THURSDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2022

FG Set to Open N30trn Govt Assets for Investment, Restructuring of MOFI Buhari approves securitisation of N20trn borrowings from CBN Provides N470bn for university revitalisation, upward adjustment of lecturers’ salaries Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the process of restructuring the Ministry of Finance

Incorporated (MOFI), the federal government’s investment vehicle, as part of overall measures to revive over N30 trillion non-performing assets and boost government

revenue.

Some of the assets are Galaxy Backbone, Bank of Industry (BoI), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and Bank of Agriculture,

among others.

To achieve this, the federal government is to fully set up MOFI as a world class investment company with a new management and board

to move from the civil service structure where it sits, as a unit under the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, with core professionals with specialisation

in portfolio management.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Continued on page 39

NCC Directs MTN, Airtel to Reverse Hike in Telecom Tariff... Page 5 Thursday 20 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10054. Price: N250

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Obajana: Kogi Drags Dangote Group to Court Alex Enumah in Abuja

L-R: Maryam Bashir; Former Executive Diector, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo; Chairman, THISDAY / Arise News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Hajia Bola Shagaya; Ogun Sate Governor, Mr. Abiodun Dapo; Former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Mr. Wale Edun, and Mr. Tayo Ayeni, at the PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Fidau Prayer of Alhaja Saadat Abdulraheem Baakini in Ilorin... yesterday

The Kogi State Government on Tuesday commenced legal action to reclaim ownership of former Obajana Cement Company which is now Continued on page 39

Fashola: Buhari Has Constructed 8,352.94Kms of Roads, Created 339,955 Jobs Says government plans to open 2nd Niger Bridge before Christmas Declares NNPC has released N183bn from the N621bn road tax infrastructure Lai Mohammed says history will be kind to president Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said in spite of the shortfall in the federal government’s revenue, arising from weakness in the global

economy that led to drop in oil revenue, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has been able to construct and complete over 8,352.94 kilometres of roads and created no fewer than 339,955 Continued on page 39

FG: Lagbo Dam Not Responsible for AT THE 90TH INTERPOL GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW DELHI...

Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa (left), and India Director, Enforcement Massive Flooding in Nigeria... Page 40 Executive Directorate (ED), Sanjay Kumar Mishra, during the 90th Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi, India… yesterday

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

NEWS

RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF DR ERUANI...

L-R: Wife of the former president, Dame Patience Jonathan; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Managing Director/CEO, ARikel refinery, Dr. Azibapu Eruani and former President Goodluck Jonathan, at a reception in honour of Dr. Eruani on his CFR national honour award at his residence in Abuja...recently

NCC Directs MTN, Airtel to Reverse Hike in Telecom Tariff Governors to participate in broadband awareness forum Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered MTN and Airtel to immediately reverse the hike in their data tariff plan which they implemented on their respective networks last week.

MTN and Airtel subscribers suddenly realised that the operators had commenced a new data tariff plan which was an upward review of the cost of their voice and data plan, without prior notice.

Airtel for instance, increased its monthly bundle for data plan to N1,100 for 1.5GB monthly data; N1200 for 2GB monthly data; N1,500 for 3GB monthly data; N2,200 for 4.5GB monthly data; N2,500 for 6GB monthly data; N3,300 for 10GB monthly data; N4,400 for 11GB monthly data; N5,500 for 20GB monthly data.

On the other hand, MTN also increased its monthly bundle for data plan to N1,100 for 1.5GB monthly data; N1,200 for 2GB monthly data; N1,500 for 3GB monthly data; N2,200 for 4.5GB monthly data; N2,500 for 6GB monthly data; N3,500 for 12GB; N5500 for 20GB monthly data; N6,000 for 25GB monthly data.

Following complaints by the telecom subscribers over the hike, NCC, in a statement issued yesterday, ordered the mobile network operators to reverse the hike.

According to the statement, which was signed by the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, “The attention of the NCC has been drawn to media reports of unilateral implementation of the recently approved 10 per cent upward tariff adjustments for some voice and data services by the service providers, on their networks.

“The consideration for 10 per cent approval for tariff adjustments for different voice and data packages was in line with the mandates of the Commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines, as this was within the provisions of existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry.

“The decision was also taken after a critical and realistic review and analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, as it affects all sectors of the economy.

“Furthermore, even though the tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the management, pending the final approval of the Board of the Commission, in the end it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission. As a result, it is reversed.”

According to NCC, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority was

to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved.

As such, anything that would bring more hardship at this critical time would not be accepted, they added.

“This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed five per cent excise duty, in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators.

“Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable and it is necessary that the subscribers are not subjected to a hike in charges.

“In view of the above, the Commission, through a letter sent

on the 12th of October 2022, has already directed the affected Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reverse the upward tariff adjustment.

“The Commission will carry our further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches that will protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers.

“The Commission will continue to entrench very transparent processes and procedures for rates determination in the industry. The process is usually carried out with wide industry consultation. It is through these processes that price floors and price caps for data and voice services are benchmarked, regularly reviewed, and determined

The House of Representatives has rescinded its earlier resolution on the ongoing sale of Polaris Bank, saying the move followed due process and got presidential approval.

The lawmakers had last week directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend the planned sale of Polaris bank.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Henry Nwawuba.

Nwawuba had while moving the motion said the reason why the bank sale should be halted was because it was shrouded in secrecy, opaque and required that it was done in

transparency and accountability to eliminate insinuations of corruption.

But briefing journalists yesterday, Nwawuba who's the Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee investigating the sale, disclosed that the lawmakers during the scrutiny of various documents and extant regulatory process on the sale of the bank, discovered that there were evidences of substantial compliance with the process.

According to him, out of the 35 companies invited to bid for the bank, the regulatory agency shortlisted the bidders to 15 and later seven and afterwards got presidential approval to proceed with the sale of the bank.

National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which targets 70 per cent broadband penetration and to cover 90 per cent of the population.

With the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, playing host to the historic and seminal assemblage of governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), some strategic members of State Executive Council, telecom operators, infrastructure companies (InfraCos), strategic partners, investors and other critical stakeholders, would brainstorm on how Nigeria could achieve the expectations of the Nigeria’s digital economy agenda, NCC said in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka.

Senate Summons Niger Delta Affairs Minister over N480bn Fraud Allegations, NDDC Budgets Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions have summoned the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana over allegations of non- performance and corruption.

The Chairman of the panel, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, stated this at a news conference in Abuja,

yesterday.

He said the committee had met and resolved that the minister should be invited based on the strength of a petition against him.

The Senator added that the committee had agreed to ensure the matter was accorded an accelerated hearing.

He said the minister was expected to appear on November

House Rescinds Decision, Okays CBN's Planned Sale of Polaris Bank Udora Orizu in Abuja

from time to time.

“The Commission will also continue to abide by this timetested process and international best practice to ensure efficient pricing mechanism for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria,” the statement further said.

Meanwhile, governors in the country are set to discuss how to empower the citizens with latest telecoms technologies as they partake in the maiden edition of Broadband Technical Awareness Forum for Governors (BTAF), put together by the NCC today in Abuja.

The programme, according to NCC has as its theme: “State Broadband Coordinating Councils: Potentials and Possibilities.” It would appraise the Nigerian

He said: “On the last legislative day before we broke up from plenary sessions to work on the budget, there was a motion on the floor asking the CBN to suspend the sale of Polaris Bank and cutting up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the circumstances, and I happened to have emerged to Chair that committee.

“We are happy so far, but as you know it is an investigation and hopefully, we intend to conclude this investigation and lay the report before we commence sitting.

“So far everything looks really good. We do not have any cause for concern for now. For the stability of the financial systems in Nigeria, we

would call on Nigerians to know there is nothing wrong with Polaris Bank as a bank.

“What the House is looking at is the process of the acquisition or the sale and so far, we are confident from what we are seeing.

“Until we conclude this investigation, I would not be able to speak authoritatively on the matter, but from what we are seeing so far, particularly with the approvals and the steps taken so far there seems to be substantial compliance on the matter so far. Nigerians are enjoined to continue to relax and leave their deposits with the bank and continue their business with the bank."

10 by 2pm.

Akinyelure said details of the allegations contained in the petition had been forwarded to the minister.

Giving further details on the petition, Akinyelure said the petitioner alleged that the minister was aiding corrupt practices and had failed to inaugurate the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

He said the Minister was also accused of trying to replace the sole administrator of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa, who was duly appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, and confirmed by the National Assembly.

He said removing the sole administrator would be detrimental to the interest of the people in the Niger Delta region The Chairman said the minister was also expected to explain why he decided to sack over 700 staff of the NDDC. Furthermore, Akinyelure said the minister was accused of allegedly pursuing own agenda as against that of the Niger Delta region.

He said Umana, based on the petition was compiling projects not appropriated by Buhari to get N480 billion funds of the agency

domiciled in the CBN. He said the N480 billion was contributed by the international oil companies for the use of NDDC and the minister was allegedly going behind the back door to get the money out.

He said, "We want the president to stop the minister because the projects he had allegedly compiled, were not appropriated for by the National Assembly.

"Our people in the Niger Deltra region where funds are being generated for the country are in a state of commatose.

"The president has in his wisdom deemed it fit to appropriate funds to the Niger Delta region but the minister has refused to bring the appropriation before the National Assembly for us democratically elected representatives of the people to give approval nut they have refused to do so.

"There are a lot of higher level mismanagement of resources due to develop the Niger Delta region.

"Whenever I decided to invite them, they will give hat excuses are the order to get by changing people who will be able to dance to their tune will be able to different areas of perfect fraud.

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BUHARI ADMINISTRATION'S SCORECARD...

L-R: Minister of State, Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh; Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Musa Bello; Minister, Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Minister of State, Works & Housing, Umar El-Yakub, during the Ministry of Works and Housing's Media Briefing on President Muhammadu Buhari Administration's Scorecard held in Abuja ...yesterday

Kyari: Nigeria’s Fuel Consumption Will Decline When There’s No Incentive for Excess Use Subsidy hits over N253 per litre

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari has said that the current petrol consumption in the country will decline when there’s no incentive for excess consumption.

Kyari who spoke at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Association (PENGASSAN) summit in Abuja, stated that it will happen when prices are deregulated.

Nigeria’s controversial fuel

subsidy regime has been an issue for debate for years , as many believe the figures do not add up. The country has budgeted about N6 trillion for the purpose this year.

According to Kyari when the subsidy is removed, people will begin to buy only the fuel and products they need, adding that those who have more than one car may decide to park some, thereby reducing excess use.

“What will happen is that there will be no further incentive for cross border smuggling and more

than anything even the marketing companies will have no enough resources to go to the depots to buy. And when it comes to the fuel stations, some of you have two cars everybody will park one. This will happen. It is very natural.

“Then we will come down to the real level of consumption which is that people will only buy what they need. Today we buy what we don’t need and it is very difficult to stop it,” he maintained.

Kyari added: “Today, our evacuation, let me make it very clear,

I’m sure maybe you have heard a lot of things in the media. What we know is that evacuation from the depot is 66 million litres per day any time.

“Anytime you bring down the evacuation to below 60 million litres, you will see scarcity on the streets. So, it is a clear indication that the evacuation from the depot is reflective of our consumption level but not our exact consumption figures.”

While admitting that there are leakages in the system as subsidy

incentivises smuggling of petroleum products when sold in neighbouring countries, the GCEO, said it currently costs N371.3 per litre to import fuel, while the product is being given to oil marketing companies at a subsidised rate of N118 per litre.

This means that the product is being subsidised to the tune of over N253 per litre.

He continued: “Are their leakages? yes, there is no doubt about it.

We admit that whenever you have an arbitrage situation, you will have issues. You will have cross boarder

Pantami: Start-up Act Will End Harassment of Youth Carrying Laptops FG sets up N10bn investment fund for young innovators Microsoft to train 5m Nigerians Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has disclosed that with the signing of the Start-up Act, the incessant harassment of youth by security agencies, particularly policemen would soon become history.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, at the State House, Abuja, shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Start-up Bill into law, Minster of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, assured that with the signing of the legislation by the president, the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council chaired by the president would put an end to the nationwide harassment of innovative youth carrying laptop computers.

Several young Nigerians had in recent past complained about being harassed by security personnel for carrying laptops computers and branded internet fraudsters, a situation, which among others, led to the 2020 #EndSARS protest against police harassment.

According to Pantami, rather than the minister lobbying law enforcement agencies to stop the Act, the chairman of the council only needs to give a directive and it would be obeyed by those who misconstrue the youth for internet fraudsters.

He added: "The main institution to address the issue is the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council to be chaired by Mr. President. Number one mandate of the Council is to listen to the challenges of our young

innovators and direct relevant institutions there and then to address the challenge. So, with that council, I believe the issue will be resolved.

"At personal level as a minister, I have written many letters to EFCC to IG, to Minister of Police, they have been addressing the challenge, but not consistent.

“If they address it, because of their intervention, after a month or two, the issue will re-emerge, but if the President happens to be the chair of the Council, he cannot lobby the way I lobby, he can only direct and that is why the Council is critical to address that issue and any other challenge that may come up in the future.

“When President directs, it must be implemented. And I believe the Council will do that."

On the initiatives of the Start-up Act, 2022, he noted: "First, there is going to be a Presidential Council, which has been entitled as National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council. Digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship are the two prerequisites to Digital Economy. Digital Economy has two pillars; pillar number one is Digital Innovation. Pillar number two is Digital Entrepreneurship.

"So, these are the two prerequisites to building an indigenous digital economy. So, there is going to be a council and this council is going to be chaired by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the vice chair is going to be the Vice President of Nigeria and the Minister in charge of Communications and Digital Economy

will preside over the council in the absence of President and the Vice President and all the institutions that have a role to play in providing the enabling environment for our young start-ups and our young innovators are members of that council; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, among many others. Also all the institutions dealing with tax collection incentives are members of this council."

Shedding more light on signing of the bill in law, Pantami stated: "Mr. President has assented to the bill, and also conveyed to the relevant institutions of government for gazzeting today and we are all excited, knowing the benefits that our economy is going to generate from the bill.

"If I'm permitted to comment further on it, this bill is an Executive Bill, meaning the federal government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari, initiated the bill through the collaboration of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, on one hand, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the order.

"These two offices coordinated and established the foundation for the Nigeria Start-up Act, 2022 and the approach we adopted was to allow our young start-ups, our young innovators all over the country, to identify the challenges they were being confronted with, when it comes to intellectual property, financing, regulation, incentive

among many others. That is the organic approach, meaning bottom-up approach.

"So, young innovators who are engaged in each and every geopolitical zone of Nigeria, where we engaged them to voice out their challenges when it comes to enabling environment for business.

From their input, we discovered there was a need to have Nigeria Start-up Act in place so that the Act will provide the enabling environment for them to continue to thrive and be successful."

The Minister also disclosed that government has set up N10 billion Investment Fund for young innovators along with provision for incentives and tax holidays to encourage local innovators.

He said in recognition of the efforts of the Nigerian government in the Information Communication Technology (ICT), Microsoft has decided to train about five million Nigerians on high demands skills geared towards job creation.

Commenting on the Gitex event he just attended, he explained: "There were many participants from Europe, Asia and from all the developed countries and we defeated them, and they (innovators) came from Nigeria, this is a successful story.

"Secondly, some of the young individuals we took from Nigeria, federal government sponsored eight of them. Then the organizers also sponsored four, and Lagos State government sponsored 15. Among some of them that I met, the first day of the event, a company signed an MOU with them to invest $20

million in that startup.

"Thirdly, it is there during the event that we concluded our discussion with Microsoft that they will come to Nigeria and train five million citizens on high demand and cutting edge skill in the digital sector. Five million Nigerians and this is one of their corporate social responsibilities.

"Even today, before I came here, I signed a letter conveyed to Microsoft the proposed date for the commencement of the training.

So for you to get that opportunity for five million Nigerians to train.

"I know those basic digital skills are in high demand. They partook in an investigation evaluation, they discovered areas where there were opportunities globally. So, the forecast where there is job before that, our citizens will be trained in this area. These are only few of the major achievements in addition to many more.”

While noting the contribution of the digital sector to the economy, Pantami, however, observed that Nigeria is blessed with young innovators that are making the nation proud.

He added: "With the government policies we have in place, before assenting to the bill today, a lot has been achieved when it comes to providing the enabling environment for our young innovators.

"This law is all about to consolidate and to provide the legal and strategic framework for the growth of the sector. For example, today in Africa, we have around seven unicorns, five of them originated from Nigeria.

issues. You will have internal issues.

“You can’t avoid it. For instance, today, if you go to the market today to sell petroleum product, you will be at N371.3, we are transferring to oil marketing companies at N118 to the litre so that they will be able to sell at N165 or N170 at the pump.

There is no other way of doing it.

“That means the difference between N118 and N371 is the burden carried by the state, it is not by the market and a simple number round this will tell you that we need about N6 trillion every year minimum to cover this gap at current market condition.

“Of course, this is crude and we all know that it can change and prices can collapse tomorrow. In today’s circumstances, this is what we are dealing with,” Kyari noted.

Kyari noted that the NNPC Ltd was working with security agencies to curb smuggling, noting that a number of interventions were ongoing to stop leakages.

“Can we control the volume?

Yes. Is it something that we can do tomorrow? No. Are their actions taken by the regulators? Absolutely yes. I’m aware there are a number of interventions that are going on to see how we can contain crossborder smuggling, internal leakages and number of interventions with government security agencies the EFCC, DSS to help us cut this down.

“Are we in full control? Absolutely not. As we all know, you see fuel stations all across this country. I’m not sure all of them have regular registration,” he explained.

According to him, most of the border cities have more fuel stations than they require, explaining that for instance villages or towns that require just four filling stations have as much as 30 to 40.

“Nothing stops anyone to come with Jerrycan, buy fuel and take it out. So, the only remedy is reducing the arbitrage. And we also recognise in this country that there are stark economic realities.

“A broad shift in energy supplies can mean a catastrophic distortion.

We understand this, every country in the world is making decisions around this, reducing tax rate on petroleum products.

“Everybody is doing something to ensure they cushion the effect of high prices. But is it something you can continuously do? Absolutely no.

That is why we need to have the conversation and have a transition around this so that ultimately, we can reduce the arbitrage,” he maintained.

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MEGAMILLIONS NAIJA'S COURTESY VISIT TO THISDAY...

L-R: Managing Editor, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi; Chief Operation Officer, Megamillions NALJA, Mr. Victor Nwuobia; Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello; Chief Executive Officer, Megamillions NAIJA, Mr. Okwy Okeke; Editor, Sunday THISDAY, Mr. Davidson Iriekpen, and Marketing Officer, Megamillions NALJA, Mr. Chidi Ezeilo, during a courtesy visit to THISDAY PHOTO: MUBO PETERS. office in Ikoyi, Lagos... yesterday

How Pinnacle's $1bn Offshore Subsea Petroleum Terminal Will Address FG's N5bn Daily Loss in Apapa Peter Uzoho The federal government's revenue is about to receive a major boost as Nigeria's first offshore subsea bi-directional petroleum products intake and offtake terminal built by Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited is set to significantly help in eliminating the N5 billion daily loss in revenues due to the gridlock in Apapa Port.

THISDAY understands that eliminating the N5 billion daily revenue loss would result from tackling the sub-optmisation and inefficiencies in the downstream sector, which had led to the multiple handlings in receiving products from mother vessels using daughter vessels with attendant cost implications.

The bi-directional offshore mooring facility which is made up of the Single-point Mooring (SPM) and the Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) facilities, with the capability to receive petroleum products from large vessels would be accompanied with the largest storage capacity of about one billion litres of product.

The ultra-modern purpose-built products intake, storage and offtake facility was conceptualised by Pinnacle to revolutionise the Nigerian downstream oil and gas industry by enabling the direct delivery of petroleum products from large vessels which would otherwise have been unable to berth anywhere on the Nigerian coastline.

However, owing to the socioeconomic significance of the massive disruptive facility to the status quo in downstream sector, with its capability to revolutionalise the downstream oil and gas sector, President Muhammadu Buhari is being expected in Lagos this Saturday, to inaugurate the allimportant infrastructure located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Buhari has been championing efforts to increase investments in the nation's oil and gas industry through positive policies aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and surely would be delighted to unveil the Pinnacle Oil's terminal to the industry.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Dr. Peter Mbah, who disclosed the president's expected arrival for the inauguration of the facility during a parley with journalists in Lagos, espoused on the importance of the facility to the nation.

He said with the infrastructure the company has put in place, it had been able to address the delays in evacuating products in mother vessels that come to Nigeria.

Mbah also explained that the extra costs companies pay and the reduction in revenues that should be made through Custom Duties and Excise Duties as well as revenues to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have also been addressed.

He noted that one of the major benefits of the facility was to help to decongest the Apapa and the roads by reducing the time in evacuating products in mother vessels and increasing turnaround time, thus significantly eliminating demurrage and waste due to inefficiencies in the value chain.

"I read one time in your reports that the country was losing about N5 billion daily because of that

gridlock in Apapa. That's because we are unable to evacuate dry cargoes that are in the port.

"The implication of that is, if you cannot move the dry cargoes, you cannot bring in new vessels.

So the earnings that government was supposed to be making from Customs duty and excise duty and the NPA fees and all that stalled.

"And then, the fees to pay for Nigeria-bound vessels went up

Umar shuns summons

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has reopened the case of assault levelled against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar.

The CCT Chairman was seen in a viral video allegedly assaulting one Clement Sargwak at the Bannex Plaza in Wuse 2, on March 29, 2021.

In seeking redress, the victim had filed a petition against Umar through his lawyers to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition to investigate.

Though the embattled CCT Chairman had on invitation, appeared before the committee once, he shunned several other invitations thereafter.

He had informed the members through his attorneys that he

was already in court against the investigation.

The court had given a declarative judgment on the matter, saying the Senate had the locus standi to proceed with the case.

The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, who addressed journalists on the matter yesterday, said the case against Umar had been reopened.

He said, "There was a petition against the CCT Chairman that he assaulted a young Nigerian, Clement Sargwak.

"The Senate believes that nobody is above the law. Both the young and the old voted for us to represent their interest in the National Assembly.

"The CCT Chairman infringed on the right of a young Nigerian who had no money to approach the Court, brought his petition to the Senate.

"Those vessels that would ordinarily wait for days if not months before they come into our port will be reduced, the number of waiting period will be reduced.

It will impact on the freight costs.

"Also, the revenue of the government both the Customs and NPA will also be enhanced because you know the fast movement of those cargoes. So that's how it impacts the economy," he maintained.

Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Will Continue to Ensure Mutually Beneficial Relationships with Financial Institutions Says media practitioners should be given privileges, rights to work without hindrances Inaugurates 15 school projects Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday said his administration would continue to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship with financial institutions in the State.

Sanwo-Olu made the statement when the new management of Heritage Bank led by its Managing Director, Mr. Akinola George-Taylor, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

The governor said his administration was poised to do more as it continued to play its roles in

providing an enabling environment, improving the ease of doing business and being forward-looking in its dealings with financial institutions.

He said: “Lagos is the Centre of Excellence and the commercial, economic nerve centre, so we cannot but ensure that we have a very forward-looking mutually beneficial relationship with all of our financial institutions and of course, Heritage Bank is not an exception.

“I want to implore you and your team to be intentional and think something fresh; think something different that can indeed stimulate us. You can rest assured that we

Senate Reopens Assault Case against CCT Boss Sunday Aborisade, Abuja

almost 10 times because those vessels will reckon with the fact that when they get to our waters, they will have to wait for several days before they are allowed in.

And they will pass that cost to Nigerians," Mbah said.

According to him, with the reduction of the gridlock in Apapa, when the company's facilities begin operations, there would be free movement of dry cargoes.

"Rather than appearing before our Committee, Umar went to court claiming that the Senate had no right to put him on trial.”

He added: “The Senate suspended the hearing on the matter till the outcome of the judgement. The High Court has now ruled the Senate has the right to continue the case.

"The Senate decided to reopen the case because it was a declarative judgment. He was to appear before us today but instead came with court papers claiming that he had appealed the judgment.

"He has now told us through his lawyer that he will never appear before the Senate Committee because the matter is already before the Court of Appeal.

"Danladi Umar is trying to fool the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we will never allow our name to be dragged in the mud.

"Umar has a lot of things to hide, he does not want to face the press because he knows that he has infringed on the rights of a Nigerian.

"Instead of apologising to the victims and his family, and possibly settling the bills of their lawyers, he believes that he could use his position to suppress justice. We will never allow it. " Umar had included in the suit as stated in the originating summons dated July 13, 2021, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions as well as the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

In the suit with file no FHC/ABJ/ CS/671/2021, Umar challenging, "Senate's Constitutional power to conduct Investigation and purpose for which it is exercisable."

know how important it is to spread our businesses and to ensure that everybody gets a part of it knowing that you and your staff will also have a corporate responsibility on the Personal Income Tax component. It is expected that we will continue to play our roles and play our parts.”

Sanwo-Olu congratulated the Managing Director and his new team on the huge and great responsibilities that shareholders and other stakeholders in Heritage Bank have reposed in them.

“I wish you the very best. On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we thank you for your validation of your endorsement of our government because it is a period of endorsement.

“We get endorsements on a daily basis. The endorsement of our government is saying that we are doing a good job and we are encouraged to do more. We are humble with those words and it will encourage us to do a lot more,” he said.

Speaking earlier, George-Taylor, commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State and wished the governor well as the 2023 general elections approach.

He said the bank would continue to increase the wallet of its business transactions with the Lagos State Government.

“We are here to introduce ourselves as the new management of the Heritage Bank and being that we have had a relationship with the state (Lagos) for a number of years now, we felt it was necessary to come and present ourselves to the Governor; to say thanks for the business that we enjoyed with the government and that we align and commend the great work he is doing

for Lagos State,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has described media as one of the real engines of growth and a real barometer that gauges the mood of the nation and helps to stabilise the polity of any sovereign country.

In addition, he said press freedom was an important ingredient of any civilised democracy, noting that media practitioners in Nigeria should be given the rights and privileges to do their jobs without any hindrances.

According to a statement, SanwoOlu said these during a courtesy visit by the Board of Trustees of Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) led by its Chairman, Dr. Haroun Adamu, at the Lagos House Marina, on Tuesday.

The governor who commended the role of the media in Nigeria said media practitioners should be recognised and encouraged to continue to perform their roles in society.

He said: “Press freedom is an important ingredient of any civilised democracy. The profession is noble and very sacred. It must also be given the rights and privileges to do its job. People must be able to continue to know that there is somebody that would be the voice for the voiceless.

“Media practitioners should continue to deploy their skills and intellect to check people in authority, speak truth to power and use their training and intellect to direct leadership to ensure that we are not in a banana republic.

“Personally, I see the media profession as one of the real engines of growth. I see them as a real barometer that gauges the mood Continued on page 39

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POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Bamidele: Tinubu Represents Right Leadership Nigeria Needs in 2023 Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, speaks on the forthcoming February, 2023 presidential poll and submits that APC flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represents the correct leadership Nigeria needs now. Deji Elumoye brings excerpts

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igeria recently attained 62 years of Independence with little to show for it in terms of genuine development, What is your take on this?

Well, basically, my own short response to that will be that I believe that Rome was not built in a day and I will always make reference to where we came from so that we don’t forget who we are.

Yes, we want to be in a position of leadership within the comity of nations, yes we want to be that kind of country where there will be rule of law, we want to be that country where there will be justice, we want to be that country that no man is hungry and we want to be that country where law abiding citizens, will be able to wake up and do their businesses and go to bed at night with their two eyes closed and been able to sleep. That is the country we want to be and that is the country our forefathers struggled and fought so hard to secure from foreign domination in the name of colonialism.

But the truth about it is we will get there and to understand how our situation has been this precarious, we must understand that we emerged from a national history of over 300 years of slavery and slave exploitation as a people and following this, was another 100 years of colonialism and colonial exploitation from 1861 to 1960 and so for 400 years and over, our history was a history of exploited people, a history of people in despair, a history of people who did not have opportunity to decide how they want to fashion their life, what they want to do with the nation or define nationhood in their own way.

But can we continue to blame everything on the past, no. It now brings us to the situation of how we have managed our affairs from 1960 to date.

Again, what kind of foundation did we get.

Upon independence, less than six years after we became independent and we had some form of civilian rule, we had a military coup and again the military took advantage of the teething problems of a nascent democracy to terminate the whole process. And that led us to almost 30 years again of military misrule in this country.

Where one corrective regime came in to take over from another corrective regime and that’s our story, that’s who we are. But thankfully enough in the last 24 years so to say, we have had an ongoing civilian rule.

Yes, what we wanted was democracy, what we desire was democracy, where we should be was in a democratic nation but do we have that democracy right now, I will say no. Because for me democracy goes beyond coming to an office through a process of an election, yes, that’s the beginning. But the best we have been able to have at the moment is a civilian rule which at least is better than a military regime being in place or a military rule so to say or military dictatorship and our hope and desire is that we graduate from the level of civilian rule that we have had in the last 24 years to a democratic stage where leaders will not only be elected through the ballot, the vote of the electorate will count and of course, as much as possible the leaders themselves will become conscious of the fact that there is nothing permanent about the opportunity given to them is a very nascent thing because you are voted in, if you don’t do what you are supposed to do you can easily be voted out because that is when the votes of Nigerians would have begun to count.

And still a cardinal element of that democracy will also have rule of law in place of rule of force and there will be press freedom, human rights will be respected and we will also have socio-economic rights that will not only be enshrined in our Constitution as we presently have but that will be respected. All of these

Bamidele together will give us a democratic state. That is the number one problem that we have.

We came from a long history of being abused as a people by slave masters, by colonial masters, and then of course by the military at some point and by civilian rulers who of course are yet to come to terms with the realities of the tenets of democracy and where do we go from here.

One, I believe that as much as possible we need to hold on to what we have, rulership through the ballot and of course, the leaders become more accountable to the people.

What type of leadership do you expect Nigerians to go for through the ballot in 2023?

My own understanding of what Nigeria needs right now is a president who has the scientific understanding of what’s to be done, scientific understanding of what is wrong, the antecedent of having been able to fix broken communities, broken states, broken situations and who has a scientific understanding of the workings of the economy because a lot of the problems that we have, are traceable to the economy.

If the economy is buoyant there will be employment, if there is employment, the socio-economic

implication of that is crime rate will go down because more able bodied people will be able to survive either as business entrepreneurs or people are engaged by companies or government agencies where they can build a reliable career.

As much as possible we also need somebody who will have the courage to take decision without minding whose ox is gored and without setting out to either protect any particular religion or tribe or group of people.

We need Nigerians to come to terms with the reality of the fact that our search should be for someone who can help fix this economy not someone who is coming to protect any particular religion or somebody who is a product of a particular religion but somebody who decisively understands what it takes to turn a nation like ours around so that we don’t get left behind by the rest of the comity of nations, that’s a genuine concern I nurse.

In a nutshell, the person with such track record of turning things around for good is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu going by the Lagos model. He has proven to be problems solver through efficient and effective management of human and material resources. It is not about party, religion, ethnicity or region but about required knowledge, experience, competence and capability which he enormously possess.

But Tinubu’s party, APC, is finding it difficult to take off as far as campaigns for 2023 presidential election are concerned.

What really is the problem as a member of the party?

Yes every other party is on the run while APC is yet to take off but the fact of the matter

In a nutshell, the person with such track record of turning things around for good is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu going by the Lagos model. He has proven to be problems solver through efficient and effective management of human and material resources. It is not about party, religion, ethnicity or region but about required knowledge, experience, competence and capability which he enormously possess

is that APC is the party to beat in that election which to me looks impossible for the other parties with the candidature of Asiwaju Tinubu.

The issues at stake within the APC family as far as composition of Presidential Campaign Council is concerned, are being addressed and will be resolved soonest.

We were not pretending the fact that we needed to mend fences. It wasn’t about the question of people fighting. It was a question of people trying to insist on the right thing being done and having done the right thing we also are not going to pretend that there were no issues to address.

So the leadership of the party felt and the presidential candidate felt it was important to make out time to address these issues.

And that been done, the next thing to do was to put in place a proper campaign council so that we could set the whole campaign process on a pilot system.

We are going to spend the next four months running a campaign in 774 local governments across the country and once we take off, will not be time to start coming back to say oh, should we have made this person the DG of the campaign. This is the time to do all of that. And in the process of even trying to do it, there was also a leakage which can happen in politics.

What was a leakage was also mistaken to be the final selection of the population of the various campaign structures of the party and some felt no, the structure needed to be differently populated or some people felt their own nominees had not been included.

Our own desire is that no time can be too much to spend on ensuring that we all get to that point and we are there. We are putting the final touches to it.

Despite the seeming delay in starting the campaign, let’s be mindful of the language of our law and of INEC. Simply put, political parties will not be a violation of the law by engaging in political campaign anytime from the 28 of September. That’s the law.

The law does not say parties must commence their campaigns on the 28th. But parties were at liberty to commence. And for us it’s more important to really get it right from the beginning before we even take off.

As a serving Senator of the 9th Senate, how would you assess its performance , particularly on the Legislative Agenda rolled out in July 2019?

I agree that at our inauguration in June of 2019, we did announce to the world that we had formulated a legislative agenda on the basis which we will like Nigerians to assess by the time we are leaving office. And we have done all things that were humanly possible, one to stick to that agenda and two, to ensure that where we could we even did our best to go beyond what we had in the agenda based on realities in the country and developing issues. Part of the legislative agenda that we set for ourselves was to run a legislature that will work for Nigerians.

By having a legislature that will work for Nigerians, we had in mind that there were number of issues that Nigerians had longed to have addressed through legislative intervention, legislative action but had become almost impossible and we are determined to address such issues.

One of such issues was to address our economy in a way that we will be able to go beyond the economy itself being a monolitical economy that runs only on crude oil to ensuring that we are able to diversify it to bring on board critical sectors like agriculture and mineral development.

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

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POLITICS

Igali: Like South Korea, Nigeria Needs to do River Training to Avert Flood Disaster Former Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Pro Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ambassador Godknows Igali, in this interview with Chuks Okocha speaks on what Nigerian government needs to do to avert flooding disaster in future and the recurring strike by public university lecturers

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he impact of this year’s flooding has been massive. Just like it happened about 10 years ago, not only the East West Road, the link Road from PortHarcourt to Bayelsa have been taking off, the link Road from Delta to Bayelsa state has been taken off due to flooding. You have been a major player in this country. Are you not worried? l am very worried because I was supposed to go home to Bayelsa. If I am lucky to get a friend with a private jet and I fly by air to Bayelsa, I will still will not be able to leave the airport because the road that links the airport to the capital city is broken into two. If I now fly normal commercial flight and land in Port-Harcourt, the road at Ahoda that links Bayelsa is broken into two. If I say let me go to Asaba, the road connecting Bayelsa at Ughelli is broken into two. So Bayelsa right now is completely inaccessible. The only way I can get to Bayelsa is if I get to Lagos, I go by boat and it will take me to my village. It is a serious matter. As you know, Bayelsa is the last state in the country. We are the last local government, most riverine, most coastal so it is a very big challenge.

We have lived with flood for thousands of years but the difference is that with climate change, the flood water is becoming bigger than what our forefathers used to experience but because we are in a flood plain, we are in a wetland, the last state all the water ends up in Bayelsa state.

You know River Niger travelled all the way from Futajelon and it is from our state that the water enters the Atlantic Ocean. So we are used to this, every year, we prepare for it.

You don’t hear much noise from Bayelsa because we are born into flood and we have been living with it. This morning they called me, the ground floor of my house has been completely overtaken up to the level of the windows and they moved every thing up to the upper floor. So we shall remain like that for up to a month until the water goes down. It is a terrible situation; a lot of people have been displaced and people like me can run away to Port Harcourt or Abuja but a lot of villagers are held back in that place.

But I want to bare my mind on this flooding issue. I was the permanent Secretary ministry of water resources when the 2012 flooding took place under my eyes.

When the flooding took place 10 years ago, we had series of workshops. I canvassed it and the Minister agreed and we brought in all the experts into Nigeria. We brought in Nigerian professors of Geoscience, Geophysics, Hydrology, Hydro physics, whatever related discipline, we brought them from all over the world and we sat for a whole week and deliberated on solutions to permanent flooding in Nigeria. We should look at those reports and bring them up.

I was informed this morning that I am still a member and I was never called for a meeting for some years now. I am also a member of a committee called Dangote Committee on the 2012 flood and I was the chairman of the sub committee on Flood Preparedness.

When I became chairman of that committee, I read a lot and discovered that South Korea has largely solved their flooding problems. Flooding must occur every year. South Korea has four rivers that end up in the ocean what they did is what is called flood water train. Why does flood water stand, it is because estuaries are silted. We have two sources of water, coming down from the Niger, coming down from the Benue system. By the time they come down, they meet at Lokoja, that is why Kogi state suffers from there they now go to Anambra then they go down to Delta state, the forcados as River null. From Delta it goes to Rivers state as an umbrella, it will now go and flood our communities and stand for like three weeks, everywhere become covered by water but not big like this. This big one is obviously because of climate change. If not this big one comes like ones in a hundred years but this one is coming more regularly now, this is the third time since 2012.

So we need to do River training which is training the river so that when the water is coming, it just passes to the ocean. That was what they did in

Igali South Korea. They even have pumps that push the water as it is getting to the ocean so that it causes minimal level of damage. We wrote our reports, so people have to look into it, study them very well, There is something else that we have not done which we must do and I think that somebody should rise to this occasion. Lado dam in Cameroon was built same time when this problem was identified and we were told that we have to build two dams. One dam was to be in Cameroon called Lado dam, this dam was between 1979 and 1982, it has a big reservoir because there is a lot of rain fall, coming from the equatorial region of central Africa.

Lado was built and it is a huge dam of 500 to 600 square kilometers. We on our side, we were supposed to build another dam on our own side of the boarder called Datsin Hausa Dam. When I was permanent secretary, there were several dams we were to build which we did not start. One of them is the mambilla dam, it has been designed completely but we did the other one called Kashimbilla.

Kashimbilla was incase lake Huron erupted in Cameroon we completed that one and we did this dam in Niger state, We did two dams and the third one we were supposed to do is Datsin Hausa. So we were able to start two

major dams and we said that the next two should take off, Mambilla and Datsin Hausa but in the middle of the whole thing, I was redeployed to somewhere else.

The idea is that Lado will release and our dam will now hold it and gradually release it for dry season farming. Kashimbilla which we have built, takes its water from Benue if not it would have been even worse. We started Kashimbilla in 2010 now it is waiting for the President to go and inaugurate it. So this other dam, Datsin Hausa must be built.

When I was permanent secretary, we paid for some experts to go to Anambra to see where best to locate the dam even if it means using a canal to take the water because they said that the areas in Anambra that are flooded are low land. So we said ok we can use a canal to go into some places in Anambra which has a good geology to build a dam, a major reservoir that can hold water in dry season and we now release this water to farmers. These things are not rocket science. Gadaffi built what he called man-made rivers in Libya in a desert. Libya under Gadaffi became a net exporter of agricultural product into the world. That is what I can say that will solve this problem.

Why are we not building Datsin Hausa, why are we not doing river training. There are a lot of sedimentation, clear these sediments, let the water be able to pass without destroying the ecology.

As Pro Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Akure, ASUU has just called off its eight- month old strike. What implications

When the flooding took place 10 years ago, we had series of workshops. I canvassed it and the Minister agreed and we brought in all the experts into Nigeria. We brought in Nigerian professors of Geoscience, Geophysics, Hydrology, Hydro physics, whatever related discipline, we brought them from all over the world and we sat for a whole week and deliberated on solutions to permanent flooding in Nigeria.

We should look at those reports and bring them up.

does it have for the academic development in the country?

It is a thing of great joy that after these months of strike, and after negotiations that seems will not end, the strike has eventually come to an end. Whether it is conditional or provisional, at least the strike has come to an end. There was a committee by the federal government headed by Prof. Lulu Briggs and a few other pro-chancellors talking with ASUU along with other officials of government.

Thereafter, the committee of pro-chancellors of federal universities, all of us met with ASUU, we had sessions trying to see the way forward.

Consequently, eight of us, pro-chancellors were chosen to interface with Mr. President and I was part of it. We met with the President, raised pertinent issues and the President promised us that he will get back to us. This was about three weeks ago. Of course, we know that towards the end, ASUU also started talking with the National Assembly. It has been a collective effort and we are happy because our children, our students can go back to the class room, the lecturers will be able to teach them and we will work rigorously with the university community to ensure that the collateral damage is reduced.

The lecturers assured us, ASUU assured us while the Pro-chancellors were talking with them that they will work extra hard to cover up the lost ground. It cannot be perfect but it will be spread out over time. What that means is that when students go back as they have rested enough at home, weekends will be engaged, public holidays will be engaged, normal holidays will be engaged as much as possible so that we can recover some of the months that had been lost.

In the next semester, we shall take more time so that students will not have to repeat a whole year or repeat a whole semester. That is what we intend to do. It is not a doomsday thing. At the end of the day, the amount of time that will be lost will be reduced.

Will government pay for the eight months the lecturers that were on strike?

Let us understand how the university system operates. University system operates slightly different from other institutions. If for instance some other sectors go on strike, the time lost is gone but it is not so with the University system.

The lecturers still have to go and work extra like I have said. Normally you take two or three classes a day and you go and rest but going back now they may take six classes, seven classes, eight classes.

Some lecturers will have to work everyday till about eight in the night. So the work they did not do before, they still need to do it now. That’s the understanding.

In other sectors, once you lost time, that time is gone but in the academic circle, when you go back, you still have to catch up with the time that you did not work.

They are not going to pay for work that they did not do rather funds have been provided for the extra work they will do which in the first place would have been done during the period that they were on strike. That is the picture in which it will operate. In our discussions, we tried to explain to Mr. President when the pro-chancellors went that we the pro-chancellors are not involved in day-to-day administration. We deal with policies and in the policies of the universities we sit down with the council and senate of the university to make sure that the academic programme is worked out and spread out in such a way that our children will not lose.

It is not easy to train children, parents are making sacrifices and ASUU had reasons to go on strike which many Nigerians stood by them.

Now that the strike is over, we shall make sure that the damage is not much. Eight months is basically like an academic year and we can say that one year is gone, no. The lecturers will have to work, the students will have to study more.

They will be paid for the work that they did not do that they now have to do.

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 20, 2022

FEATURES

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

Emmanuela Ilok: Global Rise Winner Keen on Providing Technological Solutions Emmanuela Ilok, a 16-year-old student of Greensprings School Lagos, is among the second cohort of the 100 Rise Global Winners, an initiative of Schmidt Futures, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. The Rise challenge finds brilliant people — 15 to 17-yearolds and gives them the opportunity to solve problems in their community through passion and innovation. It is the flagship program of Schmidt Futures and the anchor of a broader $1 billion philanthropic commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to talent development across their initiatives. Of the 200 winners, five are from Nigeria including Ilok who hails from Cross River State. An aspiring software engineer, Ilok identified the disparity between the quality of Computer Science education in public and private schools. For her Rise project, she developed a program called ‘CodEd’ which offered teacher training programs, a studentcentred curriculum as well as internship opportunities for students. Currently studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program at Greensprings, she is one of the top eight participants in the YTBC business competition as she developed an app to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. A Young-Yale African scholar and Girls Who Code alumnus, Ilok aims to reform Computer Science Education in Nigeria. Vanessa Obioha recently encountered Ilok. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Is there a story behind your interest in technology? irst of all, I would describe myself as an ambitious, enthusiastic, and at the same time jovial individual whose passion lies greatly in technology and its potential to make improvements in different fields of human endeavour. Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by the inner workings of computer systems and as a result, my passion in that area has grown over the years. I aspire to be a Software Engineer in future, using my technical skills to make positive changes to disadvantaged individuals and communities. I am a strong believer in the theory of social learning, whereby humans learn best around others and as a result, I am very open to learning from others and hearing different ideas and viewpoints.

Furthermore, I have a keen interest in sports, most notably football. Living in Nigeria has significantly exposed me to the communitydriven nature of football. From participating in school inter-house games to coaching my little brother weekly on the basics of soccer, I use soccer to unwind.

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In what ways do you think Rise would impact your life?

I believe that Rise would have a great impact on my life in many ways. From the large global community to the variety of opportunities Rise has to offer, I truly believe that being a winner would build me up to my full potential.

Moreover, I believe that being a Rise winner would motivate me in pursuit of my career goals as Rise not only makes mentorship opportunities for its winners but also specialized career services. The lifetime support from Rise is one which I believe I would benefit most from as the program would not only support in funding my educational pursuits but other social enterprise projects that I would embark on in serving others throughout my lifetime.

I believe that being a Rise winner would not only impact me directly but also my family, community, and country. The platform that Rise has given me would help me look at the world differently in terms of innovation and problem-solving, making a positive impact on people’s lives. I am truly excited for what the future holds for me as a Rise winner.

What sets Rise apart from other programs for you?

In my opinion, Rise is a unique program for many reasons. Rise is not just a competition; to me, Rise is a learning experience which ingrains essential skills that youths need to be problem solvers. The Rise program is one which brings forth intellectual vitality, curiosity, and an unending quest for new knowledge in youths.

I say this because Rise provided its finalists with an abundance of learning experiences over the summer. From the numerous boot camps hosted by the University of Chicago to the “Climate change & You” program hosted by the Centre of Systems Awareness, all the finalists were able to benefit from the rigorous intellectual opportunities provided by Rise this summer. Most notably, Rise is unique as it encourages collaborative thinking through its vast global community which consists of people from over 170 countries. Rise Global winners have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas during the annual residential summit. Rise’s approach is also very different from other programs as applicants are required

Emmanela Ilok to make video essays of their projects. This new approach to competing definitely helped me in terms of flexibility as I was used to the conventional way of competitions which mostly focused on written essays. The fact that Rise Global Winners are offered a lifetime opportunity with individualized support to empower them to achieve their goals while they work to serve others, sets Rise apart. I truly believe that the Rise program is like no other. It is a lifestyle.

What challenges if any have you faced as a teenager, trying to get her voice heard, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Living in a country where age is paramount in society, I have faced the challenge of being taken seriously by adults with regards to issues affecting Nigeria today. Students in my age group are often restricted to the confines of academic work and as a result, they are left with the impression that problems are meant to be solved only by adults. To overcome this widespread dogma, I decided to compete for and take up leadership positions in my school to make my voice and the voices of my peers heard. In Year Six, I served as the Elementary School Head Girl. In Year 10 and Year 11, I served as the Secondary School Head Girl.

In this position, I worked in collaboration with 20 other prefects to organise programs such as ‘Girl Up’, a female empowerment program; anti-bullying programs and other school activities which made students aware of pressing social issues and how to address them. One of the problems I aimed to ad-

dress in my school was the problem of plastic waste. Environmental pollution is an issue that is close to my heart.

While at Secondary School, I used my video editing skills to record and produce an environmental awareness video to encourage students to donate their plastic bottles to the school’s club, thereby saving the school environment from plastic waste.

Finally, as a Nigerian student, I am weary of the high rate of insecurity in the country. It is no longer news that many students have been kidnapped from their schools in recent years. Whereas some were rescued and reunited with their families, others have not been so lucky as they remain in captivity and unaccounted for. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for their parents, families, and friends. In an effort to find a solution to this ugly situation, in 2021, I collaborated with my classmate and friend, Chioma Abone to develop an app prototype called “AirGuard” which works in tandem with a wearable device to alert family members and friends when their child is in danger of being abducted. I am a firm believer that through technology many challenges we face today can be solved.

What universal problem does your project aim to solve?

Upon identifying the various inadequacies in Nigeria’s technology space, I

was determined to find the root cause of this issue. A thorough review indicated that one of the key causal factors is the deficient nature of Computer Science education in Nigerian schools. There are many schools that teach Computer Science without the students seeing and using a physical computer! The lack of computing facilities in schools and trained computing teachers could be traced to the government's underfunding of the education sector at different levels. This issue is of great importance to me because, as a youth myself, I know the potential that many other youths have to be problem solvers if given adequate knowledge and resources. With this observation, I was motivated to execute my passion project “CodEd” to tackle the inadequate nature of Computer Science education in Nigerian public schools. The main objectives of my project involve the implementation of teacher-training and student programs which aim to introduce more practical and immersive teaching styles to make Computer Science learning practical, engaging and effective. I developed a new computer science curriculum for the students which contains several resources to make lessons very practical and dynamic for both the teachers and the students. The project also involves career-tracking programs and internships for students to provide them with practical work experiences and skills they would need to succeed in the real world. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. Education is the key to solving problems in our society and my program aims to address Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, “Inclusive Education for All”.

I believe that students in both public and private schools should be given equal opportunities to acquire quality computer science education as this would help to build a community of innovative thinkers who would proffer solutions to the many problems plaguing Nigeria today.

What role do you see this opportunity playing in the next five years to get you to your dream?

One thing about the world of software development is that it is always evolving. This fluidity is one which greatly excites me as you never know what to expect. In five years, I see myself in my third year of university, studying Computer Science with a specialty in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

During this period, I plan not to only engage in academic activities but also activities outside of the classroom. In five years, I see myself undergoing internships in different global technology organisations so as to hone my technical skills, gain meaningful work experiences and relate better with people who are more experienced in the field. During that time, I also see myself running my program ‘CodEd’ on a larger scale whereby CodEd would not only cater for public school students in my immediate community but students in Nigeria, through the national curriculum in place. I intend to progressively build this program over the years to expand its reach to different states in the country. I also see myself working on other new projects such as an app to provide support and care for the elderly, etc. In five years, I believe I would have the necessary skills required to develop fully functional applications to address different societal problems, tightly knitted with the Rise Global community. This opportunity given to me by Rise would play a key role in helping

19

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

#THISISNIGERIA --

Nanre Nafziger

OCTOBER 20, 2022: A TIME TO RETHINK THE DISCOURSE OF POSSIBILITIES OF THE #ENDSARS MOVEMENT Uncertainties can be a time of great anxiety but they can be a time of great possibility. A time to rethink the language of politics, to rethink the language of struggle, rethink the language of solidarity. Power is not always about domination. It is not exclusively about domination. It is also about resistance. Young people have a lot of power, they shut societies down, they can shut things down, they can block streets, they can engage in direct action, they can educate their parents… they are a potent political force and I think they need to realize they are a potent political force and I think what they need to do is to act.

Because the discourse of anxiety should give way to a discourse of critique and a discourse of critique needs to give way to a discourse of possibility and a discourse of possibility means that you can imagine a future very different from the present.

- Henry Giroux

T

wo years ago today, a mighty movement was brought to its knees with the explosion of guns at the Lekki Tollgate. Over the next few days the movement turned and festered into a different form of uprising. While some analyze the #EndSARS Movement as one that ended on October 20th, the uprising that followed was still very much a part of the movement - a mix of those expressing their discontent through anger and those who took advantage of the breakdown of law and order to steal and destroy.

Martin Luther King said, “a riot is the language of the unheard.” After October 2020, there was a relative calm. While there have been protests over the past few years includings actions by students and unions as well as movements for self-determination, none has matched the scale of the #EndSARS protests.

Two years later, there is much to reflect upon with the advantage of hindsight.

With the 2023 elections approaching, it is an important time to assess the possibilities that have been created and the impossibilities that have ensued from a movement cut short in its infancy, stunted before it could grow. It is important to ask critical questions about the time between, the rivers between, what has flowed under and what is not yet behind us. What were the strengths of the movement and what was lacking?

What did the movement birth? Did it lay a firm foundation upon which a class of politically activated youth can stand? Is there a heightened level of consciousness, and will it result in the much needed changes that Nigeria needs to remove it from its current quagmire?

The Bible says, “...by their fruit you shall know them,” so let us examine the fruit.

The forgotten - People died at the toll gate. We know some of their names but not all. The names have not been emblazoned on our hearts and minds, yet the struggle continues. Today, dozens if not hundreds of young people that were picked up in the post #EndSARS police raids have remained locked up and languishing in prisons across the country, particularly in Lagos and Oyo states. A handful of organizers have taken

up their cause under the umbrella of #EndSARS United which includes the combined efforts of activist civil society organizations such as TakeItBack and Enough is Enough, but much more needs to happen to ensure they are all free. Who are these casualties of the movement, the collateral damage that remains unaccounted for? They are children of the poor, the forgotten byproduct of a movement that shed its own skin.

The “leaderless” that need to be led - After a time of relative silence, the young people that shook #EndSARS are on the prowl. But this time around, they are not ‘leaderless’ rather, they are looking for a leader. This is actually a great paradox of the “soro soke'' generation. In other countries, activists choose to run for political office, but how many #EndSARS activists are running for office? How many, before this year, joined a political party and started to shake things up?

Aside from Omoyele Sowore, who ran for office before the #EndSARS Movement, how many of the activists at the front lines have decided to take up the task of political leadership?

How many have taken the matter of disposing of the old order and being themselves the change they seek in the world? Rather, the generation is looking for the lesser of evils; the old order, rebranded and renamed; the generation that claimed it was taking on the world has already handed over the baton to those who ran it before.

One of the greatest humiliations is that a country so young, one of the youngest populations in the world, that had a massive youth uprising, has the majority of candidates seeking elective office over the age of 50. Despite the claims of taking over, young people are instead seeking heroes, and true heroes are almost impossible to find.

The missing ideologues - The #EndSARS Movement articulated what it

did not want, but it never really had a clear ideological direction of where it wanted to go. While the demands began to evolve beyond the #5for5 to demands for “good governance” and “ending insecurity”, the question on what kind of politics would achieve this, capitalism or socialism; social welfarism or neoliberalism; was only discussed on the margins of the movement. Due to the lack of ideological deepening, the blind spots have become gaping black holes. The proverbial if you don’t know what you are looking for, anything can be the answer, applies to the current predicament that we face. We are looking to upturn something, counter something, but to replace it with what, is still the question. There is a sense of half in and half out, a restlessness for the interstitial spaces, for the place in between radicalism and maintaining the status quo, in between overturning the gerontocracy, or standing in awe of aged out politicians.

20

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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Mobile CDMA Technology Goes into Extinction as Mobile GSM, Fixed Wired, VoIP Technologies Take Centre Stage

Emma Okonji The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, one of the oldest technologies deployed in the Nigerian telecom space, before the rollout of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) in 2001, has completely gone into extinction, according to the recent statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecom industry regulator.

The statistics showed the percentage of subscribers that

are utilising telecommunication services per the various technologies/standards currently deployed in Nigeria, such as GSM, CDMA and Fixed Wired/Wireless technology, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

According to the statistics, as at August this year, the percentage of subscribers utilising CDMA technology, dropped to zero per cent, from 0.10 per cent in 2018, an indication that telecom operators are no longer deploying the CDMA technology across networks.

As at 2018, NCC released some figures, which suggested that CDMA, Fixed Wired and VoIP technologies were deployed at 0.10 per cent, but the recent figures released by NCC, explains that CDMA technology has gone under, while the Fixed Wired and VoIp technologies, still remain at 0.10 percentage level of deployment.

The GSM technology, which was first deployed in 2001, is currently leading the Nigerian telecom market with 100 per cent deployment across networks.

While the former telecom

operators, like Starcomms, Multilinks, Intercellular, Reltel, among others, deployed CDMA technology for their operations, and have all gone into extinction, the current GSM operators like MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile, deployed mobile GSM technology from the inception in 2001, and they have currently grown their market share to a large extent.

As at August 2022, MTN Nigeria for instance, had the largest market share of 37.98 per cent, with 79.6 million subscribers, followed by Globacom with a market share

of 28.09 per cent and 58.9 million subscribers. Airtel, which is next to Globacom, had a market share of 27.85 per cent with 58.4 million subscribers, followed by 9mobile with a market share of 6.09 per cent and 12.8 million subscribers.

Smile Communications plays in the VoIP space, while Spectranet and Swift Network play in the Fixed Wireless technology space.

As at August 2022, the total number of telecom subscribers utilising the mobile GSM technology, grew to 209.9 million, with a teledensity of 109.99 per cent.

Giving reasons for the disappearance of CDMA technology from the Nigerian telecom space, the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, said the deployment of technology of choice, largely rest on the telecom operators and that NCC, as a technology neutral regulator, would make all the available technologies open to operators, but would not compel them against their choice of technology.

Continued on page 27

ITU, NCC, WITIN Urge Rural Women in Africa to Embrace Technology Emma Okonji The Secretary General Elect of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ms. Doreen BogdanMartin, who is expected to resume office January 1, 2023, has called on international rural women, including those in Africa and Nigeria to leverage on technology to further empower themselves.

Bogdan-Martin made the call when she spoke to rural women

during this year’s International Rural Women’s Day celebration, which held recently.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta also used the occasion of the International Rural Women’s Day 2022, organised in Lagos by Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), to educate rural women in Nigeria about the importance of technology in

creativity and innovation.

Bogdan-Martin, in her speech, said: “This year’s International Women’s Day is very important because rural women play critical role in the world.

Women form a major part of Africa’s small businesses and it is estimated that they produce 70 per cent of Africa’s food. So, rural women need to embrace technology to help them do better in food production. They need technology to determine the best planting season, determine

weather and climate conditions, to have access to connectivity for transportation of farm produce to the market and the sales of such farm produce. In Nigeria, rural women can use Internet of Things (IoTs) to have access to connectivity.

Digital technology has the potential to transform the world of the rural women, but the digital divide that exists in Africa, is depriving rural women from taking advantage of digital technology.”

According to her, ITU is involved in gender training on digital skills to bridge the digital gap.

“We have carried out such training in Abuja, Nigeria, and we hope to do more in other to connect more Nigerian women living in rural communities. I look forward to working closely with the Nigerian government and the private sector, like WITIN, to digitally empower rural women, especially the under-served and un-served, in

order to improve their lives,” the ITU Secretary General Elect further said.

Danbatta, who was represented by the Principal Manager, Lagos Zonal Office of NCC, Mrs Oladoyin Aiyenitaju, said the theme for this year’s International Rural Women’s Day celebration: ‘Rural Women Cultivating Good Food For AllImperative of Digital Inclusion’, remained apt because of the Continued on page 27

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OTC F X F U T U R E S CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS OCT 26 449.69 October 14, 1 2022 2022 October 14, NGUS NOV 30 2 451.43 2022 2022 NGUS DEC 28 453.18 October 14, 3 2022 2022 NGUS JAN 25 454.92 October 14, 4 2023 2022 NGUS FEB 22 456.67 October 14, 5 2023 2022

24 T H I S D AY THURSDAY OCTOBER 20 2022 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Thursday October 20, 2022 Vol 27. No 10054

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

2023, ATIKU AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

KASSIM AFEGBUA contends that Atiku Abubakar’s chances of winning the election are slim

See page 25

NIGERIAN LIZTRUSSIFICATION

It’s time to hold our leaders to their promises, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

See page 25

EDITORIAL

FOR CREDIBLE BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS

See page 26

1

To progress properly as a nation, Nigerians must develop real love for their country, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

NIGERIA AND THE BURDEN OF NEGATIVISM I may not have any data to support this assertion but there must be few countries on earth which are victims of internallygenerated, self-denigrating energies like Nigeria. Ours is a place where many citizens loathe the motherland and spew it at every opportunity as if there are prizes to be won.

The emotions deployed for such vituperations sometimes appear to be attempts at catharsis, to see whereby they could achieve respite or total healing from the pain of the situations that now increasingly look hopeless and impossible.

1R GRXEW LW·V GL΀FXOW WR LJQRUH WKH apparent, needless shortcomings of an otherwise thoroughly blessed nation. The title of one of Ayi Kwei Armah’s novels, Why Are We So Blest, always fascinates me for the simple reason that those living inside this giant of Africa (never mind whether it’s asleep or in coma) wishing to illustrate the paradox of lack in the midst of plenty, need not go too IDU LQ VHDUFK RI DQ\ ÀWWLQJ VDPSOH 1LJHULDQV have watched their fortunes dwindle rapidly under successive governments. They have had their hopes dashed too many times to remain hopeful in the prospect of experiencing recovery anytime soon. In the months leading to the 2015 general election, for example, the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had shown signs of helplessness in the estimation of many people, hence the clamour to get rid of it. It was easy for the campaign of change orchestrated by the present government to sway the voting public.

But eight years after, the conditions in the country have worsened on many fronts. The cloud is darker now.

In the present circumstances, it’s even PRUH GL΀FXOW WR VHH DQ\ JRRG LQ 1LJHULD Interestingly, in this same dilemma lies one reality that Nigerians should urgently interrogate: the very concept of home. There ought to exist a certain degree of bonding between the place called home and its owner IRU WKH ODWHQW EXW H[SORLWDEOH EHQHÀWV WR manifest. Where the connection starts from is the readiness of the owner to assume true ownership of the home and also take full responsibility for whatever becomes of it.

Sadly, many Nigerians fail too often on these FUXFLDO JURXQGV :LWK QR VWURQJ D΀QLW\ WR WKHLU country, they tend to ascribe its possessing too quickly to others, usually the leaders. Therein is a fundamental error, unfortunately. From WKDW ÁDZHG VWDQGSRLQW WUDQVIHUULQJ WKH DQJVW originally meant for the leadership to the nation itself has become not only appealing but seems to be most rational. People will view WKLQJV GLͿHUHQWO\ LI WKH\ GUDZ D OLQH EHWZHHQ the land of their ancestors and those who run it, for, while the former is permanent, the latter are not.

No one should idolise other lands to the detriment of his or her own. Whenever you surrender your country to ‘them’ or reduce it to ‘their’ thing, you fail in one vital civic duty that has made citizens of the countries you see

as models tick. No extra intelligence is also needed to know that numerous developing nations have since overtaken Nigeria in terms of decent, progressive living. And there are millions of Nigerians who can recall when OLIH ZDV PXFK GLJQLÀHG ZKHQ SHRSOH FRXOG SODQ WKHLU OLYHV ZLWK VRPH SUHGLFWDELOLW\ when today’s heightened appetite to emigrate was absent and, indeed, when Nigerians loved their country more. Even in the days of the austerity measures in the 1980s when WKH YLUXV RI QDWLRQDO GLVDͿHFWLRQ FUHSW LQWR our psyche, the iconic advert that showed ‘Andrew’ wanting to ‘check out’ and some other interventions helped in restoring some FRQÀGHQFH LQ WKH FRXQWU\ 1RZ WKH EXJ WR ¶MDSD· WDNH RͿ OHDYH Nigeria, is overwhelming and growing, made more worrying by the fact that not only young people are infected. To be clear, it’s very normal to seek the proverbial greener pastures or study overseas. What is equally valid is that the destinies of some persons actually lie outside their original countries, many RI ZKRP KDYH EHFRPH PRUH IXOÀOOHG DQG useful that way. And not everyone who leaves hates this nation. Whichever side of the table 1LJHULDQV ÀQG WKHPVHOYHV RQH WUXWK VWDUHV XV all in our faces: No matter the strength of their aspirations and the prospects of vamoosing, majority of the citizens will live and die here.

Not a cruel declaration. Only a statement of fact.

Hard as it is, we must reposition our minds and hearts to enable us to view our country more favourably. One word for love for one’s nation is patriotism. A proof that we possess WKH FDSDFLW\ IRU WKLV NLQG RI DͿHFWLRQ LV WKDW it is exhibited unapologetically and lavishly whenever our sportspersons represent us at international events. That same sense of collective pride is what is required to cherish the land we can no longer truly distance ourselves from.

Americans may not be perfect SHUVRQLÀFDWLRQV RI WUXH FLWL]HQVKLS EXW \RX can’t fault most of them on nationalism, their

Transferring the angst originally meant for the leadership to the nation itself has become not only appealing but seems to be most rational. People will view things differently if they draw a line between the land of their ancestors and those who run it, for, while the former is permanent, the latter are not

hosting, like in other places, some of the world’s disturbing ills notwithstanding. Their infectious, positive disposition has contributed greatly to making the United States a prime destination on earth. An opinion poll conducted by The New York Times in 2020 to ascertain the role of patriotic fervour in that year’s divisive elections yielded instructive results. Just two responses here. According to Kathleen Conway from Tempe, Arizona, “I have dual citizenship with Ireland and have seriously considered leaving America. But while I honour other countries, I love ours and cannot bring myself to leave. I want us to emerge from these terrible times stronger and more humble, resilient and focused on WKH FRPPRQ JRRG ÀUP LQ WKH EHOLHI WKDW %ODFN lives matter and that we can rescue our planet IURP DQQLKLODWLRQ , ÀQG IDLWK LQ WKH GHFHQF\ of the American people and the hope of the American dream.” Well put.

The possession of an alternative passport shouldn’t be a licence to march on one’s country. Many Nigerians abroad treat their exit as an escape from hell to paradise and aggressively express such on various platforms, unwittingly demarketing the country and themselves further in the process.

Haba! The adage, home is home, still subsists, even with Nigeria’s seeming irreversible descent into complete chaos.

Charles Becker from Novato, California, was even more didactic in his reaction. For him, “to love America you have to love experimentation because that’s what America LV ,W·V KDUG WR ORYH D VFLHQFH SURMHFW WKHUH DUH so many failures. That’s what motivates some conservatives — an aversion to inevitable failures. I love science, I love exploration, I love learning new things, I love grand accomplishments and spectacular failures and that’s why I love America. Elon Musk came to America to experiment and now he’s going to light up the sky with internet access and he’s going to put people on Mars! How could I not love that? If you don’t fail, you’re playing it too safe.” Beyond glaring defects, every nation has at least one thing of worth, perhaps only awaiting discovery. Many foreigners - tourists, expatriates and investors - join perceptive Nigerians to wonder why a stupendously HQGRZHG FRXQWU\ VKRXOG VXͿHU VR PXFK deprivation? It sometimes takes conscious HͿRUWV WR ORFDWH DSSUHFLDWH DQG SURSHUO\ PLQH the wealth that lies within a familiar space that is taken for granted. )DLOXUH WR GR VR ZRXOG NHHS SHRSOH À[DWHG with thoughts of ‘greener’ and ‘unblemished’ nations, deliberately or ignorantly blind to WKHLU RZQ ÁDZV PDQ\ WLPHV FRYHUHG E\ EHWWHU packaging, attitudes and productive policies.

The negative vigour poured on our fatherland by the same people who should guard it jealously is among its worst yokes. But who gains in the end?

Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

T H I S D AY

3 25

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20 2022

Kassim Afegbua contends that Atiku Abubakar’s chances of winning the election are slim

2023, ATIKU AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION I got a call from a senior friend of mine on Friday 7 October 2022. The meat of our conversation was very simple. He queried my outspokenness on The Atiku Presidential Candidacy and stated why I should “slow down”, in my hostile demarketing of The Atiku Candidacy. :KHQ KH ÀQLVKHG RQ WKH RWKHU HQG P\ response was very simple too. I posed WKH ÀUVW TXHVWLRQ ,V LW IDLU WR KDYH DQRWKHU Northerner succeed president Buhari after eight years? There was dead silence from his end. I asked another one. Would it not have been better for the opposition PDP WR ÀHOG D 6RXWKHUQ FDQGLGDWH LQ WKH VSLULW of fairness, equity and justice? He wasn’t forthcoming with any response. I waited for a few seconds, and I heard him mutter some LQFRKHUHQW PRQRORJXHV ´HKP HKP \RX

NQRZ 3'3 LV GLͿHUHQW IURP $3& VR $WLNX Abubakar still has a chance under PDP”. I reminded him of the plural status of Nigeria and how such inconsiderate aspirations can hurt the very stability, cohesion and unity RI WKH FRXQWU\ KRZ GDQJHURXV LW ZRXOG EH to keep power in one section of the country for 16 unbroken years. Further, I asked him what he thinks would be a better approach in ensuring that Nigeria maintains some VHPEODQFH RI XQLW\ LV LW WKH DPELWLRQ RI RQH individual, or the sanity of the nation? This senior friend of mine was mute for some time, and concluded with a rather cynical FRPPHQW ´KPP LW LV GL΀FXOW IRU DQ\RQH to engage you in an argument because your points are valid, but for us, politics is our RQO\ LQGXVWU\ DQG VRPH RI XV ZDQW WR VHH how to continue to hold on to power for the sake of relevance”.

His views are shared by many Northern folks who feel democracy is all about numbers, so the North can do away with the South in their quest to perpetuate its rulership of the nation based on sheer numbers. It is this growing sentiment that makes Atiku Abubakar think that he would pull through with his aspiration in 2023 of becoming Nigeria’s President. It is this thinking also, that makes some Aso Villa power apparatchik sell a dummy to Atiku that he is preferred by President Buhari.

Babachir Lawal, the modern day Apostle of Christian presidency, has suddenly become a habitué of Aso Villa to keep vigil with President Buhari with the sole assignment to drum Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy into the ears of the number one citizen. Babachir’s assignment, I gather, is to always keep a tab on President Buhari and continue to remind him of why a muslim-muslim presidency would not be a parting legacy for him in 2023. There are other foot soldiers in this mission. Former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara falls into this fray and a couple of other less LPSRUWDQW VSRNHVPHQ ZKR DUH XVLQJ WKH faith basis as a launch pad to demarket the

Tinubu Presidential Candidacy. But that doesn’t take away the barefaced fact that Atiku Abubakar is running against the run of play. His ambition is wrongly footed in D FRXQWU\ RI VHYHUDO FRQÀJXUDWLRQV ZKHUH deliberate political balancing is eternally required.

Atiku’s chances in the North are slim, irrespective of the conspiracies that are presently being woven to harm a Southern Presidency. Also, lately, Northern leaders have been too much in the news. Even leaders that cannot deliver their polling units, go on television to talk about negotiation. This exposes schisms in the zone. Atiku’s chances are not just slim, they are very slim. First, the North is yet to forgive him for his role in leaving most of them in the civil service out of job when he was president Obasanjo’s Vice, in trying to witch-hunt his perceived political enemies.

That has remained an albatross hanging on his neck for which many are still angry.

6HFRQGO\ LW LV GL΀FXOW IRU DQ\ FDQGLGDWH to contemplate winning election with Northern votes alone. President Buhari tried it three times and failed despite his popularity in the North. It was not until he was able to build alliances with the South, that he unseated the then incumbent 3UHVLGHQW -RQDWKDQ ZKRVH JRYHUQPHQW was largely seen as colourless. The idea that the North alone can make a president is a mirage. Thirdly and very instructive is that the peculiarities such as existing frictions in the states of the North do not make for a seamless political endorsement as some political analysts and Aso Villa gossips would have people believe. The PDP is ODUJHO\ XQSRSXODU LQ WKH 1RUWK :LWK ÀYH governors in its fray against APC’s 14, it will be a herculean task to strike a deal in Atiku’s favour. Among the states in the North, there are several political debacles that may not help the cause of anti-party. PDP is almost absent in Zamfara State despite and in spite RI KDYLQJ D FDQGLGDWH IRU *RYHUQRUVKLS 7KH PHUH IDFW WKDW IRUPHU *RYHUQRU <DUL and Senator Marafa had consummated their SROLWLFDO DOOLDQFHV ZLWK WKDW RI WKH *RYHUQRU Bello Matawallen is enough to present a formidable front against PDP in the state.

In Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero, a staunch $WLNX PDQ KLV PDQ IULGD\ EHFDXVH KH ZDV D FXVWRPV R΀FHU DQG FROOHDJXH RI $WLNX has taken a stranglehold of the politics of the PDP in the state. Coming together with *RYHUQRU %DJXGX WR SURVHFXWH DQ $WLNX project would appear impossible. The political tensions in Kebbi State presently are too vociferous to ignore. In Sokoto, Senator Wamakko plays politics of mass PRELOLVDWLRQ WKDQ WKH SUHVHQW *RYHUQRU Tambuwal. In 2023, Sokoto would undoubtedly be the stronghold of APC DQG WKH *RYHUQRUVKLS PD\ IDOO LQWR LWV IUD\ DOVR 7KH 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO SRVLWLRQ JLYHQ to the governor may become his undoing.

It would seem like what happened when Senator Saraki was the PDP Director *HQHUDO LQ ZKHQ KH DEDQGRQHG KLV Kwara State. He was defeated by the O’toge mantra and the rest has become history. Jig DZD 6WDWH KDV LWV RZQ KHDGDFKHV *RYHUQRU Badaru controls a strong political following WKDW ZRXOG EH GL΀FXOW WR XSURRW Afegbua, former Edo State’s Commissioner for Information, was ex-campaign spokesman of the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar

It’s time to hold our leaders to their promises, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

NIGERIAN LIZ-TRUSSIFICATION Continued from the backpage :LWK WKH XQSUHFHGHQWHG ÁRRGV RI WKLV \HDU increasingly turning our country into one vast Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) camp, the misery of millions has been exacerbated.

If 41 percent of our population already live below the poverty line, going by World Bank statistics, one can only imagine what will happen next year with “76,168 hectares of farmland partially damaged and 70,566 hectares of farmland are completely destroyed

by the great deluge,” according to the federal government. To compound our woes, the rising water levels have also compelled the 1LJHULDQ /LTXLÀHG 1DWXUDO *DV 1/1* WR shut-in their operations with dire implications for both domestic gas prices and foreign exchange earnings.

When you add national insecurity and the crisis of our social sector like education to the foregoing, you get a picture of a troubled nation. Yet, those who seek our votes in the coming elections are busy making promises without telling us where they intend to get the money. This was the kernel of Tuesday’s column, ‘Liz Truss and the Lessons from Britain’, by Reuben Abati. Using the current political turmoil in the United Kingdom to illustrate his point, Abati made compelling DUJXPHQWV DERXW WKH GDQJHU RI LQÀGHOLW\ to campaign promises, the reality that the grass is not always greener on the other side—a message for the ‘Japa’ generation— and the challenge of leadership in the age of discontent. The simple lesson, Abati wrote “is that politicians must learn not to overpromise. Nigerian politicians promise heaven and earth. They promote manifesto and covenants that even the principal candidate has neither read nor seen. When they are taken up on the issues later, they are ever ready to say they never heard of such a policy. Every major stakeholder in the UK is attentive.

Position and power come with responsibility and accountability.” +RZHYHU RQH VLJQLÀFDQW SRLQW WKDW $EDWL missed is that were Truss to be a Nigerian politician, she would still be riding high in popular imagination. In a country where ‘body language’ alone can do the magic for WKH ÀUVW \HDU RU HYHQ WKH HQWLUH WHQXUH IRU VRPH SHRSOH ¶/L] 7UXVVLÀFDWLRQ· LV WKH QDPH of the game in a milieu where politics is both VKDOORZ DQG VXSHUÀFLDO 7KDW H[SODLQV ZK\ DW a time when we rely on borrowed money to fund recurrent expenditures, our politicians are still promising Eldorado. Yet they know, and we know (and they know that we know) that the treasury is not only empty, but we are

neck deep in debt. Now, let’s look at Truss.

Campaigning for leadership of the Conservative Party (and by implication for the position of Prime Minister), Truss said her priorities were ‘growth, growth, growth’ in the economy and prosperity for the greater majority of Britons. “I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy. I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply. And I will deliver on the National Health Service,” she pledged. But the moment she unveiled her agenda, people did the arithmetic. And they knew immediately that things did not add up. The general uproar that followed was predictable.

In the past two weeks, Truss has done a U-Turn, sacked her Chancellor of Exchequer while at the same time doubling down on her fantasy programme. But even if she remains as prime minister, the power and aura are gone. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) described Truss as running a “hand-to-mouth government, living hour by hour”. ‘The Economist’ has summed up the situation in a pithy one-paragraph post: “Liz Truss has already secured a place in history. +RZHYHU ORQJ VKH QRZ ODVWV LQ R΀FH she is set to be remembered as the prime minister whose grip on power was the shortest in British political history. Ms Truss entered Downing Street on September 6th.

She blew up her own government with a package of unfunded tax cuts and energyprice guarantees on September 23rd. Take away the ten days of mourning after the death of the queen, and she had seven days in control. That is the shelf-life of a lettuce.”

To be fair, Truss’ policy is based on the Conservative Party ideological proposition that a rising tide lifts all boats: When taxes are low (and in UK, citizens and corporate bodies pay heavy taxes), the economy will improve, and a shared prosperity will result. In our own context, the government is simply Father Christmas who doles out goodies without any expectation from citizens by way of taxes. It may also be important to note that the parliamentary system of government being practiced in the UK tends to allow accountability through debates on current issues that DͿHFW WKH SHRSOH DV WKH\ EUHDN (YHQ LI ZH discount the primordial issues in our own brand of politics, the presidential system tends to wait for elaborate procedures to hold leadership to account. Despite WKHVH GLͿHUHQFHV WKH 1LJHULDQ V\VWHP KDV grown distant and aloof from the people over time. Our breed of politicians hardly understands the value of responding to the immediate needs of our people.

Meanwhile, the unravelling of what I FDOO ¶/L] 7UXVVLÀFDWLRQ· ZDV QRW EHFDXVH United Kingdom citizens do not want to pay less tax or have their energy bills cut. But they could see very easily that there was no Manna from heaven to pay for these ‘luxuries’. Here in Nigeria, we allow ourselves to be deceived so easily by politicians who cannot deliver.

Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

26 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

FOR CREDIBLE BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS Registration of births and deaths is critical to planning and development

R

ecent disclosure by the National Population Commission (NPC) that many Nigerians are yet to be registered under the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) database brings to fore the challenge of statistics in the country. And as we join other countries to mark the World Statistics Day, we must recommit to the idea of HͿHFWLYH ELUWK UHJLVWUDWLRQ V\VWHP WKDW LV FRPSXOVRU\ universal, permanent and continuous and one that DOVR JXDUDQWHHV WKH FRQÀGHQWLDOLW\ RI SHUVRQDO GDWD CRVS, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) is a system that registers all births and deaths, issues birth and death FHUWLÀFDWHV DQG FRPSLOHV and disseminates vital statistics, including cause of death information. It also records marriages and divorces.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), many people born in Nigeria die without leaving a trace in any OHJDO UHFRUG RU R΀FLDO VWDWLVWLFV VXFK DV ELUWKV GHDWKV and other vital events in between. This lack of records renders many of our people poor, invisible and marginalised, exposing them to exploitations and human rights violations which in turn limits their DFFHVV WR VRFLR HFRQRPLF EHQHÀWV $QG WR WKH H[WHQW that such registration is good both for the identity of every citizen and national planning, this is a call to action as we urge the relevant authorities to intensify HͿRUWV RQ WKH ELUWK UHJLVWUDWLRQ RI FKLOGUHQ LQ RXU country without which there can be no real plan for their healthcare and education. $OO RYHU WKH ZRUOG ELUWK DQG GHDWK FHUWLÀFDWHV DUH critical to planning and development of data integral to the formulation of programmes relating to maternal and child health in any country. But what we have at our hands in Nigeria is an entrenched culture where births and deaths are under reported or unregistered.

It is estimated that no fewer than 29 million children

XQGHU WKH DJH RI ÀYH LQ RXU FRXQWU\ ODFN ELUWK UHFRUGV In similar vein, deaths are hardly recorded which has OHG WR D VLWXDWLRQ ZKHUH PDQ\ ÀQDQFLDO FULPHV KDYH been committed in the names of deceased persons.

In most developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “the onus is entirely on the family to register a birth or death.

Even assuming they are aware of this obligation, it RIWHQ UHTXLUHV VXEVWDQWLDO HͿRUW DQG H[SHQVH DQG can take several weeks. This in part explains why so many births and deaths go unrecorded.” The situation is worse in Nigeria, yet the UNDP argues WKDW ´D ELUWK FHUWLÀFDWH LV D EDVLF OHJDO GRFXPHQW WKDW gives identity to a child, and automatically bestows a number of rights such as the right to health care, nationality, schooling, passport, property ownership, voting, formal employment, or access to banking services.”

Meanwhile, the accuracy of birth records in our country is also a problem.

This arises basically because many children are born at home while the hospitals that are supposed to be registering new births are not living to their responsibility. Government can resolve this anomaly E\ GHVLJQDWLQJ ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV WR PRQLWRU and register births and deaths especially in the rural area. Beyond this, there should be a campaign to shore up support for birth registration and dissuade people from giving birth at home and for refusing to report new births. A reliable data generated on births provide the key indicators that will guide any country to provide robust health care service, allocate resources and universal education for its population.

On a day like this, created by the United Nations Statistical Commission to acknowledge the importance of data authenticity and credibility across the globe, authorities must do more on the registration of births and deaths in Nigeria.

A reliable data generated on births provide the key indicators that will guide any country to provide robust health care service, allocate resources and universal education for its population T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS NIGERIA AND THE 2023 BUDGET In an attempt at national planning, every year, Nigeria draws up a budget at the federal level. This budget which usually captures everything a budget should capture, taking into consideration the income and expenditure the country forecasts in the QH[W ÀVFDO \HDU The president and his team usually draw up the budget which is then presented to the legislature which proceeds to pick it apart prescript by prescript in one of the more salient and salubrious demonstrations of the salutary principles of checks and balances and separation of powers.

7KH H[HFXWLYH LQ GLͿHUHQW VWDWHV DOVR GUDZV XS WKHLU RZQ EXGgets which still undergo the routine ritual at the state legislature for passage into law. The Nigerian experience has been that of the calm before the storm as the elaborate presentation of the budget is usually a prelude to stormy debates about its contents.

Ministries, departments and agencies are often called to defend their budgets before joint committees of the National Assembly in what passes as spirited but often futile attempts to ensure ÀVFDO WUDQVSDUHQF\ LQ WKH F\FOH RI QDWLRQDO SODQQLQJ LQ 1LJHULD Allegations were rife that last year’s budget, and indeed

many others, were scandalously padded which was essentially D SUDFWLFH ZKHUHE\ EXGJHWV ZHUH LQÁDWHG E\ WKRVH ZKR KDG EHcome enriched in the business of milking Nigeria dry.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently laid the 2023 budget before the National Assembly. The budget put at N20.51 trillion has since passed second reading at The National Assembly.

Reacting to the budget, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) queried the rising recurrent expenditure captured in the budget despite the embargo placed on employment by the federal government and the hundreds of retirees recorded on a yearly basis.

According to him, the N8.2 trillion earmarked for recurrent expenditure in the proposed N20.51 trillion 2023 budget conVWLWXWHG SHU FHQW RI WKH HQWLUH EXGJHW SURÀOH +H DOVR GLVKHG RXW ÀJXUHV VKRZLQJ WKDW VLQFH 1LJHULDCV UHFXUUHQW H[SHQditure had been constantly rising.

Some proposals in the budget have also roundly alarmed Nigerians including those Nigerians who are neither given to melodrama or social media hysterics. For example, from what has been gleaned so far from the budget, about N14 billion has

been allocated for internet subscription, telephone charges, stationery, computers, books, newspapers and personnel costs for the presidency. It would appear this amount is not so big when put side by side with the extensive list of items it is expected to cover. But in a country that should be cutting costs, how can it not be too much?

Similarly, about N11. 92 billion was earmarked for the food items and foreign trips for the president and his vice as well as refreshments, kitchen accessories and related items. ,W LV UHJUHWWDEOH WKDW WKRVH ZKR VLW WR GUDZ XS 1LJHULDCV DQnual budget do not seem to take into consideration the fact that Nigeria is now among the poorest countries on earth. A country where about 91 million languish beneath the poverty line cannot think itself rich even for a second.

7KLV EHLQJ WKH FDVH FDQ 1LJHULD UHDOO\ DͿRUG WKH KXPRQJRXV DPRXQWV DOORFDWHG WR VWXͿ WKDW GR QRW DPRXQW WR PRUH WKDQ VDWisfying the personal pleasure of those whose terms of service to the country should dictate that they cut their own costs?

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

27

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L–R: Lead, Strategic Planning, and Implementation, FMN Women Network, Grace Beredugo; the Director/ Vice Principal, Apapa Senior Secondary School, Mr. Opara Ugwuanya Joseph; Health prefect, Apapa Senior Secondary School, Damisa Christianah; the Chairperson, FMN Women Network, Olasubomi Sofowora; Senior Girl, Apapa Senior Secondary School, David Ruth; Secretary, FMN Women Network, Kehinde F. Akanni, Assistant Senior Girl, Aremu Fatimoh; and the Assistant Chief Education officer, and school counselor, Mrs. Wusu Victoria at the Apapa Senior Secondary School, Lagos in Commemoration of the International Day for the Girl Child

Report: Mobile Payments Surge as Cheque Transactions Slide from 10.8m to 4.5m in 5yrs Dike Onwuamaeze The State of Enterprise (SOE) Report 2022 has revealed that financial transactions on mobile payment system grew by 5,455 per cent in Nigeria between 2017 and 2021, while cheque transactions went down from 10.8 million to 4.5 million transactions valued at N5.4 trillion and N3.2 trillion respectively within the same period.

According to the report, over 326,000 agents and many other unidentified retail outlets are providing agency banking, while the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals deployed in 2021 was 915,519.

The SOE report also showed that Nigeria’s financial institutions contributed N2.3 trillion to the

country’s GDP in 2021, which was 3.2 per cent of the nation’s national output, and slightly higher than the N2.1 trillion it recorded in 2020.

The SOE report, which was launched recently by the EnterpriseNGR, said: “Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector has survived challenging times in the past 40 years, particularly recent recessions and the global pandemic.

“Nevertheless, the sector continues to rebound and post record growth in numbers of firms, job opportunities, innovations and improved services, as information shared in the report demonstrates.

The growth can in part be attributed to the adoption of new technologies by consumers and service providers,

which has been supported by key stakeholders, including regulators.

“With further support from ecosystem players — regulators, policymakers and operators — Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services sector can reach significant milestones in years to come. Nigeria has the potential to lead the continent as Africa’s premier financial centre.

Right now, evidence of this can be seen among FinTechs, where innovators and investors are riding the crest of successive technology waves to create a multibillion-dollar industry in Africa.”

Some of the highlights of the SOE Report 2022 that was unveiled by the Chief Executive Officer of the EnterpriseNGR, Ms. Obi Ibekwe, revealed that there were 21,917

registered members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and over 120,000 registered legal practitioners in Nigeria as at June 2022, adding that there was an increasing appreciation of the need for insurance in the current business environment and accounted for 4.16 million Nigerians employed in the PSTS sector as at 2017, which was the latest available data.

EnterpriseNGR is the voice of Nigerian enterprises and a member-led advocacy group for the promotion of the growth and development of Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services sector that comprised of financial institutions, lawyers, accountants, among others.

The SOE report also stated

that “the unprecedented growth of alternative channels offering consumers access to financial services has been made possible by the near universal adoption of mobile telephony and digital technology in Nigeria.

It said: “Since 2017, the volume and value of cheque transactions has fallen from 10.8 million transactions valued at N5.4 trillion to 4.5 million transactions estimated at N3.2 trillion in 2021.

“On the other hand, both the volume of electronic bill (e-bill) payments and mobile inter-scheme transactions grew exponentially by 32 per cent and 5,455 per cent, respectively, over the same period.”

It said that banks and other financial institutions were the third largest contributor to company

income tax (CIT) receipts, valued at 96.4 billion, representing 12.2 per cent of CIT receipts generated locally, based on 2020 data, which is the latest on the sector.

The report stated that the FPS sector was the leading sector in terms of capital importation into the country despite the decline recorded in recent times in capital inflows from $9.7 billion in 2020 to $6.7 billion in 2021.

It said: “The FPS sector led other sectors in capital importation, principally by banks, attracting 21.8 per cent of imported capital, while Nigeria led sub Saharan African countries in diaspora remittances, receiving $19.2 billion compared to South Africa’s $0.9 billion; Kenya’s $3.7 billion and Ghana’s $4.5 billion.

African Governments Urged to Promote Policies on Digital Rights Emma Okonji Governments across Africa have been urged to expand digital rights and inclusion on the continent by formulating favourable laws and policies.

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading Pan-African Digital Rights and Inclusion organisation, also said citizens on

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

the continent were currently using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on a regular basis to create a need for rights respecting and inclusive practices.

Representatives from the social enterprise as well as the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) made the appeal at the sidelines of the just concluded PIN festival in Harare, Zimbabwe. The festival celebrated the collective behind-the-scenes efforts toward advancing digital rights and inclusion in Africa over the years.

Executive Director at PIN, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said as much as many governments in Africa have

made considerable progress towards improving privacy online, data protection and providing affordable internet to increase access, much more needed to be done to bridge the existing digital divide.

“Paradigm Initiative has been in existence for 15 years now and over the years, we have seen gradual progress towards digital transformation, a clear indication of opportunities that exist towards safeguarding digital rights for all,” Sesan added.

On her part, Executive Director of Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen, emphasised the need

for developing policies geared towards empowering individuals and strengthening their livelihood capacities through ICTs. “Having worked together with Paradigm Initiative over the years, I can attest to the benefits that accrue when individuals and organizations are empowered. Access to ICTs leaves individuals, communities and institutions in a better position to act, and try to solve their own problems,” she added.

In her address at the event, PIN’s Partnerships and Engagements Manager, Ms. Thobekile Matimbe, stressed the need for the establishment

of sound policies, noting that the Zimbabwe government had enacted data protection laws, which she said, was a step in the right direction. She urged the Zimbabwe government to ensure internet access during the upcoming general election.

PIN’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ms. Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, said the organisation played an important role in spearheading development of public policy for internet freedom in Africa and would continue to do so through its presence in Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Kenya.

Since its inception in 2007, Paradigm Initiative has impacted the lives of more than 5,000 under-served African youth with improved livelihoods through digital opportunities and the protection of their online rights. For more than eight years, the organisation has played an instrumental role in advancing internet freedom, proposing policy solutions and monitoring legal and policy frameworks around Information and Communication Technology on the continent to ensure citizen rights.

This contribution has been strengthened by the organisation’s competencies in ICT capacity building, research and reports.

LoadMoto Launches in Nigeria, Set to Disrupt Existing Ride Hailing Apps Emma Okonji LoadMoto Technologies Limited, an indigenous firm that is based in Lagos, has launched LoadMoto, a ride hailing and logistics app that combines ride hailing with the delivery of goods and services from one location to another, within Nigeria.

The unique app, according to the developers, is ready for the Nigerian market and it’s designed to disrupt the exiting market structure in Nigeria.

LoadMoto will accommodate any vehicles still in perfect conditions, no matter the year of manufacturing, for the delivery of goods from one location to another.

With logistics in mind, LoadMoto will accommodate government

approved motorbikes for delivery service, as well as cars, buses, tricycle (Keke Marwa); mini bus and vans. There is also executive cars for transporting high-class citizens from one location to another.

Speaking during the launch in Lagos recently, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of LoadMoto, James Jegede, said the platform would create opportunities for drivers and riders to get more services anytime.

Jegede, who is a Nigerian-British citizen, described LoadMoto as a technology tool that would simplify movement of goods and persons from one point to another. He disclosed that the platform was launched with every form of mobility, which are in the market today.

According to him, LoadMoto’s

concept actually started some four years back, but became a reality in September 2022, with focus on disrupting existing market and give Nigerians ability to make the country proud.

While activation is on to bring in more drivers and riders, the LoadMoto boss said the app could be downloaded from IOS, Android platforms and is also web base (www.loadmoto.net).

“We want a situation, where when a delivery person takes a good from one point to another, he won’t return empty but would be able to get another order while returning,” he stated.

Jegede, who is a train driver instructor in the United Kingdom for about 17 years now, said the app, was co-built by developers

in Nigeria, India and America to enrich its functionality like user friendliness.

The CEO, who assured that riders, drivers, among others would enjoy the sharing formular, appealed to government at various levels to remove bottlenecks crippling and slowing business development in the country.

Speaking also, the co-founder, Joseph Ogobor, described LoadMoto as an app that would change logistics and transportation businesses in the country, adding that the platform is all encompassing.

According to Ogobor, the app is futuristic, adding that it caters to the need of pedestrian and other sophisticated means of mobility.

Describing the ingenuity behind the app, Ogobor, a software

developer, said users of the app could book delivery agents to help them move goods from one location to another within the country.

“The app algorithm, the technology behind it allows users, especially for logistics purposes to monitor the movement of goods from point to points to ensure transparency. There is real time tracking on the platform. Like other ride hailing apps, LoadMoto also does not own any means of transportation, but we hope to have virtually all means of transportation on the platform,” Ogobor said.

He also assured of the security of LoadMoto app, which according to him, cannot be easily hacked because of the various authentication processes embedded in the app.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

28

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Nwosu: Robust Records Strategy Will Create Paper-lite Economy Chief Executive Officer, Secured Records Management Solutions, Dr. Sam Nwosu, speaks on the need for organisations to embrace robust records management strategy in order to reduce operational costs and loss of valuable records. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: Secured Records recently launched its second document archiving warehouse in Abuja. What informed the second launch? s the foremost provider of end-to-end document management services in Nigeria, Abuja off-site document warehouse is positioned to improve our operations and extend our service footprint outside Lagos. As a growing company, we needed to extend the archiving services in regions other than Lagos, and Abuja was the best choice for the second warehouse, considering the high demand and need for the service.

With a thriving clientele in Abuja, it became necessary for the federal capital territory to enjoy the excellent archiving service that we offer elsewhere. We are confident this will address the physical archiving needs of our clients as well as open the doors for potential clients.

Like our Lagos document warehouse, the Abuja Physical archiving facility has all essential world-class features to ensure confidentiality, safety, security, and document preservation. All physical documents are systematically and methodically stored in archival boxes and placed on storage racks with external labels, QR-codes for easy identification and retrieval.

Our document warehouses come with the following features: climate controlled system, state-of-the-art racking system built to international standard, colorcoded (QR codes) for secured and easy identification of client boxes, automated and customised inventory software, fire suppression system, alarm system for anti-burglary and theft, live CCTV surveillance, strict access to only authorised agents, and managed by experiences personnel.

Through the expansion, we strive to reinforce our commitment to offering comprehensive range of services including digital archiving, data warehousing, workforce automation, and customised software development.

chains, where there are many moving parts interacting with one another, resilience and agility are necessary to adapt to changes on the fly. Physical document archiving is ideal when managing legacy records, that is, documents that are not consulted on a daily basis, but need to be preserved due to retention policies. For instance, the Nigerian court system still works with physical documents. Financial Auditors still tend to work with physical copies of relevant records so in cases like these, it become necessary to store physical documents in safe and secured facilities.

At Secured Records, we advise customers to digitize document backlogs, implement electronic content management for retrieval of digitized records, automation of repetitive manual processes to facilitate where from anywhere program, and store physical paper documents in a safe and secured facility for preservation and ease of retrieval when needed.

A

With two document archiving warehouses in Lagos and Abuja, how will you describe the demand for document archiving in Nigeria. Is there likely going to be a third warehouse from Secured Records anytime soon?

Several factors drive the demand for document archiving in Nigeria when taking a holistic market review.

This suggests that even after complete digitalisation, organisations are still saddled with the responsibility of keeping their physical documents throughout the retention period. The big question is: where should they keep those documents to ensure proper preservation as well as safety and security. Organisations are also actively seeking ways to reduce the time and cost of managing documents efficiently and effectively. In summary, these factors can influence the existence of a business, ensuring business continuity.

In today’s digital world, there is a shift in operations, especially post-covid, when many companies are adjusting to the new management reality in a world controlled by technology, among other reasons. Digital archiving has become increasingly popular for managing documents and increasing turnaround time. Despite the new reality, physical document archiving still has a healthy market: identifying what type of organiations still work with physical documents, why they do so, how they currently manage the process, and their location will help us understand how these organisations use documents today. We have visited clients with a heap of bags containing legacy documents occupying dedicated and sometimes, expensive workspaces.

Various organizations maintain these print records for different reasons, and according to regulations, organisations operating in diverse sectors are to retain certain documents for a particular period. Financial institutions, law firms, oil and gas companies, pension managers, and schools are a few examples.

Google search trends for relevant document archiving keywords over the past five years suggest that companies from Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are constantly looking for document archiving services.

Secured Records is open to launching more document warehouses in areas where we are able to determine

Nwosu high levels of demand, in line with our mission to be the foremost provider of end-to-end document management and secured software solutions in Africa.

The world is going digital in line with global digital transformation. How will you advise organisations that still practice paper-based documentation?

For organisations that still practice paper-based documentation, we typically share two views: Firstly is to help them understand the time and secondly, the monetary cost of managing a paper-based documentation system.

According to Gartner research, companies spend as much as three per cent of their revenue on paper.

Included here is the cost of procuring the paper, before you get to the cost of printing and filing documents. Beyond this point, an organisation will deal with the logistic costs of managing the documents, including moving, storing, and disposing of documents, at the end of their retention periods.

With the retrieval or tracking of documents being a major challenge in most public and private sector organisations, we suggest the deployment of an Electronic Content Management (ECM) for managing documents in digital format and simplifying the document flow process to ensuring that documents are easy to retrieve, and tracked in a manner that ensures integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity.

Quite often we hear news of organisations experiencing calamities, ranging from floods and fires to hard drive crashes, which destroy their records with disastrous consequences for their business operations. The reality is that many organisations assume they will never experience such disaster, so never develop a plan for protecting one of their most valuable assets: records.

However, disasters do happen, and forwardthinking organisations are now actively putting in place a robust records management strategy to significantly reduce the impact, in terms of loss of valuable records and attendant costs.

To mitigate potential losses due to human errors, the necessity for automated workflow needs not be over-emphasised. With proper records management practice, an organisation can work from anywhere, realise significant cost reduction in running operations, improve response time, achieve accuracy, enhance productivity, and attain operational efficiency.

For organisations that have sensitive supply

As technology develops faster than imagined, do you see Nigeria becoming a paper-lite nation anytime soon?

There are various factors to be considered when looking at becoming a paperless or paper-lite nation, and all centred on the peculiarities of the country.

Let’s start by looking at the public sector with most Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) still heavily reliant on paper-based operations.

Courts for example, still depend on physical documentation records to operate. Businesses in other states still need to send hard copy documents to government organisations in Abuja and or their state counterparts.

In a lot of cases, there exists some internal resistance to change, combined with exogenous factors, which historically have frustrated such efforts in the past.

There are also concerns that paperless architecture may lead to load-shading, meaning that people may lose their jobs. I frown at this particular concern because similar arguments were put forward during the first and second industrial revolutions, where people were concerned about the potential job losses due to industrialization. Admittedly, jobs were lost, but many more lucrative jobs were created. Let us remember that people are still needed to scan documents and push them to the electronic records management platform, which serves as a repository and automation engine.

Notwithstanding these obstacles, so many government officials have demonstrated propensity to digitally transform their organisations. For us, it all started in 2019 when the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Dr. Zaynab Ahmed commissioned a pilot to test the viability of our electronic records management (ERM) as a starting point to achieving paperless-paper-lite ministry. She has since extended the program to include digitization of millions of records, deployment of electronic records management platform, mapping and automation of several manual processes, and tracking of all inbound and outbound documents. At the middle of COVID-19 pandemic, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, sent a circular to all MDAs to digitize and automate their processes to ensuring business continuity, operational efficiency, and productivity of the federal civil service. Others include the DG, Budget Office of the Federation, Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, DG, NOSDRA, MD, Development Bank of Nigeria, ES, PTAD, Chairman of EFCC, and DG, Tetfund.

Today all manual processes at the Head of Service headquarters have been digitally mapped and are being automated. So I remain optimistic that with increasing interest and momentum from Heads of MDAs, more release of funds by the federal government, and a boost from the private sector

industry captains like AIG Foundation, Nigeria will someday soon achieve Paper-lite workplace operations, and perhaps, reach paperless communications in a few years.

There is no doubt that the private sector is ahead of the public sector in adopting digital transformation.

The pace was accelerated by the devastating impact of COVID-10 as many organisations were forced to lock down operations and not able to work from anywhere outside the corridors of their offices. I am aware that many private sector organizations are making efforts to transition to digital platforms, but several others are still heavily dependent on paper forms for their day-to-day operations. That said, I am optimistic about a paperless Nigeria.

In terms of capacity, how long will it take Secured Records to complete archiving of organisation’s document?

Good question. The answer to this question depends of several variables including the volume, the nature, and the retrieval mechanism. For digital archiving, we are capable of converting, indexing, classifying, and uploading of over 250,000 pages of documents per day, provided the customer provides adequate space. We come prepared with our staff, scanners, laptops, and all necessary equipment to complete the process. For the provision of electronic content management software, it could take just a few days.

The process mapping and automation may take a few days to a few months depending on the number of manual processes to be mapped and automated.

For physical archiving (off-site document storage), the implementation timeline once again depends on the complexity of sorting, data capturing, file planning, proximity from customer site to our warehouse, and the number of boxes to be stored.

I can unequivocally say that we are favourably disposed in providing end-to-end document management solutions – be it in digital imagery or physical configurations, and we have the capacity to scale up to meet the desired archival needs of our existing and potential customers.

Aside from creating more workspace, what are the other benefits of physical and digital document archiving?

Both digital and physical archiving, provide easy way to track, retrieve, and, manage documents, as well as ensuring documents retention compliance. This reduces the burden associated with time-wasting tasks of searching and retrieval, especially when working with tight deadlines.

Specifically, the following benefits are associated with physical archiving: (also known as off-site records management): safeguarding of documents from the risk of fire, flood, and destructive pests, spending minutes instead of hours or days in locating documents, protecting confidential documents from unauthorized access, ensuring business continuity as a backup to digital documentation, stands as the ultimate source of truth when digital information stored becomes questionable, and finally, ensuring document retention compliance.

For digital archiving, the benefits include: hedging against destructive incidents such as fire and flood, reduction in time and efforts in locating documents, reduction in cost of paper and all related paper-based filing, increase in productivity as a result of elimination of time-wasting efforts, and of course, enabling people to work from anywhere outside their primary places of work.

In the case of a fire outbreak, what is the best technology to store and retrieve physical and digital documents?

For physical documents, storing records in a controlled environment that is equipped with fire detection and suppression technology is the most ideal way to suppress and terminate a fire.

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

MOBILE CDMA TECHNOLOGY GOES INTO EXTINCTION AS MOBILE GSM, FIXED WIRED, VOIP TECHNOLOGIES TAKE CENTRE STAGE Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, however said the GSM technology remained the most

widely accepted technology in the whole of Europe, Asia and Africa, because of its ease of deployment. According to him, prior to the rollout of GSM in

2001, NCC issued the Digital Mobile Licence (DML), which was the spectrum licence that covered the GSM technology, Code Division Multiple Access

(CDMA) technology and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology.

“After NCC issued the DML licence, the operators were at

liberty to choose the type of technology to roll out with the licence, since the DML licence was based on technology neutrality.

The operators however opted for

GSM technology, which has more wide-spread capacity in terms of coverage, than the CDMA and TDMA technologies,” Adebayo said.

to better their lots. According to her, with technology, women can have easy access to connectivity that will further empower them in food production. She advised rural women to engage more with e-commerce activities and she also advised the federal government to do more in supporting private

organisations like WITIN, that are driving digital transformation among rural women.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of WITIN, Mrs. Martha Alade, commended the rural women for their resilience in providing food for all Nigerians and Africans.

ITU, NCC, WITIN URGE RURAL WOMEN IN AFRICA TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY important roles that rural women are playing in the society.

“ICT itself is driving food production across the globe and Nigeria has made broadband infrastructure available and accessible to all. NCC, as a regulator, has the vision to further drive broadband penetration across the country, with

rural women at the front burner, so that no one is left behind in the area of digital inclusiveness. The NCC’s vision aligns with the goals of ITU’s Strategic Framework 2020-2023, focusing on digital inclusiveness,” Danbatta said.

Africa Public Policy Manager, Access and Connectivity at Meta,

owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, Mrs. Sade Dada, said Meta would continue to partner and invest in international subsea cable to bring connectivity to Nigeria and those in the rural communities.

“Connectivity itself is not enough for people to be online, but the need to give access to people to innovate

and create, and it is for this reason that we are driving initiatives that are targeted at digital literacy and inclusion,” Dada said.

The Vice Chancellor, Thomas Adewumi University, Kwara State, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, said several factors were responsible for limiting women from leveraging technology

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

29

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Onwumere: Multi-level Marketing Strategy Will Impact Lives Managing Director, Property World Africa Network (PWAN), Dr. Janye Onwumere, who made the list of Eko 100 Women, speaks with Oluchi Chibuzor about some of her strategies that have endeared her as the inventor of Multi-level Marketing in the real estate sector. Excerpts: we are thinking of ways of taking it further.

During the Christmas period we did a lot of that, and beneficiaries were praying for PWAN and I am really grateful for that. It is even amazing that we would see some very well-dressed people stopping to pick up food to eat.

We carried palliatives, and went to practically every neighbourhood in IbejuLekki and part of Eti-Osa, especially that Sangotedo area. We also went as far as Epe. We also went to other places outside those neighbourhoods where we shared foodstuffs and we visited schools. One key focus of PWAN is training and retraining, and it is something we do every week, and everywhere.

We have one coming up in Ikorodu known as empowerment for success.

Can you explain to us why you are passionate about Multi-level Marketing? t is worthy to note that I emphasised the fact that I created the first real estate network marketing company in the world, which is the first real estate network marketing business model in the world, not just Nigeria. Not only this, l created an affiliate business model that has never been done anywhere else in the world using a model that Igbo traders used. The model is ‘izu combine’ and we used to jokingly say in PWAN ‘ayin na zu combine.’ This is part of contributions to the industry and remains my initiative and I am proud that many people have leveraged it to upscale their businesses in Nigeria.

I

In view of these laudable successes, how is your organisation affecting lives and entrenching your footprint in the society?

Recently, during this our 10th anniversary, we put up so much in various communities like boreholes, reached-out to schools, the blind, and the widows. You know before then, there was a street where we used to have our office, Ogbeni Street, which was so bad that people could hardly pass it. Ogbeni Street is in the Sangotedo area. We did the interlock for more than half a kilometre of road all by ourselves and that was as far back as 2015 to 2016 and that motivated the people in that neighbourhood to put up more money to begin to do the other part because the first part was done. In fact, the Baale of the community, and the chairman of the community, were present when the project was inaugurated.

On a personal level, I reached out especially to women and gave them financial support so that they can start business or improve the ones they are doing. At our 10th anniversary, we have said that we are going to empower

How do young people earn money from the method that has been used by PWAN? For every transaction, you do, if you recruit somebody you earn PV, if you make sales in a PWAN you earn PV and you can accumulate this PV. We believe that if you accumulate it over a period of five years, you should be able to accumulate enough to buy land and build your own house. You can also borrow from it.

Onwumere 10 women from every state in Nigeria that is like 370 women.

In the coming years we intend to make it 10 from every Local Government Area in Nigeria. There are 774 LGAs in Nigeria, which means empowering 7,740 women, but apart from women we are also going

ImmuniWeb Partners Kecam Technologies on Cyber Resilience Nosa Alekhuogie ImmuniWeb has announced its partnership with Kecam Technologies Limited to help increase cyber resilience and compliance in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra-Leone.

The partnership will allow Kecam Technologies to offer award-winning and globally recognised ImmuniWeb Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform for Application Security Testing, Attack Surface Management and Dark Web Monitoring solutions to customers based in West Africa.

Announcing the partnership, the Vice Chairman of Kecam Technologies Limited, Bonny Mekwunye, said: “We are highly excited about our partnership with ImmuniWeb to serve the West African market.

This new partnership will enable us extend ImmuniWeb’s full range of application security testing, continuous monitoring and policy compliance products to meet market requirements for corporate, government and cybersecurity professionals.”

He further said that the partnership would add value in their operations by enhancing its existing penetration testing, vulnerability management, governance, risk and compliance (GRC) management technology portfolio and solutions and its entire spectrum of cybersecurity solutions.

“ImmuniWeb will provide an appropriate platform for market segment needs in West Africa with a scalable, self-managed solution that allows corporations to continuously keep a track of and enhance the security and compliance of their IT infrastructure and applications while effectively meeting regulatory requirements,”

Mekwunye added.

According to Mekwunye, Kecam Technologies Limited provides holistic set of cyber security services and solutions for every business. These solutions and services are purely based on industry leading frameworks, expertise and technologies. Kecam

Technologies is dedicated to contribute to a more secure and responsible cyberspace in Nigeria, he said, adding that the partnership with ImmuniWeb is an important step in that direction especially with the recently amended National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

IXPN, NgNOG to Host 2022 Nigeria Interconnection Forum Nosa Alekhuogie The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) and the Nigerian Network Operators Group (NgNOG) will host the 2022 Nigeria Peering and Interconnection Forum (NgPIF).

The NgPIF 2022 will bring together Telecom Operators, Internet Service Providers, Content Providers, Data Centre Operators, Educational Institutions, Policy-Makers, Investors and all other Internet-related organizations to network, collaborate and share experiences in an effort to enhance Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.

The interactions, according to the organizers, will facilitate the exchange of information and insights regarding the economics and benefits of network interconnection, peering and local hosting/ Internet traffic.

According to a statement announcing the forum, which was signed by Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, the 2-day forum will be held at the Eko Hotels, Lagos, from

25th - 26th of October 2022.

The statement added that the forum would run in a hybrid mode to attract more participants. The forum aims to promote national and cross-border interconnection and increase local Internet content.

“The forum will provide participants with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with any of the other participants through dedicated Peering Bilateral meeting sessions, with the goal of facilitating direct communications between network operators and content providers. Other interactive meetings will be facilitated through social activities in person and via an online portal,” the statement read.

Speaking on behalf of the NgNOG, Group, Dr. Adewale Adedokun, highlighted other features of the forum including two days of indepth sessions covering critical issues in the Internet ecosystem through technical presentations and talks from a select group of industry experts. Up to 300 participants from within and beyond Nigeria are expected to converge in Lagos for the event.

to include empowerment for youths. We have started campus programme in four Universities now; we have students that are part of our programme and we intend to reach-out to more.

We also have a food campaign that we do, where we feed the community but

Can the model help people own a home and help reduce the pressure on those seeking mortgage to build their dream houses?

That is the way we started. When we started PWAN the first land we sold was N360, 000, you deposit N60, 000 and you pay N25, 000 every month for one year. We still have it.

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

30

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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 18Oct-2022, 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 178.66 179.81 7.05% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 7.83% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.25 316.25 11.71% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.18 107.33 7.60% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.25% Anchoria Equity Fund 136.18 137.68 -2.20% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 1.36% info@anchoriaam.com 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 20.54 21.16 1.26% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 485.27 499.90 7.56% ARM Ethical Fund 40.98 42.21 5.18% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 0.72% ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.23% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 87.95 87.95 -8.17% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,081.26 1,081.26 8.33% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.09 2.09 2.52% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.24 2.28 3.03% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.96% Paramount Equity Fund 17.73 18.05 6.08% Women's Investment Fund 144.03 145.74 1.45% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.72% Cordros Milestone Fund 130.32 131.18 4.76% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.70 111.70 5.03% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 9.74% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 10.18% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,135.38 1,143.66 1.59% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.41% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 8.66% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.01 1.01 0.73% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 103.79 103.79 2.41% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED 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 1518.07 1518.07 11.37% FBN Balanced Fund 190.94 192.19 8.95% FBN Halal Fund 124.70 124.70 11.41% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.01% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 126.79 126.79 6.29% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.63 156.70 3.01% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.24% Legacy Debt Fund 3.58 3.58 -10.58% Legacy Equity Fund 1.81 1.84 3.91% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,004.54 3,647.42 100.00

4,057.86 3,647.42 100.00

3.45% 6.48% 11.53%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.12 1.12 4.07% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED 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 11.87% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.91 2.96 4.59% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 6.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 143.61 143.61 6.37% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.17 1.20 -1.59% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.07 1.07 4.18% 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 N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.77 11.88 8.41% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.95% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.42 100.42 8.40% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 10.77% 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 1.61 1.65 2.41% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.47 11.53 2.75% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.40% PACAM Equity Fund 1.34 1.36 -5.54% PACAM EuroBond Fund 121.84 124.96 7.05% 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 121.84 124.30 0.05% 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 1.07 1.07 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,471.50 3,504.75 2.49% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 243.04 243.04 3.17% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.35 1.37 7.94% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 327.87 327.87 4.71% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 250.01 253.51 7.14% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.85% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,438.68 11,592.46 4.83% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.35 1.35 4.25% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.08 120.08 2.71% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 113.24 113.24 6.45% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.91 0.93 2.98% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.32 1.34 1.29% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 10.30% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 7.23% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.32% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.01 124.01 5.85% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.76% 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 Balanced Strategy Fund 13.41 13.52 1.64% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.32 15.46 4.74% Zenith Income Fund 23.22 23.22 5.78% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.60% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.75 3.85 -6.34% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.65 5.75 -3.24% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 16.54 16.74 -6.41% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.05% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 18.39 18.59 -7.94% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 135.30 137.30 -14.15%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

119.29 52.14

5.27% 2.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.06 122.17 92.32 17.10 16.40

14.16 125.24 94.33 17.20 16.50

0.50% -3.90% -7.46% 9.91% -3.60%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 • T H I S D AY

31

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 2022

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Travails of Foreign-trained Nigerian Doctors John Shiklam writes about the complaints by foreign-trained Nigerian doctors on the conduct of the licensing exams by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, calling for transparency and restructuring of the conduct of the exercise

T

he Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), is the regulatory and licensing body for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.

The body conducts the qualifying exams twice in a year to license university graduates who studied medicine and dentistry to practice as medical doctors and dentists.

Any graduate of medicine or dentistry who desires to practice in Nigeria must first take the MDCN exams and undergo a compulsory one year housemanship before being licensed as a qualified medical practitioner.

However, foreign-trained doctors have continued to complain about the conduct of the exams, calling for transparency and the restructuring of the exercise.

Most of those who often fail the exams, according to the authorities of the MDCN, are foreign trained doctors.

The registrar of the MDCN, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, had in an interview with a national daily sometimes in June 2022, disclosed that of the over 640 foreign trained doctors who wrote the MDCN exam in 2022, 463 of them failed.

But the foreign trained doctors and their parents alleged that the mass failure was a deliberate attempt for extortion.

According to them, the MDCN had in 2017, proposed to introduce a six- month remedial programme for foreign-trained doctors at a fee of N900, 000.

The proposal was trailed by the doctors who protested to the National Assembly and it was suspended.

They alleged that the mass failure is a deliberate ploy to re-introduce the remedial programme, which according to them, is about two times the cost of training a doctor in a Nigerian public university.

Besides, they said the exams should not be made compulsory for those who don’t want to practice medicine or dentistry.

They called on the MDCN to allow people who are not interested in medical practice to be exempted from the licensing exam and be allowed to participate in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) to pursue their desires in other fields of endeavours, noting that without the NYSC certificate or exemption certificate, it is not possible to get a job or go for further studies in Nigeria.

They maintained that many of their colleagues who don’t want to practice medicine have been stranded and frustrated as they cannot use their degree certificates because of the MDCN policy.

Some of those who spoke with THISDAY in an interview, demanded that the exams should be conducted in such a way that one will be convinced that he failed.

Fred Thomas, who studied in Ukraine, said he wrote the exams twice before he passed.

He alleged that foreign trained doctors are being frustrated because of the perception that their parents are wealthy.

According to him, the mass failure among foreign trained doctors is a deliberate ploy to force them to accept the proposed six months remedial programme which was rejected because of N900, 000 fee.

He said the MDCN had in 2017, attempted to introduce the six months remedial programme “but we and our parents rejected it because the fee was too exorbitant.

“It was clearly aimed at extorting us, so we protested at the National Assembly and they stopped them.

That is one of the reasons for the mass failure among foreign trained doctors. They want to force us to accept it. Actually there is nothing wrong with a remedial programme, but the fee is too outrageous.

“A Nigerian trained doctor does not spend up to N350,000 throughout the six years in the university, why should we spend N900,000 for a six months remedial programme? This is unrealistic!”

Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, Registrar, MDCN

Thomas also dismissed claims by the MDCN Registrar that those who trained in Ukraine are half baked and urged him to “stop spreading such false narrative aimed at tarnishing the image of institutions in Ukraine.

“I trained in Ukraine and I want to debunk the lies that those trained in Ukraine are half baked. I trained at Kharkiv National Medical University and their system is better and organised than Nigeria”.

Also commenting, another foreign trained doctor who identified himself simply as Peter, lamented that the result of the exams were always shrouded in secrecy as nobody sees his scores.

“Why are they not allowing us to see our scores? As far as the Computer Based Test (CBT) does not have any structure, they will keep on manipulating it. I would like to use this medium to call for a total restructuring of the examination to make it more transparent.

“We should be able to see our results.

As you are clicking, the computer should give you your score. That was what they used to do before, but they changed it.

All they do, is to release the names of those who passed, without knowing our scores”.

Peter also called for the decentralisation of the exam centres, suggesting that a centre should be located in each of the six geopolitical zones in view of the security situation as well as reduced travel expenses.

Also narrating his ordeal, another foreign trained doctor, Gloria Adekoya, criticised the MDCN for being inconsiderate about the plight of final year students in Ukrainian universities considering the war ravaging the country.

According to her, final students who had about three or four months to complete their studies, were given lectures online to complete the remaining few months, but were being prevented from writing the licensing exam by MDCN which claimed they studied online.

“You cannot reject their certificates because they took online courses to complete the remaining months of

We are not asking them to do anything unlawful or to favour us. We are not asking them to lower the standard, we are only asking them to conduct the exam in a more organised fashion, more transparent way and make the scores available for us to see instead of saying this person passed or this person failed

their studies.

“This is very unfair. During COVID-19, most countries conducted lectures for their students online. The MDCN should allow them to write the exams, if they don’t pass, tell them to go and do this or that”, she said.

She argued that, “Extra-ordinary situations require extra-ordinary solutions. Is MDCN expecting the universities in Ukraine to wait till the war is over before they complete the three months to graduate the doctors?

“Do they know when the war will be over? This is unfair and inconsiderate”, she lamented.

Speaking in similar manner, another doctor who studied in Belarus, Abdullahi Ahmadu, said the MDCN exams are not difficult but foreign trained doctors failed because it is conducted in a “substandard manner.

“It is the easiest exam that anyone can pass, but the system does not seemed to be transparent.

“I wrote the exam twice, the exam is not difficult compared to foreign exams that we write. But the issue with the exam is the people conducting it”, he alleged.

He said, “We are not asking them to do anything unlawful or to favour us. We are not asking them to lower the standard, we are only asking them to conduct the exam in a more organised fashion, more transparent way and make the scores available for us to see instead of saying this person passed or this person failed.”

He argued that foreign trained Nigerian doctors do well in the US, UK, Canada and other parts of the world and passed their exams without prejudice, “but in Nigeria, it is name calling.”

He said it was unfortunate that the MDCN was promoting a false narrative that foreign trained doctors don’t know anything and the solution is to introduce a compulsory six month remedial programme that will cost them N900,000.

He said many foreign trained doctors were being frustrated because “MDCN has made it so difficult that if you are a foreign trained doctor and you don’t write this licensing exam, you cannot move forward with your life”.

According to him, “There are people who came back home in 2017 and 2018 after their studies and have been trying to write this exam but they have been failing and cannot achieve any other thing.”

He recalled that, in 2018, when he failed the exam, he tried to apply for a masters degree programme in ABU, Zaria, but he was denied admission because he did not have a practicing license and NYSC certificate.

“That is how difficult they have made it for foreign trained doctors. It is not like that for foreign trained lawyers and engineers.

Let the authorities look at this”, he urged.

In April 2022, parents under the aegis of Association of Parents of Foreign Trained Nigerian Doctors, wrote a letter to the National Assembly lamenting alleged “financial extortion, blackmail and violation of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians who studied medicine and dentistry in foreign countries”.

The letter was signed on behalf of the parents by Dr. Abdulmalik Lawal, Habibu I. Ahmad, Vitus Okwudili Ajeagbu and Prof.

Lukman Diso, among others.

The parents had alleged that, “The MDCN, for years have systematically blackmailed medical graduates of Nigerian origin from foreign countries and even blackmail Nigerians that studied medicine in Nigeria by forcing them to take license exam, do internship of one year before they can go for NYSC. “We see the act of denying medical graduate the right to NYSC without medical license as act of blackmail and human rights violations”, the parents said.

The medical profession is key to the well being of every society and every effort should be made to ensure that stakeholders are carried along.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 2022

FEATURES

FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

LadyOakFoundationSeeksN1.8bn to Equip Cancer Centre in Delta Implantation Bleeding Part 1 In its quest to give a lease of hope to cancer patients in Delta State and Nigeria, the Lady Oak Cancer Club is seeking N1.8 billion in funds to equip the cancer care centre it is setting up in Agbor in Delta State to save people from dying of cancer. Rebecca Ejifoma reports the launch of the fundraising for the charity project

WHAT IS IMPLANTATION BLEEDING? mplantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of a female’s uterus to begin the growth process of pregnancy. Fertilization is the first step in the process of implantation. When a sperm fertilizes an egg, it becomes an embryo. The embryo travels through the fallopian tube as it moves toward the uterus. During this period, the embryo grows into a blastocyst, which is a collection of cells.

When the blastocyst enters the uterus, it searches for a suitable location to attach to the uterine wall. The term “implantation” refers to this connection to the uterus. The embryo will start its 9-month journey to becoming a newborn as soon as implantation is finished.

This embryo attaches itself into the wall of the uterus about 10 to 14 days after conception (when the sperm and the egg come together).

This movement may damage the blood vessels in the inner lining of the uterus leading to light bleeding, also known as Implantation bleeding.

Light bleeding or spotting may occur as a result of the egg’s movement, but this is totally normal and should not require any sort of medical attention. In general, implantation bleeding affects around a third of pregnant women. While both menstrual bleeding and implantation bleeding occur at roughly the same time each month, they are not the same.

Another reason the two are frequently confused with one another is because menstruation happens approximately 11–14 days after ovulation when an egg is released & pregnancy is probable. Some women could merely think they are starting their period a few days early. Usually, implantation bleeding occurs a week or so before the anticipated period.

Women are familiar with the appearance of their typical menstrual flow, and as long as they are not taking any new medications including birth control and emergency contraceptives or experiencing a change in their level of stress, the flow, color, and consistency of their menstrual blood are typically the same. It will seem a little odd when this lighter, pink spotting appears. However, excessive bleeding more than you would experience during a usual menstruation may be a sign of a problem.

I

LO Belema Ogbuigwe, LO Hetty Ugboh (VP), LO Azuka Osih, LO Christine Okubor (President), LO Stella Agbogun, LO Ngozi Otiegede and LO Franca Yemi-Alayo

T

he President of Lady Oak, Christine Okubor and other members of the club have resolved to be a catalyst of change in their immediate community in line with the mandate of the club since its establishment in 1987.

Hence, the foundation implemented a series of women’s health interventions, both within and outside Delta State among several other programmes. One such programme it embarked on years ago was cervical cancer awareness campaigns in Agbor in Delta State.

Every year, the club screened at least 350 women. Between 2014 through 2016, the club screened at least 1,000 women. Women living in Africa experience the highest burden of Cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths among women each year.

A proportionate number of these cases (85 per cent) and deaths (87 per cent i.e. almost nine out of the cervical cancer deaths) occur among women living in low and middle-income countries unfortunately, Nigeria is one.

It was, therefore, to address this pressing issue in the nation’s healthcare delivery, especially access to quality cancer care treatment that the foundation brought to the fore the dire need for a facility such as the Lady Oak Cancer Care Centre (LOCCC), Agbor. LOCCC is a holistic facility that will cater to the physical, psychological, and mental needs of cancer warriors, who often travel to other states and countries for quality and comprehensive care. Hence, the need for the N1.8bn funds to save more lives.

The funds will be used to equip the facility with equipment like Medical Imaging, Computer Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Pharmacy, Surgical Theatre, Chapel and Counseling.

According to the President of the Club, Christine Okubor when all the facilities are put in place, there will be proper management, prevention measures, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survival of cancer victims. “We at Lady Oak Club after our cancer awareness outreach in 2016, we approached the Delta State Government and they allocated a piece of land to us.” And within 17 months, the physical building of LOCCC was completed. “We are poised to engage with the best manufacturers of medical equipment and security for the centre, state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging machines with the most advanced cutting-edge technology for screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We hereby appeal to the general public to make our vision a reality.”

She admitted, however, that coughing up such a whopping figure may not be easy to achieve. “But we know, with God on our side, we would do that and I know we have some very

public-spirited individuals who have promised us that they will partner with us.”

While reminding the audience at the fundraising ceremony in Lagos, the president conceded that most of this equipment is not manufactured in the country. “We have to factor in the cost and time it would take to bring them in. But what we are looking at is between six and nine months. They have to ship the equipment down.

“Most importantly, you can have the best equipment but who is going to man them? At Lady Oak Club, we are looking at getting a third party. We are talking to some foreign bodies and cancer centres over there who would come and do the day-to-day administrative run of the place. So we are hoping that in the next six to nine months that centre will be operational,” says Okubor.

She, however, frowned waiting for the government to do it all. “At times, we all wait for government to provide care for us. I believe that each of us can do something for the nation, for humanity.” She encouraged Nigerians further, “You find out that if you wait for government, yes government has the primary responsibility but at times if we look out for one another we can do a lot.”

Their Call “We are calling on every one to partner with us,” Okubor appealed. “As they say, cancer is not an ailment that is limited to an area. If you have a comprehensive cancer centre right there in Delta state, somebody from Kaduna, Cross River and others can go there for treatment.

“So we want to appeal to public-spirited Nigerians that we are people you can trust with your money. We want to assure you that with Lady Oak you can be sure that every penny would be spent for humanity. So, make the Lady Oak Cancer Care Center a reality because it’s going to serve the whole nation, not just the local community, not just Delta,” she beckoned.

Echoing the words of Okubor at the Fundraising event in Lagos, the CEO/Founder, of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Care & Specialist Hospital, Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi described cancer treatment as a most daunting experience physically, emotionally and financially among others. LOCCC will help to increase access to cancer care by eliminating as many critical barriers as possible.”

The Lady Oak Club is socio-philanthropic and service-oriented with a vision to be the leading community-based female organisation that will champion and sustain the development of the IKA woman through the establishment of platforms of empowerment, enterprise and healthy living.

The Lady Oak Club believes that through its composite collaboration, it can improve the lives of citizens who face challenges, and who have fewer opportunities than others but who are an inseparable part of our society.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF IMPLANTATION BLEEDING One of the early pregnancy indications is considered to be implantation bleeding. Many women wonder if they are having a menstrual period or implantation bleeding because it often happens around the time of the next menstrual period. Usually, implantation bleeding occurs before morning sickness. Symptoms of implantation bleeding include: · Mild or light cramps less than a normal period cramp ·

Vomiting

·

Headache

·

Fatigue

·

Nausea

·

Stomach ache

·

Mood swings

·

Tender, swollen nipples or breasts

·

Lower-back pain

·

Pink or brown colored blood stain

· Lighter-flowing blood that does not stay as long as your period ·

Loss of appetite

If you are not sure if you are having your period or implantation bleeding, take a pregnancy test or talk to a doctor.

HOW DOES IMPLANTATION BLEEDING LOOK? Compared to the typical woman’s period, implantation bleeding differs slightly in appearance. It is crucial to keep in mind that not all women have the same type of blood flow throughout their period. While some women will have a higher flow during their period, others may feel a little more irregular.

The main distinctions between implantation bleeding and menstruation are as follows: 1. Colour - Most women are familiar with the color of their period, whether it is heavy or light usually a bright to dark red. However, the colour of implantation bleeding commonly ranges from light pink to dark brown (rust-colored).

2.

Clotting - While some women do not observe any clotting at all, others see significant amounts during their period.

However, blood from implantation should not contain any clots.

3. Length of time - During a menstrual cycle, most women bleed for three to seven days. Usually, implantation bleeding stops after one to three days.

4. Amount of blood - When a woman has implantation bleeding, it can be difficult to fill pads and tampons during her period. The term “bleeding” can be misleading because implantation bleeding typically only manifests as spotting or a faint flow, not a continuous stream. When a woman wipes, implantation bleeding typically appears as a small amount of pink or brown discharge or just enough to get on a pantyliner. Either an irregular or more consistent light flow is possible.

HOW LONG DOES IMPLANTATION BLEEDING LAST? Only a few hours to three full days is the maximum amount of time that implantation bleeding should last. It is quite unlikely that you are having implantation bleeding if the blood is bright or dark red, lasts more than three days, and is a complete flow in which you are filling up pads or tampons.

First-time mothers may probably spot or bleed a little bit more than those who are accustomed to the egg attachment such as the first time a gum line is inflamed, it may bleed more, but subsequent times, bleeding reduces TO BE CONTINUED

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

HEALTH

World Thrombosis Day Campaign Activates Global Awareness Efforts on Evidence- based Prevention of Blood Clots for Ninth Consecutive Year World Thrombosis Day is a global awareness campaign led by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), recognised annually on October 13 to bring awareness to conditions caused by thrombosis, commonly known as a blood clot(s), that are responsible for one in four deaths worldwide.

Ahead of its 10th anniversary in 2023, the World Thrombosis Day campaign, with the tagline “Eyes Open to Thrombosis,” is dedicated to spreading awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of blood clots with the help of more than 3,000 partner organizations who organizing upwards of 10,000 awareness activities worldwide.

Blood clots are the underlying cause of heart attacks, ischemic strokes and venous thromboembolism (VTE), the top three cardiovascular killers. VTE occurs when one or more blood clots form in a deep vein, most often in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), and can travel in the bloodstream and lodge in the lungs (a condition known as pulmonary embolism, PE).

This year’s global campaign offers enhanced efforts to share personal stories from patients and survivors who have experienced lifethreatening VTE to spotlight the prevalence of this often-overlooked condition.

“Blood clots are often overlooked because their symptoms can resemble those of many other conditions,” shared Professor Beverley Hunt, MD, OBE, Chair of the World Thrombosis

Day Steering Committee. “It is absolutely crucial that both medical professionals and the general public are aware of the signs, symptoms and risk factors to ensure that blood clots are treated as soon as possible,” she explained.

The following are the top focus areas for the World Thrombosis Day campaign this year as it shines a spotlight on the risk factors associated with VTE blood clots: § Hospital Associated: Over 50 percent of VTE occur during or after hospital admission. § Cancer Associated: Patients with cancer are four times more likely to develop a serious blood clot due to effects of the cancer, surgery and chemotherapy. § Gender Associated: Men are more likely to develop blood clots than women, and when they have a clot, are more likely to get a recurrence than women. Women have periods in their lives where they are at increased risk, for example if they use the combined oral contraceptives or oral hormone replacement therapy and during pregnancy, and six weeks postpartum. § Mental Health: Increased anxiety, depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common following a physical diagnosis of a blood clot.

The World Thrombosis Day campaign calls upon healthcare professionals to take determined action, such as performing VTE risk assessments when individuals are admitted to hospital. The campaign further encourages the

Between SWIPHA Intervention and Improper Waste Disposal Mechanism

general public to request a VTE risk assessment when they are admitted to hospital.

World Thrombosis Day shares these key tips to help prevent blood clots: Know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot. Red flags to look for are unexplained leg pain, sometimes associated with tenderness, redness and/or swelling. Pulmonary embolism can cause shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain and occasionally coughing up blood.

Ask for a VTE risk assessment. All individu- Activation als, when admitted to hospital, should ask their healthcare professional for a VTE risk assessment, Raheem Akingbolu a questionnaire that gathers medical information to discern a patient’s potential risk factors for The advantages of living in a healthy environment cannot developing a blood clot(s). be underestimated. In health-centred discussions, most people Stay active and hydrated when undertaking focus on their personal well-being. They talk in relation to not long periods of desk working. Set an alarm for having suffered any illnesses, how they wear clean clothes, and five minutes before every hour, and use that eat good food among others. Of course, those things matter, but time to get up, walk around and stretch. Staying keeping a good hygiene regimen in an unhealthy environment immobile for long periods of time can increase is tantamount to living unhealthy. the risk of blood clots. Drink plenty of water to The benefits of a clean environment were what the staff prevent dehydration, which can cause blood to and management of Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, one of thicken, resulting in blood clots. the leading pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, recently “We encourage everyone across the globe demonstrated with a clean-up and education campaign on to get involved in World Thrombosis Day to the adverse effects of improper waste disposal. increase public awareness and education about It was followed by a full-day activation which involved blood clots,” said Professor Flora Peyvandi, rewarding all the collectors with food items then allocating 10 MD, ISTH President. “ DORI® Bins to selected bin posts, this was done in collaboration NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

with the Baale of the Community, High Chief S.A.S Afogunlowo.

The hosts will continue to receive monthly allowances for their role as collectors and for providing recyclable materials.

The environmental challenge which led to the clean-up campaign had been lingering for almost three years following a heavy rainfall which occurred on 9th May, 2019 and left the premises of Swipha at Dopemu Road, Lagos, severely flooded.

It was so devastating, they had to shut down operation for hours out of fear of the risk of explosion and electrical hazards because of the unending overflow of water, which extended into the utility building.

Hours later, the cause of the flood was traced to the heaps of refuse which had blocked the mesh inside the drainages. As a corporate organisation with strong ties to the neighbourhood, a meeting was held with the community leaders on the need to fix the damaged mesh which was because of refuse being dumped in the drainage.

The unfortunate event prompted the organisation to reach out to the Ministry of Environment, and on 19th May 2021, an acknowledgement letter was received stating the government’s desire to reconstruct the drainage as well as address the issue of indiscriminate waste disposal. The reconstruction project lasted for six months from January to July 2022. However, in that time, the aspect of indiscriminate waste disposal in the drainage was not addressed. This led to the appointment of Recycle Points Limited, a Waste Recycling and Social Benefit Venture, by Swipha Nigeria Limited, to lead the clean-up and education campaign in April 2022.

Optometrists attending to some of the patients at the O. B. Lulu-Briggs foundation’s free eye care clinic, held in Port Harcourt

Over 2300 Benefit from Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s Free Eye Care Services in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt As part of effort to reduce numbers of victims of vision impairment in Nigeria, about 2365 persons benefitted from the free eye care services organised by O. B Lulu-Briggs Foundation, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

The health services was one of the activities to mark the Foundation’s 21st anniversary, haven been founded in 2001 to salvage the problems and challenges of humanity, meeting to the needs of the less privileges at the rural and urban areas across the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria at large.

The eye care team at the programme include optometrists, ophthalmologists, nurses and other health practitioners who attended to people with vision problems free of charge.

THISDAY observed that the beneficiaries where screened,

diagnosed, provided with medicines and glasses, while about 214 persons with serious cases were scheduled for surgeries at the expense of the foundation.

Speaking on the event which lasted for three days, Dr. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, founder of the organisation, explained that the the goal of the eye care clinic was to help prevent vision impairment and blindness in Nigeria by encouraging timely access to quality eye care and rehabilitation.

She noted that the foundation is offering other medical services free of charge to the masses with intent to ensure healthy life and promote well being for all at all ages.

Dr Lulu-Briggs disclosed that the foundation has hosted 36 free eye care services across the country with over 29600 beneficiaries so far.

in her address, Dr LuluBriggs explained “The O. B. Lulu-Briggs foundation goal is to help prevent vision impairment and blindness in Nigeria by encouraging timely access to quality eye care a d rehabilitation. This is part of our commitment to improve access to quality health care in underserved communities in line with the UN Sustainable Goal number three; which seeks to ensure healthy life and promote well being for all at all ages.

“Since 2005 we have worked to achieve this objective by routinely including eye care clinic in our free medical missions. Through them we have proved 36 eye care clinics across the Niger Delta during which we have provided screening, surgeries, medications and dispensed 29696 classes and raise awareness about the

importance of preventive eye care in 15 local government areas of Rivers.

“Over the years, some of the interesting feedback we have received is that patients with impairment challenge were cured, many of them have had ineffective eye care, these were resolved and effectively treated. This is an indication for quality eye care services in our community.

This is one of the reasons we are holding this free eye care clinic as we commence our 21st anniversary of our operations”.

She regretted that Nigeria routine eye check are uncommon, access to quality eye care is constraint by the wider challenges in the healthcare system, stressing that “Even though we tend to take our vision for granted, sight is the most prominent of human senses. It is central to every aspect of our lives”.

NGOs to Hold Pain Summit on Sickle Cell Disorde Sunday Ehigiator In commemoration of Global Sickle Cell Awareness Month earmarked for September every year, a group of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) will be holding a ‘Pain Management Summit on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)’ aimed at discussing ways to improve pain management for people living with sickle cell disorder In a recent statement from the organisers, the event is set to hold on September 29, 2022, in Lagos State, with the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (Lagos Zone), Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, scheduled to give the keynote address.

“Pain management is of huge concern when it comes to sickle cell health in Nigeria, as it has become a topical issue for patients dealing with sickle cell disorder.

“The summit will educate medical practitioners, people with sickle cell disorder and their caregivers about the options available for pain management. It also allows them to share their experiences with experts in the field.

“There will also be masterclasses with the Founder & CEO, of Ciba Health, New York, Dr Clement Innocent, Dr NIyi Ogundipe of National Orthopaedic Hospital, and Dr Akindotun Marino among others. The event will also feature a round table panel discussion with medical personnel and people living with sickle cell disorder.

“The summit will hold on Thursday, September 29, 2022, in Lagos and is hosted by Sickle Cell Health Initiative (SCHI), Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative (SAMI), Xcene Research, Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative (SAMI) and Nirvana Sickle Cell Initiative. Other interested participants can apply via https://bit.ly/painmgtsummit.”

35

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 2022

NEWS

Osezusi Bolodeoku: Breaking the Culture of Silence for Children with Special Needs In Nigerian society, parents who have children with special needs seldom talk about it, perhaps due to the cultural stigma associated with it or because such conditions are rarely diagnosed correctly when symptoms first start to show. As a result, these children rarely get the help they need on time. A certified Special Educational Needs expert and Advanced Certified Autism Specialist, Osezusi Bolodeoku, is actively breaking this culture of silence, by equipping children with special needs with the skills and resources they need to thrive.The founder and CEO of FOS Creative Center in this interview with MARY NNAH talks about efforts to help to nurture creativity, social skills, emotional intelligence, and other practical skills that all children need to succeed and thrive in the world Tell us about your career as a Special Education Needs Expert and Autism Specialist.

What does it entail? s a Special Education Needs Expert and Autism Specialist, I champion the right narrative for special educational needs. It means that I am an advocate. I am committed to working with these children and helping them to attain progress.

As a special education expert, I will liken myself to a special needs doctor, who can work with children with different disabilities. However, as a specialist in autism, I use the principles of behavior to systematically improve the social behaviour of children on the spectrum.

What was your family’s reaction when you told them you were leaving your successful banking career for the education sector? Did they support your decision?

Luckily, my family has always understood that I’m one of those people driven by purpose.

Happiness matters to me, and it’s not just about a huge paycheck. To me, happiness is all about true fulfillment and carrying out the mission God has put one on this earth for.

Yes, I worked as a banker, and I loved my salary. Although I am from a big family and the youngest of the family, my salary made me more financially independent of my family. This gave me joy. Kudos to the bank! However, I do not miss the banking sector for anything.

It was not my calling, it was just a job. I am glad I found my calling as a Special Education Needs expert and practitioner.

A

What inspired you to establish FOS Creative Arts Studio for Children?

My career journey has been quite an interesting one. During my NYSC, I served at an advertising company and after this, I worked in the customer service department at Reddington hospital. I worked there for a few months, before landing a bank job, where I worked as an electronic banker for a few years.

I got married shortly after and I knew I didn’t want to be a banker for the rest of my life, as I had always had a passion for education. So, I got employed at a school called Standard-Bearers, where I first came in contact with children with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. That was how my journey started as an educator and now, as a special needs expert.

My twins also contributed to my journey of becoming an expert as a special educationist.

They came early and my son was not reaching expected developmental milestones, so I started intervention with him. It was in the process that I discovered that our society is not so good at giving help to children with neurodivergent traits. That was how I went back to school to arrive at my current position.

As an expert in this field, what has your impact been so far, and how have you been able to create awareness about Special Education Needs?

I started FOS Creative Arts Studio with my son when he wasn’t meeting up with his development milestones. I got a music teacher, a choreographer, and a chess master.

As time went on, we invited friends to come over and now, we have a creative studio. We do dance, music, chess, and gymnastics. Because children with neurodivergent traits are usually creative, these activities have been able to help us have an inclusive environment.

It’s an inclusive environment where you find children with neurodiverse abilities doing different things; an environment where there is acceptance and empathy. I would say, the studio has helped in bridging that gap of exclusion and also helping to spread awareness through word-of-mouth. Parents tell their friends about the positive impact our facility is having on their children, and they too are convinced to come on board. During this process, there is a growth in awareness about Special Education Needs and the fact that through the right therapies, children with special education needs can thrive.

FOS is very inclusive. Our neurotypical children are aware of children who are neurodivergent in our midst. There is a lot of empathy around us too.

Also, through media platforms like yours that are willing to have advocates and experts like

Osezusi Bolodeoku me educate the public about special education needs, awareness is increasing continuously.

A lot of parents in Nigeria shy away from the issue of Autism when their kids are living with this condition. So, how do you get such people to open up?

Knowledge is power, and I try to educate the parents of autistic children as much as I can. I try to demystify what autism is, and also give facts.

It’s a lot of work because we’re in a society that holds cultural beliefs in higher consideration over scientific evidence. Firstly, I emphasize that autism is NOT a spiritual attack. For some reason, this seems to be a commonly held perception.

Furthermore, I express frankly, that there is no “magic” cure for autism, so I advise parents to beware of charlatans. There is indeed no treatment for autism. However, with the right intervention, a struggling autistic child can grow into a non-struggling autistic adult. The more parents know this, the more false beliefs are minimised. When we keep the right information going, we will experience change.

What is the way forward for children living with Autism, and their parents?

The way forward actually starts with the parents. My advice is: Always seek experts that can administer the right therapy for your children. Do your research. When speaking with people who claim to be Autism specialists, ask for their credentials and certifications. When you get the right help for your child, you will see measurable progress in their abilities.

Remember, changes don’t happen overnight.

It takes time, patience, and a lot of love and nurturing.

What has the most memorable experience been for you on this career path?

One major memorable experience in my career was finding my true calling, which was actually what led me into this career. I am still experiencing memorable moments. In general, I have experienced many memorable experiences on this career path. Seeing that intervention is working and children are making measurable progress, is a constant source of fulfillment for me.

Recently, after a tough therapy session with a child who doubted his ability and was resisting intervention; with encouragement, he eventually did the presented task. While he was leaving the therapy room, he came back to say, “I love you Ladylight.” For me, this is very memorable. This made me feel that the child understands and cherishes the expression of love during the therapy session.

What are some challenges you have faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?

I would say that one of the biggest challenges I have faced so far is that some parents do not quite understand what being on the autism spectrum means, and come to us with the expectations of a cure. They tell us to perform magic but there is no such thing as a cure for autism.

Explaining this to a parent could be one difficult task.

Another challenge is in the area of collaboration. Emphasis should be made on the collaboration of all stakeholders working with the child at home, school and centre, for the child to attain a generalisation of skills mastered in all environments. This means that if their child can master a skill at the centre, the same skill must be mastered at home, as well as in a school environment. Collaboration is key.

Who are some role models you look up to in the field?

I admire different people for a few reasons.

I am drawn to academicians. People who have gone ahead of me in the search for knowledge.

Knowledge is a quality I admire in people. And for public figures, one of the people I admire is the owner of Standard Bearers School, Mrs. Oni. I admire her heart and the passion she puts into the way she works with children. She taught me that every child is intelligent in their unique ways. I admire Mrs. Nwokolo, the only Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in Nigeria. She is the owner of Shades of Life, an A.B.A centre.

What advice would you give those who aspire to have a career like yours?

I would emphasise the true passion for the field, the right certifications, and the right mindset.

When you are passionate and you empower yourself with the right education, then you are good to go.

What do you do in your spare time when you are not working?

I love to spend time with my family when I’m not working. As a mom, wife, and entrepreneur, finding a good balance between work and life can be quite challenging. So I consciously ensure that when I’m not busy with work, I am spending quality time with my family. Also, because I am constantly in search of knowledge, I am always studying and researching credible information that can help me learn more about my profession.

I believe that every day should be a learning experience for us as human beings.

What are some changes you would like to see in the sector in Special Education Needs Sector in Nigeria?

Autism is a hidden disability except in cases of other comorbidities, meaning the presence of other conditions. This makes it hard for families with children on the spectrum to access the basic accommodations required. I would love to see the day when every typical Nigerian is aware of autism. I would love to see provisions and accommodations made for autistic individuals. I would love to see our government support families who have children with neurodevelopmental disorders. I would love to see more genuinely inclusive spaces – from schools to religious centres, to play areas. I would love to see more professionals in this space, for the work is a lot, and the labourers are few.

CBN Africa Constructs Rural Clinics in Nasarawa Sunday Ehigiator The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Africa in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria commissioned two rural clinics in the Gidan Gimba and Arishi communities of Karu and Nasarawa Local Government Areas of Nasarawa state.

In a recent statement from CBN Africa, the construction of these clinics was made possible

with funds from the Japanese Government, through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria.

The humanitarian project which is a part of CBN Africa’s commitment to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal-3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) is said to be targeted at improving access to primary healthcare in the state.

In his speech, the Regional Director, CBN Africa, Dr Felix Oisamoje stated that the construction of these rural clinics in Gidan Gimba and Arishi, both in Karu and Nasarawa Local Govt Areas of Nasarawa State will lead to the improvement in the quality of life of many village dwellers, which otherwise have little or no access to primary health care.

“As a result of the sustainability of the projects, we are confident that

over the years more people will benefit from the clinics which will provide them with an improved quality of life, and ultimately see them contribute their quota to national development.”

Also speaking, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, ably represented by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Shinozawa Takayuki in his address said the project was another demonstration of Japan’s Govern-

ment’s sustained commitment to supporting Nigeria to overcome the challenges in its Universal Health Coverage.

He further stated that the project was aimed at “improving lives by providing medical equipment such as Oxygen cylinders, digital BP monitors, wheelchairs, and first aid boxes to mention a few. Members of the community can easily access the medical centre at an affordable cost for a healthy and productive

life for their families.”

He enjoined everyone present to work together to maintain the equipment so that it lasts for a long time, and can be of great benefit to the patients of this clinic.

He equally stated his firm belief that the project will contribute to the creation of a better future for Nasarawa state, and Nigeria as a whole, and to further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Japan.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AfDB, FCMB Sign $50m Agreement to Enhance Access to Finance for SMEs Kayode Tokede

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a $50 million Line of Credit Agreement with First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to support access to finance for Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as Women-empowered Businesses (WEBs).

FCMB will use the proceeds of the Line of Credit to finance SMEs and WEBs in Nigeria’s agribusiness, manufacturing, healthcare and renewable energy sectors.

The funds are intended to mitigate the effects of the challenges created by COVID-19 pandemic on the business environment in which the beneficiary enterprises operate.

Also, the AfDB will partner FCMB through a technical assistance grant of $200,000 sourced from the Women Entrepreneurship Finance

Initiative (WeFi) under its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative. FCMB will deploy the grant resources to provide non-financial services, including training and strengthening of its monitoring and reporting functions for WEBs. Other outcomes expected from the operation are improved access to finance for at least 50 enterprises, out of which 29 are envisaged to be in agribusiness and manufacturing, nine in renewable energy and 13 in the healthcare industry. A minimum of 14 female entrepreneurs will be supported to access long-term funding and at least 1,000 jobs created or sustained.

The AfDB’s Director General, Nigeria Country Department, Lamin Barrow, in a statement said: “The AfDB is pleased to partner with FCMB, a financial institution that has continuously demonstrated commitment to

supporting and financing small and medium-sised enterprises and women entrepreneurs.

“This collaboration will further expand FCMB’s financial support to this underserved group and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”

Barrow said the focus and objectives of the Bank’s collaboration with FCMB, were in line with the African Development Bank’s strategic priorities of promoting gender inclusivity, private sector development, industrialisation, food security, and job creation in the bank’s regional member countries as encapsulated in the bank’s High-5 Strategic Priorities to ‘Industrialise Africa’, and ‘Feed Africa’.

The project aligns with the objectives of the bank’s AFAWA initiative, which aims to improve gender inclusivity by improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG), Odiri Erewa-Meggison; outgoing chairman of MANEG, Chief Ede Dafinone; Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; Chairman of MANEG, Oluwasoromidayo George and the Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, during the annual general meeting of MANEG at MAN House, Lagos… recently

MARKET INDICATORS

FG Seeks Private Sector Participation in Food Security Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government (FG) is seeking private sector participation in the agro food processing industry to ensure food security.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the ongoing 46th conference of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), with the theme: ‘Advancing National Development, Wealth Creation and Food Security through Food Processing and Preservation.’

Speaking through the Director, Commodities and Export Department, Suleiman Audu, the minister said there was need for government synergise with

the private sector to ensure food security.

“It is instructive to inform you that despite these efforts

by Government to create food security there is a strong need to work in synergy and the private sector to attract investment in food processing and preservation to attack hunger in the country.

“I am confident that the conference will find sustainable ways to advance national development through the creation of food security that will not only complement the crude oil sector but would equally serve as a force towards revenue generation for the nation and job creation for the unemployed youths,” Adebayo said.

Managing Director, Coca-Cola

Nigeria, Alfred Olajide, in his keynote address, said Nigeria needed to avoid wastage of her agro produce and improve on her agro export packaging.

Olajide, who was represented by the Director Public Affairs, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Amaka Onyemehikwe, said, “Each year, Nigeria struggles to increase agricultural production, but the more we produce, the higher the post-harvest losses and poor remuneration for farmers and the poorer and disincentive our farmers become due to avoidable wastages.

“In the 1960s, Nigeria had over 60 per cent of global palm oil exports, 30 per cent of global ground exports, and 15 per cent of global cocoa exports”.

Brokers Rekindle Hope on Staco Assurance Ebere Nwoji Insurance Brokers, strategic stakeholders and clients have expressed their renewed confidence in the capability of the newly revived Staco Insurance Plc to give excellent insurance services in the country.

Speaking at the October 2022 edition of the Annual General Meeting of the Lagos Area Committee of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, the Brokers who threw their support behind the company through the Council’s President, Mr. Rotimi Edu, said the noticeable turnaround in the

Staco Assurance under the new management, led by Wale Banmore, was enough credibility to attract brokers again to the company.

According to Edu, it is characteristic of organisations to have crisis, but what matters was the resolve to put in place strategies for quick and strong recovery, noting that Staco was a solid underwriting firm which had human capital, rather than technical issues, and that with the new leadership, the confidence level of clients was moving northwards for the company again.

He stated that the volume of

businesses being underwritten by the company in the little space of time of the revalidation of its operational license, spoke volume of the goodwill and confidence in the new board and management.

Similarly, Mrs. Bimbo Onakomaiya, another foremost insurance broker extolled the virtues of the Managing Director, Mr. Banmore, whom he described as a humble, diligent and astute underwriter, whose track records of customer sensitivity in his previous positions in the industry trail him everywhere and would stand him in good stead on his new assignment.

Lagos Commissioner to Deliver Keynote at TestNigeria Conference 1.0 Lagos State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm, will deliver the keynote address at the Nigerian Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB) first Software Testing Conference in Nigeria, codenamed ‘TestNigeria Conference 1.0’.

Fahm is an experienced network infrastructure director with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. BabajideSanwo-Olu, appointed Fahm as a Commissioner

following his strong information technology professional experience; to lead state’s digital transformation agenda.

He will deliver keynote address at the TestNigeria Conference 1.0 to be held in November at Lagos Oriential Hotel, with the theme: ‘Impact of Software Quality Assurance in the Nigerian Digital Economy’.

Designed as a platform for software professionals to discuss how Nigerian IT ecosystem can start developing quality software that meets international standards and help achieve Nigeria’s Digital Economy Strategy,

the conference is targeted at software developers, banks, government institutions, telcos, fintech companies, industry regulators and major users of sensitive software among others.

Also expected guests and speakers include, the Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami; ; National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, among others.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

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

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 27 SEPTEMBER 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $89.50 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.67 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 2022

MARKET NEWS

NGX, IoD to Boost Corporate Governance, Best Practice in Capital Market

KayodeTokede

In its bid to continue to champion best practices, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), has said it will keep collaborating with the Institute of Directors (IoD) to further enhance corporate governance in the domestic capital market.

NGX and IoD had for long worked in tandem to advance best practices in corporate governance in the Nigerian

capital market.

In March 2022, NGX, IoD and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law (NBASBL), partnered to form the Corporate Governance Triangle, which led to the creation of the Corporate Governance Charter that was officially released in August 2022.

During his remarks at the closing gong ceremony held in honour of IoD at the exchange yesterday in Lagos, the Chief

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, emphasised the efforts of NGX in fostering compliance with global best practices in corporate governance by its listed companies, with its Premium Board being a notable example that has attracted substantial liquidity from investors.

He acknowledged the efforts of IoD in the effective functioning

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

and development of the capital market and the broader private and public sectors as it advocated for standardised corporate governance and best practices.

According to him, “As NGX prides itself for being at the forefront of excellence in governance, integrity and transparency in the Nigerian private sector, we recognise the efforts of IoD in its stance towards promoting competence, developing corporate governance

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

standards, protecting the integrity of directorship, advocacy and nurturing astute professionals who contribute to the success of corporate and public organisations as well as the development of our country.

“We have long enjoyed a synergistic relationship since pre-demutualisation and we hope this will continue in goodwill. We look forward to more collaborative opportunities with IoD to actualise our

O F

collective goals and objectives.”

The President/Chairman of Council, IoD, Dr. Ije Jidenma, commended NGX for appointing some of its members into positions on its board, adding that the institute has followed with keen interest, the accelerated dynamism of NGX to a shareholder-owned for-profit entity, on the role that the exchange has played in the past, present and the future.

1 9 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

THURSDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

ʬ ʬ ʬ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R OX P H

7 R S * D LQ H U V P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

F ID ELIT YB K

3.83

9.7%

FB NH

48.1

1.6%

J A IZ B A N K

0.91

7.1%

GT C O

18.5

-0.5%

M B EN EF IT

0.31

6.9%

ST ER LN B A N K

8.3

0.6%

A IIC O

0.57

5.6%

CHA M S

7.7

3.7%

OA N D O

4.60

4.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

6.3

-0.2% 6.9%

T ic k er

0.26

4.0%

M B EN EF IT

6.2

B UA C EM EN T

61.00

3.8%

F ID ELIT YB K

5.6

9.7%

CHA M S

0.28

3.7%

T R A N SC OR P

5.4

0.9%

FCM B

3.24

2.9%

WA P C O

5.0

-7.8%

N GXGR OUP

21.50

2.6%

OA N D O

5.0

4.5%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D OX H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er A IR T ELA F R I M RS IKEJ A H OT EL

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

A IR T ELA F R I

1152.9

-10.0%

M TNN

712.0

-2.0%

-9.7%

FB NH

461.8

1.6%

344.4

-0.5% -0.2%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

1312.20

-10.0%

12.95

-9.8%

1.12

NNFM

6.15

-9.6%

GT C O

LIN KA SSUR E

0.43

-8.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

128.9

-7.8%

ST A N B IC

117.8

0.0%

WA P C O

108.2

-7.8%

WA P C O

21.20

T OT A L

197.00

-6.7%

WA P IC

0.34

-5.6%

N EST LE

74.7

0.0%

195.00

-2.0%

N GXGR OUP

46.1

2.6%

0.50

-2.0%

B UA C EM EN T

40.2

3.8%

M TNN C OR N ER ST

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e C hg %

J A P A ULGOLD

WR

Vo lum e

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Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

39

THURSDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THIRTY-NINE FASHOLA: BUHARI HAS CONSTRUCTED 8,352.94KMS OF ROADS, CREATED 339,955 JOBS jobs between 2016 and 2022.

The minister also stated that the rehabilitation of 12 major roads spanning 896.187 kilometres across the country - within same period has led to reduction of travel time by 56.20 per cent and added value to the people in the communities, where the roads pass through.

Fashola who stated this at a press conference to highlight the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in the areas of works and housing, which was attended by the Ministers of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, also revealed that the federal government was expected to open the Second Niger Bridge to the public on or before Christmas this year.

But, he said for that to come to fruition, the ongoing flooding on the four-kilometre approach from the Asaba end of the bridge must recede to enable the contractor complete the link road to the bridge, which had since been completed and lit by the contractor.

Fashola explained that the Buhari’s administration had devised a number of initiatives to draw down funds for the construction of critical road infrastructure in the country and end the suffering of Nigerians on certain roads that were notorious for being in bad shape.

He listed the initiatives to include the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF); the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, Sukuk Fund; the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, Multilateral loans/grants and collaboration with other government agencies such as the North East Development Commission.

For instance, he said the PIDF assisted immensely in the construction of the rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section I (Lagos-Shagamu) in Lagos State; rehabilitation, construction and expansion of

Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section II: (ShagamuIbadan) in Oyo State; construction of main works, including associated infrastructure for the 2nd Niger Bridge, and the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, Sections I, II & III. “My presentation today - by going back to the change agenda, which we unfolded in the Ministry of Works and Housing in 2015 is part of the larger objective of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to grow the economy through the revamping and expansion of the nation’s infrastructure on a scale that has not been seen in long while.

“In these last seven and half years, the administration has been very resolute in the pursuit of progressivism, which is globally recognised as the improvement of the human condition.

“Indeed, the Ministry of Works and Housing is present in all the states of the federation either through a road, bridge, National Housing Programme, federal secretariat or Special Intervention Project.

“If in 2015, the complaint was the neglect or lack of life defining infrastructure across the country and today these infrastructures are being completed or within the finish line,” Fashola added.

In the housing sector, the minister reported that the ministry was undertaking no fewer than 6,022 housing units nationwide, but has completed a total of 2,864 units in 35 states and the FCT and created 29,030 direct and 57,874 indirect jobs in the process.

In the same vein, the minister disclosed that he had signed no fewer than 6337 Certificates of Occupancy to Nigerians, who were granted federal lands and property but had not been issued with their titles for over three decades.

In that same area, the minister announced that a total of 2,731 allottees of landed property had

been grated consent to transact business with their property attracting the sum of N2,210,577,837.95 to the federal purse.

Also, Fashola disclosed that as of December 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) had released N183.1 billion under the road infrastructure tax scheme which was inaugurated last year.

In all, the minister said 8,424 persons had been employed under the initiative.

The minister added that the length of road covered during the period under review was 1,804 kilometres, with the southwest taking the lion’s share of N74.7 billion.

The North-central followed with N62.4 billion, South-south N37 billion while the North-east, North-west and South-east followed with N11.7 billion, N5.4 billion and

N3.8 billion respectively.

In the North-central, 1,283 were employed, 493 were employed in the north-west while in the south east 616 persons were employed under the scheme. In the South-south, 1,964 were engaged while 974 were engaged in the South-west.

The NNPC had last year elected to fix some selected roads across the country to ease the movement of petroleum products.

The offer by the national oil company came after the announcement by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that tanker drivers under the union would go on strike over increasing number of bad roads in the country.

Aside the demand for road rehabilitation, the union further stated that government had failed to enforce the installation of safety

will run into trillions.

"There is a process that is ongoing, we'll have MOFI fully set up a world class investment company with a new management and a new board to move from the civil service structure where it sits as a unit under the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and get core professionals that are really focus and specialised in portfolio management and driving investments to run better."

Ahmed added that efforts were ongoing to amend the books to raise equity in order open up investment for Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in the assets.

She also disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved the securitisation of the federal government’s borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Ways & Means Advances.

The minister who put the debt at N20 trillion, put the securitisation window at 40 years at nine per cent interest rate.

She said, "The total Ways and Means today is N20 trillion and we have approval to securitise, then the securitisation will be over a 40-year period with interest rate of nine per cent.

"But over the years we have been paying the interest component at current rate that is charged on the Ways and Means."

However, it is not clear how the government intends to go ahead to securitise the debt owed to the CBN without an amendment of Section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007.

The Act allows the CBN to grant temporary advances to the federal government in respect of temporary deficiency of budget revenue at such rate of interest as the bank may determine.

The Act stresses that such advances shall not at any time exceed five per cent of the previous year's actual revenue of the federal government, and that all advances made pursuant to the section shall be repaid as soon as possible; and shall in any event be repayable by the end of the federal government financial year in which they are granted.

The Act adds that, "should such

“In the din of politicking, naysayers have attempted to play down the massive and unprecedented achievements of this administration. Some presidential candidates have even released a poorly-done photocopy of this administration's achievements as their own blueprint. ‘’But the series we are starting today will leave them breathless as we cover all the achievements in the various sectors. Because we have so much to showcase, the frequency of these briefings will be high and this will run through the remaining part of our tenure’’, Mohammed said.

He added that despite attempts in some circles to downplay the achievements of Buhari administration, the federal government has no scintilla of doubt that history would be fairer and posterity would be kind to the administration.

OBAJANA: KOGI DRAGS DANGOTE GROUP TO COURT known as Dangote Cement Plc. The legal action instituted on behalf of the state by Chief Joseph Daudu, at the High Court of Kogi State, Lokoja, has Dangote Industries Limited as the sole defendant.

Specifically, the claimant is seeking the nullification of the 2002 and 2003 agreement between it and Dangote group on the grounds that the agreement lacked clear consideration of what should pass from Dangote to the state.

Among issues raised for the court's determination are whether upon careful examination and consideration of the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002, and February 14, 2003, respectively, it was not apparent that consideration (an essential ingredient of a valid contract) was lacking?

The government also asked the court to determine whether in view of a clear lack of consideration, the

agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, were not null and void?

The claimant also asked the court to declare in the event that the issues raised for determination were in its favour that the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, "lack consideration, which is an essential ingredient of a valid contract".

In addition, Kogi State is further seeking another declaration that the clear lack of consideration in the agreements render them null and void.

The major reliefs been sought in the Originating Summons include: “A declaration that Dangote Industries Limited cannot take any benefit, interest or rights from the incompetent agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February

FG SET TO OPEN N30TRN GOVT ASSETS FOR INVESTMENT, RESTRUCTURING OF MOFI Ahmed who made the disclosure at the public presentation of the 2023 budget proposals in Abuja, stated that the government has over N30 trillion in terms of assets size.

According to her, the process of re-engineering the assets to strip them of bureaucratic tendencies and run effectively as going concerns had commenced.

She said, "We started the process of re-engineering the MOFI, saddled with the responsibility of managing government assets.

"MOFI has been existing since many years ago and has gradually become quite inefficient. So, we have got the president's approval to start the process of re-engineering MOFI and we are now at the stage where we hope in the next one month or six weeks, we will be able to relaunch MOFI. "We've been able to take stock of the assets that are in the books of MOFI and even without taking stock of the ones that are not in the books of MOFI, we have about N30 trillion in terms of assets size.

So, if we are looking for a debt of N10 trillion, we already have assets of N30 trillion.

"We are going to open these assets for investments, so we will issue different kinds of equities investments into these assets. The government doesn't have the kind of resources to recapitalise these assets.

"When I talk about assets, I am talking about our investments like the Bank of Industry (BOI), the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Galaxy Backbone and several other agencies of government; companies that government has set-up.

"A few of them are doing well and delivering the books but our assessment is what they're doing can still be better by incremental adjustments.

"I give you an example; we have the railways in the books of MOFI at something like N20 million as the asset size and we are conducting a re-evaluation. By the time we finish the re-evaluation, the value of the Nigerian Railway Corporation will run into trillions.

Also, by the time we finish the re-evaluation of our airports, it

gadgets on tankers, which will protect the inflammatory contents of their trucks from spilling over when accidents happen.

The corporation noted that the thrust of the its N621 billion intervention was to make considerable funds available for the reconstruction of roads through it future tax liability.

Fashola explained that cumulatively, 339,955 jobs were created in the built sector for the past seven years.

The Minister of Information who coordinated the press conference, also explained that the administration had done well by implementing high impact projects that met the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians across the country in its quest to leave a lasting legacy, but lashed out at members of the opposition trying to downplay the achievements of the government.

advances remain unpaid at the end of the year, the power of the bank to grant such further advances in any subsequent year shall not be exercisable, unless the outstanding advances have been repaid."

Also at the budget presentation, the minister restated that Nigeria has no intention of restructuring its debt with international creditors, insisting that its public debt stock was within healthy limits.

Alloying years that the country might default on its debt service obligations, the minister noted that the country’s debt maturity was within the Debt Management Strategy (DMS) set up by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

She stated that of the nation’s total debt stock of $102 billion, the foreign component was only 35 per cent while 65 per cent was domestic.

She added that 47 per cent of the foreign debt were owed to multilateral agencies, which are concessionary in nature, while 12 per cent are bilateral loans from China and others, adding that 31 per cent are commercial debts from Eurobonds and others.

Ahmed noted that the possibility of Nigeria defaulting in meeting its debt obligations was very remote since such the repayment windows were long-tenored “The exposure to refinancing risk remained stable as a result of the strategy of issuance of long-dated securities in the domestic and international markets in addition to accessing long term funds from multilateral and bilateral lenders.

“The FGN’s contingent liabilities as a percentage of GDP was 2.64 per cent in 2021 compared to 2.75 per cent in 2020. It is projected to be around this region by the end of 2022. Nigeria is not planning on restructuring its debt as it remains committed to meeting its domestic and external debt obligations.

"The federal government will continue to utilise appropriate debt management tools to streamline the cost and risk profile in the debt portfolio, including through concessional loans, spreading out of debt maturities to avoid bunching, and re-profiling of the debt maturities by refinancing

short-term debt using long-term debt instruments,” she said.

She again restated that the challenge facing Nigeria was revenue and not debt, disclosing that, as at August this year, debt service to revenue ratio was 83 per cent.

“That is why I said what we have is on revenue and we have to do everything we can to increase our revenue.

“Our policy target is to keep it at no more than 50% over the medium-term period and ultimately reduce it down to 30 per cent but we are currently over 50 per cent debt service to revenue," she stressed.

The minister also disclosed that the law establishing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme was on the verge of being reviewed to make it more flexible and effective.

For instance, she said this would make it easy for Nigerians in the Diaspora to serve at their convenience.

Ahmed said: “The initial adjustment we are trying to achieve is for diasporas. Currently, the NYSC Act has a provision that says you must serve within three years of graduation.

"So, we have people that are living in diaspora that go beyond these three years. The immediate past Director General of the NYSC began a process that was indicating that they have gone against the law and actually wanted to take people up on that and our view is that, that is discouraging diasporans from coming back home and bringing investment.”

She also disclosed that the federal government has provided N470 billion Special Fund in the 2023 budget for university revitalisation and upward adjustment of lecturers’ salaries.

Ahmed said N300 billion was for university revitalisation and N170 billion for upward adjustments of the university lecturers’ salaries.

On the allocations for critical sectors, she said the sum of N2.05 trillion was allocated to education; N1.58 trillion for health; N2.74 trillion allocated to defense and security, infrastructure got N998.9 billion, among others.

14, 2003 respectively, having failed to furnish any consideration to the Kogi State government.

“An order nullifying the agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 respectively, for lack of consideration.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining Dangote Industries Limited, any of its agents or assigns from further utilising and or taking any benefit(s) from the agreement dated July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 between the Kogi State government and Dangote Industries Limited.”

In a nine paragraph affidavit deposed to in support of the suit, the Kogi State government claimed that the Obajana Cement Company was solely registered in 1992 by the state government with registration number RC: 208767.

Deponent of the affidavit and Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, submitted that the sole purpose of establishing Obajana Cement Company was to mine the huge lime stone deposit in Obajana and consequently produce cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

She confirmed that the Kogi State government and Dangote Industries Limited entered into

two agreements on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, for the purpose of producing cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

However, she noted that no benefit by way of consideration passed from Dangote Industries Limited to the state government.

In the agreements although the state solely owns the company it had however transferred 90 per cent of its total shareholding to Dangote Industries Limited.

Parties also agreed that that they would be responsible for the funding of the project in equal proportions to their equity shareholding.

In the agreements the state shall be at liberty to sell up to 50 per cent of its 10 per cent equity in Obajana cement company to Kogi State indigenes by public offer or privilege within three months of comment of the project.

The agreement in addition noted that Kogi State shall not be entitled to lay any claim to any sum that may have accrued on its shareholding in dividends in the event of failure to meet its funding obligation as provided in the agreement.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

SANWO-OLU: LAGOS WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS of the nation and helps to stabilise the polity of any sovereign nation.

“I am sure Nigeria is not an exemption. You can see and measure where the country is based on what the media is saying. And if people have donated their time and intellect to be the voice for the voiceless, I think it is proper that such people should be recognised and be encouraged to continue to do that.”

Sanwo-Olu, who praised the NMMA for appreciating media practitioners and their works in Nigeria, assured the organisation that Lagos State government would support the 30th anniversary of the award.

Speaking earlier, Adamu, said the choice of Lagos to celebrate 30 years anniversary of the awards in November was not accidental, noting that, “Lagos is the birth place of Nigeria's struggle for press freedom from which all other freedoms emanate.”

He said Sanwo-Olu during the 30th anniversary of the NMMA would unveil the Nigeria Media Merit Award Alumni Association, which comprised over 1,000 past winners in the print and electronic media categories on NMMA in the last 30 years.

In the meantime, Sanwo-Olu yesterday inaugurated 15 junior and senior secondary schools projects across all the six education districts of the state virtually.

The virtual inauguration which was done at the premises of the Lagos Television, (LTV 8), Ikeja, Lagos was attended by teachers, students, market men and women and various stakeholders.

The governor also unveiled a compendium detailing the infrastructural transformation that public schools in the State have undergone

since 2019.

The 15 virtually commissioned schools were: Junior Model College, Meiran, Alimisho, Baptist Secondary School, Orile-agege, Abesan Senior High School, Orisunbare Senior High School, Luwasa Senior High School, Ijede, Girls Junior Model College Agunfoye, Ojota Junior Secondary School, Ojota, Eva Adelaja Junior Secondary School, Bariga, Muslim Junior College Oworoshoki and Model College, Badore.

Others were: Model College, Agbowa Epe, Araromi Ilogbo Junior Secondary School, Oko-afo, Badagry Junior Grammar School, Badagry, Ajumoni Junior Grammar School, Daleko Mushin and St. Joseph Secondary School, Mushin.

To accelerate and actualise the core vision of revamping schools’ infrastructure in the state, the governor had inaugurated a Special Committee on the Rehabilitation of Public Schools in Lagos State (SCRPS), on November 4, 2019.

According to him, "Our project dashboard shows that we have so far delivered 1,047 new classrooms, 181,365 pieces of dual composite furniture, 1,592 new hostel beds in our Model Colleges, equipped with laundromat facilities and comfortable Reading Areas.

"In addition, we have completed rehabilitation projects in 197 schools – translating to a total of about 2,280 classrooms so far, "We have equally focused on the provision of modern recreational facilities in our schools, to ensure the total development of our students, in line with best practice from around the world. We want them to simultaneously learn, play and keep fit, in the best five and most conducive environment possible.

This is the only way to prepare them for the future."

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FLAG-OFF OF THE 2022 EDITION OF THE DESIGN WEEK LAGOS...

L-R: Member, Design Week Lagos Executive Board, Jacqueline Aki; Founder, Design Week Lagos, Titi Ogufere and the Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II during the flag-off of the 2022 edition of the Design Week Lagos .... yesterday

FG: Lagbo Dam Not Responsible for Massive Flooding in Nigeria Bayelsa residents groan as food, fuel, water prices escalate Diri meets fuel marketers, traders’ leadership A'Ibom govt places emergency management agencies on red alert Okowa seeks FG, special support for Delta IDPs Humanitarian group donates relief materials to Kogi victims Most Anambra farmers died because they couldn't leave their crops Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka, Okon Bassey in Uyo, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The federal government yesterday said the Lagbo Dam in Cameroon was not responsible for the natural disaster currently ravaging many parts of the country, contrary to the widely held insinuation.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu stated this while defending the 2023 budget of his ministry before the Senate Committee on Water Resources.

Also, as residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State continue to groan over the rampaging flooding of their houses and businesses, more woes have come their way in the form of the escalating prices of food items, commodities, transportation and other products According to Adamu, most of the water that caused flooding was not from the Lagbo Dam. He explained that the contribution from the dam to Nigeria was only one per cent.

He said, "The dam releases water; sometimes it releases water without notice and when they do that, it impacts on communities downstream.

It is not the main reason you have flood in this country.

"The tributaries of River Benue are the main cause. And this year, the rains have been unprecedented.

The transboundary waters that even come into this country from Rivers Niger and Benue constitute only 20 per cent of the fresh water that flows into the country.

"Eighty per cent of the flood is water we are blessed with from the sky falling on Mambila and Jos Plateau. Most of this flow is from Nigeria."

Speaking further, the minister said the federal government was not informed by the Cameroonian Government on the annual release of water from Lagbo Dam. He said, "It took a lot of effort from us for them to sign an MoU for them to be informing Nigeria about releases.

"It was signed in 2016. Since then, every year, when the flood season

comes it is the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that calls them to know their level of water.

"We cannot blame the flood this year on Cameroon. We can only blame them for violating the terms of the MoU." Adamu further said the government would call for a review of the MoU to abate the flood.

On the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa which could serve as a solution to flooding, Adamu said, "whether we are able to do the dam or not, we will continue to have floods on the Rivers Niger and Benue Basins.”

He said, "There was a consultant that had been appointed by the previous administration to work on this dam.

"When I came into office, I checked the scope of work and the terms of reference. I was not satisfied that justice will be done to that design.

"You cannot build a dam as important and strategic as Dasin Hausa on river benue without a detailed feasibility and engineering design.

"I disengaged the consultant in 2016. It was one of the 116 projects that we had. In our roadmap, we made a decision that going forward, we have enough dams, 37 ongoing.

We cannot take any new dam, let's complete what is ongoing.

"We appointed a consultant to do the required diligent feasibility study and engineering design for the project."

He expressed optimism that by March 2023, the dam would be completed.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee Sen. Bello Mandiya urged the ministry to find lasting solution to flooding.

Bayelsa Residents Groan as Food, Fuel, Water Prices Escalates

Also, as residents of Yenagoa continue to groan over the rampaging flooding of their houses and businesses, more woes have come their way in the form of the escalating prices of food items,

commodities, transportation and other products.

This is coming even as the total darkness which has pervaded the state in the last one week has led to the hike in the cost of water which include sachet water and household water normally supplied by water vendors.

A 20 little gallon of water which was normally sold for N20 and N30, now cost between N50 and N80 depending on the distance, while a sachet water is now N20 per sachet and a bag of 20 sachet goes for N300.

The price of petrol has also escalated and not available in the filing stations. The few persons who manage to sell in the black markets said they swim across to neighboring Rivers State to get the products.

Similarly, prices of food products such as rice, yam, tomatoes, onions, pepper, beans and other essential commodities needed for survival are rising every day in the markets.

Presently, three small bulbs of tomatoes or onions cost between N400 and N500 depending where you get them to buy, while the price for a bag of rice is now between N40,000 and N50,000.

Some of those who spoke with THISDAY said the problem of was caused by the continued flooding which has cut supply to the state.

He said some of the supply to the state were still in vehicles trapped or stranded across the border towns of Ahoada in Rivers State and Patani in Delta state, as the East-West road is now impassable to vehicle.

However, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has taken steps to arrest the sudden rise in the price of food items and petroleum products in the state.

Diri, after separate meetings with the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and market union leaders yesterday, in Government House, Yenagoa, announced the setting up of two committees comprising of government officials, the marketers and traders respectively.

He said the meetings were convened to address the arbitrary increase in the price of petroleum products and goods in the state and cautioned against plunging the state into another crisis while it is grappling with the flooding challenges.

He explained that the petroleum committee was to seek all means to make petroleum products, including cooking gas, available either by road or through the state's maritime domain.

He said government would bear the cost of security and transportation of the product in barges while the marketers would pay for the product.

According to him, the government got worried when it received reports that a litre of premium motor spirit was being sold for N800 above the approved pump price of N180.

Likewise, he said the government would bear the cost of bringing goods into the state through the waterways while the committee will ensure that goods are sold at reasonable prices.

Diri stated that the government took the initiative as a short-term measure to ameliorate the suffering of people of the state occasioned by the floods.

The state helmsman reminded the fuel marketers and traders that extant laws prohibited them from exploiting consumers, saying government will not hesitate to invoke the laws on those who refuse to heed the warning.

Members of the petroleum committee include a House of Assembly member, Oforji Oboku, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Jones Ibieri and his counterpart in the Transport Ministry, Grace Ekiotene.

Others are the Federal Coordinator, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Godwin Iruafemi, State Chairman, IPMAN, Mr. Ere Erefamote as well as two other members each from the associations.

The other committee is headed by the Principal Secretary, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.

Other members include the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Federal Otokito, the commissioners representing the three senatorial districts, the Commissioner for Environment, Iselema Gbaranbiri, Special Adviser on Security (1) and his counterpart on non-indigenes as well as the chairmen of the central zone of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the Ijaw National Congress (INC).

The committee also has representatives from the Kpansia and Swali markets. Both committees are to commence work immediately.

A'Ibom Govt Places Emergency Management Agencies on Red Alert Meanwhile, worried by the devastating effects of the massive flooding in some areas in Akwa Ibom State, the state government has called for a review of the flood map capacity of the state.

Consequently, the state government at the end of its weekly State Executive Council meeting directed all relevant agencies involved in emergency management to be on red alert.

Briefing journalists in Uyo, at the end of the council meeting, the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, said: "The council also mandated the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to start sensitisation in rural areas as a step in managing a possible occurrence."

Also, after receipt of reports by the various Ministries on projects under their portfolio, the executive council directed the ministries to expedite work on those projects to catch up with the time frame for completion and to also beat the continuous eroding value of the nation's currency.

The council was informed that state-owned Four-Point By Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area has been completed and handed over to its new management, Marriott International, for commencement of operations.

"Test run of the hotel will soon commence, prior to official commissioning of the facility for use, as all the 146 rooms are ready for

use," Ememobong stated.

The Executive Council also gave approval for commencement of work for the construction of a 12 Megawatts Power Distribution Substation at Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

This, he explained, was a critical infrastructure need of the area to boost power supply in Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam and Ika Local Government Areas and their environs.

Okowa Seeks FG, Special Support for Delta IDPs

In the meantime, Delta State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on the federal government, corporate organisations and individuals to come to the aid of victims of flood in the state.

Okowa made the call yesterday, when he visited flood victims at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps at Utagba-Ogbe Technical College, Kwale, in Ndokwa West; Alaka Grammar School, Ozoro in Isoko North; St. Michael's College, Oleh and Isoko Central School, Oleh both in Isoko South Local Government Areas of the state.

He empathised with all the flood victims in the state and assured that his administration would continue to support them until they were able to return to their homes after the flood crisis.

According to the governor, who defied heavy downpour to visit the camps, the state government may not be able to estimate the extent of destruction but obviously the flood is very massive.

"This is the seventh camp we have visited since yesterday - three yesterday and four today and we have four other established camps.

Beyond that, there are so many community camps that are being managed in the communities.

"It is a very extensive flood with a lot of displacement of people and I must thank all the various persons that have come here in the camp Continued on page 44

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MINISTERIAL PRESENTATION OF 2023 BUDGET...

L-R: Permanent secretary Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Aliyu Ahmed; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed Usman, and Director General Budget PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE Office, Ben Akabueze; during the ministerial presentation of 2023 Budget in Abuja....yesterday

Burnt Crude Oil Vessel: Tompolo Defends CDS Irabor, Navy Sylvester Idowu in Warri TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemuplo, alias Tompolo has risen in defence of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor over the destruction of an oil vessel caught with stolen crude oil.

The private security company also faulted the claim by Femi Falana that the decision to burn the vessel, recently arrested by its officials for oil theft, was wrong and against the law.

The lead legal consultant to TSSNL, Emmanuel Jakpa, in a statement yesterday explained: “Mr. Femi Falana had opined that

based on Section 111 of the Armed Forces Act, scuttling the ship was arson and that the naval authorities breached the rule of law and the CDS ought to resign for backing them. However, is this so?"

He contended that Falana and those opposed to the CDS incorrectly relied on the Armed Forces Act, but the applicable law

UNICEF: Nigeria Has 154,000 Teachers to 7m Early Learners Kuni Tyessi in Sokoto The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Nigeria has 154,000 early childhood teachers who are responsible for seven million learners.

Also, for better learning and assimilation, the global children's body has called for a robust curriculum to be play-based inclusive, stating that children learn better when they play in a conducive environment.

Laying emphasis on early childhood education as foundation for all forms of learning, the Fund said the shortfall in ratio was equivalent to 45 pupils to one teacher which falls short of the global standard of one teacher to 25 pupils.

UNICEF’s education specialist, Yetunde Oluwatosin, who revealed this yesterday in Sokoto, at a twoday media dialogue on early child education in Nigeria, said large inequalities persists between eight per cent of the poorest children and 78 percent of the richest children that attend early childhood education (ECE).

She added that while globally, fewer than one in three children, aged between three and four attend ECE in Nigeria, 36 percent of the figure attend early childhood education, noting that 10 million are not enrolled.

"Nigeria has over seven million learners, but has only 154, 000 teachers. To close the gap, more teachers who are qualified and understand the importance of play in learning outcomes need to be enrolled.

"At age five, it is expected that every child must have started school. Curriculum for early childhood education should indicate play-base in addition to nutrition, safety and environment for a holistic growth.

"Globally, fewer than one in three

children aged between three- four attend ECE. In Nigeria, it is over one in three children, (36 percent), but at least 10 million children are not enrolled.

"Large inequalities still persist.

8 percent of the poorest children

versus 78 per cent of the richest children battens ECE. Community based ECE centres will help reduce the number of children who are not exposed to the ECE. Children in the rural areas suffer more," she added.

in the case in question was the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act. “Care must be taken not to provide unwarranted solace to the people who destroy our environment, rape our commonwealth, and cheat our nation of the resources necessary for schools and hospitals,” he cautioned.

The company also queried if Falana was attacking the company for accepting a government contract to stop crude oil stealing, saying it was necessary to separate the issues, “because it would seem these attacks have a common purpose to dislodge or disparage the good work by a private security company.

“The Armed Forces Act is certainly good law, no doubt, but it is inapplicable to facts of this circumstance. The circumstance of this matter is that somebody using the instrumentality of a ship had interfered with Nigeria’s ownership

rights to produce hydrocarbon oils for refining.

“Unquestionably, the ship had crude oil in its cargo holds but lacked the authority to take it. The ship captain made a confessional statement admitting he lacked authority to take crude, after which they ordered the ship sunk.

“Many well-meaning lawyers quickly seized upon the rule of law issue and asked why the order to scuttle the vessel could not await legal proceedings in court.

Some other well-meaning people, lawyers included, went as far as suggesting that it was all meant to cover evidence of complicity.”

He added: “Let us take the legal issues first. Was there a breach of the rule of law, or were the CDS right to say that the action taken by naval authorities was within their rules of engagement?

“While Falana relies on the

Armed forces Act, it is our humble opinion that the applicable law is the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act. “Section 15 of the Hydrocarbons Oil Refining Act provides as follows – ‘If any officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that any refining of hydrocarbon oils, contrary to the provisions of this Act, is being carried out, on any land or premises, he may enter thereon if need be by force, and dismantle or seize any apparatus and equipment used for or in connection with such unlawful refining.’

“The purpose of taking the crude from the wellhead was certainly for illegal refining, whether here or abroad. This clearly brings the vessel within the ambit of this law.

In addition, this law permits the dismantling of the apparatus or equipment used for illegal refining.

Scuttling the ship was to dismantle it", he said.

FG Arraigns Lady for Promoting IPOB's Activities on Facebook Defendant among 24 IPOB members allegedly detained by DSS since November 2021 Alex Enumah in Abuja The federal government yesterday arraigned one Idara Godwin, also known as Idara Gold Biafra before the Federal High Court, Abuja, for promoting the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Facebook social media platform.

In the three-count charge against her, the defendant was also accused

of concealing information that would have led to the apprehension of one Chuks Egwuatu, as well as being a member of the proscribed group.

She however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako ordered her remand at the Suleja Correctional Center, pending the commencement of trial slated for November 22.

Speaking shortly after her arrangement, her lawyer, Mr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, told journalists that the defendant was among the 24 IPOB members currently being detained by the Department of State Service without an order of court, adding that neither relatives of the detainees nor their lawyers knew the exact location of the detainees.

Ejiofor commended journalists for supporting his call for the

IGR: Ogun Refutes BudgIT Report as NBS Confirms State's True Position The Ogun State government has refuted BudgIT Foundation's widely publicised report on internally generated revenue across the 36 states of Nigeria titled "State of States, 2022 Edition,” with respect to the state’s financial health status.

In a letter to the foundation’s director by the state Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, the state government described BudgIT Foundation's ranking of Ogun State as having an IGR of N78.17 billion for 2021 as inaccurate and misleading.

It provided the state’s audited report from the Joint Tax Board and the state’s audited financial Statement, which put the state’s IGR for 2021 at N100.9 billion.

It, therefore, demanded a retraction of the said publication, which it said had caused the Gateway State reputational damage and a publication of the updated figures and the true ranking of the state on BudgIT Foundation’s website.

The Ogun State government’s position has indeed been corroborated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which, on Tuesday, released the correct IGR figures for Ogun State.

According to NBS, in its latest report, the 36 states and the FCT recorded IGR to the tune of N1.89 trillion in 2021 as against the 2020 figure of N1.56 trillion of IGR in 2020, a 22 per cent year-on-year positive growth.

According to the report, Ogun, which grew its IGR from N50.6 billion in 2020 to N100.7 billion in 2021, performed excellently on the IGR index, being only out-performed by Lagos State, Nigeria's economic capital (N753.3bn); the Federal Capital Territory (FCT N131.9bn) and Rivers State, a top oil-producing state (N123.3bn).

According to notable industrialists and investors, the state has benefited massively from Governor Dapo Abiodun's experience as a board room guru before his foray into politics and election, on May 29 2019, as the fifth democratically elected governor of the Gateway State.

government to either release the detainees unconditionally or charge them to court.

The lawyer had during a press conference raised the alarm over what he claimed as the unlawful arrest and detention of some Igbo citizens across the country for associating with Biafra.

He alleged that since their arrest last year all efforts to locate and interface with the detained IPOB members have been rebuffed by the authorities of the DSS. According to him, both the military authorities and the DSS believed to be responsible for the ordeal of his clients have been given conflicting and confusing information on the whereabouts of the people.

He said while the DSS claimed that the detainees were in the military custody, the army authorities sworn to affidavit in the High Court to the effect that no members of IPOB was in their custody.

He, however, told journalists that Idara was brought to court yesterday, from a military facility in Kainji, where she had told her lawyers that over 30 of them were taken to from Abuja.

Idara, was arrested in Enugu last November, and was brought to Abuja for investigation before her arraignment yesterday morning.

Count one of the charge read: “That you Idara Godwin AKA

Idara Gold Biafra, female, adult, of Egbonna, Topland Amechi road, Agbani road, Enugu State, sometimes in 2021 at Enugu Local Government Area, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Court did commit an offence to wit: you made series of posts on the Facebook social media platform wherein you promoted the activities of IPOB, a proscribed organisation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.” Besides Idara, who was arraigned yesterday, others allegedly held by the authorities included: Ikechukwu Henry, Joy Udoh, Emeka Ngomadi, Pius Awoke, Chinedum Nwoha,Igwe Dike, Ogbonna Ajah, Kingsley Onovu, Ogbonna Ojima and Fortune Okerie.

Others are Joseph Eze, Emmanuel Chinonso, Uket Godwin,Ogbonna Ndubusi, Eze Chukwuemeka, Ibeleme Torchukwu, Emmanuel Ike, Cletus Egole, Pastor Phillip Egole, Chinonso Anyanwu, Kelechi Okeke, Godspower Chilemu and Chukwuma Nwaokike.

Ejiofor who accused DSS of flagrant breach of fundamental rights of the detainees, lamented that most of them, especially the clergymen, were innocent but were unlawfully arrested in their various churches.

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TIME TO RETIRE...

L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola; retiring Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, Mojeed Owooade; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and a former President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, during the Valedictory Programme in honour of Justice Owooade at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division…yesterday

2023: Don't Portray Military in Partisan Garb, DHQ Warns Debunks viral videos showing soldiers dancing, singing in support of a presidential candidate, denigrating another Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, issued a stern warning against portraying the military in partisan garb by political party supporters and media handlers.

The warning followed the circulation of two viral video clips circulating on social media, depicting military personnel singing and dancing in support of a presidential candidate while denigrating another in the second video.

A statement signed by the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the videos sent a disturbing signal to members of the public and the political class in particular, as the video clips seemingly connoted partisanship by military personnel and by extension, the entire military establishment.

It said the two video clips were manipulated to give the

false impression that the military was partisan.

"The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to two videos circulating online. The first video clip consciously portrays troops making merry and dancing to music purportedly in celebration and open endorsement of one presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections.

"The second video clip (with the same visuals as the first one) willfully shows troops supposedly dancing to a derogatory song that insults the personality of another presidential candidate.

On the face value, the videos send a disturbing signal to members of the public and the political class in particular, as the videos seemingly connote partisanship by military personnel and by extension, the entire military establishment.

"On a closer scrutiny, however, it is obvious that the original visual content (which was used for the two videos) was

Ekiti Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, 66, is Dead Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, yesterday, died after a brief illness.

Afuye, who represented Ikere constituency 1, died at the age of 66.

A member of the House confirmed to newsmen via telephone that he was rushed to the hospital, yesterday, after developing complications over undisclosed ailment.

Afuye, a lawyer and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was said to have died after attempts by medical doctors to save his life failed.

The source added that the cause of his death was shocking and could not be confirmed as at last night.

Another source, however, disclosed that the vociferous lawmaker died of cardiac arrest.

Afuye appeared at the inauguration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday, and was said to have also attended plenary on Tuesday before the sudden turn of event.

"This event was funny and shocking. Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye was at the House of Assembly yesterday (Tuesday), so his death was devastating to us. It was a rude shock.

"We learnt he developed sudden complications this morning and was rushed to the hospital, where he died," the lawmaker said.

Afuye, who was in the assembly between 2007 and 2011, was serving his second term in the assembly and his tenure was billed to expire June 6, 2023.

manipulated to produce the current ones in circulation. The original soundtrack of the videos was a usual morale boosting song that soldiers sing during military exercises or activities," it said.

The statement maintained that certain individuals, who were unknown presently, took the video and superimposed different songs on the visuals, which soon went viral, thereby creating the impression that soldiers were promoting the candidacy of a particular politician while disapproving of another.

The statement stated: "While it is within the right of individuals to create media content for political purposes, it is grossly disingenuous to appropriate video of a military activity and use same to create contents that portray the military as partisan, political and unprofessional.

"This is particularly despicable as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. For 23 years since 1999, the military has toiled night and day to protect and keep guard over Nigeria’s democracy.

Thus, the same military cannot afford to be partisan or commit to any enterprise that would create disharmony in the polity."

Defence Headquarters, therefore, warned media handlers and supporters of political parties to

desist from doing as the 2023 polls gather momentum.

"In the light of the foregoing, the Defence Headquarters seriously frowns at the deliberate attempt to misrepresent it and wishes to caution media and public relations handlers as well as supporters of political parties

to desist from misusing images and visuals of military personnel as this does not only present the Armed Forces of Nigeria in bad light, it could also sow seeds of distrust and instability.

"There is, therefore, the need to be circumspect while copywriting, never to use military

personnel, their activities, uniforms or accoutrements as the main themes or for illustration of the main message in political advertisements or any such productions. Defaulters would henceforth be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law," it said.

APC Releases Campaign List Ahead of Friday's Inauguration Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ahead of tomorrow's inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling party, yesterday, released the much-awaited campaign list.

The party's campaign activities were initially suspended due to controversy generated by the 422-member campaign list earlier released.

Chieftains of the party and key stakeholders, including the governors, had alleged that they were not carried along in the scheme of things.

While the controversy raged, a

leaked letter allegedly authored by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and addressed to Tinubu demanded the immediate withdrawal of the campaign list.

Though the party leadership later made U-turn and denied authoring the letter, the Director General of the PCC and the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, issued a statement suspending all campaign activities of the party to ensure everyone was carried along and that the party present a United front.

But the National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday, said Buhari has been made Chairman of the PCC,

while the Adamu and the party's presidential candidate were made Deputy Chairman I and II. The PCC has 13 zonal coordinators, 24 state coordinators, 20 advisers and 84 campaign patrons, with about 25 directorates.

All members of the National Working Committee (NWC), all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), all former governors and former deputy governors, all former NWC members, all serving speakers and principal officers of state assemblies, all former speakers of state assemblies, all candidates of national and state assemblies, and all state chairmen were made members of the PCC.

Insecurity: COAS Launches Exercise Enduring Peace in Kogi, Vows to Smoke Out Criminals Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The Command Army Records (CAR), Lokoja, has launched operation 'Exercise Enduring Peace in Kogi, aimed at smoking out Criminals from their hideouts in the state.

In his welcome address at the official flag-off ceremony in Okene, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the exercise was designed to be conducted in the last quarter of

the year to checkmate all forms of criminality as the yuletide season approached.

Yahaya added that the exercise was as a result of the prevailing security challenges across the country, saying, ''Similar exercises are also ongoing in other parts of the country under different names depending on the peculiarity of each region.''

The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, CAR, Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said

the exercise would hold from Oct. 18 to Dec. 22, 2022.

He explained that the exercise would involve stages of operational activities including patrols, ambushes and raids of criminal hideouts, adding that it would involved some non-kinetic activities in form of Civil Military Cooperation programme, such as free medical outreaches in some selected communities among others. ''Our choice of medical outreach in support of the exercise is deeply

rooted in our belief that the support of the host communities is key to the success of the entire operations,'' he said, stressing that the medical outreaches would ameliorate the existing health challenges within the targeted communities, and foster existing cordial relationship between CAR and host communities.

The COAS further disclosed that the exercise was a joint exercise involving all security agencies in Kogi as well as Vigilante Group to ensure peace across the state.

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NEWS

SIGNING STARTS-UP BILL INTO LAW...

L-R: Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ibrahim Pantami, President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, after signing the Starts-up Bill into law at the State House PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE. Abuja… yesterday

Lawan: Collaborating With Buhari Makes 9th Senate Most Productive Says same-page policy propelled approval of 84 bills

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, reiterated that the collaboration between the Executive and the National Assembly was responsible for the success of the 9thassembly as the most productive.

Lawan, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Olu Awoniyi, also disclosed the same-page policy propelled President Muhammadu Buhari, to sign into law, 84 bills passed by the ninth assembly, the largest by any Nigerian President.

Lawan, who made the disclosure in a paper he delivered at the just concluded 3rd Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat held at the State House, Abuja, titled, "Collaboration to deliver: Fostering Executive/Legislative relationship and opportunities for legacy legislation", said his presentation was "best understood within the context of our presidential system of government and the doctrine of the separation of powers.

"The three arms of government are separate but inter-dependent, and the ultimate goal of each is to deliver good governance and meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.

Many Nigerians have come to construe harmonious executivelegislative relations as a sign of weakness or subservience to the executive.

"Nothing can be further from the truth than this misperception, which we must painstakingly work to correct. It is not uncommon for some to view the three arms of government as occupying separate and identifiable domains of power and responsibility, with little opportunity or need for interaction.

"However, this kind of dualism is not only untenable but damaging. It is now widely recognised that good national governance depends on core state institutions working cooperatively. A constructive relationship between the three arms of government, i.e., legislature, the executive and the judiciary, is essential to effectively

maintaining the constitution and promoting the rule of law.

"Timely consultations between all stakeholders can play a significant role in avoiding gridlocks, improving understanding and delivering development to the people on whose behalf we govern.

The legislature is constituted by the people’s direct representatives and is responsible for reflecting the voices of ordinary Nigerians.

"This cannot be achieved through unnecessary grandstanding, conflict and war of egos. As the cliché rightly states, ‘where two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers’. As one of the longest-serving legislators in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, I am well aware of the dangers of adopting a confrontational approach to governance issues.

"A lot of energy and resources (time and money) are dissipated over inconsequential issues rather than on dealing with substantive and livelihood-based issues that confront the average Nigerian. At

the beginning of the 9th Assembly, we took a deliberate position to collaborate with the executive to ensure that the cardinal objective of government (welfare and security of citizens) is met.

"Hence, despite the media bashing and name-calling, I am proud to say that this National Assembly has been the most productive since 1999. The achievements recorded are mainly due to a harmonious executive relation and heightened engagement with the executive on proposed policies and laws long

before they are formally presented to Assembly for legislative action.

"This strategy has enabled us to surmount many of the traditional obstacles and bottlenecks that confronted previous Assemblies. The synergy between the legislature and the executive has resulted in reforming our budgetary process to entrench transparency and accountability, professionalism, greater citizen participation, and strict guidelines and timelines (January-December).

"In addition, we worked with

President Muhammadu Buhari to support the establishment of the Executive, Legislative, and Party Consultative Forum headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to promote harmony in governance towards enhancing service delivery to the Nigerian people.

"In the last few years, the National Assembly provided legislative support and approval towards the realisation of this administration’s unwavering commitment to improving security, transforming the nation’s economy

I’m Not Surprised By Wike’s Endorsement of Sanwo-Olu, Says Jandor The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, better known as Jandor yesterday said he was not “surprised” by Governor Nyesom Wike’s endorsement of his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Wike, a PDP chieftain, had

on Tuesday endorsed Governor Sanwo-Olu during a visit to Lagos State, describing him as an achiever.

But Jandor, while fielding questions on a live television interview yesterday, said the move was not surprising to him.

“Like I said, we are surprised,” he said during the show. “Nobody

will express shock about what happened yesterday except you are not in this country.”

“Nobody expects that a party man, a national leader will do that for any reason at all, but it has happened and there is nothing we can do about it,” he said.

“My worry is this, he should

Ortom: I’d Have Worked for Obi If I Were Not in PDP Suspend campaigns, LP candidate tells Atiku, Tinubu, others

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday said he would have worked for the victory of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, if he were not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ortom spoke when he received Obi, who was in the state to commiserate with residents over flooding.

The Benue governor said the 2023 presidential election would be a three-horse race between Obi, Atiku Abubakar of PDP, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said Nigerians need to assess the three presidential candidates and elect the person “who has the capacity to deliver and make things work for our country Nigeria”.

“Let us be factual. Let us be

and modernising infrastructure, specifically, railway system, roads and power, across the length and breadth of this country.

"The results of our collaboration are clear for all to see. President Muhammadu Buhari has granted assent to eighty-four (84) bills so far, the largest by any Nigerian president. Many of the Acts enacted have immediate and long-term impacts on all aspects of our national life, including the economy, security, and democratic institutions.”

frank with ourselves because we are toying with our future. A country of over 200 million people deserves a better leadership that is proactive, has foresight and vision to make things work for our country,” he said.

“I look forward that these three candidates of the various political parties will meet and say ‘look, let this man go’.

“I am in PDP and I am working for PDP. But I tell you, if I was not in PDP, you will see me working for Peter Obi. But I am in PDP. Let’s see how things work out.”

Ortom encouraged Nigerians to go into the 2023 general election with the mindset of electing the best presidential candidate among the top hopefuls.

According to him, Nigeria currently runs on oxygen and would need a hands-on and detribalised

leader to restore hope, development and progress.

Ortom’s remarks come hours after Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers and PDP member, endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Lagos counterpart who is a member of the APC, for a second term in office.

Ortom and Wike are allies and they have been demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman of the PDP. The crisis in the PDP has festered, while Ayu has maintained that he will complete his tenure.

Speaking with journalists, Obi called on his counterparts in other parties to suspend their campaigns and join him to help victims of floods across states of the federation.

Obi said he expected other presidential candidates to show concerns to the plight of victims

of flooding, considering how millions were spent on nomination forms alone.

The former Anambra governor vowed to fix Nigeria’s challenges if he wins next year’s poll and becomes the country’s President.

Floods have hit parts of Nigeria in the last two months with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) saying that about 2.5 million persons were affected and over 603 persons killed by the flooding caused by torrential rainfall of late.

Houses and farmlands have been submerged in Lagos, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Imo, Abia States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

be our role model at his level, as a governor, your office should come with a symbol of decorum.”

Jandor noted that he did “not do anything” against Wike to warrant such treatment, claiming that Governor Sanwo-Olu has failed Lagosians.

“This Governor Wike that came to Lagos saying somebody has performed, let me ask him, ‘How many times has this Governor invited him to come to Lagos to commission any project the way he (Wike) is commissioning up and down?’,” the PDP candidate asked.

“So, for four years of governing, he (Sanwo-Olu) has never commissioned any project. In Ambode’s years, you saw Abule Egba Flyover, Ajah Flyover, Airport International Road, and the bypass. But this government has nothing to show.”

He also claimed he has more followers in the Labour Party (LP) than the party’s Lagos State gubernatorial candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

According to him, if there were to be an election in the LP, he would beat Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

“As a matter of fact, within the Labour Party, I have more followers than him,” he noted, adding that the next election is about candidates and not about parties.

“If we do election in Labour Party today, I would defeat him (Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour),” Jandor claimed.

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TRIBUTE

A Eulogy to a Pacesetter Aduni Udu

S

ome are born great, but many become great through a lot of hard work. Without doubt, you belong to the latter category of those who become great through a dint of hard work, diligence and huge commitment to the vision they believe in.

Richard Nyong, you have lived an exemplary life, surely you have touched lives across states and provided a means of livelihood to many, providing one of the most important necessities to man ( according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs- "housing ") you have also empowered many young people trough education by offering them an unrivaled/ unbeatable scholarship scheme from your Alma Mata University of Port Harcourt. THE ALUMUS EXTRA -ORDINARY. You have

written your name in gold.

Your business acumen and numerous contributions for humanitarian services is an epitome of selflessness with no scintilla of doubt that you are a result driven individual and have earned this honour by championing the property sector with exceptional leadership. God and posterity will never forget your sacrifices.

I have watched you over the years as you painstakingly and ruggedly built a company that has not only become a household name but an entity to be reckoned with in Nigeria.

Your immense contribution to national development is a demonstration of your passion and commitment to contribute your quota to the prosperity of our nation and the people of Nigeria.

My interaction with you for several years has made it possible

for me to know you better and to respect your doggedness, your humility, and your kindness to people around you.

I am truly happy for you on the occasion of the conferment of this honour on you. An honour that I strongly believe you deserve and that is long overdue. I wish you many more years of great success.

If I may counsel you as an elder stateswoman and mother, please continue to be a blessing to your generation, and I pray that this honour is just the beginning of many more to come. My admiration for your work ethics is unceasing.

Do not follow where the part may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Congratulations!

–Chief (Mrs) Aduni Udu is MD/ CEO, Acouns Nigeria Limited & Family.

Richard Nyong

NEWS

Wike Alleges CBN Denied Abia, Benue Loans Because of Their Governors’ Support for Him Donates N200m for library Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike yesterday alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stopped the release of the loan for Abia and Benue States because they were standing with him on his demands for justice and equity in the system.

Wike stated that the motive was to punish Governors Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu for standing

with him to demand for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu. He threatened to expose some persons who were behind the denial of the loans to aforementioned states Wike made this disclosure at the 58th birthday celebration of Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in the governor’s country home of Umuobiakwa community in Obingwa Local Government Area.

"I will tell you very soon, how money that was supposed to come to Abia State for my friend to use to develop Abia State was stopped recently by those who think they own this country, by those who think Ikpeazu did not support them.

“Because Ikpeazu supported me, they went and stopped Abia State from getting the money they are supposed to get to develop Ariara market.

"Okezie Ikpeazu is just governor

COVID-19: Nigeria Vaccinates 53.5 Million Eligible Population Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday said 56,594,138 persons (representing 50.6 percent) out of its 111,776,503 eligible population have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, stated this in Abuja, yesterday, while receiving 22 Portable Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers donated to Nigeria by the United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation.

He assured Nigerians that the agency was making steady progress in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

He also said the SCALES 3.0 campaign strategy which the agency was implementing offers a unique opportunity for childhood vaccination and other Prmary Healthcare services for beneficiaries concurrently with COVID-19 vaccination.

"Let me use this opportunity to inform you that as of today, 13th October 2022, 56,594,138 (representing 50.6%) of our 111,776,503 eligible population have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

"May I at this point remind everyone that our SCALES 3.0 campaign strategy offers a unique opportunity for childhood vaccination and other PHC services for beneficiaries concurrently with

COVID-19 vaccination.

“We therefore urge parents to take their eligible children for vaccination against polio, yellow fever, measles and other vaccine preventable childhood diseases in the same locations where the adults also receive COVID-19 vaccines.

"Our mobile teams are also in possession of all these vaccines when they visit your homes.

Please welcome them and present yourselves and your eligible children for vaccination as may be applicable," he said.

Shuaib said the vaccination was making remarkable progress amidst persistent disinformation and low risk perception has been possible because of the significant support we have received from our development partners, including United Parcel Services (UPS).

"We cherish our partnership with UPS and will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria meets its target of vaccinating half of its overall population against COVID-19.

“As our country moves rapidly towards herd immunity, it is my firm belief that no country in the world is safe from COVID-19, and no business entity is safe from its adversities until all of us are safe," he said.

The NPHCDA boss commended the UPS Foundation for donating 22 Portable Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers to Nigeria.

"This donation is timely and

relevant to our need for energyefficient cold chain systems for vaccine storage in Nigeria," he said.

of Abia State. He is not the owner of Abia State. He is just a symbol of Abia State. Anybody who fights Abia State, you're not fighting Okezie, you are fighting the people of Abia."

Wike, who was the special guest of honour at the event, was accompanied by former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

The Rivers State governor explained that the CBN loan was a facility made available to every state in the country.

According to him, Rivers State government had accessed and secured the loan already.

"I will tell all of you, how Abia and Benue States were denied of their money that every state got from the CBN. I got it. And anybody who dare to stop my money, they know, I will not take it from them. You can see how people are wicked, they are not

in office yet, but they are fighting people, stopping states’ money.

"Even as we have criticised President Muhammadu Buhari, he has never stopped our money any day, never."

Wike frowned at some Nigerians who according to him always carry on as if they are masters over others, and would stop at nothing in daring to treat people as slaves.

The governor stated categorical that nobody could treat him as a slave because, as a Nigerian, he has equal citizen's status like every other Nigerian.

Speaking further, Wike, who restated his position on the internal crisis rocking the PDP, said the demand by his allies was for inclusivity, wherein every region would be given a sense of belonging.

"So, I have told Ikpeazu to continue to be quiet and be a

professor of proverbs. When we went to London, he told the person who called us to the meeting in London that this thing happening to PDP now is like that ship that wanted to capsize carrying Jonah.

"So, as the ship was going down, they went to Jonah, who said it's me, it's not the ship, and they took Jonah out of the ship. Jonah did not die. The ship stabilised. So, why not throw this Jonah out so that the ship can stabilise," he added.

Wike lauded the courage and foresight of the celebrant to establish a library that would serve as a resource centre for scholars.

He inaugurated the library and donated N200 million to support its establishment.

In his remark, Ikpeazu expressed joy that on the occasion of his 58th birthday, he was able to formally inaugurate a library in honour of his late father.

FG: LAGBO DAM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MASSIVE FLOODING IN NIGERIA to stay.

"In all the camps we have visited they are actually bonding together as a family and when the state government and other willing donors are providing food materials, the women themselves are cooking and they are all living happily together.

"I am also very glad that the children have started school here and at the other camps we had visited.

"We have doctors and nurses attending to the health needs of the people here and I have been told that they have recorded three deliveries here and that there are over twenty pregnant women.

"By the special grace of God, we will try to do everything to make them comfortable and I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who have been able to donate food and other items to the various camps.

"And I call on Deltans and non Deltans who live in Delta that they should come out and support, whatever government is doing, it is best they support them," he stated.

Humanitarian Group Donates Relief Materials to Kogi Victims

In a related development, in Kogi

State, due to effects of floods in Lokoja and (Koto Karfe) Kogi local government areas of the state, a humanitarian group, SBA Foundation has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to the victims in the two local government. The intervention was aimed at mitigating the effects of devastations.

The recent flood had badly affected several riverine communities in Lokoja and Koto Karfe which has necessitated the assistance the humanitarian group.

While speaking at presentation of the relief materials to the victims in Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-karfe) Local Government Areas of Kogi state, the Chairman of the Foundation, Yahaya Adama, expressed sadness over the development and described it as a natural phenomenon that has impacted lives negatively.

He sympathised with the state government and the affected victims, noting that the items were intended to cushion the effects of the flooding.

Adama urged the beneficiaries to use the relief items judiciously and pleaded with community leaders who were part of the distribution to ensure that the items were equitably distributed to actual victims.

The Chairman expressed appreciation to Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, who is the foundation's financier,

noting that the overall mandate of the foundation was to care for the well-being of the populace, noting that they would never waver from that call.

In their separate responses, beneficiaries commended the foundation for their assistance, saying the items would go a long way in cushioning the effects of the flood.

Items distributed included bags of rice, and noodles, among others.

Most Anambra Farmers Died Because They Couldn't Leave their Crops

Also, the Anambra North Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mrs. Uzoamaka Peace Obimuonso has said most people who died as a result of the flood was because they didn't want to leave their farms.

Obimuonso who hails from the riverine area of the state during an interview with journalists in Awka, said the level of death registered in the recent flood in the area was unprecedented.

She said: "It was not easy on our people, even when some of them saw the ferocious nature of the flood, the temptation for them not to abandon the source of their income was high.

"Some of our people who could

not resist the temptation to abandon their farm produce, got drowned by the flood. That was the story of some people from Nzam conveying their rice produce to market unfortunately they lost their lives.

"It was the same story at Ogbaru, where some people had to beg a boat man to ferry them to market, but they still could not make it because they lost their lives as a result of overload of goods and persons.

“Some persons were literally swept away from their houses by the menacing flood. All most all the houses in Anambra North got submerged by the flood. A lot of farm produce were lost to the flood.

"All these deaths could have been averted if the people were sure of the source of their next meal. Most times, the farmers borrow money from local money lender, which if they fail to pay back when due, attracts heavy consequences.

"With all these calamities that has befallen us in these past weeks, and Anambra State is yet to feel the presence of NEMA and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, Social Development and Emergency Services."

She called for more attention from relevant authorities, both in provision of food item, household items and drugs.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

45

NEWS

BANK DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION HOLDS SUMMIT…

L-R: Founding Managing Director, Agusto & Co, Mr. Olabode Agusto; Non-executive Director of United Bank for Africa Plc, Mrs. Onari Duke; Chairman, Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; Partner and Head, Financial Services Industry, KPMG Nigeria, Mr. Ayodele Othihiwa, and Executive Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Mr. Aminu Ismail at the BDAN’s Annual Summit in Lagos… recently

Amnesty International: 40 #EndSARS Protesters Still Languishing in Jail Sunday Ehigiator In commemoration of the second year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, Amnesty International has revealed that no fewer than 40 protesters during the unrest are still languishing in jail.

In a statement yesterday, Amnesty International said panels set up across the country

to investigate police impunity have failed to deliver justice to hundreds of victims of police brutality.

It maintained that the vast majority of #EndSARS protesters arrested in October 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained without trial.

According to the statement signed by the organisation’s media

manager, Isa Sanusi quoted the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, as saying: “The fact that nobody has been brought to justice over the torture and killings of #EndSARS protesters is a stain on Nigeria’s human rights records. Meanwhile, human rights violations by the police continue unabated.

“The authorities must ensure that suspected perpetrators of the deadly crackdown on #EndSARS protesters are brought to justice in

fair trials and address impunity for police brutality.

“Two years ago, the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people at Lekki toll Gate and in Alausa, Lagos State, while pro-government armed groups deliberately instigated violence at many #EndSARS demonstrations in other parts of the country to serve as a pretext for the police to use of lethal force on peaceful protesters. Rather than bringing those responsible for the attacks on

protesters to justice, the authorities have engaged in series of bizarre denials and cover ups.”

He said since the #EndSARS protests, many people who have attempted to exercise their right to peaceful protest have repeatedly faced threats, harassments, and intimidations.

Specifically, Amnesty International revealed that Olumide, Rasheed Tiamiyu, Moruf Adekunle, Taoreed Abiodun, Ikenna Amechi,

Afeez Ariyo, Ikechukwu Eze, and Adesina Ademuyiwa were among those arrested in Ibadan for participating in #EndSARS protests in October 2020, and their detentions were polonged without trial “Despite reportedly suffering from ill health, they continue to be held without trial in Agodi Correctional Centre, having previously been detained at a SARS facility in Ibadan and Abolongo Prison in Oyo Town.

Sylvester Idowu inWarri

carefully packaged to cover all areas of security concerns in the state, so as to garner participation from all stakeholders in the security architecture of the state.

He said that the military, police, DSS, and other paramilitary organisations will participate in the exercise to create a free and safe environment for Deltans and fellow Nigerians.

“As we all know, we are now in the period we call Ember months, which usually attract increased

criminal activities. It is therefore, necessary to set in motion different strategies to checkmate the possible rise in criminal activities within Delta state and its environs.

“It is pertinent to also emphasis that under the leadership of the General Officer, Commanding 6 Div, Major General O. Oluyede, 63 Brigade remains committed to upholding the vision of Chief of Army Staff (COAS)”, he said.

General Saraso expressed the resolve of officers and soldiers

of 63 Brigade to sustaining the tempo of improving the security situation and socio-economic activities of Delta state.

Speaking during the ceremony, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, commended the military and other security outfits operating in the state for the synergy that has existed between them over the years in ensuring the sustainability of peace and security both within the state and its environs.

Police Teargas Physically Challenged Athletes for Protesting Unpaid Salaries Military Launches ‘Exercise Still Waters’ahead of Yuletide in Delta at disabled athletes, protesting Rebecca Ejifoma Personnel of the Lagos State Police yesterday fired teargas to disperse persons living with disability (PLWD) and athletes who took to the highway to protest unpaid salaries in Ojuelegba, Surulere area of Lagos State.

The State Police Spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin took to his verified Twitter account, @ benhundeyin, to clear the air on the situation following a claim of police assault.

A concerned Nigerian, @ Postsubman had accused in his tweet: “Police reportedly assaulting and shooting teargas

against unpaid salaries, in surulere, Lagos.”

Meanwhile, Hundeyin reacted: “A group of people were dispersed with minimal force as prescribed by law after they refused all persuasion to leave the highway for free flow of traffic.

“Many Nigerians had complained of being illegally restrained in traffic. We rose to the occasion. No assault, injury or death.”

In a video trending on social media, the physically challenged persons were seen causing a scene and vehicular traffic in front of the national stadium in Ojuelegba.

‘APC ‘ll Defeat PDP in Enugu West’ Gideon Arinze inEnugu

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Enugu West Senatorial District, Nick Ezeh has expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious at the poll.

Ezeh, who spoke in Enugu yesterday, during the unveiling of his manifesto at the APC secretariat said that he has a better chance of winning the election, especially with the new Electoral Act. Eze, who will be contesting to take over from the former Deputy

Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, dismissed the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the district.

“With the new electoral reform, the PDP will not have an easy run anymore in Enugu state because the new law would now make it easier for genuine politicians to win elections,” he said.

Ezeh, a professor of Political Economics, maintained that he has all the qualities it takes to win the election, adding that he would deploy his international exposure to attract development to the district.

‘Nigeria Has Been Hijacked

By Five Sets of People’ Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan A senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Dr. Oludayo Tade, yesterday raised the alarm that the country has been hijacked by five categories of people.

Tade, who teaches Criminology, made the revelation in Ibadan yesterday , while delivering a public lecture titled, “Rescuing Nigeria from its abductors”, as

part of activities to mark the 2022 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.

He insisted that five categories of people among whom are religious leaders, ethnic champions, the journalists, endorsers and Nigerians themselves are the ones holding the country in captivity, stating that this is making it difficult for the country to move forward.

The 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asaba, has launched ‘Exercise Still Water II, 2022’ as part of the measures aimed at beefing up security surveillance and crimes combat, especially during festive period when criminal activities get to their peak.

Brigade Commander, Brigadier General David Saraso while flagging off the exercise in Asaba said the operation has been

2023 Polls: Immigration Service Urges Officers to be Patriotic, Neutral responsibilities to the nation carry out the mandate of NIS Human Resources Management, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Controller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Idris Isah Jere, has charged officers and men of the Service to be upright, steadfast and patriotic, neutral and apolitical in the discharge of their national duties during the 2023 general polls.

Jere urged his operatives to always be alive in their

while on national duty, especially working hard to secure the borders and control the movement of migrants, as well as exhibit fairness during elections.

Speaking at the pull-out ceremony for the Assistant Controller General, Abdulrahman Aderemi Salau, in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, the CGIS stressed the need for the officers to

appropriately and effectively, in line with the statute and operational code of ethics.

Jere, who cautioned the officers against indolence and complacency, said all their activities are not going unnoticed, saying the service is in the eye of the public, and being thoroughly monitored and evaluated.

Represented by the Assistant Controller General in charge of

Babangida Usman, Jere said: “Officers should be up and doing as they serve that nation.

“All you are doing are being noted. We have strategic location and responsibility across the whole nation and statutory responsibility of controlling the movement of migrants in and out of the country and that is what we have been doing.

Party Chieftain Wants Court to Nullify Abia PDP’s Guber Ticket Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Contrary to the narrative of peacefulness in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia, it has emerged that all is not well in the party as a governorship aspirant in the May 25, 2022 primary, Dr Sampson Orji is

now fighting hard to nullify the outcome of the primary.

A former Vice-chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), Prof Uche Ikonne, had emerged the governorship candidate of the ruling party in the said primary which was boycotted by some aspirants.

Still nursing his wounds, Dr

Orji has approached a Federal High Court in Umuahia seeking the nullification of Ikonne’s governorship ticket on the ground that the delegates that voted in the primary were not elected.

According to him, there was nowhere in Abia that the three-man ad-hoc congress was held to elect the delegates, adding that the list

used for primary was generated at government house Umuahia in favour of Prof Ikonne.

The professor of optometric is generally believed to be the anointed candidate of the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu hence things were allegedly skewed in his favour to emerge as the PDP governorship flag bearer.

Tinubu to Meet Afenifere Leader, Pa Fasoranti, Soon, Says SWAGA Boss

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The South West Agenda (SWAGA), campaigning for the election of 2023 Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has disclosed that the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, will soon meet with the Pa Reuben Fasoranti -led Pan Yoruba group,

Afenifere in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.

SWAGA commended the Coalition of Northern Elders for engaging in robust discussions with the frontline presidential candidates of political parties, who are participating in the next year’s general elections.

The Coordinator of SWAGA, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye,

stated this in an interview with THISDAY in Abuja yesterday.

He said other regional groups like the Afenifere and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, should emulate the northern elders before hurriedly endorsing presidential candidates for the 2023 elections.

Adeyeye, a former spokesperson for the Afenifere,

the pan Yoruba social, political and economic organisation, said endorsing candidates without having a robust engagements with them was not proper.

He also explained that Tinubu was ready to engage any of the regional ethnic group in the country who wants to know his agenda and programmes for the nation.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

NEWSXTRA

ARISE WOMEN WALK FOR LIFE…

L-R: Participant, Otunba Niyi Adewunmi; Convener, Arise Women Foundation, Dr. Siju Iluyomade; Hon. Justice Raliat Adebiyi, and Pastor Idowu Iluyomade of City of David, Redeemed Christian Church of God during 2022 Arise Walk for Life in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

INEC: 19 Million Nigerians Living with Disabilities are Registered Voters Says it’s dismantling barriers excluding them from electoral process

Chuks OkochainAbuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said many of the 19 million Nigerians living with disability were registered

voters and would do everything to dismantle barriers that excludes them from the electoral process.

Speaking at a seminar to mainstream Nigerians living with disabilities, the INEC chairman,

Red Cross: Improved Infrastructure Has Made our Work Easier in Enugu The Nigerian Red Cross Society has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the remarkable interventions his administration has made in the provision of road infrastructure, healthcare facilities and efficient fire service operations in Enugu North Senatorial District and beyond, disclosing that the amenities have aided the voluntary organisation to discharge its duties in the district.

Speaking when representatives of the Nsukka Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society visited Gov.

Ugwuanyi yesterday, the chairman of the organisation, Pascal Chukwuemeka Asadu applauded the governor for “your gigantic developmental strides in Enugu North Senatorial District in particular and the state in general.”

Asadu stressed that the impact of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s development trajectory in Enugu North Senatorial District in terms of road construction, healthcare infrastructure, traffic lights and fire service facilities has attributed to the success story of the organization in the zone.

Chinese Jailed Five Years for Illegal Mining in Kwara Hammed ShittuinIlorin Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin yesterday convicted and sentenced a 29-year-old China national, Gang Deng, to five years imprisonment for offences bordering on illegal mining and possession of crude minerals without lawful authority.

Gang, who is a Managing Director of Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd, was arrested along Tsaragi Road in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday, September 9, 2022 by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He was found to be in possession of 25 tons of crude minerals suspected to be lepidolite.

Lepidolite is a raw material usually transported to China for production of batteries for vehicles, cell phones, cameras and other electronic devices.

Operatives of the EFCC, in collaboration with the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on August 30, 2022, arrested 13 suspected illegal miners operating in Kakafu village in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

PDP Tours Peoples Democratic Institute Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The training arm of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) is set to reopen after years of dormancy following the party’s loss of the 2015 elections.

The institute, which was in the news recently over allegations by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that the national chairman of the party , Iyochia Ayu, collected the sum of N100 million from a serving governor.

But Ayu refuted the allegation

and declared that the said money was used to refurbish the PDI , that has been dormant for years.

Conducting journalists round the PDI located in Asokoro, in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that the purpose of the institute ,which was established in the year 2000 during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is to be the intellectual base of the PDP where policy directions are fashioned out for good governance and national development.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the National Population Commission (NPC) estimated that at least nineteen (19) million Nigerians were living with disabilities.

“From our records, many of them are registered voters. We owe it a duty to our democratic and electoral processes as well as national growth and development to encourage their active participation as citizens with

equal rights.

“They constitute the category of marginalised groups along with women and youths. Therefore, all barriers to their inclusion must be dismantled. In partnership with the disability community, INEC will continue to promote inclusivity, not in a symbolic but practical way.

“Our emphasis is not just on their participation as candidates

during elections in particular but involvement in the electoral process in general. Already, we have taken several practical steps in this direction,” the INEC chairman stated.

He explained that their systematic exclusion on account of disability, has affected a significant part of the Nigerian population from effective participation in many areas of human endeavour,

especially, political and leadership roles at all levels, saying it was unacceptable.

According to him, “I recall that a few years ago, the Commission accredited PWDs as election observers. By this decision, Nigeria became the first country in Africa, where PWDs in their own right observed elections beginning with the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2016.

Delta Monarch Urges FG to Stop Further Allocation to NDDC Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Ovie (traditional ruler) of Idjerhe kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, has urged the federal government to stop further allocation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) except for payment of staff salaries until the board is inaugurated.

The traditional ruler, who

premised statement on the non- constitution of the NDDC Board three years after the screening of members by the Senate, also disclosed that over N700 billion has been allocated to the Commission within the period under review without tangible projects on ground.

The monarch also described the massive flood that has killed over 600 people across the country as genocide against the people of

Nigeria by Cameroon.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City yesterday on the flood which has devastated many communities and rendered thousands of people homeless, the Ovie urged the federal government to go back to the drawing board, discuss with Cameroon government or sue Cameroon to pay damages.

“This is a serious national disaster. I don’t see any reason why the Nigerian government

should not sue the Cameroon government or individual state affected by the flooding should not sue Cameroon with over 600 deaths recorded in Nigeria communities and property worth billions and trillions of naira destroyed as a result of the heavy flooding. This is genocide and not just flood. If the water is open to wipe away Nigerians and Nigeria, then we must as a country resist it”, the Ovie said.

Your Administration is Security-friendly, Army Lauds Oyetola Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Aminu Shehu Chinade, has lauded Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola’s support to all strata of security formation in the State.

He particularly extolled the governor for his love and care

for the officers and men of the Nigerian Army since he assumed office.

The military boss further commended Oyetola for running an all-inclusive and participatory government where the interest of the masses and security agents are always considered as priority.

Speaking during a familiarisation visit to the Governor in his office at the State Government Secretariat,

Abere, Osogbo, Chinade, said the good works of the governor had endeared him to security operatives including men of the Nigerian Army.

He acknowledged the numerous achievements of the governor, especially his management of the security of the State that had seen Osun remains one of the safest states in the country.

Chinade attributed the seamless

operation of the Engineering Construction Command of the Nigerian Army Engineers in Ede, to the timely and prompt support received from the State government.

While reassuring the continued support of the Division to the state, the Army boss noted that no stone would be left unturned in providing adequate security within and outside the Division.

Niger Pensioners Go Spiritual over Non-payment of Entitlements Laleye Dipo in Minna

Scores of pensioners in Niger State yesterday went spiritual calling on God to touch the heart of the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, to pay their entitlements.

The pensioners also blocked the entrance to the Government House stopping the in and out movements of people and

vehicles.

The Muslim prayer was held in front of the Government House gate while the Christians held theirs at another section of the gate For several minutes, the pensioners after the prayers, obstructed vehicular movement in and outside the Government House.

Later, the pensioners assembled

also in front of the gate singing different choruses, some abusive.

The action of the pensioners also stopped commissioners from gaining access to the Government House for the weekly state executive council meeting.

The spokesman of the pensioners, Mr Ibrahim Mahmood, told THISDAY that their next line of action is to wait

for the governor to arrive in the office.

He said: “We have submitted every document to the government now we will wait for the governor to arrive.”

Telephone calls made the cell phone of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, were not responded to.

Ibadan Poly Suspends Two Students, Expels One, for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery Kemi Olaitan inIbadan Two students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Richard Beyioku, ND 2 Mass Communication and Dotun Oyewole, HND 2 of Local Government Development Studies, have been handed indefinite suspension and expulsion respectively for allegedly kidnapping an HND 1 Public

Administration student, as well as assaulting a security officer of the Institution.

The Registrar, of the institution, Mrs. Modupe Theresa Fawale, in a statement, yesterday, disclosed that Oyewole’s expulsion was determined after the Students’ Disciplinary Committee of the Institution met on his case on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

She said the co-suspect, Beyioku, failed to appear before the institution’s’ Disciplinary Committee and thus remained suspended indefinitely.

She added that Olubiro Basit Ajibola, an ND 2 Estate Management and Evaluation, student alleged to be involved in a case of armed robbery also failed to appear before the Disciplinary

Committee of the Institution and thus suspended indefinitely.

According to her, “The Disciplinary Committee of the Institution also took a decision on one Odeleye Victor A. an ND 2 graduate of the Institution whose suspicious movement is allegedly causing discomfort and security breach within The Polytechnic community.

47

THURSDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Eberechi Eze Going...

Going...to England’s Three Lions

G th S Gareth Southgate th t May M list li t him hi iin Provisional list of 55 players for Qatar 2022 Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria is on the verge of losing another potential Super Eagles player to England’s Three Lions as Gareth Southgate is believed to name England-born Nigerian forward, Eberechi Eze, in his provisional squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

According to FIFA guidelines for the first World Cup in the Middle East starting on November 20, coaches of all the qualified 32 teams must submit a preliminary selection of minimum of 35 (maximum of 55) players for the tournament tomorrow as they begin the process of finalising their squads for the

finals in Qatar UK’s Daily Mail reported yesterday that following Eze’s brilliant form for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, he’s back on Southgate’s radar.

Southgate is due to name an extended squad of up to 55 players, which will then be reduced to 26 ahead of the tournament, by Friday.

The newspaper reported that Eze is on course to be named in Southgate’s provisional squad for the World Cup alongside team-mates Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell.

Southgate has never hidden his love for the player with Nigerian ancestry and is a big fan of Eze. He has been

NFF President, Gusau, to Inaugurate NPFL’s IMC on Friday President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will tomorrow October 21, 2022 inaugurate the Interim Management Committee(IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as composed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on behalf of the Federal Government last month.

In a press statement announcing the composition of the IMC, the Youth and Sports Development Ministry stated that the move was “in line with the 10-year Football Masterplan as approved

by President Muhammadu Buhari towards the revitalisation of the domestic league” and that the IMC would be in place to “oversee the affairs of the League until a proper professional League Board

is put in place statutorily.”

The inauguration will take place at the NFF Conference Room inside the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Friday at 11am.

Interim Management Committee of NPFL is made up of: Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Chairman), Elder Paul Bassey (Vice Chairman), Prince Davidson Owumi (Head of Operations) and Hon. Kunle Soname (Member).

Other members of the IMC include, former Super Eagles star, Mr. Daniel Amokachi, Mr Calvin Emeka Onwuka, Mallam Aliyu Adamu,Rep. of the NFF, Rep. of Nigeria Police,Barr. Danladi Ibrahim, Mr. Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu-, Barr. Poubeni Ogun, Awalu Baba Jada and Mr. Olumide Bamiduro who is the Secretary of the Interim management board.

Eko NAFEST 2022: Governor Sanwo-0lu Transform SportsCity to Festival City Nigeria's iconic but decrepit football theatre, the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, is now wearing a new look, courtesy of the intervention of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo -0lu who has directed that nothing should be left to chance in the quest for the famous facility to host the Eko NAFEST. Although eyes may not readily see the changes from the gates of the stadium abandoned to rot away for years, a drive to the soccer laboratory facilities at National Institute for Sports (NIS), domiciled inside the complex, presents an impressive and colourful features of the facilities.

From the hostel facilities of the NIS to five of the mini pitches originally conceived as training grounds, the splash of colourful paints, artistic works and renovations of toilets and recreation areas, signposts the readiness of the complex to host Nigeria's biggest cultural tourism extravaganza.

This edition its expected to

dwarf the edition hosted by Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Wike over four years ago.

The teams from the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, are expected to storm Lagos from November 7th through 13th for the Nafest.

Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC and President, Africa Region of World Craft Council ( NCC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, was in Lagos over the weekend to see that projections were working to plans. He was in company with Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf.

A special media tour is being planned to officially unveil the transformation of the Sportscity soon. Also to be seen is the ongoing renovation work in the main bowl of the Sportscity being carried out by Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare. The laying of a new tartan track is in progress after the completion of the re-grassing of the turf.

monitored his performances with a view to naming him in the senior squad, reports Daily Mail.

Eze was picked in Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for the European Championships last year – but an Achilles rupture robbed him of the chance of being named in the full party.

But having proved to Southgate that he is over the long-term injury, the former Queens Park Rangers star is back in international contention.

It remains to be seen whether Eze can do enough to break into Southgate’s final 26-man squad for Qatar, which is expected to be named on November 10.

There is huge competition in the attacking areas and it is likely Eze will have to rely on injuries to have a realistic chance of making the final cut.

Nevertheless, his re-emergence into Southgate’s thinking is likely to see Eze handed his first international call-up sooner rather than later.

Eze has only played for the England U-20 and U-21 teams.

He will be joining the likes of Tammy Abraham, Bukayo Saka, Charlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Salako, Ugo Ehiogu and John Fashanu who preferred the country of their birth to Nigeria.

Eberechi Eze...to be named in England’s provisional squad for Qatar 2022 World Cup

Benzema on Target as Real Madrid Extend Lead LA LIGA Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema scored as Real Madrid extended their advantage at the top of La Liga to six points with 3-0 victory over Elche.

Benzema linked with Rodrygo before slotting home from 18 yards, having seen two earlier efforts ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.

That doubled Madrid's lead after Federico Valverde sliced home.

Marco Asensio scored a third as Real extended their unbeaten start to 10 games.

Real opened up a three-point lead on rivals Barcelonawith victory in El Clasico on Sunday, with Xavi's side having the opportunity to cut the gap when they host Villarreal this evening.

LALIGA Elche 0-3 R’Madrid Sociedad 1-0 Mallorca Cadiz 0-0 Real Betis

PREMIER LEAGUE Bo’mouth Brentford Liverpool Newcastle Man Utd

0-1 Southampton 0-0 Chelsea 1-0 West Ham 1-0 Everton 2-0 Tottenham

2022 Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema was on target as Real Madrid extends lead at summit of LaLiga to six points ...last night

Oguche/Bullet B’ball Championship to Herald NBBF Final-8 Playoffs The Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Championship has gained a big boost as top Nigerian basketball teams are now poised to use it as a dress rehearsal for the Nigeria Basket Federation (NBBF) 2022 Final-8 playoffs.

The Oguche/Bullet competition billed for November 1 to 6, 2022will be staged at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos while November 6thhas been picked as the arrival date for teams in the competition.

Samuel Oguche, a former guard

with the Lagos Islanders, said the choice of date and venue of the NBBF Playoffs is surely a blessing to the competition.

“Some of the teams in the NBBF playoffs are also listed for the Bullet Energy competition. And so we have a situation where the teams would train hard, play to win the cup and then move in straight to the continent ticket challenge. This is very good for both competitions,” Oguche said.

Nigeria Basketball league teams such as Ebun Comets, Rivers

Hoopers and First Bank (women) are some of the top clubs that will feature in the Sam Oguche Bullet Energy Basketball Championship.

The competition will be staged at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos. The NBBF Final-8 Playoffs will start the following day in the same venue.

Hoopers who represented Nigeria in the first edition of the African continental event, BAL, are tipped as favourites for the Bullet Energy Drink trophy.

They are also in the draw for the NBBF Playoffs just as the Kwara Falcons are also listed for both the Bullet Championship and the federation’s playoffs.

Back in the Sam Oguche/ Bullet competition, Abuja-based scholars, Nile University cannot be overlooked. They have won the NBBF National Division Two League and later Division One. There are quality prizes lined up for teams and individuals backed by a lot of entertainment and fun in the American style.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

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Nyesom Wike to Iyorchia Ayu “Let him (Ayu) also say that the 100 million was in Naira or in Dollars. He said he gave it to the treasurer. I thought he would have told the world that the NWC (national working committee) was aware. Ask him, the contracts that are going on in this Democratic Institute and that of Wadata (Plaza), who is doing that contract, is it not one of his sons?”—Rivers State Governor questioning the integrity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Nigerian Liz-Trussification THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

I

t was heart-breaking to watch the hospital video of the late former Big Brother Naija housemate, Patrick Fakoya, aka Rico Swavey, following the automobile accident that eventually claimed his life. But this is not an issue on which one can rush to judgement. “You people should stop making video. Somebody is dying and you people are making video”, one of the nurses could be heard remonstrating with the recorder. Since the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has decided to join the state government in their investigation of the incident, I enjoin people to wait for the outcome. “We want to appeal to the general public that we allow all statutory bodies that have the power to investigate the matter to conclude their findings and give a detailed report,” Benjamin Olowojebutu and Ismail Ajibowo, Lagos NMA chairman and secretary respectively, wrote in their joint statement. “Passing a guilty verdict on healthcare workers before the investigation is concluded will not do any good to anybody.”

While the advent of social media and the craze for ‘followers’ has bastardised most rules of civilized conduct, the dignity of someone battling for life should matter to people who have a duty of care, whether they be friends or clinical staff. In many countries, filming is not even allowed within hospital wards for several reasons. The Moore Law Firm, an American legal company posted that “someone who is trying to record can disrupt a doctor’s ability to provide care.

The focus should be on the patient, but with someone in the direct vicinity trying to film everything that is happening, there are several mistakes that can arise.”

Unfortunately, as it so ever happens, most of the comments below the video clip on social media were about how “Nigeria happened to Rico”, which is typical in a society where people have learnt to deflect responsibility. We always blame ‘Nigeria’ when our compatriots fail to do the right thing, rather than hold them to account. This problem did not start today. While the young generation may have patented the phrase ‘May Nigeria never happen to you’ to knock the country, the generation before them also used ‘Nigerian factor’ as an excuse for failure. A famous line in the inaugural speech of the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua on 29th May 2007 captured it succinctly: “Let us stop justifying every shortcoming with that unacceptable phrase ‘the Nigerian Factor’ as if to be a Nigerian is to settle for less.”

Despite the evident problems in healthcare delivery in Nigeria today, it is important for us to await the outcome of the current investigation into the circumstances surrounding the last hours of the late Rico before we draw conclusions. The challenge is that we have managed to create an industry out of every mismanagement of our national life. With the health sector in shambles, our medical practitioners are leaving the country in droves.

And given the level of desperation, especially by young people for whom dwindling opportunities make them look abroad, it is also no surprise that charlatans are using every means to dupe the unwary. That’s the only way to explain why a Pastor would advertise a ‘Japa Anointing’ church programme, asking people to come with their international

Liz Truss passports, so that he could pray for them to secure Visa to whichever country they seek to emigrate.

As I have written in the past, this is part of a larger malaise. What we are dealing with today is the viral elevation of money to the status of god, such that every aspect of our national life has become transactional: religion, business, politics, sex, friendship etc.

And in the desperation for social recognition, there is no fraud that cannot be packaged and sold to our people. For those who still remember, shortly before the late gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu was buried in November 2015, a female ‘prophet’ appeared on the scene. With the aid of some young people, she broke the door to where the corpse of Audu was kept with a promise to raise the dead. It was a futile exercise.

It is the right of Nigerians to emigrate abroad should they choose to, but we cannot stand for any ‘Japa anointing’ charade. And since these countries that our young ones run to were also built by people, we must begin to envision and work for the Nigeria of our dream. That of course appears too much for our politicians as is evident in the 2023 general election campaigns. We do not need those who regale the people with a litany of our woes. What we need at this most difficult period are practical solutions to the myriad of problems confronting our

nation in all spheres.

On Monday in Lagos, the senior energy specialist of the World Bank, Mr Arsh Sharma, listed Nigeria as the most energy deficient country in Africa. “There is no other country other than Nigeria that is having that kind of energy crisis. Nigeria has over 90 million people without access to electricity. This is the largest energy deficit in the whole of Africa,” he said. Same day, the Waziri Adio-led Agora Policy, a think tank that conducts policy research, released its first report which concluded on a sobering note that “Nigeria’s economy is not in sound health”. Changing the narrative, according to the report which interested readers can access at www.agorapolicy.org, would require “removing the progressively ruinous petrol subsidies, increasing tax revenue, curbing the growing and suffocating appetite for debts, ending restrictive trade practices, and adopting a more realistic and more transparent exchange rate regime” etc. And perhaps to confirm that when it rains in Nigeria it actually pours, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed also on Monday that higher commodity prices had pushed inflation to 20.77 from 20.52 a month ago.

Continued on page 25

Echoes of Clinton’s Abuja Visit

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or readers who have either written in or called to know my view on the political process as we inch towards the 2023 general election, let me reassure them that at the appropriate time, I will offer my perspective on the leading political parties and their presidential candidates. In what I plan to be an election series, I may also look at the gubernatorial contests in a few states.

For now, what I find disturbing is that many of those who seek our votes in 2023 are still trapped in the same old politics that have not in any way advanced our country. In the course of a conversation about Nigeria yesterday with Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, he forwarded to me the 26th August 2000 speech delivered by the then visiting American President Bill Clinton to the Joint Session of our National Assembly in Abuja. Although the point Bagudu was trying to make was on debt sustainability and the role of private capital (Wall Street and Silicon Valley in the United States as explained by Clinton), it is other aspects of the speech that I find rather instructive. I have excerpted below about a tenth of the speech (which is quite long) as a reminder of the task of nation-building that lies ahead. =============================== I know that decades of misrule and deprivation have made your religious and ethnic divisions deeper. Nobody can wave a hand and make the problems go away. But that is no reason to let the idea of one united Nigeria slip away. After all, after all this time, if we started trying to redraw the map of Africa, we would simply be piling new grievances on old. Even if we could separate all the people of Africa by ethnicity and faith, would we really rid this continent of strife? Think of all the things that would be broken up and all the mountains of progress

Bill Clinton that have been built up that would be taken down if that were the case.

Where there is too much deprivation and too little tolerance, differences among people will always seem greater and will always be like open sores waiting to be turned into arrows of hatred by those who will be advantaged by doing so. But I think it is worth noting for the entire world that against the background of vast cultural differences, a history of repression and ethnic strife, the hopeful fact here today is that Nigeria’s 250 different ethnic groups have stayed together in one nation. You have struggled for democracy together. You have forged national institutions together. All your greatest achievements have come when you have worked together.

It is not for me to tell you how to resolve all the issues that I follow more closely than you might imagine I do. You’re a free people, an independent people, and you must resolve them…The world needs Nigeria to succeed. Every great nation must become more than the sum

of its parts. If we are torn by our differences, then we become less than the sum of our parts.

Nigeria has within it the seeds of every great development going on in the world today, and it has a future worth fighting for.

Ten years ago (1990) a young Nigerian named Ben Okri published a novel, ‘The Famished Road,’ that captured imaginations all over the world. He wrote of a spirit child who defies his elders and chooses to be born into the turmoil and struggle of human life. The time and place were modern Nigeria, but the questions the novel poses speak to all of us in a language that is as universal as the human spirit.

In a time of change and uncertainty, Okri asks us, “Who can dream a good road and then live to travel on it?” Nigerians, as much as any nation on Earth, have dreamed this road.

Since Anthony Enahoro stood up in a colonial Parliament and demanded your independence in 1953, Nigerians have dreamed this road in music and art and literature and political struggle, and in your contributions to prosperity and progress, among the immigrants to my country and so many others.

Now, at the dawn of a new century, the road is open at home to all citizens of Nigeria. You have the chance to build a new Nigeria…

ENDNOTE: When a society is so weak that the majority of young citizens seem uncertain about tomorrow, what you get is the current situation in Nigeria. But from recent documented accounts, some of our compatriots who are ‘Japa-ing’ may be jumping from frying pan to fire. Hence, the main take-away from Clinton’s speech of 22 years ago is that at the end of the day, the only enduring solution is to rebuild our country for peace and prosperity. That is the challenge of the 2023 general election.

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