TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2020

FG Laments Foreign Powers’Refusal to Sell Arms to Nigeria Sends delegation to condole with Borno over farmers' killing Our Correspondents The federal government yesterday attributed the delay in effectively routing Boko Haram, which it said it had technically defeated, to

global powers that are blocking Nigeria’s moves to acquire weapons to fight terrorism and win the insurgency war.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told reporters

in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, that the action of the world powers was frustrating Nigeria’s resolve to end the insurgency war.

Mohammed, who was in Makurdi to visit the state

Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, spoke against the backdrop of the outrage generated by Saturday's killing of no fewer than 43 rice farmers by Boko Haram in Zabarmari, Borno State.

Zulum: Let's use mercenaries “Nigeria had made attempts to acquire better and more effective platforms to deal with terrorists and for one reason or the other, we have been denied these platforms; and without adequate platforms,

we will remain at the mercy of terrorists,” he lamented.

Incensed by the killing, President Muhammadu Buhari in his second comment since Continued on page 8

Report: FG Should Unlock Investment, Prioritise Spending... Page 6 Tuesday 1 December, 2020 Vol 25. No 9367. Price: N250

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CBN Grants Unfettered Access to Forex from Diaspora Remittances Clarifies eligible transactions in line with global best practices Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday unveiled a new policy that grants unfettered access to Forex from Diaspora and other money transfer remittances like Western Union and MoneyGram.

The bank also clarified transactions that are eligible under the policy in line with global best practices.

The policy allows beneficiaries of Diaspora remittances through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to henceforth receive such inflows in the original foreign currency through the designated bank of their choice.

It explained that the new regulation is part of efforts to liberalise, simplify and Continued on page 8

"Anyone who receives foreign exchange through these remittances is free to use them as he deems fit without let or hindrance from their banks in any currency of their choice," Says CBN

OPEC Fails to Agree on January Crude Oil Output Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report The 108th meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday failed to reach an agreement on January 2021 crude oil output, prompting the deferment of further discussions till today.

The coalition is debating whether to maintain its supply cuts at current levels, or increase output as planned next year, with concerns that

if the group doesn’t deliver, the recent rally in crude prices could be undermined.

After a video conference lasting about four hours, there was no opposition to the proposed three-month delay, but delegates said there was no consensus about the precise terms of the extension.

Still unresolved were questions of members’ compliance with pledged cuts and compensation from Continued on page 8

WE CONDOLE WITH BORNO...

L-R: President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, during the federal government’s delegation’s condolences to the governor in Maiduguri…yesterday

APC Begins Membership Registration, Revalidation December 12...Page 5

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NEWS APC Begins Membership Registration, Revalidation December 12

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Caretaker and Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday unfolded plans to begin the party's membership registration and revalidation from December 12, 2020, to January 9, 2021.

The Chairman of the committee and the Governor of Yobe State, Mr. Mala Buni, in a statement, urged members of the party to revalidate their membership in their wards.

He added that prospective members should seize the initiative to join the party.

Buni said: "Having

consulted stakeholders, including His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC membership registration and revalidation is scheduled to hold from Saturday, December 12, 2020, to Saturday, January 9, 2021.

"The membership registration and revalidation will take place

simultaneously in every ward in the country. The process of distributing the membership registration and revalidation materials to all the states, local governments and wards will be concluded before December 12, 2020."

He appealed to states, local governments and wards leaders to take all the

necessary steps to ensure smooth and transparent registration exercise.

He assured members that the party will continue to provide an update of the process on a regular basis.

Ahead of the commencement of the membership drive, the party has fixed an emergency

meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) for December 8.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement on Sunday had said in line with COVID-19 public health protocols, the NEC meeting would be virtual.

Biden Appoints Nigerian-born Adeyemo Deputy Treasury Secretary Davidson Iriekpen The United States Presidentelect, Mr. Joe Biden, yesterday unveiled Nigerian-born, Mr. Adewale Adeyemo, as the Deputy Treasury Secretary.

Adeyemo, appointed as the president of the Obama Foundation in 2019, will work with Janet Yellen, nominee for the position of Treasury Secretary, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Adeyemo had served in the administration of former President Barack Obama as deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) for international economics.

He is reputed to have helped the US combat the global economic recession of 2008.

Biden’s economic team is made of mostly people who had served in the administration of Obama.

They reportedly played key roles in tackling the financial crisis that hit the US under the Obama presidency.

Adeyemo graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor’s of arts, before moving to Yale Law School, where he bagged his Juris Doctor for further studies in specialised law.

While at Yale, he was the co-director, project on law and education for the university.

Before his appointment as the President of Obama Foundation, Adeyemo was the deputy chief of staff at the department of the treasury, a position he held for three years.

He has served in various positions at treasury, including senior advisor to the chief of staff and deputy executive secretary.

Adeyemo also worked as the chief of staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2010 to 2011.

He was an editor for the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution from 2008 to 2009.

If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen, 74, will be the first female treasury head in its history and likely be tasked with breaking the deadlock over aid in Washington, should lawmakers not come to an agreement before Biden’s January inauguration. “We face great challenges as a country right now. To recover, we must restore the American dream — a society where each person can rise to their potential and dream even bigger for their children,� Yellen tweeted. “As Treasury Secretary, I will work every day towards rebuilding that dream for all.�

Other officials announced

on Monday included veterans of former president Barack Obama’s administration, several of which the Biden transition team noted would break racial barriers in their positions. “As we get to work to

control the virus, this is the team that will deliver immediate economic relief for the American people during this economic crisis and help us build our economy back better than ever,� Biden said in

a statement.

Biden’s other nominations include Neera Tanden, president of liberal thinktank, Centre for American Progress, as head the Office of Management and Budget.

If confirmed, she would be

its first South Asian head.

Also tapped was Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Cecilia Rouse as chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, the first AfricanAmerican in that post.

APPROVED ESTIMATES FOR 2021...

L-R: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Lyna Ocholor; the Speaker, Hon. Sheri Oborevwori, during the signing of the 2021 Appropriation Bill into law in Asaba‌yesterday

PDP Resolves S’South Govs, Zamfara Counterpart’s Feud over Gold Revenue Chuks Okocha in Abuja The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in collaboration with the Chairman of the party's governors' forum, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has settled the misunderstanding between South-south governors and their Zamfara State counterpart, Mr. Bello Matawalle, over the ownership of the revenue from the sale of gold in the state.

The South-south governors, miffed by the allegation that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) purchased gold worth N5 billion from the Zamfara State Government, had kicked, demanding that same gesture should be extended to oil in their domain.

They had said if the Zamfara State Government should retain the revenue from the sale of gold in the

state, then the South-south should control the proceeds from the sale of crude oil in the zone.

However, the state government, in a statement by the spokesman to the governor, Mr. Zailani Baffa, had cleared the air, saying that it bought the gold from artisanal miners licensed by the federal government.

The federal government also cautioned the Zamfara State Government against creating the impression that it owns the gold deposits in the state.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, had in a statement, said mineral products remained exclusively that of the federal government.

Notwithstanding the clarifications, there was uproar in the South-south with Niger Delta youths, under the auspices of Young Democratic Movement (YDM)

and South-South Youth Assembly (SSYA), giving the federal government a four-day ultimatum to share the proceeds from the gold sale among all the states as usually done with oil resources.

The six governors of Southsouth had also met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the umbrella of the Forum of South-South Governors, where they discussed issues around the mining of gold in Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the governors were looking towards taking a common decision on the Zamfara gold issue at the meeting, which would be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Delta State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had said they were planning a meeting over the issue.

In a veiled reference to

the federal government’s support for “artisanal mining of gold,� particularly with President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative, Okowa vowed that the South-south states would resist “such a discriminatory disposition, that runs foul of the constitutional provision on ownership of mining rights in Nigeria.�

However, the position of the South-south governors had infuriated Matawalle, who, in a statement, said: "I am having a very bad experience of recent from some of my PDP governor colleagues which I still find very puzzling. “For instance, the Southsouth governors accusing me in the media are PDP governors and they are the same people who brewed controversy over the so-called Zamfara gold, premised on

deliberate misinformation and outright lies.�

Matawalle added that it was the APC-controlled federal government, which has all the correct records on the gold mining issue, that defended him in the saga.

Matawalle had alleged that it was the bad blood within the PDP governors that led to Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, to defect to the APC. THISDAY’s investigation, however, revealed that the PDP leadership and the Tambuwal convened a peace meeting between the South-south governors and Matawalle where the matter was resolved peacefully.

A party source privy to the meeting told THISDAY that following a peace shuttle by Tambuwal, "the matter was resolved peacefully.�

The source gave credit to the Sokoto State governor for providing leadership that

facilitated the quick resolution of the misunderstanding. “I can tell there is ‘no victor no vanquish’ in this matter. It was an issue blown out of proportion due to the misgovernance in the country. But the leadership of PDP stepped in and it was resolved between the Southsouth governors and their counterpart in Zamfara State, Governor Bello Matawalle.

It was a misunderstanding blown out of proportion but it is over now," the official said.

The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, also told THISDAY yesterday that "it(issue) has been resolved and there is an understanding by the governors on this issue."

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, told THISDAY that the seeming misunderstanding has been settled amicably.

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NEWS

Report: FG Should Unlock Investment, Prioritise Spending Dike Onwuamaeze The federal government has been advised to unlock investment opportunities in the economy by focusing on labour intensive sectors in order to reducing unemployment.

A report by pan-African credit rating agency, Agusto & Co. Limited, titled: “Nigeria vs. Bangladesh: A Tale of Two Countries,� stated that government could position Nigeria as a leading recipient of foreign direct investments (FDIs) by pursuing sound macroeconomic policies, investing heavily in social and physical infrastructure.

It also urged Nigeria to prioritise its spending to improve the wellbeing of the people.

It could also capitalise on its low labour costs like Bangladesh and its status as Africa’s largest economy.

This, it added, will reverse the negative trend, which has seen the country’s proportion of FDIs to total investment flows dropping from 20 per cent in 2016 to a meagre four per cent in 2019. “The lack of investor interest in committing patient capital, which confers substantially greater benefits to the economy, is a key area of concern.

"The underlying challenges associated with poor infrastructure are further aggravated by unfavorable policies such as the multiple

exchange rate regimes, which all act to deter long-term investment inflows,� the report stated.

It urged the federal government to re-assess its priorities as reflected in the country’s fiscal spending that is largely channelled towards a burgeoning recurrent expenditure, which has resulted in a fast build-up of public debt.

The report noted that “in Q1 2019, debt servicing accumulated 99 per cent of the federal government’s retained revenue. This spending pattern is not sustainable, and the economy is reeling from a lack of sufficient capital expenditure to plug critical gaps in healthcare, education and other key sectors.�

It urged the government to eliminate subsidies in the economy and to ensure that the savings are redirected into productive capital spend. “From 2015-2018, Nigeria spent N2.3 trillion on petrol subsidies, an amount which if harnessed judiciously, could have provided a meaningful contribution to the country’s decayed infrastructure," it added.

It challenged the government to identify sectors in which Nigeria has a strong comparative advantage and strategically position them for exports. “In Bangladesh, this exportled model is the impetus for

FG Braces for Global Politics of Vaccines

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has owned up that acquiring the COVID-19 vaccine for the public is a challenging task before the country because of the global politics around vaccines. To that effect, it has appealed to Nigerians to continue to maintain NonPharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) as the safest protection from the virus.

The Chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, who spoke yesterday at the PTF press briefing in Abuja noted that the country could be in a tight corner given the international politics of securing the vaccines and ensuring the generality of Nigerians are vaccinated.

Mustapha also said that the forthcoming Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting next week will be exclusively devoted to the subject of coronavirus vaccine. “Vaccines are no use to us unless the vaccination process takes place. That is a major challenge. Even with the developed economy, what they are busy doing is to set up an infrastructure for the vaccination itself because vaccines will not be of any use if we don’t vaccinate the people. There is a lot of work we have to do in that regard.

“Agencies and our primary healthcare must begin to put the infrastructure in place that when we get the vaccine, they can speedily determine those that will benefit from the vaccine as the vaccine will be available for everyone at the same time. And is another danger. The only vaccine that is free is to adhere to NPIs. “Vaccination is another ball game altogether. The politics of securing the vaccine is in itself a difficult politics as you require a lot of resources. There will be a lot of competition as everyone wants to get the vaccine over to their country and when you get them, the logistics.

Some of them are going to be kept at a temperature of -70. There are refrigerators that have those capabilities but they are scarce. And the big nations will begin to corner all these things by cornering the franchise of the manufacturers. It is a dangerous situation in which the world has found itself and it is a survival of the fittest. My appeal- let stay with what we have for which we don’t pay anything; NPIs,�

Mustapha said.

He also said that the first stream of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has concluded camping while the second scheme will go camping on December 3 and the third stream in January next year.

the country’s high growth rates and encouraging signs of economic take-off. Through its garment industry, Bangladesh has been able to strategically place itself as the world’s second leading exporter of ready-made garment while creating broad-based growth. “For Nigeria, a key thrust for the government is transforming the agriculture sector to be the leading driver of job creation and export diversification,� the report said.

The report made a comparative analysis of the two countries’ economic developments since 1990s, saying that Nigeria should engender social policies that are targeted at empowering the populace at the grassroots level and ensure that they are

successfully implemented at scale.

The report said: “While Bangladesh and Nigeria are by no means homogenous, both countries share similar scenarios which make progress challenging to achieve.

"However, the former (Bangladesh) has been making significant strides suggestive of a nascent economic transformation building momentum in the country, and the latter (Nigeria) can look to it for pointers on how to refocus.�

The report identified one of the most remarkable aspects of Bangladesh’s economic progress, which Nigeria must emulate, as the country’s ability to translate economic growth into substantial improvement

in social outcomes and livelihoods for poor earners. “Public investment in technology, rural infrastructure and human capital boosted the country’s agricultural productivity. As a result, Bangladesh made substantial progress toward food security despite its high population density, lack of arable-land, and frequent natural disasters, and agriculture accounted for 90 per cent of the reduction in poverty between 2005 and 2010. “Also, the labour-intensive nature of the economy’s key driver of exports– the garment industry– has helped made growth inclusive, with 80 per cent of garment workers being women.

This is further re-enforced

by the country’s success in implementing grassroots level, pro-poor policies, with gender at the heart of its development strategy,� it said.

The report recommended that in supporting sectors for growth, the federal government should identify the root cause of underperformance “so that policies are targeted at addressing fundamental concerns, as opposed to providing palliatives, or in some cases, aggravating existing problems.�

It cited the banning of foreign exchange access for key products, including agricultural produce, and the border closure as prime examples of government policies that have complicated challenges in the economy.

DICKSON FOR SENATE...

L-R: Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Seriake Dickson; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus; and Governor Douye Diri, at the party’s senatorial campaign rally for Bayelsa West in Sagbama‌yesterday

FG Connects 40,000 Nigerians to Solar Mini-grid Projects Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, yesterday said the federal government had so far connected some 40,000 Nigerians through the construction of 30 new solar mini-grid projects in various parts of the country.

Speaking during a ‘Solar Nigeria' event in Kano, where 12 schools and health centres were officially hooked to the solar off-grid system, the minister stated that the projects were completed in collaboration with the European Union and implemented by the Department for International Development (DFID).

He added that the ministry will also provide five million households with solar home systems under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP), aimed at increasing electricity access and reducing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the projects were implemented under a framework, which provides sustainable, reliable and affordable energy supply consistent with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the

United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

According to him, the projects will enhance the lives of people through improved healthcare, education, water and job creation.

Mamman committed the federal government to sustaining the policy of providing electricity to remote and underserved rural communities nationwide using distributed power generation with locally available resources. “As at today, at least more than 30 new mini-grid projects have been commissioned across the country, providing reliable power supply to over 40,000 people in off-grid areas. “These projects are mostly developed through publicprivate partnership, confirming the confidence of the private sector. “The ministry will also provide five million households with solar home systems under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan, which is aimed at increasing electricity access and reducing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic,� he added.

The solar projects inaugurated

by Mamman included a 95kw in Getso Primary Health Centre,

79.20kw in Ajingy Primary Health Centre, 79.20kw in Tsanyawa Primary Health Centre, 47.25kW in Dandinshe Primary Health Centre and 15.84kW in Ganduje Primary Health Centre.

Other projects listed by the ministry are a 15.84kw project in Gwarmai Primary Health Centre, 95kw in Girls Science College Garko, 79.20kw in Government Secondary School, Gwarzo, 79.20kw in Science College Dowakin Tofa, 47.25kw in Government Girls' College Kano (Former WTC), 15.84kw in Government Girls' Arabic Secondary School Dambatta and 15.84kw in Ganduje Primary School.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), the EU and German government have launched a new online platform to attract investments in renewables in the Nigerian power sector.

The programme is a technical assistance programme co-funded by the EU and the German government, and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the ministry of power.

The government noted

that the digital platform will provide easy access to relevant information for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nigeria.

According to the federal government, the platform will present technical, regulatory and economic information aimed at de-risking projects and scaling up investments in the sector.

In a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NIPC, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, expressed the commitment of the commission to promoting increased investments in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Nigeria.

According to her, the platform will help potential investors to get easy access to the high quality information they need to make faster and better informed decisions about investing in Nigeria’s green economy.

Director of Renewable and Rural Power access at the ministry of power, Mr. Faruk Yabo, expressed the hope that the platform will help improve the technical and economic viability of the Nigerian power sector for increased investments in renewable projects to promote power supply.

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PAGE EIGHT CBN GRANTS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO FOREX FROM DIASPORA REMITTANCES improve the receipt and administration of Diaspora remittances into Nigeria.

The central bank announced the new policy in a circular titled: “Amendment to Procedures for Receipt of Diaspora Remittances,� dated November 30, 2020, that was signed by its Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji, a copy of which was obtained by THISDAY yesterday.

With the new policy, recipients of remittances may have the option of receiving such funds in foreign currency cash (US Dollars) or into their ordinary domiciliary account. “These changes are necessary to deepen the foreign exchange market, provide more liquidity and create more transparency in the administration of Diaspora remittances into Nigeria,� the

apex bank stated.

It explained that the changes would help finance a future stream of investment opportunities for Nigerians in the Diaspora, while also guaranteeing that the recipients of remittances would receive a market- reflective exchange rate for their inflows.

It said all authorised dealers and the general public should note that beneficiaries shall have unfettered access and utilisation to such foreign currency proceeds, either in cash and/or in their Domiciliary Accounts. There was an initial confusion with the phrase "eligible tansaction" which senior authoritative CBN officials told THISDAY last night means minimal clarifications like "source of fund" and "beneficiaries" in line with current global practices. According to the

CBN officials, "anyone who receives foreign exchange through these remittances is free to use them as he deems fit without let or hindrance from their banks in any currency of their choice in line with its circular TED/ FEM/FPC/GEN/01/010."

The bank urged strict compliance with the new guidelines.

In a separate circular titled: “Operations of Domiciliary Accounts,� also signed by Nnaji, the central bank clarified that following different interpretations on the operationalisation of domiciliary accounts and to ensure the stability of the foreign exchange market, export proceeds domiciliary accounts would continue to be operated based on existing regulations, which allow its holders use of their funds for

business operations only, with any extra funds sold in the Investors & Exporters' (l&E) Window.

On the other hand, it stated that for ordinary domiciliary accounts, where such accounts are funded by electronic/wire transfer, account holders would be allowed unfettered and unrestricted use of the funds for eligible transactions.

But it said where accounts are funded by cash lodgments existing regulation will continue to apply, explaining that the clarifications were necessary given the vastly improved capabilities of the CBN to monitor transactions, forestall money laundering and prevent the adverse effect of dollarisation in our economy. “All authorised dealers and the general public are to note that Bank Verification

Number would be used to enforce compliance with these regulations. Please be guided accordingly,� it stated.

The World Bank recently predicted that inflow of Diaspora remittance to Nigeria would drop by $2 billion in 2020 to $21.7 billion as against the $23.8 billion the country recorded in 2019.

The World Bank in a report had hinged the decline in remittances from Nigerians living abroad on account of the double whammy of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant economic crisis that has continued to spread.

Globally, the bank had also anticipated that the amount of money migrant workers send home would decline by 14 per cent by 2021, compared to the pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019.

It stated: "Remittances are

helping to address the impact on African households. Nigeria remains the largest recipient of remittances in the region and is the seventh largest recipient among LMICs, with projected remittances to decline to around $21.7 billion, a more than $2 billion drop compared with 2019."

According to the report, remittance flows to low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are also projected to fall by seven per cent to $508 billion in 2020, followed by a further decline of 7.5 per cent, to $470 billion in 2021.

It had stated that the foremost factors driving the decline in remittances included weak economic growth and employment levels in migranthosting countries, weak oil prices; and depreciation of the currencies of remittance-source countries against the US dollar.

worldwide lockdown reimplementations have driven demand down again.

Additionally, the recent end to major hostilities in Libya has increased the country’s production dramatically, with observers warning that these two factors may cause oil surpluses, further destabilising the market.

The majority of OPEC and OPEC+ members (including Russia and nine other countries) have advocated a continued reduction in production quotas to avoid surpluses.

In April 2020, the world welcomed a new deal that saw oil production cut to as much as 9.7 million barrels per day by OPEC and its alliance countries OPEC+.

Aside from the reduction in their overall crude oil production by 9.7 mb/d, starting on 1 May 2020, for an initial period of two months that concluded on 30 June 2020, the cartel agreed that for another six months between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2020, they will maintain a crude oil production cut of 7.7 mb/d.

However, the continuation of the deal starting January 2021, which would see them maintain cuts of 5.8 mb/d for 16 months ending 30 April 2022, is what is currently being discussed and has seen divisions within the group.

The deal had also seen Nigeria agreeing to cut output, producing 1.412 mb/d till June 2020 and then increasing to 1.495 mb/d between July 1 and December 2020 and further revving up production to 1.579 mb/d starting January 2021 and ending April 2022, excluding condensates.

and paramilitary services to complement the efforts of the Nigerian forces. “Our second recommendation is to engage the services of our immediate neighbours, especially the government of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic, in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram hiding in the shores of the Lake Chad. “Our third recommendation is for him to engage the services of the mercenaries to clear the entire Sambisa forest. “Our fourth recommendation is for him to provide the police and the military, with armed resistant armoured personnel carriers and other related equipment. “We are also soliciting the support of the federal government to support the Borno State repatriation of out displaced persons currently residing in Cameroon and Niger Republic.�

The governor also called on Buhari to increase federal support for residents of Borno State.

The governor said though the insurgency had dragged on for 11 years, it was persistent because efforts had not been well coordinated.

The governor said one of the major reasons the insurgency persisted was due to a lack of critical infrastructure like good roads in the region.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works had not constructed or rehabilitated roads in the last 25 years “in Borno State and most parts of the North-east."

they were attacked.

Shehu, in an interview with the BBC, said he was not blaming the victims for the incident, but that the truth must be told. “The government is sad that this tragic incident has happened. Forty-three or thereabout of innocent farm workers, most of them had their throats slit by a heartless band of terrorists. People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area. “Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields,� he stated.

OPEC FAILS TO AGREE ON JANUARY CRUDE OIL OUTPUT countries that have previously exceeded their supply limits, Bloomberg reported.

Most member countries were said to be supporting the maintenance of the existing curbs into the first quarter, but the plan didn’t get backing from two of the coalition’s major players: the UAE and Kazakhstan, delegates said.

Earlier in his opening remarks during the meeting, which kicked off in Vienna, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and President of the OPEC Conference, Abdelmadjid Attar, said that the global economy

was still in deep recession with growth pegged at minus 4.3 per cent for 2020.

He added that global oil demand for 2020 is expected to decline by around 9.8 mb/d as the second wave of the pandemic and related lockdowns put a damper on demand.

"The road to recovery is long and bumpy. It requires great patience. However, there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel. Next year, the global economy is forecast to return to growth, expanding by an estimated 4.4 per cent.

“Oil demand growth is expected to be high, in the tune of 6.1 mb/d. This brighter outlook for 2021 gives us a cautious optimism and is a clear indication that we are on the right path," he added.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, production quotas have been reduced to account for lower demand for oil while uncertainty has led to instability in the oil market and a sharp drop in prices.

While the market partially recovered as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted,

FG LAMENTS FOREIGN POWERS’ REFUSAL TO SELL ARMS TO NIGERIA the incident yesterday gave the military marching orders to take the battle to the insurgents and crush them.

He also sent a delegation, led by President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and which included his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, to condole with the Borne State government and people.

The presidency, however, explained yesterday that the slain farmers went to the farm without getting clearance from the military as the area is part of Boko Haram's enclave and people need military's go-ahead to know areas safe for movements.

But to win the insurgency war, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, made six recommendations to the federal government, including the use of mercenaries to clear the Sambisa Forest.

The killing of the 43 farmers attracted more criticisms yesterday with the United States condemning the incident.

After meeting Ortom in Makurdi, Mohammed said notwithstanding the frustrations from the superpowers, the federal government would fight terrorism and insurgency to a logical conclusion.

He said: “We will never stop protecting lives and livelihoods. However, we must also understand that we are dealing with terrorists who are financed globally and we also need more support from global partners. “When people talk about terrorism, they don’t seem to appreciate the fact that terrorism is not a local but a global issue and there is no part of the world that is not experiencing pockets of terrorism.�

He said he was glad that the governor admitted that the federal government had tried to curb insecurity in the state.

The minister, who expressed

worry over certain factors frustrating the battle against insurgency, noted that fighting terrorists is not a joke.

According to him, “You must also be able to look at the terrorists. You see, terrorists also use media and publicity as oxygen, so when they go on this kind of mindless killings of the innocent, it is for attention.

"It is just that a dying terrorist group will suddenly spring to life, it does not mean that the government is not doing enough. "Terrorism in Africa and any other place in the world has the same concept; you have a group of people who are extremists in their thoughts, who don’t believe that we and you should be alive.�

Again, Buhari Orders Military to Crush Boko Haram Also yesterday, the president ordered a persistent and intensive clampdown on Boko Haram insurgents.

The president's message was conveyed by a high-powered delegation, drawn from both the executive and the legislature, to deliver a message of condolence and solidarity with the government and people of the state following the killings.

Lawan and Gambari both presented a joint message, on behalf of the president, the government and people of Nigeria to Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and the bereaved Zabarmari community.

They described the massacre of the farm workers as the worst form of “senseless, barbaric and a gruesome murder.�

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, the delegation

assured the people of Borno of the president's continuous commitment to the fight against insurgency and insecurity in Borno State and other parts of the country.

The president pledged to make more resources available to the military to prosecute the war, promising to work closely with neighbouring countries on bilateral and multilateral levels to ensure that there is no hiding place for the terrorists.

"Nothing is more important than ensuring the security of lives and property of the people. Everything is secondary when security is at a stake,� the president said, adding: “As we mourn the loss of our sons in Zabarmari, the armed forces have been given the marching orders to take the fight to the insurgents, not on a one-off, but on a continuous basis until we root out the terrorists."

He commended Zulum for the leadership, he has been providing in the state.

As part of its itinerary, the presidential delegation also visited the palace of Garbai, who described the massacre as “madness,� urging the people to pray and offer useful information to the security agencies.

He thanked the president for his efforts in returning normalcy to the state. “Before this administration came, all 27 local councils and the emirs had migrated to Maiduguri. We had no power from the national grid, telephone services were discontinued and the airport was closed,� he said.

The delegation also visited Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area, where the imam, one Alhaji Idris, who spoke on behalf of the community, said they were touched by the president’s gesture, adding: “We are happy that the president is with us in our moment of grief. Tell

him that we are very happy with him.�

Other members of the delegation were House Majority Whip, Hon. Tahir Monguno; ministers, Malam Muhammed Bello (Federal Capital Territory), Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (Communications and Digital Economy), Mr. Mustapha Shehuri (Agriculture (State) and Mr. Abubakar Aliyu (Works and Housing (State).

Also on the delegation were the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and presidential spokesman Shehu.

Zulum Recommends Use of Mercenaries, Five Others Speaking during the condolence visit, Zulum made six recommendations to the federal government on the ways to end the war.

He suggested the engagement of mercenaries to clear the Sambisa Forest.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had utilised foreign mercenaries, including South Africans, against Boko Haram, which contributed to the successes the military recorded in the few weeks leading to the 2015 general election.

But the Buhari administration stopped the use of mercenaries, promising to equip the military to defeat the insurgents.

However, receiving the presidential delegation, Zulum suggested the use of mercenaries to rout the insurgents.

Zulum made six key recommendations to the delegation to resolve the insurgency.

He said: “One of our recommendations as possible solutions to end the insurgency is the immediate recruitment of our youths into military

Slain Farmers Went to Farm without Military Clearance, Says Presidency Also yesterday, the presidency stated that the slain farmers did not have military clearance to be on the rice farms where

Continued on page 35

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 1,2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Insecurity: Govs are Frustrated, Almost Helpless, Says El-Rufai Ejiofor Alike Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian governors were frustrated by the security challenges in the country, saying their roles as provided for in the Nigerian Constitution were not satisfactory.

El-Rufai, who is in Dubai, suggested the way to go to ensure the country surmounts its various security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping among others during an interview with Channels Television.

He stressed that the recent #EndSARS protest by youths against police brutality in parts of the country has exposed the inability of the governors despite being called the Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of their states.

“We are all frustrated. I am frustrated in my state, many governors are frustrated in their states; we are called chief security officers only in name, we have no control over cohesive instruments of the state,” the governor said.

He added, “We are almost

helpless. The #EndSARS protest clearly showed the limit to the control of governors over the police and the military.

“Some of us have more influence than others, but to a large extent, you ask the commissioner of police to do something and he has to clear with the InspectorGeneral of Police; this is the reality.

“We are not in control of the police, I don’t determine who gets posted to my state as CP and if I give him directives, he can decide to flout the directives. So, we are all frustrated.”

He made case for the decentralisation of the police force will go a long way in addressing the security problems bedevilling the nation.

According to him, Nigeria is the only country in the world that is a federation that has only one police force.

The governor stated that the governors had engaged in arguments that states should be allowed to have their own police, while local governments should be allowed to have community police.

He noted that most state

Alleged CBN Looting: Adebanjo, Clark, Nwodo Back Gowon Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has risen in strong defence of the former Head of State, General Yakubu (rtd), who was accused by a British parliamentarian of looting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while in office from 1967 to 1975.

Gowon was accused of looting half of the CBN by a United Kingdom member of parliament, Tom Tugendhat, during the hearing of a petition against the Nigerian government at a committee meeting of the parliament.

The Forum in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South-west), Chief Edwin Clark (Chairman) South-South, Chief John Nwodo (South-east) and Dr. Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt), declared that “while we stand for holding leaders accountable for their stewardship, we will not support maligning people without facts.

“We stand for integrity in public life and will not shield corruption but we are not aware of any such accusation against General Gowon since he was overthrown 45 years ago.

“We therefore call on the British lawmaker who was born a year after the coup of 1975 in Nigeria to check the facts again and do the needful if he was wrong or back up the allegation if he has any evidence to retain his credibility and the institutional integrity of the British Parliament”.

The elder statesmen further posited that: “With the notoriety of Nigerian rulers to help themselves with public till, we ordinarily would not have been bothered with such accusation.

“We recall that General Gowon was overthrown while at the OAU conference in Kampala in 19 75 from where he moved to London where he became a student for years.

Again, Hoodlums Attack Lagos Firemen Officials of the Lagos State and Rescue Service have been attacked by suspected hoodlums at the Agege area of Lagos State.

Three firemen were injured, according to a statement issued yesterday by the acting head of the agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye.

The statement was titled ‘hoodlums attack Lagos firemen, destroy fire engine’.

Adeseye explained that a fire engine belonging to the Agency damaged by hoodlums, who attacked the officials in the course of duty on Sunday.

She expressed displeasure over the “incessant attacks on firefighters in recent times for yet to be identified reasons”.

She recalled that the attack on the firefighters and the engine occurred after officials of the agency were prevented from attending to a fire incident at Nmani Street, Dopemu Agege, in Orile Agege LCDA, Lagos.

“Three firemen from a crew of four were injured and the Agency’s vehicle, Agege Fire Eagle C07, damaged by the hoodlums after preventing the personnel from performing their official duties in October.

“It took the intervention of a team of policemen from Alabo Police Division, led

by Supol Bako Muhammed, before normalcy was restored at the fire scene,” Adeseye added.

governments were responsible for the running cost of the police such as vehicles, fuel, communication, while the Federal Government was only responsible for the payment of the salaries of policemen.

El-Rufal, therefore, stressed the

need to recruit more personnel into the police force and ensure they were rightly deployed into designated areas of duty.

“The number of policemen we have in Nigeria is inadequate, it is less than half of what we need

and a large percentage of them are engaged in non-police duties like carrying handbags of the wives of important people.

“We need to have a greater footprint of police in Nigeria and the only way to achieve

that in a fast track manner is to amend the Constitution and put policing on the concurrent list, as recommended by the APC True Federalism Committee so that we have more policemen.”

BRAINSTORMING ON DEVELOPMENT…

Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire (left), and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during a meeting at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta... yesterday

NCDC Issues Travel Advisory for Christmas, New Year The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has released its end-of-year travel advisory on COVID-19 for the Christmas and New Year period, warning that necessary measures should be taken to limit the spread of the pandemic.

The organisation advised Nigerians to limit their festivities to members of their immediate families.

The NCDC said that while remaining physically distanced, they should remain socially connected with friends and loved ones using

mobile or video-conferencing technology.

The advisory reads, “across the world, Christmas is a time for celebration and festive cheer, as well as an increase in religious and social gatherings. During the Christmas and New Year celebrations, we recognise that people want to travel and be with family and friends.

“However, this has been a difficult year and the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our usual way of living and we all have

to make adjustments in our lives to the new reality we are faced with. We must all continue to take the necessary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria, just over 67,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported with just over 1,000 deaths. Most of the confirmed cases and deaths have been in urban/semi-urban cities and town and the risk of spread remains.

“The COVID-19 virus does not spread on its own; it spreads when

people move around. This means that by traveling across countries and cities, there is a higher risk of transmission, especially to rural areas where the existing health infrastructure is already weak.

“Nigerians are therefore advised to be vigilant; this is not the time to let our guard time. It is advisable to: Limit all non-essential domestic and international travel.

This is especially important for intending travellers from countries recording a high number of COVID-19 cases.

Okowa Assents to Delta’s 2021 Budget Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assented to the state’s 2021 Appropriation Bill, with assurance that the state government would strive to recover from the economic challenges engendered

by COVID-19 pandemic.

Okowa, who signed the bill yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, commended the state’s House of Assembly for speedy passage of

the Bill.

He said that signing the budget with a month to the end of 2020 would avail the state government the opportunity to plan further towards the implementation of the 2021 budget from January, 2021.

He thanked God for the warm working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state, and said that the

government would remain focused in implementing the budget as passed, for the benefit of all the people of the state.

“You have just witnessed my signing into law the 2021 Appropriation Bill, and as I said on October 27, during the presentation of the bill, we are in very difficult times this year, no doubt both in this country and globally.

``And, with the second wave of the pandemic, it will create a further challenge for the recovery of the economy of our nation.

“However, we are optimistic that in the 2021 fiscal year, things will gradually improve and we will be able to get back to the levels of infrastructural development and the human capital development for our people.

Court Rejects EFCC’s Document in Ex-NNPC GMD,Yakubu’s Trial The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday refused to admit as exhibit a document tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of a former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu.

Yakubu is being prosecuted by the EFCC on charges bordering on

the cash sums of $9,772, 800 and £74,000 recovered from him by the operatives of the commission.

The EFCC operatives had, on a tip-off, raided Yakubu’s house located on Chikun Road, Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on February 3, 2017, where they recovered the funds kept in a safe.

EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had,

on November 5, 2020, tendered a document, which Yakubu had filed at the Supreme Court to seek an order of stay of execution of a Kano court’s order earlier issued for the forfeiture of the money recovered from him.

Abubakar brought up the court document to contradict Yakubu, who in the course of testifying for himself as the first defence witness, claimed that he only got

to know from the EFCC that the recovered money was being kept at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Kano.

But the prosecution counsel claimed that contrary to Yakubu’s claim under cross-examination, he had deposed to an affidavit filed in support of his suit filed at the apex court asserting that the money was being kept by the EFCC at the CBN in Kano.

Military Kills Two Bandits, Rescues 39 Travellers Abducted in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna Troops have killed one bandit who attempted to abduct some travellers at Kwanar Tsintsiya axis of the Kaduna-Zaria Road, Kaduna State.

An attempt to kidnap the travellers yesterday morning was thwarted by soldiers of the 4 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

During the operation, the troops

also rescued 39 other people kidnapped by the bandits while travelling from Sokoto State to Onitsha in Anambra State.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel

Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued yesterday.

He noted that the incident happened in the early hours of yesterday, adding that the operation carried out by the troops was successful.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ 2020

COMMENT

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

EMEFIELE DESERVES GARLAND Emefiele is doing his bit to save the naira, argues Jackson Ugbechie

T

t he Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is once again up against a special clan made up of Nigerians and non-Nigerians. They are the dollar doublers who profit largely by working to make the naira get weaker against the dollar and other currencies in the forex market.

At the end of Tuesday, November 24, 2020, virtual Monetary Policy Committee meeting, Emefiele took time to address the niggling issue of parallel forex market, calling it a shallow market which should never be a yardstick for measuring the real value of the naira. The naira has taken a hit in the last three months largely on account of dwindling crude oil revenue, the global Covid-19 pandemic and the illicit activities of some Nigerians and their foreign collaborators. These are the people who oil and eulogise the parallel market, making it look attractive even with the booby-trap it presents to the economy.

Some analysts, by commission or omission, even benchmark the naira on its parallel market rate, now hovering between N470 and N480 to the dollar. This is nothing but mischief. The parallel market remains what it is: a shallow, treacherous market usually the watering hole for dubious forex transactions. While it holds just about five percent of the forex trade, it is the nursery for the perpetration of financial crimes, from money laundering to bribery. It’s the fancy of folks primed on committing fiscal heist.

The CBN Governor put it most succinctly in his post-MPC meeting address: “And indeed I heard some analysts talking about the parallel market saying that exchange rate is at N480. I want to say this, that it is unfortunate and really unfair that even analysts who are supposed to know will play with numbers and begin to determine the exchange rate of our currency using parallel market rate. “For the information of everybody, parallel market as far as we know it and the data that we have, is a shallow market in Nigeria with no more than 5% of market share. Parallel market, and quote me, is a tainted market in Nigeria, where people who desire to deal in illegal foreign exchange transactions including sourcing of FX cash for purposes of offering bribes, corruption, that is where they deal. “And that is where people who are supposed to understand the implication of these on the economic activities on our country begin to go to television and begin to say our exchange rate is N480. This is very unfortunate,� he said.

It’s not difficult to understand Emefiele’s disappointment.

Those who should know are manifesting ignorance in a manner that verges on mischief. Nigeria is going through financial turbulence. And it has nothing to do with Emefiele and the CBN. Global economy has been dealt a deadly blow by the Covid-19 pandemic. Shuttered factories, deserted workplaces, furloughed staff, massive job cuts and losses, a locked down leisure industry including a grounded aviation sector and crash in global oil and gas market prices defined the world economy since March, this year. It crippled many economies including economies of advanced nations.

Many advanced economies have plunged into recession this year, courtesy of Covid-19 pandemic. Britain is in her worst recession and the worst in the world, according to data from the

THE PARALLEL MARKET REMAINS WHAT IT IS: A SHALLOW, TREACHEROUS MARKET USUALLY THE WATERING HOLE FOR DUBIOUS FOREX TRANSACTIONS

Office for National Statistics (ONS). A couple of other countries around the world, both developed and leading economies, have been shoved into the pit of recession as a direct result of the pandemic. France, Italy, Canada, Germany, the US and Japan have all suffered huge losses in their economy.

The GDP in France, for instance, has contracted by 13.8 percent, in Italy it is by 12.4 percent while Canada is 12 percent.

For Germany, the economy shrank by 10.1 percent. The US and Japan both followed with 7.6 percent. Comparatively, Nigeria, a far more import-dependent economy could be said to have fared better than these countries. Analysts believe that CBN’s shrewd management of the external reserve helped to mitigate the damage of the pandemic on the economy.

The pandemic and slump in global trade all combined to blow out economies and Nigeria was no exception. Back home, the inclement pandemic era economy created a huge scarcity in forex for a nation that is largely import-depended, a disease that predates the arrival of Emefiele at CBN. Since 2015 when crude oil prices began to dip, Nigeria has faced forex scarcity, compelling the CBN to become more inventive in the management of forex. CBN came up with an assortment of innovative policies including the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) FX Window. This was intended to help in the management of the demand and supply of dollars.

The I&E Window stimulated dollar inflows which revived production and helped to pull the economy out of recession.

Within six months the Window attracted inflows of US$10 billion and generated a turnover of US422.85 billion at the end of December 2017. The economy regained traction but recorded slow growth up to 2.2 per cent in 2019.

CBN’s effort at that time was widely applauded by stakeholders and reputable international organizations including the World Bank which advised government to maintain the flow. ‘’Government must sustain the regime of free flow of foreign exchange into the economy through the newly established Window which has helped to resolve the challenges of FX scarcity with flows into the economy in excess of US$7 billion’’, the World Bank said.

Of a truth, Emefiele deserves garland, not the guillotine, in the manner he has so far handled the forex scarcity. Usually when dollar is scarce, it’s not because of the actions of CBN but on account of the activities of the crooked men and women on the fringes of the economy. Chief among them are the politicians who have discovered a smarter way to offer bribe: They change naira bills to dollar and stack them up in their homes and offices. With so much stolen money (public money converted to personal use) at their disposal, they mop up every dollar in the market and create scarcity which ultimately pushes up the value of the dollar against the naira.

Recall how the CBN and the banks had to put a halt to people making forex deposits into their accounts. Emefiele, to his credit, has tinkered with all manner of policies to save the naira. He has applied safety measures including banning the funding of the importation of some items. All of this is to build a buffer around the naira.

Ugbechie wrote from Abuja

RE: CRISIS ROCKS DSS argues that the piece is mischievous

I

recently came across an article titled Crisis Rocks DSS, Why They Failed On #Endsars Intel, DG Suspends two Assistant DGs, published on Jackson Ude’s owned Pointblanknews.com. As a patriotic Nigerian, with vast experience in journalism, security, diplomacy, public service and human management, I can boldly say the writeup was poorly crafted to suggest the DSS has become a rudderless ship. Not true.

The accusation that the DSS was complicit in the degeneration of the EndSARS protests for which its image and leadership must be dragged to the mud is nothing but sensational, illogical and irresponsible.

Unlike the writer who went all out to dent the intelligence agency, I have chosen to stay off emotions and stick to only facts to guide public understanding of issues. This is so that readers are not further misled by the unsubstantiated claims in the article under reference. Intelligence processes determine the daily activities of the government and governance. These processes start with the needs of intelligence consumers as well as other decision makers who require such information for informed policy.

Intelligence is strictly shared on need-to -know basis and restrictions. There is no evidence that Jackson UDE partakes in the intelligence process production chain in Nigeria. He is not a stakeholder in the intelligence structure. Real stakeholders have not complained about DSS’ laxity in intelligence production and sharing. The writer’s claim that the DSS failed to intercept intelligence on the recent EndSARS protests is irrational. How did he arrive at this conclusion?

It is obvious he does not possess detailed knowledge of the workings of the intelligence community in the country. It is more worrisome that he depended on his ignorance to deceive his gullible audience. Has the

President and other intelligence bodies such as the Joint Intelligence Board, the National Security Council, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other relevant stakeholders who receive daily intelligence briefs complained of under-performance?

I view the accusation that the DSS failed to intercept intelligence on the recent EndSARS protests as a weak excuse aimed at giving support to the baseless allegations contained in the write-up.

The DSS variously issued statements about plans by some elements and groups to destabilise the nation. Or have we forgotten?

How else does intelligence operate? Are such statements not proactive approach about what to come? EndSars was never a surprise to the DSS. It saw it coming. And it warned. I want to believe that the pivotal role of the Service before, during and after the EndSARS protest was critical in the restoration of peace and stability. But for its tireless effort under the leadership of the present DG, and synergy with other agencies, the consequences of the EndSARS protests may have been irredeemable. I have always seen the DSS and its operatives as unsung heroes who, despite the pointless attacks on its image, have remained true and committed to duties of curtailing threats to the internal security of the Nigeria. It has become evident that only those who desire a regime change through the #EndSARS are unable to see the efforts of the DSS and other security agencies in maintaining peace and order.

On the other issues the writer raised, my findings revealed that the allegation of a crisis between the DGSS and his Assistant DirectorsGeneral is false. At no time in the history of the Service has any DG, past or present faced opposition from his assistants. The Service is not even wired so. It is a disciplined regimented organization where loyalty and dedication to duty and nation is sacred. I am

very sure that in the SSS, there is adequate space to lay complaints. Not on the pages of the newspapers or pseudo names or persons to operate on the internet.

Aggrieved senior officers can take various steps including writing a petition to the President or NSA or any of the Committees of the National Assembly to get redress or justice. They should also append their names and signatures to such petitions. The so-called ADGs in the article have not done this. They, should therefore, not hide under naysayers to destroy the distinguished agency, the DSS. The Service, without mincing words, has paid its dues. The unity of Nigeria has rested on its shoulders, thus enemies of progress should not join moles and internal detractors to distract it.

I can categorically state that since his assumption of Office, the present DG enjoys impeccable support and cooperation of his management team and indeed all staff. This assertion is reflected in the efficient and optimal discharge of the Service’ mandate to protecting and preserving the internal security of the country.

Another false claim is that the morale of DSS staff is at its lowest.

My inquiries revealed that even the lowest ranking operative in the DSS rates the present DG as one of the best in terms of staff welfare.

Not only are salaries and allowances paid on time, all outstanding sundry arrears have been cleared by his administration. This is in addition to the provision of very conducive working environment and also accommodations as well as the face-lifting of almost all existing structures to boost staff personnel.

Just recently, the Forum of Retired Directors (FORD) of the DSS paid solidarity visit to the DGSS and praised him for his sterling leadership disposition. The Forum members are accomplished personalities and not known for praise singing.

Also, from my inquiries, I can tell you that

I find insulting, the insinuation that the DGSS is intimidated by the credentials of most of his lieutenants as claimed in the article. If the writer had carried out due diligence on the qualifications of Y.M. Bichi and his wealth of experience, he would have known he has successfully headed state commands, training schools and directorates in the National Headquarters while in active service. He is the only person, serving or retired, that has headed all the Service’ Directorates including Administration, Operations, Enforcement, Inspectorate, Intelligence, among others. A fellow of the War College, he has received specialized and professional trainings at local and international levels. Given his professional qualifications and invaluable contributions to the success of the Service, the DG was recalled to head the agency.

I know for a fact that since the inception of the Service, postings and deployments of all cadres of personnel have been a regular occurrence. These have never been put to question. That an issue is now being made out of routine placements clearly shows desperation by discontented persons to disparage the leadership of the DSS. This should stop.

Undermining the efforts of our security agencies will only cause the country more harm than good.

A major factor that significantly influences posting and deployment in the Service is performance and not largely seniority. I know for sure that the DSS does not suffer fools lightly. Anyone who thinks they have big ranks but cannot prove it through creativity and innovation should not occupy space for those who work out their souls for country and Service.

As traditional with the DSS, its Directors and Heads of Formation who routinely underperform are usually recalled to the headquarters. The rules cannot be changed because a few individuals.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ 2020

EDITORIAL

THE MO IBRAHIM DISMAL REPORT Nigeria’s governance performance is another wake-up call

T

he Mo Ibrahim Index of Africa Governance (IIAG) latest report is another sad reminder of what governance has become on the continent. It represents the continent’s shrinking score card on anti-corruption measures, protection of civil liberties and caring for the environment. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the 2020 report is that Nigeria ranked 34 out of 54 countries. Specifically, Nigeria scored 45.5 points out of 100, just as the country declined by -1.6 in overall governance ranking on security and rule of IF THE FIRST DUTY OF ANY GOVERNMENT IS THE law, participation, rights and incluPROVISION OF THE BASIC sion foundations NEEDS OF SECURITY, for economic opportunity huWELFARE AND A SENSE man development.

OF PURPOSE, CAN THOSE More interesting is AT THE HELMS OF AFFAIRS that the data used CLAIM TO HAVE LIVED UP were from last year and therefore TO THESE IDEALS? do not include the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is not difficult to see how the Mo Ibrahim foundation arrived at its dismal conclusion on Nigeria. A cursory glance at how citizens access the good life in terms of water, shelter, education and all the other basic amenities shows that governance is far removed from the people. In its place, crass opportunism, hurriedly formulated and wrongly implemented policies and a preference for mediocrity has become the norm. And although there is a semblance of government in place, real governance is seriously absent. What many discerning country men and women now do is independently provide for themselves.

The ranking is sponsored by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, an organisation committed to defining, assessing and enhancing governance and leadership in Africa. It presents annual assessments of the quality of governance in Africa countries. It also provides the framework

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for citizens, governments, institutions and the private sector to assess accurately the delivery of public goods and services, and policy outcome across the continent. Nigeria’s present ranking speaks volumes of the quality of governance in the country. Yet the reality is that, even without these figures, it is apparent that governance is at its lowest ebb and that most of the people in charge at practically all levels have not lived up to expectations.

The report is remarkably worrying because the score of 21/100 for a functioning criminal justice system, ranks our country in the lowest performing quarter of nations. Also scoring a 25/100 for political party financing and 30/100 for disclosure of financial information and another 35/100 for law enforcement and 32/100 for equal political power, ranks Nigeria 38th out of 54. If the first duty of any government is the provision of the basic needs of security, welfare and a sense of purpose, can those at the helms of affairs claim to have lived up to these ideals?

It is difficult to dispute the human rights record. Up till this moment, no one has been brought to book for the murder of a women leader of a political party in Kogi State during the last governorship election in the state. That is just one of several human rights abuses amidst police brutality. It is even more absurd that the suspended head of the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has allegations of corruption against him. There should be a total attitudinal reorientation in government circles as Nigeria is gradually becoming the cynosure for the wrong reasons.

While the latest Mo Ibrahim Index report on Nigeria did not come to many as a surprise, it should be a wake-up call for those in authority.

Given the official response to the youth-led EndSARS protest against Police brutality which descended into street violence, it goes without saying that the 2020 report can also not be rosy.

That is why it is important for the federal government to take this report seriously and begin to work on making improvements in critical areas.

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

WHO SAID THE IGBO HATE TINUBU?

here is a popular notion that the Igbo people, collectively, hold some sort of grudge against the national leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This conception is laughable because it shows a contempt for the intellectual capacity of the average Igbo and a lack of awareness of our cultural values. We are a people of rich heritage belonging to an ancient history. Self-sufficiency has been at the core of our cultural philosophy and traditional upbringing. We are not the type to look to outsiders for solutions to our problems, neither are we quick to pass blame for our problems; certainly not to persons who have never been responsible for any overt act of marginalisation towards our people.

Why, therefore, would any Igbo person hate Bola Tinubu in Lagos? Sure, one can make an argument for the Igbo being indifferent towards his person. However, even at that, the man is an entrepreneur and, of course, a powerful politician – characteristics that are far more likely to elicit feelings of admiration rather than contempt from the average Igbo man. But to call him a bigot, a tribalist? I am yet to see the evidence. In fact, if anything, the

evidence of his political career suggests a man who favours competence over tribal or religious considerations.

The Igbo prize industriousness and enthrone accomplishment. In the days of yore, before colonization, Igbo men and women could only earn titles after displaying great feats of personal achievement.

A master hunter, for example, known as a “Dinta� would not be called Ogbuagu (Leopard killer) until he defeats a Leopard and wears the skin or teeth to prove it.

This is the kind of people the Igbo are. So, considering Tinubu’s achievements in the game of power, the Igbo will not say that a champion wrestler must be without dirt on his entire body to be deserving of his due. After all, Lagos State where Tinubu is assumed to hold the sway, remains the choice destination for successful Igbo to migrate.

Indeed, one wonders, given the enduring popularity of the state Tinubu helped build among the Igbo people, whether this narrative of supposed Igbo hatred of Lagos’ pre-eminent political figure is just more propaganda, intended only to sow confusion and distrust.

Sure, the Yoruba and Igbo have had their issues in the past but for how long would we continue to inherit our parent’s

trauma in a globalising world? A lot of us are very comfortable living as Igbo in Lagos where the mindset is modern and metropolitan. From a tribal angle, the Igbo still remain apprehensive about Northern rule but I have never met an Igbo person that imagines the threat of Yoruba insurgency is real; or even ascribes to the Yoruba a collective disposition towards domination. The truth being obscured by the propaganda is this: the Igbo and the Yoruba have much in common; whether in terms of their pre-colonial history or their shared experiences under British colonial rule. Even in contemporary times, Yoruba and Igbo alike well understand the daily struggles of the ordinary Nigerian man or woman, in respect of which tribal affiliation makes little practical difference. One only has to take a brief look through time to see the kind of relationship we have enjoyed as groups. From shared linguistic similarities, to governance systems such as the role of the “Oba�; the Igbo and Yoruba, though not without some differences, have generally been cordial and open to cultural exchange.

There are, of course, those who, nevertheless, would stoke the flames of a supposed historical rivalry between the two tribal groups. For these people,

Tinubu is a convenient Satan, playing the role of villain in their discordant narrative.

Some are spineless paid trolls and others closet bigots that simply need an outlet for their bilious invective, lest it consumes them from within. However, these folks are outliers, the exceptions, worthy of consideration only to the extent that their noisy extremism helpfully distinguishes them from the far less rowdy, far more thoughtful, majority.

What the Igbo want, simply, is a government that provides just enough basic support to spur the exercise of our creative, entrepreneurial and intellectual spirit. We do not blame anyone besides our own regional governments – state and local – for our regional issues. When we are in the West, we respect the traditions and demand only that we are recognised as fellow Nigerians and are not marginalised politically. Last I checked, we are still opening businesses, holding political offices and purchasing land in ‘Tinubu’s Lagos’ – as we have been doing peacefully since 1999.

It is time those peddling the anti-Tinubu narrative faced the facts; neither Tinubu, nor his political machine have held the Igbo back in Lagos.

Eze Chikwelu, Isolo, Lagos

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020

POLITICS

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

Deconstructing Fayose’s Views on Tinubu, Defection, Regional Leadership

Victor Ogunje dissects a recent appraisal by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose who poured glowing commendation on Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s outstanding political philosophy. He described him as the greatest builder of men. The vociferous politician castigated governors who have switched political party loyalty after meteoric rise to stardom on the platform of a particular party, while overtly expressing disdain for regional leadership in the Peoples Democratic Party

Buhari

Tinubu

Fayose

Okowa

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and betrayal.

The former Ekiti governor who waxed philosophical said he would never join adversaries within and outside APC to whittle, plummet or shoot down Tinubu’s towering political stature, having done so well to promote younger people in the South-west and across the country politically and economically. Fayose said Tinubu’s detrabilistic mien and disposition has endeared him to many Nigerians and himself and that he deserves respect on this strength, regardless of politics, race, creed and interest. “ I am not championing the course of Senator Tinubu. I am not even in the position to champion his course, but there is no denying the fact that Tinubu is a prominent Yoruba leader, whether in APC or in PDP. “There is no gainsaying that Fayose, is a also prominent son of Yoruba nation. Likewise, Governors Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, Okezie Ikpeazu, are prominent sons of Southern Nigeria. What I am trying to say is that, we can’t hide their identities and goodwill for political reasons. We can’t deny their contributions. Like other leaders from the North, for example, Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, they have made different impact not necessarily like that of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“Tinubu has paid his dues. I have paid my dues. Okowa has paid his dues. Wike has paid his dues. We need to acknowledge them.

Balarabe Musa, who was a leader of note and repute, cannot be forgotten in history. For me, Tinubu, has paid his dues, I stand by that. I have not seen Tinubu after the Ekiti election, we have not by any means met even at a function.

“President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated me on my 60th birthday, does it mean we are on the same page politically? No, I have criticized him after that, so I will not sit down in any corner to shoot down Tinubu.

I am not a member of APC and I will never be. But I supported Governor Fayemi to be governor by Tinubu’s influence at a time. I stand to say it again, if this politics is not playable again, I will return home and be the husband of my wife and the father of my children.

“Tinubu remains a figure like me, though I am not as powerful as him, but in my own world, I have my own followership who respect me and respect my political views all over the country and beyond. There are so many acknowledging me. That is why it is bad when you are on the other side of another political party, we cannot greet each other. That is not supposed to be the spirit.

“If anybody has not been greeting me and if I passed on, you now start rushing to my house to condole with my family, what manner of character is that? I will behave like that Senator in America, who says this particular President, Donald Trump should not attend his burial, that was Senator MaCain, who said President Trump must not attend his burial.

“The way political parties’ are structured today is not good, where a PDP member would be doing a function and APC would not be able to come. They see the truth like this and they would lie obviously. A good man should be acknowledged, anybody who is doing the right thing should be acknowledged. “ I will not sit down here and shoot Tinubu

down, that is not my style and I don’t want to be shot down because I am not in APC. Today, I am waxing stronger, anywhere I go in the public, people in the airport, public areas acknowledge me. It gladdens my heart, because it clearly shows I am making an impact.”

Espousing his views further, the governor counseled those who perceived politics as a do or die game to have a rethink in the interest of the country. He urged politicians to learn how to acknowledge good products in politics and rever them for the country’s democracy to grow meteorically to a higher standard. He warned that plotting against a man who has given so much would erode the culture of mentorship and grooming of younger persons thereby endangering the future of this country.

“I am not holding brief for Tinubu, I cannot advise anybody. I can only say my views. have not seen Tinubu for about four years.

What I am saying in effect is that, he has made his mark and the fact remains that shooting him down should not be an option. Okowa, Wike, Udom, Odili, Attah, and the like, they are people that cannot be run down when I am there. A government can’t come and try to rubbish them, you would finish your own and go.

“This Buhari, that people are praising now, they have shot him down many times before, the same people that are eating in his cabinet now . The same people that are calling him mini-god now were calling him tribalist and fanatical Muslim in the past.

“They have said so many things about him.

I don’t care about what anybody would say, whether you call me APC, but I won’t be here to shoot down Tinubu, or any Yoruba leader.

“I am not a sectionist, these questions are coming because I am talking about Tinubu.

I have just spoken about Balarebe Musa, prominent leaders of the North, the fact remains that, we are in a country where what we will eat is of premium priority to many, they don’t value honour and character.”

Fayose also lampooned some Governors and other political bigwigs who cross carpeting from one party to the other after being promoted to stardom. He said such action was bereft of honour and that he would never be part of it.

The former governor said he was particularly miffed and aghast by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State’s recent defection from PDP to APC. Fayose rued the action and hinged it on lack of honour on the part of Nigerian politicians .

o one can debunk the fact that Nigerian politics is bitter and acrimonious. Politicians perceive the game as a turf for bullies.

The culture of intolerance has permeated the political space to the extent that the ruling and the main opposition parties, as well as, their supporters see nothing good in one another.

Since the advent of pan-Nigerian democracy in 1951 up to the present time, the culture of bitterness has manifested so lucidly and ferociously.

In the First Republic, the ruling Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and the South-west driven Action Group(AG) were arch enemies.

The same scenario manifested in the Second Republic of 1979, when the National Party of Nigeria(NPN) under President Shehu Shagari and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), propelled

by Chief Obafemi Awolowo operated like cat and rat. The enmity also resonated among members creating an atmosphere of arson, maiming and killing.

Under the current regime, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP),have exhibited worse acrimony since the return of democracy in 1999.

Friends easily turn into foes while operating on different political platforms, which contravenes democratic norms and the constitutional rights to join a political party of one’s choice.

As bad as this seems, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has positioned himself as one of those few vocal politicians who are averse to exhibition of enmity against persons in a different political party.

Before he bowed out of government in 2018, Fayose was the most vociferous critic of President Muhammadu Buhari. The former Ekiti Chief executive said he did that to protect democracy and not as a demonstration of hatred against the President, saying he never believed in morbid politics, for it breeds bad blood, conspiracy and death in the system.

Insisting that politics shouldn’t be a game of bitterness, Fayose showered encomium on former Lagos State Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu describing him as the best builder of men in the South-west and Nigeria, at large. Fayose never minced words as he adopted Tinubu as his leader despite the fact that he belongs to the PDP. He expressed dismay that some, even within the ranks of the APC in the South-west, who had benefitted from Tinibu’s mentorship and benevolence were plotting with outsiders to dismantle the former Lagos State Governor’s political empire and influence. Fayose succinctly tagged this as an act of desperation

Tinubu has paid his dues. I have paid my dues. Okowa has paid his dues. Wike has paid his dues. We need to acknowledge them. Balarabe Musa, who was a leader of note and repute, cannot be forgotten in history. For me, Tinubu, has paid his dues, I stand by that. I have not seen Tinubu after the Ekiti election, we have not by any means met even at a function. President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated me on my 60th birthday, does it mean we are on the same page politically? No, I have criticized him after that, so I will not sit down in any corner to shoot down Tinubu. I am not a member of APC and I will never be. I supported Governor Fayemi to be governor by Tinubu’s influence at a time

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020

POLITICS

Working Silently to Take Anambra Higher David-Chyddy Eleke writes that Hon Chris Azubogu, a member of the House of Representatives and a governorship aspirant in Anambra State is working silently to emerge victorious in the 2021 governorship election

Azubogu

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quest to understand the interconnection between politics and economic performance in a democratic society motivated Richard von Weizacker fellowship and research study at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, Germany, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has said.

The name Hon. Chris Azubogu will most likely not set off an alarm in Anambra State.

Even his presence wouldn’t, but his projects and the things he is known for speak volumes.

For Azubogu, winning an elective position is not about hype or making lots of noise in the media or arriving at functions late in a long convoy, with a huge crowd of followers.

He believes it is about how much the people love a contestant, and how convinced they are about the genuineness of his promises.

True to type, he is surely loved and believed by the people.

Azubogu represents Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He first won the position in 2011; his first ever contest as a politician. For a man who does more of critical thinking and finding solutions to problems than talking, not many political analysts thought Azubogu who was then pit against an incumbent representative and a strong grassroot politician, C.I.D. Maduabum would make any impact, let alone win. But by gaining the trust of the people through personal home-to-home visits, he was able to gain victory. He won again in 2015 after many people thought his first victory may have been sheer luck and went ahead to consolidate his hold on the area in 2019 with another victory. All the while he won, it was without the usual noise and fanfare that politicians are known for.

The Nnewi born Agric Engineer turned politician is among the politicians in the state angling to replace Chief Willie Obiano as governor in 2022, as the state gears up to elect a new governor in November 2021. As always, Azubogu has jettisoned loud and verbose talk with empty promises to begin a visit to homes, groups and association to sell his plans of how to fix Anambra State.

One may say that staying quiet and noiseless has been one of Azubogu’s greatest strength.

By staying quiet and away from the maddening crowd that politicians like to keep, his opponents have always underrated him, and usually, they do so at their peril because at the end, they discover that the Nnewi born engineer turned politician has more strength than he brings to bear in a contest.

During a recent interaction with journalists, Azubogu said, “I have participated in five governorship elections in this state, and also ran my own election three times and won.

I know what it takes to win election and what it takes to reform the system. If you

Obiano

talk about resources, I have enough resources to make a lot of noise in this state if I was that kind of politician, but I choose to be silent. I have seen people who have made a lot of noise about projects they are doing in their constituency, but if you come to my area and ask people of the projects I have done, you will be surprised, yet we are not making any noise about it,” he said.

For the numerous projects he has done in his area, Azubogu is most popularly known as ‘Mr Project’ among his constituents. He is one politician that easily connects with the people, especially as he remains approachable and shuns moving around with a retinue of fierce looking security men which tend to scare away citizens and create the impression that a politician builds a barricade between himself and the people.

Speaking about his level of preparedness for the governorship election, the lawmaker said, almost all those aspiring to be governor of Anambra State are very qualified to hold the position, but he stated that most are not prepared for the position. “I am the most prepared aspirant among all those jostling for the ticket of the PDP for the state governorship election. Some office holders don’t understand governance, they come to learn on the job.

Willie Obiano (Anambra’s incumbent governor) has done well, considering that he was not prepared for governance when he became governor. But for me, in the last 10 years, I have held very critical government positions, and in the last 15 years, I have been involved in proffering solution to governance in this state (Anambra) and Nigeria.

“Some people may not be comfortable with my style because I don’t like blowing my own trumpet and making lots of noise so that I will be recognized. I have enough resources to make the kind of noise that other politicians are making today, but as a scientist, I deal with facts. I challenge you to give a task to some of those aspirants and myself and you will be surprised those people you hear their names all the time are empty.

“I am not the most qualified of all the people seeking to be governor, but I am the most prepared for the challenge of governance. I have what it takes to move the state forward. We have a clear cut vision of what we want to achieve in the state and how to drive the goals. All the people aspiring to be governor of the state are very qualified, but the difference is that I am a qualified person, and also the most prepared. I want the people to give me the opportunity to better Anambra State. We want to institutionalize Anambra.

“Governance is a very serious business, you don’t just come into it, you prepare for it. I have attended several schools and taken time to study leadership, and only one who understands leadership can transform Anambra State. I will work with state assembly to institutionalize governance. I am a good lawmaker and I can make bold to say so.

The failure we have here is institutional failure, we will review lots of institution in Anambra and strengthen them. We will build institutions through legislation,” he said.

To Azubogu, the best way to make the

Azubogu represents Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He first won the position in 2011; his first ever contest as a politician. For a man who does more of critical thinking and finding solutions to problems than talking, not many political analysts thought Azubogu who was then pit against an incumbent representative and a strong grassroot politician, C.I.D. Maduabum would make any impact, let alone win. But by gaining the trust of the people through personal hometo-home visits, he was able to gain victory. He won again in 2015 after many people thought his first victory may have been sheer luck and went ahead to consolidate his hold on the area in 2019 with another victory. All the while he won, it was without the usual noise and fanfare that politicians are known for

South-east zone economically viable is to elect the right leadership in Anambra State, as she (Anambra) holds the key to the development of the zone. “Anambra holds the keys to the progress of South-east region. If Anambra is good, the South-east will be fine. If Anambra gets the right leadership, the entire South-east will blossom. It is high time Anambra got it right. People must distinguish between philanthropy and governance. Philanthropy is not governance. Sharing rice and giving out food items is not governance. What is governance is creating the right atmosphere for the place to thrive. Some people are coming to government because they want to use government money to fund their lifestyle, and Anambra must be very careful who they are voting this time.”

The lawmaker said that as a governor in Anambra State he will bring to bear his prowess in proffering solutions to problems.

“Anambra has three senatorial zones that can stand all by themselves. We have the central senatorial zone. There is Awka in that zone, and our late sister Dora Akunyili has already established NAFDAC there. We can use it as a launch pad for the manufacturing of food and pharmaceutical products. We have the biggest pharmaceutical market here at Onitsha, but it is already dying. We have the market already, all we need is to start up something. We need to create opportunity for our people.

“Anambra north is the agricultural belt.

By training I am an Agric Engineer, and I know what that area can do for us in terms of food production. We need to control the market. We have the market, and we have all it takes to control the economy of Nigeria, but it is gradually leaving us. Even Ogun State does N25billion IGR, but no state in South-east does N5billion. What it means is that a state like Ogun is bigger than the entire South-east put together.

“I have told my people to stop using Agbara because I am building an industrial Park in Anambra. Our people are running those states and if I can move 25percent of our people with their investment home, we can make over N10billion in IGR and you would have no need to go to Abuja to look for allocation. You think people don’t know what to do with their money. Investments go to places where it gets return. These are things I have done before for Chief executives from the background, without making any noise, and those are the things I want to do for Anambra.

“I have ways said it, and I am willing to say it again. I am not a philanthropist.

Philanthropy is different from governance.

The choice is Anambra’s to make between people who will give rice and noodles and those who will institutionalize governance and make it what it should be.”

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

A Decade of Changing Lives Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that for a decade, the UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition has not just changed lives, but has been a breeding ground for young creative writers. This year was not any different in its quest to impact the lives of many students and their communities including the three winners who went home with N6million educational grant alongside laptops for them and nine other finalists

Winner of 2020 NEC, 14-year-old Eshiet Abasiekeme

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ith the quest to breed young creatives as well as promote the reading culture while encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa, the UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition, was borne.

The UBA Foundation’s Education initiative has been changing lives for a decade as the tertiary education scholarship programme continues to impact the lives of many students and their communities.

A National Competition Targeted at senior secondary students in Nigeria, the UBA Foundation's National Essay Competition is an initiative under the Education Pillar of the foundation.

It is organised annually, as part of UBA Foundation’s education initiative which is aimed at promoting the reading culture and encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa.

Now in its tenth year, the aim of the NEC is to ensure that more African youths have access to education as the programme also highlights the good quality of education that exists on the continent as it stresses that the grant must be used in any university of the winners’ choice on the African continent.

This year, the first prize for the UBA National Essay Competition is a N2.5 million educational grant, while the second and third prizes are N2 million and N1.5 million in educational grants respectively, bringing a total number of the scholarships to three.

Topic of Essay This year, the foundation organised its tenth annual NEC and the young students were to write on “Do you think that the lock down during the COVID-19 pandemic was an essential measure in spite of the hardship it brought economically?

What would you have done differently and why?", a topic quite germane in line with the realities of the pandemic and its attendant consequences.

First runner up, 14-year-old Mofuluwake Adesanya

Selection Criteria, Procedure As with such competitions, the section criteria and procedure was streamlined.

A potential competitor must be a secondary school student and must submit a handwritten essay (750 words maximum), passport photograph, copy of birth certificate and a National ID or passport.

An applicant must also submit their completed contact information (name, age, school, address of school, telephone number, residential and email address).

According to the guidelines, entries received for the competition are reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges made up of professors from reputable Nigerian Universities, who will then shortlist 12 essays for further assessment.

Following this, a second round of competition involves the 12 finalists who writes a second supervised essay from which three best essays will be selected as the overall winners from the 12 finalists emerged from the first round of the competition.

Winners and Prizes In a virtual ceremony that was attended by high school students from across the nation this week, winners emerged. From the teeming submissions made, 12 persons made the final list and they include Eshiet Abasiekeme, who clinched the first position, Mofuluwake Adesanya who came second, while Abdulganiyu Habeeba came third.

Others include Emenugha Hannah Amarachi, Ibem Marylyn Anya, Ehibor Favour, Nwabueze Regina Ugochi, Dimaro Tamarapreye, Ozoke Melvin Damian Uchenna, Enobong Flourish David, Chukwuma Light E. C. and Stephen God's Grant, who clinched the fourth to 11th position.

According to the foundation, for the fourth consecutive year, the females have been leading this competition with 14-year-old Eshiet Abasiekeme of Bright Stars Model Secondary School from Akwa-Ibom state taking home this year’s winning prize.

Eshiet received an educational grant

Second runner up, 16-year-old Abdulganiyu Habeeba

of N2.5million to study in any African university of her choice. She will also be supported throughout her educational career and beyond with constant mentoring by the UBA Foundation.

Abasiekeme who had joined the virtual event from her base in Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria, could not contain her excitement as she heard the announcement that she had won the first prize of the NEC 2020. “I feel honoured to be the winner of this year’s NEC, and I want to appreciate UBA and UBA Foundation as this will help towards my dream of becoming a lawyer,� she said proudly, expressing that she would like to go to university in Uyo in her home state.

The second prize was awarded to 14 year old Mofoluwake Adesanya of Spring Forte-Lead College Lagos State, who won a N2million educational grant, whilst the third prize of N1.5million went to Abdulganiyy Habeebah, a 16-year old.

Abdulganiyy attends the International School, University of Lagos.

Also, Eshiet and the 11 other finalists, took home their brand new lap top computers to enable them continue to work competitively in a world that is rapidly becoming fully digitalised.

Congratulating all the winners at the final event of the competition, the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, applauded all the participants for their exceptional brilliance. She explained that the foundation had taken into consideration the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on lives and incomes across board and had increased the prize money by 33 per cent this year to help cushion any negative or inflationary effects.

Emphasising the driving force behind the annual competition, she said, “We are passionate about the annual NEC because it changes lives and helps to improve the quality of lives of students and their families. The NEC helps to improve the quality of writing and competitiveness amongst students. “We have launched in more African countries this year and would have launched the initiative in 20 countries by the end of 2021. It is not just about

writing essays, the ripple effect is really quite enormous, and we are glad that it is cascading to other countries where we operate.�

Also speaking at the opening of the event, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, commended all 12 finalists, expressing that UBA was happy to be touching lives and making a solid impact through its National Essay Competition, which is now in its 10th edition.

He was very pleased about the fact that more females again came out tops this year, adding that notwithstanding the constraints and challenges of 2020, the foundation received the highest number of entries ever, at over 12,000 digital submissions’.

Uzoka who is also the Chairman, UBA Foundation said, “The NEC has been changing lives positively for 10 years, and we have awarded scholarships to students not just in Nigeria but in other parts of Africa like Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal. Some of these students are already graduates and contributing meaningfully to their communities’. “To all 12 of you that have emerged finalists, I would like to congratulate you.

If out of 12,000 entries you were able to make it to the top 12, that represents about 0.12 per cent of the entries. You are no doubt, already a winner,� he continued.

About UBA Foundation UBA Foundation, as the CSR arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s global bank, is committed to being a socially responsible company and role model for all businesses in Africa.

As the CSR arm of the UBA Group, the foundation is committed to the socioeconomic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of education, environment, economic empowerment and special projects. The UBA Foundation was incorporated in January 2004.

Its Board of Trustees include Mr. Kennedy Uzoka as Chairman; Bola Atta as MD/CEO; Mrs. Mary Udu-Ejembi and Dr. Bala Magaji as Trustees.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

FEATURES

Campaign Beyond Pills and Cure for Diabetes Rebecca Ejifoma writes that Mega We Care, a leading pharmaceutical company providing safe and effective medicines in Nigeria and globally, has embarked on a nationwide campaign beyond pills and cure for diabetes

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iabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease which is often times an accompanying risk factor for high blood pressure. Complications of diabetes may result in damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves according to research.

Giving statistics, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has it that Nigeria accounts for four million of the 422 million people worldwide that have diabetes. And 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.

With such a high prevalence in Nigeria, diabetes - one of the leading causes of death globally - as well as other heart-related disease conditions, exert a tremendous public health burden.

In response to the growing concerns about the surging threat posed by diabetes, WHO and international diabetes federation earmarked the world diabetes day to be celebrated yearly. It is the largest diabetes awareness campaign with a reach spanning over 150 countries across the globe.

Marked every November 14, World Diabetes Day is on the theme, “The Nurse and Diabetes". It aims to highlight the crucial role that nurses, and other health professionals play in supporting people living with diabetes.

Mega We care, a foremost pharmaceutical organisation, is not left out. It is employing education campaigns to ensure Nigerians are well informed on prevention and management under the auspices of her “Good Health by Yourself Initiative (GHBY)�.

The pharmaceutical firm is set to champion diabetes' awareness on the basis of numerous research evidences that show the importance of education in improving treatment outcomes in people living with diabetes.

Emphasising on GHBY, the Managing Director of Mega Lifesciences Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Maneesh Mehra, explained the company’s driving passion to help people on their journey to healthier lives. “Good Health By Yourself is an initiative of Mega Lifesciences to empower and inspire our own people and communities to take health into their own hands,� he said.

For Mehra, the initiative aims to help people stay healthy as long as they live. “Achieving this goal means partnership with the medical community, and outreaches to the patient community,� adds the MD. Speaking also, the Business Head, Chronic Care Division of Mega Lifesciences, Mr. Amit Singh, harped on their consistent

The team at Mega We Care

effort in diabetes education, awareness, and screening.

Singh recalled that in the previous years, Mega We Care had planned and executed similar awareness and education programmes in partnership with health professionals at hospitals, pharmacies and religious organisations; giving support with free blood sugar screenings, and neuropathy screenings to patients. “In 2019 alone, Mega We Care conducted free screenings and education campaigns reaching over 20,000 patients across the country,� he highlighted.

But for the COVID-19 pandemic, Mega We Care would have had its physical activities this year. “That is why we are taking the media campaign very seriously to reach 40,000 patients region by region, building up to cover the entire Nigeria,�

Singh emphasised.

He added that the Diabetic portfolio insisted that Mega We Care has been a very active player in the diabetic market in Nigeria for over ten years.

“We have medicines that address various pain points along the journey of diabetes (from pre diabetes to complications of nerve damage). One of our flagship brands seeks to address the pressing challenge of medication adherence.

According to WHO, Singh cited, poor adherence to medication is threatening to nullify any efforts to tackle chronic conditions such as diabetes.

He outlined, "by its brand, which is generically a preferred first line medication in the management of diabetes, Mega We Care has provided a novel formulation technology known as sustained release technology."

According to the Business Head, “this enables release of the anti-diabetic medicine over a longer period of time in such a way it reduces dosing intervals. This technology we have offered in Nigeria for over 10 years now being amongst the first to make same available in the country.�

Moreover, he hinted that Mega We Care has mapped out activities to mark this

year's World Diabetes Day in Nigeria, including high powered events with key stakeholders in the health care industry.

He listed the key stakeholders as: Endocrine and metabolic society of Nigeria(EMSON), the Society of Family physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and the National association of Nigerian nurses and midwives (NANNM).

In the words of the global CEO and Chief Coach, Mr. Vivek Dhawan, “While we continue the development of our core business, we are also progressing to keep up with the changing environment, to enhance the consumer journey for good health.

"Mega is one of the few companies engaged in human wellness with programs offered to help people stay healthy as long as they live."

With its plans to reach over 40,000 diabetic patients in its campaign, Mega We Care says it is not relenting on this mission to provide quality health and preventive measures.

NPO Focuses on Nurturing the Girl-child for Nation Building Vanessa Obioha

T

o help further the cause for the girlchild to attain equality in the society, Raising Women Initiative (RWI), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of girls and women, recently held its Raising Girls Summit (RGS).

The summit which took place at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, attracted over 2,000 virtual and physical attendees.

Conceptualised in the UK in 2014, and launched in Nigeria in 2015, this year’s edition themed 'Amplifying the Voices of Boys and Girls for Change', had speakers centring their talks on identifying and understanding the basic challenges faced by boys and girls, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic; harnessing education, arts, science and technology to predict and control future models towards achieving effective empowerment goals; and educating its target audience on the role government, stakeholders, caregivers and parents play towards attaining change.

Leading the pack, RWI's founder, May Ikeora gave the opening remark where she highlighted competencies (critical thinking,

May Ikeora

collaboration, creativity, and communication) essential to empowering young girls, women, and boys in today’s society.

She also projected the power women and girls potentially wield in the national decision-making process through her Register, Educate and Vote (REV) Project aimed at increasing the participation of women and

girls in politics.

Shifting away from politics and the role of women in it, artist Polly Alakija leaned into her personal life experiences to project how arts can help convey strong messages of change. “What can I do that nobody else is doing here? Or what is it I can do that is difficult for others to do. And what it is, is using my art to empower people; to tell messages, to tell stories. I empower people through arts and education. So we use the arts very broadly, very holistically. It is not about creating a nation of little artists, but it is about creating a nation of empowered young people.�

She continued: "Prior COVID, we were talking about the 4Cs, which are the four soft skills of the 21st century: creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. So those are the skills we need in our young people. That’s where the arts and culture come in‌ it switches it on. It gets you thinking, asking questions, working together."

With the pandemic limiting movement and restricting millions to work from home, Alakija also highlighted the need to adopt 22nd-century skills: compassion, caring, culture,

and thinking, to keep the economy thriving, and the family unit functional.

Buttressing Alakija’s speech on arts and education, Patricia Lamour, an educationalist based in London, hammered the need to re-evaluate the quality of education young people currently have access to. She believes this will better position them to attain their full potentials in a technologically advanced world.

She also spoke on the need to teach about identity using race as a backdrop. This, she believes, would help Africans in the diaspora find the self-esteem to forge ahead.

On gender roles, CEO, Magic Carpet Studios, Ferdinand Adimefe streamlined his speech to emphasize on the disservice done to boys who are deprived of the opportunities of life skills at home that will help them fare well in the future.

As part of its empowerment plans through Mentor Matcher UK that seeks to connect girls globally, five girls were awarded the sum of N100,000 each to fund their education and businesses.

From next year, the summit intends to hold yearly on October 11, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child.

20

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

21

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Moderna Seeks EmergencyApproval in US and Europe for COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna is filing for US and European emergency regulatory approval of its coronavirus vaccine so that it can be recommended for widespread use.

Regulators will look at trial data for the mRNA vaccine and decide if it is safe and effective enough to recommend for roll out.

Clinical studies show the jab is more than 94% effective at protecting people from becoming ill with Covid-19.

Pfizer, which has a similar jab, has already filed for the same US approval.

UK regulators are also reviewing data on the Pfizer vaccine, as well as

Get Well Soon, Trump Consoles Injured Biden President-elect names all-women senior communications team US President Donald Trump Monday sent a ‘get well’ message to his soon-to-be-successor, Joe Biden after the latter fractured his foot while playing with his dog.

Biden, who will become the oldest US president upon his January swearing-in, suffered the injury Saturday with Major, one of his two German shepherds.

The president-elect’s personal physician Kevin O’Connor initially said x-rays had not uncovered any “obvious fracture”, but added that an additional CT scan would still be done.

That scan “confirmed hairline (small) fractures… in the mid-foot,” O’Connor said in a subsequent statement released

by Biden’s office.

He added that the former vice president, who won an election against Donald Trump in November, “will likely require a walking boot for several weeks”.

On Monday, Trump retweeted an NBC video of Biden leaving an orthopedic office in Delaware where he had gone for treatment, and added the caption, “get well soon.”

Meanwhile, Biden yesterday announced an all-women senior White House communications team, which his office said made history.

Among those named was Jen Psaki, who will serve as White House press secretary.

Psaki, 41, has held senior positions before, including White House communications director for the administration of Barack

Obama.

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have sought to emphasise diversity in their appointments and nominations so far, before they assume office on January 20.

“I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women,” Biden said.

“These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.”

Six other appointments were announced, including Kate Bedingfield, who was Mr Biden’s deputy campaign manager, as White House communications director.

Ms. Bedingfield also served as Biden’s communications director when he was vice president under Obama.

Ashley Etienne will be communications director for Ms. Harris, and Symone Sanders her senior adviser and chief spokeswoman.

Pili Tobar will be deputy White House communications director and Karine Jean Pierre will be principal deputy press secretary.

Elizabeth Alexander was named communications director for Jill Biden.

The appointments do not require Senate confirmation, unlike most cabinet-level positions.

Four French Police Officers Charged with Beating, Racial Abuse of Black Man Four French police officers were charged Monday over the beating and racial abuse of a black music producer, a case that has outraged France and ramped up pressure on the government to give ground on a controversial security bill.

The assault of Michel Zecler — exposed in video footage published last week — has become a new rallying cause for critics who accuse the police of institutionalised racism and brutality.

President Emmanuel Macron summoned cabinet ministers and parliamentary leaders to a crisis meeting Monday to rapidly produce “suggestions to re-establish confidence” between the police and the population, government sources said.

Later Monday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is to face questions from a parliamentary commission over the new security

law, which would restrict the right of the press — and of social media users — to publish images of on-duty police.

Rallies against the law mobilised tens of thousands at the weekend, with dozens wounded during clashes with police in Paris, including a Syrian photographer who has worked for AFP. A Paris investigating magistrate early Monday charged all four officers with assault by a person holding public authority. Three were also charged with fabricating their statement on the incident.

Two of the accused — including the most senior officer, a police brigadier aged 44 — will remain behind bars but the other two were freed on conditional release, a judicial source told AFP. On Sunday, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz called for three of the officers to be also charged with racial abuse.

another type of Covid vaccine from AstraZenca and Oxford University for emergency approval.

Moderna says it hopes to gain UK approval soon, now that it has trial data from 30,000 volunteers including high risk groups like the elderly - that suggests it works.

In those studies, 15,000 people received the real vaccine while the other participants got placebo injections. No serious side effects were reported.

During the studies, 185 people in the placebo group fell ill with Covid-19, and some severely so.

In comparison, there were 11 cases in the vaccine group and none were severe.

Full trial data has not been released, but will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in due course.

The three front-runner vaccines have different pros and cons.

The AstraZeneca jab is cheaper around £3 ($4) for a dose, compared to around £15 ($20) for the Pfizer vaccine and £25 ($33) for Moderna’s.

And it is potentially easier to distribute because it does not need to be stored under ultra-low temperatures.

But its efficacy in trials - between 62% and 90% - is a bit lower than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Dr Alexander Edwards, associate professor in biomedical technology at the University of Reading, said:

“This is great news indeed - the more trial data that we have, the greater confidence we have that vaccines can be used to blunt the human cost of Covid-19.

“As the numbers of cases reported grows, confidence grows that this amazing protection will be maintained in a product that can be rolled out to protect the public.”

Meanwhile, the UK’s new minister responsible for vaccine rollout, Nadhim Zahawi, said vaccination would not be compulsory, but that society might expect people to get immunised.

He told BBC’s World At One: “I think the very strong message that you will see, this is the way we

return the whole country, and so it’s good for your family, it’s good for your community, it’s good for your country to be vaccinated.

“And, ultimately people will have to make a decision.”

Moderna also said it is seeking authorisation to market its vaccine in Canada, Israel and Singapore.

About 63,186,091 COVID-19 infections have been recorded globally since the beginning of the pandemic while 1,467,272 have died from complications arising from the disease.

The US accounts for the largest number of infections with 13,751,337 confirmed cases and 273,101 deaths.

CAPACITY-BUILDING...

L-R: Representative of the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Dr. Esa Onoja; Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr. Clement Nwankwo; and representative of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, during the 2020 Legislative Conference, in Abuja...yesterday

Iran Lays to Rest Assassinated Nuclear Scientist, Ponders Response Iran Monday laid to rest one of its top nuclear scientists, just as it weighed how and when to retaliate for an assassination pinned on arch-foe Israel.

The killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh — whom Israel has dubbed the “father” of Iran’s nuclear weapons programme — has once more heightened tensions between Tehran and its foes, with President Hassan Rouhani accusing the Jewish state of acting as Washington’s “mercenary”.

Fakhrizadeh died on Friday after being seriously wounded when assailants targeted his car and engaged in a gunfight with

his bodyguards outside Tehran, according to Iran’s defence ministry.

The funeral got underway with a religious singer alluding to the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, a revered seventh century holy figure from whom Shiite Muslims draw inspiration.

A large display showed a picture of the slain scientist next to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as former top general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by the US in a drone strike in Baghdad early this year.

Iran’s parliament on Sunday demanded a halt to international

inspections of nuclear sites in the country, signalling another potential retreat from a key commitment in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, while a top official hinted Iran should leave the global non-proliferation treaty.

The Supreme National Security Council usually handles decisions related to the country’s nuclear programme, and parliamentary bills must be approved by the powerful Guardians Council.

President Rouhani has stressed his country will seek its revenge for the assassination in “due time” and not be rushed into a “trap”,

with less than two months to go before US President Donald Trump leaves office after four hawkish years at the White House.

US President-elect Joe Biden has promised a return to diplomacy with Iran, after Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and began reimposing crippling sanctions.

Israel says Fakhrizadeh was the head of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme, the existence of which the Islamic republic has consistently denied, and Washington had sanctioned him in 2008 for activities linked to Iran’s atomic activities.

Zimbabwe VP’s Estranged Wife Appears in Court on Stretcher Bed The estranged wife of Zimbabwe’s vice president was on Monday wheeled into court on a stretcher bed to help back up her lawyers’ plea that she is not well enough to stand trial.

Mary Mubaiwa’s husband, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, is a retired military general who masterminded the coup that brought the late Robert Mugabe’s rule to a dramatic end in November 2017.

Reportedly critically ill with an unknown ailment, Mubaiwa was briefly hauled into a Harare magistrate’s court where her

legal team argued she was not well enough to stand trial for allegedly assaulting a domestic worker.

“We were requesting that we be given a period up to January 28, 2021, to give her time to recover,” said Beatrice Mtetwa, a prominent rights lawyer in the southern African country.

Mubaiwa, 39, whose arms bore lesions and were severely swollen, could barely raise her head, according to an AFP journalist in court.

After being transferred into a wheelchair, the former model sat quietly, attached to intravenous

drips and beeping monitors.

She did not look up even once during the 20-minute hearing and the gallery was tense.

Mubaiwa has had a string of prior brushes with the law.

In December, she was charged with attempting to kill Chiwenga while he was being treated in a South African hospital.

He filed for divorce later that month, but the split is not yet final.

Mubaiwa has also been charged with improperly converting Zimbabwe dollars into foreign currency, as well as

money-laundering and fraud.

As her woes mounted, Mubaiwa was in June declared mentally unfit to have custody of the couple’s three minor children.

Mubaiwa, who denies all the charges, was also kicked out of her marital home after a court ruled she cannot reside under one roof with her estranged husband.

She claims the charges were fabricated and that Chiwenga, 64, brought the attempted murder charges in an attempt to force her hand in the divorce proceedings.

22

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

NSE, PRI to Host Webinar on Responsible Investing Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are to host a webinar on responsible investing (RI) and

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

economic, social, and governance (ESG) integration on today.

The event will be headlined by

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 27Nov-2020, unless otherwise stated.

Director, Middle East, and Africa, PRI, Ms. Nicole Martens, and will feature Divisional Head, Shared

Services, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko; Divisional Head, Trading Business Division, NSE, Mr. Jude Chiemeka,

and Director of Northern Europe, Middle East & Africa, PRI, Ms. Anastasia Guha.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.04 1.06 16.18% ACAP Income Funds 0.86 0.86 11.32% 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 2.24% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.80 3.93 55.46% 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 N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 18.21 18.76 18.87% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 402.26 414.39 16.45% ARM Ethical Fund 33.75 34.76 16.04% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.20 1.21 20.38% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 12.99% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.24% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 124.30 125.17 29.37% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.71% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.30 2.30 21.60% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.27 2.31 53.45% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.90% Paramount Equity Fund 15.93 16.34 27.75% Women's Investment Fund 135.56 139.04 23.81% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.56% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 126.91 127.70 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.48 108.48 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,482.39 1,484.14 24.80% FBN Balanced Fund 182.10 183.74 24.03% FBN Halal Fund 111.40 111.44 11.40% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.98 120.40 6.32% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.17 120.59 5.96% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.39 151.70 14.80% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.11% Legacy Debt Fund 3.86 3.86 5.53% Legacy Equity Fund 1.46 1.49 28.92% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.13 1.13 4.57% 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 4,412.00 4,450.01 44.57% Coral Income Fund 3,235.02 3,235.02 5.39% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.48% 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 1.92% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.76 128.29 18.47%

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 1.99% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.82 2.88 29.08% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.87 156.79 8.80% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: 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 1.61 1.63 30.01% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.08 12.18 7.26% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.13% PACAM Equity Fund 1.54 1.55 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.16 110.58 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 132.38 135.33 11.65% 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 8.59% 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 26.37% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 6.21% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 26.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 7.36% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 31.16% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.62% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 23.76% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 5.14% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.68 110.68 6.21% 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 1.38 1.40 15.46% United Capital Bond Fund 1.88 1.88 8.53% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.89 21.95% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.95% United Capital Eurobond Fund 116.45 116.45 6.52% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.08 1.90% 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 12.16 12.31 18.38% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.53 13.68 16.53% Zenith Income Fund 24.86 24.86 9.42% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.74%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.00

6.88%

52.10

0.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.63 118.62 89.29

11.73 118.62 90.96

37.99% 24.24% 18.87%

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

4.16

4.20

21.01%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

5.78

5.86

-2.12%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

16.08 1.00 16.47

16.18 1.00 16.67

33.55% 2.17% 57.98%

231.93

233.93

23.17%

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.

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Owelle George Uwechue, SAN

‘Nigeria Needs Restructuring Urgently’

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‘Nigeria Needs Restructuring Urgently’ QUOTABLES ‘I think the renomination of Professor Mahmood Yabuku for a second term is really very important, because of the experience he has gathered.’ - Clement Nwankwo, Lawyer, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); Convener, Civil Society Situation Room ‘When the #ENDSARS Protests started peacefully, we provided security for them. We were moving with them, to make sure they were not molested by any group of people; and it was going on well, until it turned violent. And, when it turned violent, they now attacked the people that were even giving them protection. So, Government shall never allow any violent protest in this country again.’ - Mohammed Adamu, Inspector-General of Police, Federal Republic of Nigeria

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01.12.2020

Of Reform and Judicial Officers Upgrading our Judiciary In considering Judicial reforms, apart from implementing better working conditions for our judicial officers and increasing the budget of the Judiciary - if the Judiciary is to become up-to-date like its contemporaries in some other jurisdictions, the courts have to be physically upgraded; the Judiciary obviously has to massively embrace modern technology (for recording court proceedings instead of taking notes in long-hand, virtual proceedings, online filing of court processes and so on); and certainly, investment in technology, comes at a cost. So, talk of cutting the Judiciary’s necessary and inadequate budget should not arise, when there are many other areas where the cost of governance is exorbitant and unnecessary, and yet, and has not been cut.

A Judge once told me that when they travelled to an Asian country for a judicial retreat, they were taken to their rest rooms during the tour of the court premises. He said a person could have comfortably sat down to eat a meal, in any of the public restrooms within their court premises. Ours, on the other hand, usually have no running water, and you literally have to hold your nose and breath when walking past any rest room, to protect yourself from the stench! In the case of our own courts, it’s best to go on a dry fast prior to your court appearance, so that there will be absolutely no reason to hear, let alone have to answer the call of nature when appearing in any court! Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, felt so strongly about it, that he made a pledge to God to construct new toilets at the Federal High Court, Lagos; a pledge which he has since redeemed.

Our judicial officers at all levels, must be able to travel to more advanced jurisdictions on judicial retreats whenever possible, to see what their contemporaries are doing, learn and cross-pollinate. All this costs money, and it is money well spent, because the courts have always been seen to be the last hope of the common man. We need judicial officers to be able to administer justice comfortably, and not irritably, taking out their frustrations on litigants and counsel!

Abuse of Court Process But, hand in hand with all that upgrade, there must also be an upgrade in the level of responsibility and comportment on the part of all judicial officers, which is expected of those holding such exalted positions. My following comments, are with all due respect to all the judicial officers who comport themselves with the requisite respect and dignity, and do not engage in any unwholesome practices, including the abuse of court process - they are much appreciated, commended and obviously, excluded from these submissions.

Forum Shopping and Multiplicity of Actions The issue of judicial officers allowing forum shopping and participating in it with gusto and aplomb, must stop. It is embarrassing when the public hears that courts of concurrent jurisdiction are giving conflicting rulings on exactly the same cases, with more or less the same parties on the same subject-matter. I always feel somewhat ashamed, when non-Lawyers question me about it! Participating in Forum shopping, for one, shows partisanship on the part of judicial officers who are meant to be objective and fair; and worse still, it shows that they have thrown caution to the wind, breached their oath of office, and descended

fully into the arena.

Sadly, such behaviour which should normally be unheard of in our court system, has been rearing its ugly head more than occasionally, especially when it comes to political cases.

And, the fact that some of those cases are so celebrated that no judicial officer in Nigeria can feign ignorance of their prior existence before taking them on, is irrelevant on the part of those who hear abusive matters. This type of behaviour must be discouraged and sanctioned, not just on the part of counsel as the NBA (Nigerian Bar Association) has done to some of its erring members, but also on the part of judicial officers who engage in this unwholesome practice, by the NJC (National Judicial Council). Judicial officers found guilty of partaking in forum shopping cases, can be demoted in terms of hierarchy, for example, from Court 8 to Court 11 and so on, depending on the gravity of their misdeed.

This will go a long way in discouraging this bad practice, as I doubt that anyone would want to lose their seniority and ranking.

It is an abuse of court process by the litigants (probably on the advice of their counsel), their counsel and the judicial officers who engage in it. If such matters are immediately dismissed by serious judicial officers and costs awarded against litigants for such abuse; and counsel may also be sanctioned by the Legal Practitioner's Disciplinary Committee of the NBA, why should erring judicial officers go scot free, when they are also guilty of the same abuse by entertaining abusive matters which they have no jurisdiction to?

In Ibori v F. R. N. 3 N.W.L.R. Part 1128 Page 283 at 320, Amina Adamu Augie, JCA (as she then was) defined 'Forum shopping' thus: "when a party attempts to have his action tried in a particular court or jurisdiction, where he feels he will receive the most favourable judgement or verdict". It is an improper use of the court process. See the case of Minister for Works v Tomas (Nigeria) Ltd 2002 2 N.W.L.R. Part 752 Page 740 at 785. In Okorodudu v Okoromadu 1977 3 S.C. 21, the Supreme Court cited the institution of a multiplicity of actions on the same subject-matter, against the same opponents on the same issues, before one or more courts of competent jurisdiction, as an example of an abuse of court process.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole's Abuse of Court Process

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad

I recall some cases that were heard earlier this year, involving the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, upon his suspension from his Ward 10 Etsako local government area of Edo State; the decision to suspend him was ratified at the Ward, Local Government and State levels of the APC; accordingly, on March 4, 2020, a Federal High Court in Abuja on the institution of an action against him, ordered his suspension as Chairman of the Party.

The next day, March 5, another division of the same Federal High Court, this one sitting in Kano, then purported to issue a counter-order, that is, an interim order halting Adams Oshiomhole’s suspension as Chairman of APC. This is a classic case of abuse of court process, as the issue of Oshimhole’s suspension had already been decided upon by the Abuja court. The proper step open to Adams Oshimhole to take on the issue of his suspension, would have been to file an appeal against this decision at the Court of Appeal, as a court of concurrent jurisdiction certainly did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter again. It is trite that, a court cannot sit as a court of appellate jurisdiction over its own judgement. And, since it was a case that was already in the public space, the Kano Judge could not have claimed that he was unaware of it. He should therefore, have dismissed the matter immediately for being an abuse of court process. And, even if there were other issues which were subsequently freshly raised in the Kano case (that had not been raised before), they could easily have been consolidated and heard with the matter in the Abuja court.

It was however, obvious that the reason for Oshiomhole’s forum shopping all the way to Kano, was that he knew that he would receive a more favourable outcome there, which he did! See Ibori v F.R.N. (Supra).

This kind of reprehensible behaviour not only casts aspersions on the integrity of the Judiciary, but lowers its estimation in the eyes of the public. It shows how extremely desperate most of our Politicians are; whether they ruin the court system or not - they couldn’t care less, as long as they win, by hook or by crook. But, surely, officers in the temple of justice, that is, counsel and judicial officers, should not be seen as collaborators in the abuse of court process, encouraging such bad behaviour.

Other Types of Abuse of Court Process While other issues also constitute abuse of court process, the issue of multiplicity of actions seems to take centre stage! Central Bank of Nigeria v Ahmed & Ors 2001 1 1 N.W. L.R. Part 724 Page 369, where the Apex Court summarised 'abuse of court process' to mean that “the process of the court has not been used bona fide and properly”. See Saraki v Kotoye 1992 9 N.W.L.R. Part 264 Page 156 at 188 per Karibi-Whyte JSC. Where a court process raises no reasonable cause of action, and is founded on frivolity or recklessness; it also constitutes an abuse of court process - per Niki Tobi JSC in Ntuks v NPA 2007 13 N.W.L.R. Part 1051 Page 392 at 419-420. Initiating law suits with malice, or simply to harass or frustrate opponents; or to delay the inevitable which should rightfully happen from happening; or trying to maintain an action with no law to support it; or one that the claim is rife with falsehood; going on interlocutory appeals on issues which can be taken with the main

“BUT, SURELY, OFFICERS IN THE TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, THAT IS, COUNSEL AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS, SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS COLLABORATORS IN THE ABUSE OF COURT PROCESS, ENCOURAGING SUCH BAD BEHAVIOUR”

appeal, thereby further delaying the matter; or where a party has no locus standi to initiate an action; re-litigating an issue that has already been decided upon by one court in another court of concurrent jurisdiction instead of going on appeal, are all examples of abuse of court process - the list is inexhaustible and depends on the circumstances of the case; It is a rather elastic and wide concept, which is not always just an irregularity, but can be a fundamental defect, the consequence of which should be the dismissal of the abusive matter(s). See the case of Adesanoye v Adewole 2000 9 N. W. L. R. Part 671 Page 127.

Conclusion In making judicial reforms and restoring the Judiciary to the enviable and revered position that it once occupied, the approach must be holistic. It is not only about the injection of funds, and making the Judiciary independent with adequate funds. Judicial officers must also play their own part with regard to their attitude, and the role that they are meant to play in society. Many judicial officers play their role admirably, but there are still some that are, sadly, lacking.

4/LAW REPORT

Appeal Against Arbitral Award: Whether Leave of Court is Required Facts The Appellants and the Respondent entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA). Paragraph 8 of the JVA provides that any dispute or question in connection with the JVA, shall be referred to a single arbitrator to be appointed by the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Further to a dispute between the parties, the Respondent applied to the Chief Judge of the FCT for appointment of a sole arbitrator, and Mr. M.C. Madumere was appointed by the Chief Judge. Mr. Madumere conducted the arbitration proceedings, and issued an award. Dissatisfied with the award, the Appellants applied to the trial court to set aside the award, while the Respondent applied to the trial court for recognition and enforcement of the award. The trial court refused to set aside the award, and recognised same as judgement of the court. Still dissatisfied, the Appellants unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, and this led to a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Appellants’ Notice of Appeal, contained two grounds of appeal. The first ground of appeal challenged the court’s finding that the 5th Appellant was not a party to the JVA but was part and parcel of the JVA, while the second ground challenged the holding of the Court of Appeal that the issues submitted to the sole Arbitrator, were arbitrable. The Respondent raised a Preliminary Objection to the Appellants’ appeal in its Respondent’s brief, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to determine the appeal on the basis that the grounds were not grounds of law, and so, leave of court ought to have been sought and obtained.

Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 19th day of June, 2020 Before Their Lordships

Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Olukayode Ariwoola John Inyang Okoro Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.1276/2018

Issue for Determination While the Appellants and the Respondent formulated two similar issues from the grounds of appeal, the Supreme Court determined the appeal based on the issue raised in respect of the Preliminary Objection thus: Whether the Appellants ought to have sought and obtained the leave of court before filing their Notice of Appeal.

Arguments The Respondent argued in support of the Preliminary Objection, that the two grounds of appeal contained in the Appellants’ Notice of Appeal were grounds of mixed law and facts, which require the leave of court pursuant to Section 233(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Counsel relied on the case of OSANYANBI & ANOR v LASISI & 2 ORS (2019) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1701) at 237 D-H. He submitted that since the leave of Court was neither sought nor granted, the appeal was incompetent, and he urged that the appeal be dismissed.

The Appellants refuted the above contention and argued that their complaint was in the Notice of Appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, which relates to the privity of the 5th Appellant to the JVA and its operations as a company, and concluded that the two grounds of appeal are pure grounds of law for which leave of court is not required. The Appellants’ counsel cited the case of NWOSU v PDP & ORS (2018) LPELR-443886 (SC) and urged the court to discountenance the Respondent’s Preliminary Objection.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In determining the issue, the Apex Court reiterated the laid down principles for identifying whether grounds of appeal are grounds of law, mixed law and fact, or strictly based on fact, thus: (i) a ground of appeal which challenges the findings of fact made by the trial court or involves issues of law and fact, is a ground of mixed law and facts; (ii) where the evaluation of facts established by the trial court before the law in respect thereof is applied, is under attack or question, the ground of appeal is one of mixed law and fact; (iii) where evaluation of evidence

Between 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Metroline Nig. Ltd Sheba International Ltd Lawal Aboki (Carrying on business under the name & style of Messrs Axis Consulting) Inter-Arc Concept Ltd Metshade Ltd… … …

Appellants

And Alhaji Mukhtar Mohammed Dikko…

……Respondent

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC)

“SINCE ARBITRAL AWARDS HAVE SOME TOUCH OF FINALITY, WHERE ESPECIALLY THE PARTIES VOLUNTARILY WENT INTO IT, APPEALS THEREFROM, SAVE AS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 29 AND 30 OF THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT, SHOULD BE BY THE LEAVE OF COURT, SINCE, OF COURSE, IT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF SECTION 233(1)(2) OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION (AS AMENDED)”

tendered at the trial is exclusively questioned, it is a ground of fact; (iv) where it is alleged that the trial court or an appellate court misunderstood the law or misapplied the law to the admitted or proved facts, such a ground of appeal is one of law; (v) it is a ground of law if the adjudicating tribunal or court took into account some wrong criteria in reaching its conclusion or applied some wrong standard of proof or, if although in applying the correct criteria, it gave wrong weight to one or more of the relevant factors; (vi) several issues that can be raised on legal interpretation of deeds, documents, terms, words or phrases, and inference drawn therefrom are grounds of law; (vii) it is a ground of law where the ground deals merely with a matter of inference even if it is limited to admitted or proved and accepted facts; (viii) where it is alleged that there was no evidence or no admissible evidence upon which a finding or decision was based, this is regarded as a ground of law. The court referred to the decision in GLOBAL WEST VESSEL SPECIALIST (NIG.) LTD v NIGERIA LNG LTD. & ANOR. (2017) LPELR-41987 (SC). Further, the court held that, once a court of law exercises a discretionary power in the interpretation process, the position in most cases is no longer that of law alone, but becomes one of mixed law and fact.

In addition, the Supreme Court opined that once parties have consented to arbitration, they have also consented to accept the final award by the Arbitrator.

The Apex Court held that since arbitral awards have some touch of finality where especially the parties voluntarily went into it, appeals therefrom, save as provided in Sections 29 and 30 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, should be by the leave of court, since, of course, it does not fall within the purview of Section 233(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Now, Section 233(1) of the 1999 Constitution confers jurisdiction on the Supreme Court, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal. In Section 233(2)(a)-(f), the various circumstances in which appeals shall lie as of right from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, are clearly provided thereunder. Thus, appeals on facts or mixed law and facts require the leave of court, for the, to be competent – OBAYUWANA & ORS. v ADUN (2020) LPELR-49377(SC).

The Supreme Court found that the Appellants’ two grounds and particulars, could not be divorced from the arbitration and the appeal therefrom. The Appellants’ first ground, questioned the decision of the Court of Appeal on the status of the 5th Appellant that he was not privy to the JVA; this is in the realm of mixed law and fact. Similarly, the basis of the second ground of appeal was on the dispute of the parties that arose from clause 8 of the JVA, which provides that the dispute be arbitrated by a single Arbitrator who has arbitrated on the facts and evidence presented by the parties, and given a final award. The second ground questioned the evaluation of facts before the application of the law, and this makes it a ground of mixed law and fact.

Given the above, their Lordships concluded that the grounds of appeal upon which the Appellants’ appeal is founded were of mixed law and fact, in respect of which leave to appeal ought to have been sought and obtained for the appeal to be competent.

Since the condition precedent was absent, it follows that the Supreme Court lacked the jurisdiction to look into the questions raised, thereby rendering the appeal incompetent.

Preliminary Objection Sustained; Appeal Struck Out. Representation Mohammed Ndayako Esq. for the Appellants.

Dr. Olumide Ayeni for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An Affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

01.12.2020

NEWS/5

‘Post Covid-19: Effective Leadership Critical to Build Trust, Confidence’, Gadzama Rebuilding the nation post Covid-19 will require effective leadership, as the pandemic is not only a public health crisis, but has also heavily impacted and disrupted the economic, political and judicial space.

There is therefore, an urgent need for Government at all levels to be more responsive to the needs of the people, by bridging the yawning gap LQ WUXVW DQG FRQĂ€GHQFH between the citizens and the State.

The Founding Principal Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who disclosed this last on Tuesday in Abuja, GXULQJ WKH ÀUP¡V WK Annusl Public Lecture

themed: “Rebuilding the Nation Post Covid-19 Outbreak: The Judicial, Economic And Political Perspectives�, also emphasised the need to institutionalise the use of technology in the administration of justice in the country.

He said, “It is a notorious fact that, the virulence of Covid-19 and its ravaging effects have brought about seismic changes around the world, with its impact heavily felt in arguably all facets of human existence. How we live and interact with each other, how we work and communicate, how we move around and travel; every aspect of our lives has been affected.

“As a matter of emphasis, Covid-19 is not only a global pandemic and public health crisis; it has also severely affected major pillars of various QDWLRQV¡ H[LVWHQFH ZLWK Nigeria getting its fair share of the spoils. On the economic front, it has EURXJKW DERXW VLJQLĂ€FDQW reductions in income, rise in unemployment, disruption in the transportation services, losses in service industries, low productivity in the manufacturing industry, increase in prices of goods and services, to mention but a few.

This has triggered the urgent need to chart a way forward, towards rescuing our economy. “In the judicial sector,

SPAACO Holds 13th Annual Business Luncheon The law firm of SPA Ajibade & Co is set to hold its Annual Business Luncheon on Thursday December 3, 2020. This year’s Luncheon which would be a virtual event, is themed ‘THE PROS, CONS AND CHALLENGES OF ESTABLISHING AND ENFORCING A SCALE OF CHARGES FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN NIGERIA’.

To speak at the event are the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar As-

Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN

sociation, Olumide Akpata, Chief Executive, Federal

Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, Head of Legal, First Bank of Nigeria, Raymond Mgbeokwere, Chairperson NBA Eket Branch, Gloria Etim, Managing/Executive Partner, JGC Partners, Bunmi Jasmine Omeke and Reginald Aziza of Chevron Nigeria.

To moderate the virtual event is Mrs. Shola Soyele of Channels Television.

Participants are expected to register for the free event which starts at 11 am, via luncheon. spaajibade.com/register.

SFU Re-Arraigns Rasaq Adesina, Over Alleged N120m Fraud Peter Taiwo The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) re-arraigned one Engr. Rasaq Sefiu Adesina at an Ikeja High Court, Lagos State, over an alleged sum of N120 million said to have been obtained by false pretences and intent to defraud one Lanre Obisesan.

Engr. Adesina was docked on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, intent to defraud and forged document which are all contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, Section 467, 468 of the Criminal Code Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The SFU Prosecutor, E.A Jackson, informed the Honourable Court

that the Defendant, Babatunde Smith Adigun and Ajape whom are all at large, sometime in 2010 conspired amongst themselves to obtain the sum of N120 million from one Lanre Obisesan, by false pretences that they had the power, right and authority to sell a landed property belonging to Mr. ldowu Balogun and Musbal Nig. Ltd. According to the charge sheet, "That you Engr.

Rasaq Sefiu Adesina, Babatunde Smith (at large), Adigun (at large) and Ajape (at large), on or about 5 December, 2010, in Ikeja, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, knowingly forged a document described as "Special Resolution of Musbal Nig. Ltd", with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine, whether in Nigeria or

elsewhere, to the prejudice of any person, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Defendant pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against him by the SFU, upon which Prosecutor urged the court for a trial date Defence counsel, Abdul Azeez Jimoh made a humble application to the court, for the Defendant to continue with the bail granted to him previously.

Also mentioning to the court that since the bail has been granted, the Defendant had not violated any of the bail terms.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi, granted the application of the defence counsel, and adjourned the matter to 4th of February, 2021 for continuation of trial.

L-R: Principal Partner at Lexglobal Partners, Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN; Professor of Law at University of Jos, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN; Chairman of Dialogue Groups, Dr. Mahdi Shehu; and Partner/Head of Chambers at J-K Gadzama LLP, Akinlabi Akingbade, during the J-K Gadzama LLP 12th Annual Public Lecture on Tuesday in Abuja

prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, courts were labouring under overloaded dockets and FDVH ÀOHV 7KH FORVXUH RI the courts arising from measures aimed at curbing the pandemic, sadly, exacerbated the problem.

Awaiting trial detainees had their hearings which may have led to their release from custody stalled, litigants were left frustrated by the impasse, as cases slated for hearing within the period of suspension were stalled, and cases whose cause of action arose within the period of suspension, could not be heard. “The reopening of courts created nightmarish scenarios as Judges, Court staff, Lawyers and litigants battled to reschedule hearings that could not take place during the lockdown.

The result was a backlog that tested the limits of

the Nigerian Judiciary, bearing in mind that the system is already bedevilled by protracted trials and undue delay.

Justice delayed, they say, is justice denied.�

Gadzama added: “Without doubt, the Nigerian Judiciary has been stuck in analogue mode for so long, to our extreme and untold detriment. It would not be out of place to opine that, the Covid-19 pandemic came as a wakeup call on the need to deliberately bolster the institutionalisation of the use of technology in the administration of justice in Nigeria�.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of Dialogue Groups, Dr. Mahdi Shehu, stressed on the need WR KDYH VHOĂ HVV DQG well-intended political leaders, resilient political institutions and structures, sound economic policies, and a reliable and

dependable justice system, in order to rebuild the nation. “Indeed nation building has everything to do with respect for rule of law and maintenance of law and order, at all times. Only a solidly built and unbiased Judiciary, is capable of doing the painstaking task of building a nation.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice I.T Muhammad, in his remarks, hailed J-K Gadzama LLP for its consistency in organising its annual lecture series as part of its corporate social responsibility, and for bringing on board some of the brightest minds in Nigeria to discuss very pertinent issues, and to chart a way forward for the country. He described this year's theme of the lecture series as timely, given the current situation in the nation and globally.

Former Editor THISDAY LAWYER, Now Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Pioneer Editor of THISDAY LAWYER, Ms Funke Aboyade, SAN, was last Friday, inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (Nigeria Branch).

Alongside 32 other Fellows, Ms Aboyade took the Oath and Citation of the Institute in a virtual induction ceremony, marking the end of a three-day successful online annual conference of the Institute.

Also inducted was Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN. The Induction ceremony was conducted by Branch Chairman, Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN FCIArb CArb. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) UK founded in 1915, prides itself as the world’s leading qualifications and professional body for dispute avoidance and dispute

Ms Funke Aboyade, SAN

management. It has over 21,000 members based in 149 countries, with a network of 41 Branches and several Chapters. The Nigeria Branch is one of such branches, and currently has 1,505 members whose disciplines cut across law, banking, engineering, construction, oil and gas, shipping and accounting.

The Institute offers three

grades of membership – Associate, Member and Fellow. Experienced Fellows who have demonstrated advanced knowledge of arbitration, are further eligible to be examined for Chartered status. Fellowship is conferred after candidates successfully scale a rigorous three-tier examination.

THISDAY LAWYER checks reveal that this year’s set of Fellows, underwent a two-day viva and written examination.

After a nerve-wracking 12 week wait for their results, successful candidates then wrote their Award Writing examination. After another 12 week wait for their results in which roughly less than 50% were successful, those who scaled through underwent a peer interview by the Nigeria Branch of the Institute. Friday’s Induction ceremony capped the long and arduous process.

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01.12.2020

Cross-Border Adoption in Nigeria … Unavailing Remedy?

This article by Josephine Aburime discusses local and cross-border adoptions; that the fact that Nigeria is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Convention) which inter alia, prescribes guidelines for international adoptions, is an impediment that must be addressed, since in its absence, we have had to resort to local legislation which are somewhat deficient, and seem to prohibit international adoptions Background

exclude international Applicants.

Further complicating matters, the US Embassy in Nigeria seemingly recognises this adoption order from the Ministry, whilst the order is not accorded full recognition by the UK authorities. To give effect to an adoption order granted in Nigeria, there may have to be recognition of that order by a UK court. This lack of certainty has affected the number of valid applications, in the court system. The few cases in the courts are determined on an ad hoc basis, depending on the presiding Judge’s appreciation of the facts and his discretion.

Unfortunately, in some cases, the High Court Judges have shirked their responsibility, and referred Applicants to the Ministry.

T

he Child Rights Act 2003 (“the Act”) is a Federal legislation, providing for the basic rights of a Nigerian child. It also provides for custodial matters such as adoption, foster parenting and guardianship. The Act has been domesticated in some States of the Federation including Lagos State which enacted the Child Rights Law of 2007 (“the Law”). This in itself, has brought some inconsistencies on matters relating to children, and with particular reference, adoption.

Adoption: The Need for Documentation Private adoption has been long practiced in Nigeria, whereby a private arrangement between the adopter, usually a relative or kinsman and the parents of the child, a child is adopted.

However, contemporary developments including the menace of child trafficking has impelled the need for proper documentation reflecting adoptions, resulting in adoptions being formalised by the courts upon application of the parties.

Embassies and border agencies now insist on the presentation of legal adoption documentation, in order to secure visas for adopted children or accord the adoptive parents, parental recognition over the child. This is particularly pertinent when the adoption is international in nature, referring to adoptions across borders where a national or resident of another country adopts a child from a different country, other than where he/ she is resident. That is to say in Nigeria, a foreigner coming to Nigeria to adopt and take the child back with them abroad, or Nigerians resident abroad adopting a child in Nigeria with the intent of taking the child to live with them abroad. The term could also include a foreigner temporarily resident in Nigeria, adopting a Nigerian child.

International Adoption There is no gainsaying that due to the psychological effects adoptions are likely to have on children along with the sociocultural differences, a child would need to adjust to living overseas, material considerations in cross-border adoption would necessarily be different from domestic adoptions.

The United Nations Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Convention), prescribes guidelines for international adoptions. Its objects include, establishing safeguards ensuring a child’s internationally recognised fundamental rights are respected, establishing a system amongst Contracting States to prevent abduction or traffic in children, and to secure the recognition in Contracting States of adoptions made in accordance with the Convention. Nigeria is not a signatory to this Convention, resulting in resort to domestic legislation in international adoptions. But, these extant laws are inadequate and inconsistent to sufficiently govern the concept and process of adoption by international applicants.

Prohibition of Adoption by Foreigners and Non-Resident Nigerians For domestic adoptions, the Act and the Law respectively, vest jurisdiction in the High Courts. Both enactments are devoid of provisions for adoption by foreigners, or non-residents of Nigeria. Indeed, it appears to be specifically prohibited. The provisions of Section 131 of the Act specifically emphasises that an adoption order shall not be made unless the Applicant is a citizen of Nigeria, and the child has been in the care of the Applicant for a period of at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date, whilst Section 123 of the Law provides that an adoption order shall not be granted unless the Applicant is a resident and has been so resident for at least five years, is a Nigerian, both the Applicant and the child are resident in the same State, and the child has been in the care of the Applicant for at least three consecutive months.

The apparent ban on adoption by foreigners or non-resident Nigerians from the foregoing provisions, leaves a lacuna on the legality or otherwise of adoption in these circumstances.

This however, appears to have been overlooked by the relevant authorities. The courts, it may be argued, rely on their unlimited jurisdiction afforded by the 1999 Constitution to grant intercountry adoption orders. The Lagos State authorities on the

other hand, also grant adoption applications without any clarity on the authority to so act. The source of this dichotomy can again, be traced to the Law. After vesting jurisdiction in the courts for adoption matters, the Law further establishes an Adoption Service Organisation designed to meet the needs of adopted children, their parents or guardians and adopters. It then purports to also vest adoption powers on the Adoption Service in Section 118 where it reads that: (1) An application for adoption shall be made to the services… the Court shall order an investigation to be conducted by— (a) Social Welfare Officers; …(3) The Court shall, in reaching a decision relating to the adoption of a child…”

The reference “to the services” in the opening sentence appears to have been an error since the ensuing text refers to the court, but the inconsistency has created confusion which has been capitalised upon the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. They process and grant applications from prospective adopters which are then taken to the Magistrate Court, Family division to be approved by a Magistrate.

Interestingly, they also grant adoption orders to Applicants who reside abroad, despite the clear requisite conditions which

“THE NEED FOR A REVIEW OF THE EXTANT LAW, WITH A VIEW TO ENACTING A COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL LAW, CANNOT THEREFORE, BE OVER-EMPHASISED..... NIGERIA’S RATIFICATION OF THE HAGUE CONVENTION WOULD SET THE COUNTRY ON THE RIGHT COURSE IN NOT ONLY SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTING HER CHILDREN......”

A UK Case Study A case study is one decided by a UK High Court in 2017, where in a ruling which may be considered exploratory, Dame Justice Anna Pauffley (Retired) of the Family Division acceded to the application for recognition of a Nigerian adoption order.

A Nigerian couple living temporarily in the UK had applied to court to recognise and give effect to the adoption order granted them in Nigeria, of their 2-year old son to enable him join them in the UK for the duration of their stay there. Not being permanent legal residents, the provisions of the UK’s Family Act or other domiciliary laws had not availed them, and their son had been refused entry into the country as a result. Reviewing this case in line with the respective domestic laws of both the UK and Nigeria was integral to the court’s decision, since as mentioned earlier, Nigeria is not a signatory to the Hague Convention.

In this recondite case, the Judge took a most innovative and industrious approach influenced by her sense of justice, and after considering factors, including the fact that it would not be contrary to public policy, granted the application and the Nigerian parents benefitted from a valid order of court previously issued by a Nigerian Judge.

This benefit was however, not accorded a Nigerian couple living in the UK in a recent case at the Lagos High Court, where the problem of the dichotomy of the Courts and the Ministry of Social Development reared its ugly head. The couple, permanently resident in the UK, sought to adopt their orphaned relatives from the Nigerian Court. Having established the relationship between the Applicants and the children and reviewed all supporting documentation, the family court Judge fell short of granting the adoption order, and without a ruling thereon, opted rather to refer the Applicants to the Ministry where they were told a home study report from their country of domicile was a pre-requisite. They then sought to obtain report from their Borough in the UK, but were informed that adoption orders from Nigeria were not recognised. They were in a quagmire. Had the High Court Judge not opted to abdicate her responsibility and granted the adoption order, the couple may have had the benefit of applying to a UK court for recognition of that order, as in the former case.

The decision by the UK Court showed a dynamism arising from the evolving complexities and diversities of human relationships, required in family courts. In the today’s world where cultures, traditions and norms are so varied and legal regimes in some nations embrace cultures that are prohibited in others, this dynamism should be a catalyst for flexibility to be applied with a sense of responsibility, discretion and justice.

Conclusion Adoptions in themselves alter the legal identity of a child and have other peculiarities worth addressing, if the law is to be practicable e.g. change of name of the adopted child, right of the adopted child or other third parties to access the adoption records, death of a single adoptive parent of a child etc. The need for a review of the extant law, with a view to enacting a comprehensive Federal law, cannot therefore, be over-emphasised, particularly because as a Federation, it is implausible that respective State laws should differ on international adoption modalities, in their respective States.

Such a regime would be open to abuse, and sheer exploitation.

In the meantime, Nigeria’s ratification of the Hague Convention would set the country on the right course in not only safeguarding and protecting her children, but also affording them the opportunities available to them in today’s world.

Jennifer Aburime, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

01.12.2020

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Is Lagos Pro or Anti-Arbitration?

This article by Learned Senior Advocate, Funke Adekoya, examines a recent ruling given by the Lagos State High Court setting aside an award in the case of Global Gas and Refinery Limited and Shell Petroleum Development Company, for misconduct arising from allegations of non-disclosure of conflict of interest by the arbitration panel, allegations which had previously been dismissed by the ICC. She concludes that the court’s decision is a cause for concern to the arbitral community, both within Nigeria and abroad Brief Facts of the Case n the case, the court held that the presiding Arbitrator’s non-disclosure amounted to misconduct, which entitled the court to set aside the arbitral award, even though the challenge had earlier been submitted to the ICC which had dismissed the challenge. The court was of the view that “The main issue in the case centred on the bias of the President of the Arbitration Panel”.

The brief facts of the case as can be discerned from the ruling delivered, is that the Claimant commenced ICC arbitral proceedings against the Respondent, alleging breach of a gas sales and purchase agreement. During the proceedings, the Claimant challenged the appointment of the presiding Arbitrator on the grounds that he had failed to disclose information, which led to doubts as to his independence and his impartiality. The ICC Court of Arbitration reviewed the challenge, and dismissed it. The arbitration continued and concluded, with an award by the majority of the tribunal dismissing the Claimant’s claims.

The Claimant then proceeded to the Lagos High Court, seeking orders setting aside the final award dated 30th May, 2017, refusing recognition and enforcement of the final award plus other consequential orders. The grounds for the application included a ground based on misconduct of the majority of the arbitral tribunal, and one of the issues raised for determination was "whether there are proven instances of misconduct by the majority of the arbitral tribunal in the final award dated 30th May, 2017”.

The trial Judge in her ruling indicated that “one of the grounds to which they are seeking the court's intervention to set aside the arbitral award, is the reason of non-disclosure by the arbitral tribunal who had a relationship with the parties which he failed to disclose at the ICC… Counsel argued that at the time of the arbitration the President of the tribunal had a relationship with the Respondent which he failed to disclose both to the parties and the ICC … he gave an expert opinion as a Barrister in a litigation matter involving the Respondent as a party… The ruling indicates that the tribunal chair had provided expert advice on a dispute between the Respondent and Bodo Community in Gokana Ogoni, Rivers State; (the Respondent says the chair provided an expert opinion to its parent company abroad, and not to it). The Claimant also alleged that the tribunal chair and the other member of the tribunal that constituted the majority in the arbitral tribunal, were both members of the Board of Governors of an arbitral institution of which the Respondent counsel was the chair, and that this body was formed during the pendency of the arbitration, with no notice or disclosure being made to any of the parties. The Claimant indicated that based on their membership of this arbitral institution, it had challenged the appointment of these parties at the ICC, but the ICC did not uphold the challenge; rather, it dismissed the complaint.

I

Allegation of Misconduct and Court’s Decision In essence, the Claimant asserts that the undisclosed relationship with the Respondent (or its parent company as asserted by the Respondent) by providing an expert report in an unrelated matter, together with the undisclosed membership by the presiding Arbitrator, one co-Arbitrator and counsel for the Respondent of an arbitral institution, amounts to misconduct.

In the decision, the Court took the view that once an Arbitrator has been challenged, his or her obligation is to resign the appointment and not resist the challenge. The court held that "when an objection is raised on the basis of bias, it casts doubts on the process itself, notwithstanding whether the panel was constituted or not by ICC. This being so, the President of the arbitrator [sic] must exercise a duty of care towards all the cases that are before them [sic].

Therefore, it does not lie in the Arbitrators to raise a defence, or put the process in ridicule. What is expected was to have simply recluse [sic] himself, even when the system absolved him. This is the standard and nothing more is required….Consequently, it beats me hollow why the learned gentlemen, even though allowed to proceed to lead the panel ought to have graciously throw [sic] in the towel. That is the practice that all Arbitrators/ Judges worldwide, should adopt. As I have said earlier in this ruling, no justification is allowed to flow from the mouth of the Arbitrator in form of a defence….”.

Test for Non-disclosure and Conflict of Interest With all due respect, this position is not correct. The worldwide

possibility that the Arbitrator was biased”.

Apart from this not having any legal basis in legal jurisprudence, the ‘if challenged, then resign’ posture advocated by our courts, also results in a very practical consideration. Any party that wishes to delay arbitration proceedings can merely challenge an Arbitrator, by alleging the absence of independence and impartiality; if this decision is to be followed, the failure of the Arbitrator to immediately withdraw, will result in any consequent award being set aside. This surely cannot be the intention of the challenge procedure.

Funke Adekoya, SAN practice is set out in the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration. It is the ’gold standard’ for determining what an Arbitrator needs to disclose. The IBA Guidelines seek to ensure that in the event of a challenge, there is a “guide” to determine if there has been a conflict of interest capable of affecting the independence and impartiality of the Arbitrator.

In determining whether non-disclosure constitutes a breach of an Arbitrator’s conflict of interest obligations, as recently as 2018 in Halliburton Company v Chubb Bermuda Insurance Ltd & Ors [2018] EWCA Civ 817 (19 April 2018), the English Court of Appeal stated the test at paragraph 73 of the judgement as follows: “First, the court needs to consider whether disclosure ought to have been made in accordance with the principles we have just enunciated. Secondly, the court needs to consider the significance of that nondisclosure, in the context of the application with which the court is dealing. In the case of an application for removal of the Arbitrator in question, the court will consider on the basis of all the factual information available when that application is heard (including the fact that there has been non-disclosure), whether the fair-minded and informed observer would conclude that there was a real

“EVEN IF THIS FACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED AS AN ORANGE LIST ITEM, THE NONDISCLOSURE WITHOUT MORE, CANNOT BE EVIDENCE OF BIAS. THE FACTS NOT DISCLOSED, MUST GIVE RISE TO JUSTIFIABLE DOUBT AS TO INDEPENDENCE AND /OR IMPARTIALITY”

IBA Guidelines Furthermore the Learned trial Judge also took the view that, the challenged Arbitrator had an obligation to disclose these particular facts. However, this position is not supported by reference to the IBA Guidelines. Surprisingly, there is no reference to the Guidelines in the decision, and as such, one is unable to determine whether any reference was made to them, or any reliance placed on them in reaching this decision.

The Guidelines provide examples of relationships and categorises them into Red, Orange and Green Lists. A review of Part II: Practical Application of the General Standards of the IBA Guidelines, discloses that the non-disclosure of the membership of the Board of Governors of the arbitral institution by the majority members of the arbitral tribunal and the Respondent counsel, is a Green List item “The arbitrator has a relationship with another arbitrator, or with the counsel for one of the parties, through membership in the same professional association, or social or charitable organisation, or through a social media network”. This does not disclose a conflict of interest. The expert opinion given by the presiding Arbitrator to the parent company of the Respondent in respect of another matter, would at worst, be an Orange List item, depending on when the services that were rendered. – “The Arbitrator has, within the past three years, served as counsel for one of the parties, or an affiliate of one of the parties, or has previously advised or been consulted by the party, or an affiliate of the party, making the appointment in an unrelated matter, but the Arbitrator and the party, or the affiliate of the party, have no ongoing relationship.” Even if this fact should have been disclosed as an Orange List item, the non- disclosure without more, cannot be evidence of bias. The facts not disclosed, must give rise to justifiable doubt as to independence and/or impartiality. As stated by the English Court of Appeal in the Halliburton case at paragraph 76 of the judgement, “Non-disclosure of a fact or circumstance which should have been disclosed, but does not in fact, on examination, give rise to justifiable doubts as to the Arbitrator’s impartiality, cannot, however, in and of itself, justify an inference of apparent bias. Something more is required …”.

Even where the Arbitrator has failed to disclose a disclosable fact, it is submitted that, setting aside the award should not be the automatic result of the failure to disclose. Many parties are negatively impacted when an award is set aside: the parties to the dispute who have expended time and money on putting their case before the Arbitrators, the other (and innocent) co-Arbitrators who have also expended their time, knowledge and energy in providing a resolution to the dispute, in administered arbitrations, the arbitral institution may have reputational issues resulting from the termination of the case it had administered, and ultimately, the potential decrease in the confidence of users that the system of arbitration will conclude with the resolution of disputes.

Conclusion In a scenario such as this, where the request is to set aside an award in an administered arbitral proceedings, perhaps, the court should give significant weight to the fact that the institution agreed upon by the parties to administer the arbitration and which includes the determination of any conflict challenges court, had reviewed the challenge and dismissed it. The court is supposed to support the arbitration process, not hinder it. For as long as this decision stands unchallenged, Lagos cannot claim to be pro-arbitration. The ball is in our court [pun intended!]

Funke Adekoya, SAN, Fellow and past President, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigerian Branch); member of Panel of Arbitrators, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

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‘Nigeria Needs Only a few Nigerians have had the rare privilege of traversing the legal and political terrain with equal success, and still remain resolute and have great faith in the nation. Owelle George Uwechue SAN is one of such Nigerians; an avid legal practitioner, former Chairman of the esteemed Body of Benchers and Life Bencher, and Mr Speaker Pro tempore of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic.

Owelle Uwechue who turned 82 yesterday had a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, explaining why he believes strongly that Nigeria is in dire need of urgent restructuring, and why he thinks the #ENDSARS protest was long overdue

C

ongratulations on the occasion of your 82nd birthday Sir. You have lived a very accomplished life, not only reaching the peak of your career as a Lawyer, being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Life Bencher and a former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, but also the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 2nd Republic. How would you compare your role as Speaker and that of the House then, to what obtains now? Are you satisfied with the National Assembly today? If not, what measures can you suggest for improvement? Do you agree with the general complaint by Nigerians, that the salary structure of members is exorbitant and unjustifiable?

I thank you very much for your complementary messages on my 82nd birthday, and particularly, on my modest contributions to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria and in politics.

I must hasten to point out, as shown in all my records and in particular, “Essays in my Honour”, my Speakership of the House of Representatives was “MR SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE”. I attach a copy of the Votes and Proceeding of 1st National Assembly, 4th Session No. 43 of Wednesday, 23rd February, 1983.

The role of the Speaker then and now, has always been to preside judiciously over all matters before the House, devoid of partisan political considerations.

Yes, I am satisfied with the National Assembly of today, the role of the National Assembly is derived from the Constitution for the good governance of the country.

The National Assembly has successfully passed most bills, without rancour over the years, notwithstanding their different political affiliations; this is a positive de-velopment. In that context, it will be unnecessary to suggest any measures for the improvement of the process which will involve the amendment of the Constitution.

The final part of your question that the general complaint by Nigerians is “that the salary structure of the National Assembly members is exorbitant and unjustifia-ble”, must be viewed along with the very peculiar Nigerian circumstances. In this context, the general view

Owelle George Uwechue, SAN

“THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE PROTESTS HAVE BEEN LONG OVERDUE. THE ACTIONS OF SARS/ POLICE ON OUR ROADS, CONSTRAINED MOST ELDERS LIKE ME TO GO BY AIR WHENEVER TRAVEL IS INEVITABLE”

is that the “Executive”, both State and Federal, have failed to meet the basic needs of the people - such as electricity, water supply and employment for the teeming population. The legislators were elected by their con-stituencies, it is their duty to do whatever is in their power and legal, to provide for those who elected them.

Finally, on this point, “appropriation” is a matter within the full constitutional control of the National Assembly, by virtue of Section 59(4) of the 1999 Constitu-tion. By virtue of which, a bill passed by two third majority of the joint meeting of the Senate and the House of Representatives “shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required”.

Indeed, the fact that since the Buhari Administration there has been no such case, is indisputable evidence that the National Assembly and the Executive are fully aware of their respective responsibilities and powers, in respect of appropriation.

What is your opinion about Restructuring? Does Nigeria really need it, or are we fine as we are now with the present arrangement and

the 1999 Constitution? Is a peaceful devolution of powers from Nigeria's strong centre to the States or regions still possible at this level of our political evolution? Could this be the best alternative to outright breakup of the country?

I honestly believe that Nigeria needs restructuring, and urgently too. This is be-cause notwithstanding one of the great legacies of our former President Olusegun Obasanjo, by the enactment of the Land Use Act, which is protected

by Section 315(5)(d) of the Constitution, the successive Federal Governments have deliberately refused to abide by the provisions of that law. Section 1 of that Act vests “the ownership of all land comprised in the territory of a State in the Governor of the State; while Section 2 vests the management and control of all land within the Local Government Area Council.

In the circumstances anybody who purports or seeks to enter the territory of a State for any purpose whatsoever, without the consent or permit of the Governor of the State is a trespasser!!

Those who argue that the action of the Federal Government and those to whom they give leases or interests in any part

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01.12.2020

Restructuring Urgently’ of the land in the State, wrongly rely on Section 44(3) of the Constitution, which vests “the entire property in and control of all minerals oils and natural gas and in, under or upon any land… shall vest in the Government of the Federation … and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. Incidentally, Section 44(1) prohibits compulsory acquisition of any movable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taking possession of compulsorily… except in the manner and for the purposes provided by law … any attempt by the Federal Government to take possession of any part of the land by entering directly or through agents, is unconstitutional.

This issue of resource control and restructuring have been the subject of discus-sions by the Afenifere, the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and the South South groups in recent times. Happily, as reported in the media a few days ago, a meeting was held between the South South Leaders with the Federal Government, in which the Special Assistant to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari received their demands, which we hope should be taken seriously by the Federal Government.

The other issue of the feasibility of a peaceful devolution of powers from Nigeri-an’s strong centre to the States or regions, are among the matters the Federal Government is expected to consider as a matter of urgency.

The final issue of “outright break up the country”, is unpatriotic; we should in-deed, urge for the expansion of ECOWAS, just as the Europeans who, after two devastating world wars formed the European Union.

The fallout of the #ENDSARS Protest, that is, the Lekki Tollgate incident, the looting and destruction of property, allegations and counterallegations, espe-cially the issue of blank and real bullets between the Army and Lai Mohammed on one hand and CNN on the other; what is your take on it all Sir? This question is very pertinent because it is a current issue, not just affecting the Nigerian Government, but attracting reactions from the British Parliament and some foreign media, like CNN. There is no doubt that the protests have been long overdue. The actions of SARS/ Police on our roads, constrained most elders like me to go by air whenever travel inevitable.

The protests were supported by all and sundry and on the 11th of October, 2020, the Inspector General of Police promptly abolished SARS and created SWAT, an alternative for the time being.

Nevertheless the protests continued, culminating in the incident at the Lekki toll gate on October 20th and the resultant looting and destruction of property. I believe that in spite of the indisputable right of the citizen to protest, such actions must be done within the limits of the law.

The other aspects of the question

“THIS YEAR 72 NEW SENIOR ADVOCATES WERE APPOINTED, INCLUDING 10 FROM THE ACADEMIA. IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATES CONSIDERED. THERE IS NO LEGAL OR EQUITABLE BASIS, TO DENY A PERSON WHO HAS MET THE RE-QUIREMENTS, THE RIGHT TO BE CONFERRED WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA”

Owelle George Uwechue, SAN

involving the looting and destruction of property, allegations and counterallegations, especially the issue within blank and real bullets, between the Army and Lai Mohammed on one hand and CNN on the other hand, are matters now pending before the Lagos State Panel of Inquiry headed by Honourable Justice Doris Okuwobi, retired Judge of the Lagos State High Court. Until the conclusion of the proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this matter.

Does Nigeria produce too many Lawyers? Over 6,000 are called to the Bar every year. Also, the Nigerian Law School has been accused of producing too many 1st Class graduates. What are your views on this, with regard to legal education?

Some are also complaining about the number of Senior Advocates that are to be conferred with the rank next month. Is there anything wrong with that? Many notable senior non-litigation Lawyers outside the Inner Bar who have made their indelible contributions to the development of the profession in Nigeria, have complained of being denied the coveted rank of SAN, which even Academics are conferred with. What can be done to address this imbalance?

This 4th question is very extensive, and I will seek your leave to address the sepa-rate issues raised in it seriatim.

I do not believe that Nigeria produces too many Lawyers, notwithstanding the fact that, even if as you stated, over 6,000 people are called to the Bar every year. The number of people called to the Bar each year, must be

considered along with the candidates for each year. The Council of Legal Education has over the years set up very high standards, and those who are called to the Bar first go through the process of chambers attachment and court attend-ance. The candidates are then sponsored by two Benchers, who must satisfy them as fit and proper to be called to the Bar. Finally, they are screened by the Screening Committee of the Body of Benchers (Chaired by the Vice Chairman), whose report must be approved in a formal meeting of the Body You must bear in mind that only those who meet the requirements, are called to the Bar. I must underscore the point that the profession produces the personnel of one arm of government, the Judiciary, and by constitutional provisions, the Attorney- Generals, Solicitor-Generals of the Federation and the State. Also, all persons called to the Bar need not necessarily practice law, as many get into other sectors with their degree as graduates of law (LLB).

On the second issue I will state that, it is not true that the Nigerian Law School produces too many 1st class graduates. The standard of legal education has greatly increased and thereby, enhancing the quality of the students produced in the Law School.

This year, 72 new Senior Advocates were appointed, including 10 from the aca-demia. It is consistent with the quality of the candidates considered. There is no legal or equitable basis, to deny a person who has met the requirements, the right to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In the case of reservations about including academics in the appointment, this has

been the practice. Indeed, the second Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN appointed in 1975 was from the academics, and today, the most senior and current Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN was appointed from the academics. The legal profession involves research for authorities, and these academics are most suitable in that regard.

The regulations have been improved since 2017 placing great emphasis on cases from the High Court, where the witnesses are examined and crossexamined before a judgement, in order to meet the ends of justice.

It has been suggested in several quarters that the Supreme Court requires un-bundling by creating divisions in the three geopolitical regions, to reduce the heavy docket of the Apex Court. Right now, the whole of 2021 is full, and the Court has started giving dates for 2022.

Would you subscribe to divisions being created for the court? In fact, the volume of pre and post election cases witnessed in every election year has led some to advocate for a Constitutional Court, to handle strictly political cases. Would you say this is another feasible solution to reducing the Supreme Court’s cont'd on page 10

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‘Nigeria Needs Restructuring Urgently’ cont'd from page 9

workload?

This question involving the volume of cases at the Supreme Court and the number of years it takes to complete or even list matters for hearing at the Apex Court, is a matter of great concern to all members of the legal profession - the Bench and Bar - and even the litigants.

The issue of creating divisions in the three geo-political regions to reduce the heavy dockets at the Supreme Court, begs the issue from where will the Justices of the various division come? America, a Federation like Nigeria, comprising fifty States has one Federal Supreme Court with nine Justices only of that court; but each of the fifty States has its Court of Appeal and Supreme Court leaving only Federal and strictly constitutional issues, to the Federal Supreme Court.

Section 230(1)(b) of the Constitution provides for a maximum of “twenty-one Justices” as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. The number of Justices of the Nigerian Supreme Court including, the Chief Justice is sixteen. In the circumstances, the appointment of five new Justices to meet the maximum constitutional provisions, is fine. Whether this is desirable or not, has been subject of controversy between members of the legal profession. It is recommended that the Chief Justice of Nigeria should collaborate with the Executive and the National Assembly, to seek the best way forward on this matter.

On the other hand, one must underscore the point, that there are adequate provi-sions in the rules of the Federal High Court, the States High Courts’ and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, for alternative dispute resolution. Members of the legal profession owe a duty to the general public, to resort to these provisions rather than appeal, in many cases frivolously, to the higher courts.

The Court of Appeal Rules and the Supreme Court Rules make adequate provi-sions to encourage litigants to resolve their disputes amicably, so as to reduce the number of cases that ultimately go to the Supreme Court.

The raging controversy in Gombe State over the sidetracking of the most senior Judge who happens to be a woman and a Christian as Chief Judge, is one that has elicited so much discontent, with allegations of gender and religious discrimination. Likewise, the issue of the most senior Judge in Cross River State, who is also female and was labelled as a security risk because she’s from Akwa Ibom, objections that seem rather baseless.

How can we stem this negative tide?

The first issue over an opinion by someone that in Gombe State the most senior Judge was sidetracked who happens to be a woman and a Christian raising issues of gender and religious discrimination, and also the second issue that the most senior Judge in Cross River State who is also a female and was labelled as a security risk because she was from Akwa Ibom State, are both conclusions which cannot be appropriately responded to without the full details and facts of each case. In any event, there was no apparent illegality

Owelle George Uwechue, SAN in the manner in which the persons concerned exercised their discretions over the matters. They are not issues of law to be addressed, without proper documentation and investigation of the matter.

How would you say the Buhari Administration has fared in its five and a half years in office vis-a-vis it’s campaign promises of fighting insecurity and corruption, revamping the economy; and as a Lawyer, upholding the rule of law?

This seventh question has raised some issues which have become subject of reac-tions from certain quarters, and in particular, the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who like Buhari served first in the military and later as a civil-ian. President Obasanjo’s first regime was marked with his legacy of effectively fighting

“I acknowledge that some critics, including some highly placed Nigerians, had expressed some concerns over his failing to acknowledge in the course of his appointments, that nepotism is an integral part of corruption......”

the apartheid regimes in Southern Africa. Obasanjo introduced the Land Use Act, and eventually handed over to civilians within the time he specified.

Con-sequently, during his regime that commenced in 1999, Nigerians were pleased to elect him as their first civilian President. He successfully made the Peoples Demo-cratic Party a national party, culminating in the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan from Bayelsa State as President.

On the other hand, President Buhari who also served as military and civilian leader, has his own legacies. His military regime began on the 31st day of December, 1983, when he sacked the Shehu Shagari administration and the entire National Assembly.

However, it was short lived, as he was overthrown in another military coup which brought in the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida on the 27th August, 1985. We were all surprised that a man who was visibly fighting cor-ruption, to the extent that it was alleged that he was responsible for the attempt to smuggle Umaru Dikko back into the country from the UK to face allegations against corruption, could be overthrown in the circumstances.

Subsequent devel-opments, including the annulment of the first truly and fair elections conducted in Nigeria on June 12, 1993 and the resultant emergence of Abacha as a leader, re-vealed that the actions of those that overthrew him were unjustified.

Based on the above introduction, I will now address the issues raised in this ques-tion as to his performance in the last five and a half years vis-avis the campaign promises - fighting insecurity and corruption and revamping the economy and oth-er issues raised therein.

Fighting of Insecurity and Corruption Fighting insecurity and corruption are closely related. As to corruption, I believe that the President has maintained his genuine interest of fighting corruption, if not eliminating it completely, irrespective of who, as you have seen, is involved.

I acknowledge that some critics, including some highly placed Nigerians, had ex-pressed some concerns over his failing to acknowledge in the course of his ap-pointments, that nepotism is an integral part of corruption, having regard to the provision of Federal character in our Constitution. I advice that such criticisms should be taken seriously, and there is still time to address those areas of concern.

There are also criticisms in the way in which the security situation, particularly in the Northern part of the country, is degenerating to a state of considerable anxiety and apprehension. This is a situation in which all hands must be on deck.

The same affects the revamping of the economy.

On the final question of upholding the rule of law, there were also some concerns over that issue. Indeed, one of the leading legal luminaries Professor Ben Nwa-bueze, SAN raised the issue in his book titled “Buhari’s Legacies” published in January, 2020.

My advice is that, the President should work closely with his Ministers and Advis-ers, particularly the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, over the areas in which people have raised such concerns.

I pray that his final legacy shall be his transfer of power to his successor through the same process, as was done

by Jonathan.

At 82, looking back on your life and career, are you fulfilled? Or there’s still more you want to do? What advice do you have for Nigeria, going forward?

As to the last question, the issue of fulfilment is subjective, I will remain ever so grateful to my associates who earlier organised the presentation of the “Law in Motion Essays” in my Honour on 23rd November, 2013 and now remembering me seven years after.

My advice for Nigeria, is for Nigerians to work towards National unity at all times.

Thank you Learned Silk, and again, we wish you a very happy 82nd birthday.

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Appointment of Justice of the Supreme Court: A Review of the President’s Powers This article by Tolu Aderemi examines the reasons for the delays by the Supreme Court in the dispensation of justice, citing an insufficient number of JSCs as one of the main culprits for this.

That the role of the President is simply to forward the names of the NJC nominees to the Senate for confirmation; and that the Constitution does not give the President any powers to exercise discretion in this regard, by rejecting or refusing to forward the names of nominees Introduction

A

fundamental principle underlying Nigeria’s constitutional process, is the independence of the judiciary.

This embodies the entire philosophy of constitutional democracy which is more emphasised by the preamble to the Constitution which reads in part, “promoting the good government and welfare of all persons … on the principles of Equality, Freedom and Justice”.

In a country characterised by socio-political and economic underdevelopment, a workable contrivance (separation of powers) which insulates the judiciary from undue interference from the other two arms of government, particularly in the appointment of Judicial Officers, must therefore, be desirable.

The Supreme Court and Delays The Nigerian Supreme Court, is the highest court in the judicial hierarchy. It is clothed with original and appellate jurisdiction as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Decisions made therein are final and cannot be appealed against, unless where there are omissions in its judgement or clerical errors, which is not considered an appeal.

Judicial appointments to the Supreme Court are therefore, an important part of the administration of civil and criminal justice system in Nigeria.

Judicial Officers also consider appointments to this Court as the peak of their careers.

As a policy court and court of last instance, the Nigerian Supreme Court has been criticised for the wanton delay in dispensing justice. For instance, the decision in an appeal may span a period of two to four years, from the date of filing such appeal to determination. This is, obviously not because the Justices are lazy, but because the Court is overwhelmed with far more cases its serving Justices can accommodate. Put simply, the Supreme Court currently runs with less than its constitutionally prescribed number of Justices, and this has been the state of things for many years.

The Constitution and the Number of Justices Section 230(2) of the Constitution provides that “the Supreme Court of Nigeria shall consist of – (a) the Chief Justice of Nigeria; and (b) such number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not exceeding twenty-one, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.”

It means therefore that the Apex Court should ordinarily have 22 (some say 21) Justices of the Court, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

I cannot recall when last the Court could boast of this number of sitting Justices, at any one time.

This must necessarily impinge on the speed of delivery and administration of civil and criminal justice, in Nigeria.

The undue delay in appointments to the Supreme Court and its untold effect on the administration of justice in Nigeria has therefore, called for a review of Section 231(1) and (2) of the Constitution. The section provides that such appointments shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), upon confirmation of such appointment by Senate.

A more careful review of this section makes

President Muhammadu Buhari

it unclear what it seeks to achieve. Or put it in another way, the Constitution makes it clear that in its bid to enshrine the doctrine of separation of powers, the judiciary is at the mercy of a ‘cooperative or uncooperative Executive and Legislature’. No one is appointed to the Supreme Court, unless the President says so.

The Role of the President Sometime in October 2019, the NJC (the highest decision making organ of the Judiciary)

“......WHERE A PRESIDENT FAILS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PURSUANT TO A RECOMMENDATION BY THE NJC WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD, THE LAW SHOULD GRANT THE NJC THE LIBERTY TO SUBMIT SUCH NAME(S) TO SENATE FOR CONFIRMATION BY SIMPLE MAJORITY OR TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY”

recommended their Lordships Adamu Jauro (North-East), Emmanuel Agim (South-South), C. Oseji (South-South) and Helen M. Ogunwumiju (South-West) for appointment to the Supreme Court. Eight months later, the President refused to consider this recommendation, nor forward their names to the Senate for confirmation. Were the President to have done so, this would have made the number of Justices of the Supreme Court, sixteen. This is still below the twenty-two constitutionally approved number. The retirement age of a Justice of the Apex Court, is seventy years old.

It is important to note that, the President has no other discretion to exercise upon recommendation to him of a candidate for the position of JSC, than the appointment of such person. The President’s power to appoint, is circumscribed by the recommendation made to him by the NJC. In simple terms, NJC recommends, President appoints, and Senate confirms. The case of Hon Justice Dongbam-Mensem, who was appointed in an acting capacity on March 5, 2020 following the retirement of Hon. Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, and on the recommendation of the NJC, in compliance with the provisions of Section 238(4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is apposite. This procedure is therefore, not alien to the Executive.

The expectation, and indeed, the standard of the NJC (particularly on the appointment of Justices of the Supreme Court) has always been to thoroughly screen candidates through a transparent process of interviews by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, which then reports to the NJC on its findings with regard to every candidate it interviews and screens. The NJC then forwards the name of successful candidates to the President, for appointment.

Unfortunately, the Constitution did not contemplate a situation where names of nominees are forwarded to the President and he fails to act, and so did not make accordant provisions. The drafters of the Constitution did not contemplate that a President would defy the recommendations of the NJC, and refuse to appoint candidates recommended to him. This is a flaw in the Constitution, and an amendment which should override such powers is hereby proposed.

Put simply, where a President fails to make an appointment pursuant to a recommendation by the NJC within a certain period, the law should grant the NJC the liberty to submit such name(s) to Senate for confirmation by simple majority or two-thirds majority. This will deem the President’s approval, as having been sought.

Conclusion The administration of justice in Nigeria has been adversely affected by the constant interference of political interests, in the appointment of Judicial Officers. There is therefore, the urgent need to ingeniously think of ways of deepening the administration of justice in Nigeria, and eradicating all inhibiting factors thereto.

The President has to do the right thing, and appoint, with dispatch, the candidates recommended to him by the NJC. Tolu Aderemi, Legal Practitioner, Partner, Perchstone & Graeys LP, Lagos

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01.12.2020

The American Electoral College v Nigeria’s Presidential Elections (Part 2) Introduction

The American House of Representatives has 435 members, elected for a two-year term in single-seat constituencies. House of Representatives elections are held every two years on the first Tuesday after November 1, in even years. Special House elections can occur between, if a member dies or resigns during a term. House elections are first-past-the-post elections that elect a Representative from each of 435 House districts that cover the United States. The non-voting delegates of Washington, D.C., and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, are also elected. House elections occur every two years, correlated with presidential elections or halfway through a President’s term. The House delegate of Puerto Rico, officially known as the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, is elected to a four-year term, coinciding with those of the President.

In Nigeria however, the 365 members of the Federal House of Representatives are elected for a four-year term, always renewable for as long as he/she wins elections.

That a sitting American President (Donald Trump) even had to address whether or not he would leave office after roundly losing the election, underscores the extent to which President Trump has smashed one convention after another in just four years. While there is no evidence of any widespread fraud that Trump has been alleging, he and his legal team have nonetheless, been working to cast doubt on the integrity of the US Presidential election and trying to overturn the American voters' will, in an unprecedented breach of Democratic norms. It is on this sad note of Trump turning America into a Banana Republic that we continue our discourse of the above issues today, with the American Electoral and party system. Please, read on.

Party Systems One clear documented trend is that in-person votes and early votes are more likely to lean to the Republican Party, while the provisional ballots, which are counted later, trend to the Democratic Party. This phenomenon is known as ‘blue shift’, and has led to situations where Republicans won on election night, only to be overtaken by Democrats after all votes were counted. This is what has just taken place, in the US Presidential election. President Trump already declared himself winner with the early in-person votes, as the Republican party was leading. However, the Democrats later upset the applecart with a barrage of mail votes that gave President-elect, Joe Biden, the largest number of votes in American history, which totalled about a record over 80 million votes. He defeated sitting President Trump by over 10 million votes, cancelling Obama’s 2008 record.

Early Voting Early voting is a formal process where voters can cast their ballot, prior to the official Election Day. Early voting in person is allowed in 33 American States and in Washington, D.C., with no excuse required.

Voting Method The earliest voting in the US, was through paper ballots that were hand-counted. By the late 1800s, paper ballots printed by election officials were nearly universal. By 1980, 10% of American voters used paper ballots that were counted by hand, which dropped below 1% by 2008. Mechanical voting machines were first used in the US in the 1892 elections, in Lockport, New York.

In Nigeria, the Electoral Act provides for how ballots are cast.

Sections 64 and 65 of the Electoral Act provides thus: “64(1) The Presiding Officer shall, after counting the votes at the polling station or unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the Commission, as the case may be.

(2) The Form shall be signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and counter-signed by the candidates or their polling agents where available at the Polling Station.

(3) The Presiding Officer shall give to the Polling Agents and the Police officer where available, a copy each of the completed Forms after it has been duly signed as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) The Presiding Officer shall count and announce the result at the Polling Station.

65. A candidate or a Polling Agent may, where present at a Polling Station when counting of votes is completed by the Presiding Officer, demand to have the votes recounted, provided that the Presiding Officer shall cause the votes to be so recounted only once”.

Levels of Election Federal Elections The United States has a presidential system of government, which means that the executive and legislature are elected separately. Article II of the United States Constitution requires that the election of the U.S. President by the Electoral College, must occur on a single day throughout the country; Article I established that elections for Congressional offices, however, can be held at different times. Congressional and Presidential elections take place simultaneously every four years, and the intervening Congressional elections, which take place every two years, are called midterm elections. In Nigeria, the election of the Presidents, Governors and members of the National and State Houses of Assembly take place as determined by INEC. See Sections 71, 112, 131 and 177 of the Constitution.

Voting Eligibility The American Constitution states that members of the United States House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and be a (legal) inhabitant of the State they represent. Senators must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least nine years, and be a (legal) inhabitant of the State they represent. The President and Vice President must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen of the United States, and a resident in the United States for at least fourteen years. It is the responsibility of State legislatures to regulate the qualifications for a candidate appearing on a ballot paper, although, in order to get onto the ballot, a candidate must often collect a legally defined number of signatures.

In Nigeria, a person must, under the 1999 Constitution, be 40 years old to contest for the Presidency [Section 131(b)]; 35 years for Governorship [Section 177(b)]; and 35 years for Senate [Section 65(a)]

Presidential Elections The American President and the Vice President, are elected together in a presidential election. It is an indirect election, with the winner being determined by votes cast by electors of the Electoral College.

In modern times, voters in each State select a slate of electors from a list of several slates designated by different parties or candidates, and the electors typically promise in advance to vote for the candidates of their party (whose names of the presidential candidates usually appear on the ballot rather than those of the individual electors). The winner of the election is the candidate with at least, 270 Electoral College votes. It is possible for a candidate to win the electoral vote, and lose the (nationwide) popular vote (receive fewer votes nationwide than the second ranked candidate). Prior to ratification of the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution (1804), the runner-up in a presidential election became the Vice President.

State Elections State law and State Constitutions, controlled by State legislatures regulate elections at State level and local level. Various officials at State level are elected. Since the separation of powers applies to States as well as the Federal Government, State legislatures and the executive (the Governor) are elected separately. Governors and Lieutenant Governors are elected in all States, in some States on a joint ticket and in some States separately, some separately in different electoral cycles. The Governors of the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, are also elected. In some States, executive positions such as Attorney-General and Secretary of State are also State offices. All members of State legislatures and territorial jurisdiction legislatures, are elected. In some States, members of the State Supreme Court and other members of the State judiciary, are elected. Proposals to amend the State Constitution are also placed on the ballot, in some States.

As a matter of convenience and cost saving, elections for many of these State and local offices are held at the same time as either the Federal Presidential or midterm elections. There are a handful of States, however, that instead, hold their elections during oddnumbered “off years.”

In Nigeria, a Governor is elected for a four year term with a running mate (see Section 187(1) of the Constitution). He can run for a second and final term of four years. The Attorney-General of the Federation is not elected, but is appointed by the President under Section 160 of the Constitution.

Congressional Elections Congress has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In Nigeria, by Section 142(1) of the 1999 Constitution, a Presidential candidate must have a running mate. A person becomes elected as President under Section 134(2), which provides that a “candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being more than two candidates for the election- (a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

Local Elections At the local level, county and city government positions are usually filled by election, especially within the legislative branch. The extent to which offices in the executive or judicial branches are elected, vary from county-to-county or city-to-city. Some examples of local elected positions include Sheriffs at the county level, and Mayors and School Board members at the city level. Like State elections, an election for a specific local office may be held at the same time as either the Presidential, midterm, or off-year elections.

Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution discusses the local government system and elections.

Senate Elections The American Senate has 100 members, elected for a six-year term in dual-seat constituencies (two from each State), with one-third being renewed every two years. The group of the Senate seats that is up for election during a given year is known as a “class”; the three classes are staggered so that only one of the three groups is renewed every two years. Until the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1913, States chose how to elect Senators, and they were often elected by State legislatures, not the electorate of States.

There are 109 Senators in Nigeria, with three Senators representing a State (see Section 48 of the 1999 Constitution).

Features of the Election System

Biden

Trump

and 30 years for House of Representatives [Section 65(b)].

House of Representatives Elections

“ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT AMERICA, HAVING PRACTICED DEMOCRACY SINCE 1776, WOULD BE FREE OF ELECTION MANIPULATIONS.....PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS HOWEVER, BROKEN ALL THESE MYTHS, MAKING AMERICA LOOK LIKE A 3RD WORLD BANANA REPUBLIC”

Multiple Levels of Regulation In the US, elections are actually conducted by local authorities, working under local, State, and Federal law and regulation, as well as the US Constitution. It is a highly decentralised system.

In around half of US States, the Secretary of State is the official in charge of elections; in other States, it is someone appointed for the job, or a Commission. It is this person or Commission who is responsible for certifying, tabulating, and reporting votes for the State.

The situation is sharply contrasted in Nigeria, where it is the INEC which organises elections under Sections 78, 118, 132(1) and 178(1) of the Constitution, and sections of the Electoral Act. Unlike Nigerians, Americans vote for a specific candidate instead of directly selecting a particular political party. The United States Constitution, has never formally addressed the issue of political parties. The Founding Fathers such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison Jr, did not support domestic political factions at the time the Constitution was written. In addition, the first President of the United States, George Washington, was not even a member of any political party at the time of his election, or throughout his tenure as President. Furthermore, he hoped that political parties would not be formed, fearing conflict and stagnation. Nevertheless, the beginning of the American two-party system emerged from his immediate circle of advisers, with Hamilton and Madison ending up being the core leaders in this emerging party system. Due to Duverger's law, the two-party system continued following the creation of political parties, as the first-past-the-post electoral system was kept.

One would have thought that America, having practiced democracy since 1776, would be free of election manipulations, ballot snatching and sit-tightism. President Trump has however, broken all these myths, making America look like a 3rd world Banana Republic. Mtcheew!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “When you start talking about elections being rigged, you’re pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it’s a very, very dangerous thing to do.” (Bruce Springsteen)

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 1.50 1.24

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

0.50 1 2

A T

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

753.55% 0.18% 0.60%

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

2 7 , 20.24% 56.61%

2 0 2 0 EXCHANGE RATE ͹;͡˚ͯ ̊ *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Trophy to Reward Consumers

2020 BANKERS’ DINNER

L-R: Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adam Nuru; Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad and Executive Director, Business Development, FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, during the Bankers’ Dinner and Awards organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos...recently

NERC to Review Discos’ Capital Expenses, Tariff Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will this month review the capital expenditure of the 11 respective electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country’s power sector.

The exercise is expected to also impact on the Discos’ tariffs.

The regulator stated this in a recent notice it sent to stakeholders, which it explained would be in line with its statutory bi-annual review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), a framework that guides the pricing of electricity in the country.

NERC’s disclosure of the impending exercise also coincided with a publication by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc

ENERGY (NBET) which stated that within the first seven months in 2020, power generation companies (Gencos) in the country have largely been underpaid for power they produced and sent to the national grid.

According to the NERC, Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 empowers it to review the MYTO from time to time for electricity pricing in Nigeria.

It explained that the MYTO sets out the basis, pricing principles and procedures for undertaking minor and major reviews of electricity tariffs in the country, adding that the planned December review would be minor.

“The MYTO provides a tariff path for the electricity industry, with biannual minor reviews to take into account the impact of changes in a limited number of parameters – specifically inflation, US dollar exchange rate to naira, natural gas price and available generation capacity – and major reviews every five years, when all other inputs are reviewed with stakeholders,� NERC stated.

It added that Section 9 of the, ‘‘Regulation on Procedures for Electricity Tariff Reviews in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,’’ allows for extraordinary tariff review in instances where Discos and others can demonstrate that these parameters have changed from what exists in their current tariff.

Such reviews, it stated would

be done in order to maintain industry viability, hence the December review.

It further stated that it received applications for such extraordinary tariff review from the Discos last year and started the process, but subsequently ruled to grant them service reflective tariffs which it noted took off from September 2020.

NERC explained that the issues presented by the Discos in their request were, however, not fully considered by it considering that no additional capital expenditure was approved for them to meet their obligations in the service reflective tariff it approved for them. “The MYTO 2020 Order Continued on page 24

‘Over $30bn Oil Sector Projects Still Awaiting FID’ Peter Uzoho Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has continued to record heavy drop in investments for many years and in the last five years the sector has suffered more inactivity as over $30 billion projects are still awaiting Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) to take off.

The revelation was part of the concerns raised by oil and gas industry professionals and stakeholders at the recent 27th Pre-Conference Workshop of the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The workshop with the theme: “Levers for Optimal Cost Reduction in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Production: Positioning for the New Normal�, was held virtually.

ENERGY According to a communique from the session which was jointly signed by the newly inaugurated President of NAPE, Mrs Patricia Ochogbu and her immediate predecessor, Mr. Alex Tarka, the current slide since the price crash of 2015 has seen investment drop almost 18 per cent year-on-year to date.

They blamed the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the massive drop in investments and stalled projects in the petroleum sector because of the uncertainty it had heightened among operators and prospective investors.

The participants observed that

the average production cost in Nigeria was among the highest in the world, with various estimates placing the country in at least the 70th percentile for high overall production costs in all terrains.

They also argued that there had been significant tax burden associated with operating in Nigeria.

According to them, the many years since the PIB was first mooted in 2000 and the various iterations it had undergone without being passed, have impacted negatively on investors’ confidence in Nigeria. “It should be noted that even at the height of the oil price boom from 2008-2014, CAPEX (capital expenditure) investment in the sector actually fell due to the

uncertainty of the passage of the bill. “The current slide since the price crash of 2015 has seen investment drop almost 18 per cent year on year to date. As a result, over $30 billion of projects are still awaiting FID. “The break-even price and payback time for projects in Nigeria for new projects is one of the highest in the world.

There is a capital cost premium ranging from 35-100 per cent for project costs in Nigeria,� the communique stated.

The participants, however, pointed out that the time it takes to realise projects in Nigeria was very long, attributing the Continued on page 24

TrophyLager,abeerbrandfromthestableofInternationalBreweries Plc, is set to put smile on the faces of its teeming consumers with the launch of a campaign tagged, ‘Honourable Promotion ToGba’yi’.

A statement issued in Lagos by the promoters of the brand indicated that during the one-month campaign, consumers will get the opportunity to win instant airtime as well as cash prizes when they look under the crown of Trophy Lager.

The under-the-crown promotion will see thousands of consumers win Instant Airtime prizes. Consumers will also win Cash Prizes when they reveal the promo code under the crown and dial *8011*Promo Code#. Consumers will enter weekly draws to win cash prizes of N5,000andN10,000.10luckywinnersofN1,000,000willbeannounced following nationally televised weekly draws.

Speaking on the idea behind the promo, Marketing Manager,Trophy, Bamise Oyegbami revealed that ‘Gba’yi’ which translates to ‘Take Prestige’ seeks to celebrate the respect and admiration consumers of Trophy Lager command through an under the crown promo. “Trophy Lager is rewarding the loyalty of its consumers by underlining the importance of being honourable in everyday situations.

As a premium beer that prides itself in consistently fulďŹ lling its promise to deliver a crisp and refreshing experience to consumers, we are going one step further to encourage our consumers to imbibe honour as a way of life, hence, the sobriquet ‘Honourable’ for Trophy Lager,â€?Oyegbami said.

9mobile Promo Produces More Winners

Florence Aaron, Ekene Azubuike, and Ramila Shehu were recently presented with N1 million each in Kano State as part of the ongoing 9mobile Mega Millions Promo.

The promo, which started in August, was said to have rewarded customers with the sum of N74 million and 3, 552 smartphones across the country.

Speakingduringthepresentationevent,theManagerofthe9mobile Experience Center in Kano, Abdullahi Ibrahim, congratulated the latest winners and stated that apart from the Mega Millions Promo, the telecommunication outďŹ t is committed to delivering excellent services to customers. “Lots of happy customers have won either cash prices or smartphones in this promo, and we encourage more people to participate.

At 9mobile, we design products and services with our customers in mind. “We have aordable internet services to help our customers communicate eectively. Our voice and internet taris are the most competitive and aordable in the market, and we constantly ensure that we meet our customers’ communication needs.â€?

Aaron, an indigene of Kaduna State, said she stuck to 9mobile because she was not satisďŹ ed with her previous service provider. “I learned of the 9mobile Mega Millions Promo through dierent channels, but I never imagined that I would win one million Naira. I will invest my one million to my existing business to boost it. I appreciate 9mobile for this life-changing promo. It is real.â€?

EEDC Cautions against Bush Burning

The Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) has cautioned its customers as well as the general public against indiscriminate bush burning and acts capable of causing ďŹ re outbreak, as the harmattan season sets in.

This call was made by the Head, Corporate Commission, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, in a statement made available to THISDAY. “Fire outbreaks have been identiďŹ ed as one of the common risks facing EEDC, especially during the harmattan seasonâ€?. As a result of this, EEDC is reminding her customers of the need to be cautious during this period.

According to Ezeh, EEDC has commenced public sensitization of her customers across its network, using the electronic mass media and digital platforms. The harmattan season is synonymous with dry wind, which makes it very easy for ďŹ re to spread, thereby causing destruction of lives and property.

“We understand market research, we understand what consumers want and we know how to reach consumers and we know how to meet and surpass the expectation of consumers and there’s always room for improvement especially with technology“ Chairman, Heirs Insurance Limited (General), Mr. Tony Elumelu

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD NERC TO REVIEW DISCOS’CAPITAL EXPENSES, TARIFF explicitly provided that [the] Commission will consider the requested review of Capex in the December 2020 review. “The Commission therefore intends to continue with the ongoing extra-ordinary tariff review for the Discos in addition to the mandatory periodic minor review,� it stated, while urging the public to send their thoughts about the review to it within 21 days.

Meanwhile, a document obtained from the NBET on the payments made to Gencos so far in 2020 has shown that for the seven months covered, Genco got paid far below their monthly invoices; sometime a mere 11 per cent of their invoices.

According to the NBET’s document, excluding May which figures were not provided for, Gencos were in January paid N15.6 billion from the N51.8 billion invoice they sent to the bulk trader. In February it was N13 billion against N51.4 billion, N5.8 billion against N52.8 billion sent in March, and N10.1 billion against the N70.02 billion in April. ‘OVER $30BN OIL SECTOR PROJECTS STILL AWAITING FID’ situation partly to the long protracted contracting cycles and approval processes most companies have to undergo.

They said these are further elongated by increased travelling costs that comes with inspection of facilities and operations of contractor companies outside of Nigeria.

The NAPE communique further read: “A significant portion of the operating costs in Nigeria are composed of human, crude handling and logistics, which are a direct fallout to the various challenges thrown up by operating in the physical environment of Nigeria. “Examples of these challenges are the need for increased security due to kidnapping and the vandalisation of crude pipelines; ageing infrastructure due to low level of investment; and the low level of standardisation across the industry since most of the companies started with a go-it-alone approach in the earlier days of their production history.

NEWS

Olorunsola: Oil Revenue May No Longer Be Nigeria’s Mainstay in 20 Years Chineme Okafor in Abuja A former Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Osten Olorunsola has predicted that oil revenue may no longer be Nigeria’s mainstay in the next 20 years.

Olorunsola based his forecast on current developments in the global hydrocarbon industry; saying oil deposits are found almost daily by countries across the world.

He stated this during a webinar aimed at educating Nigerians on the content and progress of the represented Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The online forum was organised by a law firm, Odujirin and Adefulu.

Olorunsola had contributed to the PIB while being a member of the Expert Advisory Panel of the Nigerian Natural Resource Charter (NNRC).

He said: “We have moved from a struggle for petroleum to a struggle within petroleum.

Within 2020 years, everybody has hydrocarbon. The whole of West and East Africa now have hydrocarbon. “There is going to be a lot more struggles within petrol itself. PIB is almost 20 years, I don’t think we can catch up for the times we’ve lost, but we can catch up for times we may lose. “I don’t think we have more than 20 years left, after that time, everything about hydrocarbon will be you using it within your

domestic economy, expecting it to be your major income for the economy is over, forget it.� “We should do all those things as if something is chasing us, we should do this with all sense of urgency,� he further said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), oil accounts for less than 10 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), about 65 per cent of its revenue and 88 per cent of foreign exchange earnings.

In August, the Statistician-

General, Dr. Yemi Kale, had said during a webinar that oil as a chief revenue earner for Nigeria was losing its position.

Kale had stated: “Indeed, there has been signs that in the emerging economic landscape of the future, our ability to continue to rely on crude oil earnings will be severely curtailed, for instance, gross oil and gas revenue was projected at N9.3 trillion in 2019, but only about N4.6 trillion was realised, representing less than half of budgeted revenue.

“With an increasing focus on global climate change and the sustainable development goals, the dominance of oil revenue can be expected to continually diminish.�

Continuing, Olorunsola, however expressed hopes that Nigeria’s long-awaited PIB would be passed by the National Assembly and subsequently signed into law

by President Muhammadu Buhari within the first two quarters of 2021.

He equally based his expectation on the legislative progress made so far on the bill which is currently before the two chambers of the national assembly.

According to him: “The executive has done this bill this time around, it is an omnibus bill. It has passed first and second reading the senate. We are guaranteed that we will have a public hearing before Christmas and that is a huge milestone because that is the only opportunity to get all the inputs from everybody.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

L-R: Analyst, T.L Com Capital, representing the former Minister of Communication, Mr. Adeyemi Adegbayi; Special Guest, Mr. Tunde Bakare; Country Manager, IBM, Mr. Dipe Faulkner; and CEO, Edniesal Consulting/organiser of CIO award, at the CIO outstanding IT executive award held in Lagos‌recentlyy SUNDAY ADIGUN

EKEDC Launches SCADA to Enhance Service Delivery Peter Uzoho The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has formally launched its innovative network solution –Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition – Distribution Management System (SCADA-DMS) Centre, to enable it promptly and more efficiently monitor all activities on the networks and resolve issues detected on time.

The project was inaugurated recently in Lagos by President Muhammadu Buhari through his representative and Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman.

The project funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) via the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabiliza-

tion Facility (NEMSF), was being implemented in phases through a partnership with Tech Systems Limited, and a Canadian based company, M/S Survalent Technology, a leading technological company reputed in providing SCADA-DMS-OMS solutions. SCADA–DMS is a state-of-the-art technology that provides remote coverage and relay of interconnected network communication, enabling the company to have real-time access to monitor and control its distribution infrastructure.

According to the project partner, Tech Systems Limited, SCADA System is a futuristic technology integrated with other distribution systems including the GIS/OMS and DERMS Solutions.

The control centre located at the corporate headquarters of the EKEDC is also integrated with all safety and security systems and fully protected with double firewall to provide data security at all times.

The SCADA-DMS Centre is also equipped with modern web technology that enables the EKEDC leadership to monitor the power flow from any location across the globe.

Speaking at the event, the president commended EKEDC for attaining the feat, saying the company would now be able to promptly identify and resolve faults to ensure its customers continue to enjoy power supply.

He described SCADA as one of the most advanced technologies in the power distribution

business globally, saying he was “optimistic that this will translate to improved service delivery to customers within EKEDC’s network.�

He added that the development was a clear evidence that the present administration was committed to the improvement of power supply in the country.

The Chairman of EKEDC, Mr. Charles Momoh, stated that the implementation of the SCADA – DMS was a further evidence of EKEDC’s commitment towards the development of the power sector in Nigeria.

He said features provided by the system such as real time monitoring, remote fault identification and data analysis, would ensure the company’s operations meet up with global

standards as well as give a boost to its service excellence drive.

Also, the Managing Director of EKEDC, Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, reiterated the company’s commitment to improving its services and customer satisfaction, adding that more projects aimed at actualising the desired stable electricity supply were underway.

On his part, the Managing Director of Tech Systems Limited, Dr. Walter Olatunde, said: “We consider it a privilege and opportunity to partner with Eko Electricity in considering technology as the path to a reliable and efficient customer satisfaction and we are happy to be a partner with EKEDC in moving to the next level as the most advanced and technologically in- tune distribution company in Nigeria.�

Total Restates Commitment to Empowering Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹

Peter Uzoho and Oluchi Chibuzo

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ 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) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? åÙÔÓ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (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)

Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited has said it remains committed to promoting the welfare and empowerment of children with any form of disability, especially children of the poor with visually impairment, who have limited access to education.

It stated that it has remained committed to promoting and respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, raising awareness, empowering disabled persons; developing policies and practices;

and implementing measures to enable disabled employees to remain on the job.

The Executive Director, Corporate Affairs and Services, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Afolabi, said these at the graduation and closing ceremony of Total Access to Disability, Mobility Initiative Project, a project sponsored by Total E&P/ NNPC in partnership with the Women and Children with Disability Initiative (WACWDI), a non-governmental organization.

Represented at the occasion by the Manager, Diversity and Method Human Resources,

Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Gillian Laniyan, Afolabi said the aim of the project was to ensure that children from less disadvantaged homes without access to school gain admission into special schools with support from the sponsors.

He said bringing succour to children with impaired vision and disability formed part of the corporate social responsibility that is close to the heart of the organisation.

He said the company’s partnership with WACWDI was to provide and support equal opportunities for all Nigerians

irrespective of status. “At Total, we believe in diversity and equal opportunity.

We are committed to promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace with the conviction that no matter your physical circumstances, you have the potential to achieve greatness,� he said.

Afolabi stated that Total partners with non-governmental organisations and other specialist agencies and companies in the realisation of its diversity objectives.

He explained that the company was collaborating with WACWDI

to select 13 visually-impaired children from indigent homes within Lagos who are unable to attend school as a result of visual impairment.

The partnership evaluates the mobility needs of each beneficiary to providing coaching as well as life skills to facilitate their independence and enrollment into school while also ensuring they receive school-readiness packs for the 2020/2021 academic session.

Earlier in her remarks, the Founder of WACWDI, Mrs. Funmi Gbadamosi, lauded the project initiated and sponsored

by Total E&P/NNPC.

25

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

Isa: We Are Positioning for AfCFTA’s Benefits The Chairman of Waltersmith Group, an integrated indigenous energy company with interest in upstream, refining and power, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, in this interview, speaks about the company’s new 5,000 barrels per day modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, that was recently inaugurated, its expansion plan; the foray of the group into oil and gas business, as well as its plan to transition into the manufacturing sector. Peter Uzoho brings the excerpts: Let’s start with the journey so far. How did you get to this point?

After a total of about 10 years consistent banking career, I transitioned from there into my first company which is Safe Trust Mortgage Company and it was while in Safe Trust that we decided to make a foray into the oil and gas industry because it was the dominant industry in Nigeria and we decided that we needed to get into that space and it was in that process that we formed a company called Waltersmith & Associates which midwifed Waltersmith Petroman Oil, a joint venture between Waltersmith & Associates Nigeria and Petroman Oil, a Canadian company.

That company led to what is called Waltersmith Petroman Oil today. That is the company that made the foray into the oil and gas industry.

In 2003, we won a marginal field called Ibigwe Marginal Field which is now being operated by Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited. On the back of that, we also founded Waltersmith Refinery & Petrochemical Limited and that is where we are today.

What is your vision for Waltersmith as its chairman?

My vision for Waltersmith is for our company to transition from oil into manufacturing. That is my long-term vision ultimately. It is not going to be one or the other. It is going to be both running concurrently, so we will have oil production activity and also be fully involved in manufacturing. When I talk about manufacturing, it is manufacturing related to oil, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food processing. Essentially leveraging oil into enabling an environment for competitive manufacturing where manufacturing is going to happen not just for us but also for third parties who will come onboard and co-locate in that environment. To achieve this vision; first, we want to reach 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in production over the next 10 years. That is going to come in participating in asset divestment opportunities, farm-in into assets, marginal fields bid opportunities as they come along and also looking for assets around Africa. That is on the exploration and production side.

In terms of refining, we are looking at 50,000bpd refining capacity which will be in 3 modules; 5,000bpd, 25,000bpd and 20,000bpd refining capacity respectively. We are also looking at power generation using gas and renewables. We are looking at 500MW; 300MW will come from gas power plant and 200MW will come from solar energy particularly in Northern Nigeria where there is a lot of solar energy available. We are also looking at gas development – 250mscfd as part of our exploration activities.

Finally, we are looking at setting up an industrial park around Ibigwe area which will also be in phases. We are starting with Phase 1 on about 50 hectares of land and we are doing that development in conjunction with United Nations Industrial Development Organistion (UNIDO) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) - those 2 UN agencies are collaborating with us to develop the industrial technology hub.

I believe that in the next 6 months, we will finish all feasibility studies for that project. The project is currently being adopted by those agencies as part of the country programme in association with Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.

What do you see as the long-term beneďŹ t of your vision?

With the development of the industrial parks, companies that use hydrocarbons resources as input can then come and co-locate with us and leverage with the oil that we produce and add value – these will include petrochemical, pharmaceutical, chemical, food processing companies – all of them can come and collocate within the complex because we have the infrastructure and facilities to enhance and support their production activities and make them very competitive. What we see in a long term is the benefit that will arise from African Continental Free Trade Agreement that Nigerian

Isa government is participating in and one of the key elements of that is a strong manufacturing sector. What we will like to see is how to leverage oil to enable manufacturing so that we can take the benefit of the big market in Africa; produce efficiently, competitively, leveraging our natural resources that we have and export these products to the rest of African countries and beyond. That can be done by ensuring that every barrel of oil we produce, we add value to it and ensure that it is technically consumed in Nigeria because once you facilitate consumption of oil, you increase significantly the overall GDP of our economy.

Oil production by itself does not create jobs but once you produce the oil and you take it through a process, you are adding value in the process and that value addition leads to creating jobs, increase in skills of our people and that impacts the overall GDP. How sustainable is the reďŹ nery project?

The long-term sustainability of this project will definitely require some measure of support from government. I can say confidently that we have gotten to where we are today with the support we received from government in the beginning. The acquisition of the Ibigwe Filed was a government initiative to increase the level of local content in the Nigeria upstream industry and we feel pleased that we are one of the companies that have made success of that government policy. With the support of government, we have initiated something on our own to try to add value to the crude that is produced in Nigeria through this modular refinery concept. Again, we feel pleased that we are one of the companies that have played a role in trying to make a success of another government policy but we also want to take that step further by going from a modular refinery to a full-scale refinery of 50,000bpd. In order to achieve this, we are going to need more government support to have access to the crude feedstock we need, the business and policy environment that will facilitate that. We anticipated government successfully. We feel that government will deregulate the market which they have done just in time when we started our own refinery.

We are actually a step ahead to meet government aspirations. Based on our track record of making a success of marginal field program, making success of modular refinery programme and government desirous of increasing local refining capacity, we have totally keyed into that government initiative

and we are determined to make a success of the government policy to increase domestic refining capacity. To achieve that, government must also support us strongly.

What kind of support are you expecting from government?

First, I must acknowledge the full support we have received from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). They have been there for us from the beginning; from the project concept stage to execution and to operations. We have received all the licenses we required from them: license to establish, construct, operate – all of those licenses they issued on time as at when we needed them and they have held our hands all through the process.

One of the key elements to the sustainability of our project is access to feedstock – it is critical.

For now, we are using our own feedstock from the Ibigwe field and it is a marginal field but we have made this significant investment to build this infrastructure to provide petroleum products in Nigeria. The field itself on which it stands cannot sustain this and for us to achieve all of these aspirations going from 5,000bpd to 50,000bpd, we will require a number of things from raising the financing that we need, having access to feedstock, demonstrate to the financiers that we also have access to equity reserves that is going to be available for the refineries which brings me to our long term 10-year aspiration as a company in exploration and production business which is to achieve 100,000bpd oil production through different mechanisms – divestment, opportunities that may come along, farm-in, marginal fields. These are sources where we feel we will have sources of feedstock to drive the 50,000bpd refining capacity.

So, we are looking up to government to support us as an indigenous company helping to realize government aspiration. Our engagement and discussions with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on different opportunities within the industry to enable us and facilitate access to some of these resources we need for refining will continue and we will continue to enlist the support of government to ensure that these things are realized for a long time.

What is your relationship with all the stakeholders along?

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitor-

ing Board (NCDMB) who are joint venture partners in this whole process have been awesome – they took the risk and shared the risk with us. They also have the aspiration to increase the Nigerian content in the industry and they saw us as a company that has demonstrated capacity and capability to add value to the hydrocarbon industry and they joined us and decided to co-invest in this project. That is how they took 30 per cent equity interest in this project and they are also looking at participating with us in the expansion that we are looking to implement. We also have the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) who provided a secured credit facility for this project which facilitated the implementation of this project. The contractors – the consortium of V-Fuels and Lambert Electromec have also demonstrated capacity to deliver on the project. As a matter of fact, they delivered before the deadline. It was just the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted our ability to commission. This plant should have been commissioned in May 2020. One key stakeholder that has been very supportive is the community – they are critical to the overall sustainability of this project because if you do not have the trust and good relationship with the community, you cannot have your license to operate and because we have operated in the community in the last 12 years, we have been able to deliver on our corporate social responsibility (CSR) – once we agree on things to do, we go ahead. We are like partners. Many of these plans will not materialize if we do not have an excellent working relationship with the community.

The community is a major anchor of all the things we want to do. Since we have major investment plans for that area from refinery, industrial park and attracting industries to come and co-locate where we are, it is important for us to have a very enduring relationship with the community and that I believe we have.

The state government – Imo State, and the local government, Ohai/Egbema, who are our shareholders in the upstream side of business have all been supportive of what we are doing and we continue to count on their support.

We have a clear strategy of carrying everybody along. The Federal Government through the office of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – is fully interested in what happens here. He has consistently assured us that access to feedstock is not going to be a challenge to us and we are very appreciative of his support.

26

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

Bello Seeks FERMA’s Intervention on Deteriorating Niger Roads Governor of Niger State, Mr. Sani Bello, has appealed to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to look into the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state in order to ease the movement of persons, goods and services across the state.

A statement by the Director and Head of Communications at the agency, Mrs. Maryam Sanusi, quoted Bello to have made the remarks when he visited the FERMA headquarters in Abuja on a courtesy call.

Bello decried the deplorable state of some roads in Niger, saying road users in the state experienced tough times in the last rainy season leading to accidents and giving opportunity to bandits to operate without hindrance.

The governor urged FERMA to urgently intervene, especially on the Minna-Tegina, Tegina-Kontagora, Jebba-Mokwa, Mokwa- Tegina roads to make them passable.

He added: “The MD is doing

well. I hope he will be able to get enough funds to work. I am complaining of 2,300 kilometres, he has over 36,000 kilometres to worry about. I am glad that he has given Niger State the required attention.�

Managing Director, FERMA, Mr. Nuruddeen Rafindadi, in his remarks said the demand to intervene on maintaining and putting federal roads in the state in good condition for easy movement was valid.

He said: “I believe that the roads in Niger State should be of priority because of the importance of the state to the country. “We may not be able to solve all the road problems in the state, but we will identify critical sections and take immediate care of those sections to ease the users’ movement.�

The FERMA boss revealed that arrangements had been concluded by the agency to commence work on some roads in the state under the Covid-19 Intervention projects.

FG Inaugurates 100KWP Solar Hybrid Mini-grid in Oyo Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has taken its rural electrification drive to Budo-Are community, Itesiwaju local government, Oyo state, with the official inauguration of a 100KWP solar hybrid mini-grid project in the area.

Speaking during the event, the Oyo state Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, noted that the facility which was built by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with a private firm, would rev up economic activities in the benefitting communities.

The governor who was represented by the State Commissioner

for Energy and Community Development, Mr. Temilolu Ashamu, said the completion of the project by the federal government’s energy development agenda aligns with the state government’s energy plan for the people of Oyo. He said in his determination to ensure that no community in the state was left behind, especially as it concerns power, the current administration in the state had created a Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and selected 23 communities to empower with the solar project in partnership with REA and private developers.

While appreciating the federal government, REA and the project developer for being partners in

progress regarding the project, he expressed the hope that with private developers, Oyo will have 30 mini-grids in in the next 12 months.

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director REA, Mr. Ahmad Sahilijo , thanked the state government for the encouragement given the agency and the development partner while the project lasted.

He urged the people to utilise the opportunity presented to them to enhance their livelihood, adding that the community now has the advantage of attracting investment from far and near.

A resident of the area, Mr. Anayo Eze said since the solar project was energised months

ago, many business opportunities had come to the area with several residents now into various types of businesses, especially at the micro, small and medium scale levels. “As you can see, there is light now, quality light that can power almost all home appliances, and it is 24 hours. It is even attracting people from neighbouring communities to this place now. We should grateful to the government,� he said.

The inauguration of the project came a day after another 100KWP project was commissioned by the REA in Olooji community in Ijebu-East council of Ogun state.

Sylva: Nigeria Transiting from Fossil Fuel to Renewables The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has stated that Nigeria is in the period of energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy, which he said is the future of the sector globally.

A statement by Deputy Director, Information at the Ministry, Bob-Manuel Enefaa, quoted Sylva to have made the comment while delivering his address at the 5th National Council on Hydrocarbons which held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.

However, Sylva, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, added that while the process of transition may take some time, it was extremely necessary that Nigeria begins to explore, expand and deepen the usage of the abundant reserves of both oil and gas.

Speaking further, Sylva reiterated that it was in demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to maximising the potential of gas that he declared

the year 2020 as the year of gas in Nigeria.

He noted that he had also launched the Nigeria Gas Transportation Network Code, explaining that the programme was a contractual framework between the gas transportation network operators and gas shippers that specifies the terms and guidelines for operation and use of gas network.

In his welcome address, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Benson Konbowei, said Bayelsa remains safe and hospitable and ready to do business. He added that the oil exploration and exploitation entities operating in the state have never been in doubt about the conviviality of the people of Bayelsa state, but sued for a better deal for the state as government explores its gas potential.

He said a total of 39 memoranda were received and critically examined during the technical session in the course of the event.

Group Alleges Shoddy Treatment by NERC The Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), an advocacy group in the country has bemoaned the alleged shoddy treatment meted out to its members by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) forum office in, Owerri, Imo state.

National President of the group, Mr. Princewill Okoye, lamented that after being invited to several meetings to sort out the complaints which were presented, the forum walked its members out of the hearing room.

It said against all entreaties, the Enugu Disco failed to ‘debulk’ communities in Imo state in contravention of NERC directive that communities should

be debulked since 2016. “This refusal to debulk communities gave EEDC the opportunity to arbitrarily bill the communities without following NERC estimated billing regulations/methodology. “Our association’s effort in analysing the bills given to the communities and identifying discrepancies and unlawful fraudulent billing methods, and demanding that NERC forum office, Owerri address them is provoking members of the NERC forum in Owerri,� the group maintained.

The association stated that its members were also invited after a complaint that Ohohia community in Mbaitoli council was

WE ARE SET FOR BUSINESS

L- R: Head of Distribution, Enterprise Life Assurance Limited, Ben Birch-Mensah, Executive Director, Technical, Olufemi Ogundeji; Managing Director, Funmilayo Omo, and Company Secretary & Legal, representing Bayo Ojo & Co, Salman Alhaji Salman, during the reception of Enterprise Life Assurance Limited’s operating licence from NAICOM, at a ceremony held in Abuja‌recently

Seplat Supports Secondary Schools with STEP initiative Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc has introduced an educational programme targeted at secondary school teachers with the SEPLAT Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) initiative.

The company in a statement said the programme aims to promote teachers’ creative thinking, allow for higher student engagement and offer a well-rounded education for recipients of the initiative.

The five-day residential workshop introductory phase kicked off a six-month programme specially designed for teachers providing them training on teaching applications for Sci-

ence, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) as well as leadership and selfimprovement training. According to the company, it developed an online teachers’ resource centre which provides them access to inclusive learning, highlighting best techniques and practices for implementing STEAM teaching methods and assist them to learn to use such methods in the classrooms.

It noted that the e-platform will provide and connect teachers to a collection of STEAM resources to enable them to understand, teach and demonstrate effectively to their students.

General Manager, External

Affairs and Communications of the company, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, said a total of 100 teachers and 43 Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) drawn from Edo and Delta states are currently benefitting from the maiden edition. ’’Seplat is delighted with the invaluable role the company is playing with enhancing the quality of education with the many educational programmes offered through the company’s CSR initiatives. “With the STEP programme, the company now has a full bouquet of programmes to address the entire education value chain.

Our programmes now cover improving school infrastructure,

enhancing academic performance of students and building the skills and competencies of Teachers,’’ she said.

The company said SEPLAT would be graduating the first set of teachers from the STEP initiative by first quarter of 2021, noting that 389 teachers from schools in Edo and Delta states sat for the qualifying test online on September 16, 2020.

It added that a total of 100 teachers were selected from secondary schools evenly across the two states, disclosing that of the 100 teachers to be trained, 75 per cent is from public schools, while 25 per cent is from private schools.

NDPHC Begins Audit of NIPP Projects, Revs Up Idle Turbines The Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC) has said it is planning a nationwide comprehensive audit of all the National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP), jointly owned by the federal, state and local governments in the country.

The company noted that the move would enable it put to use all idle gas turbines for improved electricity generation in the country, stressing that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, chairman, board of the NDPHC, had already given the instruction to revive gas turbine units that are not in good condition.

Executive Director, Generation, NDPHC, Mr. Abdullahi kassim, who spoke during a tour of three power plants including Omotosho, Ogorode, and Ihovbor (Benin) generation companies, stated that the audit will expose the overview of critical issues that have hindered the plants to work optimally.

He stressed that the exercise would cover issues around security, manpower gap, skills and expertise gap, among others, for urgent fixing. “We are going to commence an audit of all the power plants. The audit will give us an overview of

critical issues. The security audit will expose the challenges around security, like the mapping of all those security personnel around the power plants, the manpower gap which was an issue raised by some of the COOs. “Now, we will do an audit to understand how many people we have on those power plants, what are the needed skills and expertise and the gaps which we need to quickly fix. “ So the audit is going be a holistic approach to understand the general operational issues that will include the administrative issues, the maintenance issues,

transportation and logistics issues. “We will also look at the environmental issues in terms of how these power plants are supposed to be standardised to meet up with the international standards of operating power plants� he stated.

Abdullahi, also disclosed that NDPHC had initiated stakeholders’ engagements aimed at improving evacuation of power from all power plants in the country.

In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Omotosho Generation Company Limited, Mr. Mohammed Ginsau, as-

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

27

Strengthening Financial Inclusion through PSBs Leveraging on technology, Nume Ekeghe writes on how Payment Service Banks would aid financial inclusion and enhance access to financial services in Nigeria.

I

n 2016, a total of 40.1 million adult Nigerians, which is 41.6 per cent of the adult population was ďŹ nancially excluded, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Further analysis revealed that 55.1 per cent of the excluded population were women, 61.4 per cent of the excluded population were within the ages of 18 and 35 years, 34.0 per cent had no formal education and 80.4 per cent resided in rural areas.

According to a World Bank report (the Global Findex Database 2017), nearly half of about 1.7 billion unbanked population in the world live in just seven developing economies: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan.

In a bid to drive financial inclusion rate upward, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2012, in collaboration with other stakeholders, launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) to ensure that over 80 per cent of the bankable adults in Nigeria have access to financial services by the year 2020. In other words, the aim of the NFIS is for the financial exclusion rate of bankable adults in Nigeria to reduce to 20 per cent by that year.

Over the years, there have been several attempts to expand the scope of access to financial services in Nigeria beyond the urban areas. Commercial banks including microfinance have concentrated their services in cities leaving rural areas with little or no financial service.

The reason for this is not farfetched as the bankers explained that opening up more branches in rural areas to cater to the unbanked is not sustainable considering the cost that would come up with such branches.

In establishing branches in rural areas, they have to factor in the cost of power, security, staff and other operating expenses which make the venture a very expensive one for them. This had been a major factor in the number of financially excluded adult Nigerians.

Despite several initiatives including the introduction of Microfinance banking, Agent Banking, Tiered Know-Your-Customer Requirements and Mobile Money Operation (MMO) in pursuit of this objective, the inclusion rate remains below expectation.

Intending to achieve 20 per cent financial exclusion by the end of this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had in 2018 issued a guideline for the establishment of Payment Service Banks (PSBs).

These banks are specifically to cater to those in the rural areas, helping to bring the unbanked into the financial system from areas where commercial banks have been unable to breach. PSBs are banks with smaller-scale operations and the absence of credit risk and foreign exchange operations.

The CBN in a revised guideline for the licencing and operation of PSBs released in August this year had noted that it had collaborated with critical stakeholders in the digital financial ecosystem, such as the Nigerian Communication Commission, commercial banks, mobile money operators and telecommunication companies to conduct several study tours of other jurisdictions that have made significant progress in driving financial inclusion.

PSBs were borne because of the challenges in reaching rural areas as well as an effort to complement other initiatives and are expected to leverage on mobile and digital channels to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic

activities at the grassroots through the provision of financial services.

The purpose of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), according to the CBN, was to provide Payment Service Banks across Nigeria to break the traditional barrier preventing financial inclusion and promoting low cost, secure and convenient financial services across the country.

Specifically, the objective of PSBs is to enhance financial inclusion by increasing access to deposit products and payment/remittance services to small businesses, low-income households and other financially excluded entities through high volume low-value transactions in a secured technology-driven environment.

Accordingly, PSBs are envisioned to facilitate high-volume low-value transactions in remittance services, micro-savings and withdrawal services in a secured technology-driven environment to further deepen financial inclusion and help in attaining the policy objective of 20 per cent exclusion rate by 2020.

In addition to opening accounts both current and savings, offering payments and remittance services, PSBs can also issue debit and prepaid cards, deploy ATMs and other technology-enabled banking services.

Payment Service Banks according to the Central Bank of Nigeria are not allowed to grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees (directly or indirectly) or accept foreign currency deposits; deal in the foreign exchange market except as prescribed by the CBN. They are also not allowed to participate in insurance underwriting; undertake any other transaction which is not prescribed by this Guidelines, and shall not accept any closed scheme electronic value (e.g. airtime) as a form deposit or payment.

PSBs are stripped-down versions of our traditional deposit money banks, with limited functionality and a focus on onboarding more of the excluded and marginalised population. This is because they would operate mostly in the rural areas and unbanked locations with the financially

excluded persons as targets including not less than 25 per cent of financial service touchpoints in such rural areas as may be defined by the CBN. With a capital base of N5 billion, operators would be expected to enter into direct partnership with card scheme operators, although the cards issued would not be eligible for foreign currency transactions. According to the guideline, PSBs would also be free to operate through banking agents and roll out agent networks with the prior approval of the CBN, while other channels, including electronic platforms, would be used to reach out to customers.

In obtaining a licence, promoters of a PSB are expected to not later than six months after obtaining approval in principle, apply for the grant of a final licence to the CBN accompanied by a non-refundable licencing fee of N2 million, Certified True Copy (CTC) of Certificate of Incorporation of the bank, evidence of ability to meet technical requirements and modern infrastructural facilities such as office equipment, computers, telecommunications, to perform the bank’s operations and meet CBN and other regulatory requirements amongst others.

Since the review of the guidelines this year, the CBN has so far licenced three PSBs in the country. They include Moneymaster PSB Limited a subsidiary of Glo Mobile, 9PSB Limited which is owned by 9Mobile and Hope PSBank Limited, a subsidiary of Unified Payment (UP), Nigeria’s premier fintech firm owned by a consortium of banks.

Incorporated in September 2019, Hope PSBank leverages digital technologies to deliver inclusive financial services. Hope PSBank said it seeks to provide accessibility, affordability, availability and awareness of digital financial services irrespective of education, social or economic status and location of individuals.

The bank said it believes access to financial and payment services ought to be with ease and convenience which is one that is lacking in most rural areas of the country. It hopes that every

mobile telephone user can easily enjoy instant digital financial and payment services with his or her phone number as account number and also a means of payment across all channels – personto-person on personal devices, web, merchants’ points of sale, automated teller machines and agency outlets.

Hope PSBank plans to redefine the concept of open banking and competition by offering its unique financial and payment services and solutions to customers of other banks who are not required to open or maintain an account with the bank. “All transactions on our platforms are gladly settled into accounts of our community of users and customers with any bank of their choice.

These are borne out of our philosophy that competition is about service to customers and not about alternative service providers who we view as partners in the service of customers and not as competitors.� “With Hope PSBank, every mobile telephone user can easily enjoy instant digital financial and payment services with his or her phone number as account number and also a means of payment across all channels person-to-person on personal devices, web, merchants’ points of sale, automated teller machines and agency outlets.�

The banks’ team is being led by the Managing Director, Mr Ayotunde Kuponiyi who is a seasoned Banker with passion and skills for extending the frontiers of electronic banking and payments in Nigeria.

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Mobile Payments Scheme Board, having been appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in recognition of his role in advancing and strengthening alternative payment platforms in the country. By extension, he is also a Member of the Payment Systems Strategy Board and the Payment Infrastructure Coordinating Committee in Nigeria. Ayotunde Kuponiyi is also on the Advisory Board of the Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads

Afreximbank Signs Agreement for FEDA The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Republic of Rwanda, in Cairo, recently signed key documents related to the establishment of the Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA), a development-oriented subsidiary of Afreximbank.

The Establishment Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding were signed

by Alfred Kalisa, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda in Egypt, and Afreximbank’s President, Prof.Benedict Oramah

in the presence of Mahamadou Labarang, Dean of the African Ambassadors in Cairo and FEDA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Kamau.

The Establishment Agreement creates FEDA while the Headquarters Agreement provides that the Republic of Rwanda will host the headquarters office.

FEDA has been established by Afreximbank to facilitate foreign direct investment flows into Africa’s trade and export sectors and to fill the equity funding gap

that amounts to $110 billion per annum in exports related sectors.

Kalisa said: “The Government of Rwanda is happy to have signed these key agreements with Afreximbank. Rwanda is glad to host FEDA as we work together to achieve the dreams of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA) on the continent. We will work together to ensure that FEDA is successful in driving and achieving its mandate.’’ FEDA aims to provide equity

financing to companies operating in key industries and sectors to significantly increase the likelihood of success in delivering on Afreximbank’s development priorities and meeting the Bank’s strategic goals under the main pillars of the intra-African Trade Strategy and the Industrialisation and Export Development Strategy.

On his part, Oramah said: “FEDA is a new vehicle created to deal with the perennial problem of capital constraints to private sector development

and industrialisation in Africa.

Afreximbank has already committed over 350 million US dollars to the Fund, including commitments for operation of a Credit Fund, investments in the Bank’s strategic initiatives and those to be deployed under limited partnership frameworks. “I would like to thank Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and his Government for embracing the strategic essence of this institution to both Rwanda and Africa.

To have agreed to host FEDA without any equivocation is a clear and bold statement of visionary leadership and recognition of the economic value of Pan-African institutions.�

FEDA is tasked to provide capital to companies in the financial services, technology consumer and retail goods, tourism, manufacturing, transport, logistics and warehousing, trade enabling infrastructure e.g. industrial parks, agribusiness and education sectors in Afreximbank’s member states.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

Managing Public Communication in Polarised Democracy Emeka Oparah

with typographical or factual inexactitudes is unpardonable and can seriously injure or erode credibility and authority. This point dials back to my first point, which is the appointment of professionals into government communications roles. People with requisite qualifications, knowledge and experience will ensure high standards. Of course, mistakes are human but it must not be a regular occurrence.

I

n the aftermath of the recent #EndSARS protests and the resultant riots, there have been interesting conversations around the way the government and the police managed the communication element from their end. This is not necessarily a post mortem or an appraisal of how those in-charge of communication discharged their duties under the circumstance. It is, however, an attempt to highlight the critical imperatives of managing information, engaging a diverse population and checking the pulse of the people and using the outcome to plan communication in government and indeed the public service.

Public communication is essentially similar to corporate communication except that the motive is not necessarily profit or likeability.

It requires the same level of understanding of the target audience, their expectations, the available tools for communicating with them, clear objectives and regular feedback.

Communication without feedback is incomplete even wasted. Public communication, therefore, can be loosely defined as a process of strategic, deliberate, planned, targeted, timed and measurable information to create mutual understanding between government and the public, provide information, clarification and promote buy-in of the public into government actions and inactions.

In a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-faith, diversified (read highly polarized) society like Nigeria, managing public communication is, and ought to be, a daunting task. It is not a one-way stimulus-response or hypodermic needle communication situation. Even so, we are not globally recognized as one of the countries where the people obey traffic lights! It is important to note that perception or rather the way people receive communication are biased by either their ethnic or religious orientation. Typically, education and exposure as well as peer groups or other associations have the tendency to influence the way people perceive communication. In Nigeria, ethnicity and religion are, perhaps, the most moderating impact on communication. It must be stated that the current economic realities of the country have all but destroyed any semblance of tranquility amongst the populace especially the youth population, which is in clear majority at about 60% of the population. Add to these, the burgeoning effect of New Media or Social Media, which, for now is uncontrolled (or uncontrollable) and has totally democratized free speech as much as it has democratized recklessness. Therefore, there are certain imperatives of communication peculiar to such an audience under such circumstances, which can only be ignored at great costs and peril. I will address them in no particular order.

Professionalism: For so long, there has been an argument over the appropriateness of putting round pegs in square holes with regards to the appointment of government spokesmen and indeed those responsible for managing public communication. The juror may still be out but it is neither debatable nor a subject of any conjecture that the best men and women should always be appointed to critical positions in government. Much as government appointments reflect party loyalty and support, the best thing would be to fit round pegs in round holes. The culture of appointing journalists to public communications positions has, generally speaking, proved counterproductive over the years. This is not to say journalists are not good. Far be it from me any such suggestion. What I mean is that journalists, by the training, are reporters or chroniclers of news. They are not always imbued with the knowledge and skills of strategic thinking and planning required for such positions. Yes, they may be famous and connected in the media, but the job is not only about media relations or publicity. It goes beyond those operational activities to the more strategic and certainly more demanding tasks of developing strategies and advising the government or the boss not only about what to say or do but when and how to say or do them in order to foster better awareness, understanding and cooperation of the public. The time has come for political leaders, especially presidents and governors and others in key positions to think deeply about this. Even the private sector is

Sensitivity: It is emotionally intelligent to exercise due diligence when communicating with people of diverse ethnic and religious persuasions. In such a potentially polarised and combustible environment, a wrong communication can inflame negative passions and lead to a crisis. It is intelligent to constantly gauge the mood of the country and read the feelings of the people before talking to them or taking actions. As the old saying goes, always look before you leap. In other words, think before you talk or act. In a country where every action or inaction is viewed from the jaundiced perspectives or ethnicity or religion, it is a tough task to communicate effectively.

Therefore, those responsible for engaging the people must always take a listen to what the prevailing opinions are and exercise reasonable circumspection to avoiding achieving the opposite objectives.

Mohammed not immune to this malady. I propose the job specification and person specification of the positions are clearly defined and professional recruiters engaged to hire the right fit.

Credibility: Perhaps one of the most crucial elements of a good message is not only the credibility of the message but also the credibility of the messenger. There is a tendency to disbelieve certain communications from government spokespeople because they already have a damaged reputation (from past events) or the people are generally incredulous of the government. In such situations and indeed in all cases, government spokespeople should recuse themselves from opinionating on socio-political issues. They should restrict themselves to stating the government’s position because their commentary will confer a toga of unbelievability on the issue at hand. This happens so often in Nigeria, where you see government spokespeople penning opinion articles, making social media posts or even appearing on radio and television to express their opinions on issues. It is ok for them to make the posts, write the statements and appear on broadcast media to clarify government’s positions totally shorn of their personal opinions. Often, their opinions are taken as the government’s position which may not necessarily be so and end up creating more disaffection between the government and the people. One strategy which works well is the use of third-party advocacy or pseudonyms to drive home government agenda or position. It significantly removes the veil of bias or perception of bias.

Authenticity: Like credibility, authenticity reinforces a message or communication. When people perceive the messenger and the message as genuine, they tend to believe more and show more understanding. On the contrary, if the public believes the information provided is always politically motivated or defensive of the government and government people, even in the face of contradictory evidence, the people will become incredulous and the communication will fail. Don’t forget, the objective of any communication is to seek understanding by providing information and clarification. So, genuineness or sincerity is extremely important in winning the people to the side of the government. It becomes worse when even those who normally would support the government begin to feel alienated or underwhelmed by government communication.

Regularity: One of the important aspects of communication is constant engagement.

Government must always talk to the people.

A situation where the people on their own call on the government to talk to them is not good.

And what is not good is bad. Government should be perspicacious enough to know when to talk to the people. Beyond the talk, it is also important who does the talking. There are times the President or Governor or whoever should be the one talking to the people. Of course, it is not always the president or governor who should be on radio or television. After all that is why we have government spokespeople.

But there are occasions which demand the big man should have the sense of occasion to address an important issue personally. This also happens in the corporate world, where the CEOs occasionally meet with all employees to address important issues. As a matter of fact, most serious-minded organizations have quarterly or half-yearly CEO-Staff meetings on their communication calendar. In the case of the government, there should be platforms including publications, radio and TV as well as social media to regularly update the people on government programmes and indeed what is generally happening in the country.

One of the bane of governments and their spokespeople is the tendency to be reactive rather than proactive and strategic in their communication.

Timing: Closely related to regularity or frequency is timing. In communication, it could be all about the timing-when the message was delivered. You do not allow a burning issue to fester before talking about it or doing something about it. By the way, communication is not all about making a speech or writing an article or letter but, even more importantly, doing something. Action, they say, speaks louder than words. So, taking action timeously or addressing the public quickly can make a difference between a crisis and a matter resolved. I must also state before moving on to the next point that there are also times, silence is the best answer. It is not every issue that must be addressed or responded to. Some are best avoided or ignored or dealt with at a more auspicious time. It requires the competence, the knowledge, the skills and experience of the communication managers to advise the government having taken all other things into consideration.

Quality: In everything in life, quality is important and does play a crucial role in acceptability or lack of it. A situation where a statement emanating from the government or worse still a presidential speech is fraught

Body language: It was Senator Rochas Okorocha (of all people) who recently said, in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, that “Our lifestyle is provoking Nigerian youths�. He was right. In communication, there is something called “Gap Analysis�, which measures the difference between what is said and what is done. It is absolutely contradictory to tell the people the economy is in jeopardy while you are living openly large. This leads to acute dissonance. If your body language (non-verbal communication) is not aligned with your communication, you will most definitely lose credibility and lose the people. This is a fundamental failure in public communication and politicians are often guilty of this misalignment. It takes a strong leadership sometimes to rein in the wayward tendencies of public officials. Flying chartered flights and private jets when the policy is business or economy class for public servants is not only derogatory to the sensibilities of the people but could incite dislike or hatred and possible protests.

Research: I need not here dilate on the excellences of research or feedback in government communication. The leader must have a listening ear. Government’s Communications managers must put in place mechanisms and explore every available avenue to obtain feedback from the people. Research can be informal or formal. There are reputable agencies who deliver image studies to reveal how the people perceive the government, government officials and government policies and programmes.

Of course, there are other numerous informal platforms like the media, social media and town halls, where representatives of the people speak directly to government officials.

There is one platform the government doesn’t seem to be exploring or utilising enough: traditional institutions. Most of the time, traditional rulers are treated like effigies to grace government events and that’s all. Being so close to the people at the grassroots level, traditional rulers can be used to listen to the people and also talk to them, especially where the traditional authority is credible and authentic.

At the end of the day, it boils down to leadership and professionalism. The leader must understand and appreciate the role and essence of communication and those responsible for communication must be professional in discharging their responsibilities with clearly defined objectives. Government communication is serious business, which must be taken as seriously as other aspects of government business. Government must keep the people informed all the time and the people must be made to know, understand and buy into what their government is doing.

Effective communication with the attendant feedback is the handshake government must have with the people as it seeks to deliver its electoral promises and build a stronger country.

Emeka Oparah, a communication practitioner, writes from Lagos.

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

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IMAGES

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: Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Head, Library, Aisha Askira; and Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed, during the oďŹƒcial opening of the NIMASA Knowledge Centre and E-library at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Lagos...recently

L-R: Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; Celebrant, Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan; Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Aairs, Mrs Lola Fagbemi; Ondo State Deputy Governor - elect, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Olugbo’s Queen Stella Iyabode Akinruntan, during the 11th Coronation Anniversary of Olugbo of Ugbo in Ode - Ugbo, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State...recently

L-R: Founder, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation (AIF), Imam Sharafudeen Aliagan; Guest Speaker, Sheik Bashir Ibrahim-Barhama; and Father of the Day/Deputy Imam of National Mosque, Abuja, Sheik Ahmad Onilewura, during the 3rd Annual Maolid and Lecture organised by AIF in collaboration with Al-Aqsoh International Islamic School in Abuja..recently

L-R: President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Yemi Soladoye Ashipa; Sir Eddy Oyewole; Balogun Olubadan, Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; his wife, Olori Rasheedat Adetunji; and Group Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, jointly cutting the anniversary cake during the grand ďŹ nale celebration of 200 years of Ibadan existence, in Ibadan... recently

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and his predecessor, Chief Seriake Dickson at the funeral of the Ijaw hero of the 12-day Revolution fame, Captain Samuel Owonaro, at Kaiama community in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of the state‌recently

R-L: Group Chief Operation OďŹƒcer, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Boye Olusanya; presenting the cheque of #5 million to the 2nd awardee, Shamsudeen Kuch and his father, Bello Ladan Kuch during the Goldeen Fertilizer Customer Forum in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Pastor in-charge of Breakthrough Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Joshua Olujinmi; Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola and his wife, Kafaya, at the thanksgiving service in commemoration of the 2nd Year Anniversary of Governor Oyetola in Osogbo..recently

L-R: Father of the student, Mr Mohammed Allahnanan; overall Best Student, Miss Habiba Allahnanan;Guest of Honor/Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Sani Muhammad and Commandant, Air Force Girls Comprehensive School Abuja (AFGCS), Group Captain Hafsat Ali, during the presentation of a souvenir/prize to the best AFGCS Class of 2020 First Graduation Ceremony, in Abuja...recently

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T H I S D AY Ëž TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Experts Identify Free Zones as Important Route to Economic Recovery Bennett Oghifo As policymakers and investors explore all options available to revive the post-COVID-19 economy, a group of experts recommend an increased focus on the industrialisation and vibrant trade flows found in Nigeria’s free trade zones.

Senior government officials and business leaders, speaking at an event organised by Alaro City, the mixed-use city being built in the Lekki Free Zone, discussed the role of free zones in driving economic growth through business-friendly incentives.

Launched in January 2019, Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare mixed-income, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares (370 acres) of parks and open spaces. Alaro City is a partnership between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder and Lagos State, the economic and financial nerve

centre of Nigeria.

More than 30 companies are operational, designing or building their facilities in the city, and 3.5km of initial road networks and a modular 50MVA power plant are under construction.

One of the companies in Alaro City, Ariel Foods FZE, is the largest and most technically advanced ready-to-eat therapeutic foods producer in Africa, with an annual production facility of 18,000 metric tonnes.

Speakers at the event – “Free Zones as Engines of Growth: A Spotlight on Alaro City� – included Managing Director of Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba; the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Dr. Patience K. Iferi; Managing Director of Rosettee Construction, Mr Maroun Awad; Managing Director of Omar Gardens, Mrs. Mimi AdeOdiachi; and the CEO of ASB Valiant, Mr. Ayo Ikumapayi.

An avid campaigner for increased cooperation between the government and private sector in free zones, Prof.

Adesugba told that audience that free zones provide protection against the disruptions and strain on global transportation and logistics systems caused

by COVID-19. He urged the business community to partner with Nigeria’s 42 free trade zones to reduce the economic impact of the pandemic. “The pandemic, as we are aware, continues to distort business logistics globally, and so global investors are looking for workable free trade zones to move into,� Prof. Adesugba said. “Doing so would guarantee the preservation of the supply chains and their investments.

The supply chain management is going to be critical as COVID-19 has changed business logistics, but if we can take advantage of the various incentives which include tax holiday, absence of customs duties and absence of several other multiple taxes charged outside of the zones, then our businesses can stay afloat.�

Chairman of Alaro City, Ayo Gbeleyi, said the event was organised as part of efforts to

sustain conversations, especially between the government and private sector, on effective ways of urgent economic revitalisation. “We must think of our economy beyond oil, and that is why we need free trade zones to generate export revenue,� he said. “We need to expand our industrial base in a strategic way, and I think that the place to be is in the Lekki Free Zone, where the Lagos State Government and

all relevant agencies are present to breakdown all bottlenecks.

Alaro City is a product of a great partnership, a partnership that has achieved remarkable success in such a short time. Alaro City is serving as a major attraction for foreign direct investment to the state and the country.� “Every day at Alaro City, we see how the numerous benefits of a free zone and our work in building the perfect home

for businesses have catalysed growth,� added Mr. Gbeleyi. “As Alaro City grows, it is becoming a model for effective urban development and a demonstration of how how free zones benefits aggressively engineer industrialisation, employment and economic development. Our partnership with Rendeavour is one of which we are proud and will continue to work hard to sustain.�

Alaro City

AIMART International Launches Affordable Home Scheme Bennett Oghifo AIMART International, an indigenous corporate organisation that majors in real estate with its headquarters in Lagos just launched its novel project tagged “Affordable Homes Scheme� as part of its own effort at complementing both the federal and state government’s various housing schemes at solving the seeming intractable housing problem in the country.

It is an open and shut fact that housing, one of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has, over the years been a challenging conundrum. In spite of the several interventions from concerned stakeholders, it remains an albatross.

It is in light of this that AIMART International, a major player in the real estate sector came up with the affordable housing scheme targeted at median-income earners both in the public and private sector and it is not limited to only resident

in Lagos. With this scheme, you can actually own a home with as low as N1,299,999.00 while the balance is spread over a reasonable amount of time or you can access this scheme through a proper mortgage financing.

AIMART International considers it a responsibility to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government under the ascendancy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu at reducing the housing deficit in the state.

This is the reason of the partnership with the Lagos Building Investment Company Plc., (LBIC) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). “We are targeting a total housing unit of about 10,000 units across the country starting with 3 locations (Ibeju-Lekki, Agbara and Badagry) within a ten (10) year period. We also intend as a matter of value addition and corporate social responsibility, to further discount a number of units to ensure that we give more persons the opportunity to

benefit from this scheme. This is not a social housing scheme but as solution providers in this space, we are driven by a need to render service to humanity, ensuring one of the basics of life which is shelter is made conveniently available to as many as possible. More details on this would be communicated through our online media mechanisms in the coming days. “Our integrity and efficiency have never been in doubt and we are convinced that this is the ideal time to make our own contribution towards economic recovery by making home-ownership more realistic and accessible. We intend to, through this project, create about ten (10) to thirteen (13) thousand jobs both directly and indirectly over the 10-year period. “This is a great day in the history of the real estate sector and in our journey also as a nation.

We hope this novel project will inspire the needed improvement in our housing sector and also

Managing Director Aimart Realtors, Mrs. Bukola Iluyomade; Director LASERA, Mrs. Titilayo Omorodion; National PRO ERCAAN, Gbenga Adenowo; Chairman AIMART, Mr. Ayo Iluyomade; and Director of Real Estate, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mrs. Patunola-Ajayi, representing the Commissioner for Housing Lagos State, at the launch of AIMART’s aordable housing scheme, held in Lagos...recently

help in wealth creation for our people. “In an event where the company unveiled this product in the presence of Lagos State Government officials, on Friday, November 27 2020, the Managing Director of the company Mrs. Bukola Iluyomade stated that her vision is beyond profitmaking but that of a Nigeria where everyone can own an apartment that can be truly called a home,� according to the Chief Operating Officer of Aimart International.

Aimart Realtors is an offshoot (a subsidiary) of Aimart International Nigeria Limited, a 100% Nigerian company incorporated in February 2004. We are residential and commercial Real Estate broker, Property Manager and Estate Developer with experience in providing excellent housing/shelter solutions to a wide spectrum of clientele or prospective house owners.

Why choose us?

We offer a wide variety of property options to individual, groups or corporate organizations with flexible payment plans to enable everyone become home owners and investors.

Our vision is to be a one-stop solution in global real estate business.

Our objetives Build decent and affordable homes across the Nigeria’s geographical expanse. To ensure that all our stakeholders enjoy rewards for their investments.

To ensure that all our housing units meet basic requirements for global best practice. To deliver shelter within approved specifications and just in time - JIT. To provide real estate mortgage solutions that stand the test of time. To manage our Real Estate Investment portfolio for value optimisation.

Housing In Nigeria Housing is a crucial basic need of every human being just as food and clothing and it is very fundamental to the welfare, survival and health of man. It serves as one of the best indicators of a person’s standards of living and his place in the society. Housing involves access to land, shelter and the necessary amenities to make the shelter functional, convenient, aesthetically pleasing, safe and hygienic. Living conditions have a direct impact on the security and health of individuals.

In Nigeria, housing has not ranked high on the scale of priorities for social spending and this has been clearly reflected in the minimal efforts put into providing low-cost housing both in rural and urban areas especially for the latter. The creation of the Federal Mortgage Bank in 1977 did not make much impact until recent policies were introduced by the current administration.

There are key issues with housing in Nigeria and these include; Poor Rural Development r 1PPS RVBMJUZ PG SVSBM housing. This spreads across location, quality level and value of property. r 3VSBM IPVTJOH TVGGFST deficiencies in areas of social services like electricity, water supply and transport facilities.

High Urban Migration r )JHI SBUF PG VSCBOJ[BUJPO ever-increasing population of urban dwellers. r -BHPT /JHFSJB T DPNNFSDJBM capital with an estimated 20.19 million people. r (SPXUI SBUF QVU BU annum. r QFSTPOT NPWJOH JOUP the state daily.

Others are r -BDL PG FGGFDUJWF QMBOOJOH r6ODPOUSPMMFE QSJWBUF TFDUPS participation. r8FBL JOTUJUVUJPOBM GSBNFworks. r1PPS SFTFBSDI BOE EFWFMPQment in the housing sector. r4PNFUJNFT PUIFS JTTVFT like inflation, income policy and socio-economic trends also mitigate against growth in the sector.

Federal Government Drive r /BUJPOBM )PVTJOH 1PMJDZ was launched in 1991. r /)' XBT FTUBCMJTIFE JO 1992 to nurture and maintain stable affordable housing financing overseen by the Federal Mortgage Bank. r 5IF DVSSFOU BENJOJTUSBUJPO has launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to stimulate the economy through agriculture, housing construction, food security, renewable energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and the digital economy to create jobs . r &TUBCMJTINFOU PG UIF Economic Stability Committee (ESC) led by the Vice President in response to COVID-19 effect. r " NBTTJWF IPVTJOH QSPgramme with a timeline of 12 months and an estimated cost of N317,292,377,973.48. This strategy is expected to create 1.8 million jobs. r $PPSEJOBUFE CZ UIF 'FEFSBM Ministry of Works and Housing, r CZ 'FEFSBM .PSUHBHF #BOL of Nigeria and the Federal Housing Authority are the government bodies to co-ordinate the delivery of this strategy. r 5IJT JT BJNFE BU EFMJWFSing mass housing as a path to Nigeria’s economic recovery. r 5IFTF QPMJDJFT BOE BDUJPOT give support towards real estate development and encourages through other policies, active private sector involvement.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

NAE Advocates Technology Application as Panacea to Economic Development Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), the highest echelon of the nation’s engineering profession, has advocated the use of technology as panacea to economic development in Nigeria.

This was a major outcome at the Academy’s investiture of new fellows, and annual lecture tagged, “the Nigerian infrastructure Conundrum- the Missing Links”; held in Lagos recently.

The Guest Speaker, Chairman Amana Consortium Ltd, Engr.

(Dr.) Edet Amana stated that technology and its application is the missing link in Nigeria’s infrastructure conundrum.

“As a result of failed infrastructure, the economic development of our country has suffered major setbacks and what is potentially a rich and great country has failed to develop her enormous potential over the years,” he said.

He stated that the World Economic Forum’s 2016-2017

Global Competitiveness Index ranked Nigeria’s Infrastructure at the bottom - 132 out of 138 countries. According to that organization’s 2016 Executive Opinion Survey, the poor infrastructure is the largest constraint on doing business in the country, he said.

National, human, and economic development, require extensive interplay of the nation’s physical, social, organisational and knowledge infrastructures. The quantum and quality of development depend on the effectiveness of this interplay, he said.

“Hard data is replacing decision making based on observation, intuition, or experience in many areas of human endeavour.

We saw this play out during the Covid-19 pandemic when, in the highly organised economies, the vast amount of data generated from GSM usage was used to predict the spread and therefore management of the Covid-19 disease,” he stated.

“An effective educational system will produce people who will effectively man the political

system, the knowledge generation and application systems, the systems responsible for the provision of water, roads, etc.

Similarly, a failed political system cannot provide the organizational framework necessary for the development of power supply, education, healthcare delivery or knowledge generation and application systems,” he said.

“Innovation is the process of making an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value and brings about positive change.

The National Innovation System, NIS, is the flow of technology and information among people, enterprises, and institutions in a nation. This is key to the innovative process at the national and sub-national levels. Put simply NIS includes all the economic, political, and social factors which sustain the national development process,” he said.

“The National Bureau of Statistics publication of August 21, 2017 revealed that “on average, about one bribe is paid by every adult citizen of Nigeria to a public official and that the

average amount paid in cash for a bribe is equivalent to a fourth of the average monthly salary.” The other form of corruption, which may be called non-financial corruption include, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, etc.

These destroy confidence in the system and dull the competitive edge. The damage to the national ethos caused by non-financial

corruption is as worse than that caused by financial corruption due to the absence of the legal framework to apprehend and punish those guilty of those forms of corruption,” he stated.

He stated that with effective application of technology, corruption can be curbed by extensive deployment of technology in all areas of our activities.

The out-going President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Engr. Prof Fola Lasisi stated that it was the responsibility of the Academy to ensure the advancement of the engineering education and practice through continuous learning, advocacy and strategic collaboration with relevant professional associations, government and industry.

L-R: President of Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors, QS Mohammed Abba Tor, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello; and former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida, at the launch of the institute’s new brand identity at their 2020 Annual General Meeting held in Minna, Niger State… recently

Julius Berger Pledges Modern Standards in Constructing Second Niger Bridge Bennett Oghifo Modern construction standards would be used in rendering the second Niger Bridge, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Engr. Lars Richter has said.

The managing director, who stated this at the inspection/ town hall meeting at Asaba, Delta State, recently, recalled the rich history of the first Niger Bridge and its significance to commerce and industry in the country.

Richter said the need for a complementing bridge arose due to a combination of factors like population growth in the area, high rate of urbanisation and the geometric increase in traffic volumes over the years.

“The second Niger Bridge is part of a new motorway ring which aims to minimise traffic congestion on the old bridge and to strengthen the entire region – it therefore strengthens Nigeria generally and its domestic and international trade routes as well,” Richter said.

He said the project was split into three phases, and that the Phase 1 comprised a 1.6km bridge and 10.3km roads, Phase 2A is a 17.5km Asaba link road and Phase 2B a 17.5km Onitsha link road.

On the progress made so far, the Managing Director said the entire substructure of the Second Niger Bridge is completed, while the super structure and finishing works are in progress. He added that secondary bridges on the

main project are also completed.

The remaining works which include soil improvement works, culverts and drainage, Owerri interchange, as well as the toll gate are in progress.

“There is no doubt that upon completion, the Second Niger Bridge will ease traffic flow, improve road safety and create greater opportunities for local residents. It will advance the commercial viability of the immediate area and have a regenerative effect on economic life,” Richter further said that “the bridge adds a robust artery to Nigeria’s transportation grid, ensuring a solution fit not only for today, but for Nigeria’s tomorrow, because it is being built to cater for the expected

growth in traffic over the next 50 years resulting from increased economic activities, population growth and new urban developments.”

According to him, “As a key infrastructure linking the East and the West of the country and a main artery within the TransAfrican highway between Lagos and Mombassa, this bridge is a key national infrastructure that will invigorate the South-East of the nation, promoting greater economic growth and boosting of trade and commerce locally for residents, nationally and internationally.”

He said the Second Niger Bridge will spur an increase in investments, agriculture and trade, particularly with the Onitsha Main Market in

the region, which is a major trading hub and key commercial capital. The bridge, he emphasised, will allow for improved, more efficient and quicker connection to Lagos, another key commercial hub. It will surely reduce hardships of commuters, improve traffic flow and road safety, Richter said.

Speaking on the technical challenges involved in the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, Richter said, “The chosen right of way for the project’s adjoining roads was carefully chosen to ensure minimal impact on citizenry and urban development,” adding that, “the construction works have to be achieved on an extremely soft and swampy terrain.”

The Managing Director said Julius Berger has met the identified challenges with strong solutions, taking proper consideration of “the varying water level of the River Niger of up to 12 metre between the dry and rainy seasons.”

This consideration, he added, has further been supported by soil improvement measures “including vertical drainage and horizontal dam base reinforcement, which are implemented to guarantee the load-bearing capacity and to accelerate the settlement of the sand dams.”

Richter said the construction of the Second Niger Bridge is of high priority to the President Buhari’s administration and the Federal Ministry of Works.

‘Women Entrepreneurs are Drivers in Decentralised Renewable Energy Sector’ Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy (SDG-7) and gender equality (SDG-5), are key drivers for development and economic growth. While SDG-7 is necessary to power productive activities and enable socio-economic development, SDG-5 further catalyses progress, as women are more likely to reinvest their earnings in productive activities and vital services within their

communities.

To achieve universal access by 2030, new energy access policies, business models and investments must maximise the socio-economic benefits that electricity brings, while making sure that no one is left behind.

At the intersection of gender equality, clean and affordable energy access and sustainable economic development, the

connection between SDG-7 and SDG-5 offers an untapped array of innovative solutions and a pool of talents that gender blind approaches to energy access are likely to miss.

This is a presentation by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), an international business association that promotes a sustainable decentralised renewable energy industry for the 21st

century, activating markets for affordable energy services, and creating local jobs and inclusive economies.

By showcasing 17 case studies from ARE Members, as well as providing core recommendations for DRE companies, CSOs, private investors and international funding partners building on those, this publication aims to: Highlight the essential role

that women play in energy access and sustainable socioeconomic development in rural communities; Serve as inspiration for innovative gender-sensitive approaches to consolidate gender equality at each level of the DRE supply chain.

The publication was published by ARE with the support of GET.invest

It is the vision of ARE that by 2030 everyone in the world and in particular all rural people in low-and medium income countries should have access to affordable, secure and clean energy and energy services.

ARE enables improved energy access through business development support for its Membership along the whole value chain for off-grid technologies.

Demand for Vacation Homes in U.S. Surge Over 100% Annually in October Property broker Redfin reported recently that U.S. sales of vacation homes are soaring, even as millions of Americans grapple with financial devastation triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic.

In October 2020, demand for second homes skyrocketed 100% from a year earlier--the fourth triple-digit increase in the last five months. That outpaced the 50% increase in demand for primary homes.

Home sales are on the rise across the board due to record-low mortgage rates and

a wave of relocations during the pandemic, but demand for second homes is particularly strong as affluent Americans work remotely, no longer need to send their kids to school in person and face travel restrictions, explained Redfin, lead economist Taylor Marr.

“With mortgage rates at all-time lows and offices shut down across the country, the dream of having a second home outside of the city is becoming a reality for many wealthy Americans,” Marr said.

“Unfortunately, at the same

time, millions of less-fortunate families are behind on their mortgage or rent payments due to financial hardship brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.”

Some of the second homes purchased this year will ultimately turn into primary homes, as it’s not uncommon for a buyer to close a deal on a second home before putting their current house on the market, Marr added.

As second-home purchases have soared during the pandemic, resort towns

across the U.S. have attracted more homebuyers. A recent Redfin report found that eight of the 10 U.S. counties that have heated up the most over the past year are home to popular vacation spots, including Lake Tahoe, Cape Cod, Palm Springs, the Jersey Shore, and Bend, OR. Melissa Killham, a Redfin real estate agent in Wisconsin, said that she’s seen demand surge in Lake Geneva--a popular resort town about an hour southwest of Milwaukee.

“The home-tour rate in Lake

Geneva has doubled--people from the city can’t travel for vacation so they’re looking for second homes,” she said. “The Lake Geneva school district is also still offering in-person learning, so a lot of families are buying second homes in the area so they can work remotely and send their kids to school.” ome values have been climbing in seasonal towns across the U.S. The median sale price in seasonal towns grew 21% year over year in October to $420,000, outpacing the 14% growth in non-seasonal towns.

Redfin defines a seasonal town as a town where more than 30% of housing stock is used for seasonal, recreational or occasional purposes.

“Even when offices reopen, folks will be able to spend more time than ever before in their second homes because many employers will continue to offer flexible remote-work policies,” Marr said. “With workers still commuting in one or two days a week, resort towns that are near major cities will likely continue to heat up.”

32

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NAICOM Grants Operating License to Enterprise Life Assurance The Nigerian National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has granted Enterprise Life Assurance Company (Nigeria) Limited license to commence operations in the country.

This comes after the company met the minimum stated capital requirement of N8 billion in February 2020.

According to a statement, Enterprise Life Assurance Company (Nigeria) Limited is a member of the Enterprise Group Plc, a financial services Group with operating companies in insurance, pensions, real estate and funeral services.

Speaking on the license acquisition, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Keli Gadzekpo, said the move was in line with

the Group’s vision of expanding its business footprint beyond Ghana, into the broader West African Sub-region.

Gadzekpo said: “As Africa progressively moves into middleincome status, the importance of insurance for risk mitigation and as a savings tool is becoming more important. Enterprise Group is positioned to play a key role in promoting insurance for these reasons. “Over the years, with the support of our clients, we have carved a great reputation for ourselves in service delivery and claims payment. We intend to extend our expertise and strength throughout the West African region. So far, we have had a very successful start with the

performance of Enterprise Life in The Gambia and are excited about the opportunity to repeat this success story in Nigeria�.

Also, the Managing Director, Enterprise Life, Funmilayo Abimbola Omo, expressed excitement about the opportunity to further enhance the insurance industry in Nigeria.

According to her, “Despite the enormous opportunities that come with a burgeoning economy and a large population, insurance penetration in Nigeria is still considerably low. “We believe that the solutions we are about to introduce will resonate well with the Nigerian public, so that more and more people will benefit from the protection that insurance offers.

Survey Rates NAFDAC High on Efficient Service Delivery Dike Onwuamaeze A recent research titled, ‘Transactional Accountability, Process Consistency and Operational Transparency- A Report on NAFDAC,’ has adjudged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as one of the best performing MDAs in terms of satisfaction of its clients.

The report, which was carried out by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) with the support of the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) stated that:

“In terms of satisfaction, 67 per cent of respondents claimed that they were satisfied with services rendered by NAFDAC, which is not a bad position for any regulatory agency in Nigeria. “If you go by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations’ ODC survey on major government agencies in Nigeria, which is done every two years, you will find that the levels of dissatisfaction are very acute with some specific MDAs in the country. So, the NAFDAC is one of the better performing MDAs in the country.�

The findings of the survey, which was presented by the Co-

founder and Executive Director of The Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), Mr. Soji Apampa, also showed that 60 per cent of the respondents claimed that the impact of transactional corruption on the percentage increase in their cost of doing business is between five per cent and 10 per cent.

The activities of the NAFDAC that were surveyed were laboratory analysis, product investigations, registration of products and obtaining permits.

The survey also showed that some respondents declined to make informal and un-receipted payments while others did.

Pet Electrical, India’s Electrophile Seal Deal for Nigerian Market A Nigerian firm, Pet Electrical and Mechanical Limited has entered into a partnership with Electrophile India Private Ltd for the manufacture and assembly of electrical equipment in Nigeria.

The products, including distribution boards, modular boxes, and changeover switches, will be manufactured or assembled at Pet Electrical and Mechanical Limited’s facility at Asaba, Delta State. Petferns Group spokesperson, Peace Eberechukwu, and Electrophile’s representatives, Krishna Iyer and Vinay Gaur, stated this at the weekend during a meeting with journalists in Lagos.

The partnership would commence operations from the first week of next January and is seeking distributors from all over Nigeria and West Africa.

Eberechukwu said the deal was separate from Petferns Group’s N2 billion industrial project expected to commence operations soon in Bayelsa.

She stated that the Electrophile deal would involve the transfer of technology to Nigerian engineers.

Iyer, who spoke for Electrophile, assured that the products would meet customer requirements in terms of quality, and price. He said: “All of the products will have SONCAP certification. There will be SONCAP certification for

every shipment. We are in the process of getting the product certified from the organisation involved (Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The equipment are ready. They will be here after Christmas, first week of January, 2012.� He explained that the components that are for assemblage in Asaba have already been produced in Faridabad, near Delhi and will be shipped to Nigeria after obtaining SONCAP certification. “That is the second stage. We’ll bring in the products in complete knockdown condition. Then they’ll be assembled here. Every assembly will get a SONCAP certificate in India before we send

Biovaccines Pledges to Produce COVID -19 Vaccines in Nigeria Nigeria’s local vaccine production company, Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL) has said it will ensure that Nigeria is served coronavirus vaccines simultaneously with other parts of the world as soon as the World Health Organisation (WHO) gives its nod for the use of any of the several COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

This it stated it would achieve through a partnership with international technical partners which are currently working on WHO approval of COVID-19 vaccines.

The technical partners will bulk produce for BVNL. To ensure that this happens Biovaciines is acquiring modular fill and finish-

ing lines for the finishing of the vaccines in Nigeria by way of filling and capping. In readiness for this role Biovaccines earlier this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Market Access with the Federal Ministry of Health which enables her to serve approved vaccines of her international technical partners to the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, BVNL Board Chairman, Prof. Adewole Tomori, said the company was satisfied with the cooperation and support it was receiving from the administration of President Muhammad Buhari and assured that the local manufacturing of vaccines in Nigeria

will materialize in no distant time.

He enumerated the benefits of the BVNL project to include job creation, foreign exchange earnings from export, development of biotechnological base, ability to develop novel vaccines for fighting Africa-specific diseases, security of quality vaccines, dealing efficiently with pandemic diseases and outbreaks, socio-economic development and enduring partnership opportunities.

The project would help Nigeria to better respond to emergencies like epidemic of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM), yellow fever, COVID-19 among others.

L-R: Directors of FBS Reinsurance Limited, Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar; Engr. Ebele Okeke; Commissioner of Insurance, Sunday Thomas; FBS Directors, Bala Zakariyau and Fola Daniel, during the presentation of operating license to FBS Reinsurance Ltd by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in Abuja‌recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Í°Íľ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $46.79 a barrel on Friday, compared with $46.66 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

33

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

NSE Migrates Four Companies from ASeM to Growth Board Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the migration of Chellarams Plc, Living Trust Mortgage Plc, McNichols Plc, and The Initiates Plc from the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) to the Growth Board.

It also launched the associated Growth Board Index yesterday.

According to the NSE, the migration followed the receipt of applications from the companies

requesting to be migrated from ASeM and consequent screening and approval by the council.

The NSE Growth Board was launched to assist small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and growth-oriented companies looking to raise capital and promote liquidity in the trading of their shares. It offers relaxed entry criteria with less stringent listing requirements making it easier to attract capital flows along with reduced pre

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and post listing obligations.

Commenting on the migration, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said: “This migration affirms the notable efforts of the four companies to meeting corporate governance standards and underpins the robustness of our market. We congratulate and are pleased to migrate Chellarams Plc, Living Trust Mortgage Plc, McNichols Plc, and The Initiates Plc to the Growth Board where they

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

will have access to a suite of value added services that will give them a competitive edge beyond access to capital.

We believe that the inclusion of these companies on the All Share Index and the Growth Board Index of the NSE will provide increased visibility that will attract global investors.�

The migration of the four qualified companies was commemorated with a virtual Closing Gong ceremony where

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the chairman and chief executive officers of the companies were given the honour to close the market.

The NSE Growth Board was launched on 29 January 2020 to encourage start ups, SMEs and the companies in the fintech industry with high growth potential to use the opportunity to raise long-term capital and promote liquidity in the trading of their shares.

Meanwhile, the market closed

O F

on positive side as the NSE AllShare Index (ASI) appreciated 0.45 per cent to 35,042.14, while market capitalisation added N81.8 billion to be at N18.3 trillion.

The appreciation was propelled by gains recorded by Airtel Africa Plc, MTN Nigeria Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. Activity level improved as volume and value traded surged 118.4 per cent and 47.1 per cent to 415.5 million units and N4.9 billion respectively.

3 0 / 1 1 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal over N544m Fraud Alex Enumah in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, and six others, for the alleged fraudulent N544million grass cutting contract.

The defendants, again yesterday pleaded not guilty when the amended 10 counts of fraud were read to them before Justice Charles Agbaza of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja.

The re-arraignment, which was the second time since the case started, followed the demise

Fleeing Ogun Car Robber Stabs Policeman An armed robber reportedly stabbed a policeman, Peter Olajide, in the hand to escape with a stolen Toyota car in Ogere, Remo-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Four members of the gang were said to have snatched the car from the owner in Lagos State and took it to Ogere on Thursday before the policemen chased them and arrested one of them.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday.

Oyeyemi said three of the robbers escaped while one Daniel Sunday was arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command.

According to him, the suspect was arrested with a Toyota Camry he confessed to have snatched in Lagos.

He said, “The suspect was arrested following information received by the policemen

attached to Ogere division that four men were sighted around the Agunwarogo area of Ogere and their movement was suspicious.

“Upon the information, the DPO of the Ogere division, Abiodun Ayinde, led detectives to the place where the four men were seen with a Toyota Camry with number plate, AAA 212 GJ. “The suspects fled immediately they sighted the policemen but, they were hotly chased by the team and one of them was eventually arrested after he injured a policeman, Peter Olajide.”

The PPRO added that when the vehicle was searched, the vehicle licence bearing the phone number of the owner was found.

He said, “A call was subsequently placed to the number and one Mrs Phelomina, the owner of the car, confirmed that the car was snatched in Ikoyi Lagos at gunpoint.”

Ekanola Emerges New UI ActingVC Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Senate of the University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday elected the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Ekanola as Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university.

At a Senate meeting held yesterday morning, Ekanola won with 275 votes to defeat four other nominees.

Other nominees defeated were: Professor Ayo Oluleye with 80 votes; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Olanike Adeyemo with 13 votes; Professor Adigun Agbaje, 15 votes and Professor Gbemisola Oke, 14 votes.

Ekanola, who is expected to be the institution head for the next six months, will assume office on December 1, 2020.

The University of Ibadan has

in recent times been in the news over the selection of a new vice chancellor for the institution The two Non-Academic Staff Unions of University of Ibadan (UI) – SSANU and NASU – protested against alleged proposed imposition of candidate for the next vice chancellor of the institution.

The selection process for another vice-chancellor has created prolonged impasse among stakeholders on the campus including management, governing council and staff unions.

The development degenerated to the extent that the education minister, Mr. Adamu Adamu, was compelled to order a fresh process after he said he was inundated with complaints against principal officers, including the outgoing VC, Mr. Olayinka.

Killers of Benue Professor Must Face Justice, OrtomVows George Okoh in Makurdi The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged the state Police Command and other security agencies in the state to ensure that killers of Dr. Karl Kwaghger, an Associate Professor of Engineering, are apprehended for prosecution.

The governor condemned the gruesome murder, which occurred in Makurdi, the state capital, last Saturday evening, describing it as unacceptable.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide Mr. Terver Akase,

Ortom called for thorough investigation into the incident and reaffirmed the resolve of his administration to sustain the fight against crime in all ramifications.

The governor consoled the family of the late Kwaghger and assured them that those behind the killing of their son, husband and father must be brought to justice.

He prayed to God to grant the slain university lecturer eternal rest.

Kwaghger was gruesomely murdered by unknown assailant while on outing at a popular garden in Makurdi.

of the former trial judge, Justice Jude Okeke, on August 4, 2020.

Lawal, along with his younger brother, Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh Monday, and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited – was initially arraigned before the late Justice Okeke on February 13, 2019.

The prosecuting counsel,

Offem Uket, was to open his case on March 18, 2019, when he announced that he had amended the 10 counts, bordering on fraud, diversion of over N544million, and criminal conspiracy.

The development prompted the need for a re-arraignment of the defendants, who again pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial had proceeded before

Justice Okeke with the EFCC still calling its witnesses when the judge died.

Following the judge’s demise, the case was re-assigned to Justice Agbaza before whom the case was rescheduled to start afresh on Monday.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges yesterday, the defence lawyers pleaded with the judge to allow their clients to

continue to enjoy the bail already granted them by the former judge.

Aside from Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), who represented the ex-SGF, the rest of the defence lawyers are : Mr. Sunday Ameh (SAN), Napoleon Idenala, Ocholi Okutepa, and Marcel Oru. The judge fixed January 20 to 22 for trial.

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Court Martial Demotes Adeniyi over LeakedVideo A Court Martial in Abuja yesterday convicted and demoted the former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi.

The tribunal was said to have found Adeniyi guilty of violating military social media guidelines and ordered his demotion by at least three years.

However, Adeniyi’s lawyers have vowed to appeal the judgment.

It was also gathered that Adeniyi’s military aide, Private

Tokunbo Obanla, who was prosecuted alongside the general, was also found guilty and sentenced to 28 days in jail with hard labour.

Both convictions are however subject to confirmation by the military council.

THISDAY gathered that Adeniyi pleaded guilty to three-count of unlawful use of social media, and two others.

The verdict came several months after a video of the major general complaining

about a lack of military equipment to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east went viral.

He also complained that insurgents were outgunning troops, noting that intelligence failure was responsible for an attack by insurgents that claimed dozens of soldiers.

The revelations by the major general led to his removal from the insurgency war and subsequent suspension by the military authorities.

The Nigerian Army subsequently filed charges of military social media guideline violations against him.

Adeniyi had denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not leak the video, adding that his phone was in Obanla’s custody at the time of the incident.

Obanla had in his statement allegedly admitted to posting the video on social media in error.

Three Kidnappers of Reverend Sisters to Die by Hanging in Ondo James Sowole in Akure Three kidnappers, who abducted three Reverend Sisters in June 2016 and collected N1million ransom before freeing them, have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Akure High Court in Ondo State.

They were found guilty and convicted for kidnapping the religious women at Onipetesi area on the Ore-Sagamu expressway in the state, and kept them for 11 days before they were released after collecting ransom.

Seven persons, including a couple, were initially arraigned for the crime.

They were Reuben Akinbehinje (aka Chairman); Saheed Oyewo (aka Olaoluwa); Seun Lajuwomi (aka Ebile); Abimbola Akinbehinje, John Imoleayo Uche (aka Uchenna); Seun Iseoluwa Akintan (aka Egbegbe), and Lateef Fayemi Hammed.

An eight-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, aiding and abetting kidnapping and accessory after the fact, were preferred against

them.

A Department of State Security (DSS) official, who testified during the trial, Johnson Siunu, said the kidnappers were tracked down and arrested through the phone number they used to negotiate and monitor the delivery of the ransom.

Saheed, Oyewo, one of those initially arraigned, however, died in prison, while Abimbola Akinbehinje, wife of Reuben, was charged of being an accessory after the fact, and was fined N50, 000.

In his judgment, Justice Ademola Adegoroye said the prosecution could not produce any evidence against Seun and Lateef Fayemi, and therefore discharged them.

Adegoroye, therefore, found Reuben, Uche and Seun guilty of all the charges and sentenced them to death by hanging.

The judge said the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping against the three convicts, and sentenced them accordingly.

Terrorism: PDP Berates Buhari for Blaming Slain Farmers Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it is alarmed by the reckless and bizarre attempt by the Muhammadu Buhari presidency to rationalise the gruesome beheading of 43 innocent Nigerian farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents.

The party further stated that it was outraged by the Buhari presidency’s claims that the farmers were killed because they failed to get clearance before

going to their farms, “a statement, which is also an admission that the Buhari administration has been overwhelmed by terrorists and can no longer guarantee our compatriots a normal life.”

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, “Our party submits that it is weird, reprehensible and repulsive that the Buhari presidency now seeks to turn itself into a mouthpiece for terrorists by this subtle attempt to rationalise the killing of innocent and hard-working Nigerians.

“This unpatriotic stance smacks of support for acts of terrorism and mindless killing of our compatriots by a government whose Commander-in-Chief had promised Nigerians to lead the battle against insurgents from the front.”

Ologbondiyan said the PDP is forced to hold that attitudes such as the unpatriotic remark of the Buhari presidency embolden insurgents in their ceaseless attacks in the country.

He stated that such comment also provided further insights into

the escalation of acts of terrorism in the country in the last five years.

The PDP spokesman explained that it is indeed shocking that the Buhari presidency has graduated from making bogus claims of having degraded terrorism to the embarrassing point of blaming unprotected and helpless Nigerians for falling victims of terrorist attacks.

This, the party said, to say the least, “is the height of leadership failure of the lazy, lethargic and incompetent Buhari administration.”

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Again, UN Mourns ‘Tens of Civilians’ Killed

By Boko Haram Michael OlugbodeinMaiduguri In what appeared to be at variance with its earlier claim that over 110 civilians were killed in the attack on a rice field by Boko Haram in Borno State, the United Nations yesterday said “tens of civilians” were killed in the incident.

In a statement issued yesterday, the United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon said: “I am outraged and horrified by the gruesome attack against civilians carried out by non-state armed groups in villages near Borno State capital Maiduguri.

“Tens of civilians were ruthlessly killed and many others were wounded in this attack.”

Kallon added that: “In early afternoon of 28 November, armed men on motorcycles led a brutal attack on civilian men and women who were harvesting their fields in Koshobe and other rural communities in Jere Local Government Area. Reports we are receiving are indicating these innocent farmers were the victims of this callous violence.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the civilians who lost their lives in this atrocious attack. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in the incident.”

He said: “We have also received reports that several women may have been kidnapped. I call for their

immediate release and return to safety,” adding that: “My thoughts are also with the rural communities in the area, who are shocked by the brutality of yesterday’s attack and fear for their safety.”

Kallon said: “The entire UN system and the humanitarian community working to provide life-saving and development assistance to the most vulnerable

in Borno State is outraged by the incident. Such direct attacks against innocent civilians jeopardise the ability for the most vulnerable people to survive the adversity there are facing, and which we are striving to alleviate.”

He restated that. “The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year. I call for the perpetrators

of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice.

“It is unfortunately one of too many such attacks targeting farmers, fishermen and families who are trying to recover some livelihood opportunity after over a decade of conflict.

“I strongly condemn this attack and any act of violence against innocent civilians and I firmly urge all actors on the ground to

respect international laws and humanity.

“Rural communities in Borno State are facing untold hardships.

Helping them to farm land and rebuild livelihoods are amongst our priorities and the only way to avoid the looming food crisis in Borno State. They and all other civilians need to be protected and spared from any kind of violence”.

Anyim Writes Umahi, Alleges Threat to His Life Dike Onwuamaeze A former President of the Senate and ex-Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has called public attention to the alleged threat by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. David Umahi, to kill him.

Anyim, in a recent missive titled “Open Letter to Governor David Umahi on His Wild, Infantile, and Utterly Senseless Accusations Against My Person,” said that he fully understand that what Umahi meant by ‘this will be the last fight I will fight,’ “is that he will kill me so that I will not live to fight again,” adding that “while I invite the security agencies to note this plan, I want to assure Umahi that my blood is not available for him in pursuit of his ambition.”

The open letter, which was copied to The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Inspector–General of Police, the Director–General of Department of State Services and the Chief of Defence Staff to the President, referenced a widely circulated media briefing that Umahi held on November 27, after a formal Ebonyi State security council meeting, in which the governor alleged that Anyim along with other prominent politicians in Ebonyi State were after his life.

Anyim alleged that Umahi stated as follows: “I want the

media to note, that I reported an allegation that some Ebonyi people are engaging cultists and according to them some IPOB members to start killing and causing crisis in Ebonyi State in the name of fighting Ebonyi State Government and the governor and their leader is Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and their members are: Dr. Sam Egwu, Senator Obinna Ogba, Mr. Ali Odefa and others… “The same Senator Anyim fought the former Governor Sam Egwu and many people were killed. “...I have also directed security agencies to ensure the implementation of policies on tinted glasses of vehicles in the state, the use of siren and police escort…. If they try to fight the state, this will be their last fight, they will not fight again.”

Anyim attributed Umahi’s alleged plot to kill him to his refusal to be part of the governor’s doomed defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 19.

He said: “The case at hand is his defection to the APC on the November 19, 2020. He did not consult with anybody notable before consummating his defection to APC. After his defection, no person of note followed him.

Comercio Partners Emerges Best Boutique Investment Bank of theYear Comercio Partners Limited, a leading investment bank in Lagos, was conferred with an award for the best boutique investment bank of the year over the weekend at the BusinessDay banks’ and other financial institutions (BAFI)awards, held in Lagos.

The firm recently concluded a rebranding exercise in September to redefine her philosophy, essence, and identity.

The respective honours came despite some stiff competition from other formidable nominees.

Co-managing Partner at Comercio Partners, Tosin Osunkoya, humbled by the win remarked: “The business started a few years ago during

an economic recession in the country, and despite the uncertainties my co-managing partners - Steve Osho, Nnamdi Nwizu and I forged on because we believed in the potentials that we have. Since inception, we set out to build a unique investment bank in Africa that supports our strategic agenda to develop an investment ecosystem of choice with the intent to empower minds. This win is a realisation that we are on the right path and I am elated to see those efforts get the external recognition they deserve.”

“Our strategic business focus areas remain trading, investment management, financial advisory and real estate,” Osunkoya explained.

A NEW FEATHER TO HIS CAP…

Governor of Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom (left), and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, when the governor was presenting the state’s traditional regalia to the minister during his courtesy visit to the Government House, Makurdi …yesterday

FG LAMENTS FOREIGN POWERS’ REFUSAL TO SELL ARMS TO NIGERIA When asked if he was not blaming the farmers for going to the area, Shehu said: “Not exactly, but the truth has to be said.

Was there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activity? I have been told by the military leaders that they had not been so advised and certainly, therefore, it was a window that the terrorists exploited.”

His statement, however, drew an uproar as Nigerians attacked him for being insensitive.

The attack forced him to clarify his statement during the interview with the BBC. Shehu, in a series of tweets, said: “No one is delighted with the massacre in Zabarmari and there is nothing anybody will gain by playing blame games.

“The question I tried to answer on BBC was: did the security sign off on the area as being free of mines and terrorists? The honest answer is, no.

“I’m human with tons of compassion and empathy, and could not have said that the victims deserved their fate for ignoring security clearance.

“I was merely explaining the mode of military operations in the war zone of the North-east. There are areas that are still volatile that require security clearance which is intended to put people out of harm’s way.

“When tragedies occur, questions arise in terms of how something happened in order to avoid future recurrence.

Informing the military of our movements in an area of volatility and uncertainty is intended to preserve public safety.

“Explaining why something happened doesn’t mean I have no sympathy for the victims. I was just explaining the military procedures on the safe movement of the people and not supporting the death of the victims.”

DHQ Accuses Borno Residents of being Boko Haram’s Informants The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday accused the people of frustrating the war against terror by providing information on troops’ movements and activities to Boko Haram.

Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, while answering questions on the killing of the 43 farmers, during an appearance on a television programme, said information gathered from the attack showed that some of the insurgents were already cohabiting with the villagers before the attack.

Asked how the military had no prior intelligence on the attack, Enenche said the army needed information from locals to aid its operation.

“That has been our worry. It’s a concern for us. You need a guide, you need information. Will they tell us? That’s a question that we have to ask. Yes, sometimes.

And most times, no. And that was one of the issues we have been ensuring to overcome, with civil-military cooperation activities, reaching out to them, even sending people by proxy to talk to them,” Enenche said.

According to him, since it is not possible to force information out of the people, the military has to be patient with them to

gain their confidence.

Enenche debunked a UN report that 110 civilians died in the attack.

According to him, the field commandants “gave me a synopsis of what happened.

When the governor was to go and after they had recovered the dead, the troops had to move in there and they counted 43.

“Probably we may count up to the figure he (Kallon) gave in the future but as it is now, what we have counted with the locals is still 43 and we are hoping that we don’t get beyond that.

Enenche also lamented that COVID-19 was affecting the production and delivery of equipment, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that are vital for military surveillance operations in the North-east.

He said some equipment had not been delivered by Original Engine Manufacturers because of the pandemic, which disrupted activities globally.

Nigeria, US Agreement on Aircraft Supply Intact, NAF Clarifies The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that the agreement between the United States and the federal government for the supply of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft is still intact.

It was reported that the agreement for the supply of the aircraft, which were already paid for, was under threat due to bad runway at the 407 Air Combat Training Group (407 ACTG), Kainji.

But Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, in a

statement yesterday, dismissed the reports as incorrect, adding that the US Government has assured Nigeria of its commitment to deliver the aircraft.

The statement added that “for the avoidance of doubts, it is necessary to state that the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft project is on track to be delivered on schedule and in accordance with the terms of the contract.

“Currently, six of the expected 12 aircraft have been produced and are presently being employed for conversion training of six NAF pilots who are in the USA, along with 26 NAF engineers, technicians and logisticians, who are also undergoing various training on the aircraft as part of the provisions of the contract.

Another set of 35 personnel are also scheduled to join them early next year. “In addition, a team from the USA is currently in Kainji overseeing the construction of critical infrastructure provided in the contract ahead of the delivery of the aircraft.”

US Condemns Boko Haram Attack on Rice Farmers The United States has condemned Saturday’s massacre of rice farmers in Borno State.

The US, in a statement yesterday, also condoled with the families and friends of those killed or kidnapped.

It said: “These abhorrent attacks are a stark reminder of why the United States stands with the Nigerian government and people as they fight to defeat terrorism and work to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

N69.4bn Debt: Jimoh Ibrahim Asks Court to Reverse Assets Seizure Davidson Iriekpen

A Federal High Court in Lagos will today resume hearing an

application by businessman, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, seeking to lift an interim order that authorised the Asset Management Corporation of

EFCC Re-arraigns MD of First Nation Airline over N2.1bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned the Managing Director of First Nation Airways Limited, Mr. Kayode Odukoya, over alleged N2.1 billion fraud.

Odukoya is standing before an Ikeja Special Offences Court on a seven-count charge slammed against him by the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC had on March 15, 2018, arraigned the defendant before the same court for allegedly obtaining a credit facility worth N2.1 billion fraudulently from the defunct Skye Bank, now Polaris Bank.

The defendant, also the Managing Director of Bellview Airline, was arraigned then on a four-count charge of forgery, use of false document, perjury and stealing of N1.7 billion.

He, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

The anti-graft agency rearraigned the defendant yesterday

on a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, use of false document, perjury, stealing and obtaining credit by fraud.

He still pleaded not guilty.

Following his not-guilty plea, EFCC ‘s counsel, Mr. Nnaemeka Omewa, told the court that the EFCC had already called five witnesses to prove its case.

He said that prosecution would be closing its case against the former First Nation chief.

However, the defence counsel, Mr. Edoka Onyeke, said that due to the fresh charges, the defence would like to recall three prosecution witnesses for cross-examination.

He appealed to the court to allow his client to continue to enjoy the bail granted him on his first arraignment.

The judge, Mojisola Dada, granted Onyeke’s request and adjourned the case until February 15 for Mr Odukoya to begin his defence.

Nigeria (AMCON) to take over his assets over an alleged N69.4billion debt.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa fixed the date after taking arguments from Ibrahim’s counsel, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) yesterday.

The judge made the seizure order on November 4, and on November 18, AMCON announced that it effectively took over 12 properties belonging to the businessman and his firms.

The assets include the NICON Investment Limited building Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way,

Ejiofor Alike The Alliance for the Survival of COVID- 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), led by a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has stated that the recent massacre of rice farmers in Borno State has provided another opportunity for President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack the service chiefs.

In a statement issued yesterday

by Falana, the coalition of some 80 labour and civil rights groups said the savage killings was a signpost of incompetence and ineptitude on the part of those in power.

“We commiserate with the

Presents PDP flag to Dickson people in the National Assembly who would be able to make laws in defence of the people.

Secondus led the PDP national and state leadership in Bayelsa to observe a minute silence in honour of the 43 rice farmers that were gruesomely murdered by Boko Haram terrorists on Saturday.

He said, “Today, as we stand here to speak to you, Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state. The only rescue is to put quality people in the National Assembly who can go there to make laws in defence of the people.

“Everywhere has broken down.

Security and economy are breaking down. The government of APC has failed. You can imagine a bag of rice that was N18,000 is now N30,000 and the Dollar, which was exchanging for between N180 and N230 is now N500.

“I can tell you that this is

a most trying period for our nation. The country is gradually falling apart. We believe in a United Nigeria, we in the PDP will rescue the country from the grip of APC. Charity must begin from home.

You must come out to vote.

“Finally, I want to advise our Commander-in-Chief that the country is falling apart.

He should not make things worse because if he denies the people their votes, he will make the situation worse” He urged the President to show his capacity and expertise in Borno and Katsina states.

Secondus said that APC would be voted out of power come 2023 as it happened in the US, and urged INEC to ensure that the people’s votes were made to count.

Governors to Meet over Insecurity Chuks Okocha in Abuja The 36 state governors have scheduled a meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow) to discuss and determine a new security order.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mr. Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said that the 22nd NGF teleconference meeting will hold Wednesday, December 2, 2020 “with governors of the 36 states seeking to evolve a new national security order that will ensure safety of lives and property

nationwide”.

According to the statement, “as part of the effort, beginning at the sub-national level, the forum will be receiving zonal updates on SARS and internal security at its Wednesday meeting.

“Similarly, the forum will also revisit the issue of CACOVID palliatives with updates on its current status in all the states,”he said.

He explained that three groups will be making presentations at the meeting, top of which will be a joint effort between the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele

They contended that the court made the seizure order in error becauseAMCON allegedly concealed material facts in its ex-parte application leading to the seizure order.

They urged the court to set aside the order for “non-disclosure and misrepresentation of material facts.”

The applicants further prayed the court to order AMCON to pay them N50billion indemnity for their alleged “failure to conduct due diligence before obtaining the said order sought to be set aside and for misrepresentation and concealment of fact.”

They described the move by AMCON leading to the seizure order as an abuse of court processes.

But AMCON, through its lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), vehemently opposed the defendants’ Motion on Notice and prayed the court to dismiss same.

A lawyer in AMCON’s legal department, Imelda Raheem, said, “The plaintiff, at the time of obtaining the orders on November 4, 2020, made full and substantial disclosure of all material facts in relation to the subject matter of this suit.”

Falana-led Coalition Asks Buhari to Remove Service Chiefs

Nigeria Becoming Failed State, Says Secondus The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has said that Nigeria is falling apart and fast becoming a failed state.

Secondus made the comment yesterday, while speaking at a PDP Mega Rally for Bayelsa West senatorial district at Sagbama, Bayelsa State..

Secondus who presented the party’s flag to its senatorial candidate, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson, said that the PDP believes in a united and strong Nigeria and remained the only party that can rescue the country from the grip of the failing APC. Secondus lamented that everything, including the economy and security sectors are falling apart.

He stressed that the only chance of redemption opened to the citizenry was to put credible

Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja and the building of NICON Lekki Limited also at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

AMCON’s action is against Ibrahim, NICON Investment Limited and Global Fleet Oil and Gas Limited.

Displeased with the assets seizure, Ibrahim and his firms, through Akintola, approached the court with a Motion on Notice, seeking to discharge the interim seizure order.

and the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru el-Rufai, discussing how to access Pension Funds for Infrastructure Development in the country.

He explained that the resolutions and matters arising from the just concluded 26th NESG summit will also feature at the meeting, just as the last but not the least presentation of the day will dwell on the medium and long term national development agenda by the Core Working Group (CWG) of the Human Capital Development program of Nigeria.

victims of these savage killings.

We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victims and their families at this gory moment of grief. The Federal Government must take a drastic action. This should include changing the Service Chiefs,” ASCAB said.

ASCAB said the farmers were killed less than 10 kilometers to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital underlining the audacity of the terrorists.

The coalition said it is worried that the killings which would have taken not less than four hours to achieve, including escaping the scene of crime drew no aerial or land response from all the security operatives, especially when the killings took place in

broad day light.

The coalition said at present the 180,000-strong Nigerian Army is overstretched with its operations in 33 states, adding that the 370,000 police force have not been adequately equipped to deal with armed insurgents by non-state actors.

It expressed worry about the implication the killings of the farmers will have on food security and livelihood in Nigeria.

“While the federal and state governments are asking people to go back to farm to boost domestic economy, the killings of farmers will certainly imperil community and individual interest in agrarian economy,” ASCAB said.

ASCAB said it is disturbed

by the mass burial given to the victims saying that it does not show honour and respect for the victims of the gruesome murder who deserve monuments to serve as a reference point for grief that has shaken the entire world to its foundation. The coalition urged the President to take a drastic step beyond rhetoric by changing the Service Chiefs.

ASCAB recalled that the National Assembly had passed resolutions calling on Buhari to sack the Service Chiefs in view of the worsening security situation in the country.

The group also added that the leaders of the National Assembly have also held meetings with the President on the subject matter.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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FG Unveils Health Promotion Policy Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has launched a revised national health promotion policy strategy document (2020-2024) to fast-track efforts at reducing the burden of diseases facing Nigerians.

Also presented to stakeholders yesterday was the Knowledge Management Guidelines for health promotion (2020-2024), which is expected to serve as a one-stop knowledge hub within the health sector.

The health promotion strategy spelt out how best to disseminate information on healthy practices across the country to achieve the goal of universal health coverage.

It aims at encouraging people to engage in healthy physical exercises and lifestyle that help boost their health so as to reduce illnesses and frequent need for hospital treatment.

The health policy document also spelt out collaborative roles of various line ministries, like Education, Information,

COVID-19: 36 UCH Nurses Infected during Pandemic, Says NANNM No fewer than 36 nurses were infected with the deadly COVID-19 virus during the peak of the pandemic, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, disclosed yesterday.

Chairman of NANNM, UCH, Mrs. Ronke Bello, made this disclosure at the Foundation Laying ceremony of the Nurses’ House at the UCH. Describing the year 2020 as a critical year during which the World Health Organisation (WHO) challenged nurses and other health workers to face the global pandemic, Bello said, “our nurses also got infected at the University College Hospital at the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria. We have it on record. At least, 36 of us were infected at UCH. Some (infections) were severe, some mild, some moderate. But, to the glory of God, we all came out of it.

“We did not record any death or loss to the effect of COVID-19 despite our level of exposure to the infection. We came in contact with those who had been diagnosed

and those who were yet to be diagnosed.”

Citing the shortage of frontline health workers as the bane of the Nigerian health sector, she urged governments at all levels to prioritise the health needs of the citizens in its developmental agenda.

She said, “It is no fallacy that the massive brain drain that has hit the health sector is impacting our nation negatively. Of course, we have had a lot of nurses exited UCH for greener pastures where their work is better valued and better appreciated. A lot of our nurses are exiting every day.

“Day by day, the management is bringing in nurses to ensure that those of us who are overwhelmed can be relieved a little bit. I can tell you that nurses in UCH are overwhelmed but they (management) are employing to cushion the effect of brain drain.

We want to let the government know that it is not in the best interest of the nation for us to have brain drain having trained best hands and they just exit the country.

US Invests $6bn on HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria Since 2003 Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United States Government has invested more than $6 billion on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria since 2003, the US Embassy in Nigeria revealed yesterday.

In the same period, the country (US), working in 54 countries, has also invested more than $85 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, and saved more than 17 million lives.

This remains the largest commitment by any nation in the world to combat a single disease in history.

A statement issued yesterday by the US Embassy in Nigeria, it said the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested more than $6 billion in the national HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “Every year on December 1, we commemorate World AIDS Day. This year, the US Mission recognises and honours those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and the resilience of those who fight for epidemic control in Nigeria.

It stated that the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘Resiliency in HIV programming in the context of COVID-19’.

The statement added that “despite containing the spread of COVID-19 and maintaining

our HIV patient cohort, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) witnessed tremendous growth, and achieved a major milestone this year.”

It said PEPFAR is now supporting more than one million patients in the Nigeria national HIV treatment programme, further closing the gap to reach HIV epidemic control in the country.

The statement added that while facing unprecedented challenges, however, through innovations, PEPFAR helped to diagnose and place close to 6,000 HIV-infected Nigerians a week on treatment.

“Meanwhile, we are still maintaining the integrity and quality of services and keeping the health care providers and PEPFAR staff safe. This did not only reduce the spread of HIV within families and communities, but also ensured patients are virally suppressed, making it near impossible to pass on the virus.

“Some measures of our success include more than 1 million women and children currently on HIV treatment. In the financial year 2020 alone, more than 8.2 million people have received HIV counseling and testing services; more than 1.2 million pregnant women received HIV testing and counseling toward prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Environment, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports Development, Water Resources, Finance, Labour and Employment, Science and Technology, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Planning in ensuring the success of the programme.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the policy document in Abuja, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the goal of the new policy is to empower the Nigerian populace to take timely action in disease prevention, improving their health and well-being as well as taking measures that ensure a healthy society.

He said the new policy has demonstrated that the Ministry of Health is not only just concerned with treating illness, but attaining and sustaining good citizen health.

He said: “These Policy

documents will provide guidance for the empowerment of individuals, families, households, groups and communities, with appropriate information on helpful habits, steps and behaviours to maintain good health and reduce the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, but also inform on the negative impact of certain practices”.

Ehanire said the implementation of the policy will be driven by National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and coordinated by the Health Promotion Division of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health.

Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, who highlighted the details of new policy, said that it has become necessary for the ministry to put in place a mechanism that will

ensure accurate, adequate and effective health information in the country.

Mamora said such data will facilitate timely action in disease prevention and control.

The media which is considered as a key stakeholder in health policy advocacy, was represented at the launching by the President of the Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Chairman of THISDAY Newspaper Group and ARISE NEWS Channel, Chief Nduka Obaigbena .

Obaigbena who was represented by the Editor of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, said the newspaper has been a notable voice in the advocacy for improved health conditions for Nigerians.

“We were in the forefront of the lobby to allocate the one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue

earning to the health care sector.

We will continue to support efforts at the development of the health sector,” he said.

Also speaking at the launching of the revised policy framework, the National President of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ,), Mr. Christopher Isiguzo lamented the state of Primary Healthcare centres in various communities across the country.

He said that efforts should be made to get the buy-in of the state governors in the present push to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots so that they will begin do something to resuscitate the abandoned hospitals.

On the part of the media, Isiguzo assured that the media will play its traditional role of helping in the advocacy to change the narrative of health sector

CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENTS…

L-R: Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tijani Ahmed, during a press conference on the activities of the ministry in Abuja …yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Police: Condemned Inmate Snatched Car 30 minutes after Edo Prison Escape Police arrest four escapees, 30 suspects Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja One of the inmates, who escaped from the Oko Correctional Facility in Edo State, snatched a car barely 30 minutes after hoodlums attacked and freed over 1,000 inmates during the #End SARS protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums, the Police said yesterday.

Parading four rearrested inmates and 30 other crime suspects in Abuja, the Force PRO and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP),

Frank Mba, said the condemned inmate, Onorede Benjamin, was among the four escapees arrested by special police operatives during nationwide operations to check crime.

Mba gave the names of other fugitives as Adebayo Opeyemi (ex-soldier), Peter Felix Osas, and Alhaji Hudu Musa.

He said the trio returned to crime as soon as they escaped from lawful custody, occasioned by the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by criminal elements in

the state.

Mba said Benjamin, who is the leader of the criminal gang, drove the stolen vehicle all the way to Kaduna State, where it was eventually sold with the help of Musa.

“Today, we have four persons, who escaped from Oko Correctional Centre in Edo State.

“As soon as they escaped from prison, they forged a new alliance. Among them, they had within this short period, snatched a total of four vehicles, including

a Toyota Venza.

“We also have Alhaji Musa, who broke the record of stealing 18 cars in a space of 90 days,” the FPRO said.

A total of 34 arrested criminal suspects were paraded before journalists for alleged involvement in various crimes, including armed robbery, car theft, unlawful possession and illegal dealing in weapons.

Among them was a female suspect arrested for illegal arms dealing.

Dangote Fertiliser Empowers Host Communities Impacted

By Pipeline Construction As a means of providing means of livelihood to host communities impacted by the construction of the 54 kilometres of gas pipeline to the Fertiliser plant, Dangote Fertiliser limited (DFL) has embarked on a programme to empower 150 Project Affected Persons(PAPs) through a cassava enterprises programme.

The programme was geared towards mitigating the negative impact of the land acquired for the pipeline construction, while also supporting impacted farmers to improve farming practices in other to increase yield and income.

The programme, which is being implemented by an

external consultants, HarvestPlus, in conjunction with the DFL Social team, involves capacity building for farmers and potential entrepreneurs for by- products of cassava and cassava stems cells.

Consequently, agro enterprise was set up for the beneficiaries where improved cassava stem bundles were delivered to farmers for planting and weed control task force were set up as well as the establishment of cassava combobite chips processors.

The company’s host communities comprises of five Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), which includes, Ibeju

Lekki, Lekki LCDA, Epe, Eredo and Ikosi.

It would be recalled that in 2019, Dangote started the installation of the gas pipeline along Epe axis, to transport gas to its fertiliser plant.

The pipeline Right of Way (RoW) impacted some communities, along with farmers whose farmlands and crops were affected. Lagos State Government in collaboration with DFL undertook the land acquisition process after which compensation was paid.

To further support impacted farmers, DFL decided to embark on the Farmer Livelihood Support Programme.

Speaking at a ceremony

where cassava stems, combobite processing equipment and weed control equipment were donated to the beneficiaries, the General Manager, Human Asset Management, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Mr. Akin Oladiran, stated that the company in partnership with Harvest Plus is working towards enhancing food availability across the communities.

“Food is very important for survival. We understand some persons have been impacted as a result of the installation of the pipeline, but we want to ensure these impacts are addressed quickly.

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Lekki Shootings: Lagos Panel Lacks Power to Sanction Military, Says Legal Team Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Nigerian Army’s legal team has declared that the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses, lack the powers to impose sanctions or punish any soldier found guilty for shooting #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza on October 20.

Leader of the team and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Kehinde Akinlolu made the assertion yesterday, while presenting a seven-page report to the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Akinlolu said the Nigerian

Army was not under trial over the shooting, which allegedly resulted in the death of some protesters.

He said the Army was never summoned but was rather invited to shed light on what happened at the Lekki tollgate maintaining that “as such, there is no single petition against the military.”

Akinlolu berated media organisations, including the CNN of attempting to distract the Nigerian Army.

“It must also be borne in mind that we were able to establish that the Nigerian Army did not on its own volition set out to intervene in the crisis at the Lekki toll gate.

“The Lekki toll gate happens to be the area of passage to Epe

corridors when the Nigerian Army was called upon that ‘look, this matter is getting out of hand,’ because we know very well that there are constitutional provisions for the civil authorities to call upon the NA to help when the civil police were overwhelmed as it was common knowledge, and

that what exactly what happened in Lagos,” he said.

According to him, “we were able to show the footage, both oral and documentary evidence, and the panel also must bear in mind that it is a fact-finding panel.

“The panel has no capacity to ascribe any punishment or any

sentence on anybody. The whole idea of setting up the panel of that nature is to help unravel what went wrong so that in future, necessary precautions will be taken.”

In his response, Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt. Gen. Lamidi

Adeosun, said those who falsely and wrongly accused the Army of deploying troops to shoot innocent protesters at Lekki last month, “must be ready to swallow their pride and apologise to the Army and the country by the time the judicial panel concludes its fact-finding.”

Nigerian Traders Kick against Selective Border Reopening Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has faulted the gradual reopening of land borders to Dangote and BUA groups, saying such a selective approach would only engender monopolies which contradicts the enshrined general principles and provisions of the recently enacted Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Act. NANTS also stated that doing so could further worsen inflation as well as other socioeconomic and political challenges, including government revenue, economic governance and political diplomacy, ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the overall ECOWAS regional integration process.

The presidency had recently directed that Nigerian land borders, which had been shut since August 20, 2019, be reopened to allow Dangote, BUA groups and an unnamed gas company to resume exports.

Speaking during stakeholders’ review meeting on the recommendations of the policy dialogue on border closure and matters arising, in Abuja, the National President of NANTS, Dr. Ken Ukaoha, also called on the federal government to immediately reopen land borders to all genuine businesses and deploy security intelligencesharing, surveillance tactics and trade facilitation lessons learnt during the closure for effective policing and regulation of the borders and corridors.

According to him, this is in order to encourage trade facilitation as well as unhindered movement of genuine goods to enhance food security and livelihoods.

He said the original intention of the border closure was to serve essentially as a warning shot for smugglers and other criminals using the land borders to perpetrate economic sabotage and insecurity on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic environment.

Kano Assembly Approves Ganduje’s N20bn Loan Request Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State House of Assembly yesterday approved the request of the state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to access the N20 billion internal facility.

The loan is to be sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Presenting Ganduje’s letter of request before the plenary, Speaker of the Assembly, Abdulazeez Garba-Gafasa, disclosed the intention of the government to secure the Assembly’s consent to access the loan.

According to the Speaker, Ganduje is seeking the loan to cover financial liability occasion by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After deliberation, the lawmakers unanimously considered the request and

approved the facility.

Speaking with journalists after the plenary, Majority Leader, Kabiru Hassan-Dashi, explained that the Assembly considered the governor’s request after the state government failed to access the capital market loan due to present economic conditions.

Meanwhile, during the plenary, a member representing Kunchi/Tsayawa constituency, Garba Ya’u-Gwarwai, apologised to the Assembly on behalf of the five suspended members.

The five lawmakers were suspended by the Assembly for allegedly instigating a rowdy session that prevented the Assembly’s intervention in the removal of the deposed Emir Muhammad Sanusi.

A Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the reinstatement of the lawmakers.

INSECURITY ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: President, Yoruba Council of Youth (YCY), FCT Chapter, Mr. Oladotun Hassan; Vice President, Hon. Samuel Adegbola; and Welfare Director, Mr. Oladele Ogundele, during a press conference on security situation in the country in Abuja…yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Waltersmith, UNIDO, UNECA Sign Agreement on Industrial Park Waltersmith Petroman Oil Company Limited (or Waltersmith), a leading Nigerian independent integrated energy company and operator of the Ibigwe Field within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 16 has announced the signing of a Technical Support Agreement (TSA) with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) for the development of an Energy Innovation Park (the Industrial Park) following UNIDO’s collaborative partnership with Waltersmith.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the company, the TSA represents the terms and conditions

that will guide the development and actualisation of Waltersmith’s Industrial park, which will also be situated in Ibigwe-the company’s commercial hub and location of its recently commissioned 5,000 barrels per day modular refinery.

The Industrial Park (which when constructed will be the first of its kind in Nigeria) is expected to attract petrochemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, research and other light manufacturing companies that feed primarily off the hydrocarbon value chain.

In order to achieve this, Waltersmith intends to invest heavily in electricity and world class industrial park infrastructure and power in order for manufacturing companies to co-locate in Ibigwe and have direct

access to their raw materials from its refinery and petrochemical activities.

Speaking on the significance of the signature ceremony and the Industrial Park development, Chairman of Waltersmith Group, Abdulrazaq Isa, said: “This signing ceremony essentially flags off the industrial park development and we are excited about the technical support UNIDO and UNECA are willing to provide to Waltersmith as this will help us attract several companies to the park area. Our goal is to create an industrial cluster in Ibigwe and help reduce manufacturing costs, position the South-Eastern region as a major manufacturing hub and take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which the Nigerian Government

has currently signed on.”

In a similar vein, UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS and Director of Nigeria Regional Office Hub, Mr. Jean Bakole, while reiterating UNIDO’s commitment to assist in operationalising Waltersmith’s Industrial Park said: “UNIDO will gladly work with all key partners to support Waltersmith to actualise the Industrial Park which we know will become a success story for development of other industrial parks in the very near future and we pledge the organisation’s unwavering support to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through promotion and acceleration of inclusive and sustainable industrialisation of the country.”

FG Increases Beneficiaries of NSIP OlawaleAjimotokaninAbuja The federal government has increased the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP), comprising the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), Job Creation Unit (N-Power), and Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), to accommodate more beneficiaries.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management,

Sadiya Farouq, stated this yesterday at a pressbriefingwhilelistingtheachievements oftheministrysinceitscreationinAugust last year.

She said the Government Enterprise andEmpowermentProgramme(GEEP) beneficiarieshavebeenincreasedby one millionwhilechildrenonHome-Grown School Feeding programme are increased by five million.

Farouq noted that the increase in the number of beneficiaries were

in line with plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

“In order to double the scope of the National Social Investment Programmes, the president has graciously approved the expansion of all NSIP programmes, such as increase of N-Power beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1 million; increase of GEEP beneficiaries by 1 million

as well as an increase of beneficiaries of Home-Grown School Feeding programme by 5,000,000,” she said.

The minister also stated that about 1,000,000 urban poor people have been included in the National Social Register in line with the Economic Sustainability Plan, while in order to championsocial inclusion,deliberate efforts were made to capturevulnerable youths and groups which included women and people with special needs.

NGO Empowers 150 Bauchi, GombeYouths on Leadership, Governance Skills Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi About 150 youths from Bauchi and Gombe States have commenced a two-day training in leadership and governance skills organised by a non-governmental organisation, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI).

The Founder of the NGO and member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola and Iwajowa constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Abiola Peller, while declaring the training open last weekend at the Double4 Conference hall

in Bauchi, explained that the training tagged: ‘Get Involved in Leadership Training’, would further expose the youths to receive training on nationbuilding, civic responsibilities, and political organisation and mobilisation, adding that at the end of the training, the youths

will become a trainer in their respective communities.

THISDAY checks revealed that the mode of selection for training is two youths per local government area in the respective states with two representatives from the northern region.

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Ëœ ͚˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NFF Presidency: Pinnick Restates No Third Term Ambition Duro Ikhazuagbe President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who turns 50 years old today has restated his resolve not to seek a third term in charge of the country’s football when his current tenure expires in two years time.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the Delta-born football administrator said he made that decision before he won his second term mandate in Katsina in 2018. “No way! I made my decision even before earning the second mandate on 20th September 2018.

I will not be running for the NFF

Presidency again. I want to thank the Members of the Congress, my colleagues on the Executive Committee, Management and Staff, and stakeholders of the game for their support. I will be stepping off in 2022 to give another person the opportunity to lead Nigeria Football. That is the truth,� observed Pinnick who is a CAF executive committee member.

On his decision to shelve the idea of contesting the CAF presidency for a seat in the FIFA Council, Pinnick said it was the result of his wide consultations before embarking on the journey. “I have consulted wide and this is the route I feel comfortable to

...Egbe Hails Pinnick as He Marks Golden Jubilee

The Chief Executive officer of Nigeria’s leading stadium construction outfit, Monimichelle, Ebi Egbe, has congratulated NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, on the occasion of his 50th birthday anniversary.

Describing Amaju as an astute and cerebral football administrator, Egbe urged him to continue his good work as he strives to take Nigerian football to greater heights.

Egbe while applauding Pinnick noted that he has done well both on the local and international scenes.

The Monimichelle chief executive prayed for longer life and wisdom for Pinnick as he serves Nigerian football.

He urged Nigerian football

stakeholders to rally round and support him in his bid to become a member of the FIFA Council. “We must all set aside our differences and look at the bigger picture of a Nigerian, our own son being a member of FIFA Council.

It is in the nation’s interest for us to support Pinnick to be in the pinnacle of world football administration,�

Egbe said.

Egbe noted that Pinnick has since becoming NFF president made Nigerian football a bigger brand. “All he needs is our support. We all can see that Pinnick has taken Nigerian football to the private sector. With less distractions our football would be taken to the height where we all want it to be,� Egbe concluded.

take for now. Membership of the FIFA Council also confers a lot of responsibility on one and you have the opportunity to make crucial contributions to the running of world football,� stress Pinnick who was also First Vice President of CAF until the last AFCON final in Egypt last year.

Pinnick however hinted that he may still take a shot at the topmost position in African football in the future. “Things may change in a couple of years, but for now, I am going for the FIFA Council based on the consultations I have had and the plan that is on ground.�

He also revealed that Nigeria is throwing her weight behind the candidature of South African billionaire, Dr Patrice Motsepe, to take over from Ahmad who has been slammed with five years ban

by FIFA for various infractions that bothers on ethics violations. “For the CAF Presidency, we are supporting the aspiration of Dr

Patrice Motsepe of South Africa.

We believe he has the clout, means and organizational savvy to take CAF from its present low level to a place of regard and respect among the six confederations of FIFA,� the NFF Chief noted.

Pinnick insisted that the lessons his board and Super Eagles players and coaches have learnt from the poor outings against Sierra Leone in the back-to-back fixtures in the AFCON 2022 qualifiers is never to take any country for granted in African football. “The lessons we learnt against Sierra Leone came at the right time, and will stand us in good stead in the 2022 World Cup qualifying series. “If we had thrashed the Leone Stars, there would have been the temptation to take Liberia, Cape Verde and Central Africa Republic for granted in the World Cup qualifiers. “Now, we know we cannot do anything like that. Every

game, from the first one, must be approached with the best legs, mind and best attitude. Each of the six qualifying matches will be ‘war’ and the knock-out games will be ‘greater war’�

While expressing his disappointment with the poor performance of teams representing the country in CAF competitions last weekend, Pinnick singled out Enyimba for plaudits for securing a vital away win in Burkina Faso. “My challenge to Rivers United, Plateau United and Kano Pillars is to turn things around in the return legs and qualify for the next rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup competitions�.

As Pinnick celebrates his 50th birthday today, he praised God for the milestones he has achieved so far. “I give all glory to God Almighty. I am very happy about my journey, which has been mainly about football

and business. I am fulfilled with the tremendous success I have achieved in both, and I pray that God will continue to guide my path so that I can accomplish even greater things in all areas. “There is nothing that I have achieved of my own power, strength, wisdom or intellect.

Everything has been down to God Almighty.�

Amaju Pinnick...No third term ambition

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Injury Worries for Liverpool’s Klopp as Ajax Visit Anfield Aguero doubtful in Porto, City clash Liverpool Manager Juergen Klopp is worried that mounting injury list ahead of today’s UEFA Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam means he does not have enough fit players to rotate his squad.

The latest player to be sidelined at Anfield is utility man James Milner who suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Klopp said Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara remains out for a few more weeks and full back Trent Alexander-Arnold has not yet been given the green light to return to full training.

Central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both remain out with a long-term injuries while forward Xherdan Shaqiri and midfielder Naby Keita are also missing for Tuesday’s game.

Asked if the busy schedule meant he would have to prioritise between European and domestic competition, Klopp said he never made such choices and that in any case he was in no position to rotate his squad. “I don’t have enough players to prioritise. It’s not about the competition it’s about the players.

On Saturday the fittest players played,� he said.

Liverpool will go through to the knockout stage from Group D if they avoid defeat by Ajax and will be group winners if they win and Atalanta fail to beat Midtjylland.

Asked about dealing with a fixture pile-up while facing a lengthy injury list, Klopp said he had no choice but to cope with

the circumstances. “It’s not a perfect situation but obviously not enough people want to offer us any kind of help (with the fixture scheduling), not only for us but for (all) football people. We just have to deal with it,� he said. “I said it always - as long as we can line up with 11 players, we will fight with all we have and that’s still the case,� he added.

Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City’s Champions League game with Porto tonight - but boss Pep Guardiola says the problem is not serious.

Aguero was absent for Saturday’s 5-0 win over Burnley with a knee problem and has not returned to training.

The 32-year-old Argentina striker has only played four times this season. “I am not concerned. He did not train. He had a little disturbance in his knee. It is nothing serious,� said Guardiola.

City have already booked their place in the last 16 after winning their first four games. A draw in Portugal will seal top spot for the Citizens.

TODAY *Lokomotiv v Salzburg Atletico v B’Munich *Shakhtar v R’Madrid Mo’gladbach v Inter FC Porto v Man City Marseille v Olympiacos Atalanta v Midtjylland Liverpool v Ajax (All matches 9pm except *6:55pm)

Liverpool’s Manager, Juergen Klopp (left) helping Sadio Mane ďŹ x his bib as the Reds players train ahead Ajax’s visit to AnďŹ eld tonight

Golf Compliant with Covid-19 Protocols, Says Runsewe Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, observed at the weekend that golf should not have been suspended along with other sports during the lockdown as the game is played in strict observant of Covid-19 protocols Runsewe during the golf tournament that put a wrap on the just concluded National Festival in Jos stated that golf from the beginning of time has been Covid-19 compliant since golfers are known to walk their separate paths on the course without any contact whatsoever

and at least maintaining some ten metres social distance from each another. “Golf is a noble and distinct game� Runsewe said. “Even in a set of four players, you see each player maintaining distance from each other. Even Caddies who are intregal part of the game allow some five metres social distancing when they have to attend to golfers. “And if golfers are to greet themselves, they still don’t maintain contact. Even shaking through elbows are unnecessary.

All a golfer will do when he

wants to greet is to remove his cap, place it on his chest and put it back on his head. This is very Covid-19 compliant as no contact is expressed,� stressed the NCAC DG. Otunba Runsewe equally seized the opportunity of the occasion to popularize the cultural golf wear as over 250 golfers, including the Plateau Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, turned up adorning the cultural wear for the golf event. “Nothing speaks louder than this�, Runsewe asserted. “If the Governor can play his

game in local attire, then it must be acceptable. My joy here is if a sizeable number of some four million Nigerians playing golf can adopt the cultural wear, there will be more than enough jobs for thousands of our tailors,� he observed with pride.

The joy of the whole event showed when Runsewe pleaded with Governor Lalong that the 107 years old golf trophy that was being celebrated at the Rayfield Golf Club be retired to the National Museum and the Governor gave his consent.

Excitement as Curtain Falls on 52nd Asoju Oba Cup Today Femi Solaja From the conduct and display of players at the 52nd Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup, it was clear that the participants were excited over the decision to stage this year’s edition amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fans within Surulere area of Lagos State came out in hundreds to watch the action-

packed tournament while the Covid-19 protocols were duly observed and today, defending champions Bose Odusanya and David Fayele will be tested in their quest to retain their titles.

48 men and 25 women registered for the two-day tournament held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium under the technical guidance of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSSTA).

According to the Chief Referee of the tournament, Ranti Lajide, the excitement shown by the players coupled with the turnout of fans was a testament of interests in the tournament. “I am so surprised that fans are still eager to watch table tennis matches despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, I must commend the family of the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas for deciding to stage this year’s edition despite the pandemic.

“The players are happy that they are competing again and I hope we can have new players emerging from this year’s edition. The enthusiasm of the players coupled with the standard of play, I am sure we can have a new face coming out from the tournament which has continued to groom world stars in the status of Olajide Omotayo who now plays for the senior national team,�

Lajide said.

Tuesday December 1, 2020

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MISSILE Anyim to Umahi “Governor Umahi is pitiably delusional. He is a prisoner of his greed and inordinate ambition. Here is a drowning man looking for whom to drag down with him” – Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, taking on Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, over accusation to cause mayhem in the state.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Inside Nigeria’s Killing Fields O abati1990@gmail.com

n Saturday, November 28, about 43 farmers who had gone to their farms during the current harvest season were attacked by Boko Haram terrorists. They were tied up; their hands behind their backs, one after the other their throats were slit. The United Nations puts the number of casualties at 110, not 43.

Amnesty International says over 10 women and others are missing. The people of Zabarmari were so outraged they refused to bury the dead.

They asked that the Governor of Borno State, Professor Baba Gana Zulum, must show up to witness the tragedy that has befallen their community. Zabarmari, in Jere Local Government Area, is about 20 kilometres out of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Two weeks earlier, terrorists had also attacked and killed members of the community. Maiduguri and the entire Lake Chad region have remained the hotbed of terrorism in Nigeria. In September, the state Governor’s convoy was attacked by insurgents during a visit to Baga, on the shores of Lake Chad. A death toll of 30 was reported. Several policemen and soldiers posted to that axis to help combat the menace of terrorism have also fallen victim, and died in the hands of terrorists.

Many have had to lay down their arms and remove their uniforms. The security situation in the North Eastern part of Nigeria is proving intractable despite the Nigerian government’s repeated assurances that the Boko Haram has been technically defeated and degraded.

The wanton killing in Zabarmari is a clear affirmation of the reality we live with: Nigeria has not defeated or degraded the terrorists, and if anything, the country’s security problem has worsened between 2015 and now. The lie has been further put to all claims of achievement of peace and stability through all kinds of military operations and initiatives - Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Safe Corridor, the establishment of super camps, OperationYancin Tafki. Last week, Nigeria was named the third most terrorized country in the world in the Global Terrorism Index, after Afghanistan and Iraq. Governors of the North also cried out about the spate of insecurity in their region. They asked that the Attorney General of the Federation should grant their state Attorneys General the fiat to enable them prosecute terrorism-related cases at the state level. It was in the same week, that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, speaking at a meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) declared that the North is the most unsafe part of Nigeria, and the most difficult place to live in. Zabarmari is a tragic reminder of the truthfulness of this statement. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development share the same view.

It should therefore make sense that as youths protested in October against police brutality in Southern Nigeria under the banner of #EndSARS, the protest slogan in the Northern states was tagged #EndInsecurityNow. As has become traditional, the slaughter of 43 or more farmers in Zabarmari has been greeted with expression of outrage, anger and disappointment.

President Muhammadu Buhari through one of his spokespersons, says it is “senseless and insane”.

It is indeed barbaric and horrific. What manner of men would tie up their fellow human beings and slaughter them like rams? The cruelty is unspeakable. For every act of this nature that is reported, there are many other incidents that are never reported. The biggest cost of the insecurity in Nigeria is the devaluation of human lives.

Buhari Look at how Nigerians often argue over the number of casualties. It is 43, no, 45, actually UN says 110, as if not every single life matters.

On October 31, we all witnessed how the United States sent the elite SEAL Team Six special forces unit to rescue a Catholic priest and farmer, Philipe Walton (27), who had been kidnapped at the Niger-Nigeria border and kept in Northern Nigeria. It was a “precision” hostage rescue operation which was instructive for all it said about citizenship and state responsibility. The abductors didn’t know what hit them. Six of them were killed and the American was rescued. Over 40 Nigerians have been slaughtered and yet there has been no serious feeling of accountability and empathy on the part of government. Everyone was shocked yesterday when Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesperson reportedly told the BBC in an interview that the 43 farmers whose throats were slit didn’t have clearance from the military before going to the farm. So it is their fault that they got killed? Zabarmari is 20 km away from Maiduguri – should such an area so close to the state capital be an ungoverned space? Garba Shehu has since back-tracked a little. He was only explaining “the military’s mode of operation”, he says. The survivors insist that they alerted the military! Does Garba Shehu now speak for the Nigerian military?

In some other countries, the authorities would have deployed an elite counter-force to track down the murderers. But here, it is convenient to give excuses. One excuse is that the terrorists are now attacking “soft targets” and that is because they have been weakened. Only the wicked will refer to the waste of 43 lives as a “soft target”! Another excuse is that terrorism does not have a specific end-date; after all in Afghanistan and elsewhere, terrorism remains a problem after so many years. But how about demonstrable capacity to “downgrade, degrade, and defeat?” Where is the value of all that attempt to engage and rehabilitate the insurgents?

And of what use is the store of intelligence about the enemy that is available? In another statement, the Federal Government says the military has been given “needed support to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory”. Really? Where is the evidence? In August, President Buhari gave the service chiefs marching orders to “rejig their strategy” and address the security problem in the country. He needs to summon them to another meeting.

Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, drug addicts

and all kinds of violent characters including criminally-minded herders have constituted themselves into overlords across Nigeria. It is not only the North that is unsafe; the entire country has become a killing field. This is not new. President Buhari did not create terrorism and banditry, but the insecurity problem has worsened under his watch, and that is ironic considering the fact that he was the “expected messiah” who most Nigerians believed would put an end to insecurity in the country. Northern Nigerians voted massively for President Buhari in 2015 and 2019. If they also ever thought that having a Northerner in power would translate into special advantages for the ordinary Northerner, that has not happened. Not even in Katsina, the President’s home state is life safe. Nigeria’s insecurity crisis explodes the myth of the politics of proximity, the thinking that having “one of our own” in charge automatically confers advantages on the group or community. Northern Nigerian remains strictly divided along ethnic and religious lines; essentially, the significant war in Nigeria is between the rich and the poor.

The latter are united by “their thingification,” that is the manner in which they are treated as worthless by a self-seeking aristocracy of power, and their own counter-response of anger and protest.

There are killings in every part of the North: Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Southern Kaduna, Adamawa, and in the Middle Belt/ North Central Nigeria: Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi. Life has become so short in many places, even luxury bus owners from the East announced that they may suspend trips to certain parts of the country. The Abuja-Kaduna highway has become a risky route either by road where bandits lie in wait, or by rail – a scary route where the Chinese trains Nigeria procured, often break down in the middle of nowhere. Many of the Governors and “big men of the North” have since relocated to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. They visit their states of origin, under the protection of heavily armed escorts. Even incumbent Governors are on exile in Abuja. One Governor was accused of abandoning his state for the Federal Capital Territory. His response was that he visits home four times a month, and why should anyone complain about that? It would be interesting to study this phenomenon of distance-governance and its value.

In the South, kidnapping is on the rise. Bandits have also taken over the roads. A day before the Zabarmari killings, bandits, identified as kidnappers, attacked and killed a traditional ruler, Oba Adegoke Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon, as he returned from a meeting in Akure, Ondo State. On Monday, November 23, during the debate of the #EndSARS October protests in Nigeria and the aftermath by the Petitions Committee of the UK House of Commons, there were references to killings by state authorities in Obigbo, Rivers state, the persecution of Nigerian Christians in the Middle Belt, and the abuse of human rights by state actors in Nigeria. In the Niger Delta, a coalition of nine militant groups has now served notice of a new round of attacks on oil and gas installations. They identify themselves as Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA). The reign of insecurity places Nigeria in great difficulty. The country suffers a revenue problem, given the volatility of oil prices, occasioned by COVID-19, the disruption in demand and supply chains and declining national productivity. The country is in recession, the second time in five years. Poverty is galloping, seated as it is astride a sturdy horse. Many are

jobless. This has deepened the insecurity challenge in the country. The population of angry and hungry men and women has increased, creating a complex situation in which social, economic and political problems hold a rendezvous of violence.

But one unmistakable aspect of this dilemma is how insecurity up-ends everything else, particularly agricultural productivity, and job creation. Food security is one of the major cardinal targets of the Buhari administration.

When the Federal Government decided to close down Nigeria’s borders with its neighbours in August 2019, the plan was to encourage food production within Nigeria, check food importation and encourage in particular rice production, in which Nigeria is said to enjoy a comparative advantage. At the time, the Minister of Agriculture, Muhammmad Sambo-Nanono even boasted that there is no hunger in Nigeria.

Agricultural productivity also formed the kernel of the administration’s plan to diversify the Nigerian economy. But national insecurity is an antithesis to food security. What is curious is that bandits and terrorists seem to target agricultural production deliberately as a way of inflicting pain. In 2018, about 73 farmers were killed in two local governments in Benue state in what was described as a farmers-herders clash. The same 2018, a farm in Ondo State, belonging to Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a Yoruba leader was attacked by bandits. Three years earlier, Chief Falae was also kidnapped on his farm. A week ago, the bandits returned to Chief Falae’s farm again. They set it ablaze.

In the evening, they launched an attack on the workers as they slept. Chief Falae is calling on the “Amotekun” to help save his farm and workers!

Incessant attacks on communities and farmlands in Southern Kaduna have reduced food production in that part of the country.

Fishing and farming around the Lake Chad Basin have been halted due to insecurity. In both the North East and the North West, farming communities have been displaced. The most affected states in fact represent the food basket of the nation. Zabarmari where 43 -110 farmers were killed on Black Saturday, is well known for the good yield of its rice fields. Now that terrorists have taken over those fields, surviving farmers would be afraid to go to farm. They may be peasant, subsistence farmers but they contribute to the country’s food output, and the agriculture value chain. Food transportation has also been affected. Even where farmers are still able to produce, they have to contend with the insecurity on Nigeria’s highways and the high cost of transportation. Why are farmers being targeted in the North and the South? The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has warned of an imminent food crisis. The crisis is already here. Food inflation in Nigeria is over 17% according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

COVID-19, and the flood that disrupted food production in the Niger River basin may have been part of the problem, but insurgency and banditry pose the biggest threats to agricultural production in Nigeria. Food insecurity can in turn worsen the country’s public health crisis.

The growing combination of poverty, hunger and insecurity in the land is a national emergency.

Security was projected as one of President Buhari’s legacy issues. Incidentally, that - combined with people’s welfare - is the original purpose of government. Rediscovering that purpose while eschewing the temptation to offer excuses, is the way forward.

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