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TSA Collections Hit N19tn in Five Years FG saves N45bn in monthly interest payments Nigeria, Gambia sign MoU on financial policy

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja The gross accruals into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) reached over N19 trillion

between August 2015 and February 2020, data from the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (OAGF) has revealed.

The federal government also

currently saves an average of N45 billion monthly in interest payments following the adoption of the financial policy.

The TSA, introduced in

2012 by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to consolidate all inflows from all agencies of government into a single account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, was

strictly enforced in 2015 at the outset of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Statistics from the OAGF, highlighting the milestones of

the TSA implementation, also indicated that over N6.9 billion was collected in November 2019 from the re-mapping of Continued on page 9

Buhari Outlines Action Plan to Forestall Reoccurrence of #EndSARS Protests... Page 8 Wednesday 18 November, 2020 Vol 25. No 9354. Price: N250

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We Can’t Be Intimidated, Says PDP as Umahi Defects to APC BoT chairman urges party to negotiate with South-east Elders, national caucus meet today ahead of NEC meeting Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that it would not be arm-twisted into making a decision on the zoning of its presidential ticket for the 2023 general election, saying the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, deserted the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of his personal interest.

Umahi, at a press conference in Abakaliki, the state capital, said his desertion of the PDP for the APC was to protest alleged injustice and marginalisation of the Southeast by his former party on which platform he was elected deputy governor and governor.

The PDP reacted swiftly, dismissing Umahi’s action as selfish even as it wished him well in his future endeavour, Continued on page 9

S’South Govs, Leaders Demand Apology from Presidency over Botched Meeting Segun James Governors and leaders of the South-south geopolitical region have demanded an unreserved apology from the presidency for abruptly aborting a crucial stakeholders’ meeting scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The presidency had fixed a

meeting for yesterday with the governors and other leaders of the region to discuss burning national issues affecting the region and the aftermath effects of the #EndSARS protest.

The federal government delegation was supposed Continued on page 9

SOUTH-SOUTH PARLEY...

L-R: Governors, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Chief Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), during a meeting of South-south stakeholders in Port Harcourt…yesterday

Police: Alleged Abduction of 12 Officers being Verified... Page 5

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Police: Alleged Abduction of 12 Officers being Verified

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The police said yesterday that the claim that 12 police officers, heading to Zamfara State from Borno State on an official assignment, were abducted by gunmen is being verified.

The officers, of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), were said to be on their way to Zamfara to conduct a special operation when the kidnappers waylaid them.

The kidnappers were said to have demanded a N10 million ransom.

But the Force Headquarters has told THISDAY that it is making efforts to verify the kidnap claim while the Borno State Police Command denied that any officer was missing from the command.

A BBC report said the abduction took place 12 days ago but came to light yesterday.

A wife of one of the kidnapped officers said she did not hear from her husband for three days and decided to seek further information from a police barracks in Borno where she learnt about the abduction.

She was quoted as saying that her husband later called and asked her to raise ransom money by selling their home.

"He called me on Wednesday and told me that he was in the hands of the kidnappers,� she said.

She stated that her husband

told her that if she failed to raise at least N1 million, “there will be trouble.�

She added that a police officer subsequently called her to request that she should raise N800, 000 for his release. “I can’t tell you that I have any other information. We are in a state of frustration,� she said.

But the Force Headquarters said it is verifying the kidnap claim.

"We are aware but we are trying to verify that the kidnap took place," Deputy Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Aremu Adeniran, said.

Meanwhile, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday said he remained in firm control of the administration and operations of Nigeria Police Force.

The IG was responding to the position of Maj. Gen. Wahab Garba (rtd.), who, in a media interview, said the IG was not in control of the police.

A statement by Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), faulted the assertion of the retired general.

It said: "The Force wishes to categorically state that the retired Major General is wrong in his assertion as IGP Adamu is firmly in control of the administration and operation of the Nigeria Police Force.

"It notes that the comments

by Rtd Major General Garba Wahab show that he spoke purely out of ignorance and from a jackboot mentality that lacks proper understanding of democratic policing culture, rooted in the rule of law."

The police said Wahab spoke on a subject outside his area of core competence.

"It is noteworthy that since his assumption of office as the 20th indigenous InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP M.A

Adamu, a global policing icon, has in the past twenty-three months of his leadership of the force shown sterling qualities in what the operational/ administrative command and control of the Force should be.

"This is exemplified in the various reform policies being implemented to reposition the force for greater efficiency, uphold the rule of law in policing actions and drive a citizen-centred policing

approach.

"It is to the credit of his robust leadership style that even in the face of the recent violence occasioned by the #EndSARS protest and provocative attacks on police personnel and assets, the officers under his command exercised maximum restraint and stayed calm, professional and committed to maintaining law and order in the country.�

It enjoined the general

public and privileged opinion moulders not to allow sentiments becloud their sense of judgment but to use opportunities of national platforms to offer constructive criticisms and advocate opinions that will help in improving governance generally and policing in particular in the country.

The police urged Wahab to fact-check his assumptions before going public.

ATTENDING TO NATIONAL SECURITY...

Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari during the National Security Council meeting in Abuja‌yesterday

NNPC Forecasts $1tn Losses in Global Oil Production by December FG targets 40bn crude oil reserves, 3m bpd production Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday projected global losses from exploration and production activities due to slowing demand for crude oil amid the COVID-19 pandemic will hit about $1 trillion by the end of 2020.

Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) 2020 Conference, also reiterated the plan of the NNPC to reduce production cost per barrel to $10 by 2021.

The theme of the conference held in Lagos is: “Accelerating Growth in Nigeria’s Hydrocarbon Reserves: Emerging Concepts, Challenges and Opportunities.�

He, however, stated that the only way to survive the challenging times is to cut or optimise production costs and increase revenue, noting that the NNPC has slashed its cost per unit to between 20 per cent and 30 per cent and will hit the projected target next year.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi

Osinbajo, who also attended the event, said the federal government is targeting the growth of the country’s crude oil reserves, which is currently about 36 billion barrels to around 40 billion, and achieve a daily production of three million barrels.

But describing the times as challenging, Kyari, in his virtual presentation from Abuja, explained that with over 203 trillion cubic feet of gas, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) when passed into law, will unlock the huge potential in the country.

He said: “We are in challenging times. What COVID-19 did to the oil industry is monumental. It has done a lot of collateral damage to the rest of the industry, entertainment and everything you can think off. “Of course, the collateral cost to the industry we expect is about $1 trillion of loss for E&P across the globe. There’s an extreme decline in demand for oil and of course other losses through the year which is fatal for the business. “But businesses must adjust and do things differently. We

have pulled down cost and increased revenue and we are focusing more on reducing cost and optimising costs where we are not able to cut costs. “We are investing in gas because we have seen the resilience of gas and that has taught us that gas will be the future of transition fuel and a great player in the future scenario. We are a gas country with over 600tcf with proven reserves of 203 trillion CF. We have done very little on that.

The PIB will be the solution to this.�

According to him, without a clear fiscal environment and incentives in place, no one will invest in the sector, adding that by the time the PIB is ready next year, there will be renewed vigour in the industry, especially on the gas side.

He stated that despite the conversations surrounding the extinction of hydrocarbons, crude oil will continue to be relevant in the next 20 to 40 years.

But he added that those who will survive are companies that are the most efficient, produce at cheapest cost and get to the market early.

Kyari expressed delight at the discovery of oil in the frontier basin, particularly in the Benue trough, saying that it will significantly change the dynamics of production in the country, including the expansion of the country’s reserves. “Times are tough but the opportunities are all there.

As a company, we have a target in the upstream and we know that $10 is possible in the industry. A lot is going on in terms of sharing resources, reducing contracting circle etc. We have seen a cost reduction of 20 to 30 per cent and overall at the end of 2021, we will see the $10 unit production cost. “There are areas it’s being done for less than $10 and unless we do this, we will not be competitive. The advantage we have is the quality of oil we have and we are one of the most extreme area in terms of distribution, so we have to pull the cost down, otherwise, we will produce oil and not find anyone to buy because you cannot cover the cost ultimately, � he added.

Also, Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of State,

Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, explained that though renewables remain the future of energy transition, hydrocarbons will remain the dominant source of energy in the immediate future.

He expressed optimism that a single digit unit cost of production is achievable, adding that the entire industry must work together to achieve the set target. “There’s no gainsaying that the growth of some countries depends on energy availability and utilisation, especially on crude oil and increasingly on natural gas. “Renewable energy is becoming a cheaper form of energy and response to climate and reduced dependence on hydrocarbons over the next century seems to be inevitable.

That notwithstanding, technology and discussions to date suggest that hydrocarbons will remain the dominant source of energy in the immediate future. “The increased level of uncertainty in oil and gas demand and the emerging technologies on alternative energy have become important

elements in making decisions on optimal exploitation of petroleum resources. “This is more critical now that abundance of hydrocarbons are being discovered in the most unconventional places of the world. I suggest that our discussion should include but not limited to provision of secure energy supplies," he said.

The vice president stated that the OPEC production curtailments had resulted in lower revenue for the government, adding that it is now imperative for Nigeria to achieve a single-digit cost of production. “Another key mandate is the growth of the country’s reserves to 40 billion barrels of crude oil as well as the production capacity of three million barrels of crude oil per day. We are fully committed to this mandate, notwithstanding the curtailment. “We have the assurance that the curtailment will soon be over as the world economy improves. To grow our reserves, we have proposed fiscal incentives that will attract investments in the PIB,� he stated.

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NEITI: FAAC Disbursed N2.054tn in Q3, 2020 Osun gets least allocation, Delta highest Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday put the total disbursement by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the three tiers of government and other statutory recipients in the third quarter of 2020 at N2.054 trillion.

Data from the latest edition of NEITI’s Quarterly Review, which analysed FAAC disbursements in the third quarter of 2020, using data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), show that the federal government received N812.22 billion; state governments, N676.5 billion, while local government areas got N429.16 billion. The report said this was the first time total disbursement had exceeded N2 trillion for a quarter in 2020. “Total disbursements of N2.054 trillion in 2020 Q3 were 6.2 per cent higher than total disbursements of N1.934 trillion in 2020 Q2, and 5.6 per cent higher than total disbursements of N1.945 trillion in 2020 Q1,� it stated.

A statement by the Director of Communications and Advocacy, NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, however, said the disbursements in Q3 2020 were lower than those of the corresponding quarters in 2019 and 2018 as a whole and to the three tiers of government.

It said: “2020 Q3 disbursements were 9.6 per cent lower than the N2.273 trillion disbursed in the third quarter of 2019 and 9.8 per cent lower than the N2.278 trillion disbursed in the third quarter of 2018.�

It explained that the dip in disbursements between 2020 Q3 and corresponding quarters in 2019 and 2018 was largely on account of the impact of COVID-19 and its associated effects on demand for oil, oil prices, economic activities and other sources of revenues.

According to the report, further analysis revealed that disbursements to the three tiers of government fell between the first and second quarters, and then increased between the second and third quarters of 2020.

It stated: “Total disbursements to the federal government were N791.44 billion, N739.2 billion and N812.22 billion for the first, second and third quarters of 2020, respectively. This means that disbursements in the third quarter were 9.9 per cent higher than disbursements in the second quarter, and 2.6 per cent higher than disbursements in the first quarter. “For states, total disbursements were N669.02 billion in the first quarter, N629.26 billion in the second quarter and N676.5 billion in the third quarter. Thus, disbursements to states in 2020 Q3 were 7.5 per cent higher than disbursements in 2020 Q2, and 1.1 per cent higher than disbursements in 2020 Q1.�

According to the review, local governments received a total of N395.95 billion in 2020 Q1, N375.39 billion in 2020 Q2, and N429.16 billion in 2020 Q3. “ Thus, the disbursements to local governments in 2020 Q3 were 14.3 per cent higher than the amount disbursed in 2020 Q2, and 8.4 per cent higher than the disbursements in 2020 Q1,� NEITI added.

The NEITI report explained that total FAAC disbursements in Q3 2020 were higher than disbursements in either the first or second quarters of 2020, continuing a trend that stretches back to 2015.

It noted that higher disbursements in the third quarter of the years were generally on an account of increased demand for oil during the summer and the attendant surge in oil prices.

It also attributed the rise in third-quarter disbursements for the year to two primary factors. “First, there has been increased demand for oil following the easing of the global economic shut-downs as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic. “Second, the official exchange rate (earlier adjusted in March 2020 from N305/$1 to N360/$1) was adjusted from N360/$1 to N380/$1, and this will necessarily lead to higher disbursements from FAAC as revenues are shared in naira,� the report stated.

On FAAC disbursements to states within the period, NEITI noted that there was a wide disparity in the total net disbursements, ranging between the lowest of N9.39 billion net disbursements to Osun State and the highest of N43.08 billion net disbursements to Delta State, indicating a variance of 358 per cent.

According to the report,

apart from the sharing formula, the amount of deductions carried out also plays a role in determining how much net disbursements are received by states. “Yobe State had the lowest deduction of N81.98 million, while Lagos State had the highest deduction of N17.35 billion, which was 10 per cent higher than the combined total deductions of 20 states (N15.72 billion),� it said.

The report also showed that the combined disbursements of the four states with the highest disbursements class (Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Akwa Ibom States) amounted to N144.48billion. “This was higher than the combined total of N135.36

billion received by the 12 states with the lowest disbursements, namely Osun, Cross River, Plateau, Ogun, Ekiti, Gombe, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba and Ondo,� it said.

On the revenue outlook for Q4 2020, the NEITI projected that actual oil revenue is likely to continue to outperform the projected oil revenue for the period.

However, it cautioned that even with the projected improvement in revenues in Q4 2020 and based on the total revenues received in the first three quarters of 2020, all tiers of government may struggle to meet the revenue projection in their revised budgets for the year.

LEARNING FROM BIG BROTHER...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Aairs, Republic of The Gambia, Ms. Ada Gaye; Director, Treasury Single Account, OďŹƒce of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Sylva Okolieaboh; and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, during the signing of an MoU on TSA in Abuja...yesterday

Buhari Outlines Action Plan to Forestall Reoccurrence of #EndSARS Protests Police back to duty posts, says minister Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday unfolded plans by his administration to prevent the reoccurrence of the #EndSARS protests, championed by activists campaigning against police brutality.

Briefing reporters after the quarterly National Security Council (NSC) meeting presided over by Buhari in the State House, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Maigari Dingyadi, said the president pledged to deploy every power at his disposal to ensure that a protest of that magnitude does not repeat itself in the country any longer.

The hitherto peaceful protests later degenerated into an orgy of violence, characterised by looting and burning of public and private assets, including police stations and killing of policemen, as hoodlums

hijacked the civil unrest.

Dingyadi listed the president's action plans against future protests of such magnitude to include ensuring that all stakeholders, including the youth, religious leaders and traditional rulers are involved in the process of peace maintenance in Nigeria.

Buhari also told the meeting that the federal government will continue to exhibit, what he described as bureaucratic and humane attitudes in addressing security matters in the country.

The minister said the president pledged that he will give whatever it requires to support security chiefs in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Dingyadi said: "In his concluding remarks, Mr. President thanked members (of NSC) for the efforts they are making in maintaining peace and assured members that he will do whatever it

takes to support security agencies in providing peace in the country.

"Mr. President assured Nigerians that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the repeat of #EndSARS protests does not occur in Nigeria again. Mr. President reassured that all stakeholders will be involved in the process of maintaining peace in the country, particularly the youth, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, religious leaders et cetera.

"The federal government will continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country."

Asked if he meant that the president would ensure a clampdown on #EndSARS protesters if they attempt to protest again, Dingyadi said the president meant that he would continue to engage citizens with a view

to avoiding the level of destruction that accompanied the protests.

"On the issue of #EndSARS that you have raised, what we are saying is that government will continue to dialogue. It will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties - public and private individuals' in this country," he explained.

The minister added that the meeting, which was convened to brief Buhari on the security situation in the country also observed the increasing insecurity in the North.

According to him, the meeting resolved to be more proactive in handling security matters, adding that greater attention will be paid to police affairs, particularly in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He also said the meeting

thanked the president for his concern about police affairs, which he said resulted in efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force.

"The National Security Council (NSC) was convened to brief Mr. President about the security situation in the country. The meeting noted with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry particularly in the North-western and Northeastern part of the country.

The meeting agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a more decisive manner.

"The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of their functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology," he said.

He added that the council had timelines and targets aimed at ending security threats, pledging that such targets would involve decisive and inclusive

actions.

"It's an all inclusive action that is going to be taken to ensure that in terms of technology, equipment, we can face these challenges head-on," he said.

Responding to a question on whether the police have resumed to duties after they were displaced by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS' protest, Maigari said he told the council that contrary to general belief, the police are back to their duty posts.

He said the only difference is that police are not everywhere because the country has no capacity to ensure that they are everywhere.

However, he said notwithstanding, efforts are being made to protect lives and property.

"I informed the council that the police are very much on their duty posts unlike what people are saying. We Continued on page 9

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PAGE NINE TSA COLLECTIONS HIT N19TN IN FIVE YEARS service types.

The federal government's stoppage of payment for collection charges since November 2018 also further yielded an average monthly savings of N250 million to the TSA coffers, it was learnt yesterday.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said yesterday that the federal government is currently saving an average of N45 billion monthly in interest payments following the implementation of the TSA. Ahmed, who spoke during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on TSA between Nigeria and the Republic of The Gambia, stated that among other verifiable benefits, Nigeria could now easily determine its aggregate cash balance, which is critical for managing public finances at a time of acute fiscal constraints. “On the monetary policy side, we have better control over money supply and, therefore, able to rein in inflation and undue

pressure on the naira. Our foreign reserves position has also recorded appreciable improvement through the consolidation of the federal government foreign currency earnings under the TSA,� she said.

Ahmed recalled the last visit by officials of The Gambia in May 2019 when based on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), they visited Nigeria for a week-long study tour of the TSA implementation.

The minister said following the successful conclusion of the tour, The Gambia requested for technical cooperation with Nigeria to support its own transition to TSA, adding that towards that aim, representatives of both countries worked on an MoU detailing the terms and scope of the co-operation.

Highlighting the essence of the MoU, she said: “In a nutshell, the cooperation seeks to avail the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia of the vast knowledge, experience and technical expertise that

Nigeria has gained in the past 15 years of implementing TSA in particular and other public financial management (PFM) reforms in general.

"By so doing, The Gambia is properly guided as it implements its own TSA. The co-operation will enable The Gambia to leverage on the experience of Nigeria to build on our strengths while avoiding our mistakes. “We are happy to support The Gambia in their bid to implement TSA and other PFM reforms. We are also open to supporting other African countries which may want to build on our experience and significant progress in TSA implementation.

"It is our belief that African countries are better off learning from each other and supporting each other because of our shared culture and history.�

However, the minister urged The Gambia to muster the necessary political will before forging ahead with adopting TSA, warning that it is better to secure the buy-in of topmost political actors in

the country.

According to her, the importance of the synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities cannot be over-emphasised, as the co-operation of other stakeholders, including the parliament; ministries, departments and agencies of government, banks and service providers is also important.

Ahmed also urged those to drive the reforms to secure the support of the general public, on whose behalf government exists and manages public funds, for them to know that TSA and other reforms are being implemented in their interest and for the good of the country. “As is the case in Nigeria, when you have their support, they will take it upon themselves to be against forces of resistance and any attempt at derailing the reforms," Ahmed said.

In her remarks, the leader of the Gambian delegation to the MoU signing ceremony, the country's Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance

and Economy, Ms. Ada Gaye, explained that cooperation has helped them to understand the workings of the TSA. “The Gambia wants to efficiently manage its funds; the fragmentation of accounting systems in The Gambia is huge. It is, therefore, noteworthy for The Gambia to adopt TSA," she said.

She added that the government of The Gambia will create the needed sensitisation to help the people understand the process.

"Nigeria is the big brother while The Gambia is the small brother. We are happy to cement this brotherly love,� she said.

The Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Amadou Sheikh Oman Taal, also described Nigeria as a big example within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. “We are trying to make reforms in our financial management. Therefore, this collaboration with Nigeria is very important to us. So, The

Gambia Central Bank will get closer to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) so as to learn and get the necessary experience,� he stated.

At the ceremony, the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the role of the apex bank is critical to the overall success of TSA. Represented by the CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi, he said Nigeria is currently realising additional benefits, which were never imagined prior to the commencement of TSA. He noted that it was important that the Central Bank of The Gambia realises that its primary mandate of price stability will change as it assumes the back stock and corresponding bank for the country as a result of TSA. Emefiele said: "Nigeria remains a brother in the house and we are always willing to share our experiences, our gains and sometimes our pains. I know we will be a worthy ambassador of what TSA has done in Nigeria, The Gambia and other countries in Africa."

the presidential ticket, how does it work when over 8,000 delegates will be electing the person? And such a promise cannot happen with more than 10 or 20 people.

"People are just being very mischievous about that. But there are a lot of prominent people from the South-east and I don't want to list them, but I think the state House of Assembly wrote to the PDP and listed many qualified persons from the South-east that can take the presidential slot of the PDP. "Some people said that why I am moving to APC was that I was promised the presidential ticket of the party, but there was nothing like that. APC never promised me any position and they never

promised the South-east any position. There was no such discussion.

"However, I offered myself for this movement as a protest to the injustice being done to the Southeast by the PDP; that since 1998, the South-east people have supported PDP in all elections.

"At a time, the five states were all PDP and one of the founding members of PDP is from the South-east, the late Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and so, it is absurd that since 1998 going to 2023 that South-east will never be considered to run for the president under the ticket of PDP. It is very absurd. And this is my position and will continue to be my position and it has nothing personal

to do with me."

Umahi expressed hope that his defection would make the PDP realise that the South-east can do without the party.

"I believe that this movement will cause PDP to know that no man is an island and no single person can be called a crowd. And if people are shouting about injustice in this country and I stand in a place where justice is not practised, I have to reexamine my head. People can write what they want to write, it is not my business.

In 2023, if God permits, I will be quitting politics, and I’m very satisfied."

Umahi added that over 50 organisations, the state

WE CAN’T BE INTIMIDATED, SAYS PDP AS UMAHI DEFECTS TO APC noting that he had held various elective offices on its platform.

Rising from its meeting yesterday, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) dissolved the South-east Zonal Caretaker Committee headed by Umahi’s brother, Austin, and also dissolved its executive committees at the ward, local government and state levels of Ebonyi.

The party reiterated its position that it is premature to allot the party’s ticket to any of the six geopolitical zones as the party needs to engage in consultations with all of its critical stakeholders to arrive at such a decision.

The governor, who for the first time confirmed his movements to the ruling party, said he is joining the

APC because the party is amenable and is working for the interest of the South-east.

However, the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jubrin, called for dialogue among critical stakeholders in the party to address the concerns of the South-east.

The national caucus of the PDP, and party elders are also billed to meet today ahead of tomorrow's meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) to discuss crucial national issues and party affairs.

However, Umahi dismissed speculations that his defection to the APC is to pursue a presidential ambition in 2023, saying no one has promised him a presidential ticket in 2023.

He explained that contrary to the allegation that he left PDP because he was not promised the presidential ticket, he would not have accepted the ticket even if given to him.

According to him, his decision to leave the PDP was because of the injustice against the South-east by the party not minding that the late Vice President Alex Ekwueme was a foundation member of the party.

Umahi also faulted claim

by Jubril that the South-east never requested for the presidential ticket of the party.

He said: "Anybody saying I asked PDP for a presidential ticket is being mischievous. Because, even if PDP promises anybody

Continued on page 10

S’SOUTH GOVS, LEADERS DEMAND APOLOGY FROM PRESIDENCY OVER BOTCHED MEETING to include all the ministers from the geopolitical zone and other persons.

Addressing South-South leaders at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who presided over the session, expressed regret at the botched meeting, which was called at the instance of the presidency, through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

He explained that the meeting time was adjusted twice from 11 am to 1 pm, on the excuse that President Muhammadu Buhari was meeting with DirectorGeneral of Department of State Services (DSS) and the

Inspector-General of Police, who were supposed to be part of the presidential delegation for the Southsouth meeting.

Okowa, who is also the chairman of South-south Governors Forum, said he later got a call from the Chief of Staff to the President yesterday afternoon announcing the eventual cancellation of the meeting.

According to him, he felt really disappointed that the region could be treated with such disdain.

Okowa said the people of the region have been embarrassed, disgraced and disrespected, stating that the South-south geopolitical zone is a very important component part of the nation and the governors

feel insulted because the traditional rulers who had gathered for the meeting deserved to be revered.

He said: “As governors, we feel very touched and very sad about what has happened. And having also listened to our youths, we can feel the anger. As a mark of respect for our people, because you are actually the stakeholders of our region, we felt it was necessary for us to consult with you before taking any decision, if we take our decision without consulting with you, then we would have added to the disrespect that has just been meted on you. “We call for a public apology, not for the governors alone. We call for a public apology because this

meeting was not called at our instance. It was called at the instance of the presidency.

The time was changed last night. We understood and we talked to our people. Some of us did not sleep in trying to put things together. We have gotten to a very bad start.

So we are going to convey this message to the chief of staff to the president.�

He further continued: “We deserve as a region unreserved public apology to the region, particularly to our traditional rulers and the leaders in this zone, which include our Christian leaders, opinion leaders, our women and our youths, and also the governors of the zone who were voted into office and that is the least that we expect for us to accept the

reconvene of this meeting.�

Former president of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, Mr. Ledum Mitee, said he considered the abrupt cancellation of the meeting not only as an insult but an effrontery on the people of the South-south zone.

Similarly, a member of the 2014 National Conference, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs, said the federal government has demonstrated the value it actually places on the Southsouth geopolitical zone.

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who hosted the meeting, described Rivers State, which is the capital of the South-south as safe.

Also present at the meeting were Governors

BUHARI OUTLINES ACTION PLAN TO FORESTALL REOCCURRENCE OF #ENDSARS PROTESTS receive daily situation reports from across the states and that is a good indicator that the police are very much at their duty posts. They are also on the road and they are working 24 hours.

"But I will agree with you when you say that police are not everywhere. We cannot be everywhere because of our number, equipment; but we are doing all we can to ensure that we cover as much as we can and to protect as many

lives as we can to ensure that there is peace in this country," he stated.

On the security situation on Abuja-Kaduna road, he said the police and the army were on a 24-hour joint patrol on the road, adding that the police also have their separate formations along the road.

"You see, once a small thing happens in a particular place like this Kaduna, we begin to talk about lack of security in that area. That place is

being monitored 24 hours.

There are police and the army who are on a kind of joint patrol on 24 hours' basis. We also have our own separate police formation that is also on that road," he said.

Present at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Attorney-General

of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami; ministers, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.)(Defence), Mr. Rauf Aregbesola (Interior), Chief Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs), and Mr. Maigari Dingyadi (Police Affairs), and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.).

Service chiefs in attendance at the meeting were the Chief of Defence

Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ahmed Rufa'i; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi.

Ben Ayade (Cross River), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

Other eminent persons present included the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.); and former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN).

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WEDNESDAY, ͚΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Epidemic Kills 50 in Kogi Community Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja An outbreak of epidemic disease has claimed over 50 lives in a community in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.

It was gathered that those struck by the disease, which has not been properly diagnosed, exhibited symptoms such as headache, red eye, loss of appetite, inability to urinate or defecate and convulsion.

The lawmaker representing Olamaboro Constituency

in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Ujah Alewo, in a motion of urgent public importance presented yesterday at the plenary of the state House of Assembly expressed concern about the delay in combating the disease.

He added that the epidemic has caused panic among residents of Etteh community in the local government area as they did not know the causes of the disease, which kills those infected within one week of contracting it.

He said: "More worrisome, all efforts to seek a solution, using the local herbs and treatment at local health centres with referrals to neighbouring clinics and hospitals at Ogugu and Okpo in Olamaboro respectively were not successful.

"The reports reaching my constituency office from the community leaders confirmed that over 50 people within the economic and productive age of 25 to 40 years died from September to date, thereby stalling agricultural, social

and economic activities, which directly affect the food security of the agrarian and artisan Etteh people."

He prayed that the house should mandate its Committee on Health and Social Services to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of damage to lives and property to the people of Etteh community.

The lawmaker also urged the House to mandate the commissioner for health to send medical experts to the affected area to unravel the

cause of the epidemic and treat those affected.

Alewo urged the legislature to appeal to the state government to send palliatives to the affected areas.

Seconding the motion, the lawmaker representing Dekina, Hon. Biraidu Ododo, called for urgent action to save the affected community.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Mohammed, in his submission, said since the community shares boundary with Enugu State, there is a

need for an urgent action to avert further loss of lives.

He suggested an additional prayer that the state government should construct a hospital in the community to avert and tackle the future epidemic.

Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Hon. Matthew Kolawole, asked for a minute silence for the lives lost due to the attack of this epidemic, adding that the House should write to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for support.

FG to Resume Fresh Negotiations with ASUU Identifies new hurdle on dialogue path Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government is set to commence fresh negotiations with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its eighthmonth old strike.

The union has been on strike since March 9, this year to press for its exclusion from Integrated Personnel Payroll and Integrated System (IPPIS).

Answering questions from State House reporters after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said negotiations with the union was suspended following the outbreak of COVID-19.

According to him, ASUU had rejected suggestions for virtual meetings and insisted

on physical negotiations.

The minister said the face-off between the federal government and ASUU over payment method, might not be immediately resolved because University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), as proposed by ASUU as an alternative to IPPIS, lacks the hardware that can make it operative.

However, he promised to communicate to ASUU the date for the resumption of meetings with the union this week while it awaits the report of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on UTAS' software.

He said: “As you know, ASUU is on strike which they started since March 9, 2020, to be precise. We have held negotiation meetings. They opted out

of the negotiation meetings during the COVID-19 period because they said they don't want virtual meetings. So, we have just resumed our meeting. “We have some grey areas to clear and we will meet sometime this week.

I’m waiting for one or two reports before I communicate a date to them. “The major report is the report from the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as per the system developed by ASUU which the government sent to them for integrity test.�

Ngige also hinted that acceptance of UTAS from ASUU by the federal government, might not automatically resolve the stand-off between them because the budget for hardware that will herald

its take-off was not captured in the 2020 budget.

According to him, if the federal the government eventually gives ASUU the nod to alternate IPPIS with UTAS, the union has no money to procure the required hardware for its implementation and this will pose another challenge to the resolution of the crisis.

Nevertheless, Ngige said the federal government had already forwarded UTAS' software to NITDA for integrity test, saying it does not usually want to discourage any Nigerian from evolving local content solutions to emerging issues.

Ngige added that part of the challenges that will threaten the negotiations is lack of payment platform that the government can deploy to pay the lecturers following their rejection of

IPPIS. He said: “..The UTAS, that is the University Transparent System which they brought is not yet ready. It is not fully ready. It is undergoing an integrity test for the software.

I am not a computer scientist, but you must also know that you must test the hardware in the integrity test for the software. “As we speak, ASUU has no hardware and UTAS does not have hardware backing. “I am waiting for the NITDA full report but the preliminary report they gave me, the software integrity test will take them about six to eight weeks and thereafter, we go to the hardware. But the big issue is, who will provide the hardware? “ASUU doesn't have the finances to do so. Has government budgeted for it

now as we speak? So, that one is a major problem. But we don't have to dissuade anybody. We don't have to tell anybody not to carry on. We like local content development.

We need our things to be homegrown. So, we are really encouraging them. “By the time we finish with this other software test to look at its capacity, its ability to withstand shock and hacking et cet era, the hardware test is in, hacking and security. So, by the time we finish it, we will decide on what to do. “But do not also forget that we need to have something for us to make payment to them as we speak. For those that have got into the system, they have pointed out some of the deficiency and they are being corrected. It's work in progress.�

dialogue. We must dialogue with them.

"They are not outsiders.

The Igbo are part and parcel of the PDP. They are part of our backbone. They cannot be wished away.

"The Igbo contributed a lot in the making of the PDP. We must listen to them in the same way a father listens to his son. This is politics.

We need the South-east.

"Today, the entire Southsouth zone belongs to the PDP. We are happy about it. In the same way, we must ensure that we do all that is necessary to listen to the Igbo and discuss with them as a family.

"It is not politically right to keep quiet, while other political parties are making overtures to them. They are humans and have interest to protect."

He explained that other political parties cannot be strategising on the 2023 elections and the PDP will be left out.

It was also gathered that the Ohanaeze Igbo has made Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu chairman of a body to select a replacement for Chief John Nwodo, the outgoing president of the Igbo socio-cultural body, with the sole aim to electing a new president who will ensure that the presidential ticket of the two main political parties are zoned

to the South-east.

THISDAY gathered that the Ohanaeze position on 2023 presidential election is that the South-east should support any political party that gives its presidential ticket to the zone.

repeated same feat in 2019.

He added that while Umahi has a right to move to the APC, his attempt to blackmail the PDP and paint it in a bad light was mischievous and unacceptable. “My friend Umahi wants to be president. There is no problem with that. You have a right to be president.

Nobody can stop you. You are educated. You have been a governor for two terms, so you are qualified to say I want to be president of Nigeria. But that does not mean that because you want to blackmail your party and tell lies to the people you are leaving the party because of the injustice meted against the South-east, that is not correct,� he said.

He said it was erroneous for Umahi to accuse PDP of injustice, when he unilaterally imposed his younger brother as Southeast zonal vice chairman of the PDP. He stated: “In life, power is sweet, but conscience is important. It is most offensive and insulting for a man to lie against his party because of power.�

The governor said though APC has not yet told Nigerians where it will zone its presidential ticket, Umahi's presumptuous move might be too hasty and will ruin him politically.

WE CAN’T BE INTIMIDATED, SAYS PDP AS UMAHI DEFECTS TO APC House of Assembly and the State Working Committee of the PDP in Ebonyi State had demanded that the presidency should be zoned to the South-east.

He explained that having been a governor for two terms, he will return to his business after the expiration of his tenure in 2023.

PDP: We Won't be Intimidated Earlier before Umahi announced his defection, the PDP had said it would not be pressured into zoning the presidency to any geopolitical area.

PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the party would not be intimidated with the reported defection of the governor.

He added that tomorrow's NEC meeting will discuss the state of insecurity and spiral inflationary trends in the country and has nothing to do with the defection of Umahi to the APC. According to him, the PDP is a well-structured political party that usually decides issues based on consensus and that it will not panic over the defection of the governor.

On the agenda of the NEC meeting, Ologbondiyan said:

"It is essentially on the state of the nation. Price of the staple food is skyrocketing; state of insecurity is out of hand and in the state of hopelessness and this is basically what the NEC meeting is out to do on Thursday."

He also stated that it would be undemocratic for the PDP "to unilaterally zone the office of the presidential candidate of the party to any zone as to do that is to announce the obituary of the PDP." He added that even the APC will not announce the zoning of its presidential ticket for now.

He said that at an appointed time, the PDP would announce the zoning of its offices after consultations with all stakeholders.

Umahi Left for Personal Reasons, Says PDP However, in another reaction after Umahi announced his defection to the APC, the PDP attributed his movement to personal reason, which it said Nigerians would know later.

The party, in a statement

by Ologbondiyan, said: "Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the state chairman

of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP. "As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP."

PDP BoT Chair Calls for Dialogue As the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Caucus of the PDP meet today to discuss issues affecting the party, Jubrin yesterday called for dialogue with the South-east over the agitations that the presidential ticket of the party should be allotted to the zone.

The BoT and the National Caucus of the party are billed to meet in Abuja today.

Jubrin told THISDAY that as the main advisory organ of the party, the PDP must be ready to dialogue with the South-east over the zoning of the party's presidential ticket.

He said: "We are the main advisory organ of the party, constitutionally recognised, we must be ready to dialogue with the Igbo. We lose nothing in

Umahi Defected Because of His Presidential Ambition, Says Wike Despite his clarification that he did not defect to pursue a presidential ambition, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said Umahi's quest to be the APC presidential candidate and not alleged injustice against the South-east by the PDP informed his defection.

According to him, PDP members were not surprised by Umahi's defection yesterday to the APC because he had been fraternising with the ruling party for a while.

He said ordinarily he would not have been perturbed by Umahi’s decision to defect to the APC but he felt offended by his attempt to justify his decision on the purported injustice against the Southeast by the PDP. The governor accused Umahi of being unfair to the PDP, which gave him governorship ticket in 2015 against all odds and

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Money Laundering: EFCC Lists Requirements for Registration of Law Firms, Lotteries, Casinos, NGOs Closes defence in N5m fraud case against Benue Deputy Speaker, others Kingsley NwezehinAbuja In its bid to contain money laundering activities in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has listed requirements for the registration of law firms, nondesignated financial institutions and other business organisations.

A document containing the list of requirements for registration issued by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), listed such organisations as law firms, dealers in luxury goods, limited liabilities, dealers in jewelry, car

dealers and supermarket among others.

Others are hotel and hospitality business, casinos, pool betting, lottery business and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs).

It listed the requirements for registration to include certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, and tax identification number.

Others are Bank Verification Number (BVN), bank name and account number.

“Any company that has the following business objective

(mining, oil/gas, export, investment and pharmacy) in their MEMAT should ensure that the necessary approvals/authorisation/licences are attached to their applications”, it said.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the listed requirements for registration was a normal and routine procedure.

“That is their work. The department is called Special Control Unit against Money Laundering.

They register non-designated

business organisations, law firms, accounting firms, NGOs, etc.

“That is their responsibility. They are doing their work. It is normal and routine”, he said.

Meanwhile, the EFCC said yesterday it had closed its case against the Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Christopher Adaji and the Clerk of the House, Torese Agena, before Justice S. O. Itodo of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi.

A statement by the commission

said the two were being prosecuted by the Makurdi Zonal Office of the EFCC, on a two-count charge of abuse of office and criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N5,040,950.

At yesterday’s sitting, prosecution counsel, George Chia-Yakua, closed its case against the defendants after the testimony of the third prosecution witness (PW3), Gideon Kure, an EFCC staff, who told the court that the commission got incriminating evidence against

the defendants from different organisations, from which it tendered 23 exhibits that were admitted in evidence by court.

It would be recalled that before yesterday’s sitting, Clifford Tyover Attle (PW1) and Ifa Celestine Mbakaa (PW2) had testified against the defendants.

Justice Itodo adjourned the matter till December 9, 2020 for cross-examination of PW3 and for the defendants to open their defence.

FG’s Revenue Hit by Oil Production Cut will End Soon, Says Osinbajo The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said the oil production cut deal by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies has resulted in lower revenue generation for the federal government.

Osinbajo said yesterday that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had a mandate to drastically reduce the unit cost of crude oil production in the country in order to increase government revenue.

“It is imperative that in our current era of scarce resources, we should aim at a unit cost of production in single digit,” he said at the 38th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The vice-president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the collapse

in crude oil demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused the recent sudden slump in oil prices.

“The low price and OPEC+ crude oil production curtailment have largely resulted in lower revenue generation for the government,” he said.

Osinbajo expressed confidence that the country would achieve the desired goal of finding more hydrocarbon deposits in the Nigerian basins, notwithstanding the curtailment in production.

He said, “We have the assurance that production curtailment will soon be over as the world economy improves. In order to grow our reserves, we have proposed fiscal incentives that will attract the investments in our basins in the Petroleum Industry Bill.

“In addition, the fiscal provision for gas business will be one of the most attractive in Africa.”

OPEC Pledges Full Compliance with Oil Production Curtailment Plan Cuts supply by 1.6bn barrels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday restated its commitment to full conformity with crude oil production curtailment plan agreed to by members in April, following a devastating fall in prices.

At the 24th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which took place via video conference, the cartel said that it was able to slash global production by 1.6 billion barrels between May and October this year.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman and Co-chair , Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Novak.

After reviewing the monthly report prepared by its Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and developments in the global oil market since its last meeting on 19 October 2020, the committee emphasised the ongoing positive contributions of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) in supporting a rebalancing of the global oil market.

The committee said it reviewed the crude oil production data for October 2020 and welcomed the positive performance in the overall conformity level for participating OPEC and non-OPEC Countries, at 101 per cent.

“Between May and October, participating OPEC and nonOPEC countries have contributed to reducing the global supply by approximately 1.6 billion barrels, including voluntary adjustments, and this has been key to the rebalancing of the market.

“Moreover, countries compensated a total of 768 tb/d to make up for previously overproduced volumes. This led to achieving a level of 99.5 per cent of the production adjustment commitments since May,” OPEC stated.

It expressed its appreciation to the participating countries, particularly to the UAE and Angola, which it said had performed beyond expectation, while reiterating the critical importance of adhering to full conformity and compensating the overproduced volumes, in order to achieve the objective of market rebalancing and to avoid undue delay in the process.

SOLIDARITY...

L-R: Chairman, APC National Caretaker Committee and Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong; Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a visit by the delegation of PGF at Lagos House, Marina...yesterday

Dangote Wants Private Sector to Fund Healthcare President of Dangote Industries Limited and Africa’s biggest philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has urged all operators in the private sector to commit one per cent of their profits to fund the health sector challenges in Nigeria, to enable the country tackle crisis like the coronavirus pandemic successfully.

Dangote noted that such an allocation, which would be separate from the corporate tax usually paid to the government, would improve needed funding to boost the nation’s ailing health sector, as Nigeria continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The renowned entrepreneur made these suggestions while responding to questions posed to him by a moderator Francine

Lacqua during the virtual Bloomberg New Economic Forum (NEF), at a session titled, “CrossSector Mobilisation in Times of Crisis: Public Health Perspective.”

Other speakers alongside Dangote, who made their remarks at the Bloomberg NEF session hosted by the Dangote Group included, Founder and Chief Executive of Flagship Pioneering and Co-founder and Chairman of Moderna, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, and Co-founder and Chief Strategist at Partners in Health Care, Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, USA, Dr. Paul Farmer.

Responding to a question from Lacqua on if funding was one of the main barriers to actually dealing with health crisis

effectively, Dangote replied, “Yes, I agree with you. It is more to do with funding. Like what we are doing in Nigeria as a foundation (Aliko Dangote Foundation), we are trying to sponsor a bill to our Congress where we want them to impose a tax. This is a separate tax, not a corporate tax, of maybe about one per cent of all our profits, in the private sector, so that they will fund health.

“And I think it is the only way; we cannot just leave government alone. Government alone cannot fund health. So we the foundations, the private sector and then the government, we have to actually work together to make sure that we fund health. You know, it is a very, very important sector and without a healthy population, there is no way you have a healthy

economy.”

In his remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic and its ravaging impact on African health and economic sectors and the role played by the private sector, Dangote noted that, “for us here in Nigeria, mostly in Africa, the COVID-19 is really an eye-opener because when you look at it, we have two impacts.

One is the human impact, the other one is the economy.

One, I think in Africa, most of it is actually the economic impact, because what you have done at the beginning, we shut down all our activities, we shut down the airports. So when you look at the economic impact for us, it is huge. But the human impact, we as at today we have about 65,000 cases, thereabouts in Nigeria, and we have 1,165 deaths.”

Senate: We’re Not Aware of FG’s Planned Sale, Concession of Power Plants, Stadia Summons BPE boss Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday washed its hands off the federal government’s proposed sale and concession of some national assets including the three power plants and four stadia in 2021 saying it was not aware of such move.

It has, therefore, resolved to invite the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Mr Alex Okoh, to explain why such plans were being hatched without the Senate being carried along.

Okoh, had last week disclosed that the federal government intends in 2021 to sell the three power plants

in Geregu, Omotosho and Calabar.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Theodore Orji, while commenting on plans by the BPE to either sell or concession some national assets in order to fund part of the 2021 budget, stated categorically that such plans was not known to the upper legislative chamber.

“The position of the Senate Committee on Privatization is that we are not aware of the planned arrangement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises to either concession or put for outright sale, some national assets in the country in order to fund the 2021 federal budget.

“During the BPE budget defence before the committee, I complained bitterly that the relationship between our committee and the BPE, has not been very cordial due to the behaviour of the DG, BPE. This is a man that if we call him on phone, he would not answer and if we send him a text message, he would not reply. How then does he want us to communicate?”.

The ranking senator stressed the need for a synergy between the Senate and the BPE adding that the Senate Committee on Privatisation should be carried along when most of the arrangement to either sell or

concession the national assets are being made.

He further said that the BPE boss only apologised when the committee asked him why the Senate was not involved in the planned sale of the national assets His words: “We were never briefed by the management of the BPE. We were not there when the necessary documents were signed. We were never invited at all. When the DG, BPE came to defend his agency’s 2021 budget proposal before us, we asked him why he didn’t invite us at least as witnesses, he merely apologised.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

COMMENT

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

REDUCE COST OF GOVERNANCE NOW Sonnie Ekwowusi canvasses an urgent need to trim the cost of governance

L

ast Thursday the House of Representatives declared viva voce that it would not reduce the humongous salaries, allowances and emoluments of its members despite the persistent demands of the public to that effect. The House argues that it is the executive arm of government which manages a large chunk of the national wealth that should reduce its salaries, not the National Assembly which manages just a paltry per centage. Hear the House of Representatives Spokesman Benjamin Kalu, “The 0.8% of the national budget for the National Assembly is not enough to run the National Assembly. If you want to cut salaries, expenses, cost of governance, start it from the Executive‌people think that the money that comes to the National Assembly is divided by members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. That’s a wrong narrative‌Nigerians will be shocked that people they thought were rich are not able to meet their needs and that’s the truth‌.â€?

It is preposterous that amid the vicious cycle of poverty in the land and dwindling government income occasioned by plummeting oil prices, members of the National Assembly are opposed to the reduction of their fat salaries and emoluments. You will recall that one of demands of the Nigerian youths during the #EndSARS protests was the reduction of the scandalous salaries and emoluments of the members of the National Assembly. Besides in August this year the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila stated that the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic had had a huge negative impact on the country’s revenue and therefore Nigeria was inevitably committed to drastically reduce the cost of governance in order to stabilize the economy. Last June President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the report of the Rationalization and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies (popularly called the Oronsaye Report) which recommended the merger, conversion and scrapping of many government agencies.

Former Governor of Central Bank Lamido Sanusi once shocked the nation when he revealed that 25 per cent of the entire federal overheads were expended on the National Assembly and that that the National Assembly alone was getting N136bn, that is exactly 25.4 per cent of the total federal government overhead of N536, 268, 49,280. So, the high cost of governance in Nigeria has become such a disturbing phenomenon that everybody in Nigeria wants a reduction of the cost of governance in order to save Nigeria from final collapse.

If consensus had been reached across board on the need to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, why the procrastination in doing so? Why the sudden volte-face of the House of Representatives after Speaker Gbajabiamila had said that the house was committed to reducing the cost of governance? The monthly emoluments of our federal legislators are said to be higher than that of the presidents of most countries. So, why are the federal legislators complaining that they are not earning enough? Why are they making a counter-accusation and alleging that it is

THE BUHARI GOVERNMENT SHOULD MUSTER THE POLITICAL WILL TO IMPLEMENT THE ORONSAYE REPORT IN ORDER TO TRIM THE COST OF GOVERNANCE

the executive arm that should reduce the salaries of its members not the legislature? Why the foot-dragging in implementing the Oronsaye Report? Nigeria has become a theatre of absurdities otherwise why should the executive and legislature which are supposed to be acting as checks and balances on each other quarrelling over the sharing of the spoils of office? The federal government is about to borrow another $750 million from the World Bank. What for? I wouldn’t be surprised if the monies are used to settle the scandalous salaries, emoluments, travel allowances, wardrobe allowances, housing benefits and others of our legislators and public office holders.

The Buhari government is broke. So, common sense dictates that it should stop borrowing money for fanciful projects, and wasteful expenditure. Ours is a country of sheer waste. For example, the running of the Presidency alone guzzles a good chunk of the nation’s wealth. Likewise running a state government. A state governor was once quoted as boasting before a senator: “you people get N53 million every quarter, we get N3 billion every month�.

Look at the scandalous amount budgeted to maintain the presidential fleet. The Presidency has more than six aircraft. In the 2020 budget about N3 billion has been officially budgeted as travelling allowances of the President and Vice-President alone. Little or no work is done in many of the federal government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Abuja yet the idle public officers employed therein are paid every month for doing nothing.

During working hours, many of the so-called government workers are seen idling away along the corridors. Once I went to the office of the Federal Character Commission, Abuja to ascertain the functions of the Commission. Not even the staffers of the Commission could explain to me the specific functions of the commission. How long shall we continue to sustain this rip-off called democracy at the expense of the poverty-stricken people of Nigeria? How long shall we continue to tolerate a rip-off democracy in which the average federal legislator rakes home about N53 million every quarter?

Therefore the Buhari government should muster the political will to implement the Oronsaye Report in order to trim the cost of governance. All the Presidential jets should be sold off except one. Salaries and emoluments of our federal legislators must be slashed now. The Presidency does not need about 100 government parastatals under it.

Government bureaucracies should be reduced and streamlined. Pursuant to section 147 of the Nigerian Constitution, we need 36 ministers not 43 ministers. A minister does not need 10 official cars, 10 drivers, 10 special assistants and about five personal assistants. A deputy-director of a parastatal or a ministry does not need five official cars and five drivers. A legislator does not need a retinue of idle staff to be sleeping in the office every day. Since the Nigeria Police Force, ICPC, EFCC, CID, NDLEA and DSS are mostly performing the same functions, why retain all of them? It is necessary to foster frugal lifestyles among our political office holders in which extravagance, and waste would be minimized.

RESPONDING TO AFCTA, POST-PANDEMIC THROUGH SEZ

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igeria is systematically and fundamentally responding to new economic challenges through a coordinated revival and expansion of special economic zones (SEZ) across the country. A renewed attention is being paid to the reform of SEZ to cope with demands of post-pandemic recovery and requirements of African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA). A feverish acceptance of SEZ’s critical role is pervading federal and states governments including associated federal agencies.

Nigeria is challenged on several fronts with economic handicaps as the most biting of them all. For long, development and expansion of manufacturing capacities was neglected even with more than 40 free-trade zones in the country. The lapses range from non-adherence to international best practices in the running and management of freetrade zones (FTZs) to a dysfunctional legal framework. More instructive is the lack of deeper understanding of what SEZs stand for as well how strategic the model is to ramp up development of industrial capacities, creation of employment and expansion of national earnings.

The pandemic was however a game changer as it jolted government leaders to an economic emergency requiring as one of the most potent tool responses the revival of the FTZs. The paralysis of world economic and the hard impact on oil-based economies promoted a fresh look into the FTZs, starting with the appointment of a true investor service professional, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). Implementing the overall economic reform agenda of Buhari

administration, Nigeria through NEPZA is driving Nigeria’s response to post-pandemic recovery and demands of AFCTA. The FTZ is key to revival of Nigerian economy on two main grounds. First is the capacity of the FTZ to generate direct and indirect jobs at a time unemployment is threatening the corporate existence of the nation. Industry analysts predicted that a well- functioning FTZS in Nigeria can generate almost 300,000 direct jobs and over 350,000 indirect jobs. Second gain is Nigeria meeting her export capacity needs under AFCTA. Goods of Nigerian origin from the FTZs will ensure Nigeria’s maximum gain from the AFCTA. All stakeholders now accept that Nigeria’s quick gain ahead of the expected AFCTA regime is a revival, reform and expansion of the SEZs. Guided by Presidency and the minister, the Adesugba leadership has repositioned the management of NEPZA as an investment facilitating team, launched action programme to make inactive FTZs functional while ensuring removal of bottlenecks in the operations of currently active SEZs. An advocacy initiative is enlightening all about the FTZs and its importance if Nigeria is to cope with the AFCTA. At a time South Africa, East Africa and North Africa are ramping up their FTZs in anticipation of the AFCTA, Nigeria as the biggest economy on the continent is compelled to have a rethink on its FTZs. If Nigeria’s FTZs are not allowed to function in line with standard practice, the country under AFCTA will be flooded with goods from FTZs based in South Africa and other regions of Africa. This fact is now adopted as a strategic reality within the Nigerian Presidency and associated MDAs such as

the Customs service, the tax agency, among others, hence a new lease of life for investors and prospects across Nigeria FTZs. As part of strategic response, Nigeria is expanding her FTZs. New zones are springing up covering niche areas like knowledge FTZ, health FTZ, solid minerals FTZ, agriculture FTZ among others. Partnerships are being forged with international investors with involvement of international finance bodies including the World Bank, among others. Efforts are also on to ease the red-tapism under a new system that prioritises expansion with guaranteed security of investment. The reform message is permeating the state levels of state administration. Several states are keying into the FTZs model, accepting the model as the quickest route to enhancing industrial production capacity and create jobs for millions of agitated youths.

Much more dramatic and encouraging is the response of sister federal agencies.

There are positive signals from federal agencies to comprehend the whole essence of FTZs. “A free-trade zone (FTZ) is a class of special economic zone. It is a geographic area where goods may be landed, stored, handled, manufactured, or reconfigured and re-exported under specific customs regulation and generally not subject to customs duty�, so is a generally accepted definition of FTZ. It is exciting that the Nigerian Customs Service is gradually realising that FTZ all over the world is duty free territory. The earlier the customs service fully endorses the FTZ as an international model ,the better for Nigeria that has little time in view of mounting pressure from the AFCTA and the imperative of post-pandemic recovery. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIIRS) has

moved a step further to sign an MOU with NEPZA to allow for smooth management of tax issues. Sister agencies are yielding ground and hopefully, comprehensive synergy will emerge, placing SEZs at the heart of Nigeria’s economic revival agenda.

But it is not yet uhuru. The Buhari administration should support further reforms in the area of renewed legal framework to create a single FTZ authority.

Multiple agencies competing with NEPZA create impediment for foreign investors. In any case, the new trend is to have a single authority as a coordinating platform for licencing FTZs. Investors need certainty of legal order and safety of existing investment in functioning FTZs. Nigeria also needs to act further by regulating security arrangement within her FTZs. There is an urgent need to create an FTZ police with dedicated personnel to regularise security arrangement. This is the standard requirement worldwide. Additionally, the question of offshore banking should be addressed urgently by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Offshore banking is a major component of FTZs worldwide. Fast tracking decision on this matter by the apex bank will complement ongoing efforts to attract investors into Nigerian FTZs. On a last note, Nigeria can learn from China in the area of SEZs. Despite her rapid economic strength, the Chinese administration is widening her SEZ through enhanced benefits for investors and generous state support for her SEZ authority. SEZ is the backbone of Chinese economic miracle; same can happen here in Nigeria. r3BTIFFE JT %JSFDUPS 1PMJDZ "EWPDBDZ $FOUSF 1"$ "CVKB $IBNCFS PG $PNNFSDF BOE *OEVTUSZ

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

EDITORIAL

MORE AIRPORTS IN WHOSE INTEREST? It does not make economic sense to build new airports

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he decision by the federal government to build airports in Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Ebonyi States while taking over the ones in Kebbi, Osubi, Dutse and Gombe States raises serious questions. The Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is already managing 26 airports of which only six record above 5,000 aircraft movement in a year. All the others depend on these six to stay afloat. The question therefore is: In a period of lean resources when the same government is borrowing to meet commitments, why does it have to saddle the country with more cost centres?

In 2018, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded a total of 64,898 domestic aircraft and 40, 943 international aircraft movement. Within THE CONSEQUENCES the same year, OF BUILDING UNVIABLE Nnamdi Azikiwe International AIRPORTS ARE THAT Airport, Abuja, HUGE RESOURCES, recorded domestic WHICH WOULD HAVE aircraft movement BEEN USED TO PROVIDE of 59,904 and 9,896 international OTHER ESSENTIAL flights. Others INFRASTRUCTURE ARE include Port SPENT ON UNPROFITABLE Harcourt InterVENTURES national Airport, Omagwa which recorded domestic aircraft movement of 15,658 and international aircraft movement of 1,759; Mallam Aminu Kano which recorded domestic aircraft movement of 6,892 and 2,063 international movement and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu which recorded 5,002 domestic aircraft movement and 350 international aircraft flights. While Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri recorded 6,560 domestic aircraft movement, Ibadan recorded 1,116; Minna, 309 domestic and 12 international flights; Akure, 2,119 aircraft movement; Katsina, 2,252 and Makurdi, 1,252.

What the foregoing figures reveal is that

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AEDC AND ITS NEW METERS

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over 90 per cent of FAAN’s revenue comes from just about six airports. To worsen matters, there has not been rapid passenger growth in these existing airports since 2014 when total passenger movement hovered around 15 million, only rising to over 16 million in 2019 before the Coronavirus pandemic. Already, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has predicted that global air passenger traffic could only rise to the 2019 level by 2023. If, as things stand, all the 26 airports being managed by FAAN depend on the revenues generated by six airports for their sustenance, the situation will be dire in a post-Covid world.

Meanwhile, out of all the airports built by states, only the ones in Uyo and Asaba could be said to be viable and that is because government in both Akwa Ibom and Delta States support them financially. Looking at the market projections in the near future, there is not going to be sudden rise in air transport in Nigeria because of low per capita income, even if alternative means of transport like rail and road do not expand. We therefore do not understand the rationale behind building more airports for the states beyond political consideration.

The consequences of building unviable airports are that huge resources, which would have been used to provide other essential infrastructure and other amenities are spent on unprofitable ventures. Most of these airports, especially the ones built by the states, only serve the interest of the governors and other government officials who travel through them with charter services, as scheduled passenger services cannot break even for commercial airlines due to low passenger throughput.

All factors considered, the idea of using already lean resources to build extra airports makes no sense. This is part of the reason why the existing airports still have obsolete facilities because there are not enough funds to upgrade them. Many of these airports do not have critical amenities like airfield lighting; so FAAN manages 26 airports but only six of them have facilities for night landing. What this means is that Nigeria may eventually have 36 airports but less than 10 would

t is unfortunate to have dishonest people in the power sector and by extension, in leadership positions in Nigeria. No matter the protest and the demonstration of anger against their evil, they must always find another way to loot, steal, extort, scam and even kill. What a country! Before now, Nigerians had cried out against the estimated billing imposed on them by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and other electricity distribution companies in Nigeria. It was indeed an act of stealing, extortion and simply evil that needed to be killed to prevent its escalation.

Now, the electricity distribution companies, especially the AEDC is giving metres to her customers, and even to those who can’t afford to buy. The officials of the AEDC are going around Abuja, installing metres in houses and claimed they are doing so to ensure people pay for only the electricity they consume. Therefore, one may think it is a welcome development, but this is a planned and a systematic way of aggravating the initial cheating and extortion.

It will interest you to know that a recharge of N5,100 lasts for only one to two weeks, even when you avoid the use of heater, pressing iron and other appliances that consume much electricity. However, in a situation where after recharging with that amount, a heater, air conditioner and related appliances are used, the one or two weeks are reduced to only two or three days.

Why can’t those in positions of leadership and authority in the country for once do something that would put smile on the faces of Nigerians? Why can’t they do something that will be devoid of corruption, something that will alleviate the suffering of the masses, something that will be a sacrifice for the people, something that will make people applaud them, something that will bring joy, peace and celebration?

We must again rise in unity and condemn what is going-on in the power sector. r"XVOBI 1JVT 5FSXBTF .QBQF "CVKB

I

A RED LIGHT

watched the recent President Obama interview and remembered what was and then looked forward to what could be with the new presidency. One minor story amused me, after the completion of his term, President Obama was doing some reading while being driven somewhere and the car stopped. The reason the car had stopped was because there was a red light and for almost all of the last decade there had been no red lights in his way. He was back to facing some of the parts of life that a normal citizen although still realistically being in a privileged position.

Most ex-presidents have continued to live a public life and kept working in roles and organisations that helped to make the country better. The job is really for life although it is uncertain how President Trump will contribute after his retirement apart from supporting the golfing community especially those playing at his clubs.

What many people fear, especially probably Republicans although they might not admit it, is that he will have a significant role and maybe control of the Republican Party, its nature and direction. The Republican party needs to lick its wounds and start to look at how they can return to their true nature and ignore the worst of its voices.

Accept the 2020 decision, look to work with the other side especially in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic as so many are dying, and the social and economic environment needs to be helped. r%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

EXTORTION AT OGWASHI-UKU POLICE STATION

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or years policemen in Ogwashi-Uku Police Station and the entire Aniocha South Local Govt Area of Delta State have engaged in police brutality, extortion, intimidation and violations of rights of indigenes of the area. But the Ogwashi-Uku Police Station is most notorious for extortion in form of bails, besides asking people to bring money for paper and biro for writing statements, claiming that government didn’t provide them with materials. Please we need the authorities to intervene. We are tired. r&[JPLXVCVOEV "UVFHXV "CVKB

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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Babalakin Writes FG, Says UNILAG Governing Council Not Dissolved Davidson Iriekpen A former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has faulted the claim by the federal government that the Governing Council he chaired was dissolved following the crisis in the institution which led to the sacking and reinstatement of the ViceChancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

Babalakin advised the government to update its records because the governing council

could not have been dissolved since he had resigned from the council.

He drew the attention of the government to the fact that he resigned from the council two months ago before an acting chairman was appointed.

Babalakin had in his resignation letter dated September 2020 to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Dama entitled: ‘Letter of resignation’, said there were too many vested interests in UNILAG case, who were not approaching the issues objectively.

Court Grants #EndSARS Protester, Eromosele N1m Bail The Yaba Magistrates Court, Lagos, yesterday granted bail to detained #EndSARS protester, Eromosele Adene, in the sum of N1million.

The magistrate ruled against an application filed by the policemen attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) seeking to remand Adene for an extra 30 days.

Adene’s lawyer, Tunde Jinadu, said his client has been granted bail.

Jinadu had approached the court to grant his client bail on medical ground.

The policemen had last week

arrested Eromosele in Ikeja and taken him to the police command headquarters and then transferred him to the Area F Command before detaining him at the SCID, Panti.

He was last Monday flown to Abuja and detained for seven days before being brought back to Lagos on Sunday.

However, rather than charge him, the policemen secretly approached a Magistrate, O.A Salau, without the consent of his lawyer and applied for a remand order to detain him for an extra 30 days.

Governors Enumerate Challenges Facing States Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed yesterday visited the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat as part of her tour of some West African States including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

Welcoming the DSG to the NGF Secretariat in Maitama Abuja, the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi enumerated some of the challenges of governance in the country and how the pandemic affected the nation’s economy and whittled down its super structure at the subnational level.

Fayemi said that although the virus hit Nigeria in March 2020, later than other countries, its impact has been ravaging with over 64,090 confirmed cases and 1,154 deaths.

Other impacts, he said, include the fall in oil prices, contracting tax base, loss of sources of livelihood, unemployment, youth restiveness (ENDSARS Protest), increasing inflation rate, worsening exchange rate, decline in productivity due to necessary lockdown measures initiated globally and nationally.

Explaining how the various states handled the pandemic at the subnational level, Fayemi stated that as a responsive group, “we worked collaboratively, co-opting ideas and welcoming support from critical stakeholders including partners and the private sector.

“At the wake of the pandemic, we worked with the federal government to ensure the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Presidential Task Force (PTF), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development got all the support it required in delivering swift containment measures”.

At the National Economic Council (NEC) level, he continued, “we developed a COVID-19 response plan encompassing health, economic and socio-economic, immediate to medium term measures needed to combat the virus and its impact.”

Explaining that this is a period to turn adversity into opportunity, Fayemi said: “At the subnational level, we set up intervention funds, social investment programmes, distributed palliatives, launched tax incentive programmes to protect and support livelihoods as well as businesses.

“This is reflected in our 2020 amended State budgets of which 10 percent was earmarked for COVID-19 response expenditures and the recent partner interventions undertaken by states including the World Bank $750 million States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) additional financing, $750 million COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) programme for results and the $100 million Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE)”.

The resignation came a few hours after the Special Visitation Panel headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad submitted its report to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

The senior lawyer in a letter by his Media Adviser and Group Corporate Affairs Manager, Resort International Limited, Mikail Mumuni, was reacting to a statement issued last Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry

of Education, Ben Bem Goong.

Babalakin’s letter dated November 16, 2020 was obtained by journalists in Abuja yesterday.

He said, “Your office announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos by a press release on Wednesday November 11, 2020 among others.

“There is an obvious error in your press release. The Council that was dissolved could not have been the one chaired by Dr. B.O. Babalakin (SAN), as you

erroneously stated in your press release since he had resigned his appointment on 17th September, 2020.

“This is at least two months before your press release was made. If there was any council to be dissolved at all, it must have been the one chaired by Mr. John Momoh. Please update your records accordingly. Thank You.” Goong had in the statement said, “Mr. President, after

careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the panel. Accordingly, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

“The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired

by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved. Mr. President hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the University.”

NLC Backs ASUU over Strike, Asks FG to Show Enough Commitment Opposes designation of aviation as essential services Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday threw its weight behind the nine-monthold industrial action embarked upon by public university lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This is just as the organised labour centre opposed the designation of aviation sector as essential service in the proposed amendment to the aviation bill before the National Assembly.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who spoke with newsmen after meeting with the Senate Committee on Aviation, said the prolonged ASUU strike has the full backing of the congress.

According to him, the lecturers’ strike over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) also include the unresolved 2009 collective bargaining agreement between federal government and the union.

He said: “A lot of issues are contained in the agreement which has not been implemented. The process of dialogue is ongoing.

We have tried to give our own side of how the issue could be resolved including giving inputs and writing of letters and we would continue to do that.

“The sooner it is resolved, the better for all of us because an idle mind certainly is a devil’s workshop. Clearly speaking, I think it should be a priority if the issues are resolved so that we could get our wards back to school.

Asked if labour will advise ASUU to resume while negotiations continue, Wabba said, “That is not how negotiations are done.

“If before the strike action commences, we were able to reach a negotiation, then we would have resolved the issues. We are already on the action before those issues arose. I don’t think that is the best way to go. Government should show enough commitment to resolve the issue once and for all”.

On the recent fuel hike, the NLC boss stressed that the congress has made its position known to government while its next line of action would soon be made public.

He said: “We issued a comprehensive statement on the issue already. What we said in that agreement is that all the palliatives must be implemented with time line and that has not been done.

We have since communicated to government and our next line of action would also be communicated to Nigerians soon”.

Speaking earlier before the Senator Smart Adeyemiled Senate Committee on Aviation, Wabba, stated that the congress was opposed to

the provision in the proposed amendment to six aviation bills which triedto designate the aviation sector as an essential service.

He said: “By our labour laws, which Nigeria is a signatory to, guarantees workers rights and core values. The sector cannot be designated as essential service because sectors that are designated as essential service are listed in the Nigerian labour law and the aviation sector was not part of it.

“All provisions relating to the

issue of essential service into the six bills being considered for review especially section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act should be expunged because it is actually in conflict with the existing provision of the labour law which is part of our international commitment to standards. The issue has been determined by the court that the aviation sector is not an essential service. I think the government is not aware of this, that is why it included it in the law.”

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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18

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

Ekwunife Makes Case for Anambra Women The senator representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Mrs Uche Ekwunife has brought a new argument to the governorship zoning discussion in the state, writes David-Chyddy Eleke

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y dint of sheer hard work, Senator Uche Ekwunife has successfully etched her name in the annals of Anambra’s political history. When the story of Anambra’s contemporary political history will be written, she will get a sizeable mention, but if the mention will be negative or positive depends on who the writer and his or her biases are.

As Anambra moves close to a new season of deciding who should replace the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, there have been arguments about what zone of the state the next governor should come from. Obiano hails from the northern senatorial zone of the state, and by 2022, he would have completed his eight years of two terms as governor in the state; a position that came to the zone through the benevolence of the former governor, Mr Peter Obi, who insisted that a governor must come from the area, having not been privileged to produce one, since the creation of the state.

The popular argument has been that with Peter Obi who hails from the central zone having handed over to Obiano from the north, the southern senatorial zone is due to produce the next governor of the state. The argument has gone back and forth, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) clearly stating that it has zoned the governorship ticket of its party to the south.

Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has however stated too that every qualified citizen has the right to contest, and that zoning the position would amount to unlawfully disenfranchising its members who had interest in the position. This it said would stand, unless the party later reviews its position.

However, Senator Ekwunife who hails from Igboukwu, Aguata LGA, which falls in the Southern zone, but married to a man from Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, which is in the central senatorial zone is the senator representing the zone. The grassroot politician who is also rooting to become the governor of the state has also declared that she is favourably disposed to the southern zone producing the next governor, but has also introduced a new angle to the zoning game, saying that the best form of zoning is not from one senatorial zone to the other, but should rather be from man to woman.

At a recent meeting in her native Igboukwu community, during the unveiling of Odenigbo Art Gallery by an art enthusiast, Uchenna Nwosu, Ekwunife reechoed it again, that the best way to address the raging issue of zoning in the next Anambra governorship election is to zone the office from a man to a woman.

Informing her people of her desire to occupy the Anambra government house, Ekwunife said she was not only qualified by leadership, experience and capacity, but that zoning of the governorship seat by senatorial zone and gender favours her.

Though there have been criticisms against the senator for being in the Senate on account of being married to a man from the central senatorial zone, and also angling for the governorship seat which is now being considered for people from the south, on the account that she originally hails from there, she gave examples of women who have occupied political offices by virtue of their paternal origin and not by

Senator Ekwunife

marital zones, she said her being Anambra South by birth and Central by marriage should be seen as an advantage instead.

“The main story now is zoning and I am also recognised by that because zoning favours me too. There have been political precedents to

Senator Ekwunife who hails from Igboukwu, Aguata LGA, which falls in the Southern zone, but married to a man from Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, which is in the central senatorial zone is the senator representing the zone. The grassroot politician who is also rooting to become the governor of the state has also declared that she is favourably disposed to the southern zone producing the next governor, but has also introduced a new angle to the zoning game, saying that the best form of zoning is not from one senatorial zone to the other, but should rather be from man to woman. At a recent meeting in her native Igboukwu community, during the unveiling of Odenigbo Art Gallery by an art enthusiast, Uchenna Nwosu, Ekwunife reechoed it again, that the best way to address the raging issue of zoning in the next Anambra governorship election is to zone the office from a man to a woman. Informing her people of her desire to occupy the Anambra Government House, Ekwunife said she was not only qualified by leadership, experience and capacity, but that zoning of the governorship seat by senatorial zone and gender favours her

that method too. Josephine Anenih was married to an Edo man but she represented Anambra, her home state as a minister. As at last month, Chris Ngige’s wife is a permanent secretary for Delta State but she is a director in Anambra State. Florence Ita-Giwa represented Cross River as senator and not Edo where her husband hailed from. The current senator, representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah, is from Anambra North but she was married to an Edo man.

Daisy Danjuma represented Edo in the National Assembly and not Taraba where her husband comes from.

“So many precedents here and there, but the most important thing is that you have somebody who is competent to govern you well. The men have done well in governance but the main zoning needed now is from man to woman, that is the authentic zoning. In all, I am covered, zoning from North to South or from man to woman. I am not running because I am a woman but I am running because I have the capacity to be governor and deliver quality leadership and I want you to see me as such. I have the experience, capacity and sagacity,” she said.

Ekwunife has many things working for her in the forthcoming governorship poll. Just as she has stated, she hails from the most favoured senatorial zone, and believes that the male folks have had enough time at the helm of affairs in the state, hence the need for a woman to try her hands on governance. But beyond this, Ekwunife’s party, PDP has adopted a liberal attitude to the zoning argument, insisting that for now, anyone who was interested in the position can vie. Above all, she has come to be known as a politician with a cult following in the state, and this can be seen in her victory in the 2019 general election, which saw her winning a seat in the Senate for a second time, despite contesting against known politicians.

If Anambra State is ready for a female governor is a matter that can be left to time, but most politicians in the state have insisted that the state remains among the most complex, and can not be tended by a woman. A political analyst, Mr Dozie Nchedo said, “don’t mind all the things you read on the social media. When the time comes, you will see that if the men abandon you, there is no way you can win election in Anambra State. For now, we are waiting for those who will emerge as flag bearers of various political parties, and if you see any woman among them, that is when you will know that they are serious. But that also will not mean that they can win the election.”

Meanwhile, Ekwunife who has an “everything is possible” mindset has never failed to remind that Anambra is the only state that has had a woman as its executive governor, in the person of Dame Virgy Etiaba, and she said this to remind all that her ascension to the position was also possible. Etiaba had in 2016 spent six months as the governor of Anambra State, rising from the position of deputy governor to replace her boss, Mr Peter Obi during an illegal impeachment served on him by members of the state House of Assembly. Anambra State will most likely hold her governorship election in November 2021, and already, over 30 persons have indicated interest in contesting for the position.

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POLITICS

El-Rufai Testing the Waters for 2023?

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Recently a group known as “Nasiriya Organisation” disclosed that it had filed a suit to compel the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to contest the 2023 Presidential election. John Shiklam writes that since the group made the declaration, there are insinuations that the governor is sponsoring the group to promote and test the waters for his presidential ambition.

El-Rufai

T

he recent declaration of a group known as ‘Nassiriya Organisation’ to compel the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to contest the 2023 presidential election has attracted mixed reactions among supporters of the governor and his critics.

The Nassiriya Organisation, is said to be a support group for the alleged 2023 presidential ambition of the governor.

There are insinuations that the group is being sponsored by the governor to “test the waters for his “Presidential ambition.”

But his political adviser, Mr. Ben Kure dismissed such insinuations as unfair and unjust, maintaining that the governor has never met the group.

El-Rufai himself had publicly declared that he has no interest in the 2023 presidency.

In an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) sometime in August 2020, El-Rufai said the next president of Nigeria should come from the south, maintaining that he will not support a northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

In the interview, the governor also said insinuations about his presidential ambition was baseless, stressing that he does not have any interest in the seat.

“In Nigerian politics, there is a system of rotation, in which everyone agrees that if the north rules for eight years, the south will rule for eight years.

“That is why I came out and said that after President Buhari has been in office for eight years, no northerner should run for office.

Let the Southerners also have eight years...

“It has been said that I have loved the presidency since I was a minister in the FCT. This is nonsense. I do not want the Nigerian presidency. God gives power, whether you like it or not, if He wants it, He will give it to you, but I have never sought the presidency of Nigeria, no one can say I have ever sought it,” El-Rufai was quoted by the BBC. However, the National leader of the Nassiriya Organisation, who is also the Zonal Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Garkuwa Babuga recently told journalists in Kaduna that his group had filed a suit at a Kaduna High Court to compel El-Rufai to contest the 2023 election, having declined their request.

Babuga said the group has members in 21 states of the federation, adding that El-Rufai is the best candidate based on his track record of achievements.

According to him, “Many people are yearning for an El- Rufai presidency. I don’t have to overblow the trumpet, you all have seen his developmental strides in the FCT and in Kaduna state.

“He is the best person for the Villa in 2023.

“Let’s continue to be loyal and support President Buhari to complete his tenure. But El- Rufai as president and successor to Buhari will further unite Nigeria.”

Speaking further Babuga appealed to “elders in the North, to please forget party differences, we should join forces and rally round El- Rufai so that he can contest and win the presidency.”

He said “Although he did not answer our call, we have gone to court so as to compel El-Rufai to vie for the number one seat in Nigeria...”

However, the action of the group has sparked mixed reactions, with some people alleging that the group is being “sponsored by the governor to promote his presidential ambition”.

In his reaction, the President of the Arewa Defence League (ADL), Mr. Murtala Abubakar described the action of the Nassiriya Organisation as ridiculous and laughable.

In an interview with THISDAY, Abubakar said the action is typical of Nigerian politicians who believe in fooling Nigerians to vote for them.

According to him, “This court action to compel Governor Nasir El -Rufai to contest, 2023 presidential election is not only ridiculous but laughable.

“Typical of Nigerian politicians especially of the APC, who always believe that to get votes, you have to fool Nigerians. They always like to pretend that the office they contest for is not only out of their personal desire but for respect they hold for popular demands.”

Abubakar maintained that “Nigerian politicians enjoy taking Nigerians for a ride by engaging in double standard and speak from both sides of their mouth.”

He said, “going to court by this group is a strategy to test the waters for El-Rufai. One, to see how Nigerians react to the idea of his presidential ambition and two; to help him from the shame of seeing him regurgitate his earlier position of conceding the presidency to the southern part of the country come 2023.”

Speaking in a similar vein, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state, Dr. Abdulrahman Usman, said the same gimmick that played out during the Abacha era is repeating itself.

“It is a very laughable thing. We have seen this kind of shenanigan during the Gen. Abacha days when he had the Kanu one million man march,” Usman said.

According to him, “It is a set up. As far I am concerned, El-Rufai will not fly for the position of President, even Vice President he will not fly...Nigeria will become divided because he is a very nepotistic governor.

“You can see how his governance style that lacks human face has impacted very negatively on the social and cultural harmony that used to prevail in Kaduna state. Today, we are more divided,” he alleged.

Usman further alleged that under the ElRufai administration in Kaduna state “There is no justice, there is no fairness and for me, as far as I am concerned as a Nigerian and as an indigene of Kaduna state, injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. We will reject an ElRufai Presidency in Nigeria.”

But rising in defence of the governor and the Nassiriya Organisation, the Kaduna state Acting Secretary of the APC, Mr. Yahaya Baba Pate, argued that as citizens, the group is entitled to express its opinions.

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

Leader of Study Group ll/Director Department of Land Warfare, Brig.Gen. A.A.Fayemiwo presenting a gift item to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Study Group ll of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, at the Governor’s Office, Osogbo

L-R: Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Special Adviser to the Governor for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye and Managing Director, Craneburg Construction Company, Mr. Jilbert Sassine, during the Flag off of the rehabilitation and upgrading of Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway

Governor Dapo Abiodun (left) of Ogun State receiving a copy of the book, ‘Nigeria @60: Foremost Nigerians of the Last 60years’ from the author, Mr. Lanre Alfred at the Governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State

L-R: Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila and Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, other members of the Aviation Committee and stakeholders at a Public hearing on Six Bills, to repeal and re-enact the operating Acts of the Aviation industry, organized by the House Committee on Aviation at the National Assembly

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

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REPO 0.63 0.50

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

0.50 1 1.20

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

N O V E M B E R

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

736.24% -0.00% -1.71%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

1 3 , ͯ;˛Ͳ͜Ϲ 53.01%

2 0 2 0 EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Firm Oers Farmers Land in Ogun

Prospective farmers who desire to own farmlands now have an opportunity to do so, the management of Extralarge Farms Limited, which recently acquired 6,000 acres of land in Ogun State has said.

Thecompanysaidsuchfarmers,whowouldbegivenvariousincentives, including training on how to grow and make money from organic agricultural products like plantain, cassava and rice, should visit its corporateoďŹƒcelocatedinLagosStateoritswebsite,forregistration and other necessary information.

According to a statement by Mrs. Abosede Oyibokure, one of the XtralargeFarms’governors,registeredfarmerswouldownaminimum of one plot and maximum of 12 plots.

Shesaid,“Afterfouryearsofoperatingthefarm,thefarmercaneither take over the land for further cultivation either by him/herself; or on his behalf by Xtralarge farms; and before the expiration of four years, he/she would be paid N90, 0000.00 per year for three years.�

NSE Honours Amazon Energy CEO

CHANGE OF BATON

L-R: Director ofTreasury, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, Samuel Chidoka; Director of Finance, Mrs. Oyinda Akinyemi; Immediate Past President, Mr. Chuka Eseka; President/Group Managing Director, Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, and Director of Administration, Egie Akpata, at the 2020 Investment Banking AwardheldinLagos‌recently

Rewane Foresees Bright Economic Outlook for Nigeria in 2021 Peter Uzoho The Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane has predicted that Nigeria’s economy will perform better in 2021, compared with the current year.

Rewane, who is also a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, equally called for an interrogation by Nigerians of the recent hike in pump price of petrol in the country without a corresponding increase in crude oil price.

Speaking on a programme monitored on Channels Television, on the latest increase in petrol pump price to N170 per litre, the FDC chief said there was need for Nigerians to ask questions about why there was increase in petrol pump price even when the oil price did

ECONOMY not increase.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) through its marketing arm, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) had last Friday, increased the ex-depot petrol price (the price at which PPMC sells to marketers at the depots) to 155.17 from the N147.

67 it was in September/October.

This triggered the hike of petrol pump price to N170 per litre from the previous N160, as there is normally a differential of between N12 and N15 between the ex-depot price and the pump price.

However, Rewane, who noted that the essence of deregulating petrol pricing was to allow market forces determine the price of the product, wondered how the increase was arrived at.

He said: “The objective (of deregulation) wasn’t to increase the price. The object is to free the price from control. So if the price of crude increases, then refined products price will increase. If the price of crude declines, as well, we will see a reduction in the price of refined products. “The question is that, when in October, we saw a decline in the price of crude to about $35, $36, why did we not see a reduction in the pump price of refined products? “So, that’s the question that we need to interrogate and say, what happened? And so, what we will do is to look at the template (Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority’s template) and see exactly what happened when the price of crude declined and we didn’t see a reduction in the price; and now the price of crude is increasing and we are seeing

that. “So, like I said, it’s a template and we need to interrogate it to see whether it has been efficient.�

He also said one other element of the petroleum products marketing that has not been fully deregulated was access to foreign exchange, saying private importers of petroleum products do not have access to foreign exchange.

Rewane disclosed that it was the Economic Advisory Council that advised government to deregulate petrol price, so that it would be controlled by market forces.

He, however, said another question Nigerians should be asking government was what it does with the funds freed from petrol subsidy.

On his prediction for Nigeria’s Continued on page 24

FG: Mapping of Electricity Network Game Changer in Power Sector Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has assured that the recent move to map the entire electricity sector network will be a game changer for the industry as it will reduce the opaqueness of the operations in the entire power sector value chain.

Acting Director, Renewables and Rural Power Access, Ministry of Power, Mr. Farouk Yusuf Yabo, who spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration of the project in collaboration with the European Union and the German government, noted that when fully automated, it would help resolve several of the lingering issues surrounding

ENERGY accountability in the sector.

Yabo added that if successful, the programme would be a benchmark, not just for the region, but the entire continent on real-time activities in the entire electricity network in the country. “The digitalisation of the power sector means transparency, accountability, better coordination and improved power supply to Nigerians “The federal government has already set for itself a vision 30:30:30 which is a vision to have 30,000 megawatts by 3030 and then 30 per cent of that will

come from renewable energy. “Government will achieve that objective using a twopronged approach, mainly by connecting the grid to various areas in the country as well as providing electricity through off-grid solution. “What this data base hopes to achieve is to define exactly what the extent of electrification is by identifying entire clusters across the country. We have mapped 22 states, 3,000 settlements, towns and villages and we have been able to identify over 2.6 million homes and we have been able to map over 50,000 kilometres of medium voltage lines,� he explained.

He noted that this was the

first time a programme such as this is being carried in the history of electricity supply in Nigeria, stressing that it will also aid in the decision as to which form of energy should be deployed in a particular community. “This means pole by pole, we have been able to count the networks and distribution levels which is being done for the first time in the history of this country. The whole idea is to move on to a situation where it becomes so transparent for the customer and regulator. “This will tell us which community is actually connected Continued on page 24

Inrecognitionofhiscontributionstothedevelopmentoftheengineering profession in Nigeria, the council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has honored the Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Amazon Energy Group, Engr. Olayinka Oluwatimehin with a fellowship award.

A statement from the company explained that the fellowship conferment was done at the NSE 2020 annual conference and AGM with the theme: “Engineering Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Sustainable Development.� Oluwatimehin was among other engineers inducted as fellows by NSE at the event which had practicing engineers gathered to discuss key issues related to engineering development.

The NSE President Babagana Mohammed, described Oluwatimehin and other new fellows as worthy members of the engineering body.

In his response, Oluwatimehin commended eorts of the NSE’s leadership in revamping the engineering sector, while promising to continue to contribute his quota to the profession and industry.

He said being an engineer has propelled him into developmental activities that are at the forefront of the country’s development, “and becoming a fellow of the prestigious engineering body will double his eorts in nation-building.â€?

Crypto-currency Platform Launched

Cordial Exchange has launched a platform for Nigerians that are into crypto-currency trading. The company is a licensed Nigerian ďŹ rm that enables the buying and selling of Bitcoin, Gift cards and convenient exchange of foreign currencies with customers who have Payoneer and Perfect money wallets.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists during the launch recently, Business Manager of Cordial Exchange, Mr. David Adeleke, said: “We are excited to come on board to ďŹ ll in the gaps in the modus operandi of the crypto-currency business and management in Africa.

Cordial exchange is here to enlighten everyone and help them see crypto-currency as less of a foreign concept.�

He further added: “Our trendy platform serves as a hub for our esteemed clients to receive every relevant information and concept theyfeeltheymightlackwithrespecttoowningandexploringBitcoin, amongst other services.

NAICOM Wins Award

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has received an honorary award for coordinating a N5 million insurance cover for frontlinehealthworkersduringtheCOVID-19lockdownperiodinApril.

The award was conferred on the commission by the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) at its 2020 National Confab held in Lagos recently.

Presenting the award at the conference, the Chairman of NAIPCA, Mr. Chuks Okonta, said the insurance package to the frontline health workers and the recognition of the insurers’ eorts by President Muhammadu Buhari was a singular act that earned the insurance industry respect and commendation from both the government and the private sector. The award was received on behalf of the CommissionerforInsurance,MrSundayThomasbytheSpokesperson of the NAICOM, Mr. Rasaaq Salami.

“The current policy of government is to promote the utilisation of gas in Nigeria. It is expected that gas will provide the muchneeded alternative to petrol and firewood�

Mr. Justice Derefaka

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BUSINESSWORLD REWANE FORESEES BRIGHT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR NIGERIA IN 2021 economy come next year, Rewane expressed optimism that the economy would be better than that of 2020, citing some positive developments locally and internationally as bases for his projection. “I can say confidently that 2021 is going to be a better year than 2020 because of all the difficulties. And thank God we have a change in the United States. “Also, with the Chinese/ Asian Free Trade and when we are also having our African Continental Free Trade Agreement. “And hopefully, the borders will open; and hopefully, we will have some adjustments to the exchange rate to make it much more efficient so that people can get foreign exchange when they want it,� Rewane said. He further said: “The monetary policy will be much more forward-looking and impactful. So, all of these things put together, I think we will have an economy that takes off next year. “2021, I think, with the vaccine, it will make sure that we are not going to be killed

by COVID. FG: MAPPING OF ELECTRICITY NETWORK GAME CHANGER IN POWER SECTOR

and which one is getting power at what number of hours. What we are seeing is really a game changer and we are reinventing the power sector. “In the coming months and weeks you will see the difference and we have the support from the distribution companies and other agencies, the REA and NERC and so on.

This will become a benchmark for setting standards across the West Africa sub-region,� he noted.

Yabo stated that the government has identified on a geo-spatial level, all the communities and has mapped all the grids and will now be able to say which community is actually connected and which one is wired, relative to the grid.

NEWS

Local Content: NCDMB to Sanction Defaulting Companies, Stakeholders Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reclassified categories of sanctions to be meted out to defaulting operators and companies who fail to comply with its rules.

The Director, Legal Services of the board, Mr Umar Babangida, who spoke during a two-day workshop held in Abuja, said the draft Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Compliance and Enforcement Regulation 2020 was designed to plug some of the gaps that were identified in the NOGICD Act. He explained that noncompliance and breach of Nigerian content guidelines have now been categorised into minor infractions and serious ones.

According to him, minor offences refer to first time defaults, not meeting deadlines for periodic reports and similar defaults and applicable sanctions which he said would include letter of warning, invitation of management team of the operator or stakeholder for corrective dialogue with the board.

On the other hand, the NCDMB said serious infractions include repeated or persistent defaults and or deliberate refusal to comply with directives issued by the board.

Punishment for such offences, it stated, would include, “naming and shaming of defaulting operator/stakeholder with publicity within national and international

oil and gas communities.�

The board said that it would also involve the notification to other MDAs about the noncompliance of the operator/ stakeholder, including request for the withdrawal of tax privileges, and/or preventing the operator/ stakeholder from getting “cost recovery�, where applicable.

The NCDMB added that part of the sanctions on defaulters may also be withdrawal of certificate of authorisation issued for the project under Section 8 of the Act and withdrawal of any approval given

by the board as required under the provisions of Sections 17, 19 and 20 of the Act on Nigerian Content Compliance Certificate and Prosecution of the offenders.

Explaining further, the director said the board shall first give notice in writing to any operator or other stakeholder, specifying the identified default(s) and corrective step, action and/or remediation required to address an identified non-compliance.

He added that failure to comply shall attract the imposition of appropriate sanctions and/

or penalties as may be deemed applicable in the circumstances.

The event with the theme, “Understanding the Objectives and Philosophy of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act,� was attended by personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Customs Service and other relevant agencies.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi

Wabote explained that the board organised the workshop to create synergy and collaboration with regulatory and enforcement agencies in the discharge of its mandate.

Former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who also made a presentation at the workshop identified gaps in the provisions of the NOGICD Act that would hamper the successful prosecution and conviction of companies deemed to have breached the provisions of the Act.

WIMCACONFERENCE

L-R: Group Managing Director, GDM,Victor Afolabi; Founder/ CEO, Kucheza Gaming, Bukola Akingbade; Executive Director, Marketing HS Media Group, Dr. TolaBamigbaiye-Elatuy;and Convener,WIMCA,JoshuaAjayi,atthe2020WomeninMarketingandCommunicationsConference/Awards(WIMCA)heldin Lagos...recently ETOPUKUTT

SMEDAN Unveils Digital Solutions to Support SMEs Nume Ekeghe The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has launched three digital initiatives for SMEs to help boost sales and enhance capacity.

In partnership with three indigenous companies, it launched Markethub App, developed in partnership with Concrete Communications Limited; MSME Digital Academy, developed in partnership with Sapphital Learning Ltd, and an online equipment exhibition portal for MSMEs developed in partnership with the African Guadong Business Association. Speaking

at the virtual launch recently, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said: “The agency, therefore, is poised to explore and maximise the opportunities presented through emerging technologies to bring our offerings closer to the MSMEs in Nigeria and beyond. “Technology has indeed turned the whole world into a global village. It is easier to connect with people who are thousands of kilometers away via a click of a button. “So also, it is possible to bring millions of people together under one platform where business ideas are exchanged and businesses invariably trans-

acted, providing opportunities for growth.�

Also speaking the launch, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment Mrs. Mariam Katagum congratulated SMEDAN effort towards bolstering SMEs. She said: “In this era of digitalisation and technology dominance, I am happy to be part of these great initiatives aimed at supporting the MSMEs in Nigeria to attain excellence in their operations, towards creating job opportunities, wealth creation and poverty alleviation. “I, therefore, congratulate SMEDAN and her partners for spearheading the development

of MSMEs in Nigeria through robust technological deployments. “In today’s growing multifaceted world, MSMEs are concentrating more on using technology to spur growth, client value and market differentiation.

As such, these businesses are embracing innovative technologies for breakthroughs and diversification. This is the case in a recovering post Covid-19 global economy.�

She added: “Technology is an important means to stimulate the economic efficiency of MSMEs and an enabler of sustainable development. Essentially, if the MSMEs must adapt to the changing external environment

and meet market needs, they must take technology utilisation as a way of life. “In fact, the progressive development and growth of most successful MSMEs is relying more and more on continued use of technology. “The federal government in its effort to make MSMEs more effectual in the economy and to ensure balanced industrial development has decided to promote their development in domestic industrial activities.

This is aimed at repositioning the sub-sector for international competitiveness and also to make it a greater source of export earnings.�

CeBIH Urges MSMEs to Adopt Digital Ecosystem Sunday Okobi Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

As part of its mandate to drive advocacy and address issues impacting the advancement of electronic payments and digital financial services in Nigeria, the Committee of e-business Industry Heads (CeBIH) has urged micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage on the digital ecosystems to grow their businesses.

CeBIH gave the advice recently during a virtual webinar with the theme: ‘Leveraging Digital Ecosystems to grow SME Segments’ The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Adam Nuru, who was the special guest at the webinar, described

MSMEs as the real trigger for economic growth in any society.

According to him, “There is potential for the growth of ecosystems as technology redesigns the agenda of businesses and creates new markets and leaders.

Thus, we are experiencing a shift in the balance of power from traditional value chains.�

The President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Toki Mabogunje, in her address on ‘Understanding SME Segments’, said SMEs play a significant role in Nigeria’s economy as they accounts for 48 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 84 percent of employment opportunities.

According to her, “SMEs

are instrumental in improving income distribution, promoting employment opportunities, but access to bank loans remains a major constraint for SMEs.�

She urged SMEs to adopt technology to manage finance operations, while calling on the governments at all levels to formulate policies that will de-risk SMEs to make moderate production costs in order to make the business more attractive for investment and reduce business failure. The Executive Director of Fate Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, spoke on the importance of Digital Literacy for MSMEs and the need for demographic considerations when developing products.

He said: “It is important

to consider demography such as age, literacy levels, access to connectivity, access to digitally-enabled devices, location, sector or industry when developing products,� adding that its organisation has helped to improve the SMEs through its Aspiring Entrepreneurship Programme (AEP) digital.

The Co-founder of Paystack, Shola Akinlade, in his keynote address, said Paystack was founded in a bid to find solutions to payments. He said businesses in the continent of Africa are under-tooled and underserved. “Paystack helps businesses get started by building digital tools, helping businesses get paid, and most importantly, helping businesses grow. The easier it is

for businesses to get started, the more businesses will be started,� he said.

He, however, charged bankers and fintech to take responsibility to make it easy for businesses to run.

A case study of a digital ecosystem built for MSMEs in Zambia was shared by the Head of Strategic Partnerships at Digital PayGo Zambia, Chilekwa Banda, who reiterated that what the consumers want is not to have the processes as their problem, but to have solutions that would give them success.

Banda explained that the most important person in the value chain is the end-user, and the products must be centered on them to ensure its viability.

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Stock Market Investors Count Gains Goddy Egene writes on the excitement in the stock market following the positive trajectory and record high demand that has led to spike in share prices

T

he Nigerian stock market has, over the years, been different things to investors. To some investors it is their number one choice, while to others, it is a no-go-area given the bad experience of 2008 and 2009, when global ďŹ nancial meltdown led to crash in stock markets.

That experience has continued to keep many investors away from the market in Nigeria.

Hence, despite a population of about 200 million people, there are fewer than five million investors in the Nigerian stock market. However, the performance of the market in recent times is fast changing the attitude of some discerning investors who are searching for positive returns on investments.

Before now, the fixed income securities market, which guarantees fixed return on investment, was the preference for most investors who are risk averse. However, with the crash in money market rates and increasing inflation that hit 14.2 per cent in October, returns in the money market are now deeply negative.

The only place providing positive returns on investments right now is the stock market, which is attracting unprecedented flow of funds.

The high demand for equities has made the market to record a consistent growth since the second quarter after a decline in the first quarter.

As at close of trading on Monday, the main index of the stock market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) has recorded a year-to-date gain of 29.4 per cent. Investors in some stocks have recorded gains higher than the NSE ASI with Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc posting a gain of 369 per cent.

No capital market stakeholder expected the massive growth being witnessed in the market now following the poor performance recorded in first quarter and the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the market was expected to rebound in 2020 after dipping in 2018 and 2019, it declined by 20.6 per cent in the first quarter as a result of COVID-19 pandemic impact among other factors.

However, contrary to expectations, the market rebounded in April and sustained the growth through the second and third quarters in spite of COVID-19 induced economic lockdown.

Analysts said the market remained resilient because of the measures taken by regulators coupled with some stimulus package announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support the real sector given COVID-19 spillovers.

For instance, despite the economic lockdown, trading at the stock market continued as the NSE activated its business continuity plan (BCP). As part of the BCP, the NSE adopted a remote trading and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, assured stakeholders that in line with their robust business continuity management framework, the exchange had put in place measures to ensure their operations and trading activities continue seamlessly throughout this period. “As an exchange, we will ensure that all relevant information continues to flow into the market to ensure the pricing of risk assets remains transparent and reliable across asset classes to allow investors to value their portfolios and make informed investment decisions under these volatile conditions. Dealing members are, therefore, encouraged to continue to trade remotely via our electronic platforms such as FIX protocol and XNET, and reach out to their Compliance Officer if any support is required.

Please note that we will provide manual support to members without remote access during this period. Issuers who have any business to conduct with The Exchange can reach out to their Relationship Manager for guidance.

You should continue to submit all regulatory filings via Issuers’ Portal (X-Issuer),� he said.

The CBN announced measures aimed at supporting the economy, a development that gave confidence to investors to invest in the market. Some of the measures announced by the apex bank included the reduction of interest rate to 5.0 per cent from 9.0 per cent and a one-year moratorium on all CBN intervention facilities. The apex bank also created a N50 billion targeted credit facility

NSE trading oor to support households and SMEs as well as a special credit support of N1.1 trillion for the manufacturing and the healthcare sectors respectively. In addition, the CBN announced a private sector coalition to support the federal government in procuring medical supplies to contain COVID-19 pandemic. To further support the economy, the commercial banks have also been granted regulatory forbearance in the restructuring of loans.

On the fiscal side, an ‘Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill 2020,’ that proposes temporary measures to cushion the effects of COVID-19 spillovers on Nigerians and businesses and is expected to terminate in December, 2020.

Some of the provisions of the Bill include the suspension of import and stamp duties on essential medical supplies required to fight the pandemic as well as a 50 per cent rebate on corporate taxes and the imposition of new moratorium on mortgage obligations.

Although the measures were expected to have positive impact on the market on the long run, the CBN’s restriction of domestic investors from participating in its open market operations (OMO) as well as the interest rate cut boosted the stock market rally.

Alluding to this fact, Onyema said investors were always in search of higher returns on investments, noting that CBN’s policies have made the stock market attractive to investors.

He said: “I must say that some of the policy changes include the CBN policy that domestic institutional investors should stop participating in the OMO market. That has driven significant funds into the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) market and some of those funds have found their way into the equities market. We have also seen a cut in interest rate. That was a significant move in support of equities as an asset class. What investors tend to do is to look for yield.�

According to Onyema, since the Nigerian economy has shifted into a negative real interest rate environment, investors are now in search of investments that would give them higher yields and returns. “Given the record dividend yield available in the Nigerian market and given the strong fundamentals of a number of companies that are listed on the Exchange, it makes sense that as investors try to rebalance their portfolio, they would look at equities,� the NSE CEO stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Research Officer, Investdata Consulting Limited, Mr. Ambrose Omordion, said the positive performance in the market stemmed from continued activities of bargain hunters, who have swooped on

the stock market in search of higher yields in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market and absence of attractive alternative investment options.

According to him, the low yield environment and other factors have triggered buying interest in the equity space despite the seeming disconnection with economic realities to sustained the four consecutive months of bullish run.

Also, the better-than-expected Q3 corporate results aided the positive performance. “Since stock prices reflect expectations about profitability, and profitability is directly linked to economic activity, fluctuations in stock prices are thought to show the direction of any economy. But our market since April has rallied on liquidity and sentiments ignoring economic fundamental and at the same time pointing to economic recovery as quoted companies’ numbers remain resilient in the midst of negative macroeconomic indicators,�

Omordion said.

He said the possibility of prices rallying further was high, amidst portfolio reshuffling on the strength of the Q3 numbers, just as investors would be assured of reward in the form of dividends when the full-year score-cards begin to flow into the market in the early days of 2021 despite the possibility of dividend cut. “It is expected that discerning investors and traders would take advantage of the prevailing relative low stock prices, year-end season and cycle to grow their income, ahead of major earnings season in the first quarter of 2021,� he added.

The continued high demand which led to a spike in stocks prices prompted the NSE to activate the circuit breaker when the NSE ASI rose beyond the set threshold of 5.0 last Thursday. That was the first time that the circuit breaker had been triggered since its introduction in 2016.

The exchange explained that the circuit breaker protocol was triggered by the increase of the NSE ASI from 33,268.36 to 34,959.39.

The market reopened at exactly 1:25p.m. with a 10-minute intraday auction session, before resuming continuous trading till the close of the day at 2:30p.m.

The Chairman of Association of Securities Dealing Houses Association of Nigeria (ASHON), Chief Onyenwechukwu Ezeagu, said triggering the circuit breaker by the NSE was a welcome development. “Usually circuit breaker is a safety valve that enables the exchange manage unusual market price volatility, enabling market back room managers to stop trading and figure

out the cause of the unusual development.

This ensures stability and integrity of prices of stocks and forestall unintended consequences,�

Ezeagu said.

The bullish trend has increased the wealth of investors as many of the stocks have recorded significant growth that is highly above the inflation rate. This means these investors are counting gains in the investment and not losses.

Neimeth is leading with 369.4 per cent, while Livestock Feeds Plc has appreciated by 162 per cent.

United Capital Plc has chalked up 88.7 per cent, just as FCMB Group Plc has garnered 81.6 per cent. Northern Nigerian Flour Mills Plc has added 79.7 per cent, just as Fidson Healthcare Plc gained 77.4 per cent.

May & Baker Nigeria Plc has appreciated by 70.9 per cent; Presco Plc, 67.8 per cent; Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, 59.1 per cent; Japaul, 55 per cent; African Prudential Plc, 50 per cent; and MTN Nigeria Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Coronation Insurance Plc (47 per cent apiece).

Others are: BUA Cement Plc(45.6 per cent); Okomu Oil Palm Plc(43.8 per cent); Lafarge Cement Plc (43.7 per cent); Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (42.3 per cent); Ekocorp Plc (41.1 per cent); Dangote Cement Plc (40 per cent); Zenith Bank Plc (39.7 per cent); NPF Microfinance Bank Plc (39.1 per cent); Cutix Plc (36.8 per cent); LASACO Assurance Plc (36 per cent); Unity Bank Plc (34.3 per cent); NASCON Allied Industries Plc (30.8 per cent) Portland Paints and Products Plc (30.8 per cent);FTN Cocoa Plc, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc (30 per cent each); Cornerstone Insurance Plc (28.8 per cent), 11 Plc (28.4 per cent); Eterna Plc (27.7 per cent); Fidelity Bank Plc (27.3 per cent); AIICO Insurance Plc (25 per cent); FBN Holdings Plc (23.5 per cent); Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (21.2 per cent); Regency Insurance Plc (20 per cent); Union Diagnostic and Clinical Services Plc (18.1 per cent); United Bank for Africa Plc (17.4 per cent); Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (17.2 per cent) and Total Nigeria Plc (17.1 per cent).

However, it is not all gains as some stocks have posted depreciation so far. Arbico Plc led the decliners with 70.6 per cent, trailed by NCR Nigeria Plc with 60 per cent. Omatek Plc shed 52 per cent, while Afromedia Plc declined by 41.1 per cent.

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc depreciated by 39 per cent, just as Unilever Nigeria Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc went down by 34 per cent and 33.6 per cent respectively among others.

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Powering Underserved Communities Emmanuel Addeh writes that the Rural Electrification Agency, a federal government body set up to provide mostly off-grid power to Nigeria’s poor and inaccessible communities is living up to expectations

T

he smiles on their faces told the whole story. A story of hope restored and a once dark, uncertain future now lit up by a rash of solar-powered mini grids that would effectively boost the supply of power and increase economic activities in the beneďŹ ting areas.

Aside several isolation centres that had their services made easier and more convenient by the provision of off-grid electricity during the lockdown, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) seems to have made up its mind to continue to forge on despite all the odds, including paucity of funds.

Before now, the agency had connected 364 households to solar power in Bayelsa and inaugurated two solar hybrid mini grids in the villages of Akipelai and Oloibiri, with a total capacity of 134.64kW for both communities under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), powered by 180kWh of lithium battery storage and two units of 100kva diesel generator sets.

Given the difficulties faced by the residents before the construction of the facilities which are expected to provide clean, safe and reliable electricity to hundreds of people and spur economic growth in the communities, it was sweet relief.

Considering the several unfulfilled promises in the past, many residents of Eka Awoke in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra, must have been pleasantly surprised that the projects were completed on schedule and are now open for public use.

From the way the indigenes trooped out, it was obvious that something remarkable had taken place in the rustic, rural and poor community, but now wholly transformed areas.

For Oliver Aliobu, an indigene, for instance, it was the first time in his close to six decades on earth that he was experiencing electricity for the first time. Like Aliobu, many of persons his age, hadn’t known what it meant to enjoy electricity, but now will henceforth have uninteresting supply for the rest of their lives.

Indeed, several researchers had found out that development depends largely on adequate and regular energy supply, particularly in its modern forms such as electricity, with just 18 per cent people in rural areas in Nigeria having access to power.

With over 50 per cent of the Nigerian population living in rural areas and more than 60 per cent of this depending on firewood for energy needs, it is only an understatement that national development is highly impeded due to a lack of access to electricity by rural dwellers.

Added to that is that people who still depend on firewood, apart from its health implications, cause an annual loss of 3.6 per cent or 350,000 hectares of wood lands and pose danger to the environment.

It is probably in that light, that the commissioning of the 100kw solar hybrid mini grid in Eka Awoke in Ikwo, Ebonyi, has received several applause from both locals and government officials.

In fact, the day the project was officially open, it attracted the location of a rice milling plant in the community as announced by the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, who revealed this at the ceremony. “The ministry of power is providing and will continue to provide all necessary support for seamless implementation of all federal government policies in the decentralisation of the power sector. “ I am, therefore, thrilled that our drive has led us to this great event. This is only the beginning of greater accomplishments to come,� he assured.

The project is that of REA in collaboration with a private sector player, Clouds Energy Photoelectric Limited and implemented through public private partnership.

The REA Managing Director, Mr Salihijo Ahmad, said during the project that it was designed to provide jobs for the community and urged the people to put it to productive use.

He said that it was important to do that because the federal government was looking forward to assessing its positive impact on the rural community of the project which was designed with some economic impact assessment measures.

The REA boss said the project would power the healthcare facilities in the community, adding that it was implemented from the first set of grant to the Rural Electrification Fund for off-grid

Buhari electrification across the country.

Ahmad said the essence of the project is to promote economic activities in rural communities. “I am delighted to announce that with the solar hybrid mini-grid being commissioned today, homes, businesses and the entire community will now have access to clean, safe and sustainable energy. This automatically enhances productivity and provides jobs in the community,� he stated.

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, in his comments, said the solar power plant would trigger industrialisation in the community, stressing that the impact of the project was already changing lives positively.

His Deputy, Mr Kelechi Igwe, who represented him, said that the project had also provided jobs for indigenes of this community and will create more during its expansion. “We look forward to witnessing and commissioning more of this projects that will improve the quality of life for the people of Ebonyi and revolutionise the face of our economy,� he stated.

He said since the project is a clean energy focused one, it would culminate in the attainment of improved health and environment in the state.

Umahi commended the federal government and REA for providing reliable electricity to the unserved and underserved community with electricity and urged the agency to do more where possible. “I want to assure you that we, the people of Ebonyi State, will do our best to support this project to ensure greater success and sustainability.

Its impact is already changing lives. “This project has also provided jobs for indigenes of this community and will create more during the expansion of this project,� he said.

Traditional ruler of the area, HRH, Ezeh Omereoha I of Eka -Awoke Unweueka Ikwo, said there was no electricity in the community until the project illuminated it, saying that there had since been 24 hours daily power supply.

The monarch, who also expressed gratitude to the federal government for locating the project in his domain, promised to secure the solar project. “I have been doing my best to ensure that the property of the government is protected in this area. We have a vigilance group. We have neighbourhood watch that take care of day and night security guard,� he added.

As a farming community, he said the project will help to make sure crops are being transferred elsewhere and that the best yields will be harvested.

The Community Head of Eka Awoke, Eze Dickland Ogaluagu, also expressed gratitude to the federal government and the private sector developer for providing electricity to their community. “On behalf of my people, I want to thank the

Ahmad. federal government of Nigeria, the governor of our great State, the Managing Director, Board and Management of the Rural Electrification Agency and the developers for the initiation and successful completion of this project� he said.

Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Chris Azubogu, in his intervention, said the economy cannot develop without electricity supply, disclosing that the hospital had hitherto been powered by a generator.

Speaking, the Clouds Energy Chief Executive Officer , Mr. Theophilus Nweke urged the youths of community to take the project as theirs. “The installed solar hybrid mini grid power plant, which has a total capacity of 100KW, has 330 high grade solar panels and 12KM of distribution network cable, which now serves this community with constant electricity through the 300 buildings successfully connected to the mini grid,� he disclosed.

The story was not different when the federal government team landed in Anambra to officially kick off the use of a 7.5 KWP project at the Joint Hospital in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Governor Willie Obiano said the hospital project which was carried out by the REA in partnership with a private sector contractor: Eauxwell Nig Limited, within a period of eight weeks, would improve its quality of service to patents.

Obiano, who was represented by the Senior Special Adviser on Power, Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Victor Meju, noted that the solar project would ensure clean, safe and reliable electricity in the hospital. “It is important to stress that the benefits of clean, safe and reliable electricity in this hospital will increase the number of patients visiting the hospital and improve the quality of health service by doctors to patients. “We will now be able to attend to patients at night and store blood and medicinal supplies without fear of them getting damaged,� he maintained.

Obiano further sought the extension of the solar projects to other communities in the state in order to address their health challenges. “I am humbled that this initiative is happening in our state and is the first of many to be commissioned by the Rural Electrification Agency.

It is with great pride that Anambra State has collaborated with the federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency to implement this impressive project that will ensure clean, safe and reliable electricity in this hospital. “I want to assure you that we, the people of Anambra State, will do our best to support this project to ensure greater success and sustainability.

Its impact is already changing lives.

“Your efforts are being witnessed in various states across the nation and as a state government, we pledge our support to this administration’s endeavours, � he said and advised the people to treat the project as their own. “ Know that other communities will be watching to see how you make use of the power plant and the constant electricity it will provide,� he stressed.

In his intervention, the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, told the governor that plans were already underway to replicate the project in another community around the area, adding that that the plan was already accommodated in the 2021 appropriation bill.

The Hospital Proprietor, Rev. Fr. Chukwujejwu Akabugu, said owing to the provision of electricity from the solar project, the hospital could run on for 24 hours daily.

He said the power supply had given the hospital an edge over its competitors in the area, saying that the patients were visiting confidently because of the reliable power supply from the solar project.

He urged the agency to step up the capacity of the project in order to supply power to and expanded audience and urged the federal government to come to the aid of the hospital for expansion in order to serve the teeming populace that relies on the health facility.

Also, during the Anambra version of the inaugural, the REA Managing Director, Ahmad , said as a mandate by the federal government, the agency would continue to implement sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure deployment using off-grid technologies. “I strongly believe that the quality of lives will be improved and both the young and the old will have access to better healthcare service as well as learning experiences in this community and other beneficiary communities,� he assured.

However, Eka Awoke, the Ebonyi community now joins Upake (80KW) in Kogi State and Kare-Dadin Kowa and Tsulaye (98.8KW) in Kebbi state as well as Akpabom (100KW) in Akwa Ibom State that have benefitted for the federal government solar projects.

In the same vein, the joint hospital in Anambra now joins other such institutions in Lagos, Ogun , Abuja and a number of other states in experiencing social and economic progress , thanks to the solar mini grids project under the REA. For the communities yet to be reached, but have been earmarked for such projects with the capacity to transform the socio-economic trajectory of their rural economies, the message from Ahmad, the MD of the REA was clear: “We are coming to your area soon, if not now, in the nearest future.�

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Ogun New Minimum Wage and Abiodun’s Scorecard Sunday Ilori Conflicts are inevitable in state-labour relations.

And one potent tool labour leaders have at their disposal to make governments at whatever level consider workers’ demands is to direct their members to down tools probably after all entreaties have failed.

Therefore, in industrial and labour relations, workers’ resort to an industrial action is a popular and even legitimate means of getting the authorities to pay attention to workers’ pressing demands, particularly matters of staff welfare.

Although some could argue that workers’ resort to strike actions is most undesirable when negotiations are still ongoing or seem to have broken down, what is essential is how a responsive government manages the resultant industrial dispute by further pushing the button of the principle of collective bargaining and resolving the conflict in the interest of all parties.

For the records, the tactful and result-oriented way of handling the recent one-week warning industrial dispute between organised labour and the Ogun State government is another milestone recorded by the responsive administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

His perceptive approach demonstrates the responsiveness of his administration to creating a peaceful and rancour-free atmosphere in the state which would enhance harmonious government-labour relations in handling welfare matters that directly affect the workers. In doing so, the government has shown that workers have rights, have a voice to air their grievances and that government within the limits of its capabilities and capacities would do everything possible to improve workers’ job satisfaction and productivity, too.

The genesis of the recent industrial dispute in the state stemmed from the passage of the Pension Reform Bill by the State House of Assembly, sometime in September, a development that sparked off protest, resulting from what the labour claimed to be ‘’non-consultation’’ before the passage of the bill into law.

As a consequence, the Organised Labour, made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) embarked on a warning strike which commenced on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

Despite the huge financial implications the demands of the labour unions would bear on the expenditure of the government, the government has graciously acceded to the workers’ demands.

The expenditure range from the implementation of the new minimum wage that would increase the monthly wage bill by N1.04 billion, to the immediate payment of three years’ leave bonus arrears and gratuity, all approximating to N9.2 billion and N24 billion respectively, and to an additional payment of about N1.2 billion, resulting from the under-pment by the immediate past administration to some categories of retired personnel.

True to type, the state government, with the October 2020 salaries, commenced the payment of the negotiated minimum wage of N30,500, the highest of such in the southwest. This is a clear demonstration of the present administration’s commitment to paying the entitlements of dutiful Ogun workers (either serving or retired) so as to better their welfare, wellness and well-being.

Effusive in his commendation of this workerfriendly gesture by Governor Abiodun, the Vice-Chairman, Ogun State chapter, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, expressed profound appreciation on behalf of his fellow labour leaders and the grateful teeming Ogun workforce. While speaking at a “Thank You� solidarity rally held at the Arcade Ground of the State Secretariat, Okemosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Lasisi said: “It’s no longer news that the Ogun State government has paid the negotiated minimum wage to the entire workforce in the state. We are very happy. There is a need to appreciate His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun and the government of Ogun state. We, as workers, are not members of any political party, but what we are after is the welfare of our members.

And if you look at the current administration, it has demonstrated its commitment by paying regularly the salaries of workers, even, before the month ends.’’ Akeem Lasisi continued, ‘’Even during the negotiations, the team that represented the state government demonstrated an uncommon com-

Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor mitment. The spirit of collective bargaining was allowed to thrive. The commitment showed by the state government during the negotiation was equally unprecedented, if we are to compare with past administrations in the state. I can authoritatively tell you that the minimum wage which is N30,500 by the state government is the highest in the entire southwest of Nigeria. So, we want the government to uphold the early payment of workers’ salaries, as it has been doing, so that they (workers) would not suffer.

But I would appeal to the state government to fulfil all the pledges it signed with the organised labour. Because if it is able to do all these, it means the government is planting a seed that would germinate to feed upon in 2023.�

Expectedly, the worker-friendly Governor, in his response, reiterated the commitment and resolve of the administration to improve the welfare of the workers, part of which is to offset all outstanding dues and other entitlements as the financial status of the state improves.

According to him, “No nation or state can achieve any meaningful development without workers who are well motivated to perform optimally. “We will continue to constantly and regularly pay our workers’ salary and other benefits to enable them discharge their duties efficiently.

In doing so, the government has shown that workers have rights, have a voice to air their grievances and that government within the limits of its capabilities and capacities would do everything possible to improve workers’ job satisfaction and productivity, too

I know that there had been a breakdown of trust in the past between the government and the workers. On our part, we will continue to build trust with you. There should be no mistrust or misunderstanding between us. You are the essence of this administration. I can assure you that, we will continue to engage you, and I am happy that the twist is being restored�.

By and large, unexpectedly, the governor must have disappointed pessimists, cynics and traducers who had thought the next line of action was to downsize the workforce to meet up with the payment of the negotiated N30,500 minimum wage and other demands of the labour, as it is the grund norm in some states of the federation.

Instead, Governor Abiodun rose to the challenge, believing that state resources must be judiciously used to develop a truly motivating working atmosphere which would in turn boost workers’ productivity and drive the state to further pedestals of development in all sectors in the end.

The elephant is beyond an animal that one can claim to have sighted rather vaguely; if we see an elephant, it must be so acknowledged that we have truly seen an elephant in its grandeur.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has launched a template for a responsive governance style in Nigeria’s democratic space and his impressive score card must be rightly acknowledged by all lovers of democracy and admirers of the new phase of governance in Ogun politics and administration.

It is on record that five temporary members of staff who had been working with the State Ministry of Special Duties in the last 10 years have been absorbed into the mainstream civil service. Three of them who are Higher National Diploma (HND) holders were employed by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Despite several appeals to the successive administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun to absorb them, there were no positive results. But Governor Abiodun, in his understanding of the workings of industrial and labour relations and particularly his feeling the pulse of deserving dutiful Ogun workers has compassionately directed the immediate absorption of the five workers with immediate effect from September 1, 2020.

Despite some dirty tricks employed by the

past administration to make the successive government fail by hurriedly recruiting well over 2,000 workers through the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, Lagos, in the twilight of its exiting office on May 29, 2019, without taking cognizance of the financial viability and capability of the state, Governor Abiodun to the chagrin of some elements and to the admiration of lovers of industrial harmony retained the services of these workers in the state civil service.

Besides, Abiodun directed that the nine-month old salaries owed the new workers to a tune of N1 billion be defrayed immediately. Also, in the same spirit, 18 directors that were elevated to the Permanent Secretary (PS) cadre, without recourse to due process, were equally granted amnesty and retained despite every entreaty and persuasion to rescind the decision of the past administration and review the promotion of the affected officers.

These landmark achievements recorded by the state government under the astute leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun despite inheriting a near empty state treasury are inspiring and commendable. In these trying times too are the equally worrisome dwindling fortunes of the state occasioned by the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its debilitating socio-economic effects that have impacted negatively on the internally generated revenue of the state as well as the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

In a swift response to these seemingly daunting state matters, Governor Dapo Abiodun has stood tall as a shrewd manager of the state’s resources, delivering on all fronts to the admiration and acclamation of the proud Ogun people who voted for him to change the cacophonous music of yesteryears to melodious tunes alluring to the ears of all. All we can do is to wish Governor Abiodun more grace and wisdom to further implement his worker-friendly and people-oriented agenda for the betterment of the living and working conditions of the people, and ultimately the uplift of the Gateway State to greater heights. t*MPSJ B QVCMJD DPNNFOUBUPS XSPUF GSPN "CFPLVUB 0HVO 4UBUF DBQJUBM

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Curbing Online Financial Fraud Ugo Aliogo, writes on the need for bank customer to be cautious against fraudsters who pose as representatives of financial institutions to defraud customers

W

ith the increasing adoption of technology in every sectors of the economy, including the financial sector, banking processes have greatly improved. Today, customers enjoy convenience and efficient banking, because financial institutions leverage different technology platforms to deliver services.

But on flipside the banking public has been victims of fraudulent activities because of the scheming acts of some unscrupulous individuals.

It has been argued that financial fraud is not a healthy development for the banking ecosystem because it erodes consumer trust in the financial service sector; for the argument to be valid, it should not be examined only from the angle of the bank, but also on the part of the customers.

Most customers due to negligence give out their bank details to fraudsters who pose as bank representatives in disguise of protecting customer details. These fraudsters send unsolicited text messages to bank customers requesting them to call a phone number to stop an ongoing transaction. There are cases these fraudsters call the customer posing as bank representative and solicit for bank details from gullible customers. Once a customer gives heed to this request, the individual falls prey to the antics of the fraudster and if unlucky the customer is robbed of his/her financial fortunes.

The banking public should be informed on the need to prevent unauthorized access to their account upon the unfortunate incident of death of a customer.

The banking regulation states that upon the death of a bank customer; the family of the deceased should notify the bank to enable the immediate freezing of the deceased customer ’s account. This is pivotal to preventing unauthorised persons from having access to the funds, pending when the funds will be properly discharged by administrators. This effort will help stem the tide in fraudulent activities on deceased customers’ accounts and ensure funds are discharged according to stipulated laws.

Another vital issue in financial fraud is the sending of cash to the bank through third party. Most customers have lost their monies through third parties unexpectedly, while some have had their bank details compromised through the deposit of cash by third party.

Every account holder is expected to make cash deposit of their monies directly in bank or use an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or Mobile App. If a third party is in possession of a customer’s bank details, there is the likelihood of using it for criminal activities or obtaining other useful information about a customer. It is important for the banking public to be informed to always deposit funds into their account by themselves to reduce the risk of

fraud by individuals with ulterior motives Unscrupulous individuals have taken undue advantage of people’s account, while posing as bank’s representatives, therefore this calls for caution, and the banking public to stay scam alert and smart to avoid falling into the hands of fraudsters.

Due to the presence of mobile banking apps, most customers don’t see the need of keeping their TSP receipt. The banking regulation provides that the banking public (customers) should ensure that after every deposit transaction, the TSP receipt is collected and kept.

However, most customers run afoul of this regulation to their own detriment. After each deposit transactions, they jettison the TSP receipt of payment. The bank regulations provide that the public be enlightened to always confirm their deposit details before carrying out transaction in the bank. The regulations call for strict possession of the TSP receipts after every transaction.

Sensitive personal effects such as ATM and simcards are linked to customers’ bank account. Often times, there have reported cases of these personal items been used by individuals to perpetuate criminal activities such as financial frauds, armed robbery and others. Unscrupulous individuals gain access

to these personal effects through theft and negligence of individuals who misplaced the items because of careless or maybe the items are expired.

The banking regulation states that the banking public should be prompted to notify their bank immediately they notice fraudulent activities on their account. The regulations also states that the bank should be immediately notified upon the loss of bank account token, phone number or simcard that is linked to one’s bank account.

The regulation further provides that the bank should be immediately notified upon the compromise of one’s email address that is linked to one’s bank account. It adds that the bank should be immediately notified upon the suspicion that one’s bank account vis-à -vis ATM card pin number, mobile and/ or online banking applications and others have been compromised.

Commenting on the issue, the Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management, Johnson Chukwu, said it is difficult to eliminate fraudulent activities in any industry, however he charged banks to increase awareness creation to their customers especially on the need for them not diverge their access code to a third party.

He advised bank customers not to diverge

their banking details to a fraudsters who disguise themselves as the bank representatives, adding that the bank will not at any point give out their banking details to a third party.

According to him: “The second measure is for the banks to build higher levels of controls checks and balances and validation processes. The validation process will involve reaching out to the customer, using things such as voice recognition so that if these unscrupulous individuals call, and the bank voice recognition system doesn’t recognises the customer’s voice, the transaction would fail.

There should also put in place layers of control on some private questions such as mother’s maiden name, date of birth and others, before the bank will validate the transaction that the customer wants to do online. “The bank can also build additional level of validation process where they need to get a lot more private information from the customers and until such information is confirmed, transactions cannot be approved, in that way once we have control system that makes it difficult for fraudsters to succeed, many of them will back out because the reward for them is that they succeed and if the likelihood of success is slim, most of them will back out.�

FG Committed to Poverty Eradication, Says Saraki Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Rukayah Saraki has said the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government has shown willingness and drive towards eradicating poverty and unemployment in the country.

She said the development has made Buhari to put in place various measures and initiatives principally targeted at achieving the goals.

The minister spoke at Ilorin, recently, at a roundtable dialogue with youths and women in Kwara State

aftermath of the #ENDSARS #.

Various invited representatives of youth organisations and women in the state gave their views about their challenges with governments and security agencies in their efforts to secure employment and live a better life.

She stated that, “Young people under 30 make up more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population. “According to Chatham House, If Nigeria’s unemployed youth were its own country, it would be larger than Tunisia or Belgium�.

The minister added

that, “President Muhammadu Buhari, long before the commencement of the protest had directed the ministers to return to their various constituencies and engage the stakeholders on how to make the country work better for all.�

Saraki noted that, “Nigeria has indeed witnessed an unprecedented agitation by youths during the #EndSars protest, while I recognise the right to demonstrate peacefully as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments, I am saddened at the aftermath of the peaceful demonstration. “The spread of misinforma-

tion and false news through social media is on the rise.

The task to make social media our safe haven lies in our fingertips. “Before you share any message on social message, ask yourself; is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? I grieve heavily for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives, businesses or got injured in the event of this social unrest. “I urge security agents and other necessary bodies to employ diplomacy and utmost civility while working to restore peace and sanity to our land�.

Saraki told the youths

that no one should be held responsible for the current pathetic state Nigeria has found herself, saying “,We shouldn’t play a blame game, we are all guilty ,rather we should all chart a way forward for Nigeria�.

The coordinator of #ENDSARS protesters in the state, Miss Saadat Bibire said, there were clear indications from the authorities that the youths were still being taken for granted.

Saadat said only one of the five demands of #ENDSARS, setting up of Panel of inquiry had been looked into by the state governments, while

the police were still arresting her members as at Thursday, while members accounts were being frozen.

A human rights activist in Ilorin Rasheed Akogun, said all officers of uniformed security agencies in the country over the years displayed a false impression that they are superior to the civilians whose resources are being used to sustain them, saying that now is the time for that orientation to change.

Akogun, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) criticised the ruling party for its ongoing efforts to clamp down of social media.

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Olanrewaju: In Challenging Environment, Bottom-line is Important The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Dr. Kazeem Olanrewaju in this interview with Eromosele Abiodun explains why the bank premiered four e-channels and its contribution to the Nigerian economy via loan disbursements Given recent development around the world, companies have had to rely on technology to drive their business. Where are you in this regard?

You are very correct that given the recent events around the world especially concerning COVID-19 that things have changed. People call it the new normal, it is new but it has been normalized. Well, Baobab is not an exception, and I can tell you that COVID-19 has had its impact on our business, and of course we responded accordingly. First is that in February before COVID-19 actually started in Nigeria, we suspected it may come, and so we had our management meeting to review and to plan what we would do in the event we have the issue of COVID-19 in Nigeria. So, I can say that even though it was new, but we prepared ourselves. On what we did, some of the customers have already spoken, we responded accordingly by helping them restructure their loans.

You know there was a total lockdown so how did we do it? For the staff, we were working from home; hence we relied on technology to be able to do this. While we were not opening the branches, we still had our business activities going on.

We decided to start testing some of our platforms, to see those that would support what we were doing. But it is important to mention at this moment that even before COVID-19, most of our transactions were done online every time.

Everything is done via mail.

So you see the approvals that are done via mail. So if you go into the office you hardly see anyone moving around with papers. So it was already part of the culture to do things without having any physical contact. I think COVID-19 only helped to reemphasise the fact that we should be able to work without necessarily having physical interactions.

For the customers, provided a few platforms, where in one, they can access smaller loans, and then where they can make repayments. It worked, because even during that period we were able to get some repayments using those alternative channels and platforms to get some of the collections.

Overall, the COVID-19 had its effect but it wasn’t 100 per cent shutdown of the business.

We were still able to do at least skeletal business, which by the time we quantify it, it was almost about 30 per cent of the usual activities that we do during normal times. So this was how we managed through the COVID-19 lockdown.

How has the effort you put in place affected your bottom line?

In a challenging environment and times like this, bottom line is very important, but that is not the most important. What I can say is that, we were able to secure our assets. The loan books were properly taken care of. So you see a default rate that is less than five per cent.

I think this is very important because that also affects what happens in the bottom line. And then you see our liquidity growing by reason of the plans that were put in place.

People will expect that there will be a kind of ruin on the bank, people will come and withdraw money or stuff like that. However, our deposits continue to grow even in this period.

Talking about the issue of profitability, we remained profitable but less than what we have planned in the year. So our previous years, all through the year, we normally do about 65 to 80 per cent of our plan. This year, we had barely doing about 50 per cent of our plan. We are still making profit but not at the same level we expected it to be.

So we can say that COVID-19 has taken its own impact and then maybe because the way we responded to it, we are still profitable, and like I said, even in terms of the balance sheet, we have done more than 30 per cent despite of COVID-19. And this is expected to continue till the end of the year. So truly there is impact of COVID-19 but it’s not a total disaster altogether.

We still remain very liquid and profitable all together. In fact, we are more liquid this year than we were last year.

We understand you have just introduced

and they will be able to do transactions without necessarily walking into any shop.

That is where we are and that is going to happen in the second quarter of next year.

Because we felt that all these other channels that we have pushed a little before now, it is better for us to conclude them-like the USSD, quickteller, Internet banking, which of course is almost concluded. Now we will be focusing on the issue of agency banking in 2021.

Olanrewaju new e-channels, can you tell us about them Even before COVID-19, we have had it as part of our plan, that by 2020 we would be introducing alternative channels to grow our business, and that’s why we created the digital transformation department for which we hired an It expert.

So this department is to be able to provide a system where whether you are within our premises or on your own, you can do a banking transaction as if you are in the bank. So we have launched our cards. We have our debit cards today, which are connected to these accounts, so customers can be able to have access to their funds at anytime, anywhere via the ATM. And of course they can make transfer.

And we also have the USSD. This we are partnering with Interswitch to be able to deliver this. Of course we’ve been able to do cash in, cash out too on our system. This we are partnering with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), to be able to help customers move around their funds. So it’s either the fund is coming to you or you are sending it to someone.

We also have things like quick-teller that you can use to do transfer on the spot. These are just to help people to be able to access their funds, make payments and be able to do a whole lot of transactions.

Of course our Internet banking is undergoing pilot test too. So you can actually login on the Internet and be able to make transactions on your account. So these are the different channels that we have put forward, that we are working on. Some of them are 95 per cent, some of them are even 100 per cent completed. Some are still maybe around 67 per cent completed.

The most important thing is that we are not at the same level as we were last year, in terms of alternative channels. And in 2021, it’s going to take a major priority in terms of resource allocation, time, expectations, and the direction that we want to go. The digital channels will play a lot of role as well as our agency banking. The new channels will make our transactions smarter, more efficient, effective and in line with the new normal in view of the COVID-19 protocols. We are basically premiering four new products. We have also partnered with reputable financial technology companies to designed platforms tailored to the needs of our customers. The first of the channels is our quick savings channel, which is known as USSD. For our USSD, the magic code is *322 *348.

We have partnered with Interswitch to come of with this transactional platform. With this, you can do funds transfer from the comfort of your home or anywhere, you can do funds transfer,

make balance enquiries, buy airtime and pay bills. We are also introducing our Baobab verve card known as Baocard, it is a debit card that allows you to do financial transactions from the comfort of your plastic card. The cards are linked to our customers account at Baobab and as our customers do their transaction, their account with us is automatically debited and for every transactions you do you are going to get notifications. With the card customers can do cash withdrawals at an ATM, buy airtime at ATM or wed service, make bills payment.

Our cards are multi channels meaning customers can use it across a number of platforms. We have also partnered with commercial banks to introduce what we call the Paydirect Branch.

This channels is a multi-account and multi bank collection solutions, it basically allows you to go to any participating Paydirect commercial bank in Nigeria, at any of their branches and make a direct credit into your Baobab account.

The beauty of this is that our customers do not need to look for our own branches to do their transactions like loan repayments or do deposits into your account. We have also launched our mobile app, a digital channel that customers can operate with their smart phones. All they need do is download the app and do the necessary things are they are live. With this, they can do account enquiries, customers are also able to check their loan processing information. The App is designed to prompt our customers on when next they will repay their loans. For those who have been using our other channels like our Taka platform, they can disburse their Taka loans through the mobile App. This App is the first version, in the next few months we are coming with version two, which will be transactional, it will allow our customers to do funds transfer to any commercial bank in Nigeria or any microfinance bank. It can also allow our customers make payments into wallets, buy flight tickets.

During the lockdown, agency banking became the go to, tell us how you further intend to utilise this?

Well, you know it depends on the kind of agency banking that you are looking at. The one that we wanted and still love to do involves human -to -human interaction. These are people who have kiosk, shops, supermarkets, we can walk-in, and be able to do a transaction.

We also felt that it was not the best time to launch such. Now we have an app that we are working on which all those agent are going to have, and of course, customers are able to have

Going forward, what should your customers be expecting in terms of product, technology, service delivery and efďŹ ciency?

In terms of product, we will be launching few products. Among them will be consumer products, and you know up till now, we do only business loans.

Then we will be doing group loans, which is for small request for loans for a group of persons who may want to come together. And them we are also working on our agric loan to support agriculture. All those are things that we want to launch in the year 2021.

In terms of digital platforms, I have already explained them. It’s just to enhance what we already have now in terms of our internet, the card, USSD, internet banking, quick teller, and all the other platforms as we have today; work on them and make them and make them more robust to be able to support our customers.

So you may see more gravitation to technology in 2021 based on our plan and the resources that we have allocated to this area. Things like pay direct etc. All these are available within the system, it’s either we are partnering or we are developing it ourselves.

Our loan app is ready. Today it’s been used.

We have what is called ‘Tune Loan’, with this, you can go to the field, you take pictures of everything, like every documents as required.

So you don’t need to start carrying physical document. Take the picture of the building, etc.

As you are working it’s connected to the main server at the office, so all the work that you are doing is going to the core banking application that we have.

So this is already ongoing as I am talking to you. It’s happening in all our branches across the country. It’s just that we have them in stages.

The first stage is to be able to open account for customers, check their balances and request loan. As we go further, they can actually make transfers on that platform. They can initiate any payment on the platform. But of course, it’s one step after the other.

Before now your customers forum are held in a hall full of people, today you were able to bring over 100 people together using technology.

In terms of relating with the people, it sounds good, but I can also tell you that our activity presence is not comparable. Of course we are happy that we can use technology, at least, to be able to communicate, to be able to relate, but of course it’s not the same thing as having the people in the hall were you will sit down together, gist together, talk together, play music, and things like that.

Of course we miss those fun that goes with customer forum. Hopefully soon we can overcome this COVID-19, so we can begin to do things normally. But, I am also happy that we are able to have this discussion. I put down every question that they ask. For me, these are things that can help us to be able to develop our strategy, understand what the customer needs are, work our people towards that, amend our training curriculum and look at areas where probably we are not doing so well.

So the feedback we are getting is very important, whether physical or through platform like this, we are getting a feedback and that is what is very important. And then, we use all those information we get to be able to work on our system, to be able to deliver better service as we going into the New Year.

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

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IMAGES

L-R: Chief Justice of FCT and Chairman Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion, Justice Ishaq Bello; Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Abdulrahim Oputu; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Uche Fem Consult, Mr Uche Oweto; and Secretary, Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, during a workshop for Judicial oďŹƒcers on the Access to Criminal Justice Act 2015, Plea Bargain and Custodial and Non Sentencing Custodial Guideline in Abuja...recently

L-R: Director General, National Agency for the Control AIDS, Dr Gambo Aliyu; Director General, Biureau of Public Service Reforms, Alhaji Ibrahim Arabi; Guest Speaker, Mr Olusegun Adekunle and Board Chairman, NACA Senator Dipo Odunjinrin, during NACA Governing Board and Management Retreat in Abuja...recently

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

L-R: APC North East Zonal Leader, Abubakar Musa; Special Assistant to APC National Chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Ajaka; Director of Organization APC, Prof. Mustapha Usuji and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, during a press brieďŹ ng by the governor after a meeting with APC National Chairman on Imo North Senatorial District election in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and National APC Youth Leader, North West, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq, at APC National Secretariat in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R FRONT ROLL: Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr Olufemi Hamzat; Speaker, House of Representatives, ,Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Representative of Lagos-West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola and others, during the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of ‘‘Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund’’ at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja... recently

L R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase; Hon. Yusuf Gagdi and Hon. Chinyere Igwe, during the deputy speaker’s meeting with Service chiefs at the National Assembly in Abuja...recently

L-R; Mr Tolu Adegbie; Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, and Honorable Justice Helen Monrokeji Ogunwumiju JSC, during the swearing in of Justice Ogunwumiju as the ďŹ rst female Supreme Court Justice from Ondo State in Abuja...recently

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L-R: Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu presenting a souvenir to Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Philip Shuaibu, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1A Corps members, at the NYSC new Orientation Camp in Okada, Benin... recently

L-R: Programme OďŹƒcer, Enugu Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation (ROHEF), Mr Nonso Agbo; Executive Director of HOREF, Mrs Christybelle Sylva-John; and Legal Adviser, Mrs Jennifer Oko-Ugwu, during a media brieďŹ ng on the 4th edition of free donation of educational items to some schools in Enugu...recently

L-R: Representative of Immigration Service, Ukonga Onetere; G.O.C 2 Div., Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje; Director of Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. A. S. Ibikunle; Representative of Director, Department State Services in Oyo State, Ademola Onabiyi; Chief of Sta, 2 Div., Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Koko Isoni; and Representative of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayo Shonubi, during the 2 Division. Operational Planning Cadre in Ibadan...recently

L R: Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ejeme Eko; Administrator, National Judiciary Institute(NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo and Director of Studies, NJI, Omotosho Gbenga at the opening ceremony of the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference of the Lower Courts, at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja...recently

L-R: Chief of Air Sta, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Governor of Tarraba State, Darius Ishyaku, during a courtesy visit to the Air Chief at the Defence House, Abuja...recently

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, State, Mr Michael Awopetu (2nd left), inspecting parade, during the swearing ceremony of the 2020 Batch B Stream 1A Corps members, at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Emure-Ekiti Community in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State...recently

L-R: Member House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Prince Kayode; Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Haruna Dolori and Chairman of Committee, Hon. Luke EnoďŹ ok, during the 2021 budget defence of the Committee, at the National Assembly in Abuja...recently

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EDUCATION Empowering Teenage Girls on Menstrual Hygiene Practices to Prevent Infections, Gender Discrimination Funmi Ogundare writes that teenage girls need to be empowered on menstrual hygiene practices, especially during this COVID-19 period, as this would guard against urinary tract infections and untreated health problems, as well as ensure that they are not vulnerable to gender discrimination and exclusion

Teenage girls displaying their sanitary pads

Girls being taught how to place sanitary pads on their pants

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n the district of Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, Miss Sherifat Isah, 13, a student of Community Junior Grammar School, Surulere, lives with her poor parents in their one-bedroom apartment (popularly referred to as face me I face you). Her mother ekes out a living from her petty trading to feed the family and also cater for Sherifat’s needs. One Saturday morning, during the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst the hustle and bustle of Orowunmi Street, where they live, Sherifat started her menstrual period which usually comes in the middle of every month. Unfortunately, rather than use sanitary pads like most of her mates in average homes would have done, she opted to use tissue paper because her mother could not afford N300 to buy her the pads.

Regrettably, poverty erodes hygiene in the community and access to a good toilet facility where she lives with her parents is a problem.

The same filthy and decrepit toilet and bathroom is shared by seven different families in the same compound. Worse still, the house has only one hand-dug well which everybody also shares.

She told THISDAY when this reporter visited that throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, her mother could only afford to buy tissue paper, which costs N50 each, adding that she usually does not feel comfortable each time she uses it. “I usually make several folds from the tissue each time I am menstruating. The only time I use a sanitary pad is when I am going to school but I have to use tissue most of the time because there is no money to buy sanitary pads.�

Asked her knowledge of menstrual hygiene and how she was able to manage menstrual pain during the lockdown, she said, “I usually have menstrual pain, but I don’t take any medication and I avoid sugary things. I used to have my bath at least twice a day when I am on my period and each time I have to dispose of the used tissue or pad, I tie it up in a black nylon and throw it in the dustbin.�

Miss favour Ojiaku, 13, is a JS three student of Araromi Junior Secondary School, Ajegunle.

She grew up in the slum characterised by derelict toilet facilities. When Favour was 12, she went to the toilet to urinate and discovered that her pants were stained. She was menstruating. It was her first shock transition to adulthood. She began to have menstrual pain and decided to inform her mother who later gave her lessons about how to behave whenever she is menstruating.

Although, all the tenants use the decrepit toilet, Favour did not see anything abnormal about her situation. She also did not know of the dangers associated with her use of local herbal mixtures, popularly called agbo, which are always available whenever she has menstrual pain.

According to Favour, “during this COVID-19 period, I usually take agbo or local herbs pre-

Derelict toilet and bathroom being used by teenage girls and their families in poor communities scribed by a neighbour anytime I suffer menstrual pain. The pain usually lasts throughout the day unless I take the local herb.�

Sherifat and Favour are not alone in this predicament as so many girls their age find themselves in the same condition. They either lack the knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices or resort to using local herbs for menstrual pain, not knowing that these herbs could result in health complications.

From communities in Orile-Iganmu, Ijora, Ajegunle, Ebutte-Meta/Oyingbo, the story is the same. Investigations by THISDAY revealed that girls from rural communities have poorer hygiene habits during menstrual periods. These are amplified by some cultural expectations and restrictions, which prohibit many of them from being adequately informed about the realities of menstruation.

Dr. Alexandra Adeyemi is a physician working with young people in a school health setting.

She confirmed to THISDAY that the cultural expectations and restrictions could handicap the girls from preparing effectively for their periods.

According to her, “poor menstrual hygiene practices can lead to a condition called toxic shock syndrome. Infections of the reproductive system are also a concern and could impact negatively on the health of adolescents.�

She said it is imperative to teach pubertal girls good menstrual hygiene practices such as changing sanitary napkins or tampons within every four to six hours, adding that menstrual blood attracts some micro organisms from the body when released and these can multiply over time.

Adeyemi listed other steps to prevent micro

organisms, stressing the implications of the non-availability of good toilets and facilities for menstruating girls. “Poor toilet and sanitary facilities can cause a number of problems for menstruating girls.

Menstrual pads need to be changed frequently and preferably in private, with facilities for proper disposal and adequate hand washing afterwards. Where toilet facilities do not meet these needs, it poses problems like wearing a pad for too long, leaving used pads lying around in toilet corners and girls may choose to stay away from school on such days. Some may try to flush their used pads down the toilets and cause blockage of the pipes. Others may throw theirs into open drains or water bodies, providing good breeding grounds for harmful germs.�

She also advised girls to wash their genital areas properly from front to back and not vice versa, preferably with just water or unscented soap, adding that bathing at least twice a day would help to stay clean and fresh.

A medical practitioner based in Amuwo-Odofin, Mile 2, Dr. Taiwo Oke emphasised the need to teach teenage girls how to manage their menstrual period effectively especially during this COVID-19 season.

He explains: “COVID is a viral infection. It all has to do with hygiene through regular washing of hands, and when they are menstruating, they need to be taught proper disposal of their sanitary pads and the importance of washing their hands regularly. Girls must be clean and must ensure the regular washing of hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer. Proper hand washing techniques during COVID-19

must be adhered to because it is one of the ways Coronavirus, can be transmitted.�

On the use of toilet roll during menstruation, Oke said people use it out of ignorance or poverty. “Once young girls start seeing their period, the mothers should sit them down and let them know the importance of using proper menstrual pad. Some use clothes, towels and other items in place of pads which is not good because of the effect. One of the things we try to prevent during a woman’s period is urinary tract infection. Some don’t have money to buy pads, so they find toilet roll more accessible and affordable. We however advise such girls to dispose of it properly, wash their hands regularly and use sanitary pads.�

He confirmed to THISDAY that during the height of COVID-19, so many teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 19 had come to his clinic to complain of heavy and painful menstrual periods, and that he usually gives them antispasmodic injections or tablets and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory injections, for those whose complains were persistent. “Yes, we have had regular patients between the ages of 13 and 14, sometimes 18 or 19, who came to complain about dysmenorrhea. We gave them pain killers or analgesics and injections.

It is a common thing among women. If it is recurrent, we advise them to go for further investigation to find out what is causing it. “ Asked what happens when such girls are not able to access a doctor during this COVID-19 period, Oke said: “Some girls go to pharmacies to procure common drugs such as Buscopan or some anagelsics such as Aspirin. These are off the counter drugs which they take and they calm the pain down within two or three days. “ For girls who decide to use herbal mixtures during their period, he said, “I don’t subscribe to such practices, but they do it. When they come here to complain, I ask them which drugs they have taken and they tell me such herbal mixtures work for them. Sometimes it does not work, so they are forced to come to the hospital for medical treatment. Sometimes they take too much of the dosage of the herbal mixtures which result in other complications, so I try to discourage them from taking such mixtures. As a doctor, I tell them not to use herbs and I advise them to take injections. It is out of ignorance that people run to Iya Alagbo (herbal mixtures sellers) when they have heavy periods,� he stressed.

According to a report commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2018, there is ongoing cultural stigma around menstruation, which contributes to serious human rights concerns for girls. The report, a comprehensive review of available evidence Continued on page 36

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EDUCATION

At Edo Varsity Convocation, Air Force Boss Harps on How Engineering Can Tackle Security Challenge It was a convocation like no other, as Edo University Iyamho held members of the public spellbound with its brand of technological innovations and academic excellence at its second convocation ceremony.

At the event, Air Force promised to partner the institution in engineering solution to tackle security challenges. Four students bagged first class, while Caverton Boss and Chancellor of the university, Remi Makanjuola donated multi million naira Molecular Biology Laboratory and gave automatic employment to the best graduating students. Sunday Ehigiator reports

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t was a one week of glitz and glamour in an academic environment that has continued to be a trail blazer among public universities in Nigeria. Since its inception four year ago, it has grown in technological advancement, setting the pace in providing qualitative education to teeming young Nigerians that jostle for its admission yearly.

Truly, Edo University Iyamho has redefined the look of public education in Nigeria.

After the Friday Jumat Service and Sunday Service to thank God for the successful completion of another academic year on October 30 and Sunday November 1 respectively, the fourth Founders Day lecture, which usually holds on March 23 was rescheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic which was at its peak early this year.

It was eventually held (virtually) on Wednesday November 4, 2020. In his paper titled ‘The Nigerian Air Force, Making Giant Strides in Keeping Nigeria Safe’, the guest lecturer and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar commended the institution for its brand of technological innovations and academic excellence. While the role of technology cannot be emphasised in every facet of life, the Air Force boss stated that NAF’s Research and Development Department (R&D) was working with about 15 universities and hopes to discuss the partnership with Edo University Iyamho.

Therefore, the Nigerian Air Force promised to enter into partnership with the institution in providing engineering solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

While haling the university for its giants strides in technological innovations, he took the audience through the efforts being made by the Nigeria Air Force in keeping Nigeria safe.

Some of them include: training and retraining of staff, acquisition of different aircrafts, gender sensitisation and inclusiveness policy, which led to the training of seven qualified female pilots while 14 are undergoing training.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor lauded the role of the Air Force in the nation’s defense architecture and in keeping with her mandate with what he described as the “defense of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the war against terrorism.�

He thanked the State Governor and visitor to the university, Godwin Obaseki, the university council, senate, staff, parents and students of the university for the continuation of the academic session through the CANVAS Learning Management System, despite COVID-19.

Aluyor also thanked the Chancellor, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola for his donation of a Molecular Biology Laboratory to the institution.

With the lab equipment, these tests can be carried out: Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, HIV virus, COVID-19 virus, Lassa Fever virus, Human papiloma vĂ­rus, as well as paternity test.

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro, expressed his delight with the university’s innovative ideas and its architectural masterpiece.

He commended the Chief of Air Staff for using technologies to boost defense infrastructure for his Research and Development (R&D) initiatives in the security sector.

In their goodwill messages, the Vice-Chancellor

L-R: The Registrar, Edo University Iyamho, Dr. Isoken Ogboro; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Stephen Monday Omodia; Governor Godwin Obaseki, represented by Commissioner for Education, Jimoh Ijiegbai; Chancellor, Dr. Aderemi Makanjoula; and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor at the institution’s convocation ceremony... recently of Adamawa State University, Mubi, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta commended the university and NAF for the founder’s day lecture with particular emphasis on the NAF’s gender sensitivity and inclusiveness policy.

The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University (SUN), Prof. Sunhadkar Kota also expressed delight to identify with Edo University Iyamho and the NAF. The representative of the Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Gabriel Tyoyer noted that the NYSC has been supporting NAF and schools. While encouraging the university to continue to advance in technology, he appealed that the institution should be ready to take corps members with first degrees to encourage them build academic careers.

In his goodwill message, former Pro-Chancellor, Edo University Iyamho, Prof. Emeritus T.O.K Audu described the lecture as enlightening, adding that the public need to know what security agencies are doing.

Activities for the celebration continued on November 6 with a lecture delivered by Professor Adam Zahler of the Worcester State University, Massachusetts, USA. Titled ‘The impact of COVID-19 on Tertiary Education: A View from the West and Possible Implications for African Universities’ via webinar on zoom, he adopted a conversational style in his presentation riding on the mantra “expect nothing, anticipate nothing.�

The university don regretted that COVID-19 has taken away businesses and has raised safety concerns on students’ return to campuses, adding that “state revenues are deeply affected. It will be foolish to ignore the impact.� While noting that COVID-19 has made scholars to see things in a new way, he advised Nigerian educational managers to be creative and technologically inclined in handling the post COVID-19 era.

The guest lecturer, who refused to give specific prescriptions to African universities on how to handle issues in the COVID-19 era, stressed that “the environment is different, state revenues are down, the economy remains uncertain and the

political systems are not the same.�

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lillian Salami, noted that the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has created difficulties in teaching and learning in the country, but commended Edo University Iyamho for “blazing the trail in teaching and learning and creating local content stations.�

The minister congratulated the graduands and urged them to be good ambassadors of the university and to contribute to the manpower development of the country. He also commended the vice-chancellor and his team for making Nigeria proud and a job well-done.

In his goodwill message, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola noted that adaptation was the keyword in the COVID-19 era, stressing that “COVID does not leave us in tatters. I am very proud to be part of Edo University Iyamho.�

Other goodwill messages were from university friends like Jean Borgatti, who commended the university on its unique technology for education and for working at difficult times, while Prof.

Sundharkar Kota applauded the vice-chancellor and his team for using technology to face difficult times and wished the graduands all the best.

The convocation ceremony continued via Zoom on Saturday November 7, 2020 at the Aliko Dangote Auditorium, where 51 students were awarded degrees having qualified in character and in learning. Four graduands bagged first class. A total of 21 graduands were conferred with second class upper division, 23 had second class lower, while three had third class. The overall best graduand, Daniel Onyedikachi Otti got automatic employment from the Chancellor, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman of the Board of Caverton Offshore Support Group.

Speaking at the occasion, representative of Edo Governor, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, said he was proud of the giant strides the university is

making, especially in its successful conclusion of the 2019/2020 academic year, when the CANVAS Learning Management System was deployed in teaching and learning.

While pledging his continued support to the university, he commended the chancellor for the donation of a Molecular Biology Laboratory to the institution. He congratulated the graduands and applauded the university management for keeping the mandate of the state government in preparing future leaders.

Also speaking, Aluyor congratulated the state governor for his success at the polls. “The university records another milestone with the graduation of her second set of students for the 2019/2020 academic session at the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s ceremony is unique. The ceremony is being carried out with many of our invitees joining us via Zoom.

We have carefully complied with COVID-19 protocols in only inviting the graduands and their parents to be physically present here today.�

The vice-chancellor gave a scorecard of the achievements of the university for the first five years in different areas and urged the graduands to be “good ambassadors of the university as you go into the labour market to serve the nation in the field of your academic discipline.’’ In his brief remarks, the best graduating student, Mr. Daniel Oyendikachi Otti of Computer Science Department, who spoke on behalf of other graduands, thanked the university management, lecturers and parents during their sojourn in the institution.

He expressed hope that based on their training at the university, they will make it anywhere they find themselves. He urged his colleagues to be guided by two questions: what matters to you most? And, can you build what can last?

Highlights of the events were the presentation of awards to the Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the guest lecturer, Professor Adams Zahler and the special guest of honour, Professor Yakubu Ochefu.

LASU Governing Council Confirms Alawode First Professor of Broadcast Journalism The Governing Council, Lagos State University (LASU), has confirmed Sunday Olayinka Alawode as the first ever Professor of Broadcast Journalism in the 37-year history of the institution.

Before his confirmation, Alawode, an erudite scholar of communication, was an Associate Professor at the School of Communication and heads the Department of Broadcasting with a

lot of research works on the field to his credit.

They include; ‘Nigerian Nollywood Films and National Interest, a Content Analysis; ‘Video Films and Sex/Sexuality Innovation among Undergraduates in Lagos’, among others.

The Senate of LASU, at its 98th statutory meeting held on the 9th of July, 2000, approved the recommendations

of an 11-man committee, to set up the LASU School of Communication (LASUSOC). Full academic activities began on June 5, 2001 during the 2000/2001 academic session, with the following degree programmes: Print Journalism, Book Publishing and Development; Communication Technology; Human Communication, Photojournalism and Cinematography,

Public Relations and Advertising, and Radio and Television Broadcast.

In 2008, in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommendations, the seven programmes in the school were collapsed to one, (B.Sc. Mass Communication), while the school was restructured along three academic departments, Journalism, Broadcasting and Public Relations

and Advertising Departments.

The school now awards bachelor’s degree (B.Sc. Mass Communication), Postgraduate Diploma (Communication Studies); academic master’s degree (M.Sc Communication Studies); professional master’s degree (Masters in Communication Studies-MCS) and doctorate degree (PhD Communication Studies).

36

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

360 Nigerians Get Rector Highlights Bane of Poly Education MTN Foundation’s in Nigeria Scholarships Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Uchechukwu Nnaike MTN Foundation (MTNF) has awarded scholarships to 360 university students at a virtual ceremony held recently.

The scholarships were awarded under the MTNF Scholarship Schemes made up of the MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship (STSS) and Scholarship for the Blind Students (SBSS).

In attendance were the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, represented by the Technical Assistant, Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, represented by the acting Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr. Francis Chizea; former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, among other dignitaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Adeluyi said: “We are here with the MTN Foundation to celebrate scholars that have excelled in school. MTN is also supporting peoplebwith disabilities by funding their education and this is very commendable. The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is constantly working towards elevating skills over degrees.

We are also committed to ensuring that individuals are empowered with the right

tools and skills.�

Also speaking, Chizea said: “I am glad that MTN in giving back to the society through its foundation, set up a scholarship scheme to empower the youths and drive science and technology. This is a welcome development and a commendable effort that other organisations need to emulate.�

A major highlight of the ceremony was a fireside chat with the theme ‘Insight. Influence. Impact’ with thought leaders sharing inspiring insights with the scholars.

Former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson reiterated the role MTN continues to play in the ICT space and its impact on the country, saying, “we need to get a workforce that is very comfortable with technology.

We are in a state where we need world-class educational institutions and interventions such as this that will enable students to be very vast in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).�

Before the ceremony, this year’s graduating students from the scholarship programme were hosted to a career incubation boot camp facilitated by experts from Google, Oracle, Cisco and Jobberman.nFacilitators shared insights on various opportunities among other vital employability tips.

The Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic (KwaraPoly), Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Mohammed, has identified factors militating against polytechnic education from contributing to national development, and suggested more commitment from stakeholders.

Mohammed, who stated this in Ilorin, while speaking with journalist on the first year of his administration in office, said poor funding, inadequate monitoring of research projects, irregular staffing and poor commitment are among the identifiable factors.

Mohammed also listed unfavourable public perception of polytechnic education and inadequate reward system for

lecturers as some other factors militating against polytechnic education in the country, saying that “if there is punishment for erring staff, why not reward for productive staff? “As part of the challenges, there is the issues of inadequate funding and lack of proper project monitoring in polytechnics.

Also, there is the issue of staffing, where you have round pegs in square holes, coupled with poor staff commitment, as the case may be. “We are working towards having reward for productive staff here starting next year and we plan to make it an elaborate event because if there is punishment for erring staff, there should be a reward system for hard

working and productive staff. “Public perception of polytechnic education is another challenge militating against polytechnic education in the country. An average Nigerian will prefer to pay N250,000 as university education fees per semester than N60,000 for polytechnic education fees of the same period. And this is not because what we do here is not good or our staff are inferior. “Most of our staff have the highest education qualification in the world, which is doctorate degree from reputable institutions, but the public perception of the polytechnic education is part of the problems. “Calling you a professor is just by the way of practice. And

until public perception of the lecturers and students is changed, by you and I, including operators of polytechnic education, the situation will continue,� he said.

The rector, who said his one year in office has witnessed various developments in the institution, added that the school had also responded to societal challenges and improved its internally generated revenue (IGR). “As part of commitment to improve the IGR, we introduced a scheme tagged, #one department-one patentable and commercialisable product. This scheme gave birth to hand sanitizer and germicide, hand wipe from Department of Science Laboratory Technology.�

A cross-section of the 2019/2020 graduating class of Edo University Iyamho, during their convocation ceremony...recently

Empowering Teenage Girls on Menstrual Hygiene Practices to Prevent Infections, Gender Discrimination on menstrual health management in East and Southern Africa, was undertaken by a nongovernmental organisation, Womena, and released ahead of the Menstrual Health Management Symposium in Johannesburg, South Africa. It underscores the ways periods shame and how misinformation undermines the well-being of the girls, making them vulnerable to gender discrimination, child marriage, exclusion, violence, poverty and untreated health problems.

Mrs. Anuoluwapo Omotayo is the Head, Counselling Unit, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Governent Education Authority (LGEA), AwodiOra. She confirmed to THISDAY the cultural stigma and how teenage girls were perceived especially during the COVID period, saying, “for instance, the white garment churches and mosques do not allow menstruating girls into their worship centres because it is believed that they are filthy. Sometimes, because of poverty and their inability to afford sanitary pads, they stay away from school.�

Omotayo cited cases of some teenage girls she had counselled who stayed away from school as a result of the shame they might face when the boys in the class make jest of them, especially when their uniforms get stained. “It is not advisable to stay away from school because you will miss the topics for the day.

We usually advise them on different types of pads available especially for mild and heavy flows. We advise them to go for the ones for heavy flow which sell for N500. There is also the one which costs N200, but it is not good for heavy flows. That is why NGOs are stepping in to give out pads to the girl-child.�

Omotayo expressed concern that many girls from less privileged backgrounds cannot afford pads, adding that what used to be sold for N200, now cost between N400 and N500, depending on the brand. “That is why you see the girls using cloth pads, which are not hygienic at all. If you must use cloth pads, the proper way to use them is to wash them properly, dry them in the sun and iron them. If not properly managed, cloth

pads can lead to infections.�

She stressed the need for the government to ensure that sanitary pads are made available so that girls from poor communities can have access to them.

In order to influence positive change in the area of education and reproductive health for teenage girls, some non-governmental organisations, have taken the bold step to teach them about menstruation and menstrual hygiene, during this COVID-19 period.

Mrs. Biola Adegbuyi is the Founder of Nineteen Youths Foundation. She expressed concern about the issue of menstrual hygiene, saying that it is a big challenge to teenage girls.

She recalled her interactions with some of the girls from rural communities, saying that most of them were not able to attend school because of their inability to afford the pads and access good water supply. “During the COVID-19 period, I found out that menstrual hygiene is a challenge to many of them. In the course of donating sanitary pads to girls in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, and some selected schools in Anambra State, most of them complained that during their periods, they are unable to attend school because they cannot afford the pads. There is need for them to be hygienic when they are menstruating and have access to clean water supply,� she said.

The founder of Girls Talk Initiative (GTI), Miss Morufat Azeez, 19 told THISDAY how she had to partner with some foundations to ensure that teenage girls in poor communities not only have access to sanitary pads, but are also educated about the importance of menstrual hygiene. “Our mission is to sensitise and support the teenage girls by equipping them with knowledge about their reproductive and sexual health and donation of sanitary pads. We realised that many girls, especially those at the grassroots, still use clothes, toilet tissue and cotton wool while menstruating, which is unhygienic.�

Since the inauguration of the programme in September 19, 2020, she said the organisation

had donated pads to at least 170 girls in Surulere and Sagamu, in Ogun State. “Our target is 200 girls. We invited guests to talk to them on menstrual hygiene, why pads are more important than tissue or cotton wool, how long they can use a pad and the importance of menstrual hygiene. We also educated them about the type of infections they may experience in the future if they use toilet tissue or clothes.�

Recently, she said her organisation embarked on a sensitisation walk within the poor communities to speak to people and create awareness about menstrual hygiene for teenage girls, as well as a capacity building exercise to empower them on basic knowledge and skills regarding menstrual hygiene management.

For those who preferred to take herbal mixtures for their menstrual pain, Azeez said, “I have been advising them to stop, as this could lead to health complications. Besides, there are several other ways to relieve yourself from menstrual cramps, such as drinking warm water, having a period tracker, avoid taking sugary things, reducing any form of stress and taking analgesics. “The training has not been easy, but it’s really worth it,� she said.

Miss Fathia Olajide, 15, a JS 3 student of Peterbay College, Orile-Iganmu, expressed excitement about the enlightenment programme aimed at educating teenage girls on how to better manage their menstrual hygiene. She told THISDAY that there should be more NGOs providing pads for girls who cannot afford them, adding that there should be proper management of toilet facilities so that the girls would not be exposed to infections.

A parent, Mrs. Funbi Fabunmi said though parents tend to shy away from teaching their children the basics as far as menstrual hygiene is concerned, such issues should be everybody’s concern for the well-being of their children.

Counsellors, who deal with this issue on a regular basis are of the opinion that the government needs to commit to initiating a campaign that will ensure that topics on menstruation and menstrual hygiene are taught in schools so that

girls are fully equipped to manage themselves properly when their periods come and boys are adequately enlightened.

Fortunately, government has seen the need to take appropriate steps aimed at providing an enabling environment for discussions on how adolescent girls can effectively manage their menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

According to the Coordinator, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olawoyin Imosili, government has identified the need to act in that regard as young girls lack appropriate guidance as to how to manage their menstrual hygiene and sanitary facilities.

She said though the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mentoring sessions which usually hold in secondary schools because schools were shut, no gathering was allowed and sanitary pads couldn’t be distributed.

She also revealed that the ministry of health, in collaboration with other stakeholders will, on December 2, be convening a meeting on menstrual hygiene to proffer solutions on the way forward. “There’s also going to be a menstrual hygiene assessment which will take place in secondary schools just before schools close in December, it’s a kind of research whereby questionnaires will be administered to girls for feedback which will also inform the government on way forward following the meeting that would be held.�

Menstrual hygiene has apparently not been given enough attention by all stakeholders.

Although the issue has been aggravated by COVID-19, the pandemic has also provided the opportunity for all concerned to see it as a critical part of teenage development, which if not adequately handled by girls, could cause avoidable and unfortunate reproductive health challenges in future.

-This report was facilitated by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), under its COVID-19 Reality Check Project

37

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

BOC Gases Attracts More Demand, Lead Price Gainers

Goddy Egene

yesterday led the price gainers for positively to the news of planned TY Holdings.

UK had entered into a binding the second consecutive day rising sale of 60 per cent equity stake BOC Gases Nigeria had on share purchase agreement dated BOC Gases Plc (BOC Nigeria) by 9.9 per cent as investors reacted of BOC Holdings Plc(BOC UK) to Monday disclosed that BOC 16 November 2020 with TY Holdings A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Nov-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

Limited for the purchase of the entire shareholding BOC UK holds in BOC Nigeria.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 160.54 162.13 30.53% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 1.15% Nigeria International Debt Fund 442.01 442.01 46.56% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 105.37 105.37 0.47% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.05 1.07 16.70% ACAP Income Funds 0.85 0.85 11.23% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.41% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.70 3.82 51.05% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.03% Anchoria Equity Fund 130.85 131.32 22.10% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.46 1.46 21.92% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 125.69 126.57 30.82% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.87% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.31 2.31 22.78% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.34 2.39 51.96% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.25% Paramount Equity Fund 16.17 16.48 29.26% Women's Investment Fund 134.33 135.82 21.80% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.85% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 127.84 128.48 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 154.12 155.68 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.17 107.17 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.69% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.12 1.13 20.31% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.75 1.75 31.57% 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 1.40% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1.45% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,190.20 1,206.93 7.44% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 182.66 184.34 24.41% FBN Halal Fund 110.12 110.16 10.12% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.79% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 118.99 119.41 5.49% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 118.97 119.39 4.96% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.93 153.28 15.98% 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 N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,609.04 3,650.99 18.47% Coral Income Fund 3,223.62 3,223.62 5.03% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.36% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.49% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.18 127.71 19.05%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.94% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.83 2.89 29.36% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 156.17 157.12 9.02% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.35 1.45 23.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,142.91 1,142.91 9.89% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.63 1.66 31.82% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.06 12.15 7.05% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.30% PACAM Equity Fund 1.57 1.58 PACAM EuroBond Fund 109.10 111.46 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 141.01 144.36 10.64% 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 1.01 1.01 8.36% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 29.69% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 6.06% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 28.89% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 7.20% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 31.84% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.63% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 25.47% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 4.91% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.48 110.48 6.02% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.40 1.42 16.92% United Capital Bond Fund 1.87 1.87 8.32% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 23.42% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.91% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.98 115.98 6.12% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 2.41% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.27 12.42 19.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.63 13.77 17.37% Zenith Income Fund 24.84 24.84 9.32% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.04%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

119.62

6.57%

53.51

2.80%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.70 120.37 89.77

11.80 120.37 91.45

38.82% 26.07% 19.51%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.28

4.32

24.40%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

5.85

5.93

-1.07%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

16.16 1.00 16.21

16.26 1.00 16.41

34.21% 2.17% 55.50%

230.29

232.29

22.36%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

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.

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

CITYSTRINGS

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The Neglect of Ojukwu's Safe Haven, Biafra's Window in Amorka Amorka, a town in Ihiala Local government Area, near Uli is very significant in the story of the 33 months civil war, but after visiting, David-Chyddy Eleke writes that the town which the leader of Biafra, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu so much cherished, has fallen to neglect

D

uring the 33 months of the civil war as a result of the quest for a new republic, one town stood out in the entire Igbo land for more than one reason. That town is Amorka, a border town of Anambra State, which shares boundary with Mgbidi people in Imo State.

Amorka was significant for more than just one reason. First is the Biafra Airport, which though located in Amorka was erroneously christened Uli Airstrip, and secondly the Ojukwu Bunker, which provided safety to the leader of Biafra nation, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

A Window to the World In his last novel; There Was A Country, Late Prof Chinua Achebe described the Biafra Airport in Amorka as Biafra’s window to the world, during the civil war. This was because there were no airports in the entire Igbo land. Since it was impossible for Biafrans to travel out of the country or into the country through airports in control of the Nigerians government, it was only wise for Biafrans to quickly establish an airstrip.

Again, the airstrip served as a means through which war equipment were brought into the country to aid Biafrans in the struggle, while the order by the leader of the federal forces, General Gowon to starve Biafrans of food made it impossible for anyone to consider using an airport in Nigeria to ship relief materials to the people of Biafra. In this way, the airstrip truly became Biafra’s window to the world.

Safe Haven Also, the Ojukwu Bunker which served as a safe place for the leader of Biafra made Amorka a unique place during the war. According to those who knew, Ojukwu was always at Amorka, inside the underground bunker, even when people thought he had ran out of the country.

The bunker has a small opening that serves as a door, which leads into the ground, but it was gathered that the small opening leads into what looks like a cave, but is actually a full residence.

A look at the place, one would not suspect anything because the entire ground has grasses and trees growing on it, but only the opening which leads inside can convince one that there was something underneath. Beside being hidden in the ground, it was gathered that the bunker is located right under a deity that protects the people of Amorka, and it was believed that the location provided Ojukwu the safety he needed.

THISDAY reporter who recently visited the bunker and the airstrip and spoke to indigenes of the community reports that for such a significant community, Amorka has fallen into neglect as indigenes complain that they have been totally abandoned by the government of Anambra State.

UnfulďŹ lled Promise On April 11, 2018, Governor Willie Obiano announced during a meeting of members of his executive at the government house that he had initiated a plan to convert the famous Ojukwu Bunker to a tourist site. Mr. James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, who made this known in a post-Executive Council press briefing, said the facility, which provided a sanctuary to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu during the Biafra war, would be resuscitated and refurbished for tourism purposes.

According to Eze, the council also approved major tourist centres in the state namely: the famous Ogbunike Cave in Oyi Local Council Area and the Ogbaukwu Caves and Waterfalls in Owerre Ezukala Town, Orumba South Local Government Area. “The Obiano administration would in its first 100 days take pragmatic steps that would

since after then, we have not heard anything.�

Ezemba speaking on how Amorka benefited from the sitting of the Biafra Airport in Amorka said, “Yes, we were told that there was abundance of corn meal in Amorka those days because of the airport. It was the only place where relief materials always came to Biafra, so, unlike the rest of Biafra that was experiencing starvation, Amorka people had abundance of cornmeal, milk and other food items. We were also well protected here because the town which had the commander of the Biafra Army was always well guarded. My dad had his property close to the Ojukwu Bunker, so he had no fear at all, during the war,� he said.

Mr Sympathy Unadike, A son of Amorka, who also did a documentary of the community told THISDAY that during his primary school days in the mid 70s, he and his friemds always played with unexploded bombs, which were dropped near the bunker to target Ojukwu. “Our school was close to the bunker. Most of the bombs did not explode when the federal forces dropped them because the gods of our land, Enyinja was protecting Ojukwu in the bunker.

Even when Ojukwu arrived Amorka, asking for where to build his bunker, the community intentionally gave him that site because that is where the gods of our land lived. It was a reserved area, so, Ojukwu was well protected during the war.�

Late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of the Biafra forces during the civil war reposition the state’s tourism sector to enable the state mine the potential therein. These tourist centres will receive immediate attention with the construction of access roads to them as well as concrete footpaths that will lead into the bowls of the caves to make them easily accessible to tourists. Governor Obiano’s drive to develop the tourism sector into an alternative foreign exchange earner for the state is consummated by his appointment of a core professional with experience in the business, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, as Commissioner for Tourism. All these efforts are targeted at drawing attention to the state’s historical, religious and cultural endowments and make them accessible to the rest of the world,� Eze said.

During a visit to Amorka community recently, THISDAY found that despite the lavish promise by the governor to upgrade the Ojukwu Bunker to a renowned tourist site, nothing has happened, more than two years after the promise.

A Community’s Abandonment Indigenes of the community who spoke to THISDAY lamented that not only that the project was abandoned, the community now suffers abandonment as no government project has been initiated to upgrade the life of the people. They also lamented that while the airstrip exists, it was also left undeveloped, while resources are now being pumped into a fresh site for the Anambra International Cargo Airport in Umueri.

An indigene of the community, a chief and legal adviser to the council of the traditional ruler and to the town union, Barr Chinweuba Ndukaihe who spoke to THISDAY said, “There is nothing like revenue to the community or to the state at the famous Ojukwu Bunker.

A lot of people want to visit, and we have reported this to the state government to come and make use of some of those places, so that it can be a source of revenue to the state, but up till now, nothing has happened. “The state government has sent its delegation ones and also promised that in due time it will make the place a tourism hub, but such opportunities have eluded us. Our youths have been taking care of it, because the place where the bunker is situated is under our deity, which is called Enyinja. The god of the land protects us, and Ojukwu particularly choose that place

because it can offer him protection.�

Speaking on why Ojukwu who hails from Nnewi came as far as Amorka to take up a residence during the war, Ndukaihe said, “Ojukwu had a personal friend in Amorka called Engr MSC Ezemba. In fact, he was the best man during Ojukwu’s wedding, so he was a very close friend to Ojukwu. Both of them schooled at Oxford University, London.

This town was like Ojukwu’s second home, because Ojukwu always visits his friend here and during the war, he decided that he can be safe here.�

Ojukwu’s Love for Amorka Another respondent, Pastor Stanley Ezemba, a nephew of MSC Ezemba, Ojukwu’s bossom friend took this reporter through the story of Ojukwu’s regular visit to his uncle, even before the war, and how the Biafra Airport helped Amorka to beat starvation, especially as the town is usually the first place where relief materials from abroad for Biafra people first lands, before being distributed to far-flung parts of Biafra.

He said, “Ojukwu visited Amorka very frequently then. Apart from his town, Nnewi, the next town Ojukwu adored was Amorka. He took chieftaincy title here and is always here then. He fully identified with us. Engr Mark Ezemba his friend was an illustrious son of Amorka. He was the first principal engineer of Oshodi United College, former chairman of National Electoral Commission (NECON) and represented Nigeria in first World Electricity Summit in Geneva and many other positions. “Talking about Ojukwu and his relationship with Amorka, let me tell you, when he returned from exile, immediately he came to his town Nnewi, the next place he moved to was Amorka. This was the same day that he returned. He came straight to the bunker, from where he went on exile. He did it because he had a great memory of Amorka. And, on that day, when he heard he was back, the people came together and put the bunker in order and awaited him, and truly, he came on the same day of his return, and we received him there. That bunker is a historic site and it is bad that we are poor at keeping history. We were happy when we heard over the media that the governor, Chief Willie Obiano wants to make it a world tourist site, but it is a pity that

Ruins Moving round the community, this reporter however found that some of the historic sights were all in ruins as both the bunker and the airstrip remained abandoned. Roads in the community were also not motorable, just as some indigenes stated that it took the concerted efforts of members of the community to bring electricity in.

Chairman of Odimma Amorka and Amorka Security and Electricity Board, Evangelist Uzochukwu Nwanonyua, who spoke to THISDAY, said that most infrastructure in the community were brought in and sustained through self-help.

He said, “For many years, we have not experienced the presence of any government, the last time we saw project here was during the military rule. We have no roads here as you can see, we have no water, no sort of infrastructure. We can help ourselves with some projects, like the electricity which we just installed. We are calling government to work on roads here. We have been neglected for too long.�

Optimism Prof Simeon Alozieuwa, the President General of the community who spoke with our correspondent however expressed optimism that the community would glow again. He assured the people that even though it is only a little over a year since he came aboard as the President General, he is working concertedly to ensure that government attention was brought to the community.

He added that the community has been held by three decades of infighting and factionalisation, but with his emergence, peace has gradually returned, and the community is on the path of greatness again. "We as Amorka people are now proud of our community. We do a lot of self help community projects here, and with peace, despite government neglect, we can achieve more for ourselves. “We are a hub of tourism in Nigeria, and I am sure you are familiar with the Ojukwu Bunker, Biafra Airport. Other tourist places you are not even aware of include; Mili Amorka, a back stream here that flows right into the Atlantic ocean, and a palm tree which has three branches. That palm tree has been standing since I was a child, and has remained major tourist attraction to people from outside. Amorka is indeed great," Alozieuwa concluded.

39

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍś, 2020

CRIME&SECURITY

Consolidating Mobility Assets, Infrastructural Development in the Navy Chiemelie Ezeobi and Mary Ovie write that in consolidating the mobility assets of Nigerian Navy, the service recently took delivery of patrol vehicles and quad bikes to boost anti-pipeline vandalism operations from Atlas Cove and in boosting infrastructural development, unveiled the Chief Boatswain's Mates for heads of Rating cadre

A

Cove and adjacent Tarkwa Bay Island.

ny military is as good as its last acquisition as the acquisition of equipment and platforms are part of the decisive and critical factors in determining the outcome of any war or operation. In fact, many would argue that it’s a fundamental component of military element of national power. Thus, aside professional competence, for an efficient, effective and functional force, capacity development is critical and fundamental.

Recently, the mobility assets of Operation AWATSE, an ongoing operation against pipeline vandalism, was boosted with patrol vehicles and quad bikes to easily access the tortuous terrain. The donation was probably buoyed by the numerous successes recorded by the operatives, which has led to considerable reduction in illegal pipeline vandalism and in essence, oil losses.

Reduction in Oil Losses Group Managing Director (GMD), Mele Kyari, recently commended security forces for the reduction in oil losses. He said this at the official handover of four patrol vehicles and four quad bikes to the Taskforce against vandalism, Operation AWATSE at the headquarters, Western Naval Command (WNC) in Apapa, Lagos.

According to him, the reduction in losses was a feat they were very proud of, adding that by early last year, the level of losses suffered from vandalism along the pipelines from Atlas Cove to Ilorin were impossible to manage.

"We sought support of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who instructed the set up of the operation AWATSE that led to the arrest of these situation reducing our losses to less than 50 per cent of what we knew at that time.

"It enabled us also to increase flow into that line from less than 800,000 to 2.6 million tonnes by the end of 2019. Currently, we know that we will exceed this target. So, it is a huge success because without the intervention of Operation AWATSE and all the associated support from all the service- the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), we would not have achieved this.

"So, it is a very critical assignment for us and we are very happy that this has happened. We have reduced our losses from what was N800 billion in 2018 to less than N82 billion and we are very proud of this. Therefore in terms of accountability and transparency, we have achieved that and we also promise that we will perform excellently on behalf of the Nigeria people.

"That's a reflection of the financial statement, that's what the financial statement tells you that this company has come of age. We have automated almost over 80 per cent of our processes, we have taken out discretion in over 80 per cent of our processes in that way we know this company by the close of this year, we would declare our dividend to Nigerians."

Boosting Inaccessibility of Pipelines Speaking on what the NNPC was doing to make the pipelines not readily accessible to vandals, he said the corporation was tackling the issue from multiple fronts, adding that asides empowering security agencies to closely monitor the pipeline areas, the NNPC was using technology to monitor vulnerable pipelines.

He said plans were also on to bury the pipelines deeper into the ground through a process called HDD, which he said was very expensive.

"They are very expensive but it is not every line that you need to do this. There are segments that we have done HDD line. We continue to improve by the way, we are going ahead with a BOT process where the entire lines should be replaced so at the end of the day, we would put the best of class processes on ground and at the end, those issues will become very minimal.�

Enhancing Capacity for Rapid Deployment Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin said the donation of the mobility assets will enhance the taskforce’s capacity to rapidly deploy enforcement resources for the

L-R: Director of Operations, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jack Yusuf; Flag OďŹƒcer Commanding, WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji; and NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Mele Kyari at the oďŹƒcial handover of four patrol vehicles and four quad bikes to the taskforce against vandalism, Operation AWATSE in Lagos

FOC WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji handing over the newly constructed and furnished Chief Boatswain's Mates (CBMs) accommodation to CBM Naval Training Command, NWO E Obidike country's energy security.

Olonisakin who was represented by the Director of Operations, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jack Yusuf, reiterated the need to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Tarkwa Bay for credible presence to sustain gains recorded, adding that he had approved the deployment of additional 110 troops, to hold the ground and prevent the return of many of the cleared hoodlums.

The CDS noted that a clearance operation, KUROMBE under AWATSE was conceived last year to rid the Atlas Cove Storage facility and its network of pipelines of activities of criminal elements that were causing the nation serious economic loss.

"The dwindling oil prices internationally saw the downward trend in government revenue generation for some time now. This among others has necessitated the need for judicious use of resources to minimise waste. Therefore, all efforts including the terrain advantages that these assets offer, must be emplaced to ensure the security of pipelines and the smooth distribution of petroleum products across the country.

"Let me assure you that the Defence Headquarters will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful take off of the FOB and other initiative that will ensure adequate security of the Atlas Cove and other critical national infrastructures.

"As expected, the magnitude of discoveries and subsequent destruction of illegal structures and equipment used by these unscrupulous elements and saboteurs, we know that the criminals will not back off easily. Their inability to return after several attempts, under various guise including several petitions and litigations will not deter our efforts. Consequently, I have directed the legal

department to examine all the petition received and take the necessary legal steps to address them.�

Gains of Operation KUROMBE Giving an update on the gains recorded by the ongoing Operation KUROMBE, Commander, Operation AWATSE and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji said between December 21, 2019 to August 3, a total of 2,862 illegal structures/shanties that encroached on the NNPC Pipeline Right of Way or were used to perpetrate pipeline vandalism were removed.

He added that, "similarly, 553,879 x 25 litres empty jerry cans estimated at N553,879,000 were recovered and destroyed. If the vandals had succeeded, the empty jerry cans would have been used to steal about N1.6 billion worth of petrol.

Additionally, 3,708 x 25 litres jerry cans filled with PMS worth N13,997,700 were recovered and handed over to the depot manager. Furthermore, a total of 310 hand-dug pits filled with PMS used by pipeline vandals for siphoning PMS were discovered during the clearance operation, KUROMBE. "It is gratifying to note that NNPC maintenance team have permanently sealed the pits. During the clearance operations, 31 persons, including some foreigners, were arrested for involvement in petroleum products theft and pipeline vandalism and were handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies. “These among others were some modest achievements of the Operation KUROMBE in concert with other security agencies, particularly the NSCDC, DSS and the Marine Police. The NNPC also supported security operations by hiring Swamp Buggies and fueling.�

On the latest addition of mobility assets, Daji said the vehicles and quad bikes have been modified to operate in challenging terrains at the Atlas

Infrastructural Development Infrastructural development and personnel welfare-wise, the navy also constructed and unveiled the official quarters for heads of the Rating Cadre. This was to ensure their comfort and exalt their offices as heads of the Ratings cadre.

The recently unveiled two newly constructed and furnished Chief Boatswain's Mates (CBMs) accommodations is made up of two bedroom detached bungalows with a boys' quarter each located inside Navy Town in Ojo and were handed over to the CBMs of the Western Naval Command (WNC) and Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) as official accommodations.

CBM is the highest appointment in the NonCommissioned Officers (NCOs) cadre of the navy and equivalent to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) in the army.

Unveiling the accommodations, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji said they were awarded by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to ensure that CBMs have their official residence in their areas of deployment.

He noted that the CBM was an institution and a very important office in the navy because they are the ones who control and ensures discipline and professionalism in the ratings cadre, adding that the move was also part of ongoing and consistent efforts by the navy to boost personnel moral through various welfare programs and projects.

He said: "This is further testimony of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s untiring effort to upgrade existing infrastructure and develop new ones across all commands, units and establishments in the Nigerian Navy (NN) as well as improving on the welfare needs of personnel and our families.

"The CBMs as Admirals of the Lower Deck are leaders and the backbone of every major shore establishment in the NN. Due to their rich experience by virtue of their long years of service, the CBMs are a veritable link and moderating influence between the officers’ and ratings’ cadre.

"They train, direct and supervise working parties and routine maintenance in the NN establishments.

Therefore, these institutional houses are symbolic of NN appreciation for their dedication to duty and to spur other ratings to aspire to attain the rank of Navy Warrant Officer (NWO) and office of the CBM. "This accomplishment underscores the determination of the NN leadership to consolidate on the infrastructural development and personnel welfare.

I deem it most appropriate therefore to commend the consistency and outstanding effort of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas towards meeting the accommodation needs of all categories of personnel.

"I hereby assure the CNS that the CBM Institutional Houses will be well maintained and the command shall continue to accord priority to improving the infrastructure provided by the government in all our barracks and vases. It is also pertinent to mention that the Nigerian Navy would not have been able to accomplish the enormous infrastructural development witnessed over the past five years without the support of the federal government. “To this end, our profound gratitude goes to President Muhammadu Buhari, for his commitment and determination towards addressing the welfare needs of the personnel of the Armed Forces."

At the ceremony were the FOC NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Frederick Ogu; Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordnance Depot (NOD) Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhasan; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Wey, Commodore Asuquo Ibanga; and Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima; Others include Commandant, Joint Maritime Security Training Center, Commodore Noel Madugu; Chairperson, Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ramatallai Akiola-Hassan; Deputy Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in charge of Kirikiri, Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Satellite, CSP Chike Oti.

40

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

COVID-19 to Take Toll on African Banks, S&P Predicts Obinna Chima One of the global rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has predict that the Covid-19 pandemic will significantly hurt banks in Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco and Egypt for at least three years.

The rating agency stated this in its latest global banking report that was released yesterday.

It listed risks that banks in the continent as well as other countries in the world would face to include Prolonged effect of the pandemic on their economies; the likely rise in debt, a likelihood of default by debtors, among others.

For Nigeria, it stated that the pace of recovery of the banking

sector would be affected by slow growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, depreciation of the local currency and volatile oil prices. Commenting on the global banking sector, it noted that, “the sharp rebound in global growth we expect in 2021, together with strong bank balance sheets, support from authorities to retail and corporate markets, and regulators’ flexibility, should limit bank downgrades in 2021. “Deviation from our base case, if the economic rebound is weaker or delayed, could result in more negative rating actions, particularly in regions with a second wave of infections and the re-imposition of restrictions.�

However, it noted that central

banks’ actions would remain positive for funding, but weigh on banks’ interest margins and profitability.

It stated that the pandemic has accelerated banks’ digitalisation and could trigger another round of restructuring and consolidation. “Short-term support to banks and borrowers leaves longer-term overhangs. Anticipated surge in leverage leads to higher corporate insolvencies. “The property sector is more severely hurt than expected.

Ultralow interest rates are squeezing banks’ net interest margins, increasingly making weak profitability a structural problem for many banking sectors, particularly in Europe and Japan.

Farmcrowdy Launches New Agro-focused Trading Platform Oluchi Chibuzor Farmcrowdy, an agritech company in Nigeria has announced the launch of new e-commerce, trading and aggregation platform for smallholder farmers.

The initiative is part of the firm’s effort aimed at extending its service in agriculture beyond financing, into using technology to boost the food value chain as well as connecting over three million farmers to alternative financing and market access via a crowd-funding platform.

Speaking at its fourth anniversary in Lagos, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO),

Farmcrowdy Limited, Onyeka Akumah, said the move was to support the federal government’s plan to achieve food security, while also tackling food wastage as a result of poor harvesting techniques and lack of storage facilities.

In light of the development and opportunities that exist in the agriculture value chain, Akumah, announced that the company would focus on the use of technology to build tools and resources that farmers will need to boost food security in the country through 6 business focus.

He said the businesses were

set up to serve individuals across the entire agriculture value chain, prioritising stakeholders’ access to better yields, lower costs, and smarter marketing and they are; Farmcrowdy Structured Finance, Farmcrowdy Insurance, Farmcrowdy Marketing, Farmcrowdy Tech and Data, Farmcrowdy Foods and Farmcrowdy Aggregation.

In commemoration of its fourth anniversary, Farmcrowdy also announced the launch of two major platforms, the Farmcrowdy Foods E-Commerce platform and the Farmcrowdy Trader platform both a flagship platform under Farmcrowdy Aggregation.

Ecobank to Partner Ogun on Agric, Others Ecobank Nigeria has committed to partner with Ogun state government in the various sectors of the economy.

Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, made the pledge in Abeokuta, during a courtesy visit on Governor Dapo Abiodun, recently.

According to a statement, at the event, the bank also donated rural health tricycle ambulances to the state, to assist in primary healthcare delivery.

Akinwuntan, who hinged the bank’s visit to the state on partnering with the state government on the policy thrust and

developmental strides of the Abiodun-led administration, said: “For us as a bank, we appreciate what your government is doing.

When we look at the specific components of your vision and strategy as encapsulated in ISEYA, which represents Infrastructure, social welfare and health, education, youth empowerment and agriculture, we decided to come over to explore areas of partnership and collaboration. “Your government has not left the vision as an acronym but the execution is a testimony to the greatness of this state. We believe the outcome of this collaboration

will benefit not just indigenes of Ogun state alone, but our dear country Nigeria and the Africa continent.�

Specifically, the Ecobank managing director reiterated that Ogun state is one of the leading lights in ease of doing business amongst all the states in the federation, assuring that the bank will help attract funding for long term projects. “I want to also commend your government in terms of peaceful environment of doing business.

Ogun state is one of the leading lights in ease of doing business and a place to invest in.�

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

Erisco Commences Renovation of Police Station Destroyed by Hoodlums Nume Ekeghe Erisco Foods has commenced renovations at the police situated in Amichi town in Nnewi South Local Government Anambra.

The police station and vehicles and were recently set ablaze by hoodlums that hijacked the peaceful protest against police brutality in the country.

The President/ Chief Executive

Officer Mr. Erisco Umeofia, said he had written to the Inspector General of Police in a letter dated October 26, 2020, about his intension to rebuild the station situated at his hometown, adding that he has already proceeded its reconstruction. Umeofia said his firm in addition to the renovations would give out N5 million to families of deceased officers, Erisco Food products worth N10

million comprising wheat flour, 3in1 Garri mix, sachet tomato paste and seasoning cubes and N500,000 to the DPO in charge of as well as replace their operational vehicles with two Sienna buses.

Umeofia said: “This act saddened me and because it pertains to the security and wellbeing of the Amichi environs and especially if her is doing well, it is my responsibility to give back.�

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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AMCON: No Fresh Court Order to Freeze MRS’Accounts The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday said it was totally unaware of any fresh Federal High court order, which mandated the freezing of all the monies due to or lying to the credit of Sayyu Dantata’s oil company, MRS Holding Limited in 21 banks.

AMCON, disclosed this in a statement, in response to a newspaper publication (not THISDAY). “AMCON is also not in the know of any court, which sat on Tuesday November 17, 2020 regarding case with MRS Holdings Limited as claimed and reported by the Lagos-based

media house as not such sitting took place. “As far as the matter is concerned, AMCON has reached a settlement resolution term with MRS Holding Limited and its lead promoter and there has not been any reason whatsoever to seek for any order of the court in this regard.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻÍ´ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $42.93 a barrel on Monday, compared with $42.05 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), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Ardova Shareholders Upbeat on Shell Lubricants Deal Goddy Egene Shareholders of Ardova Plc (AP) have said the agreement for the company to sell lubricants of Shell in Nigeria is a positive development that will boost the performance of the petroleum products marketing firm.

The Chief Executive Officer of AP, Mr. Olumide Adeosun, last week disclosed that the company would act as the main distributor for Shell lubricants’ branded

products for the automotive and industrial sectors in Nigeria.

Also, Chairman of AP, Abdul Wasiu Sowami, said the deal ticks all boxes and that they are excited to add the Shell range of lubricants to the portfolio of products available to their customers.

On his part, Chairman of Shell companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said the deal reinforced their commitment to continue to optimise their footprints in

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

Nigeria while working with local companies for mutual benefits and to create opportunities for the people. “Shell lubricants products will offer improved performance for automobiles across the country through AP’s chain of retail stations and resellers,� Okunbor said.

Reacting to the development, some shareholders of AP said it was a very good investment decision by the board and management of the company, stressing that it would increase

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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the revenue and profitability of AP. For instance, Mr. Moses Igbrude said:� This is a very proactive investment decision that will lead to improved performance of AP and returns to shareholders on the long run. Combining Shell lubricant brands with equally popular brands of AP will give the company an edge. Shareholders commend AP for the decision.�

Adeosun had explained that together with investments in

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

marketing and workforce training, AP also plans to deepen its participation in other segments of the lubricant market in Nigeria, including transport and industrials, thus making it easier for customers to access Shell’s range of lubricants products. The deal follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Prudent Energy, AP PLC and Shell Trading International Limited laying out an exploratory framework for harnessing the local

O F

and international capabilities of the respective parties including possibilities on how to progress opportunities intended to develop cleaner energy solutions.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market maintained its bearish trend for the second day as profit taking continued. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index fell 1.6 per cent to close at 34.242.83, while market capitalisation shed N277 billion to close at N17.9 trillion.

1 3 / 1 1 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

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QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

UN: Nigeria Recorded 3,600 Rape Cases during Lockdown Ranks country first in drug use Deji Elumoye in Abuja The United Nations yesterday revealed that Nigeria recorded over 3,600 rape cases nationwide during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global body expressed concerns over the spate of GenderBased Violence in the country.

It also ranked Nigeria highest in drug use prevalence rate in the world with 14.3% as against 5.3% for the entire world.

The UN also said it was committed to continuing the cooperation with the Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen the availability of data on violence against women and girls.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Amina Mohammed, stated this during the launch of the Violence Against Women and Girls Situation Room – Spotlight Initiative.

The programme which was jointly organised by the European Union, UN and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development allows decision-makers and programme managers to analyse and view GBV data in real-time.

Amina Mohammed said the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative aims to create a Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly those most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices.

She said, “The need for this initiative has perhaps never been as evident as amid the COVID – 19 pandemic, which has affected the whole world including Nigeria. The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, has stated that the number of rapes has increased by three times compared to the previous level. During the lockdown, each state in Nigeria has reported over 100 rape cases, equalling over 3,600 rape cases nationwide.

“This points to a shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls on top of the Coronavirus pandemic, and calls for all actors to come together and

take urgent action to protect the rights of women and girls.

“One of the key priorities of the Spotlight Initiative is to enhance data availability and capacities. There has previously been paucity of data related to Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Harmful Practices and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

“The main existing data sources are fragmented with poor coordination of the data collection process, often lack disaggregated data for vulnerable groups and disaggregation beyond state level, have small samples and are not widely disseminated.

“The National Violence Against Women and Girls Situation Room is an innovative data management and visualization platform which uses technology to enable government, decision-makers and program managers view and analyse data with ease.”

Also, the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Otunba Adewunmi Onanuga, representing Ikenne/ Sagamu/Remo/North, called for united action against gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The global world body yesterday also ranked Nigeria highest in drug use prevalence rate in the world with 14.3% as against 5.3% for the entire world.

UN National Programme Officer on Drugs and Crime, Mrs. Folusho Adelekan, made the disclosure at a one-day sensitisation workshop on Drug Abuse and Rape facilitated by the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on Narcotic Drugs.

According to her, available statistics show that there are 14.4million drug users in Nigeria and 14 .3% prevalence rate which is higher than the global statistics of 5.3% drug use prevalence rate.

She lamented that though Nigeria has five years National Drug Control Master plan but

Pandemonium as Taskforce, Commercial Motorcyclists Clash in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi Pandemonium erupted yesterday at the Second Rainbow Bus Stop, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, when some officials of the Lagos State Taskforce clashed with commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada.

The violent clash started after officials of the taskforce seized some commercial motorcycles and made to take them away in their trucks.

However, the motorcycle riders, who had hitherto fled when the officials started their operation, regrouped quickly and launched an attack to recover the seized motorcycles.

The situation immediately escalated into a full blown clash that caused traffic gridlock along that corridor as the angry motorcyclists began to unleash mayhem and setting bonfires with tyres on the expressway and blocked that stretch of the express enroute Mile 2 Bus Stop.

While motorists were stuck in the traffic, passengers in commercial buses were forced

to disembark and trek to their destinations while the buses turned into filling station and drove one way back to Oshodi.

According to eyewitness account, the drivers were forced to turn because some of the buses were damaged by the rampaging motorcyclists.

It took the concerted effort of the police and other security operatives, including soldiers, to quell the situation.

When contacted, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations of the 81 Division, Major Osoba Olaniyi, said it was not out of place for soldiers to be called in to quell the crisis.

Olaniyi said: “Remember that soldiers are still out on the streets of Lagos to enforce curfew. The curfew is not over so they are deployed strategically across the state.

“We have not been called back (to the barracks). So soldiers going to restore peace when there is such a crisis is still within our area of responsibility.”

not well funded operational wise.

Her words: “The National Drug Control Master Plan Nigeria came up with within the last two years, is not being funded adequately and the menace requires actions packed operational strategy that must be well funded.

“Aside lack of well funded operational plan there are no enough treatment or rehabilitation centres in the country for drug addicts.

“Even in the realm of prevention,

enough actions are not being put in place in terms of education, sensitization and discipline at the home front”.

On her part, a Deputy Director from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Yinka Falola – Anoemuah, said the seriousness of actions applied in tackling the scourge of HIV/AIDs in the country, should be used in confronting the menace of Drugs abuse and rape in Nigeria.

She said: “Two million people

are living with AIDS in Nigeria but being managed without much havoc in the country.

“Even at that, operational master plan has been put on ground to end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, the way Polio was eliminated.

“Though Drug abuse is habitual and not disease like HIV/AIDS , but can still be frontally tackled operational master plan used to fight HIV/ AIDS in the country to the barest minimum”.

Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the House Leader, Hon Hassan Doguwa, said the time has come to fight the menace right from the home front and in schools at both the primary and secondary levels.

According to him, most of the drug addicts in the country lacked the required discipline and decent upbringing at the home front.

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER...

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, discussing during an oversight visit to NIMASA by the committee in Lagos...Monday

FG Grants Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Approval to Resume Operations Warns against maltreatment of Nigerians international operations before Xmas Kasim Sumaina in Abuja As all Nigerian airports set to commence international flights, the federal government yesterday emphasised the need for airlines operating in the country to ensure international best practices in handling Nigerian passengers, noting that it will not tolerate any form of maltreatment of its citizens by any airline.

To this end, it lifted the flight ban on Lufthansa, KLM and Air France, paving the way for them to resume their operations in and

out of the country.

The federal government further hinted that all the country’s international airports might resume international flight operations before the end of the year.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, while disclosing this in Abuja yesterday, noted that the Ministry of Aviation is working with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and other relevant bodies to ensure that the airports meet all the safety and health requirements and protocols.

Kano, Port-Harcourt, Enugu airports to resume According to him, “The international airports that are yet to be cleared to resume operations are the Port Harcourt airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.”

He disclosed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that all logistic and policy necessities are in place in order to address the difficulties encountered by international travellers, especially in the yuletide season.

The minister, in a statement made available to journalists by the director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, in

Abuja, expressed his appreciation for the understanding and cooperation of aviation stakeholders in ensuring the smooth reopening of the country’s airspace.

He further stated that the federal government had lifted the flight ban on Lufthansa, KLM and Air France, paving the way for them to resume their operations in and out of the country.

“Qatar Airways has also been granted approval to commence operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja,” he said.

Regional Alliance: Babangida, Abdulsalami Take Different Positions from North-central Govs Laleye Dipo in Minna Two former Nigerian leaders, Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar have taken different positions from that of the governors of the North-central geopolitical zones of the country over the formation of the Northcentral People’s Forum.

Babangida and Abdulsalami in Minna yesterday described the formation of the forum as desirable for the political and economic development of the region.

It would be recalled that the governors in the region had opposed the formation of the forum vowing never to have anything to do with the organisation.

Babangida and Abdulsalami

while receiving the leadership of the forum at separate audiences yesterday, expressed their support for the forum led by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Oseni (rtd).

General Abdulsalami in his comment, commended those behind the formation of the forum which he said would bring the necessary harmony among the people of the zone.

He, therefore, urged the forum to focus its activities on how to attract development to the region which he said is blessed with human and material resources.

“With the calibre of people that I have seen here today, I am convinced that they will galvanise the region to a greater height”.

Babangida on his part, while receiving the delegation at

his Hilltop residence, said the formation of the forum “is the best thing that has happened to the region” which he described as a “region of envy to other regions.”

He added: “God has blessed the North-central zone, but it has not been able to organise itself to play a leading role in the scheme of things in the country.

“You have made my day today.

I have heard of North-east, Northeest commission, South-south People’s Forum and the rest of them but when I didn’t hear of North-central. I kept wondering what is happening until this day.

“I know you will be the envy of all the regions. In the area of votes, the North-central has more than the North-west, yet North-west makes more noise than the North-central zone.”

Babangida, therefore, commended the leadership of the forum “for a job well done”, and expressed his total support for it to enable it succeed in all its activities.

Earlier, the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the forum, Lt. General Useni, told the two former leaders that the forum is not in anyway a breakaway from the Arewa Consultative Forum, adding that just like every other regional bodies, the North-central Forum was formed to address some development challenges in the zone.

He said the forum would go along way in bringing the needed peace, harmony and development to the zone.

“With this forum, there shouldn’t be any disharmony anymore in the zone,” Oseni said.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

43

NEWSEXTRA

Assets Recovery Committee: I was Guided by Law, Says Malami Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, yesterday said he acted in compliance with the extant laws including the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004 in setting up the recently inaugurated Inter-Ministerial Asset Disposal Committee.

Malami argued that Section 31(1-4) and Sections 43 of the EFFC establishment Act 2004 not only justified his action but also clear doubts on “the misconceived and shallow legal analysis in the public space on the legality or otherwise of the committee”.

The AGF in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, noted that lack of understanding of the law was imminent in the wrong impression being created which according to him was fueled by the faulty assumption that only the EFCC is engaged in asset recovery and forfeiture proceedings. Hence the challenge to the setting-up and mandate of the committee.

He insisted that in issuing Regulations and Setting-up Committee for Asset Disposal, he was guided, amongst other statutory provisions, by the wordings of Sections 31(4) & 43 of the EFCC Act “which confers the Attorney-General of the Federation with the powers to make Rules or Regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the EFCC (inclusive of asset disposal)”.

For the avoidance of doubt Section 43 of the EFFC Act provides thus:

“The Attorney-General of the Federation may make rules or regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the commission under this Act.” The minister, who noted that it is elementary law that the process of asset forfeiture and disposal constitutes part and parcel of criminal prosecution, stated that it is trite law that all prosecuting agencies derive their powers to prosecute from that of the constitutional and statutory powers of the Attorney General of the Federation.

“The powers of the EFCC is constitutionally subject to the overriding powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“It is important to note that asset forfeiture and disposal is a continuation of criminal proceedings and in furtherance of the powers conferred on the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation under Section 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Section 174(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants him the exclusive power “to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person.

“The Hon. Attorney General of the Federation is therefore on firm legal grounds to regulate the process of asset forfeiture and disposal from the EFCC or any other agency”, the statement read in part, adding that Ministries or Departments of Justice worldwide exercises similar powers of asset recovery, forfeiture, management and disposal.

The statement further cited plethora of judicial decisions to the effect that the powers of the

AGF are not subject to review by any court of law.

“Whilst the Constitution has provided some safety nets on the above incontestable position by providing that the Attorney General shall have regard to public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process in exercising his powers, the foregoing still remains the Attorney General’s call to make. It is not in doubt that disposal of forfeited assets is in the best interest of the public and justice. The Attorney General has a total responsibility to control and manage the conduct of criminal prosecutions.

“It is, therefore, standing logic on its head for anyone to suggest that a man who is empowered to

initiate, takeover and discontinue any criminal proceeding instituted by any person or authority, make rules for the disposal of forfeited assets and the general operations of the EFCC, and a custodian of public interest, interest of justice and power to prevent abuse of legal process among others has no power to manage or deal with the outcomes of such proceedings (even when conducted by EFCC) either by way of forfeiture or disposal.

“The settled position of the law remains that a power or duty conferred by the Constitution cannot be taken away by any other law as such will be declared null and void for inconsistency under Section 1(3) of the 1999

Constitution (as amended).

“Thus, the powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation in criminal matters generally under the Constitution cannot be circumscribed or taken away by the provisions of Section 31(1-3) & 32(1) of the EFCC Act. “The powers of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation in the conduct of criminal matters by law enforcement agencies are further emphasized by the following provisions of Section 29(1),105(1-3), 106, 107 & 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). It is quite remarkable to note that Section 268(1) of the ACJA requires a public officer prosecuting in his

official capacity in any criminal proceedings to prosecute subject to such direction as may be given by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“The Inter-Agency Committee has, therefore, been constituted in recognition of the relevance and statutory mandates of the listed MDAs and also against the background of the need to provide synergy and coordination amongst all relevant MDAs in the pursuit of the common agenda of the government.

“While the committee will not be tied down by these needless distractions, it remains open to positive suggestions,” the statement added.

LET’S TALK HOUSING...

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (left) , welcoming the Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during a courtesy visit by the FHA to the FCTA in Abuja ...yesterday

NECA Advocates Robust Strategies to Attract Investors HDP Plots to Stop Yakubu’s Second Term Bid Chris Uba The Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed concern over the rising trend of inflation in the country in the past 10 months.

It stated this in a statement signed by its Director-General, Timothy Olawale yesterday.

NECA was reacting to the consumer price index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which showed that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 14.23 per cent (year-on-year) in October 2020 as against 13.71 per cent recorded in September 2020.

The group noted that, “the rise from 13.71 per cent in September, 2020 to 14.23 per cent in October, 2020 suggests that the policy options provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in taming the gory head of inflation need critical review.”

It also noted that the persistent increase in food prices, caused by border closures, restrictions in forex market and insecurity predominantly in the northern states has further heightened the situation.

It pointed out that the inflationary situation was further compounded by the recent #EndSARS protest, which limited movement of persons and goods/services across most cities and the rising cost of transportation.

In the document titled, “Managing the Quagmire of Inflationary Pressure and other Macroeconomic Challenges:

NECAAdvocates for Robust Strategies to Attract Investors,” Olawale argued that, “since the deregulation of petrol prices, the country has witnessed petrol increase by almost 30 per cent in the last four months, which suggests a continuous increase in transport cost,” regretting that “sadly, Nigerians are now been battered on two fronts: high transport cost and high inflation.”

To mitigate these challenges, NECA suggested that the federal government should roll-out more direct fiscal interventions to aid domestic production, as has been done in the agricultural sector.

These interventions, it stated, should be extended to the mining, manufacturing and other high job creating sectors.

“It is also important to support the transportation sector, most especially the public transport (massive transit buses), by reducing the duties/taxes on cost of vehicle import, which is currently about 70 per cent for fully-built vehicle units.

If import duty waiver/reduction is applied to the public transport sector, this will surely go a long way in reducing cost of public transportation, said Olawale, who also noted that “with the current exchange and import duty, the landing cost of a high capacity bus in Lagos is approximately N78million ($170,000) at least. This is aside fuel cost which accountsfor35 per cent of revenue and interest rate of 27 per cent pa.”

Chuks Okocha in Abuja One of the deregistered political parties, the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to restrain the Senate from screening Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for a second term as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit filed on November 12 is before Justice Iyang Ekwo.

According to a statement signed by Auwal Abdullahi, for the National Chairman of

the deregistered HDP, the party wants the court to restrain the Senate from confirming Yakubu, arguing his reappointment did not follow due process and dictates of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the deregistered party, the reappointment of Yakubu did not follow the letters of section 154 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The section of the constitution said, “In exercising his powers to appoint a person as Chairman or member of the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Judicial Council,

the Federal Judicial Service Commission or the National Population Commission, the President shall consult the Council of State”.

But the party said that there was no record of the meeting of the Council of State where the reappointment of Prof Yakubu was discussed and approval given.

HDP ask the court to restrain the Senate President from confirming Yakubu until a full probe and account of previous term in office has been conducted.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 27, 2020 reappointed Professor Yakubu as Chairman of INEC for another five-year term.

Prof Yakubu has since November 9 stepped aside pending his confirmation by the Senate. He handed over the affairs of the commission to AVM Ahmed Muazu (rtd) as acting chairman.

The new acting chairman will serve in an acting capacity pending the confirmation of Yakubu’s re-nomination or otherwise by the Senate.

No Helicopter Crashed in Borno, Says NAF Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said no helicopter crashed in Bama, Borno State.

Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, posted on the Whatsapp platform for the NAF/ Defence Correspondents that what happened was that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) helicopter had issues shortly after take-off from Banki to Maiduguri and had to make an emergency landing.

He added that the military were called up to the scene to provide security coverage while the team

conducted emergency repair and the helicopter eventually flew back to Maiduguri around 11a.m on Tuesday.

Daramola, in a phone conversation had told THIDSAY that the military after a thorough investigation found out there was no crash anywhere in Bama.

He said the question that should have been asked is what is Nigerien helicopter during between Cameroonian and Nigerian border as reported by a news outlet.

He said the story was “a figment of the imagination of the journalist that reporter it.”

“I can tell you authoritatively that there was no crash in Bama and Boko Haram did not shoot down any helicopter.”

Also speaking to THISDAY, the spokesperson of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), Ms. Eve Sabbagh, said she was surprise to read that a Nigerien helicopter was shut down by Boko Haram somewhere in Bama.

She said what made her to doubt the report was the claim that the attack was on a Nigerien helicopter, wondering that what could a Nigerien helicopter be

doing at that particular location.

She equally said the rumour that perhaps it could have been a UN helicopter was untrue.

She said: “None of our helicopter crashed.”

It was reported in some section of the media that the Boko Haram terrorist sect shot down a Nigerien helicopter in Bama, Borno State.

According to the report, five persons were killed in the incident which occurred Tuesday at about 10:am near Banki town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, which is bordering Cameroon Republic.

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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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TUC Accuses FG of Reneging on Agreement on Fuel, Electricity Tariff Price Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has accused the federal government of violating the agreement reached with the organised labour few weeks ago on hike in electricity tariff and pump price of petrol.

A statement jointly signed by the TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary-General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) instructed the new increase and not the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA), as required by law.

“From all indications, the government has again reneged on the agreement reached with the organised labour few weeks ago. In few days, the various committees involving the government and the organised labour will brief labour and civil

society, and the outcome of that meeting will determine our next line of action,” TUC said.

The body said it was surprised that despite efforts made by the organised labour in the last meeting with the government on hike in fuel price and electricity tariff, the latter has resolved to further impoverish Nigerians with the recent increase.

According to TUC, “This is one

increase too many. It is indeed a violation of all understanding we have had with the government.

“We recall that at our meeting, the government appealed that subsidy removal was the only way out, else the economy will collapse and there would be massive job losses. We agreed with them to save the economy and the jobs.

“If the government claims

to have ‘deregulated’ the downstream sector of the oil and gas (which of course is subsidy removal), it, therefore, means that the independent oil marketers are importing petrol at their own cost. Information at our disposal, however, is that no independent marketer is importing fuel, because they cannot access dollars. The NNPC is still holding on to that monopoly.

“To make matters worse, it is the NNPC that instructed the new increase and not Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). What a regime of contradictions! NNPC has become a behemoth. ‘The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings’. It appears this fault must be conquered for us to be free.”

House Queries 15 MDAs over Extra-Budgetary Expenditure Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday queried the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of fifteen government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over extra-budgetary expenditure.

The Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke and other lawmakers grilled the CEOs at an investigative hearing on the audit query report of the Auditor-General of the Federation to the committee.

Some notable agencies that made appearances before the committee include the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON), the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Oke said the queries to the agencies were from the AuditorGeneral’s report on the financial statements issued by the office of the Accountant-General to the agencies pursuant to Section 85 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said that most of the agencies being queried by the committee have been summoned to shed light on the alleged extra-budgetary spending, running into millions and billions of Naira through their overhead budgets.

He also explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a query of an extra-budgetary expenditure of over N4 million while the Federal Civil Service Commission have an extrabudgetary expenditure of over N5 million.

Omotoba Elected Fellow of NSE Managing Director of NatCom Development & Investment Limited, now trading as Ntel, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, has been elected as a distinguished fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

With the election, the former Minister of Aviation, becomes one of the very rare Nigerians to have double fellowship in two divergent or unrelated fields, namely that of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).

Omotoba is seasoned engineer and an investment professional with over 30 years of infrastructural development, construction, structural engineering, private equity, financing, due diligence, auditing, consulting, aviation, telecoms, and general management experience.

A well sought-after speaker both at home and abroad, Omotoba holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Benin.

The honour comes 30 years after he graduated with a first class in civil engineering.

He also holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, North-western University (USA), with majors in finance, entrepreneurship, management strategy and real estate.

A COREN registered engineer, he’s a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

In 2008, at the age of 39 years, he was appointed Minister of Aviation and member, where he executed various safety-critical aviation projects including the Total Radar Coverage of the Nigerian Airspace (“TRACON”) for the first time in 29 years.

He also implemented the FAA IASA Category One Certification of Nigerian Airports and served on the governing councils of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

A holder of Series 7 and Series 63 Professional licences, Omotoba is a winner of 16 academic and professional prizes and awards.

The awards include the Dean’s award, best engineering graduate (1990); valedictorian - nominated as best graduate from University of Benin in 1988/89 and 1989/90 sessions.

He also won first prize in the May 1996 professional examination I of ICAN, first prize in quantitative analysis and third prize overall in May 1995 ICAN foundation examinations.

He received the Kauffman Foundation’s Grant for Entrepreneurial Leadership; made the Kellogg Dean’s honours list for outstanding academic achievements, won a Kellogg scholarship and in April 2009, received the ICAN merit award for lifetime achievement.

LEGISLATIVE DUTY...

L-R: Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpatason; Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji at a Public hearing on six bills, to repeal and re-enact the operating Acts of the Aviation industry, organised by the House Committee on Aviation at the National Assembly in Abuja....yesterday

Manufacturers, FCT Traders Tender N2.5bn Claims as EndSARS Protest Loss Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), members of the Apo Mechanic Traders Association and a nongovernment organisation, Shelter Initiative for African Women have tendered a claim of about N2.5billion as cumulative losses they suffered when hoodlums looted and vandalised facilities during and after the #EndSARS protests in Abuja.

They made the claims yesterday when their representatives appeared before the FCT Ministerial Committee on Assessment of Damages headed

by Idris Abass to verify claims

from bodies that were badly impacted by the looting.

Chairman of MAN FCT Chapter, Odun Emasealu estimated that property valued at N1.5 billion was vandalised by hoodlums at the Idu Industrial Estate, Abuja.

He said 12 factories were damaged by miscreants while four warehouses belonging to the association were looted. He said specialised machinery and equipment were totally damaged while the physical structure of the building was seriously impacted.

He lamented it would be difficult to recover what was destroyed at the estate as the cost of the equipment to be replaced would have gone astronomical from the time it was

set up to the present time.

“A lot of affected members have been coming to us and there is hope because of this committee that there will be some intervention by the government. We expect to have protection in that place because we can’t imagine it happening on a larger scale right now,” he said.

However, when questioned by the secretary of the committee, he admitted that there was no general insurance cover for all the factories as insurance premium for factories could cost N20million.

Another affected group, the Apo Traders Association, which mechanic workshop was razed by hoodlums, said two of their members, Luka Bitrus Ganklin and Elisha Ayuba were killed during the riot.

The association secretary Okhueleigbe Desmond, said that properties particularly cars and block moulding equipment that belonged to the members, were burned.

The Apo traders demanded N932 million as compensation for property lost in the crisis. Apart from cars brought for repairs, they said two warehouses that stocked cement and spare part were also burned.

Shelter Initiative for Africa Women said that palliatives stored in its warehouse and other commodities for sales, including electronics items meant for the estate, were looted. The NGO put the value of goods looted at N129 million.

Developers Strategise for Affordable Housing as REDAN Inaugurates New Exco Members Fred Ojeh Housing developers and members of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) in the North Central zone, which comprises Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced brainstorming and strategies targeted at affordable mass housing delivery for Nigerians This came even as Messrs.

Osilama Emmanuel Osilama, Okoruwa A. Ehikioya, Atiku Ndayawo, Gbadebo Amos Kayode and Mrs. Nnenna John Njoku took their oath of office as they were inaugurated over the weekend in Abuja, by the FCT chapter Ex-officio member and Vice President of REDAN North

Central zone, Mr. Andy Elewere.

The newly sworn-in Chairman for FCT, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Nuel Osilama Global Investment Limited, Mr. Osilama Emmanuel Osilama, while identifying the peculiar constraints in the sector especially at the zone, said committees are being set up to galvanise all the already incubated ideas and strategies for the greater goal of repositioning the sector for affordable housing delivery.

According to him, the chapter will hit the ground running on advocacy and membership drive using the REDAN national platform.

While pledging his commitment to work for the wellbeing and growth of REDAN in the zone, he expressed appreciation to the electoral committee members for

their diligent work and robust handling of the successful election.

In his remark, the Chairman and CEO of AIBEN Group, Mr. Andy Elewere, harped on the need to drive housing delivery in the country using Joint Venture (JV) initiative.

He underscores that REDAN as a reputable body has the capacity and integrity to stand as bridge between potential developers and individuals and corporate bodies having genuine land documents and instruments.

Elewere, urged members to proactively think out of the box, putting into consideration the huge potential that housing construction holds as elixir to the economic challenges facing the country.

In his contribution, the

Chairman of the electoral committee, who is the MD/CEO of AIS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Idachaba Sunday, urged the members to working together using the JV platform to make members meaningfully contribute to Nigeria’s development especially in the post COVID-19 era.

He expressed optimism that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is very much within rich if members rally round the Aliyu Wamakko-led national body with focused mission and purpose.

While tracing the bedrock of REDAN from Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s tenure as president to the present national Exco members, he said smooth transition of leadership has become imperative to instill confidence and integrity in the psyche of Nigerians and all REDAN members.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Traditional Ruler, Son, Two Others Killed in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna The District Head of Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Haruna Kuye and his son, Destiny, have been killed by gunmen.

Two people were also said to have been killed while some were abducted following attacks by bandits on Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada villages in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

He said Kuye and his son were kill in the early hours yesterday when gunmen invaded their residence.

The incidents came less than 24 hours after bandits killed 11 people in Albasu community in Igabi Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

Aruwan said the military operation code name “Operation Safe Haven”informed the Kaduna State Government of the killings in Zangon Kataf.

The statement added that the wife of the District head sustained injuries from machete cuts while the daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger.

“The security report further stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle” Aruwan said adding that “three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered at the scene of the incident.”

The statement said: “Troops in collaboration with other security agencies are carrying out investigations and trailing the assailants.”

Aruwan added: “Governor Kuye and his teenage son, Destiny this our people must resist.” men who sneaked into the village and the federal governments to Nasir El-Rufai has condemned Kuye, stands totally condemned.

According to Binniyat the and headed for his home and come to the aid of thousands the killings as evil and violation of of victims the recent Southern “It is an abhorable crime which attack on the District Head, “was unleashed terror”. the sanctity of the human lives aim is cause communal strife, and a well-planned murder by evil SOKAPU called on the state Kaduna crisis. by enemies of peace who must be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

“The governor who condoled the Kuye family and the Atyap Traditional Council, prayed for the repose of the souls of the District Head and his son.”

He said El-Rufai praised the late Haruna Kuye for his contributions to the peacebuilding efforts in ZangonKataf.

“The governor has directed the Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services to team up with the military forces on the ground to ensure diligent investigations,” the statement said.

Aruwan further disclosed that “Security agencies have also reported attacks in Giwa LGA where armed bandits attacked Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada L-R: Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Defence Intelligence, villages. Two persons were killed Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Saliu Usman; and Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd), during the National Security Council and some kidnapped.” meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja....yesterday Meanwhile, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has condemned killing of the district head.

The union also condemned Traditional rulers in the Niger running of the PAP has reinstated security outfit that will be responsible Dikio told the monarchs that Monday’s killing of 13 people in Delta have declared their the confidence of stakeholders for checkmating kidnapping and other his actions and policies would be communities in Igabi and Giwa total support for the Interim that the federal government is sundry crimes within the region. guided by consensus inputs of Local Government Areas of the Administrator of the Presidential committed to the objectives of They also investment in key stakeholders of which they state by bandits.

Agriculture and marine transportation play a major role Amnesty Programme, Colonel the programme.

In a statement, SOKAPU said He added that his focus would In a speech read on his behalf, that will help create jobs.

Milland Dixion Dikio (Rtd). the killing of the district head, In his remarks Dikio thanked the be effective reintegration of exThey also agreed to work the Executive Chairman/General “is an abhorable crime which closely with him to realize his Coordinator of the Association of monarchs for maintaining peace in agitators. aim is to cause communal new vision for the PAP and Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria, their domains and assured them “We want to work with all tiers strife and this our people achieve lasting peace in the region. King (Captain) Frank Okurakpo of his readiness to recalibrate the of government and those central must resist.”

The monarchs made the pledge expressed confidence that Dikio training programme of the PAP to our new vision so that we can The statement signed by the in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will live up to expectations. to reflect areas that people of the deliver the deliverables of the PAP. spokesman of the group, Luka when Dikio paid them a courtesy “This is essentially why I have King Okurakpo, however, Niger Delta have comparative Binniyat, said, “The dastardly call as part of his ‘Back to the appealed to Dikio to ensure advantage. come to meet with you today. I murder of the District Head of Region tour yesterday.

He said his tour of the region want you as royal fathers to help that all those who have been Mazaki, in Atyap Chiefdom, While commending President trained under the PAP are fully was deliberate because of the us restore that age-long respect Zangon Kataf LGA, Mr Haruna Muhammadu Buhari for his engaged in order to reduce youth insinuations that the programme for our institutions and our has been hijacked by other elders. Those are the fabrics appointment, the traditional rulers unemployment in the region.

The monarchs also called for regions and has become an that helps to preserve our said Dikio’s tour of the region traditions and culture. and his inclusive approach in the the establishment of amphibious “Abuja thing”.

SECURITY CHIEFS...

Niger Delta Monarchs Pledge Support for New Amnesty Boss

Nigerian Editors Set for Virtual Conference

EU, British Council Campaign against Sexual Violence Dike Onwuamaeze

The 16th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) is set to hold next week, a statement signed by the organisation’s General Secretary, Mary Atolagbe and Chairman, Planning Committee, Steve Nwosu, said yesterday.

The statement noted that in view of the prevailing circumstance, this year’s edition will be virtual (via zoom) and will be for one day.

It said that conference is basically a capacity building session for editors, with the theme:

‘Media, People and Covid-19: How to create sustainability in the digital era.’

The editors added that the keynoter/ trainer will be Mr. Taiwo Obe, a fellow of the guild and founder/director, journalism clinic, while attendees are invited to link up to the session for a rewarding professional experience.

“Further details for participation in the event, billed for Thursday, November 26, 2020, @ 11a.m. on zoom, will be made available,” the statement stressed.

Corpus Christi College, Ilawe-Ekiti Gets New Executive A new executive has been elected for Corpus Christi College Alumni Association, Ilawe-Ekiti with Chief John Jegede, a former Federal Permanent Secretary emerging the National President and Colonel Abayomi Ajepe, (rtd) as the Vice President.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr. Richard Apata, said the General Secretary goes to Mr. Anthony Ojoko, while Mrs. Veronica Olayinka was elected treasurer.

Other elected officers are: Dr. Augustine Arowosegbe, Financial Secretary and Mr. Richard Apata, Public Relations Officer. Also, Prof. Ifedayo Akomolede, the Legal Adviser and Mr. Oludayo Arowosegbe is the Auditor.

Members present at the general meeting condemned the encroachment of the school land by the illegal land speculators.

Meanwhile, a special committee was set up to investigate the activities of land grabbers on the school land.

The European Union and The British Council in collaboration with the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), a Lagos based non-governmental organisation are conducting community enlightenment campaign against the scourge of Sexual and Gender-Based

Violence (SGBV) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The Executive Director of the WRAHP, Ms. Bose Ironsi, stated that the town hall meeting was necessary because “over the past four years, Alimosho has consistently accounted for the highest number of SGBV cases reported in Lagos State.”

The WRAHP said that it is facilitating town hall meetings across the six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Alimosho, which began yesterday in Egbe Idimu LCDA and would run till Thursday, November 19, under a project titled “Increasing Access to Justice Related Services.”

The project was geared toward ensuring justice for survivors of

SGBV and to provide support that would enable them to reintegrate to the community and live normal life through counseling, psycho social support services and therapy, community legal clinic.

Ironsi noted that it is a matter of concern that women and girls who were victims of SGBV were unable to access justice and medical assistance.

Foundation Busts Cyber Bullying Gang in ABUAD Funmi Ogundare The Akin Fadeyi Foundation (FlagIT) has busted a group of students of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) blackmailing young girls who fall victim of sharing their nudes with them on the social media.

Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, Mr. Akin Fadeyi said during a virtual press briefing yesterday that the foundation got report of the blackmail and extortion through its Flag It App created for members of the public to report corrupt, decadent and Gender Based violence cases to the Foundation.

Fadeyi said in collaboration with the authorities of ABUAD, the Foundation was able to unmask the students behind the cartel and charge them to court.

They are: Ofoyeno David Junior, a 300-Level student of Media and

Communications and the kingpin; Omokolade Israel Aiyedogbon, a recent graduate of the university; Darlington Emojeya, 300-Level Engineering student; and Oyedele Adeolu Akinsola, a 300-Level student of Political Science.

Their modus operandi before they were rounded up by the management of the institution in conjunction with FlagIT, was creating a WhatsApp group tagged ‘Anonymous’, to lure unsuspecting female students to send their nude pictures for a beauty pageant.

Once David Ofoeyeno, who is said to be the kingpin of the gang gets hold of the nude pictures of the girls, he would start threatening them to part with various sums of money ranging from N25,000 to N50,000 or an option of posting the pictures on social media.

According to Fadeyi, “We

received a report on our App in May 27, that some students of ABUAD have been luring some girls to become their girlfriends and once they secure their trust, they made them send their nude pictures. After a month or two, these boys will start blackmailing them to send some money to them or send their pictures to social media.”

He regretted that many girls had fallen prey to the blackmail, adding that one of the victims who was on the verge of committing suicide had alerted the foundation.

Fadeyi said the foundation had written a petition to the office of the wife of the Ekiti State government, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the Inspector General of Police, to enable it uncover the gang.

He said from investigation, the gang leader had disclosed how he had used a fictitious name to open an account in Access Bank

with no BVN to collect money from victims.

“A victim notified us of how the gang had demanded sums of money ranging from N25,000 to N50,000 between June and October and paid into the account.

The victim was downcast as she kept getting various threats from the gang.”

The Students’ Affairs Officer, ABUAD, Mr. Babatunde Wahab who emphasised on the issue said his office received a petition from the Office of the first lady of Ekiti State on August 20 and started investigation immediately and also petitioned the Inspector General of Police.

He said after a thorough investigation, they got evidences on the number of girls who were blackmailed and how the gang built a fake profile to lure the girls, adding that the case is already in court.

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Ëœ ͚΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS Sierra Leone Delay Nigeria’s QualiďŹ cation for AFCON 2022

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s Super Eagles were forced to a scoreless draw in Freetown yesterday barely four days after the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone claimed their famous 4-4 draw in Benin City. Nigeria’s qualification for Cameroon 2022 has been delayed by another match-day.

Super Eagles however remain at the summit of Group L of the 2022 AFCON qualifiers with eight points, Benin Republic who similarly played out a barren draw with Lesotho

RESULTS S’Leone 0-0 Nigeria Lesotho 0-0 Benin Rep. Namibia 0-1 Mali Sudan 1-0 Ghana Angola 0-1 DR Congo CAR 0-2 Morocco Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde Togo 1-3 Egypt Tanzania 0-1 Tunisia Ethiopia 3-0 Niger Ma’gascar1-1 I’Coast

are second on seven points.

Sierra Leone are third on two points with Lesotho in the rear with just one point.

The Sierra Leoneans who were buoyed by the draw in Nigeria last Friday had dreamed of snatching all three points at stake yesterday to boost their chances of picking one of the group’s tickets.

However, it was the Super Eagles who were thoroughly embarrassed by the result in Benin City that offered their first threat at goal in the third minute, with Kelechi Iheanacho shooting on target direct from a free kick, though his effort was no trouble for Sierra Leone goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara.

Eagles had another chance on 16 minutes when Samuel Chukwueze curled an effort just wide of the mark, before the Leone Stars had their first chance through Alhaji Kamara, who was denied by a fine save from Maduka Okoye in goal for Nigeria.

Galatasaray of Turkey middle man, Oghenekaro Etebo suffered an injury blow

a few minutes before the interval when he limped off and was replaced by Shehu Abdullahi.

The halftime whistle saw both teams locked at 0-0.

Super Eagles again created the better chances after the restart, with Iheanacho

shooting high and wide on 51 minutes after great set-up play from Chukwueze, while the Leicester City striker found the back of the net just after the hour mark but had been flagged offside.

Midway through the second half the Super Eagles

threatened again when Alex Iwobi shot just over from long range, with Gernot Rohr’s team beginning to build some consistent pressure in attack.

However, the hosts’ defence stood firm – with some help from goalkeeper Kamara, who made another fine save on

82 minutes when he parried away Iheanacho’s shot from the edge of the penalty area.

All teams in the group have two matches left to play in the new with Nigeria needing just a win to advance to the tournament proper.

GROUP L Team Nigeria Benin Rep. S’Leone Lesotho

P 4 4 4 4

W 2 2 0 0

D 2 1 3 2

L 1 1 2

GF 10 3 5 3

GA 7 2 6 6

GD 3 1 -1 -3

Pts 8 7 3 2

Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa in a ball tussle with a Leone Stars defender. The goalless draw in Freetown yesterday evening has now delayed Nigeria’s qualiďŹ cation for the AFCON 2022 by another match day

LMC Impressed by NPFL Sudan Shock Ghana with Late Winner in Omdurman Clubs’ Infrastructure Renewal Sudan scored a last-gasp picking two yellow cards each Sudanese defence and Fatua header gave Dauda winner to edge past visiting in a goalless first-half.

Dauda making some crucial chance.

The League Management Company (LMC) has expressed satisfaction with the efforts of NPFL clubs to upgrade their stadium infrastructure in compliance with a recent directive of the league body pursuant to the CAF and NFF Licencing Regulation infrastructure requirements.

Chairman of LMC, Shehu Dikko read the scorecard after a review of works at the affected match venues and noted that some of the clubs that are likely not to complete their stadium upgrade have already indicated alternative venues for their home fixtures for the NPFL 2020/2021 season.

The LMC had on 30th October 2020 released a list of 13 approved stadia for the 2020/2021 season while 11 others were recommended for specific upgrades/renovation before recertification/approval to host NPFL matches.

On the report from the field, Dikko said, “The LMC is excited to report that several of the stadia that were denied approval are already undergoing the necessary renovation/upgrades to meet the set conditions for recertification/ approval as set out by the LMC while in some cases, some of the affected clubs have confirmed alternative venue chosen from the already approved grounds pending the conclusion of works on their home ground�.

A report compiled by LMC Compliance shows that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, home to Rangers International is currently undergoing renovation/ upgrade of the pitch and other

infrastructure while arrangement is said to have been concluded to install a new pitch by first quarter of 2021.

The report also noted that the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium is also undergoing repair works to fix the natural grass pitch and other infrastructure such as dressing room, new security barricades, electronic score board etc.

At the New Jos City Stadium home of Plateau United, work has begun to fix the dressing rooms, stadium chairs, installation of electronic score board and clearing of construction debris etc.

The LMC had directed that the Umuahia Stadium be completely redesigned and reconstructed and while the Abia Warriors management contemplates how to get this done, the club has sought and secured LMC approval to play their home games at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. Jigawa Stars that were also directed to redesign and reconstruct the Dutse Stadium have for now confirmed Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as their home ground for the 2020/2021 season until work on their stadium is completed.

Warri Wolves have also prooposed to relocate to Ozoro Stadium, subject to LMC approval until the Warri Stadium is renovated.

The LMC Chairman said evaluation of work progress at all affected grounds would be an ongoing activity to determine their suitability before the commencement of the 2020/2021 season.

Ghana 1-0 in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday.

The result means that Ghana will have to wait to qualify for the finals having started the day knowing a draw would see them progress.

The game at the Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman was a physical affair with both sides

Ghana were playing without their injured captain Andre Ayew, who scored both the Black Stars goals in the 2-0 win over the same opponents on Thursday, as well as suspended first-choice keeper Richard Ofori.

Their replacements both played their part with Caleb Ekuban causing trouble for the

saves at the other end.

With time running out the Black Stars looked happy to play for the draw but Sudan never gave up and scored in the second minute of time added on.

Ramadan Agab swung over a cross from the right which was met by Mohamed Abdelrahman and his firm

no

That result means that Ghana stay on nine points level with South Africa as Sudan move to six points with all three still looking for a place at the finals.

The other team in the group are Sao Tome who are yet to win a single point after their 4-2 loss to South Africa on Monday.

NBA Stars Oladipo, Ezeli to Headline First Virtual ‘Power Forward Huddle’ ExxonMobil Foundation, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Africare, a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to addressing African development and policy issues, have announced that two-time NBA All-Star, Victor Oladipo and 2015 NBAChampion, Festus Ezeli, will headline the first virtual ‘Power Forward Huddle’ tomorrow, November 19, 2020.

The event, which will be conducted virtually for the first time and livestreamed on the

NBA Africa YouTube channel at 4:00 p.m. CAT, will celebrate seven years of the Power Forward programme for youth aged 14 and under and coaches from 30 schools in Abuja, Nigeria.

As part of the Power Forward programme, ExxonMobil Foundation, the NBA and Africare have donated 30,000 masks, 90 new handwashing stations and hand sanitizer to 30 Power Forward schools in Abuja. The handwashing stations will reach 35,000 school community users.

“Using the convening power of sports, our successful collaboration with the NBA and Africare allows young people to play the games they love while receiving the lifeskills and public health messages they need to stay healthy,� said ExxonMobil Foundation President, Kevin Murphy. “Every year, young people graduate these programmes with knowledge on how to protect themselves from infectious diseases like malaria and COVID-19.�

“We are thrilled to celebrate the seventh year of the Power Forward programme in Abuja alongside our partners ExxonMobiland Africare,� said NBAAfrica CEO, Victor Williams. “Power Forward has become an annual celebration for the participating schools in Abuja, and we are grateful to be joined this year by Victor Oladipo and Festus Ezeli, who will make this year’s virtual event even more memorable for participating youth and coaches,�

Okafor Quietly Transforming Ilorin Golf Club The new Captain of the Ilorin Golf Club, Chief Ray Okafor is quietly toeing the foot steps of former Governor of Kwara State, the late Muhammed Lawal in restructuring the club.

To ensure Ilorin Golf Club keeps pace with front running clubs in Nigeria, Okafor all alone has constructed a Starter’s Tent, Bush Bar and two convenience gazebo within

the vast fairways of the course so golfers don’t have to scamper back to the Clubhouse anytime they are pressed on the course.

At the moment, the Captain who is into construction is planning to erect a 30-room Guest House around the Club House so golfers who visit can meet with available accommodation at relatively low cost.

“I believe being a Captain is a call to serve�, Okafor said. “Before coming to this post, I already knew what I wanted to do. But when I came in, I saw there wasn’t the revenue to carry out my plans. I was not bothered and I opted to spend my own money just for the betterment of the Club. “I must say I was

impressed at the way I was voted into office. The true spirit of one Nigeria came into play. Nobody cared I was Igbo. I got massive votes to the point that the votes of the three indigenes who ran with me combined could not match mine. This is why I plan to do so much more for this club,� he noted with satisfaction.

47

Ëœ ͚΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS AFCON 2022 QUALIFIERS

Madagascar Hold Ivory Coast to Throw Group K Open Madagascar and Ivory Coast played to a 1-1 draw in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Stade Barikamdimy in Toamasina on Tuesday.

The result leaves the two teams level on seven points in Group K with two rounds of qualifying matches - set for March next year - remaining.

Ivory Coast got off to a good

start and were rewarded for their efforts in the 15th minute.

JĂŠrĂŠmy Morel clearly handled the ball inside the area, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot and Franck KessiĂŠ made no mistake, converting the resulting penalty to hand the Elephants an early lead.

The visitors continued to

dominate proceedings and created further chances through Nicolas PĂŠpĂŠ and Ibrahim SangarĂŠ before the half-time break, neither of whom were able to convert.

Ivory Coast were made to rue their missed chances six minutes after the interval as Ibrahim Amada fired home

an equaliser for the hosts. The midfielder, who donned the captain’s armband in place of Anicet Abel after he had tested positive for Covid-19, struck home a sweet left-footed finish from range that left Sylvain Gbohouo in the Ivorian goal with no chance.

KessiĂŠ came close to restoring

Ivory Coast’s lead in the 64th minute. After turning his marker on the edge of the area, the AC Milan midfielder took aim at the top corner but unfortunately for him, the ball flew inches over the crossbar.

He continued to run the show and came even closer

to completing his brace in the 76th minute as Madagascar goalkeeper Melvin Adrien deflected his powerful effort onto the woodwork.

In the end, both teams seemed content to settle for a point apiece with tough matches to look forward to in the new year.

Spain Hammer Germany 6-0 to Reach Nations League Final Manchester City winger Ferran Torres scored his first career hat-trick as Spain inflicted Germany’s heaviest competitive defeat and joined France in the four-team Nations League finals.

In a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata headed home Spain’s first goal, before Torres volleyed home emphatically.

Rodri made it three with a guided header, and Torres slotted in a fourth before curling home the fifth.

Mikel Oyarzabal’s tap-in made it 6-0.

Spain and France will be joined by either Belgium or Denmark from Group A2 and

Italy, the Netherlands or Poland from Group A1.

It was a game that Spain dominated from the off - having 70% possession and 23 shots but it was 20-year-old Torres who stole the show.

His fast, intelligent movement and eye for a goal has impressed in the opening weeks of the season, and his performance here strengthened the idea that Manchester City may have got a bargain after only paying an initial ÂŁ20m for his services.

His raw pace and trickery set up an incorrectly disallowed Morata goal, before he showed composure to set himself and volley home his first.

Serge Aurier was on duty for the Ivorians as Madagascar fought gallantly to end the game one-all

2020 NBA Draft Features Record-high Players of Nigerian Origin More than the usual smattering of Nigerian eyes will be fixed on the NBA Draft today as a record-high chunk of the class is made up of Nigeria-origin players.

A total of seven players, two born in Nigeria, will be in consideration for pickup by some of the best basketball teams in the world.

Precious Achiuwa and Udoka Azubuike are the two who were born in Nigeria. If both are selected in the top 30, it would be the first time that two players from Nigeria are selected in the first round of the same NBA Draft.

Along with Achiuwa and Azubuike, there are also Onyeka Okongwu, Isaac Okoro, Zeke Nnaji, Daniel Oturu, and Jordan Nwora on the cards. “I think it’s big,� Achiuwa said in a pre-Draft Zoom call with ESPN. “It just shows there’s a big talent culture in Nigeria when it comes to basketball, athleticism and athletes as a whole in general. “It speaks to how competitive we are and our willingness to be better in whatever we do.�

It is a testament both to how far the Nigerian community in the USA has come, and how much basketball has grown back home.

In 1984, when Akeem Olajuwon was drafted number one overall to the NBA -- ahead of even Michael Jordan -- he was the lone Nigerian, nay African, in that Draft Class.

It took another 10 years before the NBA drafted another player of Nigerian descent when the New Jersey Nets picked up Yinka Dare from George Washington, and another four years before Michael Olowokandi was drafted number one overall

Udoka Azubuike by the LA Clippers.

Thirty six years on from that first, pivotal draft, the 2020 NBA Draft Class -- like the 2020 NFL Draft Class before it -- boasts the highest number of players of Nigerian origin.

Nwora already represents Nigeria senior men’s basketball team. Oturu’s father, Francis, played table tennis for Nigeria.

Okongwu is in the conversation for not just for the top 5 pick, but could well rival James Wiseman, Lamelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards for the number one overall pick, and he is not shy about it. “I feel like I’m higher than all of them,� he told ESPN. “I just do all the little things well.

I just play basketball. I know how to win.�

Also projected to be a high pick is Isaac Okoro, the 6’6 shooting guard/small forward

Precious Achiuwa from Auburn.

All told, there are more than 30 current and former NBA players with Nigerian roots, including the likes of Andre Iguodala, Victor Oladipo, Bam Adebayo, and the Antetokounmpo brothers, led of course by legendary Hall of Famer Olajuwon.

Achiuwa said that it is a trend the current class will seek to carry on: “I think we have the opportunity to keep that legacy going, especially that Nigerian representation in the NBA.�

That representation has been helped in no small part by the work of a man who himself was in a similar position some 20 years ago.

Former Nigeria captain Olumide Oyedeji was drafted out of German team DJK Wurzburg (Dirk Nowitzki played there too) and has run basketball camps every year in Nigeria for 20

straight years until this year’s Covid-19 interruption.

Over 35 000 kids have passed through the camp in those 20 years, including Azubuike.

Oyedeji, who played three seasons in the NBA, projects that the number will rise in the future and also expects the players to continue to light the way for others. “We are a country of about 200 million people and with the way Nigerians are migrating to the USA, don’t be surprised to see 20 in the next Draft Classes in the future,� Oyedeji told ESPN. “We already have three projected to go in the lottery this year. “It is a positive thing and I feel proud. For other people back home, it is just the same way.

We just have to translate it to sports development back home. “And they should know and

remember where they come from because it goes beyond basketball.�

Pivotal to the increase in Nigerian names in the NBA is Fubara Onyanabo, a man whom many in Nigeria have barely heard of, but has mentored a long list of players, including some currently representing in Nigeria’s national team.

Achiuwa was not shy about paying tribute to Fubura, who coached the player’s elder brother: “He is doing a great job, advancing the game and making sure that the kids back home have a way to learn the game. “He is providing resources for the kids and I think that that is absolutely big having someone that is so passionate about basketball back home. I think that is really important.�

Onyanabo, who has coached

Nigeria’s national teams at various age levels, has been doing so since 2009. With no resources, he poured his heart and soul and money into running the basketball camps.

While he is gratified to see that his passion is bearing fruit thousands of miles away on a global stage, even if indirectly, his priorities are set differently. “For me, it is a passion and a calling,� Onyanabo told ESPN. “After my playing career ended, I found that although kids around me loved basketball and loved watching the NBA, they did not have the right skills to play, so I decided to start training them. “For me, it is not about talents that are exported outside Nigeria. It is the ability to keep these young people busy and channel their energy towards positive and productive ventures here in Nigeria. “My fulfilment is the ability to put smiles on the faces of these kids. They don’t pay to learn or play basketball. We just want to keep them happy and away from trouble.�

Along with the Nigerians in the Draft Class, there is also some other history to be made at an African level.

The Draft also includes Mamadi Diakite, who was born in Guinea, Paul Eboua, born in Cameroon, Karim Mane and Lamine Diane, both born in Senegal. If they are all drafted it would break the record for the most players to be drafted from the continent.

Four were drafted in 2016.

Whatever happens, Oyedeji has some words of advice: “The work starts when they are drafted. They have to be ready at all times, even if they are on the bench.

Always be ready to be the next man up.�

TR

Wednesday November 18, 2020

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MISSILE

Afenifere to Buhari “The president should know that some of these things are beyond him. It is not only what he allows or approve that it will happen in a society. Even in a herd of cows, some will behave not according to what the herdsman says” – The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, telling President Buhari that he has no control over whether or not #EndSARS protest will happen again.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

Rawlings and the Dream of People’s Power

P

rofessor Bolaji Akinyemi once said that in certain circumstances “a tree can make a forest.” The former foreign minister upended the usual saying that “a tree does not make a forest” in a remarkable tribute to the exceptional courage and consistency of radical lawyer Gani Fawehinmi as a historical figure.

In many respects, Akinyemi’s phrase could be borrowed in appreciating the place of President Jerry Rawlings, who died last Thursday, in Ghana’s post-colonial history. Rawlings was a giant tree that actually constituted a thick forest in the Ghanaian political firmament.

For more than 40 years, Rawlings loomed large on Ghana’s political landscape with enormous impact on generations. Yet his role in history was highly moderated by the material reality of the Ghanaian society.

As the Russian Marxist, George Plekhanov, would put it, the history of Ghana in the Rawlings’ years was not made by the leader alone acting “above” the nation or by only the movement of the people from ”below.” There was indeed a dialectical link between the two currents which is important in pondering the life and times of Rawlings.

In terms of historical significance, the stature of Rawlings was only second to that of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, the man who led Ghana to its trail-blazing independence on March 6, 1957.

Rawlings was born 73 years ago in Accra by Victoria Agbotui, an Ewe lady from Keta. The Scottish father, James John, didn’t recognise Rawlings as his son. A psychologist said this could partly explain Rawlings’ antipathy to the British colonial heritage in Ghana. However, Rawlings’ full Ghanaian identity was never disputed (even amid the controversy that defined his political career) by his numerous opponents and critics. Ghana is uniquely a matrilineal African society.

As a young air force flight lieutenant and a member of an underground formation, the Free Africa Movement, Rawlings became a political factor in Ghana when he led an abortive coup against the military government of General Fred Akuffo on May 15, 1979, barely five weeks to democratic elections.

He was sentenced to death in a court martial. Before he could be executed on June 4, 1979 he staged his first successful coup and established an Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). The AFRC ordered the execution of three former heads of state – General Akwasi Afrifa, General Ignatius Acheampong and General Akuffo - as well as eight other military officers. They were accused of corruption and bad governance. There were other reported killings and abductions. The bloody purges in the polity were carried out to a popular acclaim by the people.

On September 24 of the same year, Rawlings handed power over to the

Rawlings

elected President, Hilla Liman. About 27 months later, Liman was overthrown in another coup led by Rawlings. The government of Liman was accused of being weak and incompetent in economic management. The socio-economic situation in Ghana was a desperate one. From the time of the December 31, 1981 coup, Rawlings remained a constant factor in the Ghanaian scene till his death.

He resigned his military position and became a politician. He was elected president in 1992 and won a re-election for a five-year second term in 1996.

After the end of his presidency in 2001 till last Thursday, Rawlings remained a visible statesman in the international arena.

Thanks to his widely acclaimed reputation as a non-corrupt, charismatic , pro- people and pan-Africanist stateman. He was

For more than 40 years, Rawlings loomed large on Ghana’s political landscape with enormous impact on generations…

Certainly, he has played his part on the historical stage.

However, the dream of people’s power is yet to be realised in Ghana

at different times a United Nations Eminent Person promoting volunteerism and the African Union envoy to Somalia.

Making a judicious assessment of Rawlings’ role as an individual in Ghanaian history would always be a challenging enterprise. The man was a product and a producer of immense contradictions.

For instance, the 2020 Ghana is not the same as the Ghana of 1979 under the reigns of successive corrupt and incompetent military administrations.

There has been markedly relative improvement in socio-economic climate of Ghana.

However, it is equally a poignant fact of history that today’s Ghana is not coterminous in developmental terms with the Ghana of Rawlings’ initial own dreams as a member of the June 4 Movement in 1979, much less the greater dreams of Nkrumah at Ghana’s independence.

Were Rawlings to be asked a few minutes before he died if the dream of the people’s power of 40 years ago had been realised in his lifetime, being a frank and honest politician, his answer would be categorically in the negative.

Ghana is still essentially another neocolonial African country, albeit with a huge aspiration for development and progress. By the way, it was part of the enormous contradictions of the Rawlings’ phenomenon that he was never an Nkrumahist despite the progressive perception of his politics. His political stature was, of course, by far inferior to that of Nkrumah.

So, in reading the different versions of the Rawlings story, the reader should always bear in mind the relativistic admonition of one of the most eminent British historians of the last century, Edward Hallett Carr. He said that you should first study the historian before you study his “facts. ” In his famous book little book, What is History?, E.H. Carr challenges the claims of objectivity in rendering historical accounts because the story as well as the teller of the story are products of a particular time.

So the verdict on Rawlings’ place in history depends on who is making the assessment.

For instance, a compelling account of what happened to the June 4 Movement and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) has been given by Zaya Yeebo in his highly insightful 1991 book, Ghana: The Struggle for Popular Power.

Rawlings: Saviour or Demagogue. Yeebo was a key figure in the June 4 Movement and also the minister of youth and sports in the government of PNDC in 1982.

The June 4 Movement provided the ideological laboratory for the 1981 coup.

As a revolutionary underground, its resonance was felt in other parts of Africa.

June 4 became a dreaded date in Africa.

As an aside, following the killings of some students by the police in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1986, a national protest, supported by labour and

progressive academics, was scheduled for June 4 that year. The political connotation read into the planned protest was that of a revolution. There was a mood of emergency. The military government of President Ibrahim Babangida mobilised all forces (land, air and sea) to stop the protest. Student and labour leaders were detained and venues of meetings sealed off.

As captured by Yeebo, the revolutionary ferment generated when Rawlings came to power for the second time soon evaporated under the weight of ideological contradictions.

For instance, as at early 1982 the members of the PNDC were Rawlings, Brigadier Nunoo Mensah, Reverend Damuah (a catholic priest), Warrant Officer Adjei Boadi, Joachim Amartey Kwei (a trade unionist), Sergeant Allagoa Akata-Pore ( a military academy instructor), Chris Atim ( a student leader). Captain Kojo Tsikata was put on the council by Rawlings as an ex-officio member and security advisor. Apart from the PNDC, defence committees were established across the country composed of the partisans of the Rawlings revolution. There were Workers Defence Committees (WDCs) and Peoples Defence Committees (PDCs).

It was somewhat a manifest burst of a left-wing populism on the Ghanaian socio- political atmosphere.

A few years later, the power of the Rawlings regime got consolidated and, practically, all the members of PNDC parted ways with Rawlings. Only Captain Tsikata, a fellow Ewe, remained with him till the end as a political ally, some would say his strategic pillar.

The defence committees were dissolved.

The population of political prisoners increased. Human rights of citizens were routinely violated. There were unresolved political murders especially those of the Supreme Court Justices – Cecelia Koranteng-Addow, Fredrick Sarkodie and Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong.

Rawlings came to power with a lot of anti-imperialist rhetoric. Soon after, the control of the Ghana’s political economy was assumed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with all the neo-liberal economic recipes imposed on the people. Ghana has carried on with privatisation to the extent of selling its goldmine. At a time, Ghana was the West’s poster child of liberal forms.

Rawlings never outgrew the ideological limitations of his June 4 Movement days even after he was elected president twice.

So, the question about the mixed products of the Rawlings revolution will remain: were the much advertised liberal socio-economic and political reforms worth the historical cost in terms of blood and denial of human freedom?

Certainly, Rawlings has played his part on the historical stage. However, the dream of people’s power is yet to be realised in Ghana.

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