass killings and unprintable rights abuses. Rappler has methodically documented instances of IN THEIR DAILY WORK, killings that are so THEY CARRY THE RISK large as to resemble casualty figures in OF FACTUAL REPORTING a real war. And for AND INFORMED that, the Philippines EDITORIALISING ON THE government has CHALLENGES WHICH EVERY DEMOCRACY FACES consistently harassed Ressa through a WHEN CONFRONTED barrage of censorious

BY THE FORCES OF court cases and AUTHORITARIANISM threats to life. She is currently appealing a jail sentence of 15 years in a suit instituted by the outgoing government of President Duterte.

In the case of Muratov, the newspaper, Novaja Gazeta, which he helped found in 1993 and has been editor-in-chief since 1995, consistently challenges the autocratic tendencies of the Vladimir Putin regime in Russia. The insistence of Novaja on sticking to the tradition of open, independent, and factual journal-

Letters to the Editor

ism is what has put them at cross purposes with the Putin autocracy. In the process, he has faced a series of brutal attacks in the hands of the Russian secret police which is suspected to have led to the violent death of at least six of his colleagues in recent years.

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T H I S DAY 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 DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS 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.

THE YAR’ADUA STUDY ON SUBSIDIES (1) Continued from backpage

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n what appears a thematic departure from the predictable, the Nobel award committee indicated that the journalists were being honoured for their commitment to factual journalism and its use to counter the rampaging forces of fake news sponsored by a new breed of populist autocrats. This thematic shift is largely determined by the fact that we are in a realm where the flowering of the social media and the return of elected authoritarians has elevated falsehood and alternative truths to the status of competitive facts.

Alternative truths have also become tools in the hands of rulers who use democracy to rise to power only to deploy the power of falsehood to subvert the ideals of democracy especially freedom of expression. The rise of leaders like Donald Trump in the United States, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Victor Orban in Hungary, and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has witnessed the most outrageous instances of the trend in question.

In general terms, what is at issue is the ancient confrontation between freedom of expression and the forces of authoritarianism. What has complicated the picture is that the license of the social media is also available to determined autocrats who use it to propagate falsehood and elevate it to alternative truths. This is therefore a Nobel Prize devoted to the protection of universal freedom.

No other group in society is better situated to bear the burden of defending the freedom of expression than journalists. In their daily work, they carry the risk of factual reporting and informed editorialising on the challenges which every democracy faces when confronted by the forces of authoritarianism.

At no other time is this challenge cast in bolder relief than now. That is the message being sent by awarding the 2021 Peace Prize to two distinguished journalists.

illingness-to-pay has been identified as a measure of the maximum price a household would pay for electricity services. This varies, depending on households’ preferences, quality, and cost of existing alternatives. Estimate of monthly total subsistence consumption is 50kwlh, an equivalent of a few light bulbs and a radio. That of monthly high subsistence consumption is put at about 120kwlh, an equivalent of a few light bulbs, a small refrigerator, and a television. Charges based on current tariffs is N1.20 per kw/h and N4.00 per kw/h for both groups. Other charges include a flat rate of Nl20 and N130 per month, respectively.

This results in N600-N1440 partial cost recovery (operating and maintenance expenses) and N750-N1800 per month at full cost recovery plus capital.

The approval of Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) for the market transition defines average tariff policy. It does not define the interaction of social and tariffs policies--cross subsidies, social subsidies, etc. It defines an expected level of subsidy (the equalisation fund), but not the risks (up and down) related to that subsidy. It does not define any components of the expected subsidy. It is therefore an excellent starting point, and provides a good framework, but it is not the end point.

MYTO makes assumptions on inflation, affecting capex return and recovery, opex, etc., but exchange rate uncertainty will affect capex in terms of generation cost plus transmission and distribution.

Pertinent questions therefore remain: Will current gas policy result in investment for secure gas supplies of proper quality for sufficient

time? Will standard transmission cost for gas restrict provision of gas to centres of demand? How long before policy can be implemented (Gas Aggregator)? Impact on forecasts? How does one account for the uncertainty from difference between gas policy and MYTO on indexation? Besides the foregoing, work to date has not covered tariff structures and cross subsidy and customer assistance fund.

Some of the suggested priorities for evaluation include the volume and availability risk, generation investment costs, gas prices and transportation costs, losses reduction and collections - and associated costs of improvement as well as sector liabilities brought forward and macro-economic variables. Meanwhile, priorities for evaluation include the significant range of uncertainties, most of the risks that fall to government given the nature of the MYTO decision as well as policy risks and options if government is not to face a ‘black hole’ in the books in the near future.

ENDNOTE: Of course, the landscape of the power sector today is different from that of between 2007 and 2009 following the fundamental reforms by President Goodluck Jonathan which led to the unbundling and privatisation of electricity generation and distribution companies in 2013. But despite the enormity of investments in the sector over the past two decades, power supply in Nigeria still hovers between 3,500MW and 5,000MW daily. This falls far short of the national peak demand of 28,850MW. Aside weak transmission and distribution infrastructure, gas supply remains a major constraint in the value chain. But the most important issue is the lesson we can learn from the sector in the conversation about the role of subsidy in the Nigerian economy. Next week will focus on the education sector in the Yar’Adua study report.

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

NIGERIA HAS A TORTURE PROBLEM

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igeria has a torture problem but the sad thing is that we like to cherry pick. We act like saints when we are the problem. I have watched with keen interest the recent debacle in Kwara State, so barbaric. Children were beaten because they drank alcohol at a party and in a bid to correct them they beat them. But larger than the Kwara incident we have a culture of torture. It is only in Nigeria that a woman will say her husband loves her when he beats her; it is only in Nigeria we beat in the name of religion, we cast out demons by beating people. The elites who attended Cambridge beat and slap their househelps at will.

Even politicians beat their constituents in the name of correction. So what we should be saying is how do we stop this culture of dehumanization in Nigeria? There are very many highly successful men and women that are being beaten everyday but they can’t come out to talk about it. Some of them will argue that nobody will believe them so they decide to suffer in silence.

Only last week a lawmaker was stripped naked and beaten in Rivers State. Everybody and anybody can be beaten. I am sure you remember the scenes of how the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, was manhandled by the same police officers he once presided over.

So it has become a cultural thing in Nigeria. The question is: how can we change it?

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

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POLITICS

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

Moghalu: I’m Not Worried APC is Compiling Names of Litigants The Director General of National Inland Waterways and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief George Moghalu, in this interview says his decision to challenge the outcome of the Anambra governorship primary election in courr was to halt impunity. Excerpts from Adedayo Akinwale

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now. Because we need to have a country that we aspire to lead in 2023. So, we need to build that political culture and get the people to understand and appreciate our challenge which is part of what we are doing. Building the democratic culture and encouraging our people. And, by the time we get to 2023, these problems will be resolved. God has a role to play in this business. But, we keep removing God from the scheme. It is only a living man who can aspire to positions. And only a healthy man can aspire to be anything. We have seen it happen before. It is not rocket science. We have seen people who have tried to plan what they are going to do next year and they did not live to see next year. It has happened before. So, why don’t we do our best now to justify the confidence the people have in us? And, that is what worries me. And you see, in a political setting and a party, the only time you have challenges, is when you want to cut corners.

The rules are straight and if you follow the straight line, you won’t run into problems. But the moment you try to manipulate the process, you will get the answer you deserve. That is why we are having challenges and hiccups right, left, and centre.

ou contested the primary of the APC Governorship primary in Anambra State and you have instituted a legal action against the outcome of the primary.

What are the issues?

I refused to speak on this Anambra politics because the lawyers say when the issue is in the court, you don’t speak. It is sub judice. To that extent, I am in court and following the judicial process.

Are you not bothered that the party is compiling the names of people who have taken the party to court?

Why should I be worried? My being in court is not a hidden agenda. It is as public as anything. If they compile my name, so be it. I wish them the best of luck.

Has the party reached out to you?

No, the party has not reached out to me.

Even the presidency?

Yes. I have met with the Vice President and various leaders in their individual capacity, but the issue is private. They are not what I am supposed to be discussing in the media.

I think we are personalising the issue. We are making it look like it is just me. It is not about me but about the democratic institution. It is about doing what is right. It is about halting impunity. It is about the interest of the party in the state. It is about APC and democracy.

It is not about George Moghalu. It should not be reduced to George Moghalu wanting to be governor. I keep saying that power belongs to God, He gives it to whoever he pleases at his own time and God’s will must be done. If God destinies that I will be Governor, I will be.

If God says no. I will not be. These are things that are beyond us. It is not about me. Yes, he has visited me. And so what?

With this, don’t you think the party might feel you are pursuing anti-party ambition?

Well, I wish them luck. Everybody is free to think whatever they feel. I am seeking justice and not only me but for the entire APC so that things can be done properly. So, that we can enthrone decency and democratic norms. It is as simple as that. It is not about me.

The allegations against you are that you are not following the internal mechanism of resolving intra party issues.

What is the intra party mechanism? You have set up an appeal committee and I have appeared before it. What do they want?

Have you heard from the APC? I have not heard from them. Even as we speak, I didn’t get the report of the appeal committee. I applied but I did not get it and don’t forget, I have a time frame within which if I don’t take my protest to court, I am out.

So, it could be a ploy to get me to lose that opportunity.

Is there anything that can make you withdraw the case in court?

I think you are kind of pre-empting nature in this instance. Because what you are doing is to talk about morals when we are still living in today. Let us wait for tomorrow to come and we will deal with it. But the truth about it is that, as we speak, George Moghalu is in court in Abuja.

What it means is that if Mr. President or the Vice President calls you now, you won’t bother?

That is why I said they are trying to look at tomorrow when we are still living today.

Let’s deal with today and wait for tomorrow to come.

Moghalu

How strong are the chances of your party in the state?

Anything I say certainly will be misunderstood and misconstrued. You must look at it from that perspective and give me the benefit of doubt because I am not in a good position now to analyse the party’s position. Anything I say which may be a reality may be misconstrued that somebody is not with the party and these are some of the challenges. You have to excuse me now because I am not in a good position to give an understandable situation report on the status of the party, because some might see it as true and some might not, depending on which side of the divide you are standing on.

That you are in court doesn’t mean you have abandoned APC? I am an APC man. How can I abandon the party?

How much of the party’s activities are you following as a national officer? There were lots of crises in the congresses and so many things are happening.

I am worried like a lot of people are. I am a critical stakeholder. And I make bold to say it. Because I have laboured for the

party. I played a role in the formation of the party. I have a stake. I am watching because for now, it has been reduced to an Anambra issue. It is a fight for Anambra.

Don’t forget that I was a member of the merger committee that formed the party.

I was elected the first National Auditor of the party and re-elected, before the President graciously appointed me into this position that made me leave the party leadership. I have been fully involved in the party and the process. I am worried about what I read in the papers with the reactions. So, my appeal is that we should not allow this party to implode.

What about the build-up to 2023?

I am worried because we are now playing God. Everybody is now talking about 2023 and we are still in 2021. Who discusses with God to give a guarantee that he is going to be alive? What is the guarantee? Why don’t we make use of the best opportunity that we have? Why don’t we do the best now for the people? Let us emphasize and limit ourselves to today in 2021. Why are we talking about 2023?

Why the emphasis? And why the worry?

I have no problem with anybody having an ambition for 2023. But my appeal is that we should lay more emphasis on delivering the dividends of democracy

As at the time under reference, the Secretary to the Federal Government was from the South-east. The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs was from the South-east.

The Chairman House Committee on Works was from the South-east. The Chairman Senate committee on Works was from the South-east. The Deputy Senate President was from the Southeast. Deputy Speaker was from the South-east and not one kilometre of the road was tarred.

And I dare to challenge anyone for 16 years, what were the legacies? I even forgot to mention the Minister of Aviation. She was from the South-east. They are all from the South-east. The same table where decisions were made when we would have put it in the budget and it would have been approved, financed and awarded? All from the South-east. But, today, work is going on the federal roads in the South-east

Is the process wrong?

It is not right. How can it be right and we are having challenges across the state; we are having disagreements? If you provide a guideline, allow it to operate to the fullest and not minding whose ox is gored. You cannot bend the rules.

The zoning is tearing the party apart.

What is your advice on this issue?

We must talk about it. Honestly, we must put the issue on the table and discuss it. We are talking about human beings and we are talking about interest. All this clashing left, right, and centre is about interests. We are dealing with human beings, not robots. So, we must come to the discussion table and the party as a platform should play the leadership role now and create the enabling environment for peace to reign. And no matter how bad the situation is, we must discuss it. Check the history, every war has always ended at the discussion table and not at the battleline. And the question I keep asking is, why do we have to get to war first before we negotiate? Why don’t we negotiate, discuss and settle to avoid that war? Do we have to come back after the destruction has taken place? And that is what baffles me as a leader. All of us are leaders in our various groups. It baffles me. Why do we have to quarrel before we discuss? Why don’t we discuss to avoid that quarrel? Because we are still going to discuss after or before the quarrel. To avoid the quarrel, we discuss first.

We must talk about it. No matter how difficult it is, we must talk about it. Because if you keep postponing the day, a time will come there will not be a need again for postponement.

What is your take on the agitations that power must come to the South in 2023?

It is a political decision and they are entitled to it.

Don’t you think such a statement is inflammatory?

It depends on your perspective on it and where you are looking at it from.

And the north is born to rule?

It is not about being born to rule. We have heard that before. It still gets back to the point that we have to discuss it. Because it is people that will do the planning and the voting. It is the people that will lead.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021

POLITICS

Onyeagocha: Igbos Who Disagree With the IPOB Should Provide Alternative Hon. Uche Onyeagocha was the immediate past Secretary to the Imo State Government under former Governor Emeka Ihedioha. A former federal legislature who represented Owerri Federal Constituency, he was at a time the only All Progressives Grand Alliance member in the Green Chamber. In this interview with Amby Uneze, the legal luminary turned politician talks about antiopen grazing bill, IPOB agitation among other issues. Excerpts:

T

he is placing on Nigerians as human beings.

It is high time Mr. President begins to focus on Nigerians and not on cows. Finally, let me remind Mr. President that most of the cows we have in Nigeria today are actually being brought in from our neighbouring countries; Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso; our people are going that far to bring in cattle. We do not have enough cattle to feed Nigerians in Nigeria.

The earlier we adopt modern agricultural techniques to increase our demand for beef, the better for all of us.

he sit-at-home order initiated

by IPOB in the South-east every Monday was strictly observed until it was called off, but the Imo state governor denied that the order was not adhered to. Do you agree with the governor?

My answer is simple. The governor spoke to satisfy his paymasters in Abuja. He told them what they want to hear; something that would make them believe he was doing what they sent him to do in Imo State. Everybody knows that the people of the state stayed at home to respect IPOB sit-at-home directives; rightly or wrongly they respected it and believed in it. I will advise that he should stop lying to himself and to his sponsors that he is not in control of the situation. He should tell them the truth even if it would cost him his job that way his sponsors will take him more seriously. It is not as if they don’t know the truth because I strongly believe that the State Security Services in Imo state report back to their headquarters on the situation in the state and I’m sure they would be telling their bosses in Abuja a different thing from what Senator Hope Uzodimma is telling them. It would be proper to tell them the truth so that they would not perceive him as a liar. I advise him to tell them the truth because he is not telling them the truth.

On the anti-open grazing bill that the 17 Southern Governors gave September 1st deadline, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma deviated from the agreement by denying that there was no anti-open grazing law in Imo state to the chagrin of Imo people. What do you make of this?

Once again, I would say that Senator Hope Uzodimma is not telling the truth. Imo state does have an anti-open grazing law and it is Law No. 9 of 2006 Laws of Imo State of Nigeria and it was signed by Chief Achike Udenwa who is still very much alive. The bill was sponsored

by Hon. Oliver Enwenerem who represented Ezihinitte Mbaise State Constituency. He is also very much around. Therefore, I urge the Southern Governors’ Forum to disregard the misinformation by Senator Hope Uzodimma and understand that Imo state has already moved ahead of others, having passed the law since 2006 and Anti-open grazing law is in the gazette of the state. Both the governor that signed it into law and the sponsor of the bill are all alive today to testify to this. They have started correcting themselves now by saying that the law does not cover everything.

I have gone through the law myself and seen it covers everything because it says “every area that is farmed or cropped”.

It is not for the herder to decide whether a parcel of land is farmed or cropped, it is for the owners of the land to say so. When you look into a parcel of land from outside it might look bushy but by the time you enter inside you would discover that it is planted with cassava, etc in it. Sometimes people plant cassava and leave it for two years or more before they uproot it. When a herder sees the bushy part he may move his cattle in it and it destroy the planted crops. So the law is comprehensive enough. I will urge him to stop misleading Nigerians. However, the person to blame is his Attorney General, and I want to appeal to Mr. Attorney General, please advise Senator Hope Uzodimma appropriately so that he would not goof in situations like this. Imo state does have an anti-open grazing law and it exists as Law No. 9 of 2006 and it was signed by Achike Udenwa as a governor then and sponsored

by Hon. Oliver Enwerem.

If the governor does not implement the contents of this law and the herders are unmindful of this law because they move everywhere with their cattle, what is the

Onyeagocha consequence?

It is an abdication of the governor’s responsibilities, because if a law is passed before he came in, he has a responsibility to uphold it. He also reserves the right to repeal such a law if he has any quarrel with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to repeal such a law. But if he wants to repeal the law he should send it to the House of Assembly; and until that law is repealed, it remains the law of Imo state under that subject matter and he has a responsibility to respect and implement it to the latter.

Still on the anti-open grazing issue, recently President Buhari stated that the country has about 365 grazing routes and there are outcries that such routes do not exist and cannot conform with the present situation in the country, where do you stand on this?

With due respect to Mr. President, he claims that there is a law that gave rise to that, but I want to remind him that whatever that law was, it had long been overtaken by the Land Use Act. Unfortunately for Mr. President the Land Use Act is incorporated in the Nigerian Constitution in such a manner that the

only way it can be amended is the same procedure to amend the constitution.

Under the Land Use Act, every land in the state is vested in the governor of that state.

It is the governor who decides on how, whom it should be apportioned, and for what purpose it should be apportioned. I know that the law Mr. President is referring to does not apply in the South because there was a Northern Nigeria then. But even in the Northern Nigeria, under the Land Use Act, the governor holds superior title and authority over every parcel of land within their states and the President does not have any power whatsoever to grant any piece of land in any state. The only thing he can do is to appeal to the governor and if the governor says he will not, there is nothing anybody can do about it.

In the case of Benue state, the governor Otom has done the right thing by insisting that there is no land to give out for ranching. Therefore, the governor has the right to exercise the powers invested in him by the Constitution by deciding to give or not give any parcel land for which Mr. President is demanding. However, I will plead with Mr. President to allow the country to move forward in peace. He is placing more emphasis on cows than

I will plead with Mr. President to allow the country to move forward in peace. He is placing more emphasis on cows than he is placing on Nigerians as human beings. It is high time Mr. President begins to focus on Nigerians and not on cows. Finally, let me remind Mr. President that most of the cows we have in Nigeria today are actually being brought in from our neighbouring countries; upto Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso; our people are going that far to bring in cattle. We do not have enough cattle to feed Nigerians in Nigeria. The earlier we adopt modern agricultural techniques

How do we achieve that?

It is a very simple thing; to find out how the rest of the world are raising their cattle and increasing their beef. It is for those in the cattle business to buy land and bring food for them by ranching. Cows do not need to roam around the streets. Most countries in the world that have become the biggest producers of beef do not have their cattle roaming around the streets. Moreover, cattle business is still a private/personal business like carpentry, shoe making, tailoring, vulcanizing, etc. Cattle should not be elevated to a national pastime.

If you have a culture that allows you to rear cows and roam around the streets, it is okay as long as your right to rear cows does not encroach on my right to keep my farm and land safe for my own use and my own need.

The earlier this country moves beyond the present culture of cattle rearing and animal husbandry that is being adopted in the traditional way into a mechanized system and start producing better yields and beef the better for all of us. Our population is increasing at an alarming rate and by the time we eat up the ones in Mali, Niger, etc, where else would we be going without replicating it through modern agricultural techniques? So I advise that those who are still interested in the business should employ some of these herders and train them in the modern way of rearing cattle in the ranching method instead of allowing them to roam around.

The bandits have taken over the country as killing, kidnapping for ransom have become their daily lifestyle; do you think the leadership of the country is active and effective?

You do not solve a problem that you create consciously and unconsciously just like that. When a government allows an army of unemployed people, they might resort to other means of livelihood including crime. Many of our youths today who are graduates from the universities are unemployed and do not have any means of livelihood. Most of them saw their parents struggle to give them education. The unfortunate thing is that after they graduate and finish their NYSC there is no job to occupy them. If you give somebody education and have nothing to occupy him or create opportunity for him to get a job, you have created a monster in the society. For example, if a young man is an ICT guru and with the experience he has on ICT, he can be a good hacker and he can hack into somebody’s bank account in bank A and dump it in bank B and withdraw it cleanly, you have already created a monster. It is important to point out to Mr. President that we have to think deeply in working in the direction of creating jobs as quickly as possible if we want to reduce the tide of banditry. The situation is very bad everywhere as the likelihood of increasing is higher than the likelihood of reducing because when people are hungry they get into a desperate mood to find means of livelihood not minding whether their actions would cost their lives. That is why I said the rate of banditry is increasing on a daily basis.

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

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FEATURES

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

Creating Jobs in Katsina through National Gas Expansion Project The flag-off of the National Gas Expansion Project in Katsina State is a practical demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by using gas value-chain as catalyst for social and economic development in the country, writes Francis Sardauna

Dignitaries after the stakeholders' meeting

A

ccording to figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), 4.3 million people prematurely die annually from illness attributable to the household air pollution caused by inefficient use of solid fuels for cooking or illnesses resulting from smoke and wood fumes.

Among these deaths, according to WHO, 12 per cent are due to pneumonia, 34 per cent from stroke, 26 per cent from ischaemic heart disease, 22 per cent from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and six per cent from lung cancer.

While about three billion people still cook and heat their homes using wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal and dung in open fires and leaky stoves, most of the people using these solid fuels are poor and live in low- and middle-income countries.

Thus, such inefficient cooking fuels and technologies produce high levels of household air pollution with a range of health-damaging pollutants, including small soot particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. Exposure is particularly high among women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth.

To tackle the predicament in Nigeria, the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, inaugurated the National Gas Expansion Project (NGEP) to reinforce and expand gas supply as well as stimulate demand in the country through the effective and efficient mobilisation and utilisation of available assets, resources and infrastructure in the country.

The NGEP under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, is carefully designed to add value to the vast natural gas reserves Nigeria is endowed with. It seek to also identify existing policy, legal and regulatory framework and commercial instruments that are hindering the development of the local gas sector, reform and implement the promotion of a market structure in a manner that ensure the utilisation of gas infrastructure, assets and facilities on a common carrier and co-sharing basis.

Other key areas the NGEP seek to achieve includes formulating strategies that will promote cost effective distribution of various gas streams by marine, rail and road for achieving a most affordable, available, acceptable and accessible gas to Nigerians and engage state and non-state actors in sensitisation programmes on all aspects of safety in relation to gas usage in the country.

The NGEP is contributing significantly towards the implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari's promise of taking 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Driven by its desire to reduce high reliance on petrol and achieve a cleaner environment,

the NGEP which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari, is also training entrepreneurs in the techniques, skills and production of domestic gas accessories-burners, cookers, stoves and kiosks for the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) micro-distribution centers in the country.

The programme has a targeted employment creation of 1,279,442 (skilled and unskilled) in the 774 local government areas of the country.

This is achievable in nine thematics areas: micro level sales, 573,126; autogas conversion, 374,600; autogas sales, 50,000; agro processing, 13,932; cylinder manufacturing, 2,500; foundry and stove, 12,255; strucking, 17,02; works and housing, 232,200, while storage depot is 3,800.

Interestingly, the benefiting youths and women that are currently being selected across the six geo-political zones of the country, will undergo 90-day entrepreneurial training which is being undertaken by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board and the Petroleum Trust and Development Fund.

This gesture will enable the trainees from the six zones to acquire the skills to build small scale foundries at the local government levels.

They (trainees) will also acquire the skill of the art, science and practical skills of fabrication, learn business management and marketing techniques, learn the principles and practices of Health Safety and Environment issues and understand the principles of Quality Management and assurance, and thereafter get their own foundries for manufacturing.

Designed to assuage the plight of youths, the project is targeting beneficiaries from the following demographic with the criteria as follows: Women in registered cooperatives, people already in the business of Liquefied

Petroleum Gas (LPG) and unemployed youths with a minimum of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) educational qualification across the 774 local governments of the country.

Consequently, the NGEP had on October 9, 2021, flagged-off the programme in Katsina, the home-state of President Buhari, to ensure easy access and availability of liquefied petroleum gas in the state, create job opportunities for unemployed youths through the selection of beneficiaries from the project.

The launching of the project in the state would also assist to scale up the business of entrepreneurs and individuals who are already in the business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and ensure that individuals, families and groups get proper knowledge on the use of LPG and its benefits such as curbing desertification and pollution through firewood smoke.

Speaking at the event, NGEP Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, said the programme was a practical demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by using gas value-chain as catalyst for social and economic development in Nigeria.

Ibrahim, represented by Dr. Aminu Abba Yahaya of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, explained that the federal government through the NGEP, would provide at least one gas megawatt power supply in each of the nation’s 774 councils. He added that the programme would also create 700,000 jobs.

In his presentation at the event titled: "A Framework for Strategic LPG Penetration", the NGEP chairman added that the National Gas Expansion Project is a programme designed by the federal government towards boosting the domestic utilisation of natural gas in the

The launching of the project in the state would also assist to scale up the business of entrepreneurs and individuals who are already in the business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and ensure that individuals, families and groups get proper knowledge on the use of LPG and its benefits such as curbing desertification and pollution through firewood smoke

domestic market.

He said: "We want to roll out micro distribution centres in Katsina. The aim for rolling out the micro distribution centres in the state is to create more awareness to people of the state to adopt the safer ways of handling LPG as a cooking gas.

We are targeting the 774 local governments across the country. So, in each of the local government, "We are going to roll out a micro distribution centres in the state. Therefore, this internal stakeholders' engagement for the planning and communication for rapid roll out of micro distribution centres in Katsina, will provide proper health and safety tips on the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)".

He admonished residents across the 34 local government areas and 361 political wards of the state to prioritise domestic LPG because it reduces the Nigeria's Green House Gas emissions under the INDC's Paris Climate Change Agreement and curb national rate of deforestation.

Under the social stimulation, he said, it improve standards of living in rural communities, create an estimated 700,000 job opportunities for the unemployed youths and women, financial inclusion for women and increase human capacity development for women and youths in the country.

Earlier, the Director General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency, Tukur Jikamshi, said the state was committed to ensuring that the programme is tailored towards industrialising the country through gas, automotive and other applications, stressing that natural gas is a catalyst for industrial and economic growth.

He affirmed that the usage of LPG is necessary following the prevailing cases of premature deaths being recorded yearly as a result of indoor pollution from cooking and various illnesses resulting from smoke and wood fumes, saying "98,000 people die annually because of indoor pollution".

In his closing remarks, Mr. Adamu Yahaya, urged the participants to support the national gas expansion project to ensure the actualisation of its mandate of eradicating the usage of firewood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal and dung in open fires and leaky stoves in order to enhance cleaner and hygiene environment in the state.

Meanwhile, participants at the one-day engagement meeting drawn from the Federal Fire Service, engineering profession, government officials, businessmen and women, brainstormed extensively on how to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas in their respective homes as well as preventive measures to be adopted while using the liquefied product.

Therefore, the National Gas Expansion Project is a practical demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by using gas value-chain as catalyst for social and economic development in the country.

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21

#THISISNIGERIA -Ibrahim Faruk.

EndSARS: A Generation Still in Search of Justice

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rom October 8th 2020, Nigerian youths staged a series of nationwide peaceful protests for 12 days – in an affirmation of young citizens’ democratic and constitutional right to peaceful assembly as well as freedom of association.

Leveraging social media platforms, young Nigerians demanded an end to the country’s unbearable spate of police brutality. The hashtag #EndSARS was not just a social media trend as it inspired street protests of youths across the country. The approach deployed and the management of the protest was unprecedented.

The aftermath was both fertile and fatal.

Loud calls were made from various quarters for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation in hopes of reaffirming citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and assuring protesters of the government's commitment towards meeting their demands.

The youth put forward a 5-pronged list of demands, calling for the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force and an end to police brutality. One of the #5for5 demands was a call for the establishment of independent

Judicial Panels in all states of Nigeria to investigate police brutality cases and recommend appropriate compensation for victims.

In October 2020, following the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria and the diaspora, the National Economic Council (NEC), directed the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry by state governors to investigate complaints of police brutality and extra-judicial killings. Membership of the NEC comprises the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other co-opted government officials. The NEC is chaired by the Vice President. Despite the directive, only 29 states and the FCT set up Judicial Panels of Inquiry. Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states consistently refused to establish their respective panels. While these seven states were part of the collective NEC decision, their actions reinforce the notion that the need to engage in meaningful security sector reform is not a national concern.

Over the past one year, 22 states Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger,

Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba - have completed sittings.

Curiously, 6 states - Abia, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Nasarawa and the FCT - have stopped sitting for unknown reasons. Kogi inaugurated its panel but the panel held no sittings.

Only the reports of the Bayelsa, Ekiti and Ondo State Judicial Panels of Inquiry have been submitted, publicly presented to the state government for implementation of their recommendations, and are available to the public. Citizen observers deployed by Yiaga Africa and Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria across all the panels report that over 2,791 petitions have been submitted across the 29 states and the FCT where the Judicial Panels of Inquiry were established.

October 2021 marks one year since the #EndSARS protests rocked the country.

This provides an opportunity to reflect on the demands for justice by the generations most affected by police brutality since the creation of the Nigerian nation-state.

The generations most affected by police brutality span across Millennials and Gen Z. These generations make up the largest electoral demographic; the most productive and innovative workforce yet the most

underrepresented in decision making spaces and the least granted access to justice viz-a-viz the search for justice following the #EndSARS protests. They are still in search of justice despite the claims by the federal government to have met the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.

Former US President Barack Obama, popularised Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” as a means of inspiring a young generation to take action towards ensuring justice - whether it's against racial inequality or police brutality. The truth of history however, reflects many examples of where ‘the arc’ did not bend toward justice.

It really bends the other way and it stays that way for a while. The only way to make it bend towards justice is when we organise, when we register, when we make the demands for the Judicial Panels to release their findings, when we vote, when we hold our leaders accountable and when we perform our duties as citizens.

Ibrahim Faruk is a Program Manager with Yiaga Africa’s Governance and Development Program, a member of the Leadership and Strategy Team of the #NotTooYoungToRun Movement and an #EndSARS protester

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 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

O C T O B E R

S & P INDEX

1 3 , 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%

CISCO’s Whitepaper Identifies Coverage Cost as Major Challenge to 5G Deployment, Suggests Agile Transport Infrastructure to Cushion Effect

Emma Okonji As Nigeria fine-tunes her last minute arrangements to deploy 5G network across the country, following the approval by the National Executive Council (NEC) for 5G rollout, Cisco, a global leader in technology, which provides global support for the internet, has identified a major challenge in deploying 5G globally, and has suggested key technology solution that will address the issue and allow for seamless rollout of 5G across the globe, Nigeria inclusive.

Cisco identified the challenge in

a whitepaper document, published recently by Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), with contributions from Cisco Executive, which THISDAY obtained from the website of GSMA. Following last month’s approval

by NEC for 5G rollout in Nigeria, after a successful trial of 5G network on the MTN network in three major cities, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, had said that the Fifth Generation (5G) network would be deployed in Nigeria in January 2022, which

he said, would aid the surveillance of public assets against vandalism.

Pantami disclosed this in Maiduguri at a town hall meeting to address the vandalism of power and telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

In a related development, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has equally assured Nigerians of the plan for 5G network rollout in Nigeria, which he said, would enhance consumer experience and speed in network connectivity.

Danbatta gave the reassurance during the second quarter 2021 meeting and open forum of the Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF), which held in Lagos.

5G is currently being deployed across the globe with services typically introduced into urban areas and expanding coverage over time.

However, Cisco, in the published document, said: “One of the major challenges over the coming years for 5G rollout, will be enhancing 5G coverage cost¬-effectively. The 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) is a major contributor to overall

cost with significant increase in the number of deployed cells and associated equipment as well as increased requirements for speed, reliability, and latency performance.

“5G is designed from the beginning to support multiple services with a more flexible and agile virtual network architecture.

This requires an equally flexible and agile transport infrastructure that can cost¬-effectively support both 5G and legacy mobile network services as well as other IP¬based services.

The transport infrastructure needs to be open to enable network sharing,

automated to enable adaptation to changing service requirements and programmable to enable support of future requirements.”

According to the whitepaper, Cisco Fronthaul packet routers make it possible to implement an end¬to¬-end packet transport solution from cell site radio to mobile core that converges 4G and 5G Mobile and Fixed services. They provide the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to alternative RAN transport solutions. 5G Fronthaul Continued on page 24

KPMG to Spend $1.5bn to Accelerate Solutions for Environmental, Social, Governance Issues Ugo Aliogo As part of its on-going multi-billiondollar investment programme, KPMG International Limited, an Anglo-Dutch multinational professional services network has announced that it plans to spend more than $1.5 billion over the next three years specifically to focus on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) change agenda.

A statement by the group said the collective investment would focus on training and expanding KPMG’s

global workforce, harnessing data, accelerating the development of new technologies, and driving action through partnerships, alliances and advocacy.

“The ESG strategy is designed to support KPMG firms’ clients in making a positive difference.

Importantly, this strategy is underpinned by KPMG’s recognition of its responsibility to improve its impact on the world and the ESG commitments outlined in KPMG: Our Impact Plan, “KPMG said.

The statement also noted that the key to the transformation would be embedding ESG in the organisation and client solutions to drive measurable change.

KPMG said the new global ESG strategy focuses on five priority areas such as solutions, talents, supporting developing nations, collaborations and alliances and others.

In his comments, the Global Chairman, KPMG, Bill Thomas, noted that what worked for the company and other businesses in

the past would not work in the future.

He explained that the world faces crises on multiple fronts, which is why they are putting the environmental, social and governance agenda at the heart of everything they do.

He further remarked that ESG would be the watermark running through their global organization; from empowering people to become agents of positive change, to the services with clients and partnerships with critical stakeholders.

He added that KPMG has the

global scale, expertise, technology, and relationships that give them the ability and responsibility to use their position to provide solutions and services to overcome the challenges facing our planet and society.

The Global Head of ESG, Richard Threlfall, said: “It is incumbent on all of us as businesses and as individuals to play our part in tackling the challenges that threaten the future of our planet and the quality of life of people throughout the world. Our global ESG strategy will help equip

our people to make a difference, as well as mobilize data and technology in support. But we also recognize that the changes society is demanding will be realized most effectively through open collaboration based on trust, and we will continue to seek out opportunities to partner with other organizations that share our sense of purpose to enable a better future for everyone, everywhere.”

Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Continued on page 24

ATA AASS AT AT WWEEDDNNEESSDDAY, AY, OACUTGOUBSETR 1113, , 22002211 MMAARRKKEETT DDATA ONNDDSS FFGGNN BBO DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 12.175 15-AUG-2021 10-OCT-2021 10.301 FGNSB 11.244 16-AUG-2021 16-OCT-2021 11.150 FGNSB 10.296 11-SEP-2021 13-NOV-2021 12.364 FGNSB 13.390 12-SEP-2021 14-NOV-2021 12.175 FGNSB 9.091 FGNSB 10-OCT-2021 11-DEC-2021

BILLS

OTC FX F U T U R E S

100.09 100.10

3.16 2.85

Change Change (%) (%) 0.00

100.10 100.22

3.16 2.92

0.00

9-Sep-21 NTB 28-Oct-21

3.10 3.04

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100.67 100.72

3.13 3.25

0.00

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26-Aug-21 NTB 14-Oct-21

3.00 2.88

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CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

AUG27 252021 2021 420.93 NGUS OCT

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SEP 29 NGUS NOV 24 2021 422.38

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3.26 0.00 0.00 3.37

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NOV26 242022 2021 425.28 NGUS JAN

3.37 0.00 0.00 3.96

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DEC23 292022 2021 426.73 NGUS FEB

CCPs Ps MATURITY

Discount Discount Yield Yield Change Change(%) (%)

MREP CP CP XV XXXI CMBL 1113-AUG-21 OCT-21 UNCP CP VIII III 27UBNP 18AUG-21 OCT-21 VAAG CP IXII 27CMBL 31AUG-21 OCT-21 TTNG CP IIXVII 31CMBL AUG-21 15-NOV-21 SIBP CP 2-SEPFSDH CPI III 1621 NOV-21

9.02 6.27

9.03 6.27

0.00 0.00

4.26 7.91

4.27 7.93

0.00 0.00

10.20 4.14

10.25 4.16 0.00 0.00

4.59 5.15

4.60 5.18

0.00 0.00

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4.14 6.57

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

INAUGURATION OF NEW PRODUCTION PLAN…

L-R; Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Ore Famurewa; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster, Mr. Ben Langat; Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande; Chairman, Audit Committee, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC and Board Member, Rev. Isaac Agoye; and Manufacturing Director, FrieslandCampina Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster, Mr. Lamidi Adekola at the official commissioning of SUNDAY ADIGUN FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s new production plant in Ikorodu, Lagos State… yesterday

Pantami Appraises NDEPS’ Implementation, Says it Has Significant Impact on Nigeria’s Economy Emma Okonji The implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, (NDEPS) in less than two years of its launch, have had significant impact on Nigeria’s economy with the digital sector contributing 17.90 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in second quarter of 2021 from 13.83 per cent in 2018, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has said.

The minister disclosed this in his keynote speech titled, “Driving the Implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria: The Journey So Far,” at the just concluded 14th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2021.) held in Athens, Greece.

The Minister, who was represented at the conference by the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, decried Nigeria’s loss at previous industrial revolution and maintained that Nigeria had to make strategic decision to join the digital bandwagon as it cannot be left behind in this digital age.

He said, “We lost totally in the past industrial age but we must not lose in today’s digitalisation and the digital economy, driven by the Fourth Industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 is the next phase of digitalisation.

The digital economy is developing at a remarkable rate, and it has been widely accepted that it is the single most important driver of innovation, competitiveness and growth.”

Pantami said the attainment of

the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG), would largely rely on the increased proliferation of new technologies and innovations that is currently revolutionising all sectors of the global economy.

While ascribing the success Nigeria is recording recently to the re-designation of the former Ministry of Communications to Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the launch of the NDEPS, the minister said: “These timely and strategic actions have positioned Nigeria as an early adopter of the digital economy paradigm with the aim of taking advantage of the many opportunities that it provides.”

He stated that the alignment of the NDEPS with the three focus

areas of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of economic diversification, fight against corruption and security, had contributed to the growth of the nation’s economy.

While listing 16 policies that the ministry under his supervision has initiated, the minister noted that the strategic implementation of these policies and foundational initiatives of the NDEPS, served as the catalyst for enabling Nigeria to exit recession after the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quoting from the report of the National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS) Patanmi maintained that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector recorded the highest growth rate of all sectors of

the Nigerian economy, in both the fourth quarter of 2020 (Q4 2020) and the entire year.

“The 14.7 per cent growth rate of the ICT sector was greater than the combined 14.21 per cent growth of the 2nd to 7th fastest growing sectors in Nigeria in 2020. The telecommunications sector also recorded a growth rate of 15.90 per cent and this was its highest growth rate in the last 10 years. The NBS released the Q1 2021 report and the ICT sector retained its position as the fastest-growing sector of the economy, contributing 14.91 per cent. In the second quart of 2021, ICT contributed an unprecedented 17.92 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. The Digital Economy sector has therefore proven to be

vital for the diversification of the economy,” Pantami stated.

On the nation’s security, the minister explained that various initiatives adopted, were already providing necessary solutions to the insecurity challenge the country is facing. He noted that the recent presidential directive for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to be moved to the Ministry, was part of the government’s efforts towards accelerating the implementation of the Digital Identity Programme and enhancing security in the country.

He further stated that the country recorded surge in the implementation of SIM-NIN linkage which stands at 64 million Nigerians with

completed National Identification (NIN) registration. He added that the government was committed to ensuring that the nation’s cyber space is safer with various initiatives.

On the issue of fighting corruption in the public sector, the minister stated that the government had established an automated Information Technology (IT) projects clearance process, which aimed at eliminating duplication and ensure the nation derive value for her money in the implementation of ICT projects in the country adding that “From 2017 to date, the IT Projects Clearance program has registered 1,048 users, cleared 485 projects and saved N22. 856 billion, about $58.8 million for the federal government.”

How Technology Firm is Bridging Software Talent Gap for Tech Companies Emma Okonji Given the apparent shortage of senior software engineers in the western world, The Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that by 2026, the dearth of software engineers in the United States of America (USA), would exceed 1.2 million.

Among other nations, Canada, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom encounter the same paucity.

This scarcity of senior Information Technology (IT) experts is unarguably due to the constant increment in global digital consumption, which puts more pressure on the central digital exporter countries, and this will keep increasing as the middle class rises in developing economies, Zwarttech Technology Firm has said.

The technology firm, in a statement, said the question now is, how can this shortage or lacuna be plugged?

“Well, for every challenge or problem, there is always a solution.

In this case, Zwarttech, a social impact firm, has researched and established a global shortage of senior IT experts, “it stated.

Moreover, the firm founded by Dr. Nelson Tosin Ajulo, has uncovered an innovative remedy to this global undersupply of senior IT experts,” Zwarttech said in a statement.

According to the firm, “Zwarttech addresses this scarcity by harnessing the abundant talent deposit and resources across Africa and connecting them to international job opportunities.

In addition, the social impact firm provides Remote Senior IT Experts (Technical and Non-Technical) and

Cybersecurity specialists from Africa, which includes outstaffing and outsourcing.

“The Zwarttech innovation provides companies worldwide with senior software engineers within 24 hours and in straightforward steps. With the Zwarttech business model, clients have options to choose the solution that best fits your needs. A client that has experienced the Zwartech innovation is Discovelo, a Canadian company.

Discovelo is a social enterprise focused on the development of software designed to accompany traditional fitness equipment like stationary bicycles. The software will promote emotional regulation, creativity, learning, and healing for a broad end-user cross-section – starting with classrooms.”

CEO/President of Discovelo, Scott

Keesey, while sharing his experience, said Zwarttech has extensively helped reinforce and close the tech gap in the company’s software development team. ‘’We were in search of someone that knows the job and can fit our budget. We considered countries with low price points and quality work.

Zwarttech was the best fit. I reached out to the company, and I gave them our brief. They gave us the best game developer we can ask for, and we have never looked,” Keesey said.

On the quality of the job and the value the game developer has offered so far, Keesey said that the developer developed a multiplayer game prototype within weeks of joining the team, which is fantastic. ‘’Our tech team only had the experience of developing a single-player game. But when the need arose for a

multiplayer game, Zwarttech provided us with a game developer who built a multiplayer prototype in weeks. I would say that the Zwartech developer has been able to plug the gap in our tech team and even contributed more by being committed, accountable, communicative and determined. Even the time difference and the distance between Canada and Nigeria has never been an issue. We had no problem working with an African developer because we are a diverse and inclusive company,” Keesey further said.

“Our concerns evaporated due to the unique business model of Zwarttech.

They provided vital oversights and have taken care of all loose ends on both the senior IT expert and client sides. So, we knew that we could go forward with the unknown,” Keesey said.

CISCO’S WHITEPAPER IDENTIFIES COVERAGE COST AS MAJOR CHALLENGE TO 5G DEPLOYMENT, SUGGESTS AGILE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO CUSHION EFFECT

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)

packet routers thus enable the cost¬effective expansion of converged services.

Engineering Product Manager, Mass-Scale Infrastructure Group at Cisco, Shahid Ajmeri, one of the contributors to the whitepaper document, said 5G would introduce a large number of improvements and innovations that impact the

design of RAN. These, Ajmeri further said, include New Radio with higher speeds and capacity, along with Network Decomposition and a Software Centric Approach enabling the flexibility of deploying Radio Units (RU), Distributed Units (DU) and Centralised Units (CU) as separate virtualized/containerized functions.

“Programmable Software- Defined Networking (SDN) controllers and Management and Network Orchestration (MANO) solutions that can be leveraged to effectively control these functions along with convergence and automation to converge all services into a common transport network and deploy them in the

form of Network Slices, enabling continuous monitoring and service assurance.

“These transformations show the highly dynamic nature of the 5G RAN where predictable planning of static network expansions is no longer an option. The 5G RAN is automated, software programmable and constantly adapting in real-time

to evolving service requirements and traffic flows that are constantly changing. This requires a flexible transport solution that can adapt to the dynamic traffic flows expected in the 5G RAN and at the same time, converge the legacy RAN services on the same Fronthaul Network,” other contributors to the whitepaper, said.

KPMG TO SPEND $1.5BN TO ACCELERATE SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE ISSUES KPMG, Jane Lawrie, commented: “We know that KPMG and our profession have an important and pressing opportunity to accelerate the change needed for a sustainable future; that change starts with us. Our Impact Plan, launched in January, lays out how we intend to change our actions and commits to report against our progress so we can be held to account.

“The ESG agenda is as important to our people as it is to clients; these significant changes outlined today

further reinforce KPMG’s purpose to Inspire Confidence and Empower Change and act as a north star for how we grow the organization.”

On his part, the Chairman, KPMG Africa, Kunle Elebute, added: “ESG plays a significant role in creating progressive, healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation and others to come.”

KPMG in the statement said, “Five newly dedicated Hubsare to be established to provide worldclass expertise and solutions on

key ESG issues, these will focus on: Global Decarbonization, helping large multinational businesses meet their net-zero commitments and plan their decarbonization journey, and Global ESG Advisory, backed

by Advisory teams from KPMG firms, offering market-leading ESG expertise including leadership on societal issues and solutions. Three KPMG Regional ESG Hubs will also be established in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas to allow clients easy access to world-class

insights and expertise across the ESG agenda.

“KPMG will invest in its leading climate and ESG solutions and technologies, including Climate IQ, a digital tool that helps clients identify opportunities and risks arising from climate change. To complement the technological investments, the global organization will also expand its workforce, both for ESG advisory work and to provide assurance on ESG disclosures. Additionally, KPMG will develop its proprietary

audit workflow technologyto enable delivery of ESG assurance with the same quality and rigor that KPMG firms apply to financial audit work.

“ESG training will be provided to all of the KPMG organization’s 227,000 people to ensure that everyone is empowered to be an agent of positive change. As part of this training, KPMG is working with two leading global academic institutions, University of Cambridge Judge Business School and NYU Stern Executive Education.”

25

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

e-BUSINESS

Enhancing Govt Service Delivery with Technology Emma Okonji writes on the need for increased technology adoption in governance in order to make government services more accessible to citizens and to boost revenue generation for government

G

overnment across all levels have a lot of services to offer to the citizens but slow in technology adoption that will enhance citizen’s access to government service delivery, thus creating a wide access gap between government and the people.

The 2021 Nigeria e-Government Summit, organised recently by DigiServe Networks Services, however stressed the need for increased technology adoption in government service delivery that will make government services more accessible to citizens and to boost revenue generation for government. The summit also emphasised the need for increased collaboration between government and technology service providers that will foster adoption of the right technologies for governance.

TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

Highlighting the objectives of the e-Government Summit, which include: Building a mutual beneficial relationship between government and technology service providers that will impact on citizens and the Nigerian economy; Encouraging collaboration between government and technology service providers that will foster adoption of the right technologies for governance; Creating awareness about technology adoption in governance; Creating more channels for revenue generation for government, through the use of technology in tax collection; and Growing capacity building to boost local content development through the use of technologies, the Executive Chairman, DigiServe Network Services, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, also stressed the need for increased technology adoption in government circle.

According to Ajayi, technology service providers were not engaging government enough and they were not coming up with adequate technology solutions that would enhance the delivery of e-government services.

“Those who suffer most from the lack of sufficient government engagement are the Nigerian citizens, because citizens no longer get quality service delivery from government. Citizens are not getting quality service from government because technologies are not efficiently deployed in government service delivery. In order to bridge the gap, Digiserve, decided to use its e-Government Summit platform to bring together, government and technology services providers to share experience on the way forward,” Ajayi said in his welcome address.

E-GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES

The Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist, and Enterprise Business Group at Huawei Technologies, Mr. Hong-Eng Koh, in his keynote address at the summit, spoke of his experience about e-Government, using Singapore as an example of countries that have successfully implemented e-Government strategies.

He stressed the importance of ubiquitous internet access in driving e-Governance, and the need for government to make online businesses user centric in order to fully engage the citizens. He said government must be transparent and should offer a platform that is one-stop-shop for various government transactions. He also said connectivity remained key and that every government seeking to adopt e-Government strategies, must also ensure connectivity to all databases to enable citizens have unhindered access to databases when they are in search of information. According to Koh, each country seeking to adopt e-Governance, must develop a national portal

where all the captured citizens’ data are stored and retrieved, when needed. He also spoke about convergence of all national databases into a single database for easy access. He listed five stages of e-Governance strategies that Singapore adopted 20 years ago, to include: Emerging e-Governance, Enhance e-Governance, Interactive e-Governance, Transformational e-Governance and the Integrated e-Governance. He added that all transactions of government were means to an end, and emphasised the need for collaboration between government and the citizens.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who was represented by a senior management staff at NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, during the summit, stressed the need for technology adoption across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in order to promote effective delivery of government services to the citizens. He said NITDA, which has the responsibility to oversee Information Technology (IT) development in the country, would continue to support technology adoption for efficient service delivery in the digital age.

According to him, in 2012, NITDA developed the National E-Government Master Plan, which he said was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, that sets the well documented plan for e-Government in Nigeria. He said NITDA was already working with relevant government agencies for the successful implementation of the National e-Government Master Plan.

“Aside the National eGovernment Master Plan, Nigeria also has the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, which was championed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami. With these two documents, NITDA is working hard to harness them for effective delivery of government services to the people,” Abdullahi said.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta who also delivered a keynote speech at the 2021 e-Government Summit, said technology remained an essential factor that would enhance government service delivery.

Danbatta who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management at NCC, Barr. Adewolu Adeleke, said e-Governance remained an essential component of the Digital Economy and that such discussion at the 2021 e-Government Summit, demonstrates Nigeria’s collective commitment to the realisation of the full potentials of the Digital Economy in Nigeria.

According to him, direct access to government services had reduced the involvement of middlemen and significantly reduced corruption in the provision of government services.

He said NCC had been working assiduously with all stakeholders to deepen penetration of broadband infrastructure and services, which support the growth of e-Governance and other critical digital economy objectives throughout Nigeria.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Chairman, Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mr. Muhammad Nami, who was represented at the summit by the Group Lead, Digital Support

Group at FIRS, Mrs. Chiaka Ben-Obi, spoke on the benefits of technology adoption by the federal government to enhance e-Government service delivery.

Nami said technology remained a key enabler and the cornerstone of any nation’s development, thus providing huge opportunities for e-Government service deliveries.

According to Nami, “The path to successful implementation of eGovernment is complex, sometimes requiring legislative support, effective design of administrative and technical procedures, and extensive consultation processes with key stakeholders. FIRS is ready to partner with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Technology Companies and Multinational Organizations and other stakeholders, for eGovernment initiatives that will increase tax compliance, increase revenue generation and accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.”

TECHNOLOGY IN TAX ADMINISTRATION

The summit, which had different panel sessions, discussed about the use of technologies in tax administration in one of the panel sessions.

The session, which was chaired by the Group Lead, Digital Support Group at FIRS, Mrs. Chiaka Ben-Obi, explained that global nations were already using technology to grow their economies. Participants said Nigeria remained blessed with different natural resources, which could be converted to huge businesses and wealth, through the use of technologies. The panelists said if there were insufficient businesses in the country, the FIRS would not have enough businesses to task and that government would not be able to generate much money from taxes. Chairman of the panel session, Ben-Obi, said: “Nigeria has the population and should be able to develop several indigenous businesses that are taxable to generate money for government.”

The panelists who discussed the lead paper, said there was need for Nigerians to think out of the box to develop businesses that would make them employers of labour. They also advised FIRS to be more technology savvy in their tax collection process.

The panelists stressed the need for accurate data gathering to drive relevant applications that would help to identify taxable businesses in the country. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service decried the situation, where less than five million tax payers are captured in the tax data record of Lagos State, whereas the state has over 20 million population, thus depriving the state of huge sums of money that would have been paid as tax, if the data of all taxable adults was well captured by the state government.

The panel session was of the opinion that if the states generate sufficient money from taxes, there would be enough money for the states to develop infrastructure that would benefit the citizens.

POSITIONING TELECOMS INFRASTRUCTURE

Another panel session at the summit,

which discussed about the positioning of telecoms infrastructure for e-Government deployment, emphasised the need for the security of government infrastructure to enable better delivery of government services. The panelists said government must leverage ICT and telecoms infrastructure to provide quality services to the people. They decried the situation where most government agencies still operate manually with lots of paper work and file carrying, instead of leveraging on emerging technologies to provide quality services to the people. The panelists suggested that connectivity intelligence should be imbibed as a culture among government agencies.

They advised that access to connectivity be made available to all Nigerians, especially to those in hinterlands and rural communities.

Delivering the lead paper at the panel session, the Group Managing Director, VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, discussed broadband penetration, data generation, telecoms infrastructure and government policies. According to him, all these would enable government to deliver quality services to the masses, and boost e-Governance in Nigeria. He defined e-Governance as the application of Information Technology to the processes that will improve government functions in smart and transparent ways.

To achieve this, Omoniyi said connectivity would play a key role. He spoke on the need for automation and digitisation of government services, which he said, would increase efficiency and reduce corruption in government circles. He said VDT developed robust infrastructure that supports government services.

INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES

Participants at the e-Government summit, also discussed international best practices in e-Government and the Lagos State e-Government use cases.

While delivering a lead paper on International Best Practice in e-Governance, the National Coordinator, Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), Mr. Olusola Teniola, talked about governance, public private partnership and international best practices in e-Government. He said e-Government would need a lot of energy and commitment on the part of government.

He urged government to engage widely with the private sector to enhance eGovernment services. He said e-Government would lead to positive interaction of the public, and he gave example of international best practices of e-Government strategies with Singapore.

He advised that government must develop digital skills and adopt the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach in implementing e-Government strategies.

While discussing the lead papers of the session, Africa Public Policy Manager in charge of Connectivity at Facebook, Mr. Fargani Tambeayuk, said: “e-Government relates to how government interacts with the citizens and Facebook has developed tools that will help government interact effectively with the citizens.”

Country Manager, Infobip Nigeria, Mr. Olatayo LadipoAjayi, highlighted the growth indices of e-Government across continents, and stressed that Africa must be ready for e-Governance. He however emphasised the need for citizens engagement by government in order to achieve more with e-Government strategies.

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

26

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Assessing FG’s Protective Efforts in COVID-19 Era Ugo Aliogo examines the protective efforts of the federal government during COVID-19 era

S

ocial protection is a right for the federal government and not a token or favour. The last 18 months have been difficult for families and communities across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vision of equality and inclusion as explained in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become blurred. Social protection programme coverage in Nigeria has remained low during the COVID-19 crisis.

Between mid-March and July 2020, about 4.9 per cent of households received assistance in the form of cash from institutions including the government and about 3.6 per cent in kind assistance. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed the weakness of the current global economic model and social protection system. More than four billion persons, about 53 per cent of the global population, are completely unprotected against economic shocks. With about 17.4 per cent social protection cover, Africa has the least social protection coverage for its citizens leaving most Africans vulnerable to economic shocks, poverty, hunger, huge sickness burden, illiteracy, and destitution.

There is also the argument from experts that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the weak state of existing social protection systems. Decades of broken promises and policies that prioritize financial obligation over social and environmental responsibility through austerity programmes have damaged social protection programmes and essential public services.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) a combination of debt burdens, inadequate health systems, largely informal economics, rural-urban migration, pre-existing medical conditions gender and socio-cultural disparities make the crisis especially acute particularly in the developing countries where the UN estimates that about $2.5 trillion rescue funding will be needed to avoid an economic and health catastrophe.

A civil society expert and the Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Babatunde Oyebisi, who is passionate about the issue, though commended the federal government’s response to tackling the COVID-19, but lamented that there were shortcomings that didn’t mitigate the magnitude of the problems faced by citizen, for instance proposed stimulus bill aimed at providing 50 per cent tax rebates to businesses that are registered under the CAMA 2020.

His standpoint is that while international funding and technical support is important, it does not replace the responsibility of national and local government to establish and finance right-based, and national social protection floors.

He urged government to ensure that financial support should be given to those who need it most, including excluded and marginalised communities, migrants, refugees, older persons, parents on parental leave and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLDs).

He hinted that social protection should not be politicized because it is a right and public good. Oyebisi posited that there is need to use technology to track rations of food distribution, leakages which would help reduce corruption.

Providing another context to the discourse is the President Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who stated that it is firmly established that the crisis of physical insecurity in Nigeria has very strong ties with human insecurity especially as marked by the dearth of social protection cover for the poor and vulnerable in the society.

He opined that social protection is essential for human security and social justice, adding that it is the foundation for peaceful societies committed to shared

wealth and prosperity.

Wabba remarked that the United Nations over a decade ago endorsed social protection floor for fair globalization, stating that International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 102, ILO Recommendation 202 and the SDG Goal 1.3 on social protection systems for all by 2030 give credence to the centrality of social protection to stability and progress.

According to him, “A social protection floor such as basic income security including cash transfers where needed, pensions, disability benefits, unemployment benefits and support, maternity protection, child benefits. Also, universal access to essential social services such as health, education, water sanitation and housing makes a lot of difference.

“Social protection is a fundamental human right intended not only to set a minimum social security floor but also plays an important role in alleviating poverty and providing economic security for all. The universal declaration of human rights and the international covenant on economic social and cultural rights recognise the right of all to social security. As a human right and component of decent work, social protection allows working conditions that are safe, fosters family values, provides for compensation in case of lost or reduced income and permits access to adequate healthcare.

“Before the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, there was a gross underestimation of the deficits and gaps in global social protection cover especially in developing countries including Nigeria. The pandemic has exposed deep-seated inequalities and significant gaps in social protection coverage, comprehensiveness and adequacy across all countries.

Furthermore, pervasive socio-economic challenges such as high levels of economic insecurity, persistent poverty, rising inequality, extensive informality and a fragile social contract have been exacerbated by COVID-19 and the failure by governments of the world to deploy social protection cover for all.”

The President, Society for Family and Social Protection, Dr. Abiola Thompson Tilley-Gyado, supported the views of the two experts, noting that the national social protection policy provides a social protection response around four main themes which are social assistance, social insurance, child protection and the labour market, “however, only a few components of these are included in the first national implementation plan.”

FG’S EFFORTS

In 2016, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on an effort to institutionalise social protection programme by setting up the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP).

The policy explained that social protection is a mix of policies and programmes designed for individuals and households throughout the life cycle to prevent and reduce poverty and socio-economic shocks by promoting and enhancing livelihoods and a life of dignity. Among the overarching goals of the NSPP are reducing poverty among persons vulnerable to being poor and empowering persons vulnerable to economic shocks.

One of the key mandates of NSPP includes developing a database of a national social register for poor and vulnerable households. A key component

of the policy is the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) which is coordinated through the National Social Investment Office (NSIO). The NSIP consists of programmes such as the N-Power, National school feeding programme, cash transfer programmes, and others.

As part of federal government efforts to support vulnerable families cushion the effects of the COV19pandemic, they embarked on major strategic response such as the emergency economic stimulus bill 2020 passed by the House of Representatives on March 24, 2020, to provide support to businesses and individual citizens of Nigeria. There was also the Credit Cash Transfers (CCT) which government announced that it would make transfers of N20, 000 to poor and vulnerable households registered in the National Social Register (NSR). After President Muhammadu Buhari imposed the lockdown in Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Ogun States on April 1, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development announced that it will provide food rations to vulnerable households in these States.

Tilley-Gyado argued that though the federal government took numerous health, social and economic measures to cushion the impacts of COVID-19, however, those policy measures had weaknesses and when put together don’t commensurate with the magnitude of the problem, “too little too late as did not springboard from a familiar programme.”

Corroborating the point earlier made by Oyebisi, Tilley-Gyado laudedgovernment’s proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted that there were many businesses in the informal sector that are unregistered so it will be difficult for them to get these benefits, “these businesses are often supported by microfinance facilities.”

The NLC boss remarked that the state of social protection cover and standard of living indices is unsatisfactory.

He disclosed that as at 2020, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that about 83 million Nigerians representing 40 percent of the total population live in abject poverty, pointing out that as at March 2021, 33.3 percent of Nigerians are unemployed, “we have never had such high numbers of the army of the unemployed in the country.”

He affirmed that most of the unemployed and under-employed in Nigeria are caught in the web of perpetual misery as they lack the basic skills and training to break forth from the stranglehold of poverty.

He shared the view that in the absence of any modicum of sustained social protection cover, the only available alternative is to resort to a life of crime, adding that it is the reason many young people are involved in terrorism, kidnap-for-ransom, rural cum urban banditry, armed robbery, militancy, prostitution, thuggery, and other forms of violent crime.

According to him, “The fate of Nigerians who are fortunate to have jobs is not any rosier. Many workers in Nigeria including those in the public service are not covered by any form of social protection cover making their work highly precarious. While most of the federal government employees are covered by the Contributory Pension Scheme, the lot of workers in the employment of our states and local governments leaves very

sour taste in the mouth. Out of the 36 states and the FCT, only five states have been consistent in the payment of pension benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). These States including those on pension schemes different from the CPS have been very consistent in the payment of pension to retired workers. Only five states have group life policy and sinking fund on pension. Only six states are funding accrued rights. Only seven states have made provisions for Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account. Only eight states have concluded their actuarial evaluation. Only 10 States are consistently remitting both employee and employer contribution.”

UNITED NATIONS’ POSITION

The International Labour Organization (ILO) social security (Minimum Standards) Convention Number 102 of 1952 lists the nine branches of social security to include medical care, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, old-age benefit, employment injury benefit, family benefit, maternity benefit, invalidity benefit, and survivors benefit. The minimum objectives of Convention 102 include population percentage protected by social security schemes, level of minimum benefit to be secured to protected persons, as well as to the conditions for entitlement and period of entitlement to benefits.

Recently, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres called for accelerated action on social protection and jobs as an escape door from uneven global recovery and future crises.

The UN Scribe called for measures to achieve job-rich recovery and a just transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy.

Guterres appealed for jobs and social protection cover that would create at least 400 million jobs and the extension of social protection cover to 4 billion women and children currently without coverage.

The UN Secretary General also recommended a number of policy measures to achieve the goal of jobs investment, social protection, poverty eradication and sustainable recovery.

He said: “There is need for the development of integrated national and inclusive recovery strategies for decent job creation, especially in the care and green sectors, universal social protection, and a just transition, and ensure they are aligned with macroeconomic and fiscal policies which are underpinned by sound data. There is need to expand investment in social protection floors as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in national budgets; and design policy measures to extend social protection to workers in the informal economy, and to foster the progressive formalization of enterprises and employment.”

PWDS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION

A new survey conducted across four States in the North-west, revealed that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are the least benefactors of the various national social protection programmes in these States. This is in spite of the fact that the PWDs are among the most vulnerable and neglected set of people.

The survey, which was conducted in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara States, was aimed at determining the level of inclusion and participation of PWDs in social protection policies, programmes and processes.

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

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NEWS

APCON’s New Standard of Practice to Restructure Terms of Engagement Raheem Akingbolu The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), has unveiled a fresh Advertising Industry Standard of Practice (AISOP), which will deepen the business relationship between advertising agencies and their clients, as well as unraveling the lingering debate surrounding payment of pitch fee in the

industry.

The development thus indicated a new dawn for Advertising practice in Nigeria as it would create a frame for mutual respect between agencies and their prospective clients.

Speaking to stakeholders in the industry in Lagos recently, the Registrar of the APCON, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, said the development became necessary, following the

Experts Identify Strategies to Bridge Generational Gap at Workplace Raheem Akingbolu Experts at the just concluded ‘Dive In Nigeria’ festival, have identified the nagging problem of generational gap at the workplace, especially within the nation’s insurance ecosystem.

The event, which held virtually, with the theme, “Mind the Generational Gap,” focused on generational gaps in the workplace and their impact on productivity and business outcomes.

Financial broadcast journalist and business anchor at CNBC Africa, Esther Awoniyi, who anchored the event and set the context for the virtual summit, stressed that the focus was to raise consciousness around active ally ships, pull resources, and widen perspectives towards helping the insurance sector get fit for the future.

Another speaker, Next-Gen Mentor and Co-founder of African Family Firms, Nike Anani, welcomed guests to the 2021 festival just as she made a case for better diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“By 2025, 75% of the workforce in Nigeria will be millennials, so this conversation couldn’t have come at a better time. We are looking at how can we elevate the voice of the younger ones; how can we create workforces that enable every employee’s ability and opinion and not just impose the dominance of the older?” Anani queried

Echoing similar sentiments, Omokunbi Adeoti, Head, Human Resources, Divisional Director, Leadway Assurance Company Limited, proposed the BRAICE model.

She advised that for this gap to be bridged, organisations must be flexible and open-minded in their style and approach just as they must respect individual strength and differences, accept the reality of generational differences, integrate these differences to drive generational goals through projects, teamwork and mentoring as well as create an environment for free expression of these differences, including reward practices and explore all communication styles and channels.

“We cannot continue to pay lip service to the complexities that come with the generational differences in the workplace. It is imperative that we address it because it is fundamental to the growth and critical to an enduring legacy, “she noted.

Also speaking during the panel session, Head, Corporate Responsibility Unit, AIICO Insurance Plc, Abimbola Shobanjo, noted that the generational gap is due to differences in the outlook and behaviour between the different generations and may lead to conflict or issues and complicate communication amongst a different generation.

approval of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, for APCON to develop an equitable and acceptable frame work in line with the Federal Government’s reformative plans aimed at accelerating the pace of economic recovery post pandemic era, enhance gainful employment, overhaul the institutional and regulatory framework for the Nigerian advertising industry in line with best practices, APCON set up a stakeholders’ committee with representative from various associations.

According to Dr. Fadolapo, in preparation for the conception of the AISOP, the Council thought it wise to set up an all-inclusive committee made up of all sectoral groups in the industry to produce a suitable framework that defines a minimum standard, in order to have equal and fairly represented opinions that will form the

guidelines of the entire advertising ecosystem. The committee was set up in April, 2021and was chaired

by Funmi Onabolu, which after a thorough joint brainstorming, in collaboration with APCON, presented a minimum acceptable standard of practice framework that is suitable and is globally acceptable.

According to him, “AISOP was specifically set up to provide the regulatory framework in all critical areas of concern for the stakeholders in areas such as Engagement policy, Payment terms and conditions, numeration model, media rates and commissions, disengagement protocols, credit policy, return of advertisement and measurement, peaceful resolution and other regulatory industry protocols. It is expected that with the implementation of this guideline, the Council will be placed among the most progressive advertising and marketing

back-end strategy geared towards driving major initiatives that would herald a new era of opportunities to position Nigeria’s aviation industry as a global powerhouse. Our coming marks the beginning of a new dawn and also a historic event in the aviation industry, ”he stated.

Speaking on the need for innovative solutions that will propel the aviation industry to the fore of global competitiveness, Olorunyomi stated that collaboration with key stakeholders, such as government and the private sector will play a critical role. According to him, Copterjet is focused on building strong and dynamic partnerships with people from diverse backgrounds as no entity can possibly drive structural transformation alone; hence strategic collaboration is key.

“I call on captains of industry to rise to the occasion and make Nigeria the hub of aviation in Africa. We have the number, we have the strength and so it is high time we leveraged on our strengths. We must be as competitive as possible in the industry given the necessary support”, he added.

Also speaking at the event, National President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Abednego Galadima, lauded Copterjet for its commitment to taking aviation to an enviable height, stating that the company’s emergence at a time COVID -19 is still ravaging all sectors of the economy including aviation is a favourable development.

that must be respected by the practitioners, which include terms of engagement. “All contracts of advertisement must be formally declared between the parties involved, in writing before appealing to APCON for intervention. Henceforth, the whole day of payment is for 45 days, anyone that exceeds this, will attract CBN’s interest rate.”

President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, while applauding the Council, noted that he can now heave a sigh of relief, adding that it is long overdue. “It is a good one coming from APCON; I think it is long overdue. As the president of AAAN, these are some of the things that keep me awake, where members complain on some of these issues that the law has tackled. I am looking forward to the enforcement and execution of the laws,” Babaeko said.

MSMEs Get Boost as Gennex Technologies Launches Power Solution in Nigeria Peter Uzoho With access to electricity hampering operations of most Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterpriss (MSMEs) across Nigeria, there seems to be fresh hopes, with the launch of affordable off-grid power solutions

by Gennex Technologies Limited.

The initiative by the company, tagged, “LOBO Combo 1.2KVA,” is to provide support to MSMEs and galvanise the economy.

It was learnt learnt that the LOBO Combo 1.2KVA solution is designed and customised to provide the necessary resilience for the Nigerian environment.

Speaking during the product launch in Lagos, the Managing Director of Gennex Technologies, Mr. Patrick Ilo, stated that Gennex was more than just a company.

He said the power solution was an idea and vision borne over the last six years with passion to leave indelible footprints in the Nigerian off-grid solar energy industry.

He said, “Since inception, Gennex has remained true to this vision - delivering best-inclass and innovative products in the industry; guided by our core values of professionalism, excellence, innovation, integrity, accountability, teamwork and safety.

“On this occasion of the 2021 Customer Service Week, Gennex Technologies adds another feather to its cap by introducing a new product - The LOBO Combo 1.2KVA solution. This product is specifically designed for MSMEs. “MSMEs account for 99.5 per

Stakeholders call for SuperTV Introduces Collaboration as CopterJet Zero-Data App Offering International Launches Promoters of Aviation specialist service firm, Copterjet International have called for strategic collaboration with stakeholders to drive growth, transformation and development in Nigeria’s aviation value chain.

The company, which officially launched recently at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), said that with the right initiatives, support and collaboration with key players; the Nigerian aviation industry would drive economic prosperity and sustainability.

Speaking during the highbrow event, Chief Executive Officer, Copterjet International, Captain Toluwa Olorunyomi stated that the company is fully prepared to step into the aviation industry from the top end of the market with the capacity to drive growth and development, not only in Nigeria’s aviation industry but in Africa at large.

According to Olorunyomi, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation ecosystem and its fallout on the tourism and hospitality businesses have created an opportunity for stakeholders to identify strategies and innovative solutions that would change the narratives in the business space; hence it is a fitting time for Copterjet to emerge.

“At Copterjet, our vision is premised on a resolute mandate to transform the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond. We have drawn a detailed roadmap with

communications industries across the globe.”

The council umpire implored key players and industry players to support the iconic transition of the reform to ensure its success, adding that its success will not only grow the business of advertising and marketing communications, but will also help to create other numerous job opportunities either directly or indirectly for Nigerians.

“We are confident that the guideline serves to dictate the best interest of Nigeria’s advertising industry in particular and in general practice. APCON is committed to constantly improving the practice of the advertising industry. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the Advertising Industry Standard of Practice (AISOP), which takes effect from today, the 6th of October, 2021, and so it shall become enforceable henceforth,” he proclaimed.

He revealed other guidelines

SuperTV, an online streaming company has launched in Nigeria.

The APP, which came alive for download in the first week of October was said to be the first of its kind with a turn of the mind imaginative profile unknown in the industry.

SuperTV’s power packed operational and hard-to-beat market entry strategy is based on a “zero-data” proposition, coupled with her tectonic and turbocharged partnership with Nigeria’s largest telecom Network, MTN. According to its promoters, this double entry strategy was to ensure easy subscribers’ access, and affordability of SuperTV products and services everywhere they go - with MTN network coverage.

“With SuperTV, subscribers do not incur internet data charges to stream after subscription. The user gets to enjoy either Live TV, Video on Demand, or both, at absolutely no additional cost after subscribing successfully” the company had stated.

At the launch event to unveil the brand’s offerings, powered by the “ZERO DATA” proposition, Acting CEO, Super Network Limited, promoter of SuperTV, Ijeoma Onah, said, “Nigeria currently has about 173 million mobile subscribers with a penetration rate of 123%. Smartphone penetration is 40 million - forecasted to grow to more than 140 million

by 2025. In spite of these very impressive numbers, Nigeria is still performing very poorly in the streaming markets, hardly even showing up in global statistics.

The major reason for this is that the average Nigerian cannot afford the data costs required to stream video. This is how and why SuperTV was conceived, to democratise streaming in Nigeria and Africa.”

“The user gets to enjoy either Live TV, Video on Demand or both at absolutely no additional cost after subscribing successfully. We also leveraged on the sachet culture in Nigeria by providing daily plans across all our bouquets thereby making the service affordable and inclusive for everyone. Our entry level price of N200 for the Bronze Daily plan is about the cost of a bottle of soft drink for example.

SuperTV therefore offers great entertainment and an affordable viewing experience,” Onah added.

To further assure Nigerians, the Acting CEO stressed that the brand has expectantly looked forward to the launch, as the brand believes there is a large market for affordable entertainment on demand anywhere and SuperTV will serve this large unmet need in Nigeria.

She added that the launch of SuperTV on the MTN network means that over 80 million Nigerians stand on the threshold of accessing the world through the SuperTV App.

cent of all firms and 60 per cent of employees. According to the international Finance Corporation (IFC, 2006), lack of access to electricity is one of the major obstacles to MSME growth, “Ilo said.

Quoting the 2020 Doing Business report, Ilo said getting access to electricity was ranked as one of the major constraints for the private sector in Nigeria.

He added that while big companies with access to finance could afford alternative sources of energy, MSMEs were left at the mercy of Nigerian electricity providers; thereby hampering their growth potentials.

He further said, “According to PwC, “approximately one out of every seven firm” exits the Nigerian economy due to

concerns related to access to power. As MSMEs provide 60 per of total employment, providing energy access to this critical segment helps sustain job creation, productivity and economic growth for our country. This is in line with our company’s mission to provide energy access by delivering efficient, innovative and affordable products and solutions. This also dovetails with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7 and 8 respectively.

“It also comes with the Gennex mark of quality, warranty and after sales support. We therefore seek partnership with financial institutions to provide this product to MSMEs across the length and breadth of Nigeria through creative financial initiatives.”

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Consumers Win N6m in Stanbic IBTC Reward4Saving Campaign Sixty patrons of Stanbic IBTC have won N100, 000 each in the first tranche of the bank’s Reward4Saving promotion.

The electronic draw for the September edition held recently in Lagos and witnessed by regulatory authorities, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), produced 60 winners across different geopolitical zones of Nigeria who will be rewarded with N100,000 each.

To qualify in the draw for the prizes, ranging from N100,000 to N1m, a customer needs to save a minimum of N5,000 for 30 days in the deposit account of the bank and the more N5,000 a customer deposits, the more chances to qualify for the draw.

Speaking at the draw, the executive director, business and commercial clients in the bank, Remy Osuagwu, said the bank

recognises that saving is an important aspect of an individual’s journey to financial freedom and it was this reason that the bank created a campaign to reward customers for their dedication towards building a savings culture.

“The savings promo seeks to encourage customers to develop a habit of saving while also encouraging customers to take advantage of our end-to-end digital services to access diverse financial products and services. The art of saving is a positive practice all individuals must cultivate, to achieve financial stability”.

Osuagwu further said that at Stanbic IBTC Bank, they remain committed to the corporate purpose of serving their customers and stakeholders by putting them at the heart of business and rewarding them for their loyalty.

Also speaking, Emmanuel Aihevba, head, main market clients said as a customer-centric

financial services provider, Stanbic IBTC appreciates and values its customers as it has always ensured that customers’ financial needs

are met with the bank’s bespoke products and services at all times.

Aihevba said the good news is that the promo will be on till

November, 2021 thereby giving more people the opportunity to become millionaires. “As we may all know, having a savings culture

cannot be over emphasised and having a financial services partner that appreciates you for saving is even more encouraging

I-Train Africa, UNLEASH to Train 50,000 African Youths on Soft Skills Emma Okonji I-Train, a global mentorship online platform for African Youths in Nigeria, in partnership with UNLEASH Denmark, has announced a training programme for African youths, designed to upskill Africa youths with relevant soft skills.

The online training, which will accommodate over 50,000 African youths, was announce during a recent webinar conference.

Convener of the Global Mentorship Conference for African Youths and

founder of I-Train Africa, Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju, who made the announcement at the webinar, said: “There is a need for literate African youths to understand the ‘Whys before the How’s, the reason being that a large number of youths in Africa that are literate, don’t understand why they are on their current academic pursuit or life path.

And this needs to be addressed if they are to arrive in the future, they envision for themselves.”

Patron of the Global Mentorship Conference for African Youths and

CEO of AIDA resources, Alhaji Abdullahi Barau Abubakar, said: ‘’The education within the four walls of the school is not enough to get literate youths in Africa to the desired destination, they would need direction and clarity especially if the youth generations of today who have been froth with a narrative of a lack, desire to change for the better”.

Sustainable partnership and collaboration in this time is a driving enabler to achieve the required impact of the program and one key objective

of the organisers of the event is for more youths on the continent to access global opportunities using their works in the social good space.

The program lead for UNLEASH Denmark, Gregory Pepper, also said that the support for the Global Mentorship Conference for African Youths not only mirrors some of the key objectives of the UNLEASH as an organisation, but also is in line with the aims of UNLEASH in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which addresses global problems.”

Microsoft Launches New Game for Beginner Developers Nosa Alekhuogie Microsoft Africa Development Centre (Microsoft ADC), the premier Engineering Center for Microsoft, has announced the commencement of its Game of Learners Clinic, a three-month intensive program for students in the university and beginner

developers across West Africa.

The programme is scheduled to commence in October 2021, and will allow participants to level up on .Net, JavaScript, Git, Azure, Software Design and Program Manager Fundamentals.

Designed to introduce a fun, hands-on learning experience

for students, Game of Learners is an 11 week program and will begin with a development path where learners will attend free virtual clinics with specialized coaching and training that will allow them to acquire handson experience and cultivate a learner-led developer community.

In the second core part

of the program participants will learn about Product Requirement Documentation, Project Management 101 and Prioritization Framework.

Speaking on the Game of Learners Clinic, Managing Director, Microsoft ADC – West Africa, Gafar Lawal, said: “At Microsoft ADC, we recognize

the creativity, innovation and passion driving productivity in Africa’s technology landscape and Game of learners presents a unique opportunity to be a strong driver of this community. Our vision with Game of Learners is to create a platform where young developers and any other interested participants

can build long lasting solutions to challenges using technology.

Looking beyond engineering, our focus is to begin to harness other skills that are invaluable in solving not only the problems of today, but also those of the future. With this program, we are empowering young developers in Africa to achieve so much more.’’

THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

How to Tame Cancerous Cells

Of all the diseases that plague man, cancer remains the most life-threatening. The reason for this is not farfetched- late detection makes it very debilitating, as such chances of anyone surviving the ordeal after the disease has literally run its full circle is very slim. But according to Dr. Lohith Reddy, a Radiation Oncologist with India’s largest Cancer care center, Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd, all hope is not lost as they have been helping millions of Nigerians deal with the dreaded disease, Adedayo Adejobi reports

F

or Dr. Lohith Reddy, a Radiation Oncologist with India’s largest Cancer care center, Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG), through their network of 20 comprehensive cancer centers spread across India, they are helping millions of Nigerians deal with the dreaded Cancer disease.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, the oncologist said HCG has brought advanced cancer care to the doorstep of millions of people.

Expanding the conversation further, the reporter took a lead by asking about all the nitty-gritty of cancer and why it has become such a deadly disease ruining lives and families across the world.

He said: “Human body is made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don’t die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can crowd out normal cells.

This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should.

“Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body. There are two main categories of cancer including: hematologic (blood) cancers are cancers of the blood cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma as well as solid tumor cancers are cancers of any of the other body organs or tissues. The most common solid tumors are breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers.”

According to Dr Lohith, “Even though cancer can lead to death, it’s not necessarily cancer that causes someone to die. Causes of cancer deaths can include organ failure due to the size and stress of a tumor, complications during surgery, organ rupture due to tumor size as infection due to the immune system’s ability to fight off illness while on cancer treatment.”

When asked on to how he deals with a patient upon being diagnosed with cancer, knowing that an average patient sees cancer diagnosis as a death sentence, the fear of a cancer death, of pain and the lack of dignity, he said what he does to break the bad news is to show empathy.

“Encouraging the patients to be a partner by taking the active role in cancer treatment can help to get the best care from the team of doctors, nurses, and other health care providers taking care of the patient. They can try to fully understand their cancer, their treatments, and what they can expect,” he stressed.

Short of blowing his trumpet, Dr Lohith Reddy who also has expertise in active precision oncology research in the imaging space and the usage of artificial intelligence in prognosticating and predicting the outcomes and side-effects of cancer by developing a concept of Radiomics and Radio-genomics, said, “For years, HCG has been defining the future of cancer care in India by designing, building and managing cancer centres with a steadfast vision ‘to transform the cancer care environment by bringing core clinical services to one central place’.”

Adding as a matter-of-fact that the company’s overarching philosophy is “To help patients live longer, better lives - and to improve cancer care one centre at a time. At HCG, each centre is a model of excellence, a place where physicians can achieve professional fulfillment and accomplish breakthroughs in patient care.”

Pressed further, he said, “HCG has grown rapidly and is now a leader in cancer care, managing a network of 19 cancer care centres pan-India. Each centre is provided with a business system, management expertise

Dr Lohith Reddy

For years, HCG has been defining the future of cancer care in India by designing, building and managing cancer centres with a steadfast vision ‘to transform the cancer care environment by bringing core clinical services to one central place’ and capital resources to bring patient focused, state-of-the art cancer care to new regions.”

According to him, “An area of such intensity requires innovative treatments and methods, and the introduction of industry-changing technologies, for the overall benefit of both the medical expert and the patient. Cancer research is an area that requires more serious work and HCG aims to rise up to that challenge.

In all its years of working in this field, HCG has led the march against cancer and set benchmarks in the industry, by introducing many new technologies, highly useful in increasing the accuracy and saving time. Cancer surgery is an important area of medicine and we aim to lead with our strong framework and technology infrastructure.”

Knowing how cancer has dealt heavy blows on families and even nations like Nigeria with poor health facilities which put them at the receiving end of the deadly disease you wonder if all that is being said is not a fly-by-night tale, but Lohith Reddy dispelled every iota of doubts.

“Ultimately, our patients are the

beneficiaries of these achievements- every accomplishment brings us one step closer to our ultimate goal of longer, better lives for cancer patients and their families.”, he enthused.

On how HCG coordinates and implements its cancer care activities, he said, interventions to improve the continuity of care in the follow-up of patients with cancer. “Cancer is a very complex disease characterised by varying clinical features and treatment phases. The continuum of cancer care includes risk assessment, primary prevention,screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care”.

When quizzed on why HCG has become a preferred destination for Nigerians seeking cancer treatment abroad and may be responsible for this, he offered some plausible explanations.

“The main reasons for the growing popularity of medical tourism in India include the long waiting lists in the developed countries; low cost of medical treatments in India as compared to other developed countries. According to Africa,

Nigerians annually spend US$200m on medical tourism to India. The attraction of Nigerians to Indian hospitals is to seek quality and cost-effective healthcare services. India has emerged as a major health provider because of its ability to offer ‘first-class treatment at Third World prices’. India is a major player in global medical tourism and has become the destination of choice for afflicted Nigerians who can afford to, or are compelled by fate of ill-health, to seek medical attention in that country.”

Also citing a report attributed to the Indian High Commission in Nigeria, which states that 47 per cent of Nigerians that visited India in the year 2012 did so to seek medical attention, he revealed that ,“The Nigerian medical tourists to India expended N41.6 billion (US$260million) in foreign exchange in the process (Daily Independent Newspaper, June 6, 2014, p.3). The trend resulted from the inequality in access to healthcare and dearth of specialised medical facilities, which have remained a critical challenge to Nigeria’s healthcare provision.”

Probed further, he said, “At HCG, it has been our venture to redefine the future of healthcare through specialising in cancer care and advanced diagnosis. About 275 specialists work with HCG - The specialists in cancer care. We have engaged in a constant endeavour to mould the future of healthcare in India by designing, building and managing healthcare centers with a steadfast vision of bringing core clinical services under one roof. Our intent is to help patients achieve a longer and better life. With a network of 20 cancer centers across India, HCG makes advanced cancer care accessible to millions of people.”

HCG, he further maintained, “is striving to transform the healthcare environment of the country ensuring it brings together quality, expertise and knowledge. Besides this it is also extending its footprint to international markets. We have established cancer centres in Tanzania and Kenya as of now and hope to expand further to other countries in the near future.’

“At HCG we offer all modalities of cancer treatment with the most advanced state-ofart technologies under a single roof. The concepts like Precision Oncology which is integral part of HCG practice can be one of the factors. We strive to support our patients in all the possible ways, we have started Tele -consultation also for the International patients amid this pandemic.”

While commenting on mortality rate of cancer in Nigeria, the Indian-born medic said one way to reduce the fatality rate is to get “The right treatment at the right time.”

Cancer mortality, he emphasised, can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early.

There are two components of early detection.

“When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to treatment and can result in a greater probability of survival and less morbidity, as well as less expensive treatment.

Significant improvements can be made in the lives of cancer patients by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care.”

Early diagnosis of symptomatic cancers is relevant in all settings and the majority of cancers, he said, adding that cancer programmes should be designed to reduce delays in, and barriers to, diagnosis, treatment and care.

“A correct cancer diagnosis is essential for appropriate and effective treatment because every cancer type requires a specific treatment regimen. Treatment usually includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or surgery.

Determining the goals of treatment is an important first step. The primary goal is generally to cure cancer or to considerably prolong life. Improving the patient’s quality of life is also an important goal. This can be achieved by support for the patient’s physical, psychosocial and spiritual well-being and palliative care in terminal stages of cancer.”, Dr Lohith Reddy emphasised.

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 14, 2021

31

NEWS

FERTILITY

Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

Fidson Rewards Winners of Fidvite MISSING INTRAUTERINE #MyChildCan Competition DEVICES (IUDs) Part 1

L-R: Product Manager, OTCs, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Tunde Balogun; 1st runner-up in Fidvite My Child Can Talent competition, Whitney Jayeoba; Corporate Services Manager at Fidson Healthcare Plc., Temitope Akindele; Winner of the Fidvite My Child Can Talent competition, Delight Moses; Head of Marketing at Fidson, Friday Enaholo, during the prize presentation ceremony held recently at the Fidson Towers, Lagos

Mary Nnah Fidson Healthcare Plc has rewarded the top three finalists of the Fidvite #MyChildCan competition with a cumulative cash prize of N1, 750,000.

The prize presentation ceremony which took place penultimate Thursday at Fidson towers, Obanikoro, Lagos, had in attendance parents and guardians of the winners as well as other well-wishers.

The competition, which was announced on Children’s Day, May 27, 2021, was organised to celebrate the hope and happiness children bring to our lives.

The contest had over 147 entries from talented children across Nigeria showcasing skills, including public speaking, acting, playing musical instruments, cooking, singing and athletic demonstrations like boxing, among others. At the event, the Head of Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr. Friday Enaholo, congratulated the winners for emerging tops among many participants who participated from different parts of Nigeria. He further reiterated the

efficacy of Fidvite multivitamin to the development of children.

Speaking, Enaholo said childhood requires a lot of energy, which they get mainly from the food they eat, noting however that food alone cannot give them all nutrients required in the needed amounts.

He advised therefore that parents should supplement their children’s diets with multivitamins like Fidvite to bridge that nutrient gap. He added that Fidvite was specially formulated to provide the needed vitamins or supplements to children.

In the same vein, the product manager for OTC products at Fidson, Mr. Tunde Balogun stressed that Fidvite since the introduction in 2019 have not only improved the health of children but also support the development of their talents and skills.

He added that Fidvite, which promises the development of vision as well as mental and physical development, is fulfilling that goal through the #MyChildCan Competition.

Through a combination of the judges’ decision and public votes, the three winners emerged and

were presented their cheques at the presentation ceremony.

As already announced on Fidson’s official Instagram handle - @fidsoncares, the first and second runners up are Whitney Jaiyeoba and Alexis Obi respectively. The winner of the first Fidvite #MyChildCan Competition is Delight Moses who earned the spot by her impressive and educative oratory presentation.

Expressing her appreciation to Fidson, her parents and all the voters, the star winner, Delight Moses from Port Harcourt dedicated her winnings to the development of the girl child.

In her words, “I stand for the girl child, and I will continue to champion our course” Fidson Healthcare Plc., in her bid to make a difference in the society is particularly interested in the all-round development of children. In fact, Fidvite multivitamin is specially formulated to add value to the life of an average Nigerian child as it is the ideal dietary supplement for kids which ultimately prevents vitamin deficiencies.

Anti Malaria Programme: FG to Save N293.7M on Logistics, Data Collection Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Newly introduced electronic data collection system will save the federal government about N293,700,000 in logistics cost out of the N890 million budgeted for the implementation of the malaria Intervention programme this year.

A group working in partnership with the Federal Ministry Health and National Malaria Intervention programme, Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) said the initiative will enable quick identification of malaria endemic areas and for accurate analysis of data on treatment intervention.

The group said the new data collection device known as Accountability Management Information System is an upgraded version of the management information system (MIS) used during the first phase

of the malaria intervention project (2019-2020).

Explaining its importance, the Coordinator, Mr. Ayo Ipinmoye said it was designed to collect and analyse data to give more insightful information that can help in decision making, organisation objective tracking and progress report on project implementation by ACOMIN and it’s respective stakeholders.

ACOMIN national coordinator said the new data collection initiative has saved government about N293,700,000 in logistics cost out of the N890 million budgeted for the implementation of the malaria Intervention programme.

In addition, he said that the deployment of technology in data collection will help check Malaria commodities like ACT and insecticide treated net.

He said that with the lastest upgrade of ACOMIS, data can

be collected from the field on a real time basis across all the implementing states. These date automatically get stored in the database, processed and analysed in depth and displayed in tables and chats.

According to him ACOMIS has become more interactive and is built to allow the community based organisations (CBOs), State Program Officers (SPOs) , Monitoring Evaluation Officers and National Program Team to interact by submitting data to it.

Speaking on the dangers posed by malaria, the coordinator said that more three billion people, about half of the world’s population are at risk of Malaria disease, a treatable and preventable disease, spread by the female anopheles mosquito.

The coordinator expressed hope that that the current initiative will further help Nigeria in achieving effective malaria control and elimination.

I

t is possible for a woman to get pregnant if a man’s sperm gets to one of her eggs. Contraception is an attempt to stop the eggs from being produced or prevents the sperm from getting to the eggs. One method of contraception is the Intrauterine device (IUD). In this topic, we will discuss what an IUD is and what happens when it gets missing in a woman’s body.

WHAT IS AN IUD (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE)?

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is an example of birth control measures. It is a small T-shaped plastic device and when inserted into a woman’s uterus (womb), causes changes in the uterus and makes it difficult or nearly impossible for fertilization and implantation of an egg to occur.

IUDs can also be referred to as “Intrauterine Contraception” (IUC). Studies suggest that IUDs are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Despite the fact that IUDs are highly effective, no birth control method except abstinence is 100% effective.

so that they are not able to swim or join with an egg hence preventing pregnancy.

Once it is inserted, it can last for up to 12 years. Advantages of the copper IUD over hormonal IUD include its ability to provide emergency contraception up to five days after unprotected sex. It contains no hormones, so breastfeeding mothers should have no fear of any side effect and fertility resumes immediately after removal. It is 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. One may experience heavier bleeding and more cramps during menstrual periods when using the copper IUD. Menstrual periods should lighten after few months of having the IUD and all worries would be a thing of the past.

TYPES OF IUD DEVICES 1. Hormonal IUD i.e. Progestogen Releasing IUD: This hormonal IUDs works by slowly releasing small amounts of the hormone known as progestin, which prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Other functions of hormonal IUDs include: r 1SFWFOUJPO PG PWVMBUJPO UIBU JT UIF SFMFBTF of an egg from the ovary) r 5IJDLFOJOH PG UIF DFSWJDBM NVDVT UP QSFWFOU sperm from swimming to the egg r 5IJOOJOH PG UIF VUFSJOF MJOJOH UP TUPQ B fertilized egg from implanting Apart from preventing pregnancies, hormonal IUDs lighten one’s menstruation and reduce cramps. Some hormonal IUDs may get rid of your menstrual periods entirely. For the first three to six months after the IUD is inserted, your periods will likely become unpredictable.

IUD REMOVAL PROCESS A health-care professional should carry out the IUD removal process. Studies show that the removal process is a less invasive procedure with minimal pain compared to the insertion process.

This process requires the health care professional to find the cervix using a speculum. Afterwards, a special ring forceps or clamp is inserted into the vagina to grasp the IUD strings by gentle traction in order to pull the IUD out.

However, in some situations, the strings of the IUD may not be located. This could be due to the strings sliding higher into the cervical canal. A health-care professional can use special instruments to locate the strings and remove the IUD. Complications of IUD removal are rare, and removal can take place at any time. Studies have shown that removal during the menstrual period is easier because the woman’ cervix is thought to be softer during this period than other times in the menstrual cycle

IUD INSERTION PROCESS The process of inserting IUD is safe and reliable. For many women, the most difficult part of getting an IUD is overcoming the psychological fear of the insertion procedure.

This should not be a limitation as a well-trained professional can perform the procedure in FUNCTION OF THE IUDs a hospital or a nearby health center in less IUDs prevent conception by causing a brief than 15 minutes. localized inflammation that starts about 24 The physician will take the following steps hours after insertion. This inflammatory reaction to insert the IUD: " TQFDVMVN XJMM CF JOTFSUFE JOUP inside the uterus attracts white blood cells r (lymphocytes), which then produce substances the vagina to hold it open. This is the same that are toxic to sperm thereby making it impos- instrument used during a Pap smear or High sible for the sperm to get to the egg hence Vaginal Swab (HVS) test.

5IF WBHJOB BSFB XJMM CF DMFBOTFE preventing the whole process of conception. r and the cervix stabilized.

5IF VUFSVT XPNC JT NFBTVSFE r WHO NEEDS AN IUD? r 5IF *6% XJMM CF JOTFSUFE UISPVHI Most women can use IUD including but your cervix into your uterus (womb). not limited to the following Most women will be allowed to resume r 8PNFO XIP IBWF OFWFS DPODFJWFE CFGPSF and have no desire to get pregnant at that normal activities immediately after IUD insertion. Others may choose to rest for a period. r 8PNFO XIP IBWF IBE DIJMESFO CVU BSF day or two before resuming normal activities.

Women who have had children may feel less not interested in having more now. r 8PNFO XIP IBWF TFWFSF BOFNJB EJBCFUFT pain during the insertion process as compared to women who have never conceive. and ovarian cancer.

2.

Non Hormonal IUD i.e. Copper Containing IUD: This type of IUD contains a small amount of copper which is toxic to sperm cells and disrupt their motility

TO BE CONTINUED

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T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 14, 2021

INTERVIEW

Barbara Nel: How Benefits of AstraZeneca Vaccine Outweighs the Risk BarbaraNelisAstraZeneca’sCountryPresident fortheAfricanCluster,withresponsibilityforSouthAfrica,subSaharaandFrenchspeaking Africa. She initiated the extension of AstraZeneca’s Phakamisa programme, an access to care initiative currently focused on specifically addressing early detection of disease, promotion of primary prevention, and access to care in the public sector among others. In this virtual interview with REBECCA EJIFOMA, she encouraged Nigerians and Africans to get vaccinated while emphasising that the benefits outweigh the risks. And following the arrival of about a million doses into Nigeria, she assures that the AstraZeneca vaccine efficacy and protection against hospitalisation and severe disease gives it an edge over the virus Could you share with us how the journey of AstraZeneca vaccine has been so far in Africa? hat we saw in Africa is that, in February this year, we saw the first AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX arriving in the country. We are very proud of the partnership with COVAX. We are the first multinational pharmaceutical company that signed up to COVAX and if we look at it globally, we have already distributed more than a billion vaccines with a big chunk of that through COVAX and into Africa. So, around February and March we saw our first doses arriving into Nigeria.

Nigeria was one of the first countries that received vaccines, and I actually remember being in Abuja in one of the hospitals and seeing healthcare professionals sitting there and waiting to be vaccinated.

And one of the things that happened a couple of months ago was the scarcity of the vaccine from the Serum Institute in India. We couldn’t get any more vaccines into Africa because of the export ban that was placed by the Indian government. But we did see a significant step change in the last couple of weeks and last couple of months and due two main events that happened. One was the Japan summit held in June, where several governments, NGOs, and public private organisations donated money to the tune of $2.4 billion to fund vaccine doses for low and middle income countries. We also saw during the G7 Summit that a billion doses of vaccines were promised as a pledge.

And what is really great is that we are actually seeing those pledges coming through just to Nigeria alone; we’ve seen nearly a million doses arriving as donations from the UK government. So, at the moment, the situation is quite critical in Africa, but we continue to work on both sides, with the governments of the countries that need to receive the vaccine. We’re working very closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as the Nation Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

creates. And so, the vaccines won’t give such a high level of protection. But what is very good in this is once again where AstraZeneca is also following the science is, you do get molecules. And we are currently in the process of developing one of these golden long active antibodies.

For instance the recent data that has been published for the AstraZeneca long active antibody shows more than 70 per cent protection and prophylactic protection against symptomatic disease.

W

What has been the acceptability of the vaccine in the countries with major outbreaks?

We’ve seen a very good acceptability; it is effective and safe. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been used in more than 170 countries globally. It has by far the widest reach, of which 38 of those countries are in Africa. We are working very closely with most of the governments in Africa to secure more doses, and to ensure that we can get the upgraded population in the very vulnerable populations vaccinated as soon as possible.

What are the possible side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine?

I think one of the key things to look out for as the countries are rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine is something called active surveillance where the vaccines are being administered. We are tracking responses from the people. The key thing is that we know that the vaccine is very safe, and the most common side effect people will see will always be flu-like symptoms. Sometimes it might be a headache, the side they got vaccinated might feel a bit sore for a day or two. Sometimes the flu-like symptoms might be a bit of fever, maybe sometimes not that great for a day or two after being vaccinated.

If you do see any of those side effects, it is a sign that the vaccine is working, that your body

Barbara Nel is actually generating the antibodies against the COVID-19 antigen. Generally speaking, we are seeing a very good safety profile.

There have been complaints of blood clots for those who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. How do you reconcile this to the benefits of being vaccinated?

So once again, let’s go back and look at what the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. And what they continue to say is that the benefits of the vaccine as well as the effect of the vaccine were against the original strain of the COVID-19 which saw 100 per cent protection against hospitalisation and severe disease. And now for instance with the Delta Variant which is a major concern at the moment in Africa, we are seeing a 92 per cent efficacy and protection against hospitalisation and severe disease. So, the benefits still far outweigh the risks.

And I think that is also what the WHO has said that when countries have the approved AstraZeneca vaccine available they need to ensure that people get vaccinated. And I think that is a very important message that we need to carry. So, if you have the opportunity and if you get offered a vaccine, you should take it.

Can we say that the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against the variants of COVID-19?

Very recently there was a study published from the UK; it was done by the Public Health England; it was a real world-evidence study where they looked at the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine during the infections that they recently saw which was driven by the Delta variant.

In the data, we saw a 92 per cent protection against severe disease and hospitalisation

A lot of people have complained that after being vaccinated, they still got infected. What do you have to say about this?

We do know that with the Delta variant, and this is not just the AstraZeneca vaccine, it is all the vaccines, you can get some breakthrough infections. But what is paramount is that between 90 to 92 per cent of people who have been fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, even if they do contract the Delta variant or COVID-19, the vaccine provides a 92 per cent protection against severe disease and hospitalisation.

So, what can happen is that people can contract COVID-19 even if they have been vaccinated.

However, it will be a very mild form of COVID that they will be getting because of the protection that the vaccine is giving to them. But the main thing is that the vaccines we know are very effective at keeping people out of hospital or ventilators, of people who received the AstraZeneca and basically preventing severe disease. vaccine. That is actually astounding. If you How long does the immunity from the think about it, you know if you have been fully vaccinated by the AstraZeneca vaccine. vaccine last?

This is where the science is still emerging It gives you this very high level of protection and if we think of when the studies were done, against the Delta variant. the initial efficacy studies, we know that up to Currently, Nigerians have begun to a certain number of months we are seeing that see children come down with the Delta the protection is lasting. There is obviously also variant. How is the AstraZeneca vaccine a lot of research that is being done in areas such as booster vaccinations. Can we mix and match tackling this?

This is definitely something that we are seeing vaccines? What about if there is a longer interval in other countries as well and I think the first between my first vaccine and my second shot thing is that we continue to follow the science. of the vaccine? And the good thing is that as We continue to do the research. We continue this data is emerging, we can also work with to work very closely with organisations such NAFDAC, WHO, and the Ministry of Health in as WHO, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Nigeria to ensure that they’ve got the information Health in Nigeria to ensure that they have all that they can then make the right decisions in the data they need. That way, they can make terms of deciding what they want to do around informed decisions in terms of which groups if somebody has had for instance an AstraZeneca they should prioritise (who should receive vaccine first vaccine; would they be allowed to the vaccine first or second. It will then be take another vaccine or is it the same vaccine up to the Federal Ministry of Health together they must get for the second shot? What about with their advisors and NAFDAC to make if there’s a slightly longer waiting period and the decision around what they want to do in then also what about booster shots? But at the Nigeria and the guidance they would give moment, what we are seeing is that there is a around the vaccination or the management strong immune response that continues for the period of time when people have been vaccinated. of children.

Which group of people are not qualified to take the AstraZeneca vaccine?

Once again, they are all certain groups of very vulnerable patients that we know that vaccination may not be as effective as it is in the general public. So, this for instance will be individuals where maybe they have certain blood disorders or for instance people who are receiving dialysis treatment for kidney failure. What we do know is that if those individuals take the vaccine, it is just not a very strong immune response that it

Are you saying when people get COVID-19 vaccine, they may not need to be vaccinated again forever?

What we do know is that, all of the data shows that for the AstraZeneca vaccine, we need to get two shots. There is data emerging around booster doses, and it does show a benefit. At the moment for us in Africa, the main thing is to get a wider population vaccinated with the first and second doses so that they are fully vaccinated, and then we will see how the data emerges and what will be needed in Africa.

Ogun Pledges Cutting Edge Mental Health Services for Residents James Sowole ÓØ ÌÏÙÕßÞË The Ogun State government said it was set to deliver cutting edge mental health services to the people irrespective of their location and status.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, expressed the commitment of the government while speaking at the opening of a two-day

training on Mental Health Service Delivery in Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs).

The training was organised in collaboration with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, for 118 primary health care workers in the state.

The commissioner said the capacity building for healthcare workers became necessary to keep them abreast of new trends

in health care delivery for the benefit of residents, particularly those at the grassroot.

Coker, in a statement signed by the Press Officer of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHCDB), Mrs. Yemisi Fashola, described the initiative as a laudable step meant to improve the wellbeing of residents and meet the mental health needs of the people, es-

pecially at the community level.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, Coker revealed that the training was the first phase, covering PHC workers in Egba and Remo zone.

Coker, who said the programme, was one of the essential trainings for PHC workers to ensure qualitative

service delivery, assured that the existing interventions would be sustained.

Earlier in his address, the Provost and Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Afeez Agboola, represented by the Chairman, SERVICOM and Quality Improvement Services, Dr. Imam Akeeb said the training was a timely intervention to

ensure quality access to mental health at the local government level.

Also speaking, a former Provost of the Hospital, Dr. Timothy Adebowale, who recalled that the Community Mental Health Project was initially implemented in 2009, expressed confidence that the move would yield the expected impacts in the state and the country at large.

33

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 14, 2021

PERSPECTIVE

Enugu And Ugwuanyi’s Giant Strides In Primary Healthcare Ë×ÝÙØ äÏË

I

n his quest to ensure a healthy Enugu State, which is part of his government’s agenda, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in pursuant to the Enugu State Healthcare Reform Law of 2017 established the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHCDA), with the core mandate of ensuring adequate and assessable healthcare to Ndi Enugu, especially in the rural areas with emphasis on preventing illnesses and providing basic treatment of illnesses.

To ensure the effectiveness of the agency, the Governor appointed Dr. George Ugwu, who has Masters in Public Health, a renowned consultant obstetrician, gynecologist, an outstanding leader and Health Advocate as the Executive Secretary.

Dr. Ugwu, who was a former Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also served as Associate Dean and Consultant at the College of Medicine University of Nigeria Nsukka before his appointment by Gov. Ugwuanyi.

To ensure effective and healthy operation of the agency, Ugwuanyi relocated the agency to a befitting and well-furnished office complex with new generating sets and well-furnished conference room.

Upon assumption of office, Ugwu set the ball rolling by ensuring that the core mandate of the agency was duly followed to the letter.

The agency among other things embarked on several life changing programmes such as successful training of 1078 health workers and Ward Development Committee Chairmen for the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and ensure successful implementation of Maternal Newborn and Child Health week with free distribution of vitamin angel products donated by Ugo Touch of Life Foundation to vulnerable persons, courtesy of Her Excellency, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi. The agency successfully conducted modified Integrated Medical Outreach Programme and Routine Immunization Intensification Programme in wards with relatively low coverage with support from UNICEF, Yellow Fever mass vaccination in 6 LGAs with overall 92% coverage. The agency introduced measles and men A second dose vaccines into the routine immunization schedule of Enugu State.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019 and Enugu State taking its share of the scourge, the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency took delivery of the first batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Ugwu, while receiving the dozes, reassured that the agency is ready and has the necessary cold-chain equipment to deliver the vaccines to the citizens of the state.

The agency subsequently flagged off the COVID-19 vaccination in the state by first vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, who in turn vaccinated members of the State Executive council, among whom were the Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his deputy, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, immediate past Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Emehelu, members of the state legislature and Judiciary, the traditional rulers, religious leaders and others.

In a bid to fight the COVID-19 scourge in Enugu State headlong, the agency embarked on various programmes like; distribution of COVID-19 prevention commodities in all Primary Health Centres and successfully supervised and handled

Ùà˛ ÑáßËØãÓ ʮËØÕÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ âÏÍßÞÓàÏ ÏÍÜÏÞËÜã ̋ ܲ ÏÙÜÑÏ Ñáß ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÞÙÚ ÙʩÍÓËÖÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÑÏØÍã ÎßÜÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÐËÖÖ̋Ùʥ ÍÏÜÏ×ÙØã ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÓØÞÜÙÎßÍÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÏØ àËÍÍÓØÏ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÌËÕÚË ÏËÖÞÒÍÏØÞÜϘ ØßÑß the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines 1st Phase at 100% of the targeted population, which it is now aggressively pushing greater numbers for the ongoing second phase.

It would be recalled that as the State was grappling with the challenges associated with the first and second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, Yellow Fever disease broke out in Enugu State in November 2020.

This was detected after tests and autopsies were conducted on the bodies of people that dies strangely in Ette Uno and Umuopu communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Areas of the State. The situation created panic, confusion and pandemonium in the affected communities and the entire state. The indigenes and residents of the communities were scared and upbeat.

While many claimed ignorance of the causes of the strange deaths, others attributed it to superstitions, some were of the view that it was the sudden surge in COVID-19 virus spread.

But in his usual prompt and swift response, just like he did during the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the state, Governor Ugwuanyi dispatched Enugu State Ministry of Health Rapid Response Team and LGA Rapid Response Team to visit the affected communities in alongside the national and international health partners to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the sudden strange deaths in the communities.

Their findings revealed that the cause of the strange deaths was yellow fever. Further investigations as of the second week of November revealed that 222 suspected cases of Yellow Fever with 76 confirmed deaths have occurred in three states of Bauchi, Delta and Enugu.

Relying on heavily to ensure appropriate and adequate response to the outbreak by Enugu State Government is the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHCDA), whose it is her constitutional responsibility to handle health scourge like the battle against the spread of the dreaded Yellow Fever disease.

The Agency, led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. George Ugwu, moved into action immediately in collaboration with its national and international health partners

and massive support from the Enugu State Government liased with the leadership of the six local government areas in Enugu North Senatorial zone, where the disease has claimed lives to organise training for local government immunization teams and the Agency team members for reactive mass vaccination across the council areas to prevent further spread of the disease.

The Agency also mobilised resources and liased with Partners for financial, technical and human supports, which include mobilisation of stakeholders, prompt request and taking delivery of doses of Yellow Fever Vaccine from the National Cold Chain Store, engaging in high level Advocacy visits and sensitisation meetings with government for enabling environment and key stakeholders for specific roles and mobilisation of all and sundry for acceptance of vaccination, training of Town criers and House- to-House mobilizers to create awareness.

Others include production and distribution of news letters to community governance, churches, schools, media and markets for information and public enlightenment, radio spot announcements for public awareness, selection of teams for fixed and temporary fixed posts to ensure wider coverage, daily delivery of adequate vaccines to the LGAs and maintenance of cold chain equipment, monitoring and supervision of outbreak response activities by State Supervisors, State Technical Facilitators and Partners, conduct of daily evening review meetings at LGAs and Primary Healthcare Agency office to appraise daily activities, daily call in data by the M&E unit was regularly implemented through data generation and transmission, engagement of Media through Press briefing for media monitoring, reporting and wider audience reach out and enlightenment, mid-review/ debriefing of ES/CEO ENS-PHCDA and State Immunisation team by the implementing LGA teams, release of health workers stipends and logistic funds to boost their morale and attitude to work, weekly staff management meeting of the Executive Secretary ENS-PHCDA with Directors and programme officers for stock taking, appraisal and restrategizing, liaising and collaborating with other government agencies such as Fire Service and SEMA for general

fumigation and other non-medical emergencies and requesting for State wide Yellow Fever Vaccination campaign from NPHCDA amongst other assistance and support.

It is these prompt response of the Enugu State Government, concerted efforts and commitment of the ESPHCDA, State Ministry of Health, national and international health partners, local government administration and stakeholders that has helped immensely to reduce drastically or eliminate completely the Yellow Fever-induced deaths in the state, especially in Enugu North Senatorial zone since the outbreak of the dreaded disease.

In July this year, there were reported cases of strange death at the New Artisan livestock market in Enugu. The Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Enugu State Ministry of Health and its health partners swung into action to remedy the situation.

After embraking on a visit to the scene of the incident to ascertain the cause of the deaths, state government launched an aggressive sensitisation campaign for residents to take precautionary steps towards preventing further spread.

The Executive Secretary of the ENSPHCDA, Dr. George Ugwu in a chat with journalists, affirmed that the disease, which was first detected at the New Artisan Cattle market Enugu, noted that timely intervention of the State Government made the spread of the disease to be curtailed.

Dr. Ugwu also stated that the inhabitants of the market were sensitized on how to improve the sanitary condition of the market to avoid any future occurrence.

He called on residents of Enugu State to be health conscious by avoiding open defecation, take clean water, wash their hands and their vegetable and ensure they observe all health protocols so as to get Enugu rid of Cholera and other deadly diseases.

Following the approval of the governor, the agency, in collaboration with the Accountant-General of the State is facilitating the opening of Bank Accounts by public Primary Healthcare facilities in the State as part of the BHCPF requirements and to ensure proper accountability. Establishing, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and UNICEF, are three Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) sites in three. recently revitalized health centres at Abakpa-Nike, Obollo-Afor and Oji-River for the three senatorial zones of the State.This is to improve nutritional services to the children in Enugu state.

On the area of infrastructure, the agency has done appreciably well. They have upgraded three primary health centres to Type 3 standard hospitals at Abakpa, Obollo Afor and Oji River.

They have constructed and equipped seven Primary Health Centres to Type 3 model hospital with state of the arts facilities. That is the first of its kind in the state. The agency has renovated thirty four Primary Health Centres, two per local government area in collaboration with the SOML Programme and has also provided 60KVA soundproof generator, inverter and over 200 solar refrigerators to ensure vaccines potency and their storage in appropriate conditions in all the local governments and wards.

All these giant strides in the state’s primary healthcare services are the outcome of grand design by a healthcare loving Governor, who makes health services of the ordinary citizens a compelling priority. *Ezea writes from Independence Layout Enugu

Iluyomade Harps on Need to Keep Fit amidst COVID-19 Pandemic ˾ Ý ÜÓÝÏ ËÖÕ ÐÙÜ ÓÐÏ ÓÍÕÝ ʥ ÖÙÌËÖÖã ÍÞÙÌÏÜ ͯʹÞÒ ËÜã ØËÒ As preparations for this year’s edition of the Arise Charity Walk intensify, the Convener, Dr Siju Iloyomade, has emphasised the critical need to keep fit especially as countries continue to battle the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Addressing journalists during a press conference held to communicate the modalities for this year’s episode, she said there was so much walkouts can do to the body, chief among which was increase in metabolism.

Stressing that walking helps improve immunity and physical health, she added, “There is so much walking can do, it increases your metabolism, kills obesity and so on. So, you derive a lot from

walking every day. It expands your lifespan; it’s been proven, tested and it is the way to go.”

Speaking further she said, “Nigeria is blessed with a pleasant weather, what we do normally as lifestyle became a saving grace for us while the pandemic ravaged other countries, hence we need to continuously exercise to keep body and spirit in tune and at ARISE, we take health very seriously because you need to be in sound health to do anything tangible.

“The Arise Walk for Life is a place for everyone irrespective of status, tribe, religion or nationality; it is a place for all.”

This year’s Arise Walk for Life will be happening in clusters across different countries of the

world, from Lagos, Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Singapore, etc.

Scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 16 with all adherence to guidelines of COVID-19 prevention protocols, this year’s walk themed #IChooseLife, will begin from 7.00am local time in all participating countries.

Participants are to register their clusters on the Arise walk website.

“We are not coming out in large numbers; rather we are going to do the walk in clusters of not more than 25 persons.

What that has done for us as Arise Walk for Life, is that we are able to go global.

“You can walk in your home, you can walk on your street, you can walk at your places of work, so you don’t need to

come together in large numbers.

And besides, coming together is not what will make you active.

“What makes you active is get off your seat, put on your shoes and begin to walk. So we are very aware of the COVID-19 Pandemic and we are not taking chances. We are very careful and we believe in preventive measures”, she noted.

Sounding a serious warning to everyone, she said, “We are walking once a year as a ceremony to kick-start the exercise, but please don’t walk once in a year. Walk all the time. Walk every time you have the opportunity – after you have missed your bus, begin to walk – make it a lifestyle and a pattern of living. I am making it a lifestyle and I enjoy walking

because it improves my health.”

Iloyomade said further that Arise is an ideology and in a short span of time, making giant strides in areas of health, women and community empowerment with focus on 12 pillars out of United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adding that the impact of the organisation has been enormous.

“We are not afraid to go anywhere. We have been to the remotest place you can think of, we have used our legs to get the remotest places. We have gone there with healthcare practitioners who have helped us.

“We transit healthcare to people in their local language. It is important that they understand what we are trying to say. If I

say walk, they would tell me they are suffering already so why do they have to walk again. So we need to bring it down to the language that they would understand.

“So, the impact is that more women and women are being put to work. We do not discriminate on gender or religion. All we do is that we are coming to put decency back in our society.”

She reminded that, as COVID-19 crisis has caused significant disruptions to many homes, The Arise Pink Bucket which contains food items, has helped to reduce economic hardship on low income families in the different villages spread across all states in Nigeria that Arise have visited.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Food Prices: ARMTI Boss Urges Nigerians to Embrace Agricultural Production

By Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ The Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI) Ilorin, Dr. Olufemi Oladunni has called on all Nigerians to be involved in agricultural production so as to reduce high prices of foodstuffs in the country.

Oladunni pointed out that if 30 per cent of Nigerians are participating in farming activities, there would be a drastic reduction in the foodstuffs prices and also ensure food security.

Speaking in Ilorin at the oneday workshop for the members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to mark the annual Press Week of the Chapel, Oladunni said that, the prices of foodstuffs is based on demand and supply, “if all

of us either journalists and civil servants and other stakeholders are involved in the farming activities, the propensity for the high supply of foods will be increased and it will fall the prices of foods.”

The programme, which was part of annual Press Week celebration of the chapel of the NUJ, was aimed at training journalists on sustainable agribusiness during and after service.

He explained that, “the inability of Nigerians to rise to food production has forced the prices of available foods in the market to be increased and thereby affecting the socio economic lives of the populace.”

Oladunni, said agriculture is no longer a hobby but a real business that could take the nation into a greater scale of development and growth.

The ARMTI boss, who said that prevalent high price of food items in the country could be favourably addressed when every family produces 30 per cent of what is produced, said that every professional should engage in agribusiness.

“If you don’t go to market for some certain food items, the prices would go down. That’s what agriculture does for you and me. Civil servants, journalists and every other professionals should combine agribusiness with what they do.

“We should not even give excuse of not having land to cultivate farming nowadays as soiless cultivation can be done. I can only charge the government to ensure that it lowers cost of inputs like fertilizers and ensure quality of agric inputs like seeds”, he said.

FCMB Wins Five Awards for Championing SMEs Growth First City Monument Bank (FCMB), has won a Platinum Award and Best Participating Financial Institution with Most Impact on Total End-Borrowers Financed 2020 at the Service Ambassadors’ Programme organised by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) in Lagos recently.

In addition, three employees of the Bank won Service Ambassador Awards at the event. They are; Oluremi Agboola, Toyin Ajibulu and Augustine Ibelegbu. The trio also received a training grant of N5.5 million.

The awards were given in

recognition of FCMB’s leadership in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) space and for its outstanding support to the growth of businesses in Nigeria.

At the same time, the employees were recognised for their part in the Bank’s efforts to alleviate the funding challenges facing SMEs in the country.

The Service Ambassadors’ Programme is designed to recognise and celebrate organisations that have shown strong commitment towards the development and success of businesses in terms of funding, capacity building and other support.

Commenting on the award

and its significance, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs Yemisi Edun, said: “Our emergence as winner of the Platinum Award and four other awards is another proof that we are living up to the expectations of customers and the entire business community.

We are committed to ensuring that all segments of society have access to the transformative power of financial services to help them fulfil their personal and business aspirations. The fact that three of our staff also won Service Ambassador Awards is a testimony of the solid human capacity and talent at FCMB.

Wema Bank Celebrate Customer Service Week with Wemalympics Wema Bank, celebrated its flagship fun and sporting competition in a phenomenal way for staff and partners who turned up in their numbers for the Grand Finale of the 2021 edition of Wemalympics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on Saturday, October 9, 2021. This year’s Wemalympics themed, “Game Knights,” was part of the bank’s customer service week celebration which was a combination of virtual and physical games that culminated in the grand finale.

In his opening remarks, Managing Director/CEO Ademola Adebise highlighted

the excitement of the week-long Customer Service Week celebrations. “It’s been an exciting week: we had the Customer Forum, a very successful one in Abuja.

We also had the 5-for-5 Promo yesterday in the North, and now we are capping it up with Wemalympics. The whole week has been buzzing “Honestly, as bankers, I believe we have a lot of innate skills, the creativity and all that. It’s not a morning of long speeches, and I think it’s for us to enjoy ourselves and have fun,” Adebise emphasized.

The occasion had Premier

Lotto, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijebu’ as headline sponsors.

While commending all staff members, and the General Manager of Baba Ijebu Lotto, Mr Remi Ohiorenoya, who was present for the sponsorship, Adebise reiterated the significance of collaborations and partnership for the success of the commemoration activities that climaxed with the Wemalympics.

In his comments, the Chairman Organizing Committee, Wemalympics, Tajudeen Bakare, further commended the staff, committee members, and sponsors for contributing to the event’s success.

NACCIMA Women Group Gets N25m Advocacy Support From NEPC In recognition of the impact of the advocacy activities of the National Association of Chambers Of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Business Women Group (NAWORG), in promoting gender equality and economic empowerment of women since 2004, the federal government through the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has awarded the group with N25 million to conduct advocacy activities to support the allocation of a dedicated quota

for women owned businesses in public procurement, under the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP).

The government, through the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), deployed a one-year Export Expansion Facility Programme aimed at providing emergency stimulus and intervention to revive economic activity, using the export value chain and its associated services as key economic drivers.

While signing the Beneficiary Charter Grant in Abuja, the Chairperson of NACCIMA Business Women Group, Aisha Abubakar pledged the group’s commitment to work with the federal government to increase advocacy for women in business, particularly to ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on women-owned businesses as well as to create new opportunities for strengthening the Nigerian economy for sustainable and inclusive growth.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- 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

---- 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 ˜ ͵

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).

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Price Appreciation in GTCO, Zenith Bank, Others Drive NGX ASI Above 41,000bpts Darasimi Adebisi The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday closed trading activities on a positive note driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks.

With the growth in large and medium capitalised stocks, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) crossed the 41,000 basis points yesterday to close at 41,051.19

basis points from 40,896.96 it opened for trading.

Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value gained N80 billion to close at N21.391 trillion from N21.311 trillion it opened for trading.

The market breadth closed positive as Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTCO), Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Access Bank Plc, FBN Holdings, Fidelity Bank Plc, FCMB, Oando Plc, NASCO Plc, 20 among others

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

gained in stock prices, and of them dropped in stock prices.

Transcorp Hotel recorded the highest price gain of 9.94 per cent to close at N5.97, per share.

Champion Brewerie followed with a gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N2.78 and Consolidated Hallmark Insurance went up 9.09 per cent to close at 60 kobo, per share.

Okomu Oil up by 8.23 per cent to close at N125.00, while University Press and Japaul Gold and Ventures appreciated by 6.67

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

per cent each to close at N1.60 and 48 kobo respectively, per share. On the other hand, FTN Cocoa Processors led the losers’ chart by eight per cent to close at 46 kobo, while Associated Bus Company followed with a decline of 5.88 per cent to close at 32 kobo, per share.

Regency Alliance Insurance declined five per cent to close at 38 kobo, while Universal Insurance and Ikeja Hotels shed 4.55 per cent each to close at 21 kobo

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

and N1.05 respectively, per share.

However, the total volume of trades fell by 20.87 per cent to 446.172 million units, valued at N4.466 billion, and exchanged in 4,704 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings (FBNH) topped the activity chart with 148.354 million shares valued at N1.672 billion. Universal Insurance followed with 46.170 million shares worth N9.706 million, while Ecobank Transnational

O F

Incorporated (ETI) traded 42.551 million shares valued at N316.092 million. GTCO traded 32.605 million shares valued at N923.010 million, while Fidelity Bank transacted 19.732 million shares worth N53.188 million.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said “We expect the positive momentum to be sustained in the next trading session as investors continue to rebalance their portfolio ahead of third quarter (Q3) earnings season.”

1 3 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

36

THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021• T H I S DAY

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 12Oct-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: 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 160.68 162.09 -0.74% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 7.72% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.05 316.05 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 105.26 106.31 -4.97% 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 10.19% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.38 3.55 -0.50% 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 8.69% Anchoria Equity Fund 138.54 140.27 4.95% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 -14.71% 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 20.28 20.89 11.82% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 444.22 457.61 10.95% ARM Ethical Fund 39.23 40.42 16.38% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.09 -1.39% ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.32% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.72 106.72 4.93% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,042.22 1,042.22 4.22% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.77% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.07 2.07 -5.20% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.18 2.22 1.34% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.10% Paramount Equity Fund 17.18 17.50 7.43% Women's Investment Fund 140.45 142.50 5.70% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.81% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 122.68 123.49 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.03 109.03 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.89% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.15 1.17 -3.78% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.42 1.42 -10.32% 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 7.58% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.49% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,166.76 1,185.76 1.35% 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 Bond Fund 1,428.38 1,428.38 11.56% FBN Balanced Fund 195.72 197.06 4.28% FBN Halal Fund 113.44 113.44 9.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.16% FBN Dollar 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

127.23 169.14

127.23 4.01% 171.41 11.88% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.66 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.44% 3.98 2.81% 1.69 8.77% 1.19 4.90% 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 7.42% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.87 2.93 0.53% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.95 154.23 -1.00% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.30 0.25% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A 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 1.46 1.48 6.94% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,160.70 1,160.70 6.81% 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 11.88 11.96 13.58% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.31% 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 1.55 1.57 13.45% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.20 11.21 -7.84% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.44 1.46 -8.60% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.84 113.87 1.90% 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 133.57 136.04 8.83% 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 1.06 1.06 10.07% 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 3,465.40 3,503.22 7.91% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.76 233.76 3.96% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.27 1.29 8.47% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 308.84 308.84 4.81% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 234.34 237.86 7.38% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.34% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,734.55 10,886.77 2.29% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.24% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.98 115.98 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 104.45 104.45 4.40% 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 1.33 1.35 3.98% United Capital Bond Fund 1.93 1.93 5.52% United Capital Equity Fund 0.90 0.93 13.66% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.04% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.82 120.82 5.54% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.10 6.28% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 6.52% 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 13.10 13.22 10.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.66 14.82 20.12% Zenith Income Fund 24.54 24.54 2.28% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.98%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.78

10.62% 6.44%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.84

13.94

4.67%

128.87 100.88 17.61 20.07

132.07 103.09 17.71 20.17

7.17% 1.68%

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

3.89 5.54 17.40 1.00 20.80 157.06

3.99 5.64 17.60 1.00 21.00 159.06

3.92% -2.45% 7.50% 6.61% 1.37% -15.37%

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.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021

IMAGES

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Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Executive Producer, Fuji: A Opera, Tosin Ashafa; Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg Lager Beer, Olaoluwa Babalola; Brand Manager, Goldberg Lager Beer, Yemi Ekundayo; President, FUMAN, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola; and another Executive Producer, Fuji: A Opera, Papa Omotayo, at the maiden edition of ‘Fuji in the Garden’, in Lagos...recently

L-R: Vice Patron of the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA), Philip Hall; President of the N-BA, Abimbola Okoya; Nigerian High Commissioner in United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola; and former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Philip Thomas, at the N-BA event held at the Prince Philip House in London to commemorate the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria...recently

Chief Executive Officer, Tolaram Group, Mr. Sajen Aswani (left), being presented with a souvenir by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a courtesy visit by representatives of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprises Limited (LPLEL) at the Lagos House, Marina… recently

L-R: Member, Nnewi Market Task Force, Mr. Ubah James Okwuchukwu; Chairman, Nnewi Market Task Force Mr. Amaechi Ajana; Brand Manager, Hero Lager Beer, Mr. Dubem Orji; Member, Nnewi Market Task Force, Mr. Okoro Joseph; and Regional Event Manager, IBPLC, Mr. Olise Rufus, at the Hero Igba Boi Market Launch in Nkwo Nnewi, Anambra State...recently

L-R: United Nations Assistant Secretary General, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, during a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chairman, Wellcare Home Medicals, Dr. Tosin Odunsi; representative of the First Lady of Lagos State and Head of Training, Social Welfare Integrated Projects Initiative, Lagos State, Mrs. Emma-Jane Ekong; and Group Managing Director, Wellcare Home Medicals, Dr. Mrs. Olajumoke Odunsi, at the opening and dedication of the Precious Jewels Elderly Care Home in Apapa, Lagos...recently

L-R: Retired Nigerian jurist, Hon. Justice George Adesola Oguntade; widow of the deceased, Mrs. Oredola Rasheed Williams; and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Muhammed Muritala Ashorobi, during the 40-day Fidau prayers for late Ajiroba of Lagos, Chief Rasheed Alaba Williams, in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani (middle); Programme Officer, Premium Times Center for Investigate Journalism, Jessica Odudu (right); and Programme Officer, Dubawa, Temilade Onilade, during a joint press conference on the recent ‘Pandora Papers Corruption Allegations’, organised by CISLAC, Transparency International Nigeria, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and Coalition of Civil Society on Anti-corruption in Abuja…recently PHOTO: AYO AJAYI

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Star Trek Actor Shatner Becomes O l d e s t Pe r s o n i n S p a c e Hollywood actor William Shatner has become the oldest person to go to space as he blasted off aboard the Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule.

The 90-year-old, who played Captain James T Kirk in the Star Trek films and TV series, took off from the Texas desert with three other individuals.

This was only the second crewed outing for New Shepard. The first, on 20 July, carried Mr Bezos, his brother Mark, Dutch teenager Oliver Daemen; and famed aviator Wally Funk.

Afterwards, Ms Funk, being 82, was able to claim the record for the oldest person in space - a title she has now relinquished

to Mr Shatner.

Mr Shatner’s trip on the rocket system - developed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos - lasted about 10 minutes.

The craft safely landed just after 10:00 local time (16:00 BST).

Those aboard got to experience a short period of weightlessness as they climbed to a maximum altitude just above 100km (60 miles). From there they were able to see the curvature of the Earth through the capsule’s big windows.

“Everybody in the world needs to do this,” the Canadian actor told Mr Bezos after landing back on Earth. “It was unbelievable.” In tears, he added:

“What you have given me is the most profound experience. I’m so filled with emotion about what just happened. I hope I never recover from this. I hope I can retain what I feel now. I don’t want to lose it.”

with their investigation.

Tirop was also found dead with a stab wound to her stomach, sources have told the BBC.

Kenyan world record holder Agnes Tirop has been found stabbed to death at her home in the western town of Iten, with police treating her husband as a suspect.

The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, who finished fourth in the Olympic 5,000m final two months ago, was 25.

A criminal investigation is now underway into her death, with police saying her husband has gone missing.

On Wednesday, crime scene investigators were at the house of Tirop, who police say was reported missing by her father on Tuesday night.

“When [police] got in the house, they found Tirop on the bed and there was a pool of blood on the floor,” Tom Makori, head of police for the area, said.

“They saw she had been stabbed in the neck, which led us to believe it was a knife wound, and we believe that is what caused her death.

“Her husband is still at large, and preliminary investigations tell us her husband is a suspect because he cannot be found. Police are trying to find her husband so he can explain what happened to Tirop.”

Makori added that police believe that CCTV in the house may be able to help

borders with Canada and Mexico for fully vaccinated travelers beginning next month.

The borders have been shut down at all automobile, train and ferry crossings since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of essential travel such as trade.

The lifting of restrictions for non-essential travelers at the land borders comes just weeks after the administration of President Joe Biden announced it would allow fully vaccinated foreign citizens to fly into the country beginning next month. An exact date for either of the new rules to take effect has not been set.

Administration officials speaking anonymously to reporters said that people seeking to enter the United States illegally would continue to be subject to the so-called Title 42 order put in place by former President Donald Trump that immigration advocates say bans migrants from crossing the border before they can apply for asylum.

US to Reopen Land Borders with Canada and Mexico in Women’s 10km World Record November Holder Found Dead, Husband The United States will announce Wednesday that it will reopen its land Suspected

Shipping Giant Diverts Vessels from Crisis-Hit UK Danish shipping giant AP MollerMaersk said Tuesday it had started to divert vessels away from Britain’s

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

39

FOREIGN DESK biggest container port because of congestion, the latest fallout from multiple crises hitting the United Kingdom.

The country is suffering runaway energy prices, shortages of goods, fuel delivery issues and a worsening long-term shortage of lorry drivers, with post-Brexit immigration controls and the pandemic among the causes cited by experts.

Felixstowe in eastern England has been particularly hard hit, prompting Maersk to divert one ship each week out of the usual two or three that call there.

A company spokeswoman said the ships, each carrying thousands of containers, were being redirected to continental ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp.

Cargo would then be loaded onto smaller vessels to dock at other British ports or at Felixstowe when space opens up.

The spokeswoman said the firm was committed to getting goods to Britain for Black Friday and Christmas.

Maersk official Lars Mikael Jensen said the driver shortage had slowed down container movements at Felixstowe, which deals with just over one-third of UK freight container volumes.

101-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Dies in Australia Tributes are being made for Eddie Jaku, one of the last remaining survivors of Auschwitz, who died in Australia at 101.

Eddie Jaku described himself as the “Happiest Man on Earth.” In fact, that was the title of his bestselling autobiography, which was released when he was one hundred years old.

Friends and family remember a man who, they say, lived a remarkable life.

He was born Abraham Jakubowicz in Leipzig, Germany to a Jewish family.

He was 18 years old when he was sent to the first of four concentration camps, which included Auschwitz, where the Nazis murdered his parents in the gas chambers. Jaku was spared because of his engineering skills. He wrote that the camp was “a living nightmare.”

In 1945, Soviet forces moved closer to Auschwitz as the war neared its end. The camp was evacuated, and prisoners were forced on notorious death marches. Jaku eventually escaped and hid in a cave, eating slugs and snails to survive. He was seriously ill when American soldiers later rescued him, but he recovered and moved to Australia in 1950. After the Second World War, about 27,000 survivors of the Holocaust migrated to Australia.

Russia Denies Weaponising Energy Amid Europe Gas Crisis Russia has denied using energy as a political weapon amid surging prices across Europe that have sent gas bills in many households skyrocketing, the BBC reports.

President Vladimir Putin said such claims were “complete rubbish... and politically motivated tittle-tattle”.

Russia, one of Europe’s biggest natural gas providers, has been accused of intentionally withholding supplies.

The European Commission has been outlining measures member states can take to combat rising prices.

The wholesale price of gas has increased by 250 per cent since January, triggering a knock-on spike in costs for consumers and businesses.

Energy prices have hit record highs for various reasons, including high demand for natural gas as economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden, Kenya President Kenyatta to Hold White House Meeting President Joe Biden will host Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for a meeting in Washington on Thursday as the White House weighs sanctions against parties to the conflict in a northern region of the neighbouring East African country of Ethiopia.

The meeting at the White House will mark Biden’s first as president with an African leader.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement that the two would discuss “efforts to defend democracy and human rights, advance peace and security, accelerate economic growth, and tackle climate change.”

Kenya holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month. The United States

Speaking at a Moscow energy forum on Wednesday, President Putin blamed the current crisis on Europe, saying that Europeans had not pumped sufficient volumes of gas into storage facilities after a cold winter.

US Leads Bitcoin Mining as China Ban Begins Research by the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index

and Kenya have long cooperated on economic and security initiatives, including counterterrorism.

The Biden administration is considering punitive action regarding the worsening crisis in northern Ethiopia, where thousands have been killed, and millions are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Ethiopia’s national army launched a ground offensive against forces from the region of Tigray on Monday, the region’s ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said.

The White House also said Biden and Kenyatta would discuss “the need to bring transparency and accountability to domestic and international financial systems.”

(CBECI) suggests that China’s share of global Bitcoin mining has fallen to zero.

In June, China told banks to stop facilitating transactions and issued bans on mining.

At its peak in September 2019, China accounted for over three-quarters of all Bitcoin mining.

China’s crackdown initially led to a 38% fall in mining globally, CBECI said.

However, this was partially offset by a 20% “bounceback” over July and August, “suggesting that some Chinese mining equipment has been successfully redeployed overseas,” researchers said.

China has since declared all Bitcoin transactions illegal - though that occurred after the period covered by the Cambridge research.

‘Laser Treatment to Rejuvenate Vagina for Menopausal Women Sham’ Researchers say that a potentially risky laser treatment offered to menopausal women to rejuvenate the vagina is no better than sham or fake therapy.

They tested it in a trial to see if it might ease vaginal dryness and painful sex linked to going through the change, BBC reports.

NHS advisory body the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says the therapy should only be used for research.

Some private clinics in the UK and the US, however, continue to offer it.

Laser rejuvenation involves a probe being inserted into the vagina to heat and change or remodel the surrounding tissue.

Clinics claim kick-starting the body’s healing process by purposefully injuring the tissue can increase natural lubrication and restore sexual gratification.

The non-surgical treatment can be completed within a lunch hour but is not entirely risk-free, officials say.

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FORTY A N AMB RA: IG ORDER S MOPOL COMMA N D ER S TO B E R U T H L ESS W I T H VI OL E N T E L E M E N TS winning the November 6 election, the same way it took Edo State in 2020.

Baba, who spoke at a meeting with MOPOL Squadron Commanders in Abuja, said the election security action plan would revolve around police mobile units.

He stated, "As you are aware, the Anambra State gubernatorial election will hold on 6th of November, 2021. The election security action plan will, as usual, revolve around units of the Mobile Police Force.

“The import of this is that the task of securing our democratic values and guaranteeing a safe, secure and credible electoral process in Anambra State will rest squarely and majorly on some of you, the squadron commanders here seated and some of your units.

"Most of your operatives will be deployed to deter subversive elements that are planning to threaten the process, while others will be deployed to secure personnel and materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as other critical national infrastructure.

"You must remain apolitical while being ruthless with violent elements and ill-guided political thugs that may wish to test our common will to deliver a transparent and credible electoral outcome."

The IGP vowed to deal with errant commanders following reports of unprofessional conduct

and illegal deployment of personnel.

He told the MOPOL commanders, "Much as I am determined to motivate you to advance your mandate as the striking arm of the force, let no one of you be in doubt about my resolve to deal decisively with any squadron commander that lacks command capacity as well as those who are unwilling to key into our mission of reforming the PMF and repositioning the force.

"Discipline, professionalism and operational excellence are the bedrocks of the PMF. Any personnel that is deficient in any of these has no justification to remain within PMF system, as they are not only dangers to the force but to the nation.

"Accordingly, we shall not spare any PMF operative that continues to conduct himself or herself in manners that are not edifying of the Nigerian Police Force.

"Consequently, the AIG PMF has been directed to put machinery in motion to identify and rationalise such incorrigible elements out of the PMF." He expressed concern about the reports of misconduct by officers and illegal deployment of personnel, saying, "My dear commanders, while I am pleased with your operational strides, I am also concerned about reports touching on unprofessional conducts by some operatives of the PMF across the country as well as reports of illegal

deployment of PMF personnel.

"Citizens of this country are worried about the illegalities of some bad eggs within the fold of PMF as well as the tendency for corruption by some others. These misconducts are direct consequences of supervisory ineptitude by some of you, the squadron commanders."

Okowa, who hosted the PDP governorship candidate in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, at Government House, Asaba, said there was ample evidence that the party had prepared well to win the election, which is barely three weeks away. The governor welcomed the decision by the National Assembly to endorse electronic voting by supporting the plan by INEC to transmit election results electronically during the 2023 general election, saying it is a good omen for the country's democracy.

The Delta State governor, who is also Deputy Chairman of PDP’s National Campaign Council for the Anambra election, described Ozigbo as “humble and dynamic”, saying he towers above all other candidates in the election. He urged the people of Anambra State to give the party their votes at the election, assuring that the PDP would turn things around for the better in the state.

Okowa said he was particularly happy that the party in Anambra State was now more closely knit in the countdown to the crucial

election.

He stated, "I welcome you and your entourage to Delta State and to my office; and, I feel very happy within me, because I can see that we have decided to toe the path of unity. When we are united, I am convinced we will come out victorious in the November 6 governorship election.

"I want to congratulate you ahead of time, because I know that you are doing well. There is no doubt that Anambra State has always been a PDP state but, unfortunately, in the past 16 years, we have lost out in the politics of Anambra solely because of the in-fighting.

"But from what I am hearing and what I can see now, I feel very encouraged that there is a new spirit now in the PDP in Anambra. When people resolve that enough is enough, that they have to do the right thing, you find that the result will truly come because the men, the women and the youths are out there.

"I know that there is a lot of security challenges but that shouldn't deter us because politicians are strong-willed people. The real politics is not the gathering of people on the field but the door-to-door campaign, which is set out to convince people.”

Okowa said the people of Anambra had “seen the other side of the coin at the moment; they are waiting for the PDP and it is

Ned Nwoko Foundation Partners FG on Deployment of Malaria Vaccine Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation said it has entered into an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Health for the nationwide promotion and roll out of newly developed RTS,S malaria vaccine.

As part of the malaria eradication project, the foundation said it was ready to lead other partners in the promotion of the new malaria vaccine which the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently approved for wide-use in countries.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chairman of Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation, Hon Ned Nwoko, said the Federal Ministry of Health had given its approval following the foundation’s earlier offer to avail its malaria eradication platform for coordination of the national response to implement the RTS,S vaccine in Nigeria.

Nwoko said his was excited about WHO’s approval of the widespread use in countries of RTS,S the world’s first malaria vaccine.

He expressed the readiness of his foundation to join hands with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders through strategic partnerships to promote and implement the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Nigeria.

Nwoko said: “Earlier in year, the Foundation's malaria eradication project had submitted a proposal to the Minister of Health offering its support and requesting the Federal Ministry’s green light to lead the proposed roll out of RTS,S Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) in Nigeria.

"The Minister approved the proposal for the foundation to lead in the anticipated roll-out of the RTS,S vaccine in Nigeria upon approval of the vaccine by the WHO." Nwoko lauded the efforts of government and donors in achieving the continued decline in malaria prevalence in the last decade.

He said Nigeria has achieved progressive reductions in malaria prevalence from 42 per cent to 27 per cent and then 23 per cent in three distinct population surveys conducted in children less than five years in 2010, 2015 and 2018 respectively with temporal and geographic variation in the geopolitical zones and states.

He assured that his Foundation, through its Malaria Eradication Project, would continue to support a strong national response to mobilise strategic partnerships and resources towards the RTS,S malaria vaccine programme

FG: COVID-19 VACCINATION NOW MANDATORY FOR CIVIL SERVANTS FROM DEC 1 said an appropriate service-wide advisory/circular would be issued to guide the process.

Mustapha stated that statistics generated over the last four weeks from test results showed that the trend of infection was going down in some states while in others, the trajectory was rising. He put the combined total for testing by PCR and RDT at 3,141, 795 million persons.

He added that talks were ongoing to resolve the diplomatic impasse between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over testing requirements for Nigerian travellers to the UAE. Mustapha said the aviation authorities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had made reasonable progress to resolve the issue.

On the removal of South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the list of restricted nations, Mustapha said their exclusion was with immediate effect. The three countries were among the worst nations ravaged by the deadly COVID-19 Delta

strain that claimed many lives.

He said the decision to ease the restriction was taken by the PSC following a session on Wednesday, where the committee reviewed developments in the affected countries.

India was removed from the list on September 13 by the federal government in response to the improved situation in the country.

Mustapha said, “As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October. Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours.”

The PSC chairman also put the public on notice concerning the two major religious festivities – Salah and Christmas – that were approaching, warning that there would be increased passenger traffic in and out of the country.

implementation in Nigeria by effecting appropriate infrastructure upgrade to execute the project.

While urging support of the efforts of government through collaboration for the MVIP following the vaccine’s approval by the WHO, the Foundation urged members of the public and private sector partners to come on board, "as efforts are currently on to establish a strong multi-sector partnership to drive this great process that also requires the optimal use of existing interven-

tions, in addition to the vaccines to deploy a comprehensive package for effective malaria control and eradication."

Nwoko further expressed belief that Nigeria was the country with the highest malaria burden globally where high impact is needed, a strong local response is urgently required.

He added that such a response would help to achieve targets set in the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) spanning 2021 to 2025.

for us to rediscover ourselves or to decide to give away this chance, but I’m convinced that you will not allow that to happen.”

He said PDP had a good opportunity to take over Anambra State, just like Edo State. “We may not have a better chance than now, so, we must take it back,” h said.

According to Okowa, "We are reordering not just Anambra but the entire nation, because we have seen too much pain in the last few years and there has been a lot of retrogression and pain caused people. I believe that PDP is in the best position to turn things around, both in Anambra State and nationally.

"There are so many people seeking the office of governor in Anambra and I have had cause to relate with some of them but I believe our candidate is better than all of them out there. To the APGA Youth Leader that is joining us, we welcome you and we are truly very grateful that you have decided to join this train.

"Being a leader of youths, this move is very important for us because I know that the youths have a lot of role to play in elections. I also welcome the women here because women make a lot of mark in terms of numbers on the voting day.”

The governor said he believed the Anambra election would be free, fair and credible election “because I know that INEC is fully ready and the device they want to use has been tested in the Delta bye-election and it was very credible."

Earlier, Ozigbo said he was in Delta State to present the defecting members of APGA to the governor, who is a national leader of the party.

He said the people of Anambra State were waiting for PDP to take over.

In company with Ozigbo were some defectors from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, led by the former youth leader in the state, Mr Magnus Eziokwu.

Ozigbo, "We have lots of people

coming to join us because they have seen the light and they know the direction that Anambra is going and they know that Anambra is waiting for PDP to take over.

"Our team has what it takes to deliver Anambra to PDP and we will surely make our people proud."

Meanwhile, Okowa described as a welcome development and a victory for democracy the U-turn by the federal legislature on the mode of transmission results of future elections in the country. He said the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 by the National Assembly, which empowers INEC to transmit election results electronically, would greatly enhance the electoral process and the credibility of elections.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa commended the senate for listening to the loud voices of Nigerians by reversing itself and voting to include electronic transmission of results in the amendment of the electoral law.

While noting that transmitting election results would greatly eliminate electoral fraud, Okowa said, "Laws are made for the people, not for personal interests, and as such, we must always act in the interest of the public.

"Part of the challenges we are facing today as a nation stems from lack of faith in the electoral process, which has huge implications for socio-economic activity in the country, including foreign direct investments.

"Once we are able to get the people to have faith in our electoral process, where the people can truly decide, who leads them, part of our problem would have been solved."

The governor commended INEC for taking bold steps improve election in the country, saying, "Notable improvement in the electoral process, especially, the recent introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), will guarantee the credibility of voter accreditation by preventing the incidents of multiple voting or the use of stolen PVCs to vote."

LAWAN: MDAS SABOTAGING FG'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE National Assembly. He listed the erring MDAs to include the Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Heath, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and Federal Ministry of Environment.

Lawan said some ministries and agencies of the federal government that should have appeared before the Senate Committee on a Loan and Foreign Debts to defend the debt request by the executive arm of government had failed to appear.

“The senate considers this attitude as a sabotage to the effort of the federal government to secure the loans and fund the infrastructural development that this country desperately needs,” Lawan said.

He added, “Already, the National Assembly has approved the loan request, but there is need for justification.

“I will, therefore, call the names of these MDAs, and we are giving them just one week to appear before the Committee on Loan and Foreign Debts.

“If they fail to appear, we will take appropriate and prompt action, because this senate will not condone any sabotage to the efforts of this administration to provide infrastructure to this country.”

The senate had on July 15 approved Buhari’s external loan request to the tune of $8,325,526,537 and €490,000,000 under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan.

The president Buhari had in another request contained in a letter read on September 14 sought the approval of the senate to borrow an additional sum of $4,054,476,863 and €710

million Euros.

Buhari explained that the loans were needed to fund projects listed in the addendum to the 2018 to 2021 federal government external borrowing plan.

According to him, the projects are to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, China Exim Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Credit Swiss Group, and Standard Chartered, in the credit total sum of $4.5 billion, 710 million euros and grant component of $125 million.

Meanwhile, the senate yesterday suspended plenary till November 9 after it passed for second reading the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented by President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday.

The upper chamber took the decision to suspend plenary for close to one month to allow its committees begin 2022 budget defense sessions with heads of MDAs. It suspended sitting after concluding debate on the general principles of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, which began on Tuesday.

No fewer than 42 senators took turns to make their contributions during the second and final day of debate on the 2022 Appropriation Bill.

Contributors included Senators Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Adelere Oriolowo, Patrick Akinyelure, Ibrahim Gobir, Smart Adeyemi, Ibrahim Abdullahi, George Thompson Sekibo, Christopher Ekpenyong, Betty Apiafi, Mohammed Musa, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Michael Nnachi, and Yahaya Oloriegbe.

Others were Matthew Urhoghide, Francis Fadahunsi, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, Anayo Rochas Okorocha, Oyelola

Ashiru, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Hezekiah Dimka, Binos Dauda Yaroe, Chukwuma Frank Ibezim, Olalekan Mustapha, Chukwuka Utazi, Abba Patrick Moro, Danladi Sankara, and Isah Jibrin.

In his contribution, Danbaba underscored the need for the federal government to include Public-Private Partnership as a way to fund the provision of critical infrastructure needed for economic development.

Adeyemi called for the urgent diversification of the economy through mining, adding that there are abundant mineral resources yet to be exploited by the federal government.

Sekibo advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to come up with policies that would help stabilise the country’s exchange rate over a period of time. He lamented that the implementation of capital projects in the 2022 budget proposal were tied to borrowing.

In his contribution, Ekpenyong called for the scrutiny and tinkering of the budget estimates by the National Assembly, to ensure that it reflected the needs and met the expectations of Nigerians.

On her part, Apiafi protested the exclusion of some states as beneficiaries of the loan to be sourced by the federal government. According to her, some states, such as Rivers, do not stand to benefit from the loan through projects, but are among those to repay the loan obtained

by Nigeria.

She also called on the federal government to give special attention to the power sector, adding that doing so would attract and promote private investments.

Musa said the 2022 budget outlook was good, saying, “Nigeria’s debt level is sustainable.”

He urged the federal govern-

ment to ensure that borrowed funds were applied to critical projects.

According to him, more attention should be given to revenue generation and the country’s tax framework.

After scaling second reading, Lawan referred the 2022 Appropriation Bill to the Committee on Appropriations for further legislative work.

The committee, which is chaired by Senator Jibrin Barau, was given four weeks to report back to plenary.

Lawan, in his concluding remarks said, “I want to also appreciate senators for the sacrifice in processing, consideration and passage of the 2020 and 2021 Appropriation Acts. That devotion, commitment and dedication certainly saw us succeed in passing the previous bills.

“I’m sure that we are ready to repeat the feat of passing the Appropriation Bill 2022 before the end of December.

“Distinguished colleagues, I agree with those of us who raised the issue of revenue generation, collection and remittances to the coffers of the federal government.

“The agencies that are supposed to collect and remit revenues would have to be tasked, and this 2022 Appropriation Bill shows we have over 400 billion coming, especially from these agencies as additional revenues.

We need to do better.

"Government agencies must remit revenues that they generate.

We need to also invest in our people, dedication for our youth particularly and, of course, health.”

Lawan said borrowing was not bad. “What we need to do is to ensure that what we borrow is prudently deployed in those areas of capital infrastructural development,” he said.

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THURSDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

BRITAIN VISITS LAND OF HONOUR...

L-R: Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye; British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the envoy's visit to the governor in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday

Obaseki Equivocal over Party Primaries, Backs e-Transfer of Results Forecloses return to APC INEC: Electoral reform still inchoate until harmonised Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, was ambivalent on the issue of direct primaries approved by the Senate for political parties in deciding the fate of individuals that would fly the flags of the respective parties in any election.

Obaseki argued that, while political parties should be allowed to determine their own procedure, if properly supervised, he further contended that direct primaries would also help the nation’s democratic development.

He, however, backed the use of electronic transfer of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as adopted by the Senate on Tuesday in its latest amendment to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The governor also foreclosed the possibility of returning to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), saying he was a man of integrity, who would not abandon the Edo people,who re-elected him on the

platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But INEC, yesterday, also reacted to the Senate passage of the electoral reforms and described it as inchoate pending the harmonisation of the entire electoral reforms by the two arms of National Assembly.

Speaking with newsmen after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Obaseki, who reacted to Senate’s decision to reverse its earlier resolution on electronic transmission of election result, said he would probably not have won re-election but for the deployment of technology by INEC. According to him: “If not for the technology utilised by INEC, and God, I may not be governor today.

So, I am one of those people, who believe that we cannot and should not have elections in this country, going into the future, without transmitting results electronically from the polling units, because for elections to be credible, they have to be seen as transparent and once you have voted, you should be assured that your vote will count.

“With technology today, it is possible and INEC, has shown it from my elections, that as soon as you voted, and the results have been counted in the polling units, then that result should be made available, such that you already know what you expect to be collated at the ward collation points.

“What has happened in many cases in the past is that people go and vote, the votes are counted in the polling units, they know, but by the time it gets to the collation point, it changes. But this time around, because of the transparency, everybody will see and know what they are expecting to be collated from the polling units. That is what happened in my election.

“So, I am a very strong advocate for electronic transmission of results from elections and I want to also note that from my personal experience, INEC has the capacity, INEC has the technology, and also the understanding of how these things should work. So, they should be encouraged. I hope and pray that the President will assent to that bill.”

But, he was not categorical about

the direct primaries for political parties, which was also adopted by the Senate, saying while political parties should be allowed to determine their own procedure, if properly supervised, direct primaries would help the nation’s democratic development.

“My party is currently undertaking an electronic registration of our members across the country, because we anticipated that one day, you will be required to show your own register, because if we as political parties vote on the basis of an election register, then, the parties must also have their registers, because democracy has to begin with the parties and it's only when you have very clear open registers, then, you can now have whatever form of elections from within the party.

“I would have thought that parties should have options; if a party wants to reduce the cost of their own internal primaries, by having a delegate system, having an electoral college and a delegate system, they should have the option to do so.

“But to just lump everybody

Consensus Likely as North Central PDP Stakeholders Endorse Ayu for National Chair Shema emerges northwest candidate, Nazif for northeast Chuks Okocha in Abuja There are still chances that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might elect members of the National Working Committee of the party through consensus option.

This is because as at press time, the organisation and mobilisation department of the party was yet to record a single sale of form for any of the offices of the National Working Committee (NWC).

The outgoing NWC had Monday released fees to be paid by intending new members of the NWC. In the notification fees, National Chairmanship aspirants were expected to pay 5 million naira, while the Deputy Chairmanship and National Secretary aspirants were to 3 million naira.

Other substantive offices would pay 2 million naira and the deputy to the offices would pay N750,000 While the sales of the forms would end by Friday, as at press time on Wednesday, no aspirant had come forward to pay and pick a form, even when the screening of aspirants would take place on Saturday.

However, the northern PDP stakeholders were expected to meet last night to conclude over the consensus arrangement on all the offices swapped with the south.

This included a consensus on the National Chairman. But the meeting has been postponed to 11am today, Thursday.

According to the Governor of Adamawa 'State, Ahmad Fintiri, most of the northern stakeholders did not attend and blamed it on communication gap.

Although he said all the three zones of the north were interested in the office of the national chairman, he however hinted that, "A definite positive decision would be taken at the Thursday meeting".

But last night, all the PDP Northern governors like Aminu Tambawul (Sokoto), Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Isiaka Darius (Taraba) were present.

Also, a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Tanimu Turaki, Adamu Waziri, some former ministers, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, former Kwara State governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed and Board of Trustees members, were present.

The three zones of the north: north west, north east and north central were expected to nominate a consensus national chairman, where they would vote for the final consensus chairmanship candidate that would be anointed on October 31st In the same manner, the southern stakeholders caucus would meet Thursday to pick consensus on the National Secretary and other offices zoned to it.

But, ahead of failed yesterday’s meeting of the northern caucus to

choose a consensus national chairman, stakeholders from the North Central, consisting of Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue states and the Federal Capital Territory, unanimously adopted a former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, as their consensus candidate for the position of national chairman.

The North central stakeholders’ meeting held Tuesday at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja commenced late in the night and lasted for fours hours.

It was gathered that party stakeholders from the zone prevailed on other aspirants from the zone to step down for one another and allow a single candidate to emerge from the zone.

The following have been mentioned as vying for the position of PDP National Chairman from North Central zone: Former Senate President David Mark, former Senate President Ayu Iyorchia, former Minister of information, Professor Jerry Gana, former Kogi State governor, Ibrahim Idris and former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu.

It was leant that after hours of deliberations among party stakeholders from North Central, the stakeholders adopted Ayu. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said, “This is stakeholders meeting of North Central PDP in continuation of

finding consensus candidates for the national chairmanship of the party.

“Looking for someone with the capacity, with the commitment, love and passion for our party. We met here for several hours. Amongst the five persons that were contesting, the leadership of our party from North Central, we unanimously agreed to sponsor former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu to be national chairman of our party from the north central.

“There was no voting, we all agreed that he is the right person for this job at this time. Tomorrow (today) the northern stakeholders of our PDP are going to meet. So, he will be presented to the northern caucus of the party. I think that by the grace of God, they will also accept him,” Ortom stated.

He further explained that other zones were free to send their nominations.

Curiously, Ibrahim Shema has emerged as consensus candidate from North West. Six states endorsed him, while one supported Ahmed Makarfi.

The outgoing deputy national chairman, Suleiman Nazif is now the only candidate from North East.

The entire North was expected to decide on one of the three as their sole candidate to the convention at their meeting last night, but which has now been moved to today.

together and say look, it's the only way to go! I would have suggested that you should have options.

However, the direct primaries process, properly supervised, is a very fundamental step in the evolution of our democratic system,” he explained.

On the lingering internal crisis in the Edo chapter of the PDP, he said as a party that was in opposition for 12 years in the state, it would take a while to develop an understanding among new and olds members.

His words: “You have to understand that this is politics. My current party was in opposition for 12 years and this is the first time the party is being in government. So, it will take a while for everybody to come together to have an understanding of the new role and the new position we occupy."

Obaseki also ruled out the possibility of returning to the APC, saying that with his integrity, he would not contemplate such move and could not abandon the PDP that gave him cover while he was pushed out of his former party, APC. “Well, I think I've shown that I'm a politician with integrity and I have made it very clear that I didn't leave the other party on my own, I was pushed out of the party, and someone else gave me cover, gave me an opportunity. It will not be the right thing to do to now leave, who helped you, who gave you the umbrella in your storm, and then go back to the person, who pushed you out,” he said.

The governor also canvassed for adequate funding by the federal government for private individuals to set up ranches in the state.

He claimed to have told the President that Edo people had resolved that ranching was a private business but since it is expensive, the federal government should make funds available for interested individuals under the National Livestock Transformation Programme being coordinated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said: “Principally, there were four issues I discussed with him.

First has to do with the position of Edo State on the anti-grazing law.

As you know, most Southern states have passed laws relating to open grazing, but Edo has not, because we want to ensure that whatever laws we pass are laws that we can enforce.

“We've had extensive consultations with our people, extensive town hall meetings, to deal with the issue that, yes, we do not want open grazing, it is out-modeled, it's outdated, however, what are the options? If we are asking that we should now have ranches and these cattle should now be constrained to specific areas, such as ranches, then, who provides the land?

“My people say that, as far as they're concerned, ranching is a private business and therefore, just like every other agricultural venture, those involved should provide the land. As you already know, it is expensive, it is not cheap to run and manage ranches.

Emefiele, Wigwe Bag Law Awards James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has been decorated with the ‘Juris Law’ award for his support towards the development of law for economic growth in Nigeria.

Also honoured alongside the Emefiele, was the Chairman, Body of Bank Chief Executives and CEO of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, for his contributions to corporate governance and rule of law in Nigeria’s banking industry.

The awards were presented by the Juris Law Office in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute.

The prestigious award was presented to Wigwe at a workshop for judicial officers on recent reforms of the banking financial services sectors in Nigeria: Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (2020) in Focus.

The workshop was titled: ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Financial System Stability in Nigeria’.

Earlier, Wigwe said the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 would promote a stronger, more transparent, and efficient financial system in Nigeria.

He said the expansion of the

CBN’s powers and the other salient provisions introduced by the Act would help to improve the system, prevent bank failures and other systemic issues.

He urged the lawyers to look into the contemporary issues in the nation’s banking sector and come up with workable ways of resolving financial disputes.

The Access Bank CEO said: “It is my hope that my Lords will be emboldened in the future to implement the provisions of this Act, admit their errors where necessary and do inestimable good to the banking and financial sector in the country.

“I am, without doubt, that your lordships’ decisions are a vital part in determining how fast and high the economy of this country can grow.

“It is my hope that the future cases will be decided in tandem with the spirit of this Act and the rule of law. No nation’s economy can develop faster than its rule of law."

He also urged the judiciary to use the opportunity of the workshop to gain the right knowledge and attitude into the contemporary issues in the financial and banking sector in the country.

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NEWS

Save Nigeria from Terrorists Now, Afenifere Tells FG Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday called on the federal government to take urgent decisive, enduring and sincere actions against terrorists who are daily gaining grounds in order to prevent the country from going into disintegration.

The group in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, while listing the atrocities by the terrorists to include the overran in broad day light of the police divisional headquarters in Umulokpa, Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State, abduction of a police officer and seven inmates of St. Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, a Catholic Seminary in Fayit, Kaduna State, said they epitomized the level of how the government is failing in the most basic of its responsibilities which is protection of the citizens.

According to him, the insurgents were forcing the residents of some communities in the Northern part of the country into becoming Boko Haram members and equipping them to fight against the government, stating that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State recently disclosed that terrorists had captured some

areas in the state and had even hoisted their flags in those communities.

He said: “Before then, Nassarawa State Governor, Abdullah Sule, had made a similar declaration. He even went further to remind the federal government and security agencies that Nasarawa is very close to Aso Rock, the country’s seat of power.

As such, allowing the terrorists to establish in the state can be dangerous not only to his state but also to the country. Not long after he sounded the warning, the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan – to the chagrin of virtually the whole world.”

Ajayi maintained that Niger and Nasarawa are not the only states that terrorists have set up camps in, insisting that Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Benue, Yobe States have cache of lands where bandits have established themselves from which they unleash terror on the people and government interests.

He stated further that in the South-west, Ibadan to Ijebu-Ode highway, parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun and Osun States posted cases of armed attacks and abductions almost on a daily basis same as in Edo State, among other states.

He said from the utterances of President Muhammadu Buhari within and outside the country he

Electronic Transmission of Results will End Malpractices Says VON Adedayo Akinwale inAbuja The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has said that electronic transmission of results would banish electoral banditry at the collation centres.

The Senate Tuesday bowed to pressure from Nigerians and rescinded its earlier decision against Electronic Transmission of election results by INEC. Okechukwu in a statement issued yesterday commended the Senate, the House of Representatives, civil society organisations and President Muhammadu Buhari for the final process leading to the insertion

of electronic transmission of election results in the country’s electoral law.

Okechukwu said: “The insertion of Electronic Transmission of results in our electoral lexicon laws is a fundamental tonic to banish Election Collation Bandits and hence, the extension of our democratic frontiers.”

“This will lead to one man one vote, and renew our fate in elections, as thuggery and ballot snatching will fade away.”

Okechukwu expressed optimism that the President would sign the Electoral Bill into law considering the cordial relationship that exists between the executive and the National Assembly.

Igboho Down with Kidney Problem in Cotonou, Says Counsel He maintained that report

Kemi Olaitan inIbadan

Lead counsel to the embattled Yoruba rights activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, yesterday raised an alarm that the activist is critically ill in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Alliyu, who made the disclosure while speaking on BBC News monitored in Ibadan, said Igboho is battling with failure of his vital organ and taken to the hospital in Cotonou for medical attention.

reaching him was that one of his (Igboho’s) organs might have been affected as a result of injuries he sustained when he reportedly fell while attempting to escape from the hands of the armed gunmen that invaded his Soka residence in Ibadan on July 1, this year.

According to him, the Yoruba activist has already applied to the Republic of Benin authorities to allow him seek better medical attention in either France or Germany as a result of his failing health.

Matawalle Swears in LG Administrators Onuminya Innocent

Zamfara State Governor Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has sworn in 14 Local Government Administrators and warned them on the need to work hard in securing their respective areas from the menace of banditry.He added that following the dissolution of the last set of administrators

at the local government level, it had become necessary to reconstitute another one until the security situation improves to pave way for elections into the local government councils.

He said the situation in our various local governments requires their total commitment and uprightness which are some of the qualities considered in their selection.

is very much aware of the security challenges facing the country as well as the way out, noting that as far back as 2011 during his campaign for presidency under the banner of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC),

he promised that the policing system in the country would be decentralized such that the state, local governments and the communities would have their own police.

According to him, it is still

possible to reverse the trend, stating some of the ways to do this include doing away with primordial cleavages, equipping security agencies particularly the army and the police.

He added government

should also boost the morale of the Police with good pay and good welfare packages, letting perpetrators of banditry face the full wrath of the law without let or hindrance while impunity must stop now.

MARITIME SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS…

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (left), and Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko when Bello-Koko visited Gambo in Abuja…recently

Bauchi Gov Preaches Harmony, Peaceful Coexistence between Christians, Muslims Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has emphasised the need for tolerance, peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians in the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

He also disclosed that he came from a family with adherents of both faiths, and so that’s why he is striving to strike a balance in his dealings with the two religious

divides.

According to him, both religions have contributed immensely in one way or another to him becoming the state governor, submitting that both Muslims and Christians voted for him massively in the 2019 general election.

The governor, who spoke at a dinner organised by the Christian community in the state to mark his 63rd birthday, described himself as a perfectionist, and

declared that two of his brothers, Reverend Father Dal and Bappah Mohammed, one late and the other now bedridden, played significant roles in ensuring that he attained the position he now occupies in the society.

While assuring the Christian community that he would not let them down, the Mohammed called on the people of the state to remain as one family, irrespective of their religious affiliation.

According to him, “I want to

do more; we hardly sleep because we want to work. But you have to give the allowance that we are all the same, so let us collapse into one family of humanity.

“Every Muslim knows that this world is for everybody, you are only different when you go to the hereafter-may be on the judgment day. But God has given us everything. He pledged to give this world to everyone, irrespective of faith. So, we should not deceive ourselves.”

Ondo Varsity to Produce Cancer Drugs Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko said it is set to produce a potent drug, formulated from extracts of local plants, with the capacity to tackle the dreaded cancer disease.

The Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Olusegun Akinwumi, made the disclosure while speaking

at a seminar in the institution.

He said: “ A group of researchers from the Faculty has succeeded in identifying and extracting cancer-fighting properties from some local plants that have yielded positive results in laboratory and field trials”.

The development, he said: “Raises hope of eventually formulating drugs that can successfully reverse or heal cancerous growths in humans”,

adding that “the groundbreaking result from the research would be unveiled to the public upon the completion of human trials and certification”.

Also speaking on the topic, ‘Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as novel drug Phyto-scaffold in Breast Cancer: Computational and In-Vivo Validation of the Anticancer Effects of Carotenoids from Spondias Mombin,’ Dr. Damilohun Metibemu, said

that chemoprevention, fresh fruits, and phytochemical plants in the human environment could be used to prevent cancer occurrence.

He described cancer as a disease that makes some cells in the body grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, adding that such cancerous growth could start almost anywhere in the human body made up of trillions of cells.

Let’s Approach 2023 Elections in Unity, APC Charges Members Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it expects that every bickering in the party be nipped in the bud in order to approach the 2023 elections as a unit.

The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John Akpanudoedehe disclosed

this yesterday during the inauguration of State Congresses Committees in Abuja He said in the last few months, the party has carried out some very fundamental party activities of unimaginable magnitude.

The Secretary noted that the membership registration, Ward/LG congresses and the upcoming State Congresses are monumental landmarks which

the party has achieved in a short time, under the leadership of the Caretaker Chairman and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

Akpanudoedehe stated: “To manage even a nuclear family isn’t a very easy task, how much more to manage a political family of millions of persons with varied interests, aspirations and expectations.

That is why all reasonable

party men/women must give accolades to H.E Hon. Mai Mala Buni for the great work he is doing, especially with the harvest of political heavy weights into the party.

“We expected that every bickering be nipped in the bud, so we circle the wagons and approach 2023 elections as a unit, notwithstanding the family misunderstandings that may exist.”

Kogi Doctors Advise FG on How to Reduce Brain Drain Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State Chapter has urged the federal government to show more concern for the young doctors in Nigeria and do all within its power to motivate them

in order to slow down brain drain syndrome that has gripped the profession because of harsh condition of service .

The Kogi State Chairman, NMA Dr Omakoji Simeon Oyiguh, who disclosed this yesterday in Lokoja in his

address to mark this year Physicians’ week, stated that the motivation of doctors by the federal government, particularly the resident doctors will serve the nation better.

The Kogi NMA chairman therefore, called on the

federal government to deal with the issues in the Memorandum Of Understanding(MOU) that was signed with NMA very dispassionately, in order to re-motivate the resident doctors to do their work for the benefit of the nation.

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NEWS XTRA

Kidnappers Abduct Catholic Priest, Unidentified Woman in Umuahia

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

A criminal gang yesterday morning attacked Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, and kidnapped a Catholic priest and an unidentified woman in two separate incidents.

Rev Fr Godfrey Mark Chimezie of St. Theresa Parish, Olokoro, Umuahia, was kidnapped by the hoodlums on Enyiukwu Road in Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuania North Local Government Area.

According to eye witnesses, the priest was on his way home after a morning mass at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Okpururie Afaraukwu, when the hoodlums intercepted him.

The armed men were said to have forced the priest out of his Toyota Corolla car and bundled him into their Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and sped away to unknown destination.

Rev Fr Chimezie, who hails from Enugu State, is still young in priesthood, as he was ordained early this year.

In the second incident, a woman, who had gone to a petrol station on Aba Road Umuahia to fill her tank, fell victim to the kidnappers, as she was abducted and taken away.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the second incident involving the female victim, but said the police were yet

to receive information on the kidnapping of the Catholic priest.

He told THISDAY that the woman was double crossed by the hoodlums as she was

coming out of the filling station opposite Madonna Catholic Hospital on Aba Road in Umuahia, and was taken away by the armed gang. It was not clear if the

two kidnap incidents were carried out by the same gang.

Meanwhile, the authorities the Umuahia Catholic Diocese were yet to issue any official statement on the kidnapping

of the priest but the police spokesman advised them to go to the police and make formal report on the incident to enable the police commence investigation.

HAPPY 70TH ANNIVERSARY…

L-R: Country Marketing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited,Mrs. Oluyomi Moses; Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., Mr. Matthieu Seguin; Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr.Alfred Olajide; and Senior Manager, Frontline Marketing Portfolio Activation, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Soji Omoigui, at a press briefing to flag off activities marking the 70th anniversary of Coca-Cola System in Nigeria in Lagos yesterday.

ETOP UKUTT

Economic Hardship: Man Ekiti Chiefs Kick against Fayemi’s Appointment of New Monarch Commits Suicide in Kwara Victor Ogunje inAdoEkiti

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A middle-aged man yesterday reportedly committed suicide in Ansar Ul Slam area along Oloje-Ogidi Road in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The man, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, was said to have committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in the vicinity of his residence.

He was said to have done this by climbing on a drum to be able to tie himself to the tree while he remained suspended on the tree after he kicked away

the drum with his legs.

Why he decided to take his own live has not been known as he was reported to look hale and hearty the last time he was seen by his neighbours before he committed the suicide.

There were, however, speculations that he might have committed suicide because of the prevailing economic hardship.

It was gathered that his decision to take away his own life has left his family members, neighbours and friends bewildered because they had no premonition that he was going to take his live.

Police Arrest Two Masquerades in Ondo for Stealing N370,000 Fidelis David inAkure

Men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested two masquerades, Sheriff Ojo and Muhammad Lukman for stealing N370,000.

The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP. Funmilayo Odulami, alleged that “the masquerades attacked their victims, stole N370,000.00 and inflicted injury with cutlasses on one Adinoyi Mohammed the owner of the money at Ipele town, Owo Local Government Area of

the state.”

Odulami said that “he two suspects paraded themselves as masquerades, inflicted injury with cutlasses on one Adinoyi and also stole a handset valued 32,000.00 and a shirt valued 2,500.00.

“They also inflicted injury on their victim’s father, Mr. Saliu Ajayi.

“Two cutlasses, charms and masquerade clothes were recovered from them. The two suspects had been arrested and will soon be charged to court while effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing ones.”

The Ogoga-in-Council of Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, has declared as null and void the recognition granted by the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to Olukere of Ikere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, as a traditional ruler, describing the “balkanisation” of the town as sacrilegious and wicked.

The council chaired by Sapetu of Oke Ikere, Chief Olufemi Babatola, bluntly rejected the autonomy granted Odo-Oja, a section of Ikere Ekiti, and delineated territory to be presided over by the new Oba. Based on the outcome of the Justice Jide Aladejana-led Chieftaincy Review Commission, which found Olukere’s claim as an Oba credible, Fayemi had

last week recognised him as a full-fledged Oba, and he also designated Odo Oja axis of the town as his territory.

A statement signed by the 16 members of the council yesterday said the governor’s action buttressed the fact that he was being allegedly vindictive for losing the 2018 governorship election in Ikere Council to an

indigene of the town and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Eleka.

Maintaining that Fayemi’s action was also allegedly contemptuous, the chiefs said: “We have long instituted a case at the Ekiti State High Court to challenge the legitimacy of the claim of the Olukere of being made an Oba.”

NITEL/MTEL Retirees Seek FG’s Intervention to Pay 77 Months Arrears Sunday Okobi The over 12,000 retired NITEL/ MTEL staff members in Nigeria have lamented the nonpayment of their 77 months arrears through Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to come to their aid and save them from the ‘deadly’ situation they

are presently.

The group of pensioners, who decried the lack of payment of arrears in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by one of the leaders of the retired staff, Mr. Samuel Urubusi, lamented bitterly about what his colleagues are currently going through.

The statement noted that recently, the Executive Secretary

of PTAD, Dr. Chioma N.Ejikeme, spoke on the outstanding arrears of all government parastatals, that they would be settled in due course, “however in her speech, she stated that they received some sum of money that could settle the outstanding arrears of the pensioners which is approximately N120 billion.

“In addition, she promised to credit us by the second quarter

of the year, peradventure she could not be able to cover the 77 months, she would have been able to cover up for substantial months.”

The leader of the NITEL retirees in the statement said: “Now that the year is running out, nothing had been done about it. Presently, the union has being trying its best but its efforts seem not to be enough.”

Lawmakers Give Banks 14 Days to Remit N10bn Customs Duties to FG Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs has given two weeks ultimatum to five commercial banks to reconcile accounts and remit all outstanding customs duties to the federal government.

The Chairman of the

Committee, Hon. Leke Abejide, issued the ultimatum yesterday at an investigative hearing on alleged non-remittance of N10 billion customs duties to the federal government by commercial banks.

He threatened to write the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deduct all outstanding from

source and blacklist affected banks from collecting customs duty.

He added that there are 15 more banks to be investigated to recover every single kobo back to the federal government.

Abejide said: “Some banks are in the habit of avoiding the committee.

The committee wants to conclude its investigations within the period to enable members participate in the 2022 budget defence. We will use the power of the gavel if the banks failed to reconcile with our consultants and pay up the outstanding before two weeks.”

Experts Move to Tackle Plastic IBDEC Links Power Outage in Ife North to Paucity of Fund company had tried it’s best in He said: “When we were which IBDEC cannot afford.”

Pollution in Coastal Environments Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo resolving the power outage, contacted on the power outage, The Osun House of Assembly

Okon Bassey inUyo

The Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) has said that the need to tackle plastic pollution in coastal environments in Nigeria could not be over emphasised.

Presently the body is raising awareness on the consequences of plastic pollution, noting that it could damage the environment

and pose negative economic impact.

The observations were made when the Faculty of Oceanography, University of Calabar, visited the Ibeno Beach in Akwa Ibom State with students of University of Calabar International Demonstration Secondary School, to monitor how many plastics they could pick from the ocean to reduce Marine Plastic Pollution.

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBDEC) yesterday told the Osun State House of Assembly that the five months power outage in Ife North Local Government Council of the state was due to the faulty power transformer that would cost N90 million.

The Regional Head of Osun IBDEC, Mr. Akin Ogunleye, stated that the distribution

thinking that the situation is what it can handle until it found out that a whooping sum of N90 million, which the company can afford will be required.

Ogunleye stated that the company is faced with paucity of fund and could not for now take the full responsibility of restoring power to the affected communities in the local government.

we got to work thinking that it was a minor thing that we can fixed only to find out that the coil of the transformer had gone bad.

“The bill we got for the repair of the transformer was around 28 to 35 million Naira, experience had thought us that it is not the best to repair but replace with a new one which is in the region of 90 million Naira

had last week summoned the Managing Director of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBDEC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) after a motion by Hon. Lekan Olatunji over the power outage in Ife North Local Government Council.

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NEWS XTRA

Anambra Guber: Postponement Not an Option, Says INEC Chuks Okocha inAbuja Despite the increasing spate of violence in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the idea of rescheduling, postponing and or suspending the state governorship election scheduled to hold on November 6, 2021.

According to INEC, “For the commission, and indeed the people of Anambra State, rescheduling, adjusting or postponing the election is not an option worth considering giving the challenges of planning and delivering elections within constitutionally and legally approved timetable and schedule.”

This was disclosed to THISDAY by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity and Voter Education, Festus Okoye.

He said: “The framers of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) imbedded in Section 26 of the law the possibility of rescheduling a governorship election under extraordinary circumstances by showing cogent and veritable reasons.

“These cogent and veritable reasons must be such that can be managed within the limited window allowed by the constitution. The framers of the constitution and the law did not envisage or contemplate any panic rescheduling or postponement on the basis of indeterminate action and activities of non-state actors.”

The INEC national commissioner said contemplating, rescheduling or postponing a governorship

election as a panic measure or a step in addressing a developmental, constitutional, legal or security challenge is constitutionally dangerous, legally slippery and politically laced with landmines.

He explained further that: “It is akin to voluntarily drinking the hemlock, and for the electoral management body, it will lead to electoral paralysis having invested heavily in the procurement of non-

sensitive and sensitive materials as well as the recruitment and training of election duty officials.”

Okoye explained that there are 14 items in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by INEC on January 19, 2021, explaining that the commission has implemented 10 of the activities leaving the statutory publication of the Notice of Poll which will be

done on October 21, 2021, the last day for the submission of the names of polling agents for the election to the electoral officers of the 21 local government areas by political parties, which will elapse on October 21, 2021, the last day for campaigns by political parties, which will elapse on November 4, 2021, and the date of election slated for November 6, 2021.

Accordingly, the INEC chief said: “Therefore, it will amount to threading on a slippery slope to canvass if there is rescheduling or postponement as an option giving the peculiar circumstances of our country and the near similar security challenge in the Southeast region and indeed in most parts of the country.

“By Section 180(2) of the Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended), the governor shall vacate his or her office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date when in the case of a person was elected as governor he took the Oath Allegiance and Oath of Office; and the person last elected to that office took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office or would, but for his death, have taken such oath.

SIGNED AND SEALED…

L-R: Immediate Past President of National Association of Chambers Of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Mrs. Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu; Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Chairperson of the NACCIMA Business Women Group, Mrs Aisha Abubakar; National President, Ide John Udeagbala and, National Vice President, Mrs. Patricia Idiakhoa during the signing of Export Expansion Facility Beneficiary Charter in Abuja…recently-

Don’t Create Barrier for Lagos Community Cries Out over Land-grabbing, Attacks traditional ruler of Etegbin attacks by one Chief Moruf in suits numbers ID/2390/94 Girl Child Education, Ekiti Wale Igbintade Town, Chief Haruna Amida Owonla, popularly called & BD/6M/2009 and allegedly Landowners and residents of to the Lagos State Governor, Kaka, is giving members of boasted of being a renowned community in Ojo Local Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the the community sleepless nights land-grabber.

First Lady Tells Nigerians Etegbin The petitioners stated that he Government Area of Lagos State Assistant Inspector General of and serious trauma.

Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti

The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi has called for the removal of barriers capable of limiting the education of the girl child and break away from stereotype traditions and customs.

This, she said became necessary for the emancipation of women, end the vicious circle of poverty and set women on the course of self fulfilment.

Fayemi stated this at a special colloquium marking the third anniversary of the Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration in Ado Ekiti, tagged “Ekiti Women Let’s Talk about Gender Stereotyping: Challenging Women’s

Roles at Home, at Work and in Our Society.”

Fayemi while charging women to continue to work in love and solidarity, assured that she would continue to support and advocate for continuous education of a girl child.

“Women need to be able to stand on their own whether they have husband or not, we must be able to take care of ourselves and our businesses.

“And that is why I am so passionate about the education of a girl child, keeping girls in school because the only way you can break the circle of generational poverty is to ensure that you educate girls.”

are seeking the help of the state government and the Nigeria Police over the activities of some notorious land grabbers in the area.

In two separate letters dated June 1, 2021, written by the

Police(AIG) Zone 2 Command, he pleaded for urgent government’s intervention for the protection of lives and properties of people in the community.

He alleged that incessant

According to the traditional ruler, the problem started on April 4, 2021, when one Owonla approached him (Baale) on the grounds that he has been engaged by one Alhaji M. A. O Azeez to execute judgments

explained to the said Owonla that the Onirede of Igbanko founded the Etegbin community and that Etegbin village is made up of different families, therefore, the community is not owned by a single family.

NDDC: NGO Wants Indicted Contractors Prosecuted Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A Non-Governmental Organisation, Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action), has urged that contractors indicted in the 13, 000 abandoned projects awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission

(NDDC) across the region be made public and prosecuted accordingly. The call was made yesterday at a town hall meeting organised by Social Action in Port Harcourt.

The Executive Director of We The People, Mr. Ken Henshaw, during his presentation on the theme “Promoting probity in the NDDC to rebuild

accountability tenets and public trust”, condemned the years of covered corruption by leadership of NDDC, which he said has hindered the mandate of the commission to develop the region.

Henshaw insisted that if corrupt practices by the leaders of NDDC are criminalised, the region will

feel the positive impact of the establishment of the Commission. “In the mixed of all the corruption scandals we heard at NDDC and by the way the corruption scandals did not start in 2020 or 2021, they have been there since the creation of NDDC in 2000.

We have always corruption scandals involving different boards and leaders of NDDC.

transformation process of the industry that commenced in 2017, which he said has started yielding positive results.

The director general stated this while speaking to journalists in Abuja, saying the boom would lead to significant rise in the nation’s internally generated revenue and enhanced gains

lottery industry and its value chains.

A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, NLRC, Mr. Magnus Ekechukwu, quoted the director general to have disclosed that the commission had been executing resourceful policies, measures and programmes in the last four years, aimed at improving

great emphasis on the welfare of its workers, betterment of the stakeholders and higher revenues for the country.

He hinted that the policies and measures were already being steadily nurtured to fruition, following which the nation would witness the big boom in the gaming industry.

Caleb Varsity to Organise NLRC Boss Predicts Boom for Nigeria’s Lottery Sector First Int’l Conference agency’s expectation on the for all the stakeholders in the lottery business in all aspects with Akowa Peter

Caleb University will organise its first international conference with focus on innovations and development.

A statement made available to THISDAY by the Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Dr. Elvis Otobo, said the event which is themed: ‘Future Forward: Disruptive Innovations. What Next,’ would take place at the University’s main campus, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State and online from October 26 to 27.

He also stated that the event would have in attendance an array of prestigious speakers, leaders in their respective fields, drawn from home and abroad.

The statement noted that Prof Oyebanji Oyelaran-

Oyeyinka, from Africa Development Bank would present the keynote paper on the conference theme, “this will be complemented by other lead papers.”

According to the statement, “International Jurist, and Political Analyst, Mr. Desire Assogbavi would introduce innovations in international development agenda 2030 (UN) and 2063 (AU).

“In his paper, Brian Winston, Professor of Communications at Lincoln University, (UK) will examine the critical balance to be made between the technological and social factors that drive innovation. The paper is titled,‘Role of Innovation in Sustainable Development.’

The conference will also cover issues on sustainable environment, living and lifestyle.

Peter Uzoho

The Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, has projected that the country would soon witness a boom in lottery business with attendant boost to the nation’s revenue.

Gbajabiamila hinged the

Goup Moves to Compensate Victims of Nasarawa Herders/Farmers Clashes Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

A non-governmental organisation of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State, Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace (FJDP) yesterday began the enumeration of victims of the herders/farmers clashes in Nasarawa State to enable it support the them.

The Programme Manager

of the FJDP, Valentine Kwaghchimin, led a team from the NGO to Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State for the exercise, where he said the exercise would also cover two other local government areas of Awe and Doma in the state.

Addressing stakeholders of Obi LGA during the Foundation stakeholders’ forum and community engagement

towards peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, preparatory to the enumeration exercise, the programme manager said the exercise would enable FJDP to support survival of the herders/ farmers clashes.

According to him, “The Foundation will support the victims with psychomotor strength to rebuild their battered relationship, as well as incentives to help them rebuild some of

their destroyed communities.”

He, however, maintained that the FJDP’s session with stakeholders in the Obi community would offer residents the platform for learning and discussing security issues affecting them, and also identifying potential conflicts and early warning signs, and proffer solutions to foster peace and harmony in their community.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Sports Ministry Directs CBN to Process D’Tigress’ Payments Nigeria’ss senior women’s basketball team team, D’Tigress have been assured assured of getting all their entitlements att the the last last Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by the Federal Federall Ministry Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja

In apparent reaction to threats to boycott the FIBA World Cup qualifiers slated for later this year, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has requested the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to commence immediate processing for payment monies owed Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress.

This directive is coming on the heel of embarrassing protests in social media by the mostly foreign-based players not to honour invitations for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers due to the nonpayment of outstanding entitlements by the immediate

past board of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) headed by Ahmadu Musa Kida. Caption The basketball players had even alleged in some of the videos that have gone viral on the social media that some officials of the federation and sports ministry personnel may have misappropriated the $230,000 donated to the team

by Corporate Nigeria.

But in a swift move to douse the tension generated by the accusations, the Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ismaila Abubakar, directed yesterday via a statement the apex bank to start processing the payment to the players.

NPFL: Rangers Declare Governor, Tiesso AWOL The Management of Rangers International F.C of Enugu have declared two of their players, Ernest Governor and Beninoise midfielder, Charles Tiesso to have absconded from the team on AWOL. The two players are part of the squad retained for the new season but their absence from camp without leave has now forced the Flying Antelopes’ management to place a notice of AWOL on them.

Defender Governor who resumed with some other retained players a few weeks back reportedly left the team’s Nkponkiti Players’ camp without any permission from neither the technical crew nor any management staff just as the team was set for their pre-season closes camping exercise.

Tiesso on his part, travelled back to his country at the end of last season but has not resumed since the team’s resumption on September 17, 2021 with no formal communication even. He however still has a subsisting contract with Rangers.

In an official letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and signed by Rangers’

Administrative Secretary, Barr.

Ferdinand Ugwuarua, on behalf of the G.M/CEO, Prince Davidson Owumi, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ management said in part, “Player, Charles Tiesso travelled back to his country during the club’s break at the end of last season.

“At the moment, we do not have any formal communication regarding his whereabouts, about compelling the club to declare him (AWOL) since his contract is still subsisting with the club.”

For player, Ernest Governor, Rangers also insisted that, “the said player (Governor) resumed with the team around the 19th day of September, 2021, but while the team was set for pre-season camping, it was reported that Ernest Governor left the player’s camp unnoticed and every inquiries as to his whereabouts have proved abortive. The club therefore declare Ernest Governor, AWOL.” The two players played a massive part in Rangers’ good run last season and were listed to help the club achieve her dream of double target for the fast approaching 2021/2022 football season.

AFTERMATHS $230,000 PROTESTS He said the male team, D’Tigers would also be paid as soon as their account details were supplied.

Abubakar denied allegations that the ministry officials appropriated the basketballers’ money, insisting all the donations made to the female and male teams for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by GTB, Access and Zenith Bank remained intact in the CBN account of the NBBF. He further confirmed that the $230,000 donated to the basketball teams by the banks

under its ‘Adopt-a-Team’ programme was intact in the NBBF’s domiciliary account domiciled with the CBN. The statement signed by the permanent secretary also hinted that only 12 members of the female national team have lodged their domiciliary account numbers for the payments.

“The Ministry waited for the account numbers of the Male Team to be supplied so that the processing of payments can be one-off as requested by the CBN,” the statement further clarified.

Abubakar assured the players and other sportsmen and women that all outstanding Olympics and Paralympics Games allowances and bonuses were being processed and were only delayed by the paucity of funds.

He also stressed that the Ministry of Finance has been fully kept in the picture about details of the outstanding allowances and payments due to the NBBF and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and efforts were being made to secure the release.

The players claimed all money due to them made up of $73,118 allowances per player, $24,000 grant each and the $100,000

donated by the banks should be remitted to them.

Among others, the players also wanted the federal government to give them house gifts for accomplishing three consecutive Afrobasket title victories just like the football team that was well rewarded for winning the AFCON in 1994 as well as the Olympic soccer gold winning squad of 1996.

Finally, the D’Tigress are also asking the government to provide a state-of-the-art arena to enable the team play in front of the home crowds and their families as all their three historic wins were on foreign soil.

Ujiri Demands Greater Devt Opportunities for Nigerian Youths The President of NBA’s Toronto Raptors and Giants of Africa, Masai Ujiri, has challenged the various levels of government in Nigeria, the corporate world and individuals to help create meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians.

Masai who is in Nigeria to unveil four basketball courts he built for schools and communities in the country said on Tuesday that one good way the youths can be helped is by building and maintaining proper facilities for sports.

The Toronto Raptors Vice Chairman who has consistently decried the state of the National Stadium in Lagos, said he is joyful that he and his team in the Giants of Africa Foundation have been able to demonstrate how grassroots sports can be helped in Nigeria.

He said, “I have always spoken about the very poor condition of the National Stadium and I will continue to speak until something meaningful is done. We have enough space to develop world standard facilities that every Nigerian can be proud of.

“People have asked me why have I not brought the Toronto Raptors here to play but the answer is where will they play here? Is it in that sports hall (at National Stadium in Lagos)?

“But rather than be

Masai Ujiri (right) with officials of Lagos State Sports Commission and students of Ilupeju Grammar School at the unveiling of the basketball court built by Ujiri’s Giants of Africa Foundation...yesterday in Lagos complaining, we have decided to start in our own little way to help young Nigerians develop themselves.

Precious Achiuwa and Bassey passed through our Giants of Africa camps just about five, six years ago but today they are in the NBA. Precious shot 17 points for Toronto in a pre-season game last night (Monday) and we are very excited because he is a product of this system.

“Every kid may not play in the NBA eventually; I never played but see where I am today. Look at Godwin Owinje (co-founder

Giants of Africa) how basketball has helped his life to the fullest.

The life training they get here can prepare them to become sports administrators, medical doctors, lecturers. All they need is encouragement.

“We can give them that encouragement with the facilities we make available to communities. Let’s give kids in the communities and schools the basic facilities to train and grow.”

GOA unveiled the first of the courts in Nigeria at the Ijeshatedo Senior High School in Okota,

Isolo, Lagos and the train moved on to the Oworonshoki Park on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s events held at the Ilupeju Grammar School and the Community Centre, Warriors Court.

The next round will see courts built in places like Zaria, Owerri, Maiduguri amongst other places.

Masai through the GOA started last week by unveiling courts in Kenya and Tanzania.

Two courts will be opened in Burkina Faso on Friday as the drive to build 100 courts across Africa continues.

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SPORTS

Wilder Hit with Six-month Suspension from Boxing Deontay Wilder has been hit with a six-month medical suspension in the aftermath of his knockout defeat by Tyson

Fury in Las Vegas, another major blow to the Bronze Bomber's boxing career.

The American heavyweight

was unable to exact revenge on the Gypsy King for his loss in their second bout, as Fury knocked Wilder down

three times on his way to victory in their trilogy fight last weekend.

Wilder was immediately

Deontay Wilder (right) has been given medical suspension for six months from boxing to recover from the bruising he got from the Gypsy King, Tyson Fury...last Saturday

Kenyan World Record Holder, Tirop, Found Dead Kenyan world record holder Agnes Tirop has been found stabbed to death at her home in the western town of Iten, with police treating her husband as a suspect.

The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, who finished fourth in the Olympic 5,000m final two months ago, was 25.

A criminal investigation is now underway into her death, with police saying her husband has gone missing.

On Wednesday, crime scene

investigators were at the house of Tirop, who police say was reported missing by her father on Tuesday night.

"When (police) got in the house, they found Tirop on the bed and there was a pool of blood on the floor," Tom Makori, head of police for the area, said.

"They saw she had been stabbed in the neck, which led us to believe it was a knife wound, and we believe that is what caused her death.

"Her husband is still at large, and preliminary investigations

Okpekpe Race Organiser Hails Shaibu on Sports Award Foremost Sports Marketing outfit in Nigeria and organiser of the silver labeled Okpekpe international 10km road race, Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited has congratulated Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on his award as the Sports Personality of Year (2020)

by The Sun newspaper.

In a statement signed by Mike Itemuagbor, Pamodzi Chief Executive Officer, the Edo Deputy Governor's choice as the Sports Personality of 2020 is a perfect recognition of his untiring efforts at repositioning sports in Edo State and Nigeria. '' I rejoice with you on this occasion of your award as the Sports Personality of the year 2020.

On behalf of the management and staff of Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited, please accept our warmest congratulations on your deserved award,' wrote Itemuagbor who insists The Sun Newspaper has made the best choice for the award.

“I must say that your award

is one of the best choices ever made by the board of editors of The Sun newspaper in the area of sports development.

“No doubt, you have worked tirelessly to reposition sports in our native land of Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

So, you are a perfect choice,” the statement read further.

The Pamodzi CEO also thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for providing the enabling environment that has led to the huge development in the sports sector.

Edo State hosted what has been described as the best National Sports Festival ever in April under the supervision of the Deputy Governor.

The state is also home of the first road race in West Africa to be granted a World Athletics label, the Okpekpe international 10km road race and both the Governor Obaseki and Comrade Shaibu have been a strong part of it from its conception and have been a solid pillar of support to the historic and enviable height it has attained.

tell us her husband is a suspect because he cannot be found.

Police are trying to find her husband so he can explain what happened to Tirop."

Makori added that police believe that CCTV in the house may be able to help with their investigation.

Tirop was also found dead with a stab wound to her stomach, sources have told the BBC. "Athletics Kenya are distraught to learn about the untimely death of World 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop," the country's athletics body said

in a statement.

"We are still working to unearth more details surrounding her demise. Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastestrising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track."

Last month, Tirop set the world recordfor a women's only 10km road race in Germany.

At the 2020 Olympic Games in August, Tirop finished just outside the medal placesfor the women's 5,000m, trailing Ethiopia's bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay by 0.75 seconds.

taken to a Nevada hospital to be checked over after the bruising encounter and he will now undergo surgery on a broken hand next week.

As a result of his injuries, the Nevada State Athletic Commission have suspended him until April 8, meaning he cannot return to the ring until that date unless he is medically cleared by a doctor beforehand.

It is unclear exactly when Wilder, known for his devastating right hand power, did the damage but he also has broken both a finger and knuckle.

Wilder is now expected to undergo surgery next week when he returns to his home state of Alabama.

His co-manager Shelly Finkel told The Sun: “Deontay broke his right hand behind the third knuckle and he has to have that fixed next week.

“He has to have surgery, the knuckle is OK, it's the bone behind the knuckle that broke. He's sore but he was OK, he was home yesterday.

“He's healing and at this point, if everything is OK,

after the hand surgery he'll probably look to enter the ring mid next year, like April or May.” Fury has also been handed a standard 45-day suspension following his victory, which was his first ever world heavyweight title defence.

Wilder has now suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in his impressive career, after having previously not lost a single bout in 43 fights.

Fury's win brought an end to their thrilling rivalry which started with their controversial draw in Los Angeles back in December 2018.

Their fight on Saturday was one of the best in recent years with Wilder knocking Fury down twice in the fourth round.

Fury floored the Alabama fighter in the third and 10th round, before referee Russell Mora intervened to stop the fight in the penultimate round.

Now their long-running trilogy has finally been concluded, all eyes are now focused on who each man will fight next.

Ex-Eagles Stars, 2,000 Athletes for 2021 Adron Games

Former Super Eagles stars, including Daniel Amokachi, Augustine Eguavoen and over 2,000 athletes are scheduled to participate in 2021 Adron Games in Ogun State.

The Games expected to feature 15 sporting activities will attract 2,000 sportsmen and women from across the country.

The games sponsored by real estate firm, the Adron Homes and Properties Limited, will take place at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Ogun State.

The Group Managing Director of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King disclosed this on Wednesday in Abeokuta at the monthly forum of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter.

King told the sportswriters that the 2021 Adron Games which is the fifth edition, would hold for three days begin on

November 18.

The GMD represented by the General Manager, Ayodeji Omoniyi, said the Games is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company meant to discover talents and boost grassroots sports in Nigeria."

He further revealed that the Ogun State’s All Stars will play a friendly with ex-Super Eagles stars during the Games.

“We have not less than eight big banks working with us as partners on this edition.

We also looking to get past Super Eagles players to play the Ogun State’s All Stars as part of side attractions to spice up this edition.

Speaking on the events, the Sports Consultant to Adron Games, Waidi Akanni listed the 15 sporting games to take place include; football, chess, table tennis, weight lift, volleyball and others.

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY...

L-R: DGM Corporate Communication & Strategy, Lagos State Signage and Advertisment Agency (LASAA) Mr. Temitope Akande; Special Adviser Operations, Mr. Gbolahan Dixon; General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Mr. Mukhtaar Tijani, Deputy Director, Admin & Human Resources Mr. Lateef Demilola Shitta during a novelty match between both Agencies in Lagos ...last Friday

TR

Thursday, October 14, 2021

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Emeka Ihedioha to Abdullahi Ganduje

“When Governor Ganduje (of Kano State) made his address, he chose not to recognize me. I wasn’t disturbed. It only confirmed what I already know. Governor Ganduje belongs to the class that won’t admit that I was the man popularly elected as governor by Imo people. Facts are sacred and our actions in life remain historical and there is nothing we can do about them. Governor Ganduje, I pray that God will give you the courage one day to confess and ask for atonement.”

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Yar’Adua Study on Subsidies (1)

“S

ometime in 2008, my late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua commissioned a study on ‘subsidies and tariffs in Nigeria’ in five critical sectors: Electricity, Petroleum, Education, Health and Agriculture. The main objectives were to determine the effectiveness of subsidies in these sectors, examine the need or otherwise for continuity and finally, suggest the framework for a gradual elimination with the overall aim of improving the general welfare of Nigerians. I am going to be relying on that report (submitted shortly before Yar’Adua fell ill in 2009) very soon to engage why we need a change of approach in Nigeria…”

The foregoing is excerpted from my 20th May column, ‘Nigeria and the Standing Fan Metaphor’. Following the publication, I received numerous requests to share the paper but have been reluctant to do so because we live in a country where many read their texts upside down. Knowing the contentiousness of the subsidy issue and given how desperate government has become to raise revenue, I don’t want to be seen as pursuing an agenda. However, following the latest (October 2021) World Bank Nigeria Country Report, a copy of which I glimpsed from a top government official on Tuesday, I believe a serious conversation on the economy is in order.

Between 2020 and 2021, according to the report, inflation shock is expected to have pushed an additional 5.6 million Nigerians into poverty while “food insecurity is increasing in both poor and non-poor households” across the country. I already know this from the tales I hear from my wife after every market experience. Since Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is leading a crusade against the huge arbitrage created in the foreign exchange market vis-a-vis its implications for macroeconomic stability as well as transparency and accountability, I also do not need to deal with that aspect of the report. So, the bit that is relevant to this intervention is the issue of subsidy, although the report is restricted to the oil and gas sector.

In 2021, according to the World Bank, Nigeria plans to spend $8 per capita on health whereas subsidy on PMS alone could cost $25 per capita and is not well-targeted. This is even though revenue from oil and gas in the first five months of this year (January to May 2021) were about half of what was projected: N872 billion instead of N1.736 trillion. If crude prices, the cost of imported PMS and current fuel pump prices remain at current levels, the World Bank projects that Nigeria would have spent N2 trillion on fuel subsidy alone in 2021! “With leakages (smuggling or over-invoicing) also being a concern, this—if validated—would make the subsidy even more regressive.”

Our population growth is far outstripping economic growth amid declining per-capital incomes. The World Bank believes that Nigeria must therefore take certain hard decisions to stay afloat. One, we must free up space for the private sector to serve as the engine of growth and job creation rather than continue with a fixation on bubble jobs that are neither sustainable nor capable of taking anybody

Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

out of poverty; two, we must “promote Nigeria’s inherent competitive potential by tackling the behind-the-border barriers” that impede the entrepreneurial abilities of our young people; three, we need to “redirect public spending from subsidies and incentives that disproportionately benefit the rich” to investments in the most vulnerable of our society: children, women and the millions who live below poverty line.

Those conversations are important, but the series I am starting today concern a study conducted 13 years ago for my late boss as to how subsidies impact the Nigerian economy in five critical sectors that remain even today, to put it mildly, underperforming.

Although the report is mostly in charts and bullet points, I have turned it into a flowing narrative, beginning with the power sector. ============================= ====== Past efforts at reducing subsidies and increasing tariffs in Nigeria have resulted in resistance from the citizens. As a result, the federal government has continued to bear the burden of low tariff/ high subsidies in its annual budget. By the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates, US$4 billion was expended on subsidy in 2007 while US$3.6 billion is projected as petroleum subsidy for 2008.

Despite the foregoing, some stakeholders see the removal of subsidy as increasing the burden on the poor.

The objectives of this study are to determine the extent of subsidy and tariff implementation in electricity, petroleum, education, health, and agricultural sectors; examine the subsidy policy in these sectors; determine the effectiveness of the subsidies as it relates to the target groups; propose a new framework for the implementation of subsidies to make it more effective i.e. ensure

that those who need it are the ones who benefit and suggest the means of gradual elimination of the scheme while making other recommendations aimed at improving the general welfare of Nigerians.

A subsidy can be viewed as a negative tax in that there is a payment from the government to the individual. It can either be direct (explicit) or indirect (implicit). Types of subsidies include tax exemptions, inadequate returns on equity capital i.e. subvention to public enterprises that are supposed to pay dividend to government, duty waivers etc.

There is also cross-subsidies—when one group of consumers pay a higher price for a good or service, so that another group of consumers may be charged a lower price. Meanwhile, tariffs are prices paid for goods or services consumed by individuals provided by government agencies or companies.

The structure and level of tariffs determine the viability and sustainability of the services/goods supplied by government. The objectives of low tariff policies are to protect consumers, maintain the financial viability of the provider, encourage demand management, develop schemes that ensure self-sufficient operation and introduce lifeline rates for the poor etc.

Subsidies of course have their uses which include the transfer of income from one group or sector to another, promoting the adoption of some technology, increasing the output of certain commodities which the state accords higher priority, lowering consumer prices by reducing production costs, promoting the exploitation of resources where private initiatives or private resources are limited and providing demonstration effect to stimulate private investment. But let’s begin from the electricity sector.

Owned by the federal government with minimal participation by other tiers of government in rural electrification schemes, the services have been heavily subsidized by keeping tariffs lower than the average cost through budgetary transfers. For instance, the total amount collected for eight years (between 1999 and 2007) was N486.4 billion whereas the expected revenue at market rate was N1.034 trillion, thus leaving a shortfall of N547.9 billion for the federal government.

The breakdown: In 2000 when N65.8 billion was expected based on the estimated cost of the power supplied, N26.3 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N39.5 billion; in 2001 when N85.7 billion was expected, N31.2 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N54.6 billion; in 2002 when N96.6 billion was expected, N48.3 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N48.3 billion; in 2003 when N114 billion was excepted, N57 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N57 billion; in 2004 when N154 billion was expected, N71.1 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of 82.9 billion; in 2005 when N170 billion was expected, N78.5 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N91.6 billion; in 2006 when N171.4 billion was expected, N85.7 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N85.7 billion; and in 2007 when N176.5 billion was expected, N88.3 billion was collected, leaving a shortfall of N88.3 billion.

The industry maintains a discriminatory tariff structure or what can be described as cross subsidies. Consumers are categorized into six major groups: residential, commercial, industrial, street lighting, special tariffs, and welders. Reasons for the discriminating pricing model include protection of SME’s; employment provision;

social welfare, equity, re-distribution of income; creation of access to electricity for the poor; and fixing market imperfections. But the approved tariff structure is half the estimated traffic based on the cost structure. For instance, the approved tariff in 2000 was N4 whereas the estimated tariff was N10 leaving a shortfall of N6. The tariff remained the same in 2001 whereas the estimated tariff had jumped to N11, creating a gap of N7.

In 2002 when the tariff was increased to N6, the estimated tariff was already N12, leaving a gap of N6. From that period till 2007, the tariff remained the same even when estimated tariff as of 2004 and 2005 was N13 before dropping back to N12 in 2006 and 2007. So, the gap was always 50 percent or more.

Since the mechanism for the implementation of subsidy is through government grants and capital releases, for it to be effective it must be target-based and should ensure a secured revenue flow to the generation, transmission, and distribution companies. While electricity subsidy is meant to implicitly target the poor, it is being captured by the medium and high-income consumers. A comparative analysis of the Nigerian sector with what obtains in a few countries may be important for seeking a better approach: MEXICO: This is an oil rich country where the electricity sector is also federally owned. In 2006, the total electricity coverage was 97 per cent, driven largely by the reforms and encouragement of private sector participation. Industrial and commercial tariffs are priced on a rational cost basis for the large firms and they receive no government subsidies. Small firms receive relatively small subsidies while agricultural and residential customers receive large subsidies.

INDIA: The industry is structured on retail pricing policy with cross country variation of tariffs and subsidies. There is a minimum price charge of 50 Paise/KWH for agriculture and at least 50 per cent of the average supply-cost for all end-users. There are targeted subsidies (Increasing Block Tariff - IBT) by the regulators to ensure that the poor largely benefit from subsidies supported with the implementation of lifeline rates. The use of stand-alone systems for electricity generation in the rural areas is strengthened by the national policy for bulk power purchase and management of local distribution.

GUATEMALA: In 1998, the government created the Rural Electrification (RE) program using Output Based Aid (OBA) approach. Under the OBA, service providers mobilize private financing for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, while the government provide subsidy to the service providers based on actual delivery to the consumers. To achieve set objectives, the government set aside US$330 million obtained from privatization proceeds, sale of government bonds and other source.

LESSONS FOR NIGERIA: The OBA is an alternative approach that could be adapted in Nigeria. Increasing Block Tariff (IBT) billing system could be used by electricity regulators to ensure that the poor largely benefit from subsidies, while limiting the benefit to the rich as in India.

Lifeline rates for electricity could also be used to specifically target the poor in Nigeria. Periodic and regular review of the tariff structure would eliminate uncompetitive charges that characterize the Nigeria tariff system.

NOTE: Piece concluded on page 15

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