THURSDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2021

UBA Wins ‘African Bank of the Year’ Award Nume Ekeghe

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has disclosed that it has been globally recognised as the African Bank of the year 2021 by the Banker Magazine, a leading global finance news publication published by the Financial Times

of London.

A statement yesterday explained that UBA’s solid financial performance, its excellent service delivery to customers and its continuous role of facilitating rapid economic growth across the African continent were some of the reasons that led to the bank being named best bank

in 12 of its African subsidiaries and in Nigeria.

It revealed that UBA Nigeria Plc, UBA Benin, UBA Burkina Faso, UBA Cameroon, UBA Chad, UBA Congo Brazzaville, UBA Cote D’Ivoire, UBA Gabon, UBA Guinea, UBA Liberia, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone and

UBA Zambia all came out top as the best banks in their respective countries.

“This will not be a first for UBA. In 2020, six of its subsidiaries in Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zambia were winners of the Best Bank award.

“This year, the UBA Group

is breaking a record with its exceptional wins as African Bank of the Year and Bank of the year in 13 countries. The total 14 awards makes it the first time ever in the history of the almost 100 years of The banker, that any banking group will be clinching as many as 14 wins in a single year,” it

added.

Commenting on the award, UBA’s Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, who expressed delight over the recognition said: “Like I always say, at UBA, we must be doing Continued on page 45

Omicron: NCDC to Push for Mass Vaccination, Not Travel Ban... Page 10 Thursday 2 December, 2021 Vol 26. No 9733. Price: N250

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White Paper Complied with Law on #EndSARS Report, Says Lagos AG Segun James, Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), yesterday, justified the govern-

ment’s White Paper on the Judicial Panel of Inquiry (JPI) report on the October 2020 Lekki tollgate incident, saying the government complied with the laws and the weight of evidence presented at the panel to reach a decision.

According to him, the position of the Government as stated in the White Paper was not contrary to the panel’s findings, especially, the evidence of the Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, who said only three of the bodies that he

conducted post mortem examination on during the EndSARS protests, were from Lekki, and out of whom only one had gunshot injury.

Onigbanjo, who spoke during a Morning Show programme on

the ARISE News Television, said inconsistencies and contradictions in the leaked reports of the panel that nine people died at the Lekki tollgate made the panel’s finding in respect to deaths at the tollgate unreliable, adding that for a finding

that somebody died at a scene to be acceptable, there must be no doubt.

“The position of Lagos State Government is based on the findContinued on page 45

Buhari Meets Ramaphosa, Calls for End to 'Rivalry' Between Nigeria and S'Africa Describes visit as success despite omicron variant scare Again, South African president flays travel ban on his country Says it's unscientific, unfair, discriminatory Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday stressed the need for Nigeria and South Africa to strengthen bilateral ties and avoid unnecessary rivalry. Buhari made the call in Abuja at the opening of the 10th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, again, flayed the recent travel ban on his country by some European countries, describing it as unfair, unscientific, and discriminatory.

During the session at State House, Abuja, Buhari underlined Nigeria’s commitment to a “special relationship” with South Africa. He said such relationship would bring gains to the continent, particularly in education, science, trade and investment, tourism, and security.

Declaring open the 10th session of the BNC in his office, Buhari said, “Permit me to state that some of the challenges identified during the last BNC have not been completely addressed.

Continued on page 45

STRENGTHENING THE BOND OF BROTHERHOOD...

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa (L) and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a press briefing on the outcome of their meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Civil Servants Shut Out as FG Begins Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate... Page 45

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

AGREEMENT TO BOOST TRADE...

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, signing bilateral agreements between both countries, during the visit of the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to Nigeria… yesterday

Vaccine Inequality Will Hamper Progress in COVID-19 Fight, Says FG Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has warned that lack of vaccination by developing countries would create an environment for COVID-19 virus to mutate, thus threatening the progress already recorded in the developed countries.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the warning in Madrid, Spain, yesterday at the 24th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

He expressed the concern in the light of the travel ban on some African countries arising from the latest mutation (Omicron) of the COVID-19 virus.

He said access to vaccines should be based on the principles grounded in the right of every human to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, political belief, economic or any other social condition.

Mohammed said many developed countries have used

the advantage of their enormous resources or relationship to sign agreements with manufacturers to supply their countries with vaccines ahead of making them available for use by other countries. ''Even before the clinical trials were completed, millions of doses of the most promising vaccines have been bought by Britain, US, Japan and the European block countries. Some of these countries bought doses five times the size of their population.

"There are fears that these

unilateral deals will deprive the poorest countries of access to these life-saving commodities," he said.

He added that while developed countries have to increase their health care spending by less than one per cent to cover for the additional cost of vaccines, poor countries have to do that by about 60 per cent.

Mohammed warned that booster doses will make COVID-19 vaccination a recurring expense, adding the cost will be unaffordable for many developing and poor nations.

Barkindo: There Will be Significant Uncertainty in Oil Market in Coming Weeks Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, has urged the global oil and gas industry to expect some level of uncertainty in the market in the coming weeks on the back of the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron.

Speaking at the opening of the 57th Meeting of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) via videoconference) yesterday, Barkindo recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had designated it a “variant of concern” prompting stock market and oil market declines after the announcement was made.

He added that scientists fear the emerging strain could possibly be more transmissible and have higher resistance to vaccines, adding that the news of the development has resulted in governments re-imposing restrictions and travel bans.

“New cases of the variant are being reported in various parts of the world with each passing hour, thus we will need to remain vigilant in assessing

the impacts of this latest chapter in the pandemic, as especially it relates to our demand scenarios,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the JTC, a meeting usually preceding the decisive policy conference every month, to examine this key development and other market issues in great detail.

Quoting from the recentlyreleased world oil outlook, Barkindo said that in terms of the global economy, the 2021 and 2022 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecasts stand at 5.6 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively, unchanged from last month.

He added: “In spite of the steady progress that has been made on the economic recovery, we do expect significant levels of uncertainty in the weeks ahead, which could slow down the growth momentum.

“In addition to closely monitoring the evolving impacts of the Omicron mutation, other factors to consider will be the pace of vaccine rollouts worldwide, the uneven pace of economic growth across global regions, supply chain disruptions and tight

labour markets with potentially longer-lasting effects on inflation, as well as high debt levels in both the government and private sectors.”

As far as demand is concerned, Barkindo reiterated that OPEC still foresees world oil demand increasing by 5.7 mb/d in 2021, revised lower by 0.16 mb/d from last month, mainly due to slowerthan-anticipated demand from China and India during 3Q21.

In 2022, he noted that world oil demand is anticipated to increase by 4.2 mb/d, unchanged from last month while world total demand in 2021 is now pegged at 96.4 mb/d and at 100.6 mb/d in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

In addition to the new Omicron variant, the OPEC helmsman said that COVID-19 cases continue to rise in other regions, particularly in Europe, saying that the subsequent restrictions and lockdowns are resulting in decreased consumption of transport fuels.

Plus the pandemic-related concerns, Barkindo stated that other demand-related uncertainties include trade tensions, ongoing supply chain backlogs, potential

adverse weather conditions and evolving energy policy changes.

“In terms of the supply-side, non-OPEC supply in 2021 is expected to grow by 0.7 mb/d to average 63.6 mb/d, unchanged from last month. For 2022, nonOPEC supply growth is forecast at 3.0 mb/d for an average of 66.7 mb/d, also unchanged from last month.

“Additionally, we continue to monitor the ramifications of the announcement made last week regarding the coordinated total release of up to 70 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of major consuming countries,” he explained.

According to him, it is worth noting that OPEC’s latest projections indicate a potential global supply surplus as early as the first and second quarters of 2022.

On the upcoming 5th anniversary of the landmark Declaration of Cooperation in December, he stated that it was appropriate to laud the OPEC and non-OPEC member countries for all that they had achieved in the half-decade since the framework for multilateral energy cooperation was founded.

The Minister said a slow and delayed vaccination rollout in low and middle-income countries had left many of them vulnerable to Covid-19 variants, new surges of infection and slower rate of recovery.

He said whereas most developed countries have already vaccinated

60 per cent and above of their population, most developing countries are currently below five per cent "My country, Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, has just vaccinated only about three per cent of our population," the Minister said.

GBV: Amnesty International Urges FG to Update Legal System Kuni Tyessi in Abuja As part of efforts to ensure a holistic support for survivors of rape and other forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV), the Amnesty International has called on the federal government to upgrade the nation's legal system.

The country director, Ms. Osai Ojigho who made the call in Abuja yesterday, during the release and public presentation of 'The Survivor's Guide', a practical text for survivors of rape and other forms of sexual violence, said until survivors could feel comfortable to tell their stories, justice cannot be accomplished.

While educating members of the public on the need to use the term 'survivors' and not victims which she said further debases them, Ojigho lamented that the entire judicial system and fabric of the nation had failed the survivors.

"In as much as there's the existence of the VAPP Act, there are still states that are yet to accept the need for its domestication.

Moving forward, we are making a call to the government to as a matter of urgency, update the legal system. There has to be a human rights upgrade.

"Many people see issues of rape as simply women issues, but women issues are human issues.

So until survivors can confidently speak and tell their stories before judges, we will continue to have

cases of stigma and shame.

"Government needs to have enough and adequate facilities to accommodate complaints and cases of gender-based violence.

We've realised that several that are in existence are not adequately functional.

"Survivors should be used and not victims. This further empowers them and encourages them to have some pride in themselves despite what has happened. The system often fails them and it's difficult to get justice" she said.

In her speech, the Executive Director of Invictus Africa Ms. Bukky Shonibare said the release and distribution of the text was in commemoration of the ongoing 16 days of activism against gender based violence.

She said the guide was developed as part of an ongoing Prevention, Accountability and Support (PAS) project which was aimed at, "preventing sexual and gender based violence through capacity de, demanding accountability from duty bearers using empirical evidence, and providing support to survivors through access to relevant resources.

"With the survivors guide, we hope that survivors feel supported, and that the people who are in their lives also are provided with to language to truly support them and not further, knowingly or unknowingly, contribute to their trauma."

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WORLD BANK COUNTRY DIRECTOR’S VISIT TO THISDAY...

Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello (left) and World Bank Country Director to Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, during a courtesy visit to THISDAY’s corporate office in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN ...recently

Omicron: NCDC to Push for Mass Vaccination, Not Travel Ban

Begins contact tracing for confirmed cases, says more imminent

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos As countries around the world try to figure out ways to deal with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said it will not join countries imposing travel ban on some nations and regions. NCDC said, instead, it would encourage more Nigerians to get vaccinated, while enhancing surveillance and vigilance.

Director-General of the centre, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed these yesterday on “The Morning Show”, a prime-time television programme on the Arise News Channel. Adetifa confirmed that the country now had cases of the new virus strain.

In a related development,

NCDC said it had begun contact tracing on three persons who tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

He explained that regardless of his recommendations from a technical perspective, a ban was not on the cards for the NCDC. Adetifa, however said surveillance would be an on-going activity, as the agency continued to generate results from the laboratory, tests, case identification, and sequencing, which will be on a daily basis.

According to him, “We are currently the subject of travel bans ourselves for reasons that are not driven by science. From the perspective of NCDC, we give technical advice, and this is based on risk assessments of transmission from countries where intending travellers are coming from.

“So, as recommended, if you follow science-driven process, you review the epidemiological situation in those countries, you review the genomic and surveillance data in those countries and then you make a decision based on the risk of importation and the risk of transmission.”

He stressed that it would not be surprising if more cases were discovered as they continued to sequence the samples, saying this is reflective of the situation worldwide.

On measures taken so far by the federal government to curtail the spread of the new variant, Adetifa noted that surveillance was in top gear.

He said, “Countries are required to conduct a risk based assessment of transmission and we are enhancing surveillance in terms of

NDDC Charges Stakeholders on Protection of Niger Delta Environment Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have been charged to protect the environment by tackling the challenge of pollution and reversing the environmental degradation in the region.

Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Efiong Akwa, gave the advice yesterday, during a meeting of the Niger Delta Environment Consultative Forum, hosted by the commission in Port Harcourt.

Akwa stated that NDDC would not relent in the quest to find solution to the environmental challenge in the region.

Represented by his Special Assistant, Technical, Engr.

Ubongabasi James, Akwa said environmental degradation was an issue that affected everyone, irrespective of socio-economic status. He called for a collaborative approach to the environmental degradation issue.

James explained, "The forum

will serve as an avenue for the rejuvenation of our degraded environment and restoration of our ecosystems.

“This is yet another strategic milestone in the commission’s quest to bequeath an environment devoid of all manners of pollution and the restoration of our degraded ecosystem coming from oil exploration and exploitation activities in the Niger Delta region.”

He disclosed that NDDC had consistently sought for solutions to environmental degradation in the region.

"We must strive harder after this forum to restore our environment for the sustainability of the Niger Delta region," he added.

In his address, NDDC Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Onuoha Obeka, stated that the commission was aware of the United Nations Declaration of “A Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.” Obeka stressed that the commission was seeking ways to halt environmental degradation

and improve environmental health practices in the Niger Delta.

He stated that recent research revealed that there was an increase in the level of heavy metals in the soil in the Niger Delta.

According to him, “These metals are carcinogenic and, therefore, harmful to plant and animal life…

"The effect of traces of these metals, which are known to be carcinogens, in our plant and animal protein cannot be over overemphasised. It is with this understanding and in fulfilment of our mandate enshrined in the NDDC Act 2000, that we have thought it wise to seek your collaboration in finding solutions to the environment question of the Niger Delta region."

The lead consultant for the forum, Dr. Justin Akankali, said the goal of the programme was to find sustainable and long-term solutions to the challenge of environmental degradation and pollution in the Niger Delta.

looking at travellers, and ensuring that travellers adhere to all of the travel advisory regarding Day 2 testing and Day 7 testing for the appropriate category. In addition we are prioritising and sequencing, as recommended, for all incoming travellers.”

He further said, “The treatment centres across the country are still there, oxygen plants, oxygen supply, to take care of any potential increase in case numbers requiring hospitalisation. We’ve not recorded any fatalities. That there’s a new variant does not really change what we do “It doesn't change the effectiveness of the public health measures. As recommended, it doesn't change the requirement for vaccination or the benefits that are likely to accrue for vaccination, regardless of what the variant goes over.”

Adetifa encouraged Nigerians to get vaccinated, explaining that vaccines prevent transmission, reduces transmission if infections should occur and also protect

severe disease and death.

He said, “In the last Peace and Security Council (PSC) press conference, I highlighted how almost all of the deaths in the last two months under review occurred in people who are unvaccinated.

So vaccines have the benefits and I hope that with partners in the media, with civil society organisations and everybody else, we will continue to sensitise our fellow citizens to really make use of every opportunity that they have to get vaccinated.”

Speaking on the NCDC data collection, he explained that collation was done in the interest of transparency, stressing, “What we have seen, again, in the past weeks, obviously, as part of a feature of pandemic fatigue and similar to what's been reported everywhere else is that there's been a drop in testing for a few weeks before the last one. But we have seen an uptick in testing as a result of all of the efforts put in place to try and get states and people who are at the frontline

to return to testing.

“It has also gone up in response to our interventions and continued rollouts of rapid diagnostic tests to make this test more accessible, more readily available and easier to do than the reference test, which is PCR. We will continue to do that over the coming weeks. In fact, we are in the process of consolidating testing guidelines, we are preparing for a massive rollout of rapid diagnostic tests as a means of shoring up and ensuring completeness of surveillance.”

Meanwhile, NCDC, in a statement, explained that the move to carry out contact tracing followed the confirmation of the first positive case of the new COVID-19 variant by the agency yesterday morning. It said the possibility of more cases being detected in the country could not be ruled out since Omicron variant was now widespread globally, given the increasing number of countries reporting the variant.

Continued on page 45

MTN Woos Investors, Kicks Off Roadshow for Sale of 575 Million Shares Emma Okonji

MTN Nigeria yesterday organised a nationwide roadshow to sensitise retail investors on its on-going offer for sale of 575 million shares.

The first roadshow was held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, during the visit of South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa to Nigeria where both countries hosted a bi-national commission.

The roadshow was launched

by MTN Group CEO, Ralph Mupita, on behalf of the telco, whose shares are being made available for sale.

Speaking at the event, Mupita said: “The MTN Group has made a clear strategic decision across our operations to focus on building shared value, and the best way we can do that is by enabling broad ownership in our operating

companies.

“This offer is the first phase of that process in Nigeria, as we progressively reduce our shareholding from 79 per cent to 65 per cent over time. I am incredibly proud to be able to be here today, engaging directly with the Nigerian shareholders we hope will join us on the next phase of our journey.”

On his part, CEO, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola said: “Our offer for sale has been specifically structured to be available to as many Nigerian investors as possible, and today’s roadshow in Abuja is the first in a schedule that takes us to every state of the Federation over the next two weeks.

“It is really important for us to provide Nigerians across the country with the opportunity to engage with us as we build a

shareholder base that is nationally representative.”

The Offer opened yesterday and would close on December 14, 2021.

The minimum subscription is for 20 shares and lots of 20 shares thereafter. The offer includes an incentive in the form of one free share for every 20 shares purchased, subject to a maximum of 250 shares per investor.

The incentive is open to retail investors who buy and hold the shares allotted to them for at least 12 months, post the allotment date.

Investors are able to submit applications through the Issuing Houses, Receiving Agents (authorised Stockbrokers and Nigerian banks) and online via a unique digital application platform, Primary Offer, administered by the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

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AT THE THIRD FOWOSO SUMMIT...

L-R: Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa; his spouse, Oluwaseun; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; his wife & Chairperson of Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO), Mrs. Betty Akeredolu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the opening of the third FOWOSO summit held at Akure ... yesterday

House to Recover N2.6trn Outstanding Debts Owed FG by Oil Companies To conduct investigative hearing on consolidated inventory, NNPC’s assets Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has resolved to recover over N2.6 trillion outstanding debts owed the federal government by oil and gas companies.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Ahmed Munir at plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Munir pointed out that a recent report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had revealed that 77 oil and gas

companies operating in Nigeria were owing the federal government over N2.6 trillion.

The lawmaker stressed that the debts accrued from failure of the firms to remit Petroleum Profit Tax, Company Income Tax, Education Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax, Royalties, Penalties and Concession on rentals to the federal government.

Munir expressed concern that such a huge debt was being overlooked at a critical time when the country needs funding for its annual budget.

He said, "If debts are recovered, the money could be used to service some of the federal government's debts as well as fund up to 16.2 per cent of the 2022 budget deficit."

The lawmaker stated that recovery of the debts was critical in this period of dwindling revenues especially as the Covid-19 pandemic has grossly affected the country’s economy.

The House therefore urged, "NEITI, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to

INEC: We Have Capacity for Direct, Indirect Primaries Confident about transmission of results online

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said it has capacity to monitor both the direct and the indirect mode of primary elections by political parties, but was quick to add that it would be at an extra cost to the commission.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, while speaking to THISDAY, said, "It is the constitutional and legal responsibility of the Commission to give effect to laws passed by the National Assembly. Moreover, direct primaries have been a feature of our electoral legal framework."

According to him, "The commission has monitored direct and indirect primaries organised by the different political parties.

The commission does not dictate to political parties on the mode of primaries to adopt.

"The Commission is obligated to monitor the primaries of political parties in the centers designated by the political parties. Some political parties may designate the Polling Units of the Commission for the conduct of their primaries; some may designate the registration area centers (wards).

“Some may designate the

Local Government Areas, some may designate a center within the State. Some may stagger their primaries. So, the commission is not involved in the debate around direct and indirect primaries and will implement the law as signed by the President, "he explained.

Nigeria is said to have a total of 8908 wards otherwise known as registration areas and 774 local government areas.

Thus, in view of this, Okoye said, "Both direct and indirect primaries involve cost and personnel and the commission will at the appropriate time design its own matrix of actualising the intendment of the law."

Specifically, on the cost implication of a direct primary election, he said, "It is rather unfortunate that the issue of direct or indirect primaries has overshadowed other fundamental issues in the Bill.

“However, it is difficult at this stage to speculate on the cost implications of direct primaries.

As at today, the Bill is inchoate until the President assents to it."

He explained that the position of the commission, constitutionally, legally and administratively, is that the commission is the end user of the electoral legal framework.

"It is conventionally rational,

strategic and fundamental to seek the opinion of the Commission and other critical agencies in the electoral matrix before a new legal framework becomes law,” he said.

provide necessary data needed to facilitate recovery of debts owed the federal government by oil and gas companies."

It also mandated the Committee on Finance to liaise with relevant agencies to ensure that the 77 oil and gas companies pay the respective accrued debts to the federal government.

The House further resolved that there should be a reconciliation of the actual amount owed the government by the oil company and the actual amount owed the companies by the government to determine how much the companies are owing the government.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has resolved to conduct an investigative hearing into the consolidated Inventory, Assets, Interest and Liabilities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at plenary yesterday by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka on the need to ascertain the total consolidated inventory, assets, interests and

liabilities of NNPC and its subsidiaries before transfer to the NNPC limited to ensure a Glossary Accounting System.

Moving the motion, Isiaka said the NNPC was established on April 1, 1977, as a merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Energy Resources.

The lawmaker also said the NNPC was empowered to manage the joint venture between the federal government and several foreign multinational corporations with assets and interests on land, swamp, continental shelf and deep waters.

Isiaka stressed that in 1988, the NNPC was commercialised into 12 strategic business units covering the entire spectrum of oil industry operations including exploration and production, gas development, refining, distribution, petrochemicals engineering and commercial investments among others.

Isiaka said Section 53 (3) of the PIA, which vests ownership of the NNPC on the federal government through the Ministry of Finance,

which are both financed by the Nigerian people, but recognises NNPC limited as an agent.

He pointed out that Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution as amended empowers the National Assembly to carry out investigations into matters to which it has powers to make laws.

Isiaka stressed the need to boost investors' confidence and enhance transparency and efficiency in the supply chain management of the newly established NNPC owing to the outstanding credit sales and the much-needed revenues by the federal government to support annual budgets; The House therefore mandated, "the Committees on Finance, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas Resources to conduct investigations into the consolidated Inventory, Assets, Interest and Liabilities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries to ensure a legitimate transition process of NNPC/NNPC Limited and report back within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action."

Gas Development Impossible Without Appropriate Pricing, Says NNPC Foreign domination of sector's assets’ ownership worry FG Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited yesterday maintained that without the right pricing for natural gas, it would be impossible to develop the sector.

Speaking on the third day of the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference in Bayelsa, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC, Abdulkabir Ahmed, also called for appropriate pricing for electricity to attract investment. He said to ensure cleaner energy sources, Nigeria had to refocus its energy mix, deepen the usage of gas,

and draw funding into the sector.

Ahmed spoke on the same panel that had Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN), Olalekan Ogunleye; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Ed Ubong; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ND Western, Eberechukwu Oji; and Director, Services and Offshore, Oilfield Equipment, Baker Hughes, Stephen Adeyemo.

The top NNPC official stated that funding was a big challenge in the oil and gas industry, advising that the sector should leverage on technology and experience to weather the shortage of projects financing.

Ahmed stated, “Today, funding for fossil fuels is generally

low and, therefore, it poses a lot of challenge. However, we cannot do without investment in this sphere. Therefore, we need to leverage on technology, leverage on industry experience, so as to produce more with less cost.

“The second area that we look at is gas and power. Now, gas and power work together, because the power is fuelled by gas. So, in as much as you're looking at your opportunity, we have to look at where the gas will come from, who provides the gas?

“Where do we also get the gas for use? Do we have adequate infrastructure to move the gas around, to utilise the gas for what is useful as well as put up

adequate skills to ensure that we boost production, transmission and transportation?

“All these are not obtainable except we have a transparent and market-driven gas market as well as electricity pricing. Without that, it will be difficult to go back to the upstream and put in money if you have no feasibility about upstream costs.”

He noted that power generation was dependent on gas, especially for heavy duty industries, stressing that efforts are on to bring in vehicles that would run on gas as well as the skills to improve domestic gas production.

Ahmed called for regional Continued on page 47

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COMMENT

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

THE IMPERATIVE OF NATIONAL UNITY

National unity is an essential element of modern governance, writes the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar

L

et me say how delighted I am to be part of this important conversation at a time when it has become imperative to discuss Nigeria’s unity. For sometime now the unity of our country has been called to question and this, to say the least, has been slowing down national integration and undermining national development. Our democracy would appear to have been caught in the trap created by this phenomenon. It is therefore important we put the issues on the table and discuss them with a view to finding solutions to the problems of national unity.

I am particularly delighted that this summit has brought together some of the most erudite scholars on the subject and some of the key political leaders in the country whose views and opinions on this subject is both weighty and potent. I am confident that this summit will unravel some of these problems and provide the solutions. The presence of the political leaders from both the ruling as well as the opposition parties, already indicates some level of unity and will hopefully guarantee implementation of solutions over time.

The significance of national unity in modern nation state is fairly obvious; it makes the arrival at a national consensus much easier and much faster which in turn accelerates the rate of development of the nation. National unity allows political leaders to harvest citizen’s commitment and contribution in nation-building and national development. National unity is one of the most effective means of prevention of internal conflicts that can drain the resources of the nation and derail its progress.

It is therefore an essential element of modern governance and requires investment of national resources to secure it and promote it.

Almost every modern nation state struggles with its own national unity. The United States of America for example is one of the most diverse nations and has over the 200 years of its existence tried to forge national unity and even though it has achieved tremendous gains, it is still work in progress. Similarly the nations of Europe have struggled within themselves and between themselves to build their national unity over time.

Europe has achieved a particular feat over time in not only keeping the different nation states united but also forging unity among European nations in forming the European Union; all these in spite of the diversity in Europe. Even China has its own diversity, which may not be obvious to some of us very far away. Indeed it’s economic success is only a measure of its achievement in national unity. Despite these achievements China is still struggling to accommodate its Muslim population.

National unity is not an easy thing to achieve and is not one-off affair. The management of diversity is a continuous business which requires appropriate policies, monitoring and evaluation.

So, if it is any consolation, Nigeria is not alone in this business of building and sustaining national unity. In Nigeria we have the extra burden of colonization that has brought so many ethnic groups together by fiat. This could have been done by wars or famine, as it has happened in the history of many nations. It should be a consolation that we are not alone; for it provides us the good fortune of having lessons to learn from the success as well as the failures of others. We also have a range of some of the best practices from different parts of the world and

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL UNITY IN MODERN NATION STATE IS FAIRLY OBVIOUS; IT MAKES THE ARRIVAL AT A NATIONAL CONSENSUS MUCH EASIER AND MUCH FASTER WHICH IN TURN ACCELERATES THE RATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATION

different historical epoch to consider and adopt to our current circumstances.

Some of the obvious things to bear in mind, that the world is designed to be diverse. Nature is diverse and in diversity we find sustainability. Diversity is therefore a fortune and like most fortunes they need to be guarded and managed very well to realize the benefits. Rather than complain about our diversity, we should strive to master the skills of the management of this diversity. Some of the problems for which we blame our diversity are actually problems arising from our failure to manage that diversity. We need to look into our past as well as the present to find out how others have done it.

The Sokoto Caliphate is an example of how independent but fighting Hausa States of the 17th and 18th centuries were brought together under one roof and united under a single polity, which gave them more security, boosting commerce and learning. This did not come easy. There was deliberate social engineering by the leaders of the Caliphate, as we can see from the many books they wrote. They first debated and settled on the membership of the community, who is a citizen and who is not; it was not an easy debate as the Caliphate was a plural state made up of people of diverse ethnicity and religion.

They designed deliberate policies to give citizens a sense of belonging, encouraging the settlement of nomadic groups and organized urbanization. They developed policies around trade, taxation, organization of artisans, and a legal system that responds to injustice and oppression, making the State to take responsibility of its citizens and creating a sense of belonging in the citizen. The Caliphate, like any human efforts, had its limitations, from which we should also learn.

It would appear that one major problem we have around our national unity and cohesion in this country is that the discourse, even among the educated, is driven more by ignorance and emotions than knowledge. We must make the discourse to be an informed one, driven by facts and figures; otherwise we can find ourselves boxed into the dialogue of the deaf, where no one understands the other. We also have to avoid confusing unity with uniformity; we don’t have to be uniform to be united. Nature is not just diverse but it is also intelligent. The lengths of our fingers are not the same, precisely because each finger has a unique role to perform in giving us the grip we need to survive. Diversity is not for nothing; we should try to understand it and indeed celebrate it. This can only happen if we ask our scholars to lead the debate.

Some of us, who attended unity schools and served in the armed forces, find it difficult to understand where the unnecessary hatred is coming from. When did this ignorance take over the mind of the nation? Recently I run into a quote that appears to be anonymous. It says, “Two people can damage a society: the one who knows and doesn’t talk and the one who doesn’t know and talks.” I think, for the good of our country, we should ask those who know to speak up and those who don’t, to shut up Excerpts from remarks of His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar CFR, on the occasion of the national unity summit in Abuja

BIDEN’S BLOOD-STAINED FOOTPRINTS ACROSS AFRICA It is China-in-Africa, stupid! writes Okello Oculi

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resident Joe Biden is a man whose role in America’s relations with Africa is stained by a Cold War ruthlessness which responded to Africa’s wars for liberation, quest for human dignity, freedom from exploitation by Euro-American economic greed and colonial troops slaughtering villagers, burning their crops and locking them in concentration camps.

Brilliant leaders of liberation wars won hearts, souls and grit of their people and defeated colonial armies, agents of American-led NATO governments assassinated them. Samora Machel in Mozambique; Amilcar Cabral in Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde; Agustinho Neto in Angola were terminated.

In Angola, an upcountry leader Jonas Savimbi, was armed to wage a struggle against ‘’local colonialism by Mulato (mixed-race) politicians.

Mobutu Sese Seko in ‘’ZAIRE’’, armed Savimbi against a liberation movement he saw as allies of communist Soviet Union.

In West Africa, the assassination of Murtala Mohammed and Thomas Sankara blocked patriotic mobilisation of the imagination of post-colonial youths who rejected exploitation under what Kwame Nkrumah named as another colonialism without responsibility for the administration of a newly independent African country.

Biden as a key figure in the Senate’s Committee that reviewed and directing America’s actions in Africa, chewed words soaked with the blood of African warriors for the democratisation of colonial political and economic colonial dictatorships.

With regard to Ethiopia’s Emperor Haille Selassie, the United States was content to see a blind, brutal and exploitative aristocracy rule over with permanent terror a population paralysed by illiteracy, disease, hunger and administration. While the United States poured billions of dollars into Europe to rebuild, it prevented impoverished masses being won over by socialist political parties. Haille Selassie got silence about lack of development in exchange for an observatory over the Red Sea, oil-rich Persian Gulf countries, Russia and China.

The 1974 military coup which murdered Haile Selassie brought in Mengistu Haile Mariame who was fired by ideas of Lenin. To counter Russian influence the Americans sponsored a military coup by Siad Barre in Somalia. The notion of ‘America’s permanent interest first and Ethiopia’s development last’, has been dominant.

The same attitude has marked relations with South Africa. Under pressure from anti-Vietnam student groups and labour unions influenced by agents of the African National Congress, Senator Biden made a trenchant speech on the floor of the Senate condemning racist dictatorship;

and what African diplomats got the General Assembly of the United Nations to classify as ‘’a Crime Against Humanity’’.

As Barrack Obama’s Vice-President, Biden shared the glow of symbolism which shone around Africa over a son of Kenya becoming the first African to reign over omnipotent USA. They rewarded Africa by wrecking Muamar Gaddafi, a dreamer for becoming the ‘King of Kings and Traditional Rulers’ over Africa’. Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo of South Africa and Nigeria, respectively, halted his pushing Africa’s leaders to transit from membership of the Organisation of ‘’African Unity (OAU)’’ to ‘’African Union (AU)’’. He bought compliance by paying salaries of civil servants in destitute countries.

It is likely that builders of scenarios linked the destruction of Gaddafi’s kingdom to opening the way for Al Qaeda and ISIS to reach the broad band of Moslem populations from Mauritania and Mali on the Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopia and Somalia on the Indian Ocean coast.

Guns of religion blazing along that belt would weaken Nigeria and Ethiopia with worshipers trapped in poverty and lack of power by the masses.

The current backing of secessionist war by Tigray against Ethiopia’s federal authority serves the goal of derailing the completion of Ethiopia’s ‘’Renaissance Dam’’ that would enable

the country sell electricity to Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan.

The Hinga Dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo would supply power to Southern Africa and Central Africa.

Ethiopia has invited China to build a road and railway to Djibouti’s port, as well as internal road networks and industries. A potential which American and other NATO countries had cynically ignored was blooming with China’s support. From Kenya to Rwanda and Uganda, China has become a source of building infrastructure mineral exploitation. Rwanda ignored President Trump order to import second-hand clothes; and built a textile factory with China’s cooperation.

South Africa joined a new economic group with Brazil, India, Russia and China (BRICS).

This entity offered alternative windows to resources and roads to development outside the dictates by American-controlled World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The prompt announcement by South Africa’s scientists that they had found a new Corona Virus gave the ANTI-CHINA lobby around Biden the excuse to shoot down South Africa’s Foreign Exchange earnings from tourists flocking in to enjoy its vast natural resources and highly developed tourism infrastructure. As Bill Clinton might have argued ’It is China-in-Africa, stupid’; NOT Corona.

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EDITORIAL AMCON AND 1000 CHRONIC DEBTORS The authorities could do more to recover the debts

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n the face value, the recent decision by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to send the names of 1000 bad debtors to the National Assembly is welcome.

But it is also an admission that all the measures put in place to recover these humongous debts have failed. According to the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Victor Nwokolo, the intervention of the National Assembly is to devise ways to recover these debts. This is to avoid a situation in which a few people would continue to hold the country to ransom.

We recall that in the wake of the crisis that almost brought some financial institutions to their knees about 13 years ago, AMCON was established as a resolution vehicle to acquire toxic assets in the industry and clean up the balance sheet of banks. As a result, AMCON purchased total UNTIL FAILED BANKERS eligible banks’ assets WHO GIVE OUT THESE LOANS WITHOUT ADEQUATE worth N4.02 trillion at a price of N1.76 SECURITY BEGIN TO PAY trillion with a manFOR THE CONSEQUENCES date of restructuring / OF THEIR BAD BEHAVIOUR, refinancing opportuTHERE WILL BE NO END TO nities for borrowers.

THE MALAISE At some point, the CBN further directed banks in the country to stop extending credit to 113 companies and 419 directors/shareholders until full liquidation of their indebtedness.

Unfortunately, the failure of some bank customers to repay loans extended to them has remained a sore thumb in the nation’s financial system. As of June 2020, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) figures, non-performing loans in banks stood at N1.2 trillion. This represented about 6.4 per cent of the N18.9 trillion gross credit of the banks to the economy during the period under review. That led to the introduction of the Global Standing Instruction (GSI)

Letters to the Editor

by the CBN to curb the activities of those who take bank loans without thinking of paying back. The latest involvement of the National Assembly is an indication that the GSI may also have failed.

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

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

he GSI, which encompasses an agreement between the banks and the CBN, grants authority to the former to debit loan defaulters from accounts they operate in other banks within Nigeria took effect from 1st August 2020.

The policy also gives banks the latitude to debit the joint account a debtor holds with a family member or business associate. Managed by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) on behalf of the financial institutions using customers’ Bank Verification Number (BVN), the objectives of the GSI include facilitating an improved credit repayment culture, reducing Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the banking industry, and watch-listing consistent loan defaulters. A critical element of the GSI provides that should a customer default in paying up the loan or accrued interest upon maturity and has no funds in the account being operated with the bank, the NIBSS will be instructed to debit from any other bank’s account where the customer has funds, be it joint or family account.

Meanwhile, the AMCON (Amendment) Act signed into law last year by President Muhammadu Buhari empowers AMCON “to take possession, manage, foreclose, or sell, transfer, assign or otherwise deal with the asset or property used as security for Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs), and related matters.’’ Following the takeover of the assets and liabilities of Skye Bank by the CBN in collaboration with the Nigerian Development Insurance Corporations (NDIC), Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed said the federal government would bring all those behind the bank’s failure to book. Her words have proved to be hollow.

Yet, until failed bankers who give out these loans without adequate security begin to pay for the consequences of their bad behaviour, there will be no end to the malaise in a country where many people have no sense of shame.

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

NIGERIA’S CHRISTENING CEREMONY OF CALUMNY

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s good governance has nosedived in Nigeria over many years, ethnicity and nepotism have been fashioned into cudgels.

Nigeria is a country of staggering diversity.

What the amalgamation of 1914 achieved was to bring together people so different from each other in tongue, tribe and creed that they had no business being with each other not to talk of eating on the same table and becoming strange bedfellows in a marriage of convenience that has since proven unworkable but forbiddingly difficult to dissolve.

There was Nigeria`s North with its eccentricities of religion and values. There was Nigeria`s South with its delicately constituted societies and superiority complex.

The amalgamation of 1914 initially seemed a masterstroke that brought two sections with diametrically opposed worldviews into bed to consummate a highly contentious marriage of convenience and birth Nigeria. Today, the country like a child is the very image of the differences of its parents.

At the beginning, the promise was staggering, even dizzying. Oil was discovered in 1956 in Olobiri, Bayelsa State, just four years before Nigeria`s independence, to add to the resources Nigeria had at its disposal from the strides the various regions had made in agriculture. At independence in 1960, and with an abundance of resources, the country

`s journey of nationhood fascinatingly promised to be one interminable fattening ceremony entertained by an orchestra of progress.

The music was to falter badly in 1967, when young military officers, indulging the wild stupidity of youth, conspired to drive Nigeria into the wilderness of a Civil War. In three terrifying years, Nigeria`s early promise was incinerated in a conflagration of chaos, its place taken by a horror story written with a pen dripping with blood and bile from Maikujera to Mbaise. It has been a sobering story.

Today, decades after Nigeria`s story first went sour, the aftertaste afflicts many mouths still. This is lent credence by the fact that when many Nigerians open their mouths to converse with Nigeria, a blizzard of bile breaks forth.

So, ethnicity has become a profiler as well as a profile.

Those from the South are considered secessionists or secessionist sympathizers who are only half-hearted about the Nigerian project. Nigerians from the North are considered terrorists or terrorist sympathizers who exacerbate Nigeria`s already tenuous security situation.

Because suspicion streaked along ethnic lines is so viscous with malice, the country has become a boiling cauldron of emotions. On the national stage, with the parting of lips or raising of hands come the inevitable questions of provenance and profession of faith.

These may seem innocuously general questions but ardent

listeners of Nigeria`s story know that the scalding, scolding posers are some of the foundational queries of nepotism in Nigeria.

With the constitutionally guaranteed federal character principle shriveling before the nepotistic occupants of Nigeria`s public offices, what determines who gets what in the country these days is neither merit nor application but connection to whom.

As a result of this, many dogs are given bad names so they could be hung and the quest to get into the offices that matter in the country is usually cut-throat.

One of Nigeria`s favourite slogans is ‘unity in diversity’.

This slogan pays tribute to Nigeria`s rich diversity. However, with the many challenges convulsing the country, Nigerians need a genuine reconciliation among themselves as well as to the country they call their own.

This national reconciliation is imperative because it is now beyond question that all hands are not on deck in the Nigerian project. The reason for this is that a lot of people are disgruntled because of the fact that there is neither equity nor equality in the country.

A lot of the problems bother on poor perception which manifests in a lack of confidence in public institutions in Nigeria. It has been ugly. It will take a while before it gets pretty again.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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POLITICS

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

Ortom: The Federal Government Has Failed, Needs Help Chuks Okocha was among a select group of journalists who recently had a conversation with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on the state of the nation

Ortom

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an you give us your over view of the state of the nation, including your assessment of news reporting of events in Nigeria As reporters , you must ensure good reportage of the activities of this country and I want to assure you that whatever you are doing, you are doing it for yourselves, for your country men, for your society and for everyone including those who are following us.

We have the collective responsibility to bring to the knowledge of all, what is happening and how we can overcome our challenges. As the fourth estate of the realm, you have a responsibility to disseminate information from the government and then from the people. Why shy away from the responsibilities?

For some of us who have chosen to be on the side of the truth, on the side of justice, equity and fairness, most media houses are running away from us, they have refused to decode what we say or what is happening.

I am over 40years in politics, I have chosen to take the path of truth, path of integrity, path of fairness and path of equity and path of justice because I believe that that is the only thing that can take us out of the mess that we’re in Nigeria.

Even those our children in primary school, in kindergarten, in our homes who are yet to begin formal education, they are aware that our country has gone down.

When I quote the deposed Emir of Kano who said in the last six years Nigeria has been takien back to 40 years when we started and of course it is the truth.

Anybody who is afraid of the EFCC today, who is afraid of intimidation today, who is afraid of blackmail, who is afraid of being castigated and I said that nothing is wrong with Nigeria; an average person

who stands for the truth who stand for justice, equity and fairness can confirm that thing are wrong in this country.

Talk about key issues, corruption, where are we? Are we fighting corruption? If we are fighting corruption should some people, who have been accused, still remain in their offices, if this government is committed to fighting corruption?

See what is happening, if you talk about the economy, globally, it is private sector that drives the economy. Today here in Nigeria, where is the position of the private

sector?

If you talk about security, where are we? We don’t even know, The Federal Government has lost control.

Nigerians are suffering, Nigerians have become IDPs only few of us who are privileged to have security can be said to be secure, but every Nigerian is suffering, is under siege.

Talk about education, go to our higher institutions, it is nothing to write home about. Agriculture that is supposed to be a support to the oil economy of this country is in a state of emergency. Where are we?

We are just paying lip services.

And in the course of negotiation, these bandits took pictures, of them bandits and these our children and posted on social media and say that if you don’t give us this money , we’re going to kill them. And they did not wear masks, they display themselves and up till today, no security agent has gone after them. And then you will tell me that you are arresting IPOB leader, you are arresting Igboho. So, where is it justice, fairness and equity? Over 1,700 people have been killed in Benue and they have continued to kill. I’ve just chosen not to be talking about this lamentation and that is why I went out and decided that we will form community volunteer guard, that will complement the security agencies. Security agencies in Benue state, more than 100 of them. DSS, Police, Army, and civil defence, more than 100 of them have been killed in Benue state, in course of trying to keep peace

I know that Mr President intended well when he came in 2015 but some cabals have taken over this country and they are driving this country to the mud.

I’m not sure Mr President is aware or if he were aware, I believe that he will rise to his responsibility and take steps that will correct what is happening in our country.

Many people have been intimidated, they cannot speak, they cannot open up to even advice the presidency, we are getting to a level that if no action is taken to redeem the situation we are in, tomorrow, we will wake up unknown gunmen, will take over this country and we will not be able to stand on our feet.

I’m concerned as a Nigerian, as a patriot, a person who wants things to work, who believes in Nigeria, as you can see this symbol of unity of the colours what I wear and I carry everywhere around the world wherever you are in this world, I wear these colours, to show that I believe in Nigeria.

First of all, I believe in my own state, the Tiv, the Idoma, the Igede people, uniting and working together and bringing prosperity and of course in Nigeria, green white green, I believe in the unity of this country.

So mine is to encourage all of you, don’t take the path of sycophants or mediocre or people who are out to fill their pockets, to take the path of patriotism, to take the path of upholding our country-Nigeria.

Today there is no justice, no fairness, no equity. I keep repeating his talk about the South-east Nnamdi Kanu has been detained because according to those prosecuting were told that he breached the laws of this country.

The thing for Sunday Igboho, he was apprehended, he ran the way that he was caught in the Benin Republic and the federal government is interested. Why, we were told that he also breached the

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POLITICS provisions of the laws of this land.

Then the Fulani herdsmen and militia who have been given a nick name of bandits. Three weeks ago some of my subjects in Benue state, our children were kidnapped , three girls and one boy and then two Hausa men, six of them who boarded Benue Links vehicle to go to Zamfara they were kidnapped and their parents were asked to bring N30 million.

And in the course of negotiation, these bandits took pictures, of them bandits and these our children and posted on social media and say that if you don’t give us this money , we’re going to kill them. And they did not wear masks, they display themselves and up till today, no security agent has gone after them.

And then you will tell me that you are arresting IPOB leader, you are arresting Igboho. So, where is it justice, fairness and equity?

Over 1,700 people have been killed in Benue and they have continued to kill.

I’ve just chosen not to be talking about this lamentation and that is why I went out and decided that we will form community volunteer guard, that will complement the security agencies.

Security agencies in Benue state, more than 100 of them. DSS, Police, Army, and civil defence, more than 100 of them have been killed in Benue state, in course of their trying to keep peace, restore peace in our country. So this is a challenge.

So you can see that the Federal Government is helpless. We all need to join hands together, to help this Federal Government, they have failed. They have not performed and unless we all rise up whether you are a journalist, a politician, a civil servant, a security man, a famer, whoever you are, these government has demonstrated that they have no capacity at all because the primary responsibility of any responsible government is to provide security for liives and property.

But when government fails in its primary responsibility, it means there’s a problem, that thiscountry does not belong to me as governor or to the president, or national assembly, or state houses of assembly. It belongs to all of us.

Those of us who are here today as leaders, we are here on temporary basis. We will not be there tomorrow. But we have a responsibility to preserve our country, Nigeria.

So I want to employ both of us to rise up to our responsibilities and not to be blaming leaders. You in your little way, what have you done to contribute, to add value, to help salvage the situation?

But tell you where we are today, we have failed.

But I want to employ Nigerians to continue to pray as I do for the President, for governors, for national assembly members, for all of us, traditional rulers who are in authority today, collectively we have failed as leaders of this country. This is not the Nigeria, that our forefathers worked hard, sacrificed their lives to bring forth.

The Bible says you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Let us stop deceiving ourselves, let us say the truth at all times whether we’re going to die or we’re going to live, or we enjoy it or not.

I want to remind Nigerians that one day wherever you are, whatever you have, whoever you are, one day you will die.

And that will be the end. But what will the important thing is that posterity will remember you for being on the side of justice, on the side of adding value or on the side of injustice and not helping to be on the parth of retrogression in this country.

But if you contribute positively by staying on the side of justice, posterity will ever remember you. Like we hear of Martin Luther King Jnr, who stood firm spoke words that today have remained a comfort to all.

And one of his quotes to say that those who keep silent in the face of injustice are worse than the people who are perpetrating that injustice.

So, at least if we have nothing to say, let us remain focused stand up for justice but if we keep quiet and remain complacent the way we are, I tell you all of us are going to be consumed one day.

have always been frank to Mr President every time I have the opportunity to discuss with him.

Left to me alone, this issue of herdsmen wouldn’t have lasted this long because I have told him the truth and of course, you can see that the ranching programme he started in 2016. Today, the whole country has seen that there is no other way to escape the insecurity that is going on.

Except we have ranching in this country because those people who are deceiving in this nation, about open grazing, they are not being sincere and most of the people around they are just there to support the presidency and allow foreign herdsmen from Niger, Mail, Senegal, Cameroon from all over the place from even Ghana, from where they were chased away to come and take over Nigeria to become their country.

Miyetti Allah’ has said, Fulani nationality movement has said it that their agenda is to take over this country and so it is very clear it is an agenda they prepared by the cabal that is ruling this country.

Ortom

In your state you said have lost over 1700 people, including 100 security men; what are you doing to salvage the situation? And what is your relationship with the commander in chief of this country?

I relate with the president as my president, I respect him, I pray for him. A lot of people who are sycophants and mediocre and those who feed from scrums have tried to distance me from my president. But I remain committed in my prayers to the President for wisdom, knowledge and understanding to succeed as president.

But as for me as governor of Benue state, I remain very loyal with the conventional security agencies in my states, we work hand in hand they have done so well. I commend them, they have done their best, where the challenge is grossly inadequate.

And to compliment that, that is why amended a law, to empower the community volunteer guards, to be also armed with minimum weapons that are legal, to be able to complement the security agencies so that overcome this problem.

But honestly, the security men are doing their best and I tell you, they too, they have been victims of

these terrorist activities that has been going on.

But they need supports and we have encouraged our people to stand with them, to support them, where they need water given to them, where they need food given to them, where they need any sort of help provide for them.

And the community volunteer guard, when the trained and quip, they will actually support conventional security agencies to ensure that they overcome the problems.

You said when the president came in 2015, he meant well but some persons have obviously hijacked the situation. Have you ever drawn his attention to these issues?

How I wish you have the opportunity to ask the President this question you are asking me, I have done that and I will do it again if I have another opportunity again, I will draw his attention. I have recommended to him what I think in my opinion, will help us salvage this country, because I know even as governor the challenges I have and the challenges of Mr President is 35 times more than the one I have.

So I have always been objective, I

Left to me alone, this issue of herdsmen wouldn’t have lasted this long because I have told him the truth and of course, you can see that the ranching programme he started in 2016. Today, the whole country has seen that there is no other way to escape the insecurity that is going on. Except we have ranching in this country because those people who are deceiving in this nation, about open grazing, they are not being sincere and most of the people around they are just there to support the presidency and allow foreign herdsmen from Niger, Mail, Senegal, Cameroon from all over the place from even Ghana, from where they were chased away to come and take over Nigeria to become their country.

Miyetti Allah’ has said, Fulani nationality movement has said it that their agenda is to take over this country and so it is very clear it is an agenda they prepared by the cabal that is ruling this country

I want to take you to PDPs politics many Nigerians who are supporters of the party expected that David Mark would have been in for the chairmanship but obviously Senator Ayu emerged of course with your support.

What happened?

It was David Mark that said it should be Ayu, he is an older person and so he felt that his younger brother should be chairman, it is still the same thing. Ayu and David Mark are very good brothers and good friends. So the same thing that Nigerians wanted from David Mark will be done through Ayu. The Minister of Information and Culture has described the reported EndSARS deaths as phantom massacre that existed only in the imagination of those who propounded it, that it was a massacre without bloodshed …castigated DJ Switch, CNN and Amnesty International. consistently,.

This is the position the Information Minister has maintained. Now, that an official panel set up by government funded by government has come up with the truth, to negate the position that has been canvassed by the official spokesman of the government. Do you think that Lai Mohammed maintain the integrity, the credibility to speak for the Federal Government?

Let me say that I’ve not really read that report, so it’s difficult for me to comment on that. But one thing that is central is let justice be done, that i s all I can say there. For me I believe in justice, let there be justice at all times.

And this is a Lagos state incident, so I think question should be reserved for the governor of Lagos state.

In Benue state we have our own version of EndSAR, very peaceful and the youths or those who were abused made their points and we also set up a panel which has done formal written recommendations.

Benue was different from that of Lagos, in fact I personally came out and received the protesters and I took into consideration the issues that were raised.

Following the disappearance and the eventual confirmation of my colleague, Tordue Salem’s death, , you issued a statement where you sympathised with the family and you pledged to go the whole distance for justice for him.

Few hours later Police paraded one Clement Itoro who claimed knocking him down with his vehicle and ran away. I want to know if that position has put an end to the pledge of going the whole length to ensure that justice is done and the perpetrator is brought to book?

I think the investigation is ongoing.

So I will wait till we find out of that investigation. But as my subject who was declared missing and later alleged to have been found, someone alleged that he was responsible for the killing.

The police are still investigating and I wait for the report and then I make my judgment.

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FEATURES

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

Kano Relishes Switch over to Digital Terrestrial Platform Kano, the country’s most populous state has embraced the digital world with the promise of improved television service after making the transition from analogue broadcast technology. The glitz at the launch evinced a renewal of hope in the future, Olawale Ajimotokan reports Digital Switch Over is pivotal to the digital economy of the country as it is capable of creating jobs and bringing governance closer to the people

Governor Abdulahi Ganduje and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed launch the DSO

R-L: Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Deputy Governor Kano State, Nasir Gawuna; Governor Ganduje; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Chairman Digiteam Nigeria, Edward Amana; DG NBC, Balarabe Ilelah; and Chairman STBMAN, Geoffrey Ohuabunwa

K

ano State became the seventh state of the federation besides the Federal Capital Territory to join the Digital Switch Over (DSO) league recently under the second phase of the national transition programme.

The exercise that was held at the Government House, Kano had dignitaries from across the country.

Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who performed the switch over, said the new technology would provide an opportunity for the people to have access to local, national and international space and use the content for public engagement.

He also declared that effective from December this year analogue signals will no longer be available in the state as every household must now have a Digital Set Top Box (decoder) in order to receive TV signals at home.

Nigeria embarked on the journey towards Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting on June 17, 2006, following the deadline of June 15, 2015, set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for member countries to transit from analogue to digital broadcasting.

However, following several reviews, Jos became the pilot city on April 30, 2016 when Nigeria launched the digitalisation process.

Since then, the FCT, Kwara State, Kaduna State, Osun State and Enugu State have concluded the first phase of the digital switch over while Lagos was switched on April 29 at the herald of the second phase programme to activate 13 states.

The DSO project when fully completed will translate to increased digital television penetration, improved quality TV services, audience preference

ratings, crystal clear sound and visuals in addition to other value-added services.

The switch-on of Kano marked the launch of the project in the nation’s most populous state with over two million TV households out of the estimated 40 million TV households in the country.

Ganduje noted the DSO is pivotal to the digital economy of the country as it is capable of creating jobs and bringing governance closer to the people.

To facilitate access to signal for all, the state government is partnering the manufacturers of the decoders to support indigent households in 44 local government areas for the provision of 100,000 units of subsidised decoders, beginning with 10,000 units for the first phase of the supply.

He said the state government had also directed the supply of 44,000 STBs to the 44 local governments at the rate of 100 per local government, with the primary health care centres, community viewing centres, government education authorities, primary and basic schools, as well as local government councils as prime beneficiaries.

“The DSO project would also be a great platform for the entertainment industry to key into by using technology to enhance their services not only for high fidelity sound and picture but also create more jobs for our teeming youth and stimulating local content,” Ganduje said.

In his remarks, the Chairman Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN), Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa described the transition of Kano State into the terrestrial

realm as a testimony of perseverance and determination after a series of setbacks and missed deadlines.

He said the DSO project would mark the beginning of the democratisation of television and leisure in the country as it will bridge the gap that exists between the common man and the upper crust of society.

Ohuabunwa said that the onus is now on the stakeholders to transform the directives of the ITU on the switch on into an experience for every Nigerian to progress to the next level until when broadband is available in every home.

He likened the Set-Top Box as a first step into the world of digital television broadcasting adding decoders would provide the Nigerian citizen with every type of television experience imaginable at an affordable price.

The Chairman of Gospell Communication said that decoders will take digital TV experience to the common man, expand internet and broadband penetration presence to every TV household in the country in addition to providing teleschool and telemedicine to every home.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed assured that the federal government will vigorously sustain the process of implementing a comprehensive nationwide process of transitioning from analogue to digital television broadcasting despite the slow process of the exercise.

He said the transformation to digital was aimed at creating a more equitable, just and people-centered information society,

which would connect underserved populations and remote communities, thereby bridging the digital divide.

He listed the key benefits of digital television broadcasting to include wider choice in TV and radio channels, improved picture, enhanced information services including the electronic programming guide for interactivity and increased market competition and innovation enabled by the potential arrival of new entrants at different levels in the value chain.

The minister added that the DSO process can enable a variety of competing service offers, improve digital service coverage even in remote places, and improve access to communication networks while acting as a catalyst for better management of spectrum resources.

He noted that due to bandwidth restrictions, analogue television only offered a small selection of programmes and is therefore outmoded.

“The federal government is prioritising the DSO project because it is critical to the post-COVID recovery and prosperity of the creative industry.

The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, working with its relevant agencies -NBC and APCON-has commenced the process of implementing Audience Measurement, which will go a long way in driving advertising spend to the DSO platform, thus helping the channels to fulfill their obligations to the signal distributors.

We have also instituted a number of reforms, some of them necessitating amendments to the Broadcasting Code which we have since carried out, with a view to encouraging investments in the Broadcast Industry in particular and the Creative Industry in general,” Mohammed said.

The Chairman of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Mr John Ugbe has also proposed a constitutional amendment on television and radio licence fee collection to broadcasters instead of local government councils.

Ugbe, who was represented at the launch by his deputy and Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mansur Liman, urged the minister of Information and Culture, or the National Assembly to initiate the process.

He said the 1999 Constitution wrongfully conferred the power to collect TV and Radio licence fees on the local government councils.

He noted the constitution has wrongly empowered the local government to rob the broadcast industry in the collection of radio and TV licence fees, likening the scenario to making Peter rob Paul.

“We cannot understand the synergy between the local government council and the collection of radio and TV licence fee anywhere in the world.

“Collection of local radio and TV licence fee by broadcasters will provide necessary funding for content development and allow for proper public broadcasting.

“We believe that the minister and the national assembly have what it takes to return to the broadcaster what belongs to them as it is done in other countries,” he said.

Ugbe said the success of digital broadcast migration would depend on broadcasters who are channel owners and content providers.

He also solicited more funds to NBC to fasttrack the coverage of DSO in the entire country before the end of the current administration.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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#THISISNIGERIA –_Patrick James

The Federal Republic of Unemployed Nigerians

Nigerian youths grappling for entrance into the venue of the ill-fated 2014 recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service that claimed several lives

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in the 2019 Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria Report, stated that two out of every five Nigerians are living below the poverty line. This means that two Nigerians out of an estimated five will have to survive on less than a dollar (about 410 naira) per day. Between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021, the Nigerian unemployment rate hit an all-time high of about 33.3% from the previous record of 27.1% in early 2020.

Putting all these in proper perspective, it is estimated that the number of unemployed Nigerians is currently standing at 23,187,389. According to the labour force report published by the NBS in March 2021, a combination of both the unemployment and the underemployment rates for the reference period amount to a staggering 56.1%.

In layman’s terms, it simply means that we have more unemployed people in Nigeria than the entire population of some African countries. No, that’s not a joke! Burkina Faso has a total population of 20,903,273; Mali has a population of 20,250,833; Malawi has a population of 19,129,952 and Zambia has a population of 18,383,955. Our close neighbour, Chad, has a total population of 16,743,927. Somalia and Namibia have a population of 15,893,222 and 2,540,908

respectively.

We are not talking about those who are underemployed here, just the unemployed ones. If we add both, only the population of two countries in Africa—Ethiopia with a population of 114,963,588 and Egypt with a total population of 102,334,404—would be more than the total number of unemployed and underemployed people in Nigeria.

When we talk about unemployment, we are directly talking about youth restiveness in the country. We are also talking about youths, the acclaimed future leaders of tomorrow without jobs or any means of livelihood. Little wonder we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in crime, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in the country.

Youths who are to make a lasting impact in the I.T sector have taken to cybercrime (yahoo-yahoo) just to survive.

Others who do not have the patience or skillset to indulge in cybercrimes have taken up kidnapping and petty theft as means of survival.

I would have loved to place the entire blame of this humongous level of unemployment in Nigeria on bad leadership, but the youth of this country are accomplices to the ills that have befallen them. They refuse to do something to

change the status quo. Worse still, they even help to rig in bad leaders —who are the architects of their misfortunes —into power.

A quick look at the presidential election of 2021 shows that the All Progressive Congress (APC) who won the elections got 15,191,847 votes while the opposition—People’s Democratic Party (PDP) got 11,262,978 votes. If the over 23 million unemployed people in Nigeria unite to form a political party, they can defeat the incumbent government and perhaps end unemployment in Nigeria. But they would rather feign indifference or total resignation. The rest would become lapdogs to these politicians, begging to take the scraps that fall off their table, rather than take a step forward to change the course of this unfortunate trajectory.

It is a pity that a country with so many endowments, both in human and natural resources would still be occupying the number one position as the poverty epicentre of the world. For the record, Nigeria also has one of the highest out-of-school children figures in Africa, with an estimated 10,193,918 children out of school as at Q2 2021.

How long can we continue to regress?

For how long can we keep leading in negative things? Things cannot continue

Google

to be this way. It is not enough to shout and complain all the time. Things should change and the time to change for the better is now. But how exactly do youths expect to effect change when they don’t even have their PVCs? How do they expect to vote in their choice candidates when they have blatantly refused to complete the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process?

Recently released statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with regards to the number of youths that have completed their registration is very discouraging. As of Monday, November 22nd, only 1,326,067 have completed their registration. What are the others doing? Waiting to sing FEM again at another protest? The Nigerian government has shown time and again that it is no stranger to violence, and will descend to unimaginable levels to perpetuate and cover up its heinous crimes.

If we are to beat them at their game, we must do more. We must put aside our selfish interests and apathy and work together to elect representatives who are passionate about transforming Nigeria and have the mental capacity to serve. t1BUSJDL +BNFT JT B DSFBUJWF XSJUFS QPFU BOE DPMVNOJTU CBTFE JO -BHPT

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

D E C E M B E R

S & P INDEX

1 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

14.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

565.29%

1/4 TO DATE

6.06%

N412.08/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

14.50%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.11%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.66%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.41%

Ericsson Predicts 4.4bn Global 5G Subscriptions by 2027, Says Mobile Data Traffic Increased 300-fold in 10yrs

Emma Okonji Relying on global trends, Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, Ericsson has forecasted that global 5G subscriptions would reach 4.4 billion in 2027.

Ericsson in its Mobility Report also revealed a 300-fold increase in mobile data traffic in the last 10 years, since 2011, the year in which Ericsson Mobility Report was first published.

The report findings, which are based on current and historical

network data, are included in the special ten-year edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report November 2021. The report looks back at some of the key trends and events that have shaped the last decade, as well as revealing the latest forecasts toward 2027.

According to the report, the premise that 5G will become the fastest deployed mobile generation to date has been enhanced with an updated estimate of close to 660 million 5G subscriptions by the end of this year.

“The increase is due to stronger

than expected demand in China and North America, driven in part by decreasing prices of 5G devices, the report further said, adding that there is also a net addition of 98 million 5G subscriptions globally in Q3 2021, compared to 48 million new 4G subscriptions. At the end of 2021, it is estimated that 5G networks will cover more than two billion people, the report further predicted, Ericsson stated.

According to the latest forecasts, 5G is on track to become the dominant mobile access technology, based on subscriptions globally, by

2027, “5G is also expected to account for around 50 per cent of all mobile subscriptions worldwide, covering 75 per cent of the world’s population and carrying 62 per cent of the global smartphone traffic by 2027.”

Analysing the report, the Executive Vice President and Head of Networks at Ericsson, Fredrik Jejdling, said: “Mobile communication has had an incredible impact on society and business over the last ten years. When we look ahead to 2027, mobile networks will be more integral than ever to how we interact, live and work. Our latest Ericsson Mobility

Report shows that the pace of change is accelerating, with technology playing a crucial role.”

The report explained that since 2011, the deployment of 4G LTE networks had been pivotal in generating 5.5 billion new smartphone connections worldwide, contributing to the market availability of more than 20,000 different 4G device models.

The report indicates a much earlier technology lifecycle of 5G devices, with 5G handsets today accounting for 23 per cent of global volumes, compared to 8 per cent of

4G handsets at the corresponding point in its lifecycle.

This, the report further said, would help to fuel an exponential growth of mobile data traffic.

According to the report, mobile network data traffic was up 42 per cent, year-on-year, in Q3 2021 accounting for approximately 78 exabytes (EB), “including traffic generated by Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. In Q3 alone, mobile data traffic was more than all mobile traffic ever generated up until the Continued on page 28

Top Nigerian Agencies May Lose Practicing Licence over Failure to Meet Financial Obligations Raheem Akingbolu For their inability to fulfill financial practicing obligation for two years, a few Nigerian agencies may loose their licence before the end of this year, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has revealed.

Registrar/Chief Executive of

APCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, who read the riot act to the debtor agencies, in a statement titled, “Removal/Suspension of Names from the Register of Advertising Practitioner,” a copy of which was made available to THISDAY, said the decision to sanction erring agencies is in line with APCON’s recently released code of practice.

The statement read in part: “By this notice, registered advertising practitioners are advised to take note that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) shall, in line with section 9(2)(d) and (e) of the Advertising Practitioners (Registration Etc) Act, CAP A7, L.F.N. 2004, remove from the register of practitioners, with effect from Friday

17th December 2021, the names of persons who have failed, refused or neglected to pay the prescribed practice fees in accordance with their category of membership for the past five years from 1st December 2021.”

“Similarly, registered advertising practitioners who are yet to pay the fees prescribed for their categories in accordance with the provisions of Act

for the past two to five years from the 1st December 2021 shall have their membership of the profession suspended. Any person whose name has been removed from the register and seeks to be readmitted shall, upon payment of all outstanding fees, present a new application for membership and shall pass through the membership admission process

afresh. A suspended member will have a period of one-year moratorium from the date of suspension within which to pay all outstanding fees or have his/her name removed from the register, ”the statement said.

In a related development, the National Institute of Marketing of Continued on page 28

MMAARRKKEETT DDATA ED N DE AY, S D AY, G UBSETR 1310,, 2200221 ATA AASS AT AT WT U ES N OA VU EM ONNDDSS FFGGNN BBO DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 9.091 FGNSB 15-AUG-2021 11-DEC-2021 10.301 FGNSB 13.402 16-AUG-2021 12-DEC-2021 11.150 FGNSB 7.144 FGNSB 11-SEP-2021 15-JAN-2022 12.364 FGNSB 13.125 12-SEP-2021 16-JAN-2022 12.175 FGNSB 16.39 27-JAN10-OCT-2021 2022

BILLS

OTC FX F U T U R E S

100.09 100.12

3.16 4.63

Change Change (%) (%) 0.00 -0.02

100.10 100.26

3.16 4.60

0.00 -0.02

9-Sep-21 NTB 27-Jan-22

3.10 3.85

3.11 0.00 0.00 3.87

100.67 100.41

3.13 3.74

0.00 0.01

16-Sep-21 NTB 10-Feb-22

3.15 4.00

3.16 0.00 0.00 4.03

100.80 101.16

3.12 3.71

0.00 0.01

30-Sep-21 NTB 24-Feb-22

3.25 2.45

0.00 0.01

NTB 10-Mar-22 14-Oct-21

3.35 4.31

Price

101.47 101.97

Yield

3.08 3.43

MATURITY

Change(%) (%) Discount Yield Change

26-Aug-21 NTB 13-Jan-22

3.00 3.69

3.00 0.00 0.00 3.71

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

AUG29 252021 2021 421.18 420.93 NGUS DEC

2

SEP26 292022 2021 422.61 422.38 NGUS JAN

3

OCT23 272022 2021 424.04 423.83 NGUS FEB

3.26 0.00 0.00 2.46

4

NOV 24 425.28 NGUS MAR 30 2021 2022 425.46

3.37 0.00 0.00 4.36

5

DEC 27 29 2022 2021 426.89 426.73 NGUS APR

CCPs Ps MATURITY

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

MREP CP CP XIV XXXI CMBL 13-AUG-21 6-DEC-21 UNCP CP XXXVII III 27MREP AUG-21 14-DEC-21 VAAG CP 27MTNN CPIIV 17AUG-21 DEC-21 TTNG CP III1731FDHC AUG-21 DEC-21 SIBP CP PARP CPIII2-SEP3021 DEC-21

9.02 6.95

9.03 6.95

4.26 14.20

4.27 14.27 0.00 -0.02

10.20 7.85

10.25 7.87 0.00 -0.01

4.59 7.85

4.60 7.87

0.00 -0.01

4.13 5.90

4.14 5.93

0.00 0.00

0.00 -0.02

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

CIO AWARDS 2021…

L-R: Executive Director, Access Bank/Chairman, of the jury/CIO award 2021, Ade Bajomo; Chief Technology officer, First Bank, Adewale Salami; Convener, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards/The CIO Club Africa, Abiola Laseinde; Deputy Managing Director, Hauwei, Zhen Chao; and CEO, Chapel Hill Denham/Chairman of the occasion, Bolaji Balogun at the PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN CIO awards 2021 in Lagos… recently

IOCs Bank on PIA for Increased Investment Inflows, Opportunities in Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Sector Peter Uzoho For the umpteenth time, the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have restated their confidence that the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) will trigger an increase in investment inflows and opportunities in the country’s petroleum industry.

The oil majors, who recognised the ongoing energy transition, its inevitability and impact on fossil fuels industry, however, called for caution and moderation among Nigerian players in their quest to move to new energies.

Chief executives of the IOCs stated these at a panel session on, “Growth Levers and Investment Opportunities Arising from Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act,” at the ongoing 10th Practical Nigerian Content, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The central theme of the four-day event holding both physically and virtually in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, is, “Driving Nigerian Content in the New Dawn of the Petroleum Industry Act.” Speakers on the panel included the Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Sangster; Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited and Chairman of Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Mr. Rick Kennedy; and Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr. Roberto Daniele; amongst others.

Speaking, Sangster, who was represented at the discourse by

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

the Deputy Managing Director, TotalEnergies Deep-water, Mr. Victor Bandele, said the PIA had come at a better time, adding that his organisation was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Act. He said the Act has paid greater attention to gas, which according to him, is a transition fuel for Nigeria and very critical to the government’s drive to industrialise the nation.

Sangster explained that TotalEnergies worldwide was becoming a multi-energy company, stating that the company’s energy mix will change significantly in the coming years.

He said, “Currently, our production is about 55 per cent oil, 40 per cent gas, and five per cent electricity. But by 2030, it will be 50 per cent gas; 35 per cent oil; and 15 per cent electricity.

“By 2050, the mix is targeted to be 40 per cent renewable power, 40 per cent gas (primarily carbon-free) and 20 per cent liquid products.

Out target is to get to Net Zero in all our operations worldwide by 2050. We are committed to this target and working with all our stakeholders, we believe we can deliver cleaner, more affordable, and more available energy to as many people as possible.”

Kennedy, who was represented

by Chevron’s Director of Business Services, Mr. Cosmas Iwueze, said the PIA has done a lot in terms of liberalising gas, adding that gas is a transition fuel for them.

He said, “The world economies have to be powered and gas is major transition fuel. So, we are focusing on lower sources of energy.

The PIA has really done a good job by liberalising gas.”

Also, Okunbor said the PIA has created an enabling environment for investment to thrive, noting that in the past, discussions had been about enduring certainty in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

He said industry players should take energy transition very important because of its impact on oil and gas, pointing out that over 55 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign earnings come from oil.

Ikeja Electric Advocates Sanctions against Activities under Power Lines ...Invests over N200m on safety equipment Ejiofor Alike Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), Nigeria’s largest electricity Distribution Company has cautioned members of the public to desist from erecting structures under power lines or carrying out activities and trading near electrical installation, which in effect exposes them to risk of electrocution.

The DisCo noted that proximity to installations such as transformer, electric poles or power lines contravenes the extant law, therefore people in such locations should vacate those areas urgently in order

to protect their lives and property.

According to the Head of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE) for Ikeja Electric (IE), Mr. Jamiu Badmos, the warning became necessary because it has been observed that such acts are perpetrated with impunity irrespective of the dangers associated with such violations.

He also noted that Ikeja Electric in line with its Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) policy consistently sensitizes customers on the dangers of trading and building near, around or under

power lines.

He also disclosed that the company has spent over N200million in the last one year on the purchase of different types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as organising interactive occupational health and safety training for employees, whilst also reiterating the company’s commitment to entrench a value driven safety culture that goes over and beyond safety requirements to build a world class safety conscious environment.

Speaking on the defiance of

the law guiding proximity to power installations, Badmos said that Section 3.1 of the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standards (NESIS) Regulation 2015 stipulates a mandatory distance of 5.5 meters, 15 meters and 25 meters setback from 33/11kV, 132kV and 330kV lines respectively.

However, some members of the public have continued to violate the law, making them vulnerable to the risk of unfortunate incidents, which sometimes result in fatalities.

“As a responsible and safety conscious organization, safety

enlightenment is top priority and we constantly sensitize members of the public on the dangers of improper handling of electrical issues through our Public Safety Sensitization Programme (PSSP).

This presents the opportunity to articulate the required safety measures such as appropriate rating of materials, proper installation and maintenance of earthing on buildings, curbing illegal technicians and vandalization of network infrastructure, dangers of building and trading under powerlines,” he explained.

Sanwo-Olu: We are Committed to Championing the Cause of Nature Conservation Ugo Aliogo and Kehinde Lawal The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his commitment to championing the cause of nature conservation for promoting sustainable environmental management in the state.

The governor spoke during the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Conservation Foundation powered 2021 Annual Walk for Nature, held simultaneously at Ikoyi-Obalende, Surulere and Ikeja Local Government Areas through the Special Adviser

on Drainage and Water Resources, Mr. Joe Igbokwe.

He stated that the State government would continue to safeguard biodiversity through the introduction of biodiversity laws.

He said the introduction of biodiversity laws would help protect and better manage wetland systems and Biodiversity generally in the State.

He described the theme for this year’s event: “Conserve Biodiversity, Sustain Humanity” as very apt, considering the alarming rate at

which the World’s biodiversity is constantly being threatened.

He explained that Biodiversity has to do with all varieties of life which includes their interactions with each other and the environment adding that human activities over the past few centuries have not only impacted the earth but had altered the course of nature via over-exploitation of other life forms and pollution.

He cited the United Nations Global Biodiversity Outlook Report 2020: “Humanity stands

at a crossroads with regards to the legacy it leaves to the future generations. Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate and the pressures during this decline are intensifying.”

The Chairman Executive Council Nigerian Conservation Foundation, (NCF) Chief Ede Dafinone, revealed that Biodiversity is the bedrock of human existence calling on all to live in partnership with nature.

He urged Lagosians to show love to themselves by caring for the Environment adding that Lagos

State Government and NCF will continue to propagate the message of Environmental Sustainability to the grassroot.

Earlier in a welcome address, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye noted that conserving biodiversity to sustain humanity is very essential considering the fact that biodiversity is essential to human health, wellbeing and prosperity.

NCC Harps on Continuous Dialogue to Tackle Telecoms’ Challenges Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stressed the need for continuous dialogues between the telecoms industry regulator and its various licensees in order to finding lasting solutions to issues negatively impacting licensee’s compliance with extant regulations.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, stated this at a telecoms forum in Lagos, organised recently by the NCC. The successful hosting of a similar forum in Kano in October this

year, led the hosting of the Lagos forum with the team: ‘Improving Stakeholders Satisfaction’.

The objective of the forum was to get direct feedback from licensees on how the commission, as a regulator, is meeting licensees’ expectations.

The programme was also designed to identify areas for regulatory improvement, highlight areas where licensees are defaulting as well as address critical industry challenges undermining full accomplishment of the set objectives for consolidating the gains in the telecoms sector.

According to Danbatta, who was represented at the forum by NCC’s

Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, the forum was orgainsed in keeping with NCC’s commitment to continually ensure regulator-licensee interactions to develop collaborative solutions and implementation programmes to the challenges of the telecom ecosystem.

“The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA, 2003) invests the NCC with powers and responsibilities for the regulation of both the technical and market-related aspects of telecoms infrastructure and services in Nigeria. We consider our role as regulator very vital to ensuring industry sustainability, because NCC

considers consultation as the lifeblood of regulation” the EVC emphasised,” Danbatta said.

Danbatta said such interactions would fit squarely within the five pillars of the commission’s Strategic Management Plan (2020-2024), which include Regulatory Excellence, Promotion of Universal Broadband Access, the Development of the Digital Economy, Facilitation of Market Development, and Strategic Partnering.

“Through regular interactions with our licensees, the Commission is able to gain valuable insights to enhance our regulatory output and enabled

us to drive excellence in consonance with the five pillars of our strategic vision for the industry as streamlined in the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 2021-2025,” he said.

The EVC also reinforced NCC’s belief that only through optional performance by the licensees will Nigeria be able to achieve the national objectives and targets in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 and other national policy instruments targeted at developing the nation’s digital economy ecosystem.

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NEWS

Flutterwave Set to Scale Small Businesses with E-Commerce Service Emma Okonji Flutterwave, Africa’s technology company, is set to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of its new e-commerce service, called Flutterwave Market.

The Flutterwave Market is an extension of Flutterwave Store, that will bring together, a collection of merchant stores in one location. Flutterwave Market brings e-commerce a step closer to the brand’s merchants and their customers.

The aim of the new Flutterwave Market is to help merchants reach new customers and ultimately increase sales and revenue.

This will not only make it for customers to shop from a range of Flutterwave Store merchants, but will also enable customers to

seamlessly shop across a variety of products from different businesses at their convenience.

The Flutterwave Market will display Flutterwave stores across various product categories and countries. It will include features such as product search, category display and country filter to help enhance the shopping experience.

The solution will display product categories such as men’s and women’s fashion, beauty and food, in line with the preferences of most shoppers on Flutter Store. Shoppers will be able to order products and have the products delivered at their preferred locations.

Recent data from Statista shows that as of 2020, the number of digital buyers in Africa experienced an increase to 281 million. The number of e-commerce users in the continent

is also estimated to grow significantly, reaching over 334 million in 2021.

By 2025, they could be about 520 million, almost doubling the number in 2019.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, said: “This is an exciting next chapter for the Flutterwave brand and we are excited to introduce this new marketplace experience to our merchants worldwide. Flutterwave Market is a fully functional e-commerce service that serves as a megastore where buyers can purchase a variety of goods from multiple sellers under one roof.”

According to Agboola, “Since the successful launch of Flutterwave Store, we have listened to our customers and acted on what they need to scale their businesses.

Launching the new marketplace will transform their business, taking it to the next stage of growth.

Flutterwave Market is for us a way to create endless possibilities for our Flutterwave Store users. We are not

merely aggregating existing stores, but we are repositioning them to make more sales.”

L-R: Guinness Nigeria Plc. Supply Chain Director, Isaac Tosu; Corporate Relations Director, Rotimi Odusola; British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones; President, Diageo Africa, John O’Keeffe and Guinness Nigeria Plc. Managing Director, Baker Magunda during the commissioning of the Guinness Nigeria’s new production line for Spirits, at the Ogba at the Ogba Brewery in Lagos... recently

Global Experts Share NewTrends in Mobile Camera in 2022 ‘Video is the Secret Sauce of Modern Branding’ Emma Okonji

Leading industry research analysts along with global experts in the field of optical imaging technology have shed light on what the smartphone industry can expect in 2022 with respect to mobile cameras, during a webinar titled “Global Mobile Camera Trends 2022: Innovation Talk”.

The global experts include TECNO, Samsung Electronics and DXOMARK and Counterpoint.

Discussions focused on how camera systems are evolving, and how they have become critical for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) as consumers place increasing importance on image capture.

Innovations such as the combination of quality image sensors and advanced software algorithms, light sensitivity, image and video

stabilization, and continuous lossless zoom have been highlighted by these industry players as Mobile camera trends to continue in the coming year.

The webinar was organised by leading technology research firm Counterpoint, with speakers from TECNO, a global smartphone brand focusing on rapid-growth in emerging markets; Samsung Electronics, a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies; and DXOMARK, an internationally renowned testing agency specializing in cameras, audio, displays, and batteries for consumer electronics.

Hosted by Counterpoint Research, its Vice President in charge of Research, Peter Richardson, joined otter speakers likeTarun Pathak, Hervé Macudzinski, Pan Xuebao, and Jimmy Hsu, to share their

insights on camera innovation, market trends, and the latest developments in imaging technology.

Tarun Pathak, research director for smartphones at Counterpoint, highlighted that burgeoning mid-end smartphones across both developed and emerging markets like Africa, Latin America and India will help form factors of quad-cameras and above to dominate. Mr. Pathak also sees “the combination of quality image sensors and advanced software algorithms allowing brands to deliver great imaging experiences across all smartphone price points.”

Samsung Electronics’ VP and Head of Research and Development, Pan Xuebao, said: “We are close to the point where smartphone brands can now deliver DSLRgrade photography in the hands of customers.”

Raheem Akingbolu

More marketers around the world now benefit from video content, especially on social media, said Rotimi Bankole, CEO of SBI Media, which hosts the annual SBI Media Workshop.

“For its retentive power, adaptability, and long shelf life, video delivers high returns on investment to brands all over the world,” he said.

For this reason, the second edition of the workshop, scheduled for November in Ikeja, Lagos will train young Nigerians on methods to break into the video storytelling business. With one smartphone, it is possible for a savvy youngster to launch shoot, edit, post videos to social media and eventually launch a

business, the organisers noted.

Currently, some of these ventures collectively constitute what marketers refer to as the influencer or creator economy, Bankole said. “If we look at the growth in the number of influencers in Nigeria from five years ago, it is evident that a major shift is happening in video. And that shift is encouraged by the willingness of brands to embrace video creators by entering into partnerships with them.”

Bankole points that even the United Nations now recognises the key role of the content creators in global wellbeing. Last year,” he said, “at the UN’s 74th General Assembly, they declared 2021 the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development because they believe

it is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world. The creative economy contributes three percent to global GDP, according to the UN.” The growing popularity of video among brand managers, Bankole added, is also due to the love that audiences have for it. “Across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, more and more social media users are creating and watching videos that, according to industry studies, on the average, people spendalmost seven hours every week watching videos on social media,” he said.

According to their website, the SBI Media Workshop, which is free to attend, hopes to train “young media entrepreneurs to identify, explore, and benefit from the modern media market.

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DEVELOPMENT

Addressing Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria Despite countless efforts by Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations to address female genital mutilation, the prevalence still remains high in some states. In this report Ugo Aliogo examines the issues driving the action

F

emale Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been identified as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. FGM is practiced in about 30 countries across Africa such as Central African Republic, Ghana, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Nigeria and others. Research has shown that FGM has the highest prevalence in Somalia and Djibouti.

However, Nigeria has been identified to share an overwhelming amount of burden as regards FGM/C. The Thomson Reuters Foundation reported FGM/C prevalence of 24.8% among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Furthermore, about 20 million women and girls have been mutilated or cut, which represents 10% of the global total.

In 2015, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act was passed and required domestication in each state. Some states have laws and policies against FGM, however, for some reason, citizens are unaware of these laws. Also, enforcement of FGM laws is reportedly low. The system for reportage of harmful practices, either intended or unintended is uncoordinated, causing citizens distrust of the system. Despite the efforts of stakeholders to end FGM practices in Nigeria, the prevalence remains high. Contributing to the continued practice of FGM are a dearth of intervention studies; lack of coordinating agencies particularly for FGM; inadequate systems for law enforcement of FGM/C practice; lack of public awareness of FGM policies and laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. Civil Society Organizations have contributed immensely towards advocating against FGM practices, however, existing anti-FGM groups and CSOs are not strengthened towards advocating for policy implementations and enforcement in Nigeria. Another critical stakeholder imperative to bringing to the fore the end of FGM is the media. Despite the vast presence of media, it has been argued that the reportage of FGM/C cases has been extremely low.

The economic benefits of ending FGM is centered on reducing the cost of treatment for damages caused during the mutilation and after the mutilation process.

Considering the low enrollment of citizens on health insurance schemes, it is almost certain that accessing healthcare for the treatment of FGM-related complications may lead an individual and her family into a catastrophic out-of-pocket payment which may plunge them below the poverty line. Furthermore, Sustainable Development Goal 5 which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, strongly advocates ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

Women and girls should have the right to make decisions over their bodies. Due to certain cultural norms, especially in Southwest Nigeria, some girls and even worse, pregnant women are mutilated. In some societies, it is believed that FGM/C reduces a woman’s libido, thereby curbing extramarital affairs. By ending FGM, especially through policies and law enforcement, women will have the right to make decisions over what happens to their bodies, regardless of age-long cultural or family practice.

Over the years, HACEY Health Initiative has implemented projects centered on the health and productivity of women and girls in Nigeria. In 2017, the Organization launched the EndFGM Initiative, an innovative project that targeted 16 communities across three States in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria. The initiative which is known as the Stopcut project, employed the human-centered design approach to assist over 50 key community influencers and 150 women, youth groups and three media organisations across three States. The key activities of the project were; community mobilization, capacity building, awareness creation, dialogue sessions and Focus Group Discussions. HACEY’s programmes has seen young mothers becoming activists to protect their daughters, perpetrators giving up their trade to speak against the practice, uncircumcised ladies being accepted socially, circumcised ladies telling their stories as a form of activism and community leaders denouncing FGM. In 2020, HACEY initiated the StopCut project in three

of the States with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria - Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States, with the aim to protect women and girls in the states from FGM by creating awareness on existing protective laws and policies, and promoting their effective implementation. The project also aims to reduce FGM practice through advocacy, capacity building, research and education strategies in communities.

The Stopcut project has engaged and trained state and community key stakeholders to advocate for the enforcement of FGM laws and policies, created awareness on FGM and promoted increased reporting of FGM incidents. The project has trained 96 media personnel, engaged 274 traditional and community leaders in 72 Communities in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States.

THISDAY spoke to the Gender and Gender Based Violence Specialist, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, Dr. Zubaida Abubakar, who stated that the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that the FGM prevalence in the country is on a downward trend and it is reported at 20% (down 5% points from the 2013 NDHS data) among women age 15-49.

She also noted that NDHS report further showed that FGM among girls is most common among girls whose mothers were cut (56 per cent), whose mothers have no education (24 per cent), and those from the poorest households (27 per cent).

UNFPA’S ROLE

UNFPA is the global lead for the Joint UNFPA – UNICEF programme on the elimination of FGM. It is a multi-country multi-million-dollar initiative supported by several donor countries. Nigeria joined the programme in 2013 working across five States that at the time were noted to have the highest prevalence of FGM. She further explained that in addressing FGM, the UNFPA uses a multi-pronged approach which includes high level advocacy championed by the Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, policy and guidelines formulation and dissemination such as the recently revised National Policy and Plan of Action for the Elimination of FGM in Nigeria and the National Protocol for the clinical management of the complications of FGM. She stated that UNFPA also worked closely with NGOs and CSOs to mobilise multi-stakeholder

community action for abandonment, build capacity for social, health and legal services for survivors and building the agency of girls and women as champions and advocates for abandonment, “this is done also through engaging religious and community leaders, men and boys as well women leaders in the community.”

She added that to address medicalisation, UNFPA has been engaging medical associations and their regulatory bodies to deter medical professionals from engaging in the practice, “and to categorically sensitise that FGM has no Health Benefits and is a harmful practice.”

THE ROLE OF NGOS

Abubakar lauded NGOs and CSOs for their work in raising awareness around the harmful effects of FGM and the need to eliminate the harmful practice in the country.

She espoused that UNFPA works closely with some of the NGOs as implementing partners as they are closer to the grass-root and can engage the communities effectively due to their understanding of the culture.

“For the joint programme, the coordination at the State level is under the chair of the State Ministries of Health and co-chaired by the State Ministries of Women Affairs. It would be beneficial for them to build coalitions and synergy with other actors in order to increase state-wide impact beyond what the joint programme supports,” Abubakar said.

FGM AS A SOCIAL STIGMA

UNFPA classifies FGM as a harmful practice because it deprives women and girls of their basic human rights including the right to health (including sexual and reproductive health) and right to bodily integrity.

Abubakar’s position on FGM is that it is carried out without the consent of the survivors and therefore denies them their right to bodily autonomy – choosing what they do with their bodies.

She argued that FGM is a form of gender inequality as the social norms that drive the practice are perpetuated to subjugate women and girls either to allegedly subdue promiscuity or to make them marriage eligible.

UNFPA Gender Specialist stated: “FGM also

confers inheritance rights and is performed as part of the process of social integration and is associated with social significance for females as women can only achieve recognition and economic security through marriage and childbearing.

“Unfortunately, these cannot be achieved without the rite of passage into womanhood which occurs when a woman is cut. Most women therefore force their daughters to undergo FGM to protect them from being ostracized, shamed or beaten. Some other beliefs that perpetrate FGM include the narrative that women who have not been cut are promiscuous, unclean, unattractive, and will be unable to find a husband.

Hence, studies have shown that FGM is perceived to promote hygiene, improve female attractiveness, enhance fertility and male sexual pleasure.

“Even after marriage, it is widely believed that uncut girls have the tendency to be unfaithful to their husbands.

The acceptance of FGM by women may reflect the powerful influence of tradition and normalisation of the practice as a necessary and even a natural part of life. In South-East Nigeria, the practice of FGM is linked with respect; women who have undergone FGM are accorded respect and it is done to satisfy the community norms around respect. There are also many myths that perpetuate this practice that the joint programme is working to rectify through sensitisation and information sharing.

“Nigeria is a huge country and the people that perpetuate this act are deeply entrenched in the socio-cultural norms that make them believe this practice is acceptable. However, as far back as 2013, the federal government believed the eradication of FGM to be a harmful act and at that time commissioned the first National policy. Many States followed suit with State-grown laws against GBV and FGM. Since then, the government has also passed the VAPP 2015 Act and this specifically mentions FGM as a criminal act and lays out the penalty not only for those that commit the act, but also aid. As we are aware, many States have domesticated the VAPP Act into Law. As with GBV, what we now need is a stronger drive to implement the law and prosecute perpetrators. We also would like to see more commitment to not only have budget lines to address the practice (and other forms of GBV and harmful practices such as Child Marriage) but also for funding allocated to be released and used. This would augment the catalytic funding from the joint programme.”

ERICSSON PREDICTS 4.4BN GLOBAL 5G SUBSCRIPTIONS BY 2027, SAYS MOBILE DATA TRAFFIC INCREASED 300-FOLD IN 10YRS end of 2016. New forecasts reveal that total mobile network data traffic is likely to reach 370EB by the end of 2027.”

The report also revealed that the nature of mobile connections was

changing rapidly, contributing to the ongoing rise in mobile data traffic.

It added, “Broadband Internet of Things (IoT) has now surpassed 2G/3G as the segment that connects the largest share of IoT applications.

It is expected to account for 47 per cent of all cellular IoT connections by the end of 2021, compared to 37 per cent for 2G/3G and 16 per cent for Massive IoT technologies.”

The report said new forecasts have

reaffirmed the rapid acceleration of massive IoT deployments in coming years, “spanning use cases such as e-health wearables, logistical asset tracking, environmental monitoring and smart metres,

and smart manufacturing tracking and monitoring devices. Massive IoT deployments are forecast to account for 51 per cent of all cellular IoT connections by 2027.

In the same forecast period, FWA

connections are forecast to grow almost threefold, from 88 million by the end of 2021, to around 230 million in 2027. Almost half of these connections are expected to be carried over 5G networks.”

TOP NIGERIAN AGENCIES MAY LOSE PRACTICING LICENCE OVER FAILURE TO MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS Nigeria (NIMN) Act, which guides the professional conduct of all marketing professionals in Nigeria, has set up a special project team to review the NIMN Act. According to the Institute, the council at the meeting of the ‘Body of Fellows,’ held recently, inaugurated the special team.

It added that it has solicited the

input of the ‘Body of the Fellows’ in the review exercise through making suggestions/recommendations on sections of the Act that should be amended.

Registrar, NIMN, Sydney Ogbodo, while shedding light on the planned review of the Act, revealed that it was enacted in 2003 by an Act of parliament for

the great Institute to make rules and regulations that will guide the professional practice and conduct of marketing professionals in Nigeria.

“The purpose of the Institute is to be relevant to its stakeholders, and the review of the Act is to make the Institute more relevant so that whatever constraint that

the Council or the Institute is having will be addressed with the amendment of the Act, ”Ogbodo said.

The Registrar mentioned that the Act has served the institute for eighteen years, noting that ‘waters have passed under the bridge’ within the period in question.

His words: “We need to review

the Act to be in tune with modern realities in the society. Having operated the Act, we have seen some shortcomings in terms of innovation. We need to review and amend it to be updated so that it can continue to serve the needs of the Institute and members.”

Ogbodo explained that the Institute has sent the copy of the

Act to members of the Body of Fellows, asking them to review and suggest areas that should be amended based on their experience.

The copy, he said, will be submitted back to the council on 22 October 2021, after which it will be sent to the National Assembly to re-establish it.

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INTERVIEW

‘Cybersecurity Solutions Will Mitigate Organisational Threat’ Chief Executive Officer of Ethnos IT Security Solutions Limited, Mr. Peter Ejiofor, speaks about the company’s contributions to cybersecurity in the last ten years and why organisations must take cybersecurity seriously in order to mitigate threat. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: How will you describe the contributions of Ethnos IT Security Solutions in addressing security in the cyberspace and what has been your greatest moment as you celebrate ten years of operations as an IT Security solution provider? s a company, we were designed to provide security solutions to organisations, businesses and others. As technology keeps evolving, we came to the knowledge that security is the backbone of technology. We cannot talk about technology advancement without thinking of how to secure our business assets and human-to-human engagements. We at Ethnos IT Solutions have grown with the growth of technology. Today, technology is looking at artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, metaverse, digital transformation, holography and many others. We have grown with these new technologies and also improved in our capacity and skillset to support our customers as they consume these technologies.

We have grown our market base and personnel. In terms of global technical engagements, we have grown also, and that is our journey in the last ten years of operations. Someone said if I survive five years it means we would be in business for long and thank God we have survived these five years and we are ten today. Ten years has been a good experience for us.

We have our ups and downs but we keep evolving with technology.

find in our logo shows a network of our customers.

If you look at it clearly, it is not broken, and what we meant here is that our customers are safeguarded and we are supplying the livewire they need to grow. We wanted that to reflect in our logo as a problem-solving organisation.

A

Are you focused in B2B relationship or B2C relationship as it pertains to cybersecurity business?

Currently, we have a wealth of experience and we have changed our thinking and vision as a company. What we do now is to solve real problems for organisation and we are not limited in our thinking. We are not limited in any area of cybersecurity. Companies and organisations are on a journey as it pertains to business and we come in to solve problems for organisations in terms of security. We are no longer at this stage delivering products, but solving problems. For some customers, we evaluate them, some we train them and improve their cyber hygiene culture, some we deploy technologies to control their touchpoints, some we help on their regulatory compliance and certification journeys. We do firewall, application security, database security or perimeter security. So, we look at businesses and implement threat management and we have platforms that we can plugin your environment and help you control and detect threats from internet exposure to data base. We detect and remediate these threats. We also conduct threat hunting and keep checking on what hackers will look out for, and we detect it before the hackers strike. We specialise in solving problems for customers regardless of what they are doing.

What is penetration and vulnerability testing, and how do you carry out the procedures for companies?

Penetration and vulnerability tests are the first tests that we carry out to detect any unauthorised access into a system or network, and we always do that for customers before we implement anything.

We first assess your threat and risk level, then we do what we call threat assessment, which is the first level that we take. Currently, we are conducting vulnerability and assessment testing for most of the stockbrokers as required by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

What do you think about security breaches in Nigerian banking system?

There is a roadmap from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to all banks on the levels of protection that should be in place. They have gone to define some framework that the banks must have, and they are also looking at mobile environment such as mobile applications. If the CBN defines a roadmap, then

What has been your experience as a CEO of a technology solution firm in the last ten years?

As a Chief Executive Officer of my organisation and the leader of the team, I have learnt a lot of things. As a person, I have learnt to create a platform for people to thrive. We recently created an academy where people are recruited and made to know the rudiments of cybersecurity. We created a platform that will have skills available to the young ones and we trained them at no charges. We are building a platform of security experts. We are also a strong and bonded team and we encourage people to try and explore the evolving technology space. Opportunities abound in the technology market and we encourage people to take advantage of them. I also learnt that you just have to put in your best strategically and see where life takes you to. I enjoy what I do it is no longer like a work to me but a lifestyle. So my experience in the last ten years as CEO is a learning curve and it has been awesome.

E jiofor banks must follow them because they are developed from expert experience and advice.

So, banks must follow these guidelines. I am not aware that the Nigerian government has enacted a law that compels every organisation to make their breaches public. This is what a responsible government must do. Banks are making huge efforts and investment to protect their data and that of their customers.

I do sympathise with them because as they borrow new frameworks and technologies, they sometimes run into difficulties and no organisation is breach proof and I know that the banks and CBN are not sleeping either.

What about independent merchants and those deploying mobile apps?

As of the merchants, I don’t know how much regulatory frameworks are into this area.

People are spinning out all kinds of mobile app, depending on what they are offering and these apps collate critical information from people and we do not know how they store and process it.

We do not know the level of investment and I do not know how they do their source code analysis. We know how much source code analysis cost. The criticality of source code environment determines how strong the app is and criminals are now looking in that direction to launch attacks.

So there is a need to regulate them because if the apps are vulnerable, the users will be in trouble.

What do you think about government and the public sector engagement in terms of cybersecurity and what can government do to protect public businesses?

In any business, you have to know that there is what is called ‘focus’. Our focus as a business is to offer solutions to private businesses, and it is easier and faster to deal with the organised private sector. Government isn’t an easy client to deal with; we do not want to be distracted while chasing or engaging with government. We know the political side of it and we are apolitical as a firm. If the government wants to engage us, we are open to consultancy but as per chasing government contracts, we are strictly focused on private sector. However, we are engaging with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as well as the Data Protection Regulator Organisations that have been certified

by NITDA. We want the lawmakers to make law on security of critical public infrastructure.

There are couple of experts who are speaking to government in that regard and we believe that it will come out positive.

What must have necessitated the recent change of your corporate logo?

When we started as a company, we wanted to create an identity but as we have come of age, we tweaked our logo a bit to reflect whom we are as of today. The concept of the circle you

How did you gain market acceptance during your early years as an indigenous technology firm?

Well, it is mindset, which has become cultural where Nigerians believe that foreign firms are better but we met some Nigerians who were of different opinion and they gave us a chance and here we are today. The industry has grown today; we were early birds that came to the industry when it was young and green. The security industry has grown so wide and today a lot of people have joined and the industry has grown large.

What sets us apart from others is that we do not only provide products but we provide services. We go to companies with questions like; what have you tried and failed? What are your plans for security? What fears do you nurse and what are your plans going forward? We help organisations answer these questions and even equip the people with skillset. We help organisations to optimize their products. These are few of the things that sets us apart. We appreciate those that gave us a chance during the early days. A good number of Nigerian companies died off due to the unacceptability of their products, because many business owners think that foreign firms are better. Some companies are built from scratch to survive and we are built to stay in business and provide the business environment for many others to thrive and grow.

What are your future expectations and that of Ethnos IT Security Solutions Limited?

Currently, we are running a platform that allows us to conduct detection and response. It is a managed service that is focused on threat hunting. We want to grow that platform and use it to provide cost effective security protection for many organisations.

We want to expand our capacity and give people opportunity to express themselves and contribute to protecting national assets. Cyberspace is getting more dangerous everyday and with software everywhere, we have houses, watches, phones and a whole lot that is powered by software and because software is everywhere, it means that risk is everywhere. We want to stay relevant and ensure that these software applications are protected because they carry critical information from health, flight, defense, education, to financial, among others.

Data Scientists Network to Train 1m Microsoft Unveils Keys to Unlock Nigerians, Enable 2bn Africans Hybrid Work with Office 365 Emma Okonji

Data Scientists Network (DSN) formerly known as Data Science Nigeria has restated its commitment to train one million Nigerians in digital skills and impact two billon people from the African emerging markets with its technology solutions in the areas of health, agriculture and other sectors that will enhance the quality of people from the African emerging markets in the next five years.

Aside training, DSN has developed technology solutions that are driving business operations in organisations and financial institutions like the banks.

DSN made the commitment in Lagos recently, while celebrating five years of its operations in Nigeria as a technology training platform.

Founder and CEO of Data Scientist Network, Dr, Bayo Adekanmbi, while thanking his team for their commitment in the last five years, said DSN would continue to impact on learners in Nigeria and beyond, having established its presence in 49 countries.

“From January next year, we will restructuring our learning platform into a centralised learning platform, where all our established centres around the world can connect as

we will build weekly learning platform that anyone, anywhere can connect to. We will be partnering with global experts in different parts of the world to facilitate the initiative. The idea is to change the narrative of emerging markets and position Nigeria as the centralised learning hub,” Adekanmbi said.

Addressing the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on technology solutions, Adekanmbi explained that AI would not only enhance Information and Communications Technology (ICT), but it would also increase productivity in agriculture, telecommunications, manufacturing and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Emma Okonji Microsoft has released three keys that can unlock hybrid work and make work more flexible for workers to remain on their jobs for a longer period of time and become more productive.

This is coming at a time when about 40 per cent of the global workforce are considering leaving their current jobs in 2021.

Dubbed hybrid work, the new prevailing approach sees employees being given the freedom and flexibility to divide their time between working in an office and working remotely.

A recent Work Trend Index Report from Microsoft shows that flexible work is here to stay.

Based on surveys from over 30 000 workers, in 31 countries, and drawing on data pulled from applications like Teams, Outlook and Office 365, the report also reveals that hybrid work is hard.

Speaking at the virtual Microsoft 365 Summit: Future of Hybrid Work event, which held recently, the Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa Multi-Country Region at Microsoft, Ibrahim Youssry, explained that companies must approach this next phase of

work quite carefully because it will fundamentally impact who stays, who goes, and who seeks to join their teams.

According to Youssry, one must not forget that the mass move to remote working has had several downsides. For starters, an influx of virtual meetings and digital communication is causing employees to experience digital exhaustion. And a lack of spontaneous interaction can result in very siloed thinking because there is little opportunity for people from different teams to collaborate around how to solve a problem or to share creative ideas.

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INTERVIEW

Adisa: Beyond Awards, Creative Works Should Impact Businesses The Chief Executive Officer at Noah’s Ark Communications, Mr. Lanre Adisa, in this interview with Raheem Akingbolu, speaks on contemporary issues in the local advertising industry, including how Nigerian agencies have fared in recent times in continental and global competitions.

Stopcut campaign continues so that we would be able to influence societal thinking to stop some tradition for the betterment of our young girls and women.

Businesses appear to be shaking off the negative impact of the COVID-19 and lockdown era. How has it been for the creative industry? bviously, the world is already waking up from the effects of the COVID-19 especially as it regards businesses. Just a few days ago, the US allowed fully vaccinated Europeans, especially, to come to the United States. There are so many policies around the world that are relaxing the restrictions on the pandemic. Even here in Nigeria, the government has started allowing people to move around even though there might still be some COVID-19 protocols to observe. But by and large, the world is waking up again to business and we can see the effects of that as regards the creative industry. Clients are a lot more active now than they were when the pandemic started last year. It is a very good development for us, knowing how bad that heat has been in Nigeria with the combination of the forex scenario which is coming down by the way and unfortunately the inflation that we have been battling with. So, being able to do business, being able to have been across strata are all enough to convince us that things are picking up. As I speak, we have a prospect from Ghana who has been having a conversation with a colleague of mine. That tells you that yes; the world is already waking up.

O

A few years back, there was the fears that digital revolution and advancement in technology would negatively affect creativity. With the growth of the industry in recent times, it seems the reverse is the case. What’s your view?

It was never a threat for starters. I don’t know who saw it as a threat. It was an opportunity to grow our industry, to reach out to more people. How many of our young people buy newspapers today? Forget about young people, I don’t buy anymore. And that’s the reality. I have not bought one this year. I’m sorry. But I follow you online.

I do things online. And that’s where the world is today.

So it was never a threat. It is a new platform, a new way of communicating; a new medium. And like anything new, it would only take the adopters the opportunity to see whether it is working or not. On our side, on clients’ side, clients were reluctant at the beginning. They needed to be sure that this thing could really deliver. But now, we have seen that if you follow the money, a substantial part of what used to be our advertising budget, is going towards that direction. So it should not be seen as a threat.

It’s about up-skilling. If you don’t have the capacity to avail you’re the brands in your care, you have to invest in that. So if there is anything, it has made it easier for us to reach our emerging audience and even audiences that have been there before. It is measurable more than anything else, which is welcome to clients. So if anybody saw it as a threat, I think they misread the future. It is a big opportunity for us to expand our coast.

In recent times, Noah’s Ark has become one of the most celebrated agencies within and outside Nigeria; considering the number of awards it has raked in.

What’s the magic?

I think like any human endeavor, you have to be clear about what you want to do from the beginning. Our aim was not to win awards but to create works that would do wonders in promoting the brands in our care, which would help them to unlock opportunities that would give them a fair advantage over their competitors. You and I know that when you do work like that, it would stand out, it would be resolute, and when that happens, it is very likely that it would also attract people who are looking for excellent work. That’s why the awards are not our target in the work that we do. The primary reason for doing the work is that we want to be valuable partners to our clients, both current and prospective.

The client is not going to come to us because we win awards. The clients would come to us because they know that the work that we do can have a big and positive impact on their businesses. If we are not doing that, that’s our primary reason for being, then we are fooling ourselves.

The awards come as byproducts, so to say, from what we’ve been doing. For you to win those awards, you have to also be outstanding. I can give you an example.

For instance, there is a Cannes Effectiveness award and what they do with it is that they look at what you have done in the previous year, and they enter them into the next year to see what impact this particular set of work did for those brands. And based on that, it is interesting that they can see from the data that the award-winning work delivers more, in terms of sales and opportunities for the brands, than those that did not win awards. There is also that feeling in the industry that oh, people just do this to win awards, and because they win awards, that’s being selfish on their part. But no, those awards-winning ads resonated more with the consumers and delivered for the brands more than anything else. So, that’s the kind of work that we do when we have an opportunity to do.

Yes, we do win awards, no apologies about that because the primary reason for doing them is that they win the consumers over and when we win the consumers, it is very likely that we win also awards.

10 years ago, the narrative was that the factors that were militating against local agencies from winning international awards were difficult to surmount, few years after, Noah’s Ark and a few agencies broke

Adisa the jinx. What actually happened and what has Noah’s Ark done differently?

For starters, one of the reasons for starting the agency was to serve as a form of intervention, let me put it that way. If you look at the continent, you have South Africa and even Mozambique doing very well. You go to east Africa; recently, Kenya has also been able to register itself on that table. In North Africa, Egypt and Tunisia are there. But when it comes to West Africa, nobody was there for West Africa; nobody was speaking for West Africa. And we have advertising in this part of the world too like other places. We can go back to when Lintas was founded as a West African Publicity Company as far back as 1928. So we are close to about 100 years of advertising in Nigeria. That was exactly the same year that advertising was started in India. For me, that was a motivation. Where is India today, where is Nigeria?

So the motivation was that we want to place this country and by extension this region on that global stage. That we speak the same language, we meet all these people at the international fora. We want the world to hear our own voices, our own stories by telling stories that anybody anywhere in the world can relate with but they are specifically meant to relate with the Nigerian audience or West African audience. That is what we have set out to do and it was deliberate. We are also deliberate in our agenda setting to say you know what; what and what do we need to do. Remember, we are the first to be featured in the Luerzer’s Archive; this archive is the best of the best around the world which comes out every other months. The work that goes inside the archive is meant to inspire the rest of the world.

We were the first to do that as far back as 2011 or thereabouts. So it was deliberate and in doing that we have clients telling us they want to be there as well. So we tell them if you want to be there, you have got to create work that is standard. You don’t pay to get into it. It is the quality of your work that would get you into it. So we are the agency that was deliberate from the beginning about agenda setting for creativity, not just for ourselves, but for our industry. And we can see the fruits of that as we speak today. So, again, no magic. It is just about being deliberate and knowing that this is what we need to give to our industry. We all need that respect for our industry. We need prestige for our industry.

We need our clients to respect what we do and for us to be able to be in tune with the rest of the world.

As a matter of fact, our vision statement from the beginning is that we want to be the leading most successful brand builders out of Africa. We are not saying that we want to be the most awards-winning agency in Africa. No. We want to be in the league of the most successful brands builders out of Africa.

And we are trying our best every passing day to fulfill that vision.

Is Noah’s Ark the only agency that applied from this part of the world and what have you been doing to raise the bar and clinch the trophy at the continental award ceremony?

I can’t speak to that. Even though I am a member of the Loeries committee, I am not privy to knowing how many agencies entered from West Africa. I believe not only Noah’s Ark that entered; I believe so because there was a campaign to encourage agencies to enter

for the Award. Of course, agencies did enter from Nigeria, from West Africa. But I must tell you, I was to go to South Africa as a member of the committee, but for certain reasons, I couldn’t make it. So I just found out from the CEO of Loeries that we have won. He said to me you have done very well.

Anybody winning at the Loeries this year is very commendable because the stage was very high. I was on the Loeries jury, and I know that the stage is very high. So even if you made the final list as a shortlisted work to be a finalist is commendable.

So, to win any piece of metal is quite commendable.

That was what he said. So I believe other agencies did enter, knowing that the standard of the Loeries.

It is not just about South Africa, the jurors come from other parts of the world as well. The standards are very high.

I would be very happy to see other agencies win as well. We want more representations; we want more agencies from West Africa to get interested.

We wish that our agency represents West Africa. I believe that will happen soon. I believe this would inspire other agencies. This is not our first time of winning Loeries. The last time was in 2018. We won two awards at that edition. Before us, talking about the fact that it is about recreation, DBB was the first to win, that was the year before us. We need to have more success stories winning at international fora. Remember about the same 2018 or 2019, the commercial for Airtel; Amin won us the agency of the year at the Crystal. So these are the things we need to do and must continue doing them.

The agency won bronze in the print category with the campaign called ‘The StopCut Project’, can you tell us about the thrust of the campaign and the objective?

There is something about us as an agency. We don’t limit ourselves in any way. We don’t limit ourselves saying something like oh we have this brief from that client and that’s all that is to life, let’s carry on. We always wanted to add values; we always wanted to influence our community where we are. We always want to look out for opportunities.

Probably you can recall the work that we did back then when we embarked on the ‘BokoHalal’ campaign, which was a big project of ours. We have always wanted to do a thing like that that can impact the society, that can bring out the light of things that people cannot even perhaps think about. So the FGM thing, Female Genital Mutilation has always been with us. So our team was thinking about the pertinent issues around it. A girl-child situation is something that should concern all of us, especially in regards to campaigning to stop some tradition that inhibits their development or progress in life.

That was what led to that. After we thought about the idea, we decided to go and look for a partner who is also working actively in that space. So we found one in Hesse, the NGO that we partnered with. We completed the work and sent it to them.

They liked what we did. They coordinated it in a webinar to commemorate the World FGM day.

The wife of Ooni of Ife, was part of that particular forum as well as other international personalities.

The Stopcut is beyond just a print ad, it is a course and about making a statement. Like I said, it came from our initiative and we found a partner, facing the issue and hoping that it doesn’t stop there. The

Going back to the industry, what can you say about the challenge of talent retention plaguing the Marketing Communications landscape?

It is a problem that has always been with us and we know that. I think we also know the solution to that problem, but we have not done enough in applying solutions to it.

To me, the major solution is to create more rooms for fresh talents to come on board. That would only come from training them, because otherwise, we all suffer it. If we don’t have enough talents, the few that we have will keep getting recycled from agency A to B, C, D. Nobody gains except the guys who are moving around like a piece of football. I believe that the industry is already alive to that. As a matter of fact, apart from one or two individuals who are doing some training, AAAN has always had this thing about training academy. This year, with this new exco, the Adcademy, as they call it, has started doing some training. So is it enough? Not really, but it is the beginning. I believe a lot of young people need to be given a chance to come on board.

Outside of that channel, every agency should have a policy or initiative that would encourage young people to come on board as interns, trainees. Some agencies do that. We do that as well. We need more people to do that so that we bring in young people in. We need them to be onboard.

This country is buzzling with creative talents as you can see in the music industry, film industry, comedy and all of that. So why can’t we attract them to come into advertising? It is perhaps the best opportunity they have to express themselves. You create a work that people would see or hear every day. That’s a great privilege. We need to do enough of selling ourselves to the young people by creating rooms for them. I think that is the key thing. If you look at countries like India, talent is easier to come by because they’re on training. When you have a lot of talent, the cost of hiring becomes more reasonable than what or where we are today.

You have worked on great brands like MTN, Airtel, among others. What determines your attraction to brands/clients?

These things work in different ways, but the kind of clients we would like to work for are clients with clear ambition in terms of what they want to achieve. We also have our own ambition. We want to be able to say while we came onboard a particular brand, we were able to achieve xyz, even if we have to leave it tomorrow, but for that period we worked on the brand, hopefully, we don’t have to leave.

It is important that on our side or the client’s side, there’s an ambition to move from point A to point B. That’s when we can bring our best talent to bear.

We desire and love a good problem, a good marketing problem that brings out the best in us. Then we can go back and say, see what we did. To us, that’s very important.

We don’t want to just do it for the money; we want to do it for the impact more than any other thing. That’s a big attraction to us. When we find clients like that, we always hold onto them.

Finally, if you are asked to name one campaign you have handled in recent time that excites you most and impacts on the bottom line of your client’s business, which one will you single out?

That is a tough question. It is like you are asking out of your children, which of them you love the most. It is a difficult one because for me, I cherish the experience of tackling a problem. No matter how small that brand might be, it means a lot more to us. That we are able to crack it is very worthy to us. I just look back over the years in terms of my career, I pack that aside and look at Noah’s Ark, we have done quite some interesting things for couples of clients that we are very proud of. For instance, starting from our first major client, Indomie, it was an exciting moment. That was a big brand, but they were able to bring a young agency up and still turn things around that everybody is talking about today and grow the brand to the extent that the brand has now taken the group to where they are today, attracting international brands. I am proud of that. I am proud of what we’ve done for FrieslandCampina’ s ‘Three Crown’. Who could have thought that the ‘Three Crown’ would be what it is today? We engaged the Three Crown for about seven years ago, and like they say, the rest is now history. That has been history in terms of turning things around, and other smaller businesses. Of late, of course, everybody wants to talk about Airtel. We have been on Airtel and we are very proud of the brand being able to give it a turnaround in terms of image and impact and being able to make it a reference point in its industry and beyond.

Now, we see the brand going to a point where it’s on the Lagos Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange. The CEO that we started working with is now the CEO for Africa.

These are signs of success and we are proud of them as our partners. There are a whole lot of them that we are still yet to unearth. We do get a lot of referrals. People call to say we like what you are doing for this particular brand and that we would like to work with you. Like I said I can’t just say this is the best. Every work we have done has got a role to play in shaping us as an agency.

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T H I S D AY ˾ , DECEMBER 2, 2021

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Improving National Workplace Policies for Exclusive Breastfeeding

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

Despite emphasis on importance of exclusive breastfeeding for infants during their first six months of birth, Sunday Ehigiator reports that Nigerian working mothers are expected to return to work after six weeks or at best, three months afterwards, thus jeopardising the general well-being of mother and child

I

n recent years, there has been renewed attention to the central role that clinicians and healthcare institutions can play to support women in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding through the first year of their infant’s life.

There has been, however, considerably less focus on how to support the breastfeeding needs of new mothers who return to work, particularly those who go back shortly after the birth of their infant.

While many women intend to continue breastfeeding when they go back to work, about one-third report exclusive breastfeeding as a major challenge.

The Labour Act The Labour Act provides that a pregnant female worker (legally married or not) is entitled to six weeks leave period before her expected delivery Date (EDD), and another six weeks after delivery, making a total of 12 weeks.

It also provides that a female worker who has been in employment for a period of six months or more immediately before the maternity leave shall be entitled to at least 50 per cent of her salary during the duration of the maternity leave.

The Act also provides that any employee nursing her child is to be permitted half an hour, twice a day, during working hours for the purpose of breastfeeding her child.

Workplace Reality of a Nursing Mother in Nigeria Speaking with THISDAY, a first-time mother, Mrs. Yewande Anifowose, who was blessed with two boys, a set of twins, narrated her ordeals in the hands of her employee in Lagos school, barely some days before and after putting to bed.

“My name is Mrs. Yewande Anifowose. I am married, and a mother to loving boys (twins). I am a graduate of the University of Lagos, with a BSc. Honours in Zoology (Applied Entomology).

“I got married, in December 2019, and I didn’t get pregnant until about March 2020. My joy knew no bound when I got the news I’ll be birthing twins after the first scan we did in July 2019 showed this.

“At this time, I was already teaching in the junior and senior secondary section of the school (name withheld). I discovered I was pregnant just a week to the lockdown that was enforced in Lagos state in March 2020.

“Following the lockdown, both teachers and students were compelled to stay at home.

Although I was working from home, teaching classes online via WhatsApp, and emails, which I voluntarily took part despite the excruciating signs and symptoms of being pregnant “The school finally resumed in September 2020, and I resumed back to school heavily pregnant. In fact my EDD was November 7, 2020, it was close.

“I decided not to apply for maternity leave immediately just because I felt it will be unjust to leave work considering the number of months of teaching from home, and also I have the interest of my students at heart, so I kept on working up until November, few days to my EDD before I officially applied for maternity leave.

“I began my leave on November 2, and I put to bed on November 7, 2020, through

Caesarian Section (CS). My husband was really against me resuming back to work because it was close to my EDD and the gynecologist had already recommended a CS as a result of the breech presentation.

“So I applied for a paid maternity leave with my scan result attached to the letter, as required by the school management, a week to my delivery date but the school only approved two months instead of three weeks as provided by the NLA. “A week after I put to bed, which is on the naming ceremony day (according to Christian norms), the school sent a delegate to me bearing a letter and a token of N2,500 as gifts for my children.

“In the letter, they asked me to confirm to them at least four weeks (a month) before the two months maternity I was given elapse, if I won’t or will be able to resume to work.

“The school made it clear to me that the growth of the establishment was paramount to the delivery of my children or my health (as I was still recovering from the CS).

“I was asked to send in my resignation if I won’t be able to resume after the two months leave elapses, as my delivery won’t be a reason for their step back, but can be a reason I become jobless despite all my sacrifices to the school.

“I was compelled to write back to the school with a resignation letter, explaining that I would have loved to resume if an extension to my leave period would be possible as I am yet to recover/heal from the CS and I also love to give my kids exclusive breastfeeding for at least three months.

“But since they demanded a resignation letter not less than four weeks to expected resumption date, it became unavoidable and mandatory to resign.

“Unfortunately after my resignation which should be official after my maternity leave period elapsed, I didn’t get a payment for the two months period I was home, which was approved for my leave.

“I called on the school management if there was an error to this but instead I was passed across the board to different administrators until I demanded to speak with the proprietor about the payment omissions, then she told me I should have resumed if I needed the payment rather than resigning.

“I was shocked to hear such a statement from a woman that is a mother like me and of whom I held in high esteem. Eventually

I was not paid a dime, and that was how I lost my job simply because I gave birth, and I made the hard choice of giving my children exclusive breastfeeding.

“But it didn’t end there. Few months after my husband tried securing a job for me elsewhere, but I needed to present a reference letter from my previous employer.

So I wrote to the school management to request for a reference, but I was denied one.

“After so much pestering I was asked to meet with the proprietress if she will honor it, apparently it was a way to discourage me so I stopped pestering. This prevented the opportunity of getting the employment offer my husband tried securing for me.

“Losing my job as a result of child birth and care period brought a stigma to me but I was able to place more focus and care for my kid’s early childhood development.

“It rather gave me the opportunity to undergo exclusive breastfeeding and watch my kids attain every of their milestone in development. On the other hand, it made me jobless and financially down, thus having to depend on my husband almost all time.

“Taking up a new job right now is like starting a new career afresh as I have been redundant for a while,” she lamented.

Mrs. Anifowose is just one victim among several other women who suffered and are still suffering the same fate at their workplace after given birth. At some other workplace in Nigeria, especially the private sector, there are workplace policies that forbid women to get married or pregnant within a specified number of years which they are bound to agree to before they can be employed.

With such hostile treatment and policies against women at workplace, it begs the practicality of exclusive breastfeeding of infants for at least six months period as recommended by the World Health Assembly Resolution in 2012.

Paid Maternity Leave Policy in Nigeria The 1999 Nigerian constitution, 2008 Public Service Rules and the 2004 Nigeria Labour Laws allow three months maternity leave for a woman in the civil service. This allows her to stay off work for 12 weeks (six weeks before the birth of her baby and six weeks after).

The Labour Act also allows for at least 50 per cent salary and upon return, to work half an hour twice a day during work hours, to breastfeed. However, there is no clarity on whether an organisation may be penalised

Breastfed babies have stronger immunity, reduces the risk of infections and many childhood illnesses, and may also have longer-term health benefits including reduced risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence

if they deny women their maternity leave.

The federal government recently increased the period for maternity leave to 16 weeks with full salary, as well as two hours off each day to breastfeed for six months, after the employee resumes duty.

Despite this law, only three states, Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu, offer 24 weeks of fully paid maternity leave for mothers.

The National Maternity Assessment Survey conducted in Nigeria shows that some private and public institutions offer maternity leaves without pay, while some do not offer maternity leaves at all.

The study found this to be common among private educational institutions, manufacturers and hospitality sector.

The survey was aimed at examining the implementation and attitudes towards maternity entitlements and workplace lactation policies such as breastfeeding space in the country.

Global Recommendations The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been advocating for six months paid maternity/parent leave as the new global standard for new mothers.

This, the UN agencies said, will allow the mothers recuperate, bond with the babies and give time for six months exclusive breastfeeding.

In 2012, the World Health Assembly Resolution 65.6 endorsed a comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition which specified six global nutrition targets for 2025.

The fifth target of this policy brief is “to increase to at least 50 per cent the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months,” globally.

Global Data According to the WHO, globally, “only 38 per cent of infants zero to six months old are exclusively breastfed. Recent analyses indicate that sub-optimal breastfeeding practices, including non-exclusive breastfeeding, contribute to 11.6 per cent of mortality in children under 5-year old. This was equivalent to about 804 000 child deaths in 2011.”

National Data The provision of adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is a basic requirement for the development and promotion of optimum growth, health and behaviour of the child.

According to the National Demographic and Health Survey 2018, the early initiation rate of breastfeeding is 42 per cent which clearly shows that not up to half of Nigerian children are breastfed within one hour of birth.

Also, the data puts exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria at 29 per cent, indicating that only a mere percentage of infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed leaving a whopping 71 per cent of infants not enjoying the benefits of breast milk in their formative years.

The data also revealed that only nine per cent of organisations in Nigeria have a workplace breastfeeding policy.

Looking at the data, it has been a great challenge in Nigeria as mothers and caregivers are neither fully aware of the importance of breastfeeding nor received adequate support

T H I S D AY ˾ , DECEMBER 2, 2021

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NEWS from the environment to optimally breastfeed their babies exclusively.

National Recommendations and Policies on Breastfeeding The Federal Ministry of Health recommends early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods from six months.

Chapter 1, article 3.6 of the 2005, National 1PMJDZ PO *OGBOU BOE :PVOH $IJME 'FFEJOH JO Nigeria, recommends that: “exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life shall be followed by the introduction of complementary foods that are safe, appropriate, locally available and nutritionally adequate, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.

“The timing of introduction of complementary foods shall be from six months of life, except otherwise medically indicated.

The chapter 2, article 1.1 of the policy document BMTP SFDPNNFOEFE UIBU i"MM NPUIFST TIBMM CF encouraged to take adequate nourishment during pregnancy and lactation. i"MM QSFHOBOU XPNFO UIFJS SFMBUJPOT BOE PUIFS relevant persons shall during ante-natal clinics, admissions of mothers or babies, postpartum clinics, child welfare clinics, home visits and at other opportune periods receive education on the advantages of breastfeeding, the dangers of bottle feeding. i#SFBTUGFFEJOH TIBMM CF QSPUFDUFE QSPNPUFE and supported unless medically contraindicated. i"MM NPUIFST TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE BOE BTTJTUFE to put their newborn infants to the breast within half hour of delivery. Mothers shall be encouraged to exclusively breastfeed their babies on demand until the age of six months (with no water or other liquids including breast milk substitutes). i"MM NPUIFST TIBMM CF UBVHIU UP FYQSFTT BOE preserve breast milk for feeding their infants during periods of unavoidable separation. Under these special circumstances, feeding with the cup is recommended.

“Thereafter, mothers shall be encouraged to continue breastfeeding with adequate complementary foods for up to two years and beyond.”

The chapter 4, article 5 of the policy document SFDPNNFOET UIBU i5IF 0SHBOJTFE 1SJWBUF 4FDUPS shall: ensure compliance with laid down (PWFSONFOU SFHVMBUJPOT BOE HVJEFMJOFT PO JTTVFT SFMFWBOU UP UIJT 1PMJDZ i1SPWJEF BQQSPQSJBUF TVQQPSU OFFEFE GPS effective implementation of this policy; be encouraged to partner with relevant stakeholders in the implementation of this policy.”

Despite this policy, implementation is yet UP BUUBJO QBSJUZ FTQFDJBMMZ BU XPSLQMBDF "MTP there is yet an enabling law to back up the /BUJPOBM 1PMJDZ *OJUJBUJWF BT JU BGGFDUT FNQMPZFS and employee relations for the protection of nursing mothers at her workplace.

Benefits Of Exclusive Breastfeeding to Infants 5IF /BUJPOBM 1PMJDZ PO *OGBOU BOE :PVOH Child Feeding in Nigeria, states that the period of birth to when a child is two years of age is recognised as a critical period for which adequate nutrition should be provided for the child to achieve optimum development and full potential.

In an address at 2020 celebration of the World #SFBTUGFFEJOH 8FFL 5IF .JOJTUFS PG )FBMUI %S 0TBHJF &IBOJSF OPUFE UIBU i#SFBTUGFE CBCJFT have stronger immunity, reduces the risk of infections and many childhood illnesses, and may also have longer-term health benefits including reduced risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

“Studies have shown that obesity rates are 15-30 per cent lower in breastfed babies compared to GPSNVMB GFE CBCJFT "HBJO BCPVU DIJME deaths are reported to be prevented annually when optimal breastfeeding is practiced.

“Looking ahead, we hope to achieve the global target of at least 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2025 as recommended in UIF /BUJPOBM 1PMJDZ PO 'PPE BOE /VUSJUJPO u 4QFBLJOH XJUI 5)*4%": 1SJWBUF $POTVMUBOU BOE (ZOFDPMPHJTU %S &TUIFS "MBLF TBJE i#SFBTUGFFEJOH has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.

“What’s more is the physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact between mother and child which help the baby bond better with the mother, and feel secure. i#SFBTUGFE JOGBOUT BSF NPSF MJLFMZ UP HBJO UIF right amount of weight as they grow rather UIBO CFDPNF PWFSXFJHIU DIJMESFO #SFBTU NJML contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.

“It lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma PS BMMFSHJFT 1MVT CBCJFT XIP BSF CSFBTUGFE exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalisations and trips to the doctor.”

Benefit to Mothers On benefits of breastfeeding to mothers, Dr.

"MBLF TBJE i#SFBTUGFFEJOH CVSOT FYUSB DBMPSJFT TP doing it exclusively can help you lose pregnancy weight faster.

“It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. It also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.”

Benefit to Businesses, Economy 1VUUJOH JU JO B TJNQMF DPOUFYU XIJMF TQFBLJOH EVSJOH UIF /VUSJUJPO 1PMJDZ %JBMPHVF organised by the Nigeria Health Watch, the .BOBHJOH %JSFDUPS /JHFSJB )FBMUI 8BUDI 7JWJBOOF Ihekweazu said, “exclusive breastfeeding begot a very healthy baby.

“If the society is encouraged to imbibe the culture of exclusive breast feeding, it will be filled with a generation of health babies in no UJNF "OE BU TVDI BT UIFTF DIJMESFO HSPX VQ the workspace will be boosted with adults with a sound mind. i"OE XJUI XPSLFST PG TPVOE NJOE QSPEVDUJWJUZ would drastically improve and that would further lead to increase in revenue generations by the organisations, and by extension, the country’s economy would greatly benefit from this through highly complains to tax.”

Ihekweazu equally noted that if women are adequately protected with policies that enables them breastfeed their children at workplace and practice exclusive breastfeeding, they would become more psychologically relaxed without worrying about the welfare of their child, and would by extension be more productive at work. i#VU JO B TJUVBUJPO XIFSF UIFZ MJWF JO UIF fear of losing their job if they want to practice exclusive breastfeeding, or not being paid during maternity leave, they easily losses interest in the practices of the organisation and may become less productive.”

Expert Recommendations *O SFDFOU SFNBSLT 6/*$&' T %FQVUZ $PVOUSZ 3FQSFTFOUBUJWF 1FSOJMF *SPOTJEF TBJE B TVSWFZ conducted in Nigeria shows that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding has improved from 17 QFS DFOU JO UP QFS DFOU JO XIJDI JT however still far below the 50 per cent global target.

“Inadequate and low breastfeeding practice causes over 10 million avoidable childhood diarrhea cases and leads to more than 10,000 deaths a year. Nigeria is not reaching the breastfeeding target because of the practices and policies around maternity and paternity leaves in the country”.

Ironside said Nigeria is still lagging behind in the practice for exclusive breastfeeding, she therefore advocates that new mothers in public, private and institutions should be given full pay and rights to six months maternity leave. *O IFS WJFX B 1VCMJD )FBMUI &YQFSU XJUI UIF "MJWF 5ISJWF *OJUJBUJWF "CJNCPMB 0EVPMB said the level of implementation of maternity leave policy was greater in the public sector compared to the private sector, as some do not offer any maternity leave or entitlements to working mothers.

"DDPSEJOH UP 0EVPMB XIP XBT POF PG UIF SFTFBSDIFST PG UIF /BUJPOBM .BUFSOJUZ "TTFTTNFOU Survey conducted in Nigeria, some organisations do not give mothers the full three months because it is usually converted to days, “thereby making official time less than three months in total.”

She said, “While the majority of women support the six-month maternity leave policy, employers and policy administrators are reluctant to adopt such policies because of the effect it would have on their establishments.

“The readiness to adopt six months of maternity leave in the country is still very low. These hesitations were echoed in the educational subsector, where respondents cited their strict school calendar.”

She however harped on the need for both the formal and informal sector to adopt policies that will support easy, exclusive breastfeeding. She said the provision of lactation and breastfeeding spaces policy in the workplace might be the way to go for working mothers to achieve exclusive breastfeeding.

From the forgoing, it is easier to conclude that the current provisions of the law in this regard are not in accordance with the contemporary international standards for the attainment of exclusive breastfeeding.

It does not guarantee and protect the freedom of the nursing mother to exclusively breastfeed the child for at least the six-months as propagated CZ UIF /BUJPOBM #SFBTUGFFEJOH 1PMJDZ Moreover, there is no enabling law to back VQ UIF /BUJPOBM 1PMJDZ *OJUJBUJWF BT JU BGGFDUT employer and employee relations.

Oduola therefore recommended that a legal framework for effective implementation of the /BUJPOBM #SFBTUGFFEJOH 1PMJDZ GPS XPNFO JO dependent labour relations be implemented.

“This recommendation is with hopes that, such laws will not only limit some of the harsh practices against women in employment, but also will encourage and promote exclusive breastfeeding behaviour by employed mothers.”

FERTILITY

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

CHLAMYDIA AND INFERTILITY (Part 1)

S

exually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infectious (STIs) is generally acquired through sexual contact. The organisms (bacteria, virus or parasites) that cause sexually transmitted diseases can be passed from one person to another via vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as blood transfusions, shared needles or from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth.

Over thirty different viruses, parasites, and bacteria are thought to be transferred by sexual contact, some of which are associated to sexually transmitted diseases. Some are curable, while others are incurable but can be modified or reduced with treatment.

There are different types of sexually transmitted diseases but our focus will be on Chlamydia and its effects on fertility.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with Chlamydia Trachomatis. It affects mostly young adults and teenagers but can occur in all age groups. It is very common with younger women because they tend to use hormonal birth control as an alternate to having sexual intercourse without using a condom. This may leave them exposed to chlamydia infection. Though the pill, implant, coil and other forms of hormonal birth control prevent pregnancy, they offer no protection against STIs. Chlamydia is a bacterial disease and these bacteria invade the cells that line the opening to the uterus. It is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection. However a large number of cases are not reported because most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic and do not seek testing. If left untreated, chlamydia can move into the reproductive tract where it can cause problems with fertility. Chlamydia infection in women can cause cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethral). It can also cause proctitis (inflammation of the anus and the lining of the rectum) in both men and women.

Who is at risk for chlamydia? r "OZ TFYVBMMZ BDUJWF JOEJWJEVBM DBO HFU JOGFDUFE with chlamydia, especially young people because they do not use condoms consistently and also, some adolescents move from one monogamous relationship to the next more rapidly thus increasing the chances of transmission. r :PVOH XPNFO BOE UFFOBHF HJSMT NBZ IBWF cervical ectopy (a condition where cells lining the inside of the cervix grows outside) which may likely be sensitive to chlamydial infection. r )PNPTFYVBMT BSF BMTP BU SJTL GPS DIMBNZEJBM infection because it can be transmitted by oral sex or anal sex with men having sex with men. r )BWJOH QSFWJPVT IJTUPSZ PG TFYVBMMZ USBOTNJUUFE infection.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA Chlamydia is a silent infection because it is usually asymptomatic(not showing symptoms)and

lacks a noticeable sign upon physical examination, which makes it easy to spread the infection. When symptoms appear, they usually range from mild to severe. These are: r %JTDIBSHF GSPN UIF QFOJT JO NFO r 1BJOGVM PS EJTDPNGPSUJOH VSJOBUJPO r 5FTUJDVMBS QBJO PS UFOEFSOFTT r 4XFMMJOH JO UIF TDSPUVN r 7BHJOBM EJTDIBSHF JO XPNFO r 1BJOGVM JOUFSDPVSTF JO XPNFO r #MFFEJOH CFUXFFO QFSJPET BOE BGUFS TFY in women r (FOJUBM JUDIJOH r $IMBNZEJBM FZF JOGFDUJPOT r 3FDUBM QBJO PS CMFFEJOH r "CEPNJOBM 1FMWJD QBJO COMPLICATIONS OF CHLAMYDIA INFECTION The initial damage of chlamydia can be asymptomatic, but chlamydia infections can lead to serious health issues with both long and short term consequence. If left untreated it can cause the following complications: r 1FMWJD JOáBNNBUPSZ EJTFBTF 1*%

This is an infection that occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes which causes pelvic pain and fever. If the infection is severe, it might require hospitalization for intravenous BOUJCJPUJDT 1*% DBO EBNBHF UIF GBMMPQJBO UVCFT PWBSJFT VUFSVT BOE UIF DFSWJY " QSPNQU 1*% treatment helps to avoid complications such as infertility. r &DUPQJD QSFHOBODZ $IMBNZEJB JOGFDUJPO increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when fertilized eggs implants and grow outside the uterus (womb), usually in the fallopian tube.

The pregnancy needs to be removed to prevent life threatening complications, such as a burst tube if stretched too much by the growing pregnancy. r *OGFDUJPO UP OFXCPSOT $IMBNZEJB infection may be passed from the vaginal canal to the baby during delivery which may lead to pneumonia, cough, rapid breathing, serious eye infection (conjunctivitis) with redness, swelling and discharge. r &QJEJEZNJUJT JOGFDUJPO OFBS UIF UFTUJDMFT

This is an inflammation of the epididymis (coiled tube) beside each testicle that stores and carries sperm. This is often caused by chlamydia infection.

This infection can result into fever, scrotal pain and swelling. r 1SPTUBUF HMBOE JOGFDUJPO 0O SBSF PDcasions, chlamydia organisms may spread to a NBO T QSPTUBUF HMBOE 1SPTUBUJUJT TXFMMJOH PG UIF prostate gland that produces seminal fluid) causes pain during or after sex, fever, painful urination and lower back pain. r 3FBDUJWF BSUISJUJT 1FPQMF XJUI DIMBNZEJB infection are at a higher risk of developing reactive BSUISJUJT BMTP LOPXO BT 3FJUFS T TZOESPNF 5IJT is a condition that affects the joints, eyes, urethra (the tube that carries urine outside of the body) and skin.

TO BE CONTINUED

34

T H I S D AY ˾ , DECEMBER 2, 2021

NEWS

Health Experts Advocate Mandatory Blood Sugar Screening for Patients Mary Nnah Health professionals have agreed that one of the ways to ensure access to diabetes care is that government and private sector stakeholders must ensure compulsory blood sugar testing the same way patients are being screened for blood pressure when they seek the services of health experts. They insisted that in order to curb the increase in diabetes and ensure adequate management of the medical condition, as well as solve the perennial statistical challenges in the actual number of those living with diabetes, the health experts advocated mandatory blood sugar testing in hospitals, clinics, chemist shops and pharmacies for all patients despite illness.

The call was made at the 2021 World Diabetes Day (WDD) awareness campaign theme: “Access to diabetes care: if not now, when?” organised by ISN Medical at Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos.

Speaking at the 2021 WDD commemoration event,, General Manager Diabetes Care Unit ISN Medical, Mrs. Ify Chioke said that management of diabetes would be made easier if the government and other stakeholders make testing of all patients for blood sugar mandatory.

“We have noticed that five to seven per cent of those we have tested in recent times have come down with diabetes and

many of them never knew they have high blood sugar, adding that in most cases, like we have experienced in a programme with Access Bank in Enugu, Abuja and Lagos where many recorded over 400 blood sugar reading,” she said.

According to her, ISN Medical has begun to work with government, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and laboratories by providing free testing kits to encourage compulsory testing of blood sugar in these health facilities.

She stated that “We are working with government and private hospitals and labs to

make testing of blood sugar compulsory for every patient that comes in. “ We also have a programme running with pharmacies such that we provide them with free testing kits to empower them to test every single patient that comes into their facilities.”

The Chief Medical Director of Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Segun Babafemi who commended ISN Medical for leading the charge in creating awareness on Diabetes said that apart from free testing for blood sugar, he advocates for compulsory testing of blood sugar the same way blood pressure is being carried

out in all health facilities across the country.

“I will very much advocate that any adult who comes into your hospital, labs, clinic or pharmacy should undergo a compulsory blood sugar test.

Here in Gbagada General Hospital, we have made it mandatory for every adult to be tested before you are attended to, and this is done whether you complain about the symptoms or not,” he added.

He urged the government to further weigh in by using the instrumentality government to ensure promulgation while private practice should ensure

the support of the government by enforcing this. “If this is done, we will begin to have a clearer picture in terms of accurate data on diabetes and management of the disease could be far easier.”

Chioke who disclosed that ISN Medical had estimated to test over 500 people at the 2021 WDD event at Gbagada General Hospital, said that “We know from world record that about five to seven percent of population is living with diabetes but the issue that we have in Nigeria is that a lot of people don’t test, and because they don’t their status adequate data is impossible.”

Dessoil Flour Launched in Lagos as Antidote for Diabetes, Longevity Peace Obi The producer, Dessoil Flour, Paulin Adjagbodjou, has lamented the anomaly where most people unknowingly take poison as food.

Speaking at the launch of Dessoil Flour in Lagos recently, Adjagbodjou explained that the urge to save mankind from slowly but deadly diseases informed the delving into the edible food, stating that it was not only nutritional, but life saving.

“As an international man, I used to receive news of prolonged ill-health of business counterparts, relations and friends, which sometimes lead to their untimely death. “Yet, this is without taking cognisance of mind-boggling amount of money spent. Ailments, in most cases include, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, among others.

“By intuition, I believe this ought not to have been so if they had taken proper care of themselves by watching what they put in their mouths as food.

A lot of people don’t realise this, that the only thing you gain by yourself, in this world, is what you eat.

“Surprisingly, many people unknowingly eat poison instead of food. Take for example, when those whose gene are prone to diabetes, concentrate on eating food that contains sugar, cholesterol or sodium. You can bet by anything that they are not eating food but poison that quickens

their steps to early grave.

“The urge to save mankind from these slowly but deadly diseases launched me into five years of clinical experiments that came out with 100 per cent of expected results.

“It is these results which have been tested and proved worthy of saving lives, in other clime, that made me to come back home in Africa to let my fellow Africans, and Nigerians, in particular, have a taste of meal that combats these deadly ailments, Dessoil Flour, “ he said.

Speaking on the benefits of the flour, the manufacturer, noted that:” Dessoil Flour is a new flour created to revolutionise the fight against certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and constipation in Africa.

“It is a flour produced in Nigeria from a combination of special cereals and tubers selected and grown in certain regions under special conditions, without chemicals and treated in “THE FIVE GNON” factories.

“The high level of protein in the flour therefore allows Dessoil Flour to strengthen the muscles of the consumer, rejuvenate him and keep him strong and healthy.

“Dessoil Flour helps reduce excess of cholesterol. It prevents and fights against constipation and indigestion because of its great richness in fiber,” he added.

He used the occasion to call on stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to collaborate and partner his company.

8-year-old Anuoluwapo Moses Urgently Needs N15m for Open Heart Surgery

L- R: Chief Medical Director, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr Segun Babafemi; Marketing Manager, Diabetes Care ISN Medical, Mrs.Yewande Maborukoje; General Manager, Diabetes Care Unit ISN Medical, Mrs. Ify Chioke; Assistant Director Social & Welfare, Services, Gbagada General Hospital, Mrs. Modupe Badmus and Managing Director, ISN Products Limited, Mr. Felix Ofungwu, during the World Diabetes Day Awareness Campaign organised by ISN Medical held at Gbagada General Hospital

Pfizer Gathers Experts in Nigeria to Mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week To mark the occasion of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, held between 18-24 November each year, Pfizer hosted a virtual media roundtable to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Attended by medical professionals Professor Abdulrazaq Garba Habib and Professor Aaron Oladipo Aboderin, the roundtable saw participants discuss the dangers of AMR, besides what can be done to address and prevent AMR. AMR occurs when antibiotics lose their effectiveness as pathogens find ways to resist their effects.

The more an antibiotic is used,

patients about the condition.

“Much like COVID-19, AMR pathogens can spread far and with speed, impacting people of all ages. There is a significant need for strong public health and prevention measures and extensive surveillance to help curb its spread.”

Professor Aaron Oladipo Aboderin, commented: “With a high cost to individual health and the wider economy, AMR is a critical risk if left unaddressed.

Should AMR pathogens spread the way COVID-19 has, we will be facing another public health crisis. “ Today’s roundtable and similar forums are essential to

raising awareness of the threats facing us if we do not invest in the development of medicines now to help prevent AMR.” Dr. Kodjo Soroh, Medical Director East & Anglo West Africa Pfizer, commented: “AMR if left unchecked could lead to a scenario in which minor infections become life-threatening, while serious infections become impossible to treat. “ Despite the many challenges associated with developing antiinfectives, at Pfizer, we remain committed to our R&D efforts to deliver new and effective antiinfective therapies which target newly emerging and difficult to treat infections.

ENT Experts Urge FG to Waive Customs Duty on Cochlear Hearing Implantation

Rebecca Ejifoma

Rebecca Ejifoma

Eight-years-old Anuoluwapo Moses urgently needs N15m for an open heart surgery to correct her heart defects and forestall irreversible and life-threatening complications.

According to medical report from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) IdiAraba, Anuoluwapo is a patient of paediatric cardiology unit of the hospital.

Clinical evaluation shows that Anuoluwapo was diagnosed with symptomatic congenital

The President of Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), Dr Biodun Olusesi, has urged the federal government to waive customs duty on the importation of medical devices such as Cochlear hearing implantation.

He said this at the Cochlear product pre-launch, which was held in Lagos.

Olusesi said the cost of cochlear implantation could be reduced if the government waives customs duty on importation of the

heart disease. She currently needs surgical interventions to forestall irreversible and life-threatening complications.

The father, Mr. Moses Joshua, calls on well-meaning Nigerians to save his daughter.

the more pressure bacteria have to develop resistance. A silent killer, AMR is one of the biggest threats to global health today.

Today it accounts for 700,000 deaths annually, and by 2050 it could take 10 million lives globally each year – more than currently die from cancer.

Professor Abdulrazaq Garba Habib, commented: “Antimicrobial medicines are amongst the most precious medical resources the world has ever known. Alarmingly, they are losing their effectiveness.

“With especially low awareness among the public on the dangers of AMR, it is our responsibility as the medical community to educate

medical device or subsidises the treatment as done in some countries like South Africa.

As the Head of Department ENT at the National Hospital, Abuja, Olusesi lamented that five of 100 children born in Nigeria have significant hearing impairment.

He emphasised: “For the past 15 years in my clinic, out of every 10 hearing impaired children presented, three would have causes that can be treated using just hearing aid.”

He continued that another three are the ones that have

discharging ears. “They have an improvement when you do surgery for them. Then the remaining 10 are the ones that have very severe type of hearing impairment that cannot be helped by hearing aid. They are the ones that can be helped by cochlear implantation.”

According to Olusesi, although he highlighted that Cochlear implantation is not for everyone. “Cochlear implant is only recommended if we certify during investigation that this child has a nerve of hearing. It is for those that are

born with hearing nerves yet unable to talk.

“So what Cochlear implant does is just to replace the functions of ear cells that God has positioned inside our ear that translates the movement of ear drums and the bones of the ear into electrical activity which goes to the brain and enables us to hear.”

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, John Donnelly, said Cochlear company has developed technologies to address the problem of hearing for both children and adults.

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T H I S D AY ˾ , DECEMBER 2, 2021

PERSPECTIVE

Strategies for Prevention of Kidney Failure in Nigeria – We all Have a Role to Play

you put in your mouth. While alternative medicine products and herbal concoctions are very popular, they are unregulated, stated label ingredients may be inaccurate, thus patients may not be taking what they think they are. Since the kidney is the major organ that excretes drugs and toxins, it is susceptible to injury from untested and unregulated products.

This thesis is particularly relevant among those who already have impaired kidney function from other causes such as diabetes or hypertension.

Therefore, you must;

Dr. Onyekachi Ifudu

T

o put it bluntly, the overwhelming majority of Nigerians who develop end-stage kidney failure cannot afford dialysis or kidney transplantation and are typically dead within a few months.

Thus, prevention – by any means necessary – should be the mantra. Ensuring that citizens remain in good health and productive is enlightened self-interest.

No country has a limitless amount of resources.

How any society deploys their healthcare funds is consequential. Stressing disease prevention is not just our only hope of alleviating our intractable primary healthcare problems, but is extremely cost-effective.

Public health is best distinguished from clinical medicine by its emphasis on preventing disease rather than curing it, and its focus on populations and communities rather than the individual patient.

Prevention of kidney failure is a crucial public health goal.

The multi-pronged plan humbly detailed herein to prevent kidney failure in Nigeria entails efforts by; a) Clinical Laboratories and Laboratory scientists, b) State Governments, c) The Gatekeepers – Nurses, Pharmacists and General Physicians d) Hospitals and Healthcare facilities and e) The Individual.

Implementation of these initiatives must be jump started and vigorously championed by those in leadership. The appeal of the prescribed initiatives is that they entail the expense of no or little money – rather they necessitate a high level of vigilance, diligence and moral commitment to do the right thing.

Clinical Laboratories and Laboratory Scientists One of the most important steps in the quest to prevent kidney failure is for all Clinical Laboratories in Nigeria to report an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with each serum creatinine result. The serum creatinine level is a routinely requested blood test that is used to evaluate kidney function.

However, the serum creatinine level alone is an imperfect measure of kidney function because a rise in serum creatinine is observed only after significant loss of kidney function. Therefore, the fact that you have a “normal” serum creatinine level does not necessarily mean you have “normal kidney function”.

After studies validated eGFR as superior to serum creatinine level alone to measure kidney function about 20 years ago, many countries urged Clinical Laboratories or mandated them by legislation to calculate eGFR every time doctors order a serum creatinine level. To calculate eGFR, all that is required is for the Clinical Laboratories to install an inexpensive software in their machines.

Since no additional laboratory test is required, calculating and reporting the eGFR won’t increase the cost of the laboratory test. Using the eGFR leads to early detection of kidney failure, avoidance of drugs toxic to the kidneys and proper adjustment of the dose of medications in persons with kidney failure.

State Governments Each State of the Federation should formulate a strategic plan for prevention, early detection and control of kidney failure in their State. Each State may accomplish this by formation of a “Task Force” to provide advice, guidance, grassroots

education and recommendations to improve chronic kidney disease care in their State.

Members of the Task force should at the minimum include, a nurse, a clinical pharmacist, a dietician, a laboratory scientist, an individual with CKD, a kidney transplant recipient, a general physician, a nephrologist and a physician with public health training.

A major focus of the Task Force is to raise awareness about kidney health and kidney disease among the populace, educate healthcare workers in the State, including primary healthcare workers about the utility of eGFR and highlight simple measures they can implement to prevent kidney failure.

The Gatekeepers Critical role of Nurses, Pharmacists and General physicians Collaboration between all the professionals in healthcare is crucial in the prevention and early detection of kidney failure. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the first and second leading causes of CKD. Both disorders are detected and managed by non-nephrologists for years before any kidney damage emerges.

By serving as “gate keepers,” generalist physicians can facilitate recognition and detection of CKD. Nurses are an underutilized asset in disease prevention efforts, which is unfortunate and a missed opportunity. Nurses constitute the largest single group of healthcare workers, spend the most time with patients, administer prescribed medications to patients and possess the requisite knowledge base to disseminate kidney disease prevention information.

An additional impetus to galvanize Nurses to champion this endeavor is that they are more likely to reside within the community, and will not only apply kidney disease prevention skills in their own practices, but will through their interactions within the community be able to disseminate this information in both formal and informal settings.

With use of eGFR to measure kidney function, hospital Clinical Pharmacists can now verify that the dose of the drug prescribed is adjusted to the level of kidney function before dispensing. Even in situations where a doctor prescribes the wrong dose

for the level of kidney function, or prescribes a drug that is toxic to failing kidneys, the Clinical Pharmacist detects it and informs the doctor – disaster averted. In addition, the Pharmacist has the requisite knowledge base to advice other healthcare professionals about discontinuation or avoidance of drugs that are toxic to the kidneys.

Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients especially among those in the intensive care unit (ICU) or following a surgical procedure. The one area that hospitals and healthcare facilities can make an immediate impact is to devise and implement measures to prevent AKI or to promptly recognize it and treat it quickly.

One approach to achieve this goal is for Hospitals and Healthcare facilities to convene a Kidney Protection Committee whose members will include, a nurse, a clinical pharmacist, a dietician, a laboratory scientist, a general physician and a nephrologist. The committee will; a) Liaise with the Clinical Laboratory to ensure that they begin reporting eGFR each time a serum creatinine blood test is ordered if they are not already doing so. b) Educate the hospital staff on the utility of eGFR. c) Implement a “red flagging” system to highlight the medical record of any hospitalized patient with reduced kidney function. d) Devise a system to ensure prompt discontinuation or avoidance of drugs that are toxic to the kidneys. e) Ensure that the Pharmacists always verify that the dose of any drug prescribed is adjusted to the level of kidney function before dispensing the drug.

The individual What You Must Do to Protect Your Kidneys It is all about prevention and it is up to you.

Remember you are responsible for everything

r "WPJE ESVHT PS QSPEVDUT UIBU XJMM EBNBHF your kidneys like NSAIDs – painkillers used to treat arthritis (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, etc); Certain Antibiotics (Aminoglycosides like Gentamicin), or herbal concoctions. r $IFDL ZPVS CMPPE QSFTTVSF #1 PGUFO BOE get annual blood and urine tests. r.BLF TVSF JG ZPV IBWF IJHI #1 PS EJBCFUFT mellitus, that it is well controlled. Your BP should be less than 130/80, or down to 120/75 if there is protein in your urine or if you have diabetes mellitus.

In addition to taking medications as prescribed by your doctor for your high blood pressure, the under listed nonpharmacologic interventions will greatly help to improve your blood pressure and often results in your requiring less medication; i) Reduce salt intake. ii) Exercise. iii) Maintain ideal weight. iv) Smoking cessation. v) Reduce alcohol intake. vi) Good sleep hygiene. vii) Reduce stress.

Finally, the Kidney Protection Project will enthusiastically provide technical support freeof-charge to any State government or Hospital that wants our input as they formulate a plan for kidney failure prevention.

The Kidney Protection Project The Kidney Protection Project is focused on sharing scientific information with the Nigerian populace in a user-friendly format to promote kidney health, improve awareness and enhance understanding of kidney failure and debunk myths about kidney failure.

Awareness and knowledge about a disease will generally correlate with health seeking behavior and enhance the chances for early detection. When kidney failure is undiagnosed or undetected, the healthcare system loses the opportunity to improve outcomes. The expectation is that this public health endeavor will ultimately lead to early detection of kidney failure and a reduction in the incidence of kidney failure in Nigerians and save lives.

Project Coordinator: Dr. Onyekachi Ifudu Dr. Ifudu is board-certified in Internal medicine & Nephrology/Hypertension and is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from University of Nigeria and Harvard University - did residency training at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, and fellowship at SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, New York.

He has done volunteer work for the National Kidney Foundation in New York, and the National Hospital, Abuja. He authored a state-of-the-art article in The New England Journal of Medicine on the “Care of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis”.

t&NBJM EPEPLJOBTF!HNBJM DPN

CSOTargetsLifting 20 million Nigerian Under-5 Children from Malnutrition by2030 Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Civil Society- Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has flagged-off a partnership project aimed at improving Nigeria’s nutrition systems.

The organisation said it will work to improve Nigeria’s Human Capital Development (HCD) by attaining 20 million additional healthy under-fiveyears-old children surviving and not stunted.

The project, which is at its second phase, is for three years and is designed to strengthen the Nigeria nutrition systems to be more result-driven, effective, serviceable, efficient and transparent for human capital development. CS-SUNN Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Omotola said the PINNS 2.0

project will build on the gains of the just concluded PINNS 1.0.

While congratulating the alliance, he called on stakeholders to work closely with CS-SUNN to achieve the project outcomes; this he said will contribute significantly to improving nutritional outcomes for Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s Human Capital Development target by 2030 is to attain 20 million additional healthy (under-five-years-old children surviving and not stunted), educated (completing secondary school), and productive (youth entering the labor force) Nigerians,” he said.

According to him, PINNS 2.0 project was formally launched

by CS-SUNN and nutrition stakeholders in Nigeria at a hybrid Inception meeting held on November 15, 2021 in Abuja.

The meeting was aimed at formally kick-starting the project, presenting to stakeholders the project goal, objectives, implementation strategies and getting buy-in of stakeholders for smooth implementation of the project.

In a goodwill message, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Abiola Adetutu Liadi, stated that with the support of CS-SUNN, the state government has made significant progress in the area of improved budget lines for nutrition.

She urged all stakeholders to continue to partner with CSSUNN and pledged the ministry’s support to the implementation of the PINNS 2.0 project.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Budget

Kano state Mr. Auwalu Sanda congratulated CS-SUNN saying “nutrition has been given priority attention by the state government since the coming of CS-SUNN”.

He expressed optimism that more progress in that regard will be made with the PINNS 2.0 project.

CS-SUNN Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo while presenting the PINNS 2.0 overview said through the project, CS-SUNN will contribute to attaining optimal nutrition which is critical to attaining HCD. He explained that when government sustainably commits to improving nutrition through strong nutrition governance, it will ensure nutrition data for planning and decision making is routinely available and that adequate domestic financing is made available to effectively

deliver on nutrition services.

“The outcome will be a wellnourished child who grows up to become a major contributor to growing the country’s Gross Domestic Product and aligns to the HCD objectives”, said Mr. Okoronkwo.

He explained that the strategies PINNS 2.0 project will adopt to reset nutrition structures in Nigeria include, improved Implementation of low cost and low-cost nutrition intervention: advocacies for exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, Iron folate, vitamin A and Zinc supplementation, WASH, deworming, food fortification and management of moderate and severe acute malnutrition.

“Improved maternal, infant and young child nutrition for

reduced morbidity and mortality, improved adult structure, reduced Diet Related Non-Communicable Diseases, improved school performance and learning capacity, improved work capacity/ productivity and cognitive, motor & socio-emotional development.

“Contribute to improving HCD in Nigeria to ensure 20 million additional healthy (under-five-years-old children surviving and not stunted), educated (completing secondary school), and productive (youth entering the labor force) Nigerians by 2030 HCD. “The approach for the implementation of the project will begin with the PINNS 2.0 start up (issue framing, baseline, studies, update of strategies) then to research and use of evidence to inform decision and actions.

36

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ DECEMBER 2, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

France Invests €200,000 to Enhance Nigeria’s Women Agricultural Skills Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË

France has invested €200,000 towards enhancing the rural women’s skills in producing higher value-added agricultural products and in leading their agri-food enterprise in Nigeria.

A statement by French Embassy in Nigeria said the SEFAN/ SWEAN project is funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with €200,000 through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), “with the objective to enhance the rural

women’s skills in producing higher value-added agricultural products and in leading their agri-food enterprise, is aimed at creating value, revenue, jobs and growth which will attract more youth to the agricultural sector, giving them not only modern technical skills, but also pride and enthusiasm in being a farmer, as there is no more beautiful career than contributing to properly feeding people.”

The statement read in part, “Since the project’s launching on the 1st September 2020, a lot has been achieved, which include the

training of 300 women from Oyo and Kaduna states in agribusiness.”

The statement further said the women have already built a greater autonomy, self-empowerment and started to strengthen their networks; with the training manual, available in the three major Nigerian languages (Yourba, Hausa & Igbo).

This, it said, will increase local assimilation of the content, “and there is plan for 50 more selected women to be trained in becoming trainers themselves and are expected to pass on their knowledge to more than 1000 beneficiaries.

FCT Targets to Outpace Lagos in Internally Generated Revenue Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË The FCT Minister Muhammed Musa Bello has tasked the newly inaugurated Mandate Secretaries, Heads of various specialized agencies and Departments and senior political aides of the FCT Administration to ensure the territory overcomes Lagos State as number one in Internally Generated Revenue in the country.

The minister made the appeal on Tuesday during the inauguration of the mandate secretaries.

He said the FCT has the potential to be number one in the country in IGR and is determined to overce Lagos.

The minister noted that as one of the fastest growing and most dynamic cities in the world, Abuja earnestly requires enormous funds to meet its requirement for infrastructure upgrade and expansion.

The FCT currently according to projections has a population in excess of five million people which is increasing exponentially.

“This population growth naturally drives up demands for educational, health, transportation, waste management, security and housing services.

The inability to meet up with this burgeoning demands (largely due to inadequate finances) has led to overstretched facilities, and in extreme cases, criminal and other anti-social scenarios,”

Bello said.

He said increased IGR will help in completion of on-going and abandoned projects that administration inherited from the previous Administration.

He said the antecedents and proven track records of the appointees in their various areas of specialization have earned them the appointments, urging them to always live up to the confidence reposed in them by the President and others in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The minister challenged the Mandate Secretaries and other relevant appointees to immediately key into on-going activities within their jurisdiction and help drive it further with more purpose and grit.

Farmforte Unveils Cashew Processing Facility in Edo State Farmforte Agro & Allied Solutions Limited has unveiled a new Cashew Processing Facility in Benin city, Edo state.

The facility was commissioned by the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki in the presence of Senator Matthew Urhoghiye and other distinguished guests.

Speaking on the acquisition, Osazuwa Osayi, Farmforte’s coChief Executive Officer, said: “This new processing facility is in line with our long term commitment to continuously create sustainable outcomes in the agri-value chain.

We believe that this facility will enable us to increase cashew nut processing capacity and export less raw commodity; thereby increasing Nigeria’s access to the global market.

“This is a major milestone in line with Farmforte’s commitment to consistently ensure market access for over 112,000 smallholder farmers within the agriculture value chain. The processing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery that has a production capacity of 24MT per day that will provide jobs and enterprise opportunities for the youths and people of Edo State.”

The Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, stated; “the government will continue to support the private sector to enable them create more job opportunities, expand into new markets and reduce risk. With this new facility, Farmforte is adding value and encouraging

farmers to increase the harvesting of cashew nuts and fruits, enabling Edo State to become the number one cashew producer in Nigeria.”

Despite being one of the largest producers of this crop, Nigeria is yet to tap into the economic value that can be derived from locally processed cashew nuts. Currently, raw cashews are being exported and processed into cashew nuts by foreign countries then sold to Europe and back to Nigeria.

This is an economic challenge Farmforte is working towards change.

Uyi Osayimwense, co-Chief Executive Officer of Farmforte, iterated that quality was a major factor in their operations.

Osun Govt to Boost Agric Business for Economic Development Yinka Kolawole ÓØ ÝÙÑÌÙ Osun State government has pointed out that Agric business would be encouraged in the state as to pave ways for economic development of the State.

Speaking with THISDAY in Osogbo, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and food security, Mr Adedayo Adewole said the state sees Agric business as catalyst for economic development.

He stressed that since the government would encourage commercial agriculture, the state

is already looking for more farmers to participate in commercial farming as to move away the state from Civil Service state.

He noted that more than 1,000 hectares of land had been set aside to accommodate cultivation of Onions, tomatoes, vegetables as well as poultry production.

Speaking on the state government’s plan to encourage local plant root to boost cassava, yam production, cocoa seedlings and Banana, he disclosed that the State had distributed over 3,000 cassava stems to farmers in all the 30 local government areas in the

state including one area office at Modakeke in Ile-ife.

On anchor borrowers program initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) he posited that in the last three years of the present administration well over N1.2billion have been access by farmers to boost agricultural productivity.

Adewole emphasised that the State government would not relent in her efforts to make the state the food basket of the nation by embarking on massive project in the development of agriculture.

Mainstreet MFB Gets“BBB+”Rating Mainstreet MFB Limited has been assigned a long-term rating of “BBB+” with a stable outlook for the year 2021/2022.

A statement by DataPro, the technology-driven credit rating agency, yesterday explained that the “BBB+” indicates slight risk. “It shows fair financial strength, operating performance, and business

profile when compared to the standard established by DataPro. “The company, in our opinion, can meet its ongoing obligations, but its financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions,” the statement said.

The statement signed by

DataPro’s Client Services Manager, Mr. Kehinde Rasheed, said: “The DataPro Committee approved the rating after assessment of the company’s financial performance, capital adequacy, asset quality, liquidity, profitability, risk factors and future outlook of its current healthy profile in the medium to long term period.

L-R: Farmforte’s Executive Director, Charles Ojei; Farmforte’s Co-CEO, Uyi Wenses; Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki; Farmforte’s co-CEO, Osazuwa Osayi at the commissioning of Farmforte bCashew Factory in Benin City, Edo State... recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͵

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

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Transcorp Records N13.4bn Profit After Tax in Q3 Kayode Tokede Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp Plc) has posted a N13.467 billion Profit After Tax (PAT) for third-quarter ended September 2021.

The performance represents N11.721 billion growth, compared with N1.746 billion recorded in third quarter of 2020. It also showed a 672.1 per cent year-on-year change.

The group also said its profit

before tax during the period stood at N14.127 billion, a N12.107 billion increase from N2.020 billion recorded in the same quarter in 2020, with a 599.5 per cent Y-o-Y change.

The group’s gross earnings and gross profit stood at N85.588 billion and N39.366 billion, respectively, compared to N54.378 billion and N22.723 billion recorded as of September 30, 2020.

Speaking during the group’s

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

financial performance reportTranscorp Q3 2021 Analyst Presentation and Investor Call’, President/Group CEO, Transcorp Plc, Owen Omogiafo said: “Transcorp Plc remains a diversified conglomerate with commanding presence in the power, oil & gas and hospitality sectors.

“We also have strong financial performance with an aggressive growth agenda. We are deeply rooted values are the

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

3Es of execution, enterprise and excellence. Nigerian economy showing a sustained positive growth over the last four quarters since the recession witnessed in 2020 although below the lower than 5.01 per cent recorded in second quarter of 2021 by 0.98 per cent points, “she added.

Its 2021 cost-to-income ratio stood at 44 per cent, a 14 per cent decline in 58 per cent for 2020. Post-tax return on equity

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

and post-tax return on assets for 2021 saw an increase from 1.57 per cent and 0.54 per cent recorded in 2020 to 11.16 per cent and 3.88 per cent, respectively.

With key investments in the hospitality, energy and power sectors, the group’s hospitality business recorded a 115 per cent increase in revenue from N6.791 billion in Q3, 2020 to N14.601 billion in Q3 2021. Its gross profit saw a 149 per cent increase from N4.342 billion

O F

recorded in Q3, 2020 to N10.829 billion recorded in 2021 for the same period.

For its hospitality business, the group proposes to construct Transcorp Hotels in Port Harcourt by 2024; build a 3,000 banquet-seating capacity event centre in Abuja in 2022; build a lifestyle center in Ikoyi; upgrade of Transcorp Hotels, Calabar and refurbishment of its key food and beverage outlets by 2022.

0 1 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

THURSDAY, ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

Thursday, December 2, 2021

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THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ DdEE ;ͲϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ^^ ;Ͳϱ͘ϯйͿ͕

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Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,851.06

-0.70%

950.00

0.0%

33.6%

74.50

0.0%

10.4%

24.60

0.0%

6.8%

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1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc 3 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC 5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

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8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

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10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

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12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

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P/E

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P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

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85.1%

15.0%

3.5%

11.5%

11.5%

14.7%

5.2%

0.8x

5.3%

16.2%

-3.7%

-3.7%

19.1%

11.2%

35.8x

6.7x

-24.0%

-24.0%

24.8%

3.9%

3.7x

0.9x

12.2%

26.9% 30.7%

2.0% 2.8%

0.2%

6.2%

-3.2%

-3.2%

20.9%

2.8%

3.3x

0.6x

12.5%

6.6%

14.3%

14.3%

40.4%

16.7%

13.9x

5.4x

6.3%

7.2%

171.00

-10.0%

4.7%

0.6%

0.6%

179.2%

14.1%

12.3x

18.7x

6.1%

8.1%

1,395.00

0.0%

3.5%

-7.3%

-7.3%

106.8%

15.6%

27.1x

31.8x

4.3%

3.7%

25.00

0.6%

3.8%

18.8%

18.8%

11.6%

8.4%

9.3x

1.0x

4.0%

10.7%

9.00

-5.3%

2.9%

6.5%

6.5%

17.0%

1.4%

2.5x

0.4x

9.4%

39.6%

8.00

-0.6%

2.4%

-7.5%

-7.5%

2.0x

0.4x

6.9%

49.7%

12.00

0.4%

3.9%

67.8%

67.8%

10.6%

1.0%

5.6x

0.6x

3.7%

17.9%

46.80

0.6%

1.6%

-16.4%

-16.4%

5.3%

1.9%

43.1x

2.3x

2.3%

2.3%

38.00

0.0%

1.9%

0.6%

0.6%

15.4%

2.0%

8.7x

1.4x

10.8%

11.4%

-10.3%

-3.9% 4.5x

0.7x

5.7%

22.4%

4.70

-2.1%

1.2%

-21.0%

-21.0%

29.00

-0.9%

1.1%

11.5%

11.5%

695.00

0.0%

1.7%

72.8%

72.8%

3.4%

1.9%

16.0x

0.6x

6.1%

6.2%

0.9x

-12.1%

0.0%

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC

ROA

0.0%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ DdEE ;ͲϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ^^ ;Ͳ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d

ROE

24.00

17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC

Price Change Index to Date

280.00

14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ůŽƐƐĞƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϱ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϱ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ d/ ;Ͳϭ͘ϴйͿ͘ dƌĂŝůŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Current Price

30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC

142.00

0.0%

1.2%

56.0%

56.0%

38.8%

25.2%

9.7x

3.4x

5.3%

10.3%

2.52

-0.4%

0.7%

0.0%

0.0%

12.0%

1.1%

2.2x

0.3x

8.7%

44.9%

8.20

-1.8%

0.9%

36.7%

36.7%

1.5%

0.1%

27.2x

0.3x

16.25

0.0%

0.5%

-7.7%

-7.7%

2.99

-3.5%

0.5%

-10.2%

-10.2%

1.46

-1.4%

0.3%

-28.4%

-28.4%

10.1%

0.9%

14.15

-0.4%

0.4%

-2.4%

-2.4%

21.3%

0.96

-1.0%

0.4%

6.7%

6.7%

87.80

0.0%

0.3%

23.7%

23.7%

13.75

0.0%

0.2%

-1.1%

-1.1%

5.95

0.0%

0.2%

12.3%

12.3%

9.3%

3.2x

0.3x

3.4%

6.9%

13.3x

2.7x

2.8%

7.5%

11.1%

2.3%

5.1x

0.5x

1.0%

19.6%

2.1x

1.1%

-1.3%

-0.8%

5.0%

1.2x

31.5%

-1.1% 4.2%

9.70

0.5%

0.4%

105.9%

105.9%

2.2x

7.2%

36.30

0.0%

0.4%

91.1%

91.1%

8.1%

3.8%

12.9x

1.0x

1.3%

7.7%

7.75

0.0%

0.2%

32.5%

32.5%

24.7%

7.5%

3.8x

0.9x

7.1%

26.2%

7.2%

1.1%

455.6x

0.8x 1.9%

20.3%

0.82

-1.2%

0.3%

69.3%

70.8%

216.80

0.0%

0.3%

66.8%

66.8%

24.80

0.0%

0.2%

40.7%

40.7%

20.7%

2.5%

4.3x

0.8x

1.7%

23.1%

0.80

1.3%

0.1%

15.9%

15.9%

13.7%

0.8%

3.8x

0.5x

5.0%

26.5%

0.0%

0.0%

7.1%

0.8%

5.1x

0.5x

5.4%

-0.6%

0.1%

28.9%

14.5%

2.6%

2.1x

0.3x

4.7x

0.6x

4.77

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

3.7%

1.6x

28.9%

0.2%

4.9x

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-41.3%

-9.2%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

14.8%

10.1%

5.38

0.0%

0.0%

49.4%

49.4%

19.5% 48.7%

2.3x

-20.3% 2.0%

21.4%

0.9x

ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϳdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϱdž ĂƐ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ

Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ϭ͘ϴй ůĞĚ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ DdEE ƉƌŝĐĞ ;ͲϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ ĂŶĚ , D^ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ &Ͳ

T ic k er

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘ Z/WZh ;Ͳϳ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ hW ;Ͳϳ͘ϱйͿ ůĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƚŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ

C OR N ER ST M A N SA R D

ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ŵŽĚĞƐƚ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĂƐ

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

ǁŚŝůĞ Ϯϯ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ KZE Z^d ;нϳ͘ϳйͿ͕ D E^ Z ;нϳ͘ϱйͿ͕

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

0.56

7.7%

FB NH

134.0

0.4%

2.28

7.5%

UN IVIN SUR E

36.2

0.0%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

CHA M S

0.21

5.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

18.3

0.2%

ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚĂŬĞ ĂĚǀĂŶƚĂŐĞ ŽĨ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘

N GXGR OUP

17.00

3.7%

GT C O

13.6

0.0%

F T N C OC OA

0.40

2.6%

T R A N SC OR P

10.5

-1.0%

LIVEST OC K

2.08

2.0%

WA P C O

9.7

0.6%

J A IZ B A N K

0.68

1.5%

A IIC O

9.3

-1.2%

WEM A B A N K

0.80

1.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

8.8

-0.4%

1.05

1.0%

UP D C

8.3

-7.5%

46.80

0.6%

UB A

8.2

-0.6%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

LA SA C O NB

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

< Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ >/s Ͳ ^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůLJ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

M TNN

171.00

-10.0%

FB NH

1573.9

0.4%

A F R IP R UD

6.00

-7.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

440.1

0.2%

UP D C

0.99

-7.5%

GT C O

334.8

0.0%

R OYA LEX

0.51

-5.6%

WA P C O

241.1

0.6%

112.8

0.0%

H ON YF LOUR

3.74

-5.3%

B UA C EM EN T

A C C ESS

9.00

-5.3%

F LOUR M ILL

97.2

-0.9%

88.3

-10.0%

C H IP LC

0.48

-4.0%

M TNN

WA P IC

0.48

-4.0%

A C C ESS

73.0

-5.3%

-3.8%

UB A

65.7

-0.6%

-3.5%

A IR T ELA F R I

56.1

0.0%

M B EN EF IT FCM B

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

0.25 2.99

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu| dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

43

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021• T H I S DAY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 29Nov-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 164.44 165.87 1.58% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.03% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.57 317.57 -16.97% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 99.07 100.12 -10.31% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.06% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.31 3.37 -3.95% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 8.69% Anchoria Equity Fund 138.39 140.13 4.05% info@anchoriaam.com Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -13.99% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.50 21.12 13.03% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 455.27 469.00 13.71% ARM Ethical Fund 39.75 40.95 17.92% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.08 -2.23% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.99 0.99 -5.60% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.58% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 107.56 107.56 5.75% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,057.57 1,057.57 5.76% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.03 2.03 -3.68% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.22 2.27 2.34% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 5.06% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.26% Paramount Equity Fund 17.26 17.57 7.90% Women's Investment Fund 140.81 142.41 5.80% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.55% Cordros Milestone Fund 132.31 133.14 12.78% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.91 109.91 5.42% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.06% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.26 1.28 5.16% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.43 1.43 -9.72% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.29% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.53% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,169.67 1,193.40 1.79% assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-assetmanagement-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.72% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 3.33% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.11 Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 104.20 FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price FBN Bond Fund 1,378.31 FBN Balanced Fund 173.75 FBN Halal Fund 114.76 FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund

121.94 148.92 Bid Price 1.00 3.99 1.73 1.20

1.11 10.24% 104.20 4.16% invest@fbnquest.com Offer Price 1,378.31 175.03 114.76 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 11.40% 4.22% 9.24% 9.02%

121.94 4.01% 150.93 12.69% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Offer Price 1.00 3.99 1.77 1.20

Yield / T-Rtn 7.21% 3.21% 13.74% 5.78%

FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.94% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.88 2.95 0.98% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.41 155.68 -0.06% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.31 0.32% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.06 1.06 3.97% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.50 1.52 9.72% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.49 1,152.49 8.01% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.72 11.80 12.08% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.10% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.17 101.18 7.54% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.84% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 129.25 131.61 10.45% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 10.06% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,384.93 3,417.43 5.34% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 234.88 234.88 4.46% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.27 1.29 8.47% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 311.34 311.34 5.66% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 240.00 243.66 9.99% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.73% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,066.29 11,225.33 5.46% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.29 1.29 4.90% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 116.54 116.54 4.92% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 105.61 105.61 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 4.46% United Capital Bond Fund 1.95 1.95 6.20% United Capital Equity Fund 0.93 0.95 16.03% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.01% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.78 121.78 6.36% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.10 6.27% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 7.00% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.08 13.19 10.21% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 14.55 14.71 19.23% Zenith Income Fund 24.76 24.76 3.17% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.43%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 54.20

10.62% 7.24%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.36 129.80 104.30 17.55 21.54

14.46 133.02 106.59 17.65 21.64

8.59% 7.94% 5.13% -2.68% 15.88%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.85 5.43 17.93 1.00 21.84 157.48

3.95 5.53 18.13 1.00 22.04 159.48

2.74% -4.31% 10.65% 7.70% 6.39% -15.16%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.28

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

44

IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Godknows Boladei Igali; Chancellor, FUTA/Emir of Katagum, Bauchi State, Alhaji Umar Faruk II; Vice Chancellor, FUTA, Professor Joseph Adeola Fuwape; and Managing Director/CEO, Leadway Assurance, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, during the official inauguration of the Leadway Entrepreneurship Development Centre donated by Leadway Assurance in FUTA, Ondo State...recently

L-R: Director, Industrial Development Department, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade, and Investment, Adewale Bakare; Convener, Lagos SME Bootcamp, Ayo Bankole; Chief Executive Officer, Modion Communications, Odion Aleobua; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dutum Group, Temitope Runsewe, all speakers at the just concluded fourth edition of the Lagos SME Bootcamp held in Lagos...recently

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu (left), presenting an award to the best graduating Post Graduating Diploma (PGD) student of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) (2018 set) to Mr. Odutayo Odusanya, during the sixth convocation ceremony of the Institute in Ogba, Lagos State...recently

L-R: Head of Department, General Studies, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Dr. Boye Ola; HOD, Broadcasting, School of Communications, Lagos State University, Dr. Omodade Alofojomo; Deputy Provost, NIJ, Dr. Dele Onojuyigbe; former Provost, NIJ, Dr. Elizabeth Ikem; and Provost, NIJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, during the sixth convocation ceremony of the NIJ, Ogba, Lagos State...recently

L-R: Company Secretary, Red Star Express Plc, Frances Akpomuka; one of the recipients of Best Teacher’s Award in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Mrs. Esther Oyeleye of Bolade Junior High School; Group Managing Director, Red Star Express Plc, Dr. Sola Obabori; and representative of Oshodi/Isolo LGA chairman, Mr. Gbenga Soloki, at the 2021/2022 annual Red Star Foundation award ceremony held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Modupe Kadri; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Exchange Limited, Temi Popoola; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Olutokun Toriola; and Head, Listings Business, Nigeria Exchange Limited, Olu Bolumole, at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Nigeria Exchange Limited held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja…recently

L-R: Lagos State Primary Healthcare (PHC) Board representative, Ms. Omolara Dahunsi; Health Service Commission representative, Dr. Saliu Oseni; Country Director, Save the Children International, Ms. Mercy Gichuhi; representative of Lagos State Ministry of Health, Ms. Folarin Kehinde; and Communication and Government Affairs Director, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria, Omongiade Ehighebolo, presenting the certificate of donation to the Lagos State PHC Board during the donation of medical equipment in Lagos, as part of the N100million donated to 30 public health facilities in Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state and Jigawa State…recently

45

THURSDAY, ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY-FIVE BUHARI MEETS RAMAPHOSA, CALLS FOR END TO 'UNNECESSARY RIVALRY' BETWEEN NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA We need to ensure that our people-to-people relations are enhanced to a point where there would be no need for unhealthy competition.

“In this regard, we need improvement in educational and scientific cooperation, mines and energy resources, transport and aviation, tourism, youth exchange programmes, trade and investment, and military cooperation, to mention but a few.”

The president told ministers and top government officials of both countries that a strong bond of brotherhood between Nigeria and South Africa would be of great benefit to Africa. It would serve as a catalyst for economic, technological, social and cultural development and as a force for peace and security on the continent, he stated.

“Let me at this point reiterate my commitment to ensure that the special relationship between our two countries is continually strengthened,” he added.

Buhari said it was fulfilling that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the BNC still held as scheduled.

According to him, “It is also gratifying to observe that this has been brought about by the dogged commitment of senior

officials from our countries.

“More importantly, it is gratifying to note that despite the pandemic, our timelines for implementing some decisions of the 9th BNC have been met. Similarly, discussions are on-going on new and important areas of cooperation between our two countries.”

At the end of the summit, Buhari expressed delight at its successful conclusion, calling it “heart-warming and a source of great pride that we have been able to further cement the special bond of fraternal friendship between our two countries.”

He also stated that the agreement on Early Warning Mechanism would “improve the people-to-people relations of our two countries. Similarly, our two countries have established high level official communication channels for diplomatic consultations, trade and investment, and will, shortly, inaugurate the Nigeria – South Africa Youth Dialogue. I am confident that these vehicles of engagement and cooperation will serve our mutual interests.”

Both presidents, also yesterday, launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue for Peace and Security, Youth Development and

Civil Servants Shut Out as FG Begins Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Scores of returning federal civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below were prevented from entering the Federal Secretariat Complex, yesterday, after failing to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

There was massive turn up of workers at all the three phases of the Federal Secretariat Complex in the morning, the first time the workers were returning to work since March 2020, when they were directed to stay at home pending further notice to streamline the number of workers, who come to work daily as a precaution to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But many of them were barred by policemen and Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps operatives assigned to the gates for not presenting evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours.

The rowdiness at the secretariat followed the enforcement of new COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Policy, which came into effect

from yesterday.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade YemiEsan, had via a circular-HCSF/ 3065/ Vol. 1/ 107- dated 26th November 2021, issued a directive, asking all workers from GL 12 and below to resume duties but with evidence of having taken the vaccines.

However, civil service union leaders tried to control the matter by appealing to the civil service management to allow the workers in.

President, Joint Unions Negotiating Council, Office of Head of Civil Service, Comrade Uzo Ekediachi, addressed the workers, who gathered in groups in the open spaces in front of the Secretariat.

He told the workers that the circular by the Head of Service had not gone round.

"But all the same, we are fully with you. And very soon you will be allowed in," Ekediachi assured them, saying the union would work out modalities on how they would be allowed into the complex in subsequent days.

UBA WINS ‘AFRICAN BANK OF THE YEAR’ AWARD something right. Winning 14 total awards in13 subsidiaries and the Bank of the Year on the African continent is a big achievement.”

Continuing, Uzoka said, “The recognitions come as a reassurance that we are on track in consolidating our leadership position in Africa, as we continue to create superior value for all our stakeholders. We have our millions of customers across the globe and our many thousands of staff to thank for this. They are the very reason why we keep winning’ At the virtual award ceremony which was held yesterday, the Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, John Everington, explained at the event that a rigorous and highly analytical process is made annually to reach the decision for each Bank of the Year award and the institution’s reputation for independence, authority and integrity is thoroughly applied to each submission.

“While several African banks impressed the judges this year, there was no doubt as to the worthiest recipient of the Bank

of the Year for Africa - UBA Group - a clear winner across a wide range of criteria. UBA has performed impressively across its footprint with a strong financial performance across most of its markets,” Everington said.

The Banker Magazine is a publication of the Financial Times - a leading global finance news publication which has been in existence since 1888. The Banker magazine is the definitive reference in international banking for high level decision makers.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twentyfive million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries.

With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services

Political Participation.

Speaking to the youth virtually, Buhari said he was optimistic that the initiative would promote peace building and development as well as help both countries to jointly combat youth restiveness.

The Nigerian leader noted that the dialogue would enable both countries to strategically develop “a vast world of collaboration in areas of science and technology,” including climate change, energy demands, green technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, telematics, agriculture, technology and much more.

He stated, ''Nigeria and South Africa have a combined population of about 262 million, of which 95 million are youth. This represents tremendous potential for both countries if we can truly harness this demographic with more dedicated action.

“This sizable youth population may also represent significant problems if we fail to maximise their potential in a world that globalisation and technology are reshaping at breakneck speed. ''These are the rationale for proposing this Youth Dialogue.

Both countries need more educated youth, more skilled youth, more youth in entrepreneurship, more solution providers, and peacekeepers and more patriotic youth.

“It is true that our youth already collaborate, especially in the creative arts, sharing our rich cultures. We will build upon this, especially in the framework of the intra- African trade expansion we intend to promote through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.”

The Nigerian leader said strategic and committed collaborations in science and technology and many other areas would provide both countries with solutions and critical intellectual property to unleash economic outcomes for the creation of millions of jobs.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the bilateral talks, Buhari described Ramaphosa’s visit as successful, despite the

scare generated by the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

He said, “Despite the scare generated by the new COVID-19 variant, we have been able to hold successful meetings, while observing strict COVID-19 protocols, through fraternal cooperation and understanding.

“I sincerely wish to thank my brother and colleague, President Cyril Ramaphosa, for honouring my invitation. I equally wish to thank members of the South African delegation and the experts that worked tirelessly during the Senior Officials Meeting.

“Today, has witnessed the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding between Nigeria and South Africa in diverse areas, including Youth Development, Women and Child Empowerment and Political Consultations; critical areas that will lead to increased people to people contact.

“Also, existing MOUs signed during previous Bi-National Commission meetings were also reviewed. These include MOUs on military cooperation, power, cooperation in the fields of geology, mining, and mineral processing, oil and gas and several others.

“Today, we also jointly launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue, another veritable tool for interaction among our youth with the aim of creating shared values and aspiration. Many of our youth from Nigeria and South Africa joined us virtually during the launch."

Ramaphosa described the travel ban imposed on his country and some of its neighbours by some Western countries as discriminatory, arbitrary, and unscientific.

The United States, United Kingdom, the European Union (EU), and Canada imposed travel bans on South Africa and some Southern African countries following the recent detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 by South African

scientists.

Omicron has been classed as a "variance of concern", as early evidence suggests that it has a higher re-infection risk.

But Ramaphosa said at the press conference that the decision to impose a ban on travels to and from his country and others would be counterproductive in the long run. He commended Nigeria and other African countries that had decided to express solidarity with South Africa and its neighbours by not shutting their doors against sister African nations over the new COVID-19 strain.

Ramaphosa said, “I think it is important that I emphasise this in the light of the discovery

by South African scientists of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus and subsequent imposition of extremely harsh and unfair travel restrictions on flights from and to South Africa as well as on a number of other African countries.

“President Buhari, the solidarity expressed by yourself and the government of Nigeria sends the strongest message. It says that as African countries, we are standing united against the imposition of arbitrary and discriminatory restrictions that are not only unscientific, but counterproductive in the long run.

“Indeed, the leaders of Cote d'Ivoire, where we are traveling to later today, as well as the leaders of Ghana and Senegal, have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the travel ban against South Africa and our sister countries in Southern Africa.

“This is a global pandemic.

And overcoming it requires that we collaborate and work together as a collective. The resulting damage to this travel ban to the economies of the countries affected will be considerable and long lasting.

“So, I want to use this opportunity to once again call on the countries who have

imposed this ban to reverse their decisions, whether they are in the northern, more developed economies or in other parts of our continent and elsewhere.”

Speaking on the agreements and memoranda signed between his country and Nigeria, Ramaphosa said, “We've just concluded a successful 10th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission.

President Buhari and I witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding to advance trade and investment, development, economic upliftment, as well as youth empowerment, among others.

“These new agreements between our two countries broaden the scope of our cooperation on issues of common interest and mutual benefits and we will continue to work together to ensure their implementation.

At present, our countries have signed approximately 32 agreements and today we have added other agreements.

“They are an MOU in the field of youth development and agreement on audio visual cooperation, and a programme of cooperation on arts and culture.

The youth development agreement will be key to improving people-to-people relations and capacitating the young people of our two countries in acceding to higher levels of development, as well as progress.

“South Africa, Nigeria both have rich cultural, vibrant arts and flourishing sports sectors, all of which will be greatly enriched through greater collaboration through the programme of cooperation between the two countries.

“The agreement on audio visual cooperation will be a boost to the film production industries in our respective countries and we, as South Africa, stands to benefit greatly from cooperation with the world-famous Nollywood that has really emerged very strongly here in Nigeria."

WHITE PAPER COMPLIED WITH LAW ON #ENDSARS REPORT, SAYS LAGOS AG ings of the panel itself. So, it is not that Lagos State Government just conjured things from the air. We went through the report and what we saw particularly in reference to the death of nine persons is that they found the evidence of the Pathologist, Prof. Obafunwa, who conducted an autopsy on all the bodies picked up all over Lagos during the protests, not just at Lekki Tollgate but statewide, credible and there was no evidence to the contrary.

“Prof. Obafunwa said of all the bodies he conducted autopsies on, three came from Lekki and out of the three only one had gunshot injuries. And the panel then said we believe you;we accept your evidence, because there is nothing to the contrary. So, in law, if you put that on the imaginary scale, it means what Prof. Obafunwa said outweighs every other evidence before the panel,” he said.

Onigbanjo further debunked the allegations that the panel made no reference to policemen nor took them into consideration.

“They (JPI) issued two reports.

The report that leaked only dealt with the issues from the Lekki Toll Gate. There is another report, which they issued which was not leaked; that report deals with all the EndSARS petitions that were about 253 in number and of the 253, policemen also brought their own petitions and in that report, the panel awarded a sum of about N36.2million to the policemen, who were affected one way or the other by the protests.

“So, to be fair to them, they did consider the plights of the policemen too. And even if you look at most of their recommendations, they are for better welfare for the police, better equipment,

more training, psychological evaluations. So, they took them into consideration,” he said.

The attorney-general, however, denied the allegations that Lagos State Government was put under pressure by the federal government to discredit the panel’s report, adding that at no time did the state government encourage personal attacks against any members of the panel.

His words: “The federal government never put the Lagos State Government under any pressure to discredit the panel or anybody.

If you check the records, nobody from Lagos State Government discredited the panel. In fact, they

submitted the report on the 15th of November 2021, the governor praised them and thanked them for the job they did.

“Even yesterday, in his speech, which he made before the White Paper was released, he thanked them again. So, nobody from the Lagos State Government directly or indirectly has sought to discredit members of the panel.

We appreciate the job they did for almost 13 months. We do not condone such attacks on anybody.

“I think we have conducted ourselves in such a manner that we strive to always do what is right. We complied with the law; we set up the panel. So, if we

didn’t even want the panel, there are so many ways it could have been stopped. They asked for an extension, we gave them. The initial funding was N200million; they exhausted it and asked for more, we gave them.

“We appointed independentminded people into the panel. And the panel itself said in its report that they give credit to the Lagos State Government for allowing them to be completely independent. Lagos State Government has fulfilled all its promises to the public. We set up an independent panel, we said we will release a White Paper and we did. We have complied with the law all the way.”

OMICRON: NCDC TO PUSH FOR MASS VACCINATION, NOT TRAVEL BAN It stated that it had activated its contact tracing mechanism by undertaking a follow up to ensure isolation, and linkage to clinical care for the affected persons.

NCDC stated, "Contact tracing and other relevant response activities had commenced."

The centre noted that arrangements were also being made to notify the country where the traveller originated from, according to the provisions of the International Health Regulations.

NCDC said samples of three persons with history of travel to South Africa were confirmed positive.

The statement added, "In line with the routine travel test required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC through its National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Abuja, Nigeria confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, also known as the B.1.1.529 lineage.

"This genomic surveillance has now identified and confirmed Nigeria’s first cases of the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, now known as the Omicron variant.

“Samples obtained for the stipulated Day Two test for all travellers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with history of travel to South Africa. These cases were recent arrivals in the country in the past week.”

NCDC further stated that it was conducting sequencing of all blood samples of SARSCOV-2 positive travellers from all countries, especially countries that had reported the Omicron variant.

The NCDC statement said, "Since reports of the emergence of this Omicron variant, the Federal Ministry of Health, through the NCDC, has intensified public health response measures to COVID-19 in Nigeria.

“The national travel advisory

has also been revised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and now requires all inbound travellers to Nigeria present a negative COVID-19 test result done not more than 48 hours before departure.

“Pre-booking and payment for all Day 2 and Day 7 COVID-19 PCR tests are prerequisites for travel. In addition, all outbound passengers, regardless of the requirements of destination countries, are expected to present evidence of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test done not later than 48 hours before departure.

"We appeal to Nigerians to adhere strictly to these travel protocols and other public safety measures to protect themselves, families, friends, the community at large and to prevent a fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country as we combat the pandemic and these emerging variants, including the Delta variant.”

46

THURSDAY, ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Anambra Guber: Court Dismisses Suit to Disqualify Soludo over Alleged Perjury Awards N2m against plaintiffs Alex Enumah in Abuja

AITEO'S MEN AT WORK...

Aiteo's Engineers and technicians on ground in Santa Barbara working round the clock in the ongoing efforts to cap SBAR Well 1.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday dismissed a suit seeking the disqualification of Professor Chukwuma Soludo from the concluded November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

Justice Taiwo in a judgment dismissed the suit for being incompetent and lacking in merit, warning politicians not to use the court to stagnate democracy in the country.

Two indigenes of Anambra State, Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka had dragged Soludo and his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, to court, seeking their disqualification from the November 6 governorship poll, accusing them of providing false information in the affidavit (Form EC9) that they submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of their qualification for the poll.

In the suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/711/2021, the plaintiffs claimed that Soludo indicated, in the affidavit, that he was contesting the Aguata 2 Constituency seat when in fact, he was contesting the Anambra governorship seat, while his deputy was accused of claiming to be contesting the Awka Constituency seat.

Defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Soludo and Ibezim.

Delivering judgment in the suit however, Justice Taiwo, held that the suit was not only unnecessary but a complete waste of the precious time of the court, adding that lawyers should properly advise their clients before instituting some legal actions.

According to the judgment, the plaintiffs failed to convinced the court that Soludo and his deputy supplied false information to INEC in their Form EC9, adding that plaintiffs did not also show how they were misled by the information contained in the affidavits of personal particulars.

“I have carefully perused Form EC9 for the third defendant and I can see that the third defendant marked that he was contesting the position of Governor.

"He also clearly stated that his constituency is Agwuata 2 Anambra and the Name of his political party.

"All other information as to his person are also in his affidavits which was deposed to on the 1st of July 2020”, the judge noted, observing same for the 4th defendant.

Well Control Expert Disputes Two Million Barrels' Oil Leak in Bayelsa Company cautious not to spark disastrous fire Begins mop-up of hydrocarbons around spill spot Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A Well Control Specialist, Victor Ekpenyong working on the site of the Santa Barbara oil spill in Nembe, Bayelsa, yesterday disputed that at least two million barrels of crude oil had been discharged into the environment in the area.

The facility currently under well control situation due to what Aiteo, described as “wellhead vandalism” by unknown persons was reported on November 5, 2021, and currently being worked on by wild

well control experts, to arrest the source of leak and secure the well.

Ekpenyong stated that the well was last known to be producing about 700bpd of hydrocarbon fluid and would as of yesterday, had spilled an estimated volume of about 18,000bpd of hydrocarbon fluid to the environment as against the two million barrels of oil he said was wrongly reported.

According to the expert, the operator, Aiteo Eastern E&P Company deserves commendation for being very active in containing the spill

since it started, by immediately informing all regulatory agencies and stakeholders, mobilising containment resources (spill booms) to limit impact to the environment and carrying out a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to site with the appropriate authorities.

He commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and Governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri, for finding time to visit the spill site and assessing the current situation as well as the management of Aiteo

which he said immediately went to work.

As an insider, he stated that Aiteo in its quest to arrest the situation engaged an experienced well control expert company with industry best equipment whose recent accomplishment in wild well control was in April this year with one of the marginal field operators in a swamp location on a well with worst but “similar vandalised” situation than the current one.

Ekpenyong added that well control equipment was deployed,

CAN Urges Security Agencies to Protect Christians in Zamfara Threatens to resort to self defense Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked security agencies in the country to secure all churches in Zamfara State from attack by the terrorists.

CAN said the leadership of the security agencies should act immediately in order to prevent the terrorists from carrying out their threats against Christians CAN asked President Muhammadu Buhari to henceforth sanction any Commissioner of Police or Zonal Police Commanders and the Director of State Security Services wherever kidnappers operate in the country.

It said that the measure would go a long way in reducing the menace as we are approach the Yuletide season.

According to CAN, failure to act appropriately might force it to ask it's members to embrace defence.

The Christian association said State Police Command had reportedly confirmed that a threat letter was sent to the Christians in the state asking them to stop worship

and to close down churches or risk their violent attacks.

It also said it was the Police that informed the state chapter of the association about the threat.

In statement issued on Tuesday

by General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Bade Daramola, the Christian body expressed concern over the handling of the nefarious activities of the terrorists.

"The way and manner by which our security agencies have been handling those criminals is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and unprecedented," he said.

CAN also it was aware that all kidnappings and other criminalities being perpetrated in the north-western part of the country were the handiwork of terrorists who either migrated from the northeast or those who were released under the purported rehabilitation programme of the federal government.

"Now that a Federal High Court has labelled those criminals terrorists, we call on the Police ,the military authorities and other security agencies to rise up to

the challenge of the terrorists who have turned kidnappings into the biggest business venture in the geopolitical zone.

"The way and manner by which our security agencies have been handling those criminals is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and unprecedented. Criminals are criminals irrespective of their religious, political and ethnic affiliations and they should be treated as just.

"We also called on the Department of State Security and the Inspector General of Police to Investigate those who are speaking for the terrorists with a view to unmasking their sponsors and beneficiaries of their criminalities," it said.

CAN said it was worrisome that at a time the leadership of both Christianity and Islam in the country were working together on how to stop their criminalities in the Northwest that the terrorists are trying to introduce divisive ways by declaring war against Christians and church in Zamfara state.

"We have no problem with Islam

or with our Muslim brothers and sisters but with the handful fanatics and their financiers who have declared war against Christianity. We appeal to all peace loving Muslims to speak against those who are painting Islam what is not.

"We also called on the federal government to refund all the ransom paid for the release of those who were abducted in the last five years.

"We reiterate our quest for the state Police in order to reduce the security burden on the Federal government controlled Police.

The Police has been overwhelmed with the menace of insecurity in the country.

“President Buhari should also direct the Police to arraign all suspected kidnappers, bandits and terrorists in their custody with a view to stopping those who are perpetrating the atrocities.

"Failure to do this will force the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to ask our members to embrace the principle of selfdefence wherever the security agencies appeared compromised.

and the well was brought under control without further damage, safety incident or fatality.

“The well control situation is being worked on and the well will be brought under control soonest. The most important thing during well control is having the expertise, equipment, resources, and the exercise of patience. “ All these factors must be put in place to ensure the operation is done safely without further damage or fatality as this is a very dangerous environment as it is.

“We have had several wild well control situations in the country, for instance the K.S. Endeavour fatal well control incident in January 2012 which took about two months for proper planning and execution of well control strategies before it was successfully killed and secured.

“The recent and similar wild well successfully killed and secured by the engaged well control experts took about a month of planning and execution amidst the challenges faced working in the creek to successfully achieve.

“Also, the Deepwater Horizon wellhead blowout of the Gulf of Mexico incident which lasted for more than five months is worse than this and cannot be compared as it had a total spill of about 4.9 million barrels of hydrocarbon fluid to the environment,” he maintained.

He explained that similarly, proper planning and execution was ongoing on the current well and “soonest” the wild well will be brought under control without any safety incident or fatality.

“All that is required at this time is a call for calm and patience by all stakeholders and a joint effort to encourage the ongoing effort to secure the well by Aiteo and we the well control experts,” he noted.

Earlier, it was learnt that the delay in the final shutdown of the leaking Santa Barbara wellhead was partly caused by the need to avoid sparking fire that will be more

devastating than the current gas spill.

Aiteo Eastern Exploration & Production Company (AEEPCO) had last Thursday said its “well kill” at the wellhead were well on course, having fully mobilised to site with the arrival of its international partners.

A statement by the Group Managing Director of the company, Victor Okoronkwo, noted that the containment exercise was continuing, with booms and environmental barges mopping up spilled crude and with all relevant personnel and experts, now on location.

Okoronkwo explained that the marine spread carrying the pumps, chemicals, cranes and firefighting equipment are now 100 per cent mobilised and had started sail to location.

But THISDAY gathered yesterday that despite the presence of the experts , special caution was being taken to carry out the step-by-step shutting down of the dormant well which has been spewing mostly gas and a lesser quantity of oil, because it may lead to bigger problems if not handled carefully.

“It’s easy to attack these people , but this is a special spill. They have put everything in place for containment. Government agencies and regulators are trying as much as they can to bring the situation under control,” the source said.

It added: “ This is not even a crude oil blowout as such. It’s 80 per cent gas and 20 per cent oil.

Even the number of barrels it’s said to be spilling do not add up. We are doing everything to bring this matter to a close.

“The pressure is quite high so what is happening is that they are trying to avert a calamity. So, they need to reduce the high pressure first. But I am sure in hours or days, this episode will be put behind.

All the experts are on ground” the source added.

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YAKUBU GETS GOLDEN PRIZE AWARD...

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yabuku (left), receives the ThisNigeria newspaper’s “Gold Award In Public Service” from the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, at the newspaper’s Annual Lecture and Gold Prize, held at the Yar Adua Centre, Abuja, yesterday.

Baraje: PDP Working Towards Consensus Presidential Candidate Laleye Dipo in Minna

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP is working towards getting a consensus candidate that would fly its flag in the 2023 presidential election, a chieftain of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, has disclosed.

Baraje told newsmen in Minna, the Niger State capital,on Tuesday that the consensus option was being

worked upon to avoid acrimony among the many qualified contenders for the presidential ticket of the party.

"We did it for the national chairmanship position without any hitch; we are seriously looking into the consensus option for the presidential ticket," Baraje said, when the issue of the large number of aspirants was put to him.

Baraje, who was national chair-

man of the party at some point and apostle of the presidential ticket coming to the North Central geo political zone, when the zone already has Senator Iyiocha Ayu as its national chairman, said the issue would be addressed, when a candidate from the North central gets the presidential ticket "We are a big party. We know how to solve our problems. So, when we get there we will know

FG Promises to Get All Children in IDPs’ Camps Back to School Michael Olugbode in Abuja The federal government has promised to ensure the enrollment of all refugee children of school age and those in internally displaced persons’ (IDPs’) camps in schools by 2023 and to provide them equal opportunities at secondary and tertiary education levels.

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the pledge on Tuesday, during the implementation of the global Compact on refugees (GCR) in Nigeria.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim while promising that Nigeria would strengthen protection by ensuring the integrity of the asylum system in line with international legal instruments and freedom of movement for Refugees, IDP and returnees, said open-door policy as well as promoting legal pathways to durable solutions would be provided.

She said: “We will ensure all durable solutions for refugees and IDP are effectively available and accessible, in consultation with affected populations and host communities, with particular attention to children, youth, women, the elderly, persons with disability, and other vulnerable groups,” adding that Nigeria would reinforce national, state and local capacity to ensure the

sustainability of returns local integration.

She reiterated the federal government’s commitment to pursuing regional approaches to addressing force displacement, including through enhance information exchange on security and population movements.

In order to achieve some of these plans, the NCFRMI, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have produced roadmap, which would serve as a guide for the implementation of the pledges with appropriate coordination structures and mechanism for follow up.

The roadmap lays out concrete steps and priorities, identifies operational entry points and defines indicator for measuring short and longer term progress in areas such as health, education, water, sanitation, jobs and livelihood, energy, infrastructure, solutions and protection capacity.

UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya said Nigeria's achievements in showing solidarity with displaced persons and affected host communities predates the formal adoption of the global Compact on refugees in 2018.

She added: “Today, Nigeria has in place a favorable protection environment for refugees and

has made progress in terms of localizing and operationalizing the GCR, starting from favourable asylum policy and provision to refugees, IDP and Returnees to affected host communities.”

Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on IDPs and Refugees, Muhammad Umar Jega commended the UNHCR for all their efforts to fulfil the pledges, adding that their continued support, collaboration and synergy would help to bring maximum result.

how to solve the problem," he said.

Baraje, however, berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for inflicting pains on Nigerians through bad economic policies, saying a return of the PDP to the center wouldrestore hopes to Nigerians and correct all the bad deeds of the APC government.

According to him, a PDP president come 2023 would remain at home to tackle the myriad of problems facing the people, and that a PDP president would not continue to remain silent,when

innocent people were being killed daily by armed gunmen.

Baraje had earlier addressed stakeholders of the party during which he secured their endorsement for former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki as their candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The stakeholders during the interactive session also backed the call by the Advocacy Group,which Baraje led to the meeting for the North central zone to produce the presidential flag bearer of the party

for the election in 2023.

The endorsement of Saraki for the PDP ticket and the North Central zone to produce the presidential candidate was moved by a former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed Alkali, and was seconded by a former commissioner in the state, Mrs. Lami Makama.

When the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Tanko Beji, put the matter to vote, it was an overwhelming yes.

GAS DEVELOPMENT IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT APPROPRIATE PRICING, SAYS NNPC and international cooperation in the areas of gas production, transportation, and utilisation, especially for power generation.

He said, “We need to develop an appropriate gas pricing as well as policies and investment packages. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has done some significant improvement on some of the existing laws on gas.

“It has opened up some bottlenecks that used to exist.

Therefore, there are now several opportunities. Moreover, you have a lot of areas for investors to come in and put their money.

They can look at auto vehicles, power plants can come, heavy industries, petrochemicals, fertilisers etc.”

In his remarks, Ogunleye stated that most of the gas production in the country was under the control of foreigners, stressing that the situation is worrying.

He said, “You will find that the majority of gas projects and events are driven by foreign nationals and it is a concerning situation. And so, we need this task of continuously engaging with the public to expose them to the opportunities.

“Government has been pushing for gas development and the necessary environment has been created, whether through the PIA, the Decade of Gas, autogas, etc. All these are creating a spectrum of new opportunities around commercial opportunities.

There are multiple opportunities even for small companies.

“If you go downstream, you've got a bunch of new opportunities and new technologies. So, all across the spectrum, there are opportunities. The question is, how do we maximise and take advantage of these opportunities.”

World AIDS Day: US Saves 20 Million Lives Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United States of America said it has saved more than 20 million lives, prevented millions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, and supported many countries to reach epidemic control of the virus.

This it revealed in a statement issued by United States Embassy in Nigeria yesterday, to commemorate the World AIDS Day 2021.

The statement read in part: “Through PEPFAR, the US government has saved more than 20 million lives, prevented millions of HIV infections, and supported many countries to reach epidemic control of HIV. Globally, PEPFAR has helped replace death and despair with

vibrant life and hope, and tragedy with triumph.”

According to UNAIDS, AIDSrelated deaths have been cut by 64 per cent since their peak in 2004, adding that new HIV infections have been reduced by 52 percent since their peak in 1997.

The statement added: “Since 2003, the US government, through PEPFAR, has invested more than $85 billion in the global HIV/ AIDS response and saved more than 17 million lives, working in 54 countries.”

It explained that in Nigeria, PEPFAR had invested more than $6 billion in the national HIV/ AIDS response.

The statement highlighted some measures of the success of the US government through PERFAR to

include, assistance to more than 1.6 million, women, and children currently on HIV treatment in 2021 financial year alone; more than 10 million people have received HIV counselling and testing services; approximately 1.5 million pregnant women received HIV testing and counselling toward prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; more than 1.6 million people living with HIV received support to improve quality of life, including TB/ HIV care services and; about 850 thousand orphans and vulnerable children received care and support services.

The statement added: “PEPFAR-supported public health, clinical, and laboratory platforms have helped Nigeria to

keep Ebola virus disease, H1N1, and other deadly diseases from raging out of control – and are significantly aiding the Nigeria COVID19 response, while advancing the Nigeria HIV/ AIDS response.”

“On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2021, the US Mission Nigeria recognises and honors those we have lost to HIV/ AIDS and the resiliency of those who fight for epidemic control in Nigeria.

“The United States is committed to leading the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming an arsenal of vaccines for the world, and helping every country build back better. At the same time, we continue to lead global efforts to end the HIV epidemic.”

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CERTIFICATE OF HONOUR...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Adidua; Executive Chairman, Magma Group, Alh. Awwal Garba and UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al Taffag, at the presentation of a Certificate of Honour to Garba, during the 50th National Celebration of United Arab Emirates in Abuja…recently

Fayemi: Unity Can’t Endure Where Injustice, Marginalisation, Inequity Thrive Military better managed Nigeria’s diversity, says Jega Sultan identifies new challenges with Nigeria Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, at the National Summit on Unity, said harmony could not endure, where inequity, marginalisation and injustice thrive.

Fayemi was special guest at the National Summit on Unity organised by the National Prosperity Movement with the theme "Nigeria: The Imperative of Unity", where a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, also

berated civilian administrations in the management of Nigeria’s unity in diversity and claimed that the military did better.

In the same vein, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, who equally spoke at the occasion, said most of the problems confronting Nigeria, especially, the threat to her unity could be traced to the inability of the the leaders to effectively deploy the country's diversity for development.

However, in his key note address Fayemi said, "To be sure, unity cannot endure where injustice, exclusion, inequity and marginalisation are embedded in the practice of

governance. That is why as leaders, we must pay attention at all times to ensure that as we work to deliver on our mandate, fairness and equity are made our watchwords at all times. Our commitment to these values must not simply be minimalist – doing only the barest minimum required of us by the constitution – or token – just for the sake of playing to the gallery – or even rhetorical – through the paying of lip service.

"Our commitment must be robust, consistent, and demonstrable so that citizens have absolutely no doubt about the important place they occupy in our policy and

political priorities. As leaders, we must not only embody the ideals of national unity, but also be seen to be their active torch bearers at all times. This way, we build popular trust in our actions and erase doubts about our intentions," he explained.

Fayemi noted that, "In the face of some of our recent challenges, I have often shuddered at the spectacle, whereby some among us, who have been entrusted with leadership responsibility very easily slide into the role of ethno-regional champions, xenophobes, and zealots.

“While it is normal that leaders must have their ears to the ground

FG: We Will Treat Kidnappers as Terrorists Rules out amnesty for repentant bandits Says pardon for Kanu premature Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, yesterday said the federal government based on recent judgment of a Federal High Court now treats kidnappers who used force and arms against the people as terrorist.

Malami stressed that by the recent judgment of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the federal government has been fully equipped to take decisive actions against kidnappers and bandits, who according to him have brought untold hardship on the people.

He stated this yesterday when he appeared as guest on a programme on Channels Television.

The minister who spoke on development in the Nigerian justice sector, added that the government would however follow the law and international best practices in dealing with bandits and kidnappers recently declared as terrorist.

Malami explained that the judgment described anyone who uses arms and force to cause security challenge in the country, perpetuate kidnappings and insurgency as terrorists.

“If you kidnap, using force, using arms, you are qualified to be a terrorist, within the dictate and the judicial determination as

done by the court, you can then be tried in accordance with the Terrorism Act”, he said.

He stated that by the decision of the court, bandits and kidnappers have now joined the league of Boko Haram which have been proscribed long before now and will be given the same treatment by the Nigerian military.

He said, “Boko Haram has been proscribed long before now, they have been declared terrorist and that is the more reason why they have frontally been engaged by the military in terms of ensuring their elimination in line and in tune with international best practices and what the bandits have succeeded in doing now is to have themselves accommodated within that context in the way and manner of the Boko Haram.”

When asked if the federal government was considering amnesty for repentant bandits and kidnappers, the mister stated that amnesty was not inherent in the terrorism arrangement as it stands on its own, adding that amnesty was in no way automatic to bandits and terrorist.

He said, “No decision has been taking in that direction, but one decision that have been taking is declaration of bandits as terrorist and will be accordingly dealt with for now. The idea of window or no window is not an issue that has been discussed, deliberated

and agreed upon. As far as we are concerned, they have now been declared terrorist and are been dealt with accordingly.”

He also maintained that the government would not engage a third party in tackling the issue of banditry which have so far

devastated the economy of most northern states.

It will be recalled that Sheik Gumi have been in the forefront of finding an amicable solution to the issue of banditry in the country, which he warned should not be declared a terrorist group.

and feel the pulse of the people, who have elected them – imbibing, reproducing, and spilling out raw and crude bile and pushing scorched earth solutions, crosses the line of representation to become an exercise in the shirking of responsibility.

"Unlike the bulk of their followers, leaders are positioned and privileged to know that in matters of nation and state-building, the world is far more complex than the simple and many atimes, simplistic binary divisions that are frequently deployed to oppose black and white.”

The Ekiti governor, therefore, said, "Leaders must truly lead by using the broader, more complex, and better nuanced understanding they have to help moderate and modulate seasons of deep division in the polity, rather than becoming the ones, who add fuel to a raging fire."

In his key note address, Jega said, "The attention paid to the question of national unity and integration by successive military regimes has not been matched by successive civilian administrations.

“Except for sloganeering in the Third Republic, when Shehu Shagari as NPN’s presidential candidate,

and subsequently as president, popularised the slogan of “One Nation, One Destiny”, subsequent civilian administrations, especially, since 1999 seemed to have, more or less, presided over the undermining if not destruction of the bases and foundations of national unity and integration in Nigeria.

"To be sure, national unity can only be predicated on mutual trust and understanding, reciprocal friendly/brotherly/sisterly relations, as well as shared interests, values and aspirations. National unity would only best be promoted through tolerance and accommodation of each other’s differences, opinions, ethnic, religious and communal or even regional identities.

"At the core of national unity are non-discriminatory relations whether at the personal or official levels. The sad thing in that in contemporary Nigeria, all these are in dire short supply."

Jega lamented that, currently, the major threats to national unity, as well as national security could be summarised as follows: "Negative mobilisation of ethno-religious and other primordial identities, especially in contestations for power in electoral politics .

NLNG Train 7: Senate Accuses SAIPEM, Others of Sidelining Nigerian Firms in $10bn Contract Walks out Daewoo DMD, others Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate has accused the Italian oilfield services company, SAIPEM, of deliberately circumventing the country's Local Content Act by sideliining Nigerian manufacturers in the bidding for a $10 billion contract awards as provided for in the law.

The upper legislative chamber through its Committee on Local Content chaired by Senator Teslim Folarin, yesterday accused SAIPEM of misleading Nigeria when it claimed in its approved Nigeria Content Plan that it would source 100 per cent of steel required for the project locally.

The Senate committee also alleged how SAIPEM undermined

Nigeria's extant laws when it decided to import steel from manufacturers in South Korea and Italy and in the process overlooked Nigeria's manufacturers in the multi- billion dollar contracts and in flagrant violation of the Local Content Act. In its defense, SAIPEM, in a presentation by the Managing Director of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Guido D'Aloisio, exonerated the company of any liabilities saying it acted on the instruction of the client, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The MD noted that all it did was within the scope provided by NLNG which allowed it to source for highly specialised steels not available in Nigeria from outside

the country.

According to him, the arrangement was within the finance export scheme between NLNG, South Korea and Italy.

Not satisfied with the arguments canvassed by SAIPEM, the Senate Panel was forced to demand from the Managing Director, to provide more information about the foreign finance institutions that will further help it in its investigation.

The Senate Panel also raised concern over the size and capacity of SAIPEM's steel fabrication yard in the country to be certain it meets the minimum requirement of 10, 000 metric tonne per annum.

Even when SAIPEM said its steel fabrication yard in Port

Harcourt has a capacity of 26,000 metric tonne per annum; the Senate Panel refused to take its words for it; insisting on taking an inspection tour of the facility for a first hand assessment.

The other query centred on award of $1.7 million and another $1.36 million contracts to two foreign companies, Dovan and KAO as sole vendors for the company.

While SAIPEM explained that the two companies were selected based on old existing relations and performance, the Senate picked holes in the arrangement saying it was in gross violation of Section 15 of the Local Content Act which emphasizes competition and not arbitrary or unilateral selection.

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INTERVIEW

Onigbanjo: Lagos Will Make Full #EndSARS Panel Report Public Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State. In this interview with Arise Television, the senior lawyer bares his mind on the controversies surrounding the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry (JPI). Onigbanjo insists that the report of the panel remains inconsistent, saying that to clear all doubts, the government will soon make the full document available to the public. Emmanuel Addeh presents the excerpts: 21st of October 2020, and then go on to then say somewhere else that nine persons died, and they did not even offer any explanation as to how these people died. How did these nine people die? who killed them? Who shot them? When were they killed? nothing.

The white paper panel on the investigations into police brutality and the killings at the Lekki Tollgate has revealed that it was full of inconsistencies and contradictions and to that extent, that some of the recommendations are unacceptable. he key one was the white paper saying that there was no massacre in context, as submitted by that particular panel and that it is not true that nine persons died. Do you want to take us through some of those inconsistencies and contradictions before we begin to look at the recommendations?

The position of Lagos state government is based entirely on the report submitted by the panel itself.

We went through the report, and we saw that the judicial panel said that they found the evidence of Prof. John Obafunwa, the pathologist who conducted autopsies on all the bodies picked up all over Lagos during the protests, not just that at Lekki Tollgate, but state-wide, that they found his evidence credible, and that there was no evidence to the contrary.

Prof. Obafunwa said that of all the bodies he conducted autopsies on, three came from Lekki. That out of the three, only one had a gunshot injury.

And the panel said, we believe you, we accept your evidence, because there is nothing to the contrary. So, in law, if you put that on the imaginary scale, it means what Obafunwa said, outweighs every other evidence before the panel.

They said there was nothing to the contrary, then the panel then goes on to say there were nine deaths. If you look at that page, where they listed out 11 deceased persons from Lekki Tollgate, there was no explanation as to how they arrived at that conclusion, how they came about the names, who shot them, when they were shot.

So that's a contradiction.

T

Take for example, again, they said nine people died, and they awarded compensation to only one, why? if you believe nine people died, why are you not awarding compensation to the other eight people?

They also awarded one Nathaniel Solomon.

That he was deceased at Lekki Tollgate. It also turns out that Nathaniel Solomon was a witness before them, who had the petition in respect of his late brother.

An allegation that somebody was murdered is not one to be made lightly. In fact, in criminal law jurisprudence, you must prove it beyond reasonable doubt. But where you have these

Because this is the crux of the matter, I need to ask you, you've made it very clear.

But I must ask specifically for the avoidance of any doubt. It is the position of the Lagos state government that there was no massacre at the Lekki Tollgate. That is the position of the Lagos state government. Right?

The position of the Lagos state government is based on the findings of the panel itself. It is not that Lagos government just conjured this from the air. We looked at the report. That is what the panel itself said, that one person died at Lekki Tollgate, then it then went on to say nine people died.

It is not Lagos state government that is saying it. It is what the panel said, after reviewing the evidence of Prof. Obafunwa.

The evidence of the pathologist Prof. Obafunwa, that only three of the bodies that they conducted post mortem examination on were from Lekki and only one had gunshot injury, and this was not debunked. We deem it credible, as the contrary was not presented before the panel. That's their own conclusion.

Onigbanjo inconsistencies, is Nathaniel Solomon dead or alive, did one person die at Lekki or did nine people die? Those contradictions and many more made that particular finding unreliable.

For a finding that somebody died at a scene to be acceptable, there must be no doubt. What the panel did created doubts, it created gaps in their story of nine deaths. Once there are doubts, the doubts are usually resolved in favour of the person you're accusing to have murdered or killed those people.

We have listed out in the white paper, some of the contradictions, and we are also going to release the two reports of the panel for the public to judge by themselves.

It's not just going to be a case of Lagos state government, analysing this itself and coming to conclusions, we are going to make them available to everybody read it, and see how you can resolve the conflict.

They said, Oh, I agree with the pathologist, that one person died and was picked up on the

#EndSARS Panel Report: The Siege is Over Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa Since November 15, 2021, when the Reports of the #EndSARS Judicial Panel were submitted to the Lagos State Government, a good number of my colleagues, friends and admirers prevailed on me to refrain from further public pronouncements on the activities and reports of the Panel since the government was studying the said reports.

Upon the submission of the said reports, lawyers on the payroll of the government and other employees of the government, took turns to denigrate the reports, on national television, in paid adverts in newspapers and on the social media.

Ministers in the Cabinet of the Federal Government have also commented on the said reports, in some cases calling members of the Panel unprintable names and even comparing victims of brutality and human rights abuses to goats and taunting their already traumatized families and friends.

On November 30, 2021, the government released two separate White Papers, to the general public.

The Panel was not informed of this action and it was not availed copies of the said White Papers, till this moment.

The Committee that reviewed the Reports of the Panel and which produced the White Papers was headed by the Honourable Attorney-General of Lagos State.

On December 1, 2021, the Honourable Attorney-General of Lagos State was a guest on

Arise Television, where he took time to discuss the Reports of the Panel and the contents of the White Papers that his Committee produced.

The impression was also created that the Panel mismanaged funds released to it.

It has become necessary therefore for me and all other Members of the Panel to study the White Papers and make appropriate responses thereto.

There will be no holds barred, since the government itself has opened the doors for public scrutiny of the report and the white papers.

For the records, the Panel relied upon the evidence of witnesses, documents tendered before it and the goodwill of the people of Nigeria, throughout its assignment.

It is painful for me and the Panel that the government is creating the wrong impression of financial impropriety as a tool of distraction when the Panel had a Secretariat that managed all its funds, through the Ministry of Justice.

Although I served on the Panel free of charge without collecting a dime, I know as a fact that other members served sacrificially, given up their time, families and careers for a whole year.

At the appropriate time, we will respond to all the inaccuracies, the coverups and the inconsistencies contained in the White Papers released by the government.

Assuredly, nothing can ever cover the truth.

Adegboruwa, SAN, member of the judicial panel on #EndSARS

Adegboruwa

But I would like to ask you. Is it that nothing happened in Lekki? Can we also talk about the case of the police? The panel used the arms register and police officers in that particular police division, that they will normally collect 15 to 20 rounds of bullets.

But on the night of the 20th, some collected 60 rounds of bullets and some even collected 75 rounds of bullets as stated in the report.

So, what happened that night?

It is not that we're living in denial, not at all.

The report itself, which I urge you all to find time to read, is about 550 pages and it says: 1.

The military, the army was at Lekki Tollgate.

2. fired gunshots.

But the forensic expert called by the panel itself said it couldn't determine that live rounds were fired. Although General Taiwo said the army went there with blanks with live bullets.

Regarding the question about police taking more rounds on the night of the 20th, if you read the same report, the movement register of the police showed that one policeman was assigned to Lekki. It's all there.

And so even if they took more rounds, you still have to go on to show that these rounds were actually used to kill a, b, c, d. It is not just to say, oh, they took more rounds, because then there is a gap. You have to tell us what they did with the rounds.

What happened that night? Because the panel of inquiry was set up to know what happened on that night of the 20th at the Lekki Tollgate. But at the end of this panel of inquiry, it is obvious by the arguments and counter arguments that we have not been able to see the light of what happened on that night. What really happened, is it that nobody died? Is it that nothing happened?

That was the panel’s duty. The state government set up the panel to find out precisely that. What they found out is contained in the report they have issued. We are going by that report, and I've told you what they said.

That the army was there, no dispute; they fired shots in the air, whether blanks or live, I believe the panel said they fired blanks and live bullets.

But if you want to accuse somebody that he shot or killed somebody, you then have to go on to show the details. So, you can’t leave anything to speculation like what you are saying is speculation. That so, because they took 70 rounds, because they took 50 per cent more rounds, if you cannot show how nine people died, you must be able to tell the world what happened at Lekki on that day.

So, if your findings, unfortunately leaves all these gaps, all these doubts, then we cannot rely on it.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

US Jails Wife of Drug Kingpin ‘El Chapo’ The wife of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to helping her husband run his multibilliondollar criminal empire.

Emma Coronel Aispuro also helped her husband plan a dramatic escape through a tunnel dug underneath a prison in Mexico in 2015 by smuggling a GPS watch to him disguised as a food item, prosecutors said during a hearing in federal court in Washington.

That helped those digging the tunnel pinpoint his location and reach him. The leader of the Sinaloa cartel was recaptured the following year.

Prosecutors had asked for four years in prison, but US District Judge Rudolph Contreras imposed a shorter term, saying her role was a small piece of a much larger organization. Her arrest doesn’t seem to have reduced the harm caused by the cartel, he said. “There appears to be no shortage of willing participants,” he said.

She had faced a minimum of 10 years in prison but was subject to a so-called “safety valve” provision because she had no criminal record, was not considered a leader and was not involved with violence.

Tel Aviv Ranked World’s Most Expensive City Tel Aviv is the world’s most expensive city to live in as soaring inflation has pushed up living costs globally, according to a survey published Wednesday.

The Israeli city climbed five rungs to score top place for the first time in the authoritative ranking compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The Worldwide Cost of Living Index is compiled by comparing prices in US dollars for goods and services in 173 cities.

Tel Aviv climbed the rankings partly due to the strength of the national currency, the shekel, against the dollar, as well increases in prices for transport and groceries.

Paris and Singapore came in tied for second, followed by Zurich and Hong Kong. New York City was in sixth place, with Geneva in seventh.

Rounding off the top 10 were Copenhagen in eighth, Los Angeles in ninth and Osaka, Japan, in 10th place.

Last year, the survey put Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong in a tie for first place.

France Bestows American Josephine Baker Highest National Honour The late American entertainer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker has become

the first Black woman to be inducted into the Pantheon in Paris, the highest honour that France bestows.

Legendary entertainer Josephine Baker famously sang that she had two loves — “J’ai Deux Amours” — my country and Paris.

She was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, but having come to Paris to perform, she revelled in life here, free of the institutionalized racism and segregation at home.

Baker quickly became the darling of Parisian society, as people flocked to see her perform in her trademark banana skirt or shimmering sequins at the city’s nightspots. She made France her home, dividing her time between Paris and a fairytale castle she bought in the southwest of the country.

Greece Orders Seniors to Vaccinate or Pay Fines Greece Is introducing steep fines for unvaccinated people aged 60 and over as infections surge, straining the Greek state healthcare system. The decision is generating debate about civil liberties and freedom in the land that gave birth to western-style democracy.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appeared visibly concerned as he announced the mandate after an urgent cabinet meeting.

Mitsotakis said he could not hide that he was – in his words – personally troubled in taking the decision. But, he explained, he was ultimately compelled to do so to protect the most vulnerable – even if that means upsetting them.

Under the new rules, Greeks over the age of 60 will have to be vaccinated or face a fine of 113 dollars which the country’s tax authorities have been authorised to impose and collect beginning next month.

US: Russia Planning to Invade Ukraine US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Russia appears to be planning to take military action against neighbouring Ukraine and warned Moscow of consequences if it moved forward with acts of aggression.

“We are deeply concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans for significant aggressive moves against Ukraine, plans (that) include efforts to destabilise Ukraine from within, as well as large-scale military operations,” Blinken said at a news conference in Riga, Latvia, after meeting with NATO foreign ministers.

Blinken said “in recent weeks,” Moscow stepped up preparations that included positioning tens of thousands of additional troops near the border it shares with Ukraine.

He warned the Kremlin that “we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high-impact economic measures that we’ve refrained from using in the past.”

Blinken’s remarks came shortly after NATO foreign ministers expressed solidarity against any Russian aggression toward Ukraine, and the United States confirmed plans for Blinken to hold separate meetings with his counterparts from both countries.

US, Poland Talk Russian Military Build-Up Near Ukraine The United States is reaching out to allies in response to Russia’s military build-up along its border with Ukraine.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak Tuesday to discuss what the Pentagon has repeatedly described as Moscow’s “unusual military activity.”

The two also shared concerns about the situation along Poland’s border with Belarus, where Polish officials have accused the Belarus regime of using thousands of migrants to raise tensions.

According to a US Defence Department readout of the call, they “discussed ways to enhance deterrence along NATO’s Eastern Flank,” a US Defence Department readout of the call said.

Austin made the call while en route to Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart.

Polish Parliament Rejects Unlimited Media Access to Belarus Border Poland’s president on Tuesday signed into law legislation that would limit the access of aid charities and journalists to its border with Belarus as the country grapples with a simmering migrant crisis.

The law is a blow to the opposition parties that advocated for unlimited media access, an amendment approved by the upper house of parliament on Friday but rejected by the lower house.

Under the state of emergency declared in the border region in September and ending at midnight, the media and aid charities were completely banned. The opposition said the ban was intended to cover up rights abuses and had sought unfettered access.

The government said the restrictions were necessary for security reasons.

Under the new rules, the interior minister can limit access to the border zone after consulting with the head of the Border Guard. However, journalists and NGOs may be able to enter at the discretion of local Border Guard heads.

US, South Korea Updating War Plans for North Korea The United States and South Korea are preparing to develop “a new, operational war plan” better to address the growing threat from North Korea’s military.

The new plan would replace existing strategies meant to respond to potential North Korean aggression, drawn up about a decade ago and do not account for Pyongyang’s military advances, according to senior US defence officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the process.

“This is the right thing to do,” a senior defence official told reporters en route to Seoul for meetings between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean officials.

“The DPRK has advanced its capabilities,” the official said. “The strategic environment has changed over the past few years.”

The official described the process of updating the existing plans as an “extensive and intensive effort” with no set deadline for completion.

Honduras Ruling Party Candidate Concedes to Opponent in Presidential Election Former Honduras first lady Xiomara Castro, whose husband was ousted in a coup 12 years ago, has been elected the Central American nation’s first woman president. The leftist opposition leader’s victory in Sunday’s election was sealed when Nasry Asfura, the mayor of the capital Tegucigalpa and candidate of the ruling National Party, conceded the election during a visit with Castro Tuesday at her home.

In a tweet that accompanied a photo of the two candidates, Castro praised Mayor Asfura for accepting “the will of the people.”

“People, I will not fail you!” she ended in a triumphant note. “With my promises we will return to the democratic order.”

The most recent electoral results show Castro with 53 per cent of the votes and Asfura with just 34 per cent, with over half of all the votes counted.

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Lawyer Sues Buhari, Minister over Alleged Lopsided Appointments Alex Enumah in Abuja An Abuja based lawyer, Mr. Maxwell Opara yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, instituted legal action against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Mohammed Bello over alleged violation of Federal Character Act in the appointments of Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, Personal Aids, Directors and other staffers into the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Opara, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2021, is asking the court for an order directing the FCT Minister and other defendants to comply with the provisions of Sections 4(1)(a)(b) and 5 of the Federal Character (Establishment) Act in all appointments in all cadres of posts in FCTA. FCT Minister, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Character Commission are first to fourth defendants respectively.

Specifically, plaintiff formu-

lated three issues for the determination of the court and also wants the court to declare that the Federal Character Commission (FCC) is

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, of Akwa Ibom State has arrested 35 suspected vandals of petroleum products and impounded 408 drums of suspected illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Mohammed Abu, disclosed this to Journalists when handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ibaka.

Abu said the Nigeria Navy Ship Thunder on November 26, 2021 while on routine patrol intercepted the suspects and arrested them and impounded three wooden boats used in conveying the AGO. “I will be handing over the suspects and exhibits of wooden boats that were intercepted by the NNS Thunder on the November

cadre of posts in the Federal Government of Nigeria and to ensure compliance to the said formulae.

Plaintiff, in addition is praying

the court to declare that the 1st to 3rd defendants are under obligation to comply with the provisions of Part 1, Section 1 to 9 and Part III, Section 4

and 5 if the guiding principle and formulae for distribution of all cadre of posts and in appointments into all cadre of posts into the FCTA.

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Navy Arrests 35 Suspected Vandals, Impounds 408 Drums of Oil in A’Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo

empowered by law to formulate principles and guidelines for the application of the federal character principle of fairness and equitable distribution of all

26, at high sea having infracted economic policy of the country.

“In line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Auwul Gambo, directives for zero tolerance of maritime crime of any nature, particularly crude oil theft and smuggling on our maritime domain.

“The Chief of the Naval Staff has given a clear directive to Nigerian Navy to free the waterways of illegalities and other maritime crimes.

“So, having said this, we have three wooden boats which was conveying 408 drums of AGO and 40 drums of PMS mixed with oil, 906 empty drums and 35 male suspects are here before you.

“I am handing them over to you, as the prosecuting agency to carry out further investigation and prosecute them accordingly and revert back to the Nigerian Navy on the outcome,” Abu said.

Families of Four Slain Police Officers Get N4m in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Families of four slain police officers were yesterday presented with a cheque of N1 million each by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu in Benin City.

The four police officers - Rufus Ojo Kosemani (DPO), Justina Aghomo, Isaac Sadoh and Glory David - were killed by gunmen on March 12, 2019 in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area when

the Police station was attacked and burnt down.

At the presentation of cheques, the state police commissioner, stated that the money was made available by the Edo State government who promised to give the families the money when the incident occurred. He also said that the police station was rebuilt by the government and it is already in use.

The CP stated that the loss was a great one and prayed that God

would continue to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

According to Ogbadu, “On March 12, 2019, gunmen attacked the police station in Afuze killing the DPO and three other officers.

Governor Godwin Obaseki visited and promised to compensate the families of the slain officers and rebuild the station.

“I pray that the family will continue to have the fortitude to bear the great loss. It is not easy at this time. However, I must

commend the Governor for the kind gesture and implore other governors to emulate the kind gesture.”

Responding, wife of the late DPO, Mrs. Mary Kosemani commended the Edo State government for the gesture but stated that she expected more. “I have four kids and I was hoping to get more compensation. I, however, commend the state government for fulfilling the promise it made to us.”

PDP: Ondo Workers May Celebrate Xmas on Empty Stomach Fidelis David in Akure

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ondo State, has said workers of the state may celebrate this year’s Christmas on empty stomach, in spite of the N18.2 billio received in tranches as bail-out from the federal government.

In a statement made available to Journalists in Akure yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Kennedy Ikantu

Peretei, it alleged that the sorrows and pains of workers in Ondo state are the worst in the South-west, stressing that neighbouring states with less revenue are doing projects and paying staff salaries.

The party said: “For the workers of Ondo State, their Christmas celebration is hanging dangerously in the hope that the Akeredolu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government will be “magnanimous” enough to pay salaries, at least one full

month.

“For more than one year now, workers in Ondo State receive percentage salaries. It could be as ridiculous as 30 per cent of their monthly salary. At the last count, only June 2021 salaries have been paid in full. That means, six months salaries are still outstanding. This is in spite of the N18.2 billion received in tranches as bail out from the federal government.

It noted that workers in the state have become butt of jokes,

unable to meet the challenges of everyday existence, while some who used their salaries as collateral to collect loans from banks and cooperative societies are unable to service these loans.

“It has never been this bad in the state. For a ‘Civil Servants State’, the APC Government has abridged every opening for the people to live a meaningful life.

Artisans and market women all groan under the cluelessness of the incumbent administration.

to SERAP: Stop Publicity Stunt, Render Account Cleric Admonishes Christians to Presidency issues with the most recent in a statement by the Senior Shehu said these headlineDeji Elumoye in Abuja being a lawsuit asking the Special Assistant on Media grabbing publicity stunts, Imbibe Spirit of Harvest Season The Presidency has challenged Federal High Court in Abuja and publicity to the President, however baseless, succeed

Segun Awofadeji inBauchi

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church(CSMC), Bethel Cathedral,Numan, Yola District of Adamawa State recently celebrated its Annual Harvest Anniversary Thanksgiving with a call on Christians to let the lessons learnt and the spirit imbibed during the harvest season strengthen their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In his sermon at the special Thanksgiving Service of the church with the theme: “Harvest of Liberation”, Special Apostle Segun Awofadeji stressed the need for Christians to be their brother’s keeper and assist the less privileged and vulnerable for the spirit of harvest to further germinate in their daily lives.

Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, the sermoner said:

“Psalm 128:3 tells us that God Himself ordained harvest season with the major aim for man to eat the fruits of his labour. The harvest season is one of the principal covenant of God with man, and that is why He gives seed to the sower to ensure food on the table for the eater.”

“This is the reason harvest season is usually a period of celebration, jubilation and happiness, and it’s also a time to gather in the rewards of our labour or harvest (Proverb 6:8)”.

According to him,” Life is about sowing and reaping. It is either you are planting or harvesting. We are on Earth as a seed, someone will harvest us someday. So be not deceived, and Jehovah God Almighty is not mocked so therefore whatsoever you sow determines what you reap both in frequency, quality and quantity.”

the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to stop what it described as baseless legal actions against President Muhammadu Buhari, and focus on rendering their own account.

SERAP had on many occasions sued President Buhari over wide range of

to direct and compel Buhari to take immediate steps to ensure the arrest of soldiers and police officers indicted by the Lagos #EndSARS panel report for the shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate, and other police brutality cases.

But in a formal reaction, the Presidency, yesterday,

Garba Shehu, said SERAP had announced on repeated occasions that it was suing the government or president over a range of issues from alleged human rights abuses to alleged corruption, but to date, has not taken their retinue of legal actions to a logical conclusion.

in painting an inaccurate picture of life and governance in Nigeria.

He, therefore, called on SERAP to cease its divisive, irresponsible, and bare-faced publicity stunts and instead, follow through on its latest spurious legal claim in a Nigerian court of law.

Ampo Poyam, Nigerian Machine Tools Partner to Boost Energy Sector Ampo Poyam Valves has announced a partnership agreement with Nigeria Machine Tools to establish a local subsidiary to design and manufacture highly engineered valves for the energy industry in Nigeria.

Ampo Poyam Valves represented by its local branch “Ampo Valves Nigeria Limited and in collaboration with Nigeria Machine Tools, will consequently

support West African customers in terms of high added value valve solutions, excellent service and technology, positively impacting local delivery lead times and after-sale services to meet demands of current and future projects.

“As a world leader in highly engineered valves for the most severe services and applications of the energy industry we are

excited to engage with a leading manufacturer in Africa to bring our wide range of tailor-made valve solutions to the West African market. The agreement aims to further consolidate Ampo Poyam Valves’ position in the region while emphasising the company’s commitment to the African continent” said Strategic Director of Ampo Poyam Valves, Mr. Alex Eizmendi, said.

He added: “We look forward to a long-term partnership that can serve as an appropriate model of support to our West African customers as well as to Nigeria’s national economy by the transfer of global top-tier technology and know-how to the African market. This partnership shows our complete faith as well in Nigeria’s industrial infrastructure”.

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Insecurity: House Charges IG to Remove All Illegal Military, Police Checkpoints

Udora Orizu inAbuja

The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday mandated the Inspector General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, to ensure the removal of illegal and unnecessary police and military checkpoints on all roads in the country.

The House also directed him to remove all the wooden barriers across the roads as it affects lifespan of roads.

It further mandated its Committee on Works to investigate the status of road concessions that has been given out in the past six months and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.

The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance ‘on the need to investigate loss of many lives on the Onitsha-Owerri expressway within Ihiala federal constituency,’ which was sponsored

by Hon. Chudy Momah, (APGA, Anambra).

Moving the motion, Momah noted that for over two years, military and police check points on Onitsha-Owerri expressway in lhiala has been operational to quell insecurity in the area.

However, he lamented that road

users have since been subjected to devastating, degrading and inhumane treatment occasioned by the operation of the military and police check point in that area.

According to him, “No one is spared, as everyone suffers under the weight of the oppression as men, women, and children are forced to alight from their cars and raise their hands up before pass through the checkpoint.”

He recalled that on November 4, 2021, an accident involving three vehicles on the OnitshaOwerri road claimed the lives of three children and six adults, according to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), as the driver, upon sighting the police checkpoint, tried to apply brake but couldn’t, thus resulting in the fatal accident (according to eye witness).

He also recalled that most recently on November 28, 2021, a trailer carrying a container load of goods ran over 20 public road users who died on the spot.

The lawmaker said: “Nursing and pregnant women are also notspared. In fact, nursing mothers are made to carry their babies up high as they walk across the checkpoint, sometimes being forced to walk for over one km.

Recently, a pregnant woman on a bike was whipped thoroughly at the military checkpoint.

“Traditional rulers are also

stopped and searched in an embarrassing manner, including ransacking their traditional attire.

Cognisant that the military and

police checkpoints are located in the middle of the busiest road in the local government area, opposite Abbot Boys Secondary

School, Ihiala, and opposite Ihiala Divisional Police headquarters, an area that ought not to be associated with a military checkpoint.

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IPOB Tells NdiIgbo Not APC Berates Ortom over Sleaze Allegation against Akume to Sit at Home as Kanu Goes to Court Today George Okoh in Makurdi

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked residents of the South-east not to sit at home on today (Thursday), as its leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu goes to court.

The Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, in a statement said: “We wish to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom that our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will be in court tomorrow, December 2, 2021 in Abuja.

“We therefore, urge Biafrans living in Abuja and its environs to come out to solidarise with our leader.

“Meanwhile, there will be no lockdown tomorrow in any part of Biafra land as a result of the court appearance. Biafrans resident in Biafra land as well as visitors to Biafra land are free to go about

their lawful businesses without fear of molestations or intimidation.

“We have not asked or authorised anybody to monitor or enforce any lockdown. Again, there will be no lockdown in Biafra land for tomorrow’s court appearance of our leader.

“Only Biafrans and friends of Biafra in Abuja and its environs are encouraged to be at the court premises. As a non-violent movement, we urge everyone to remain peaceful and law abiding in all their conducts.

“Security operatives should also refrain from infringing on the fundamental rights of people who come to cheer our leader.”

Powerful said that Kanu was not being persecuted because of any crime other than his fight for the freedom of Igbo people, as such, the people owe him a duty to stand by him until this darkness is over.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue State has expressed dismay over the recent attacks by the Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, on the Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affair, Senator George Akume, stating that the attacks were mere plot to tarnish and work against the chances of Akume to emerge

as chairman of the APC. The party also accused Ortom of writing a spurious corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crime Commision (EFCC) against Akume to cover up his failure to provide developmental leadership for the state.

The State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Augustine Agada, while briefing reporters yesterday said the attacks on

“our leader has been brewed consistently over time and intermittently unleashed on him with great mischief. But while we may have tolerated this bashing for so long, the governor has again embarked on a dangerous campaign of calumny, trying so desperately run down the towering profile of Senator Akume, who is one of the very few Nigerian past governors without criminal

records.

“The target of this campaign of calumny, we ultimately know, is to lower Senator Dr. George Akume who is highly celebrated by many Nigerians in the eyes of the public thereby, weakening his chances of emerging as the national chairman of the APC, now that majority of APC members across all states of the federation are clamouring for his emergence to the position.

2022: Ekiti South APC, PDP Politicians Unite against Godfathers Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Politicians of Ekiti South extraction from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), have demanded the zoning of the governorship tickets of the parties to the district as the gubernatorial election holds in the state in 2022.

The political bigwigs,

including aspirants on the platforms of the two dominant parties clearly told those perceived as godfathers of Ekiti politics that no effort will be spared to resist attempt by anyone to sideline the zone that has not produced the governor since 1999.

The stakeholders spoke yesterday at a political summit tagged : ‘Ekiti South Conference Towards 2022 Governorship

Election’, held at Uncle Eagles Civic Centre along Ikere road, Ado Ekiti and convened by a group called Concerned Ekiti Citizens for Southern Agenda, chaired by Hon. Femi Babalola.

Prominent politicians at the event are : Former Speaker and serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Bamisile, Senator representing Ekiti South, Chief Biodun Olujimi, former

Works Minister, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Commissioner for Public Utilities, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, former Deputy Governor Biodun Aluko, Special Adviser to Governor Fayemi on Federal Matters, Mr. Makinde Araoye, former Commissioner for Special Duties, Adewumi Apalara, PDP governorship aspirant, Kayode Adaramodu, an ex-Commissioner, Mr. Debo Ajayi

FCTA Mulls Agro Ranger Stations in Three Area Bayelsa Police Drags 12 Women Councils to Curtail Banditry

to Court over Alleged Use of “Juju” to Disrupt Road Project

Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has dragged 12 women from Agobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state over their alleged involvement in unlawful assembly and use of occultic means known as “Juju” to block the ongoing construction of the Yenagoa/Oporoma road by the State Government.

THISDAY gathered that the women were reportedly arrested during their protest against alleged exclusion from the communities to benefit from the Oporoma/ Yenagoa road construction project.

They had allegedly threatened to stop the road project if the Governor Douye Diri administration does not include their community as a beneficiary of the road project.

The women dragged to Court include: Madam Nerisa John (43), Chriatiana Famous (36), Dolphina Ochai (34), Flora Clinton (55), Ayibanua Lucky (33) and Motoko Oyibadoemi (54). Others include Amilo Brandy (30), Tuebi Romeo (25), Ayibaegben Godbless (40), Becky Williams (37), Ayababy Kwoli (50) and Falaba David (30).

In the two count charges against them before the Magistrate Court, Oporoma division, the police charged reads that “on the 24th to 30th of November, 2021 at Agobiri community in Oporoma magistrate district did conspire among yourselves to commit felony with unlawful assembly and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 444(d) of the criminal code law, cap c14 laws of Bayelsa State, 2006.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has proposed the establishment of three agro-Ranger base stations in Kuje, Bwari and Abaji Area Councils to curb banditry and other criminal activities in the forest areas as well as reduce the perennial clashes between farmers and herders.

The Director (Admin and Finance) Security Services of FCTA, Dr. Abdul-lateef Bello, disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing.

The Agro Ranger unit was midwifed in 2019 to train and carry out clearance operations to enable the farming communities access their farmlands.

“The establishment of AgroRanger base stations in some of the farming communities in the FCT is

a new initiative that we are mulling.

The idea is to help the farming communities return back to farm so that we can continue to enjoy affordable food and agricultural products like we used to enjoy in the FCT,” Bello said.

He added that several interventions were initiated to resolve the perennial clashes between herders and farmers in Dobi, Ibwa and Paikon-Kore

communities of Gwagwalada Area Council, Paikon-Basa village of Abaji Area Council and other parts of the FCT. He disclosed that the Fulani leaders held a meeting with the FCT Police Command Commissioner to tackle the issue of Ruga Settlement, where the Fulani leaders pledged their cooperation in ensuring effective profiling of the Ruga in the FCT for security reasons.

Military Seeks Review of NHIS Act to Cover Wounded-in-Action Personnel

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The military authorities yesterday called for a review of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover the treatment of personnel wounded in theatres of war.

It also called for coverage of high tech diagnostic surgeries and cardiovascular cases not captured by NHIS.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with military secondary health care providers in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Health Maintenance Limited, Rear Admiral A.B Afolanyan (rtd) called for the institution of functional NHIS committees in Health Care Providers (HCP) to avoid misappropriation of

disbursed funds by Health Management Organisations (HMO).

Also speaking at the event, Chief of Medical Services, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olabode Babalola, said the treatment of personnel wounded in military operations were not captured in the NHIS. He stated that treatment of cardiovascular cases were

handled outside the scheme.

“Cases like gunshot wound and cardiovascular injury are not covered and we need the NHIS to take it into consideration. In his remarks, the Chief of Medical Services of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Ibrahim Nurudeen, called for a review of the NHIS Act to cover cases of operational injuries.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

53

NEWS XTRA

Consider Proscribing Kidnappers as Terrorists, House Tells FG Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to deal more decisively with the issue of banditry and also consider proscribing kidnappers as terrorists.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Education to deploy technology and logistics to provide security in government schools in Nigeria.

It further urged all private school owners across the country to deploy adequate security in their schools.

The resolutions of the House were sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary yesterday by Hon. Taiwo Oluga on the need to provide security measures in government and private schools.

Moving the motion, Oluga said Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provided that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government.

She said that Section 18 of the Constitution provided for the Educational Objectives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and mandates the federal government to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities for all citizens at all levels and also that government must strive to eradicate illiteracy, provide free, compulsory and universal primary and secondary

education.

Oluga said regardless of those objectives, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report of 2018 stipulated that of every five out–of–school children in the world, one is a Nigerian child.

She stressed that the

report further revealed that approximately 10.5 million children in Nigeria between 5–14 years of age are out of school, 60 per cent of 6–1 years of age children regularly attend primary schools and only 35.6 per cent of children of age between 36 months to59 months receive early child

education.

Oluga noted: “Despite these frightening statistics on education in Nigeria, there is an aggressive assault on education in Nigeria, mainly by the dreaded Boko Haram and bandits in the North that have developed a penchant for massive abduction of children,

thereby increasing the number of out of school children in Nigeria.

“Despite these developments, the Federal Ministry of Education, the States Ministries of Education and private school owners have not taken steps to provide adequate security in schools across the country

to prevent attacks.”

While commending the federal government’s intervention in the School Feeding Program, Oluga noted that there was an urgent need to provide adequate security for schools in the country to ensure the safety of school pupils.

MARKING AIDS DAY…

L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; The Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashau; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Monsurat Adeleke;The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan and the representative of Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Oyetunde Shotunde, at the 2021 World Aids day symposium in Lagos…yesterday ETOP UKUTT

N’Assembly Transmits N2b Fraud: Ex-Niger State Govt House Accountant Road Bills to President Narrates How Security Vote was Disbursed The defendants are being the Niger State Government, State Government House Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Buhari for Assent prosecuted for alleged criminal Umar Nasko, to disburse N10 Security account in Unity Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Assembly has transmitted the Federal Roads Bill and the National Roads Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. Findings by THISDAY showed that the bills which were passed by the House in December 2019 and concurred by the Senate in October 2020, were conveyed to the President vide two letters dated November 25 and 30 respectively by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Amos Olatunde Ojo. Both Bills were sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu)

and Hon. Ossai Nicholas (PDP, Delta) in the House of Representatives. The Federal Roads Bill seeks to repeal the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act (FERMA) Act, Federal Highways Act, and the Control of Advertisement on Federal Highways Act to establish an agency to govern and manage the nation’s federal roads network.

When established, the agency is expected to facilitate Private Sector participation in the development, financing, maintenance, management, and improvement of roads in Nigeria, including contracts for road concession and other forms of Public Private Partnership as well as set guidelines for the working of PPP contracts.

The trial of former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and two others, Tanko Beji and Umar Nasko before Justice Mikail Aliyu of the Niger State High Court, Minna, continued yesterday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), presenting two more witnesses.

breach of trust and diversion of N2 billion ecological fund.

The 10th prosecuting witness, PW10, Hamisu Musa Jankaro, erstwhile Chief Accountant and later, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Minna, between 2010-2016, told the court that he was instructed by the then Chief of Staff to

million per withdrawal from January 2011 to December 2011, to the 2nd Defendant, Tanko Beji, the then Director General of the Niger State PDP Campaign Organisation, or his nominees who are in charge of Senatorial Districts A, B and C. “The Government House has two accounts tagged: “Niger

Bank with account number 0000187196 and Zenith Bank 1012424374”, he said.

He identified exhibits K series, H series, and L series as accounts documents and statements of accounts for the accounts and further stated that he was a core signatory to the accounts.

Nasarawa Police Trained on Restorative Justice alternatives to violence as part of happened in 2020 regarding the of them. We want to introduce Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) yesterday trained police officers in the Nasarawa State Police Command on restorative justice, to avoid most cases going to the court of law.

This was even as PRAWA had last Tuesday also offered a similar training to youths of the state on

the its training on human rights.

Speaking to journalists during the training, a Deputy Director of PRAWA, Mrs. Ogechi Ugo, said the training exercise was an initiative introduced to address challenging issues of trust and confidence between communities and the police.

According to her, “This is coming as a backdrop to what

#EndSARS protests. We talked with police officers, DPOs, DCOs and Area Commanders, sensitising them on compliance to human rights principles and standards in the performance of their duties.

“We will also extend it to other law enforcement officers like NSCDC, the Correctional Service, the Judiciary and the rest

restorative justice at pretrial stage so that it won’t be every case that must go to court.

“We have found out that training police alone would not solve the problem. We equally need to engage the public also so that there would be a balance, and that confidence that is required for the police to provide security for us would be achieved.”

Over 300,000 Children out of School in Borno Umahi Presents N145.4bn UNICEF: Act in order to protect the rights Committee on Violence Against Acts (CRA).

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri of the out-of-school conflict- Persons, Justice and Judiciary on She added that when passed Budget for 2022 The United Nations Children’s affected children and others in Domestication of Child Rights into law, UNICEF would work Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, has presented a budget estimate of N145,410,597,723.49 for 2022 fiscal year.

Tagged: “Budget of Latter Rain,” the 2022 budget estimates represented an increase of 46.65 per cent over 2021 revised budget of N99.1 billion.

Umahi explained that the increase was due to the carryover of a large part of the expected receipts in the 2021fiscal year to 2022 fiscal year.

He said: “The following expected receipts will happen in our 2022 fiscal year of which some of them were expected receipts in our 2021 budget

which could not happen and are now deferred to 2022 fiscal year.

“We expect about N4.315 billion from TETFund for our tertiary institutions; UBEB growth of over N1.2 billion; SFTAS of N16.727 billion; World Bank COVID-19 grants of N1billion; Federal Government of Nigeria bridging finance of N18.225 billion given to each of the 36 States in Nigeria and domestic loan of N7 billion to fund 2022 budget deficit.”

In the breakdown, the proposed capital expenditure is N89,763,717,205 or 61.73 per cent of total budget while recurrent expenditure is proposed to be N55, 646, 880, 517.69 or 38.27 per cent of total budget.

Fund (UNICEF) has lamented that 330,389 students are out of school in troubled Borno State due to the Boko Haram’s crisis.

The United Nations agency, however, called on the State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the Child Rights

the state.

The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Ms. Phuong Nguyen, said this yesterday during a public hearing on the Borno State Child Rights Domestication Act that was organised by the Ad-hoc Special

Act 2015.

Nguyen commended the lawmakers and the state government on the public hearing and expressed optimism that more states in the North-east would expedite processes to domesticate the Child Rights

with stakeholders to make the law active for the protection of children in the state.

She said: “While the domestication of the CRA is an important milestone, much more work lies ahead to implement the Borno State Child Rights Act.

Group Urges Legal Bodies to Provide Free Representation for Abused Children Sunday Okobi Lagos-based charity organisation, Kick Against Child Abuse (KACA), has pushed for legal firms and law practitioners to provide free counsel for children suffering all forms of abuses

in Nigeria.

In a statement issued yesterday during an outreach in the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, a trustee of KACA, Mr Femi Eigbokhan, talked about the hardship and difficulty faced

by parents and guardians of abused children finding proper representation to help them fight cases in court that deal with mostly molestation and sexual abuse.

According to statement, “It is not strange to find that most

abused victims come from poor backgrounds and don’t have the financial power to take cases to court, thereby giving the abusers the opportunity to go scotfree because our police system is not truly equipped to deal with matters like sexual abuse.

THURSDAY, ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Ahmed Musa Ends Goal Drought as Karagumruk Win at Home TURKISH CUP Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, returned to winning ways yesterday as his Fatih Karagumruk defeated a third division club Sariyer 2-0 in the fourth round of the Turkish Cup. It is almost three months now that Musa last scored for Fatih Karagumruk on August 14 in a league fixture which

ended 3-2 in favour of his team against Gaziantep FK. In yesterday’s Cup tie, Musa doubled Karagumruk’s lead when he got on the score sheet in the 66th minute.

Ervin Zukanovic had opened the scoring for Karagumruk in the 23rd minute.

Musa has now scored two goals in 14 games in all competitions for Karagumruk this season.

Emmanuel Dennis’ Effort Not Enough to Earn Watford Point P R E M I E R L E AG U E

Ahmed Musa ...Ends goals drought as Fatih Karagumruk defeat Sariyer 2-0 in Turkish Cup clash last night

Gov. Ugwuanyi Inspects Overhaul of Azikiwe Stadium’s Pitch

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday , inspected the ongoing comprehensive overhaul of the pitch of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, a project to bring the stadium at par with international standard.

Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration recently awarded contract for the upgrade of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium’s pitch with the installation of state-of-the-art turf in line with the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Licensing Regulation on sports infrastructure and facilities.

Speaking during the inspection, the State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, who led Gov. Ugwuanyi to the site, disclosed that the discarded turf was installed 12 years ago, precisely in 2009 and has not been changed since then until the current intervention by the present administration in Enugu State.

Hon. Nzekwe pointed out that, although the state government had been maintaining the pitch and other infrastructure at the stadium, prior to commencement of the upgrade, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration decided to install a new pitch as part of its concerted efforts at upgrading the stadium to international standard.

The sports commissioner added that there had been a yearly routine maintenance of the turf and other sports facilities in the stadium

since the inception of the present administration, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment to youth empowerment and sports development in the state.

Reacting, a cross section of jubilant sports enthusiasts who

witnessed the governor’s inspection tour of the ongoing works at the stadium applauded him for the remarkable intervention and other efforts of his administration in repositioning the sports sector in the state.

They hailed Gov. Ugwuanyi’s passion for sports and youth development in Enugu State, stressing that the ongoing upgrade of facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was a right step in the right direction.

Nigerian international, Emmanuel Dennis scored last night for Watford as Chelsea battled to a hard fought 2-1 win to retain their leadership of the English Premier League.

The Super Eagles forward’s scored with a shot that deflected off Antonio Rudiger to equalize Chelsea’s opener by Mason Mount.

The game was halted for 32 minutes because of a medical emergency in the crowd.

Both sets of players left the pitch early in the first half while the fan, who had suffered cardiac arrest, was stabilised.

When they returned, Mason Mount gave the Blues the lead in the 29th minute with a first-time finish at the end of a lovely move involving Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz.

Dennis then equalized for Watford when Ruben LoftusCheek lost possession and Moussa

Sissoko set up the Nigerian who scored with the deflected shot.

But having scored his side's first, Mount then set up the winner by providing the pass for substitute Hakim Ziyech to fire past Daniel Bachmann.

Elsewhere, Liverpool increased the scrutiny on former manager Rafael Benitez as they cruised to an easy 4-1 Merseyside derby win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Jurgen Klopp's side had won only once on their previous nine visits to Everton but a blistering start put them in cruise control as Jordan Henderson scored with a composed finish after nine minutes before setting Mohamed Salah clear to beat Jordan Pickford 10 minutes later Everton, having been outclassed for the first half, gave themselves hope when Demarai Gray ran onto Richarlison's pass to beat Alisson seven minutes before the break.

Arsenal's Gabriel Fought off Baseball Bat-wielding Robber

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right) being briefed on updates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch by the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe during Ugwuanyi’s visit to the facility in Enugu...yesterday

Arsenal defender Gabriel fought off an attacker wielding a baseball bat during an attempted robbery at his north London home in August, UK’s Daily Mailreported.

Gabriel, 23, and a friend were followed home by two men wearing masks and hoods who tried to steal his car, phone and watch, the report said.

A video appeared to show one of the attackers lunging at Gabriel with a bat before the Arsenal defender punched him in the face and grappled with him.

The attacker, Abderaham Muse, was jailed for five years over one count of robbery and

one of possession of an offensive weapon after police traced DNA from his hat which fell off during the scuffle, the report added.

Two accomplices have not been caught.

Reuters has requested comment from Arsenal.

"No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused," Martin Lewis, prosecuting, told Harrow Crown Court, according to the report. "They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves."

Gabriel has made 33 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in all competitions since joining from Ligue 1 side Lille last year.

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THURSDAY, ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Thompson-Herah, Warholm Named World Athletes of the Year

Olympic champions Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica and Karsten Warholm of Norway have been named the World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards 2021, a ceremony which held virtually yesterday.

Thompson-Herah produced one of the finest sprint seasons in history this year, retaining her Olympic 100m and 200m titles in Tokyo and adding a third gold medal in the 4x100m relay.

On top of her Olympic triple, she also clocked world-leading times of 10.54 and 21.53 over 100m and 200m respectively, moving to second on the world all-time lists and coming within touching distance of the longstanding world records.

“I just take it year by year,” said Thompson-Herah. “I went very close to the world record so you know, anything is possible.

No spikes hanging up any time soon!

“The World Championships in Oregon is most definitely my next big target,” she added.

“It is close to home, I hope friends and family can come out and watch. I hope I get some crowd as well. That couldn’t happen in Tokyo but hopefully in Eugene I can get my friends and family to come and cheer me on.”

Warholm uncorked one of the most remarkable performances in athletics history when he stormed to gold in the 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics.

Having already broken the world record with 46.70 in Oslo in the lead-up to the Games, Warholm exceeded all expectations in the Japanese capital to claim gold in a stunning world record of 45.94.

In a race of incredible depth, the top three athletes finished inside the pre-2021 world record.

“I’m so happy for this,” said Warholm. “First when I saw the time (in Tokyo), I was like, ‘This must be a mistake!’

Because I didn’t see that one coming. And I didn’t see the victory coming before crossing the finish line.

“It was a very intense race, I knew the American and the Brazilian and all the other guys were really chasing me. I always go out hard and I never know what is going on behind me. I was just fighting all the way to the finish line. When I realised 45.94 was the reality, I was thinking: ‘This is not too bad. I’ll take it!’"

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe congratulated all of last night’s winners and finalists on their extraordinary achievements this year.

"We have this year celebrated some jaw-dropping performances in Tokyo, at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi and through our one-day meeting circuits – the Wanda Diamond League and the Continental Tour. So we’re delighted to recognise some of our stars at tonight’s awards.

"As a sport, we are in an incredibly strong position. 2021 has been an excellent year. We cemented our position as the number 1 Olympic sport coming out of Tokyo, we have the most God given talented athletes on the planet and our sport is the most accessible of all sports.

Thank you to all our athletes around the world. I am looking forward to watching what you can all do in 2022."

Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica (left) and Karsten Warholm of Norway were yesterday named the World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards 2021, a ceremony which held virtually yesterday.

Egypt Labour to Slim Win against Lebanon Femi Solaja The Pharaohs of Egypt opened their FIFA Arab Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lebanon in one of the two Group D matches played yesterday at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.

Aside Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Elneny of Arsenal and two other fringe players in the European league, the former African champions had to rely on a 71st minute penalty kick converted by veteran star Mohamed Ashfa for the only goal of the match.

However, Lebanon currently sitting at 94th position in the current FIFA ranking with 1233.76 points which was lower than their previous 1250.08 in October.

At the moment, the Egyptians are in the sixth position with just a thin line separating them from the fifth placed Nigeria who have no match until after the draw for the playoffs.

Egypt still have at least four more competitive matches in view to build up on.

First, they will face Sudan on Saturday in what will be a teaser to what should be expected when the two teams meet again at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month.

Sudan lost 4-0 in their opening Group D duel of the Arab Cup to the rampaging Algerian side at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday.

Both African football giants,

FIFA ARAB CUP Algeria and Egypt will clash in final group game next week

Tuesday.

The FIFA Arab Cup is played by 16 teams from across the Arab world as they come together to compete. The event offers a great

opportunity for competitors and spectators alike to experience the spirit of Qatar and the iconic stadiums that will host the World Cup in 2022.

Egypt’s Mohammed Elneny ( left), in aerial battle for ball control with a Lebanese defender during their FIFA Arab Cup clash in Doha, Qatar...yesterday

LG Gives OLED TV as Grand Prize for Fortnite Gaming Winners Olakunle Adewale LG Electronics Nigeria, last weekend announced winners of its maiden Fortnite Gaming Challenge, ‘’Spot of Triumph’’.

LG Electronics teamed up with Fortnite to offer gaming enthusiasts of all abilities the chance to participate in a series of challenges under #SpotOfTriumph theme for top prizes.

Hundreds of gamers signed up and participated both virtually and in-person since the launch earlier in November.

Aimed at creating new immersive experiences for the Generation Z, LG organised this challenge because Fortnite has taken the world by storm. With over 200 million registered users. It has become the world’s most popular game.

Young people ranging from age 10 to 23 years, otherwise known as Generation Z, have claimed the phenomenon as their own. ”Fortnite is a social environment with its own slang and behavioural

norms’’ says Mr. Hari Elluru, Head, Corporate Marketing LG Electronics West African Operations.

“Not only does this community exist online, but also in the livingrooms of Gen Z’ers who get together to play with their friends. Whether physically or virtually, it is the after school gathering place for many of today’s youth.

“Fortnite is a growing e-sport game in Nigeria, so it provided a great way for us to reach new audiences,” Elluru stressed.

To give a unique user experience, LG OLED TV was used for the Fortnite Gaming event to give Gamers who visited the LG Brandshop an opportunity to enjoy an immersive gaming experience.

As a part of the rewards, the winner of the Challenge Mr. Precious won for himself a 55’’ LG OLED TV and a SN4 Sound Bar for the Creator and Most Wins Challenge while Adeola and James were presented with a SN4 Sound Bar each for The Most Eliminations and Most Top 10 Placement in the Game respectively.

Thursday, December 2, 2021

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Emmanuel Kanu to Orji Kalu “Kalu and his type are the reason the agitation for self-determination by our people is unending. How can he be trusted by the people? We have not forgotten his role in 2017 when our brother was in Kuje prison. In case Kalu doesn’t know, real Igbo leaders are working behind the scene to bring about a solution to the problem of our people. They don’t make noise over it”—younger brother of detained IPOB leader berating Senate Majority whip for statement/photograph

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Between Ortom and Benue People G overnor Sam Ortom is angry with the people of Benue State. And last Saturday, he publicly expressed his feelings at the commissioning of a Pentecostal Church in Makurdi, the state capital. Before we get to what he said about his people, let’s begin with the issue. Ortom accuses Benue people of peddling unfounded allegations about him. “Every new building you see in Benue State, they say that it’s Samuel Ortom that is building (it); ‘he is stealing and doing that,’” Ortom said from the pulpit. “In politics, people say a lot of things: blackmail, insults, and intimidation, you face all sorts of things. No matter what you do with the people, they always find something around.”

Apparently, this problem did not start today because as far back as four years ago, only mid-way into his first tenure, Ortom said he asked himself whether the insults he was receiving from the people of Benue State were worth his being governor.

“In 2017, I concluded that I will never contest the second term as allowed by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria because of the insults I received from Benue people and how I was vilified—even some members of the church joined forces with those who do not know God.” And since Ortom is very familiar with God that his people do not know, he chose to have a conversation with the almighty before deciding to seek a second term. “I was pained in my heart, and I said ‘God, you brought me, and I said I was not going to contest in the 2019 election’, and that night, God rebuked me and told me ‘I am not done with you. I brought you. I have not rejected you when people reject you; I am still with you.’”

Ortom That assurance would have been enough for some of us but not Ortom. He went into a season of fasting and prayers “for three months,” apparently so he could have a better experience than the Biblical character whose life and ministry he chose to study. “I did a case study on the life of

Moses in the book of Exodus in the Bible, and at the end, God told me, ‘don’t be like Moses who could not get to the Promised Land, have faith in me, and I will see you to the end.’”

Beyond surpassing Moses who only saw the Promised Land without getting there, Ortom’s Biblical research also offered him revelations about why Benue state could not enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey that he has provided them.

“If you go round Makurdi town, our people start drinking beer from 9 am and some from there, they will go to sleep, and they come back and insult the governor for not helping them to add value to their lives,” Ortom declared.

Now, let me dispel one wrong notion. Whatever may be the misgivings of those ‘who do not know’ Ortom’s God, nobody can accuse the governor of not loving Benue people. He certainly does. In a video that went viral in September, Ortom said he cares so much about the plight of his people that it is already affecting his matrimonial responsibility.

Here is what the governor said: “Even when I am on top of my wife, and I remember the (Benue) people who are in the IDP camp…” He left his naughty and probably beer-drinking audience to conclude that his ‘staff of office’ would shrink when he might have meant that he would be seeing ‘heavenly vision’. That was enough for presidential aide, Mrs Laureatta Onochie to release what she described as Ortom’s scorecard—Development of Benue State: 2%; Payment of salaries: 6%; In his bedroom, by self–assessment: 2½ %!

But let’s leave Ortom and his ‘stewardship’ in The Other Room for now. It is interesting how Nigerians seem to be fair game for our leaders.

If our citizens are not drunkards, they are lazy, in

Audacious Attacks on Prisons

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othing speaks more to the state of insecurity in Nigeria today than last Sunday’s audacious attack on Jos Medium Security Prison. Not only did the gunmen operate in what could be considered broad daylight, but they also chose a strategic target—perhaps to demonstrate their capacity viz-a-viz that of the Nigerian state. The prison facility they attacked is within the precinct of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) state headquarters and is adjacent to the state police command. The operational base of the military is also not far away. The dare-devil attackers, according to the Head of the prison facility, Samuel Aguda, were suspected cattle rustlers from Barkin Ladi.

“Some of the inmates took part in attacking us because they gave them rifles from our armoury”, said Agada. “Six (inmates) were fatally injured, 252 escaped and 789 are in custody. We have learned one or two lessons from this incident; we want to assure that this will not happen again.”

We hope the ‘one or two lessons’ learnt by the prison authorities will help in stemming the rate at which bandits, insurgents, armed robbers etc. attack prison facilities to let loose their incarcerated colleagues as well as those serving terms. In the past six years, prisons across the country have witnessed violent breaches with thousands of inmates released.

They include hardened criminals who are

still at large. Yet, the authorities cannot claim to be surprised by this development.

While decorating Haliru Nababa as the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in May this year, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola said the country was experiencing an unusual security challenge with “insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest and parts of Northcentral, kidnappings in virtually all parts of the country, financial crimes and ritual killings in the Southwest, militancy that is assuming an insurrectional dimension in the Southeast and Southsouth and sundry other criminal activities in all parts of the country.” And then Aregbesola offered the all-too-familiar lamentation: “There are also sophisticated criminal organisations whose members are either serving terms or awaiting trials and are now using the security situation in the country as an opportunity to attack our custodial centres and obtain their freedom. Whatever may be the motive, custodial centres have been under consistent attacks in a brazen challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state.”

That these criminal cartels are getting the upper hand in that ‘brazen challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state’ is what should concern all of us. On 5th April this year, gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) attacked Owerri Prisons with improvised explosive

devices, releasing 1,844 inmates to the society.

From Federal Medium Security Prisons in Koto-Karfi, Kogi State attacked by suspected Boko Haram members to free 144 inmates to the attack on Olokuta Medium Security Prisons in Akure, by dozens of suspected armed robbers who freed 175 inmates, the ease with which criminals overpower the security at our prisons to exercise their own brand of ‘prerogative of mercy’ is now quite alarming.

With reports that there is no reliable data on inmates in our prisons, there is no way to track many of these criminals who are menacing the society. And we have seen the implications. According to Babatunde Kokumo, Edo commissioner of police, one of the inmates who escaped from Oko correctional centre in October last year, “ran back to his village on the same day, to kill the person who stood as a prosecution witness in the case that took him to the correctional centre.”

There may be more of such cases not yet reported.

Sadly, the manner in which criminals now break down prison walls can be seen as a metaphor for the state of anomie in which we find ourselves. In Nigeria today, there is little difference between prison inmates and those of us that are ‘free’ because we have all been imprisoned by fear, insecurity, and an unjust social order.

what has become a pattern of unfair generalisation.

At a panel discussion among world leaders at the London Commonwealth Business Forum in April 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari said: “More than 60 per cent of the population (of Nigeria) is below 30. A lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free.”

I am aware there is nothing in the law that says a president or governor cannot berate the people. I also know that in Nigeria we are simply expected to applaud public officials regardless of how we perceive their stewardship. Afterall, as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Lagos zonal director, Chibuike Ogwumike, said last year, “The recourse to abusing, denigrating and insulting the President, Governors, MPs and other leaders does not show us as cultured people.” But when they abuse, denigrate, and insult the people they are elected to govern, they are cultured.

Beneath the arrogance and condescension of our leaders towards citizens lies a more fundamental crisis. A democracy in which leaders come to power irrespective of the veracity of elections cannot inspire respect for the people. Nor can electoral mandates obtained by rigging and fraudulent court rulings produce humble leaders. Similarly, leaders who believe that the revenue that sustains their power and privileges comes not from the taxes of voters but rather from oil rent shared in Abuja cannot be respectful of the people. There is even a greater tragedy: Many of our new crop of political leaders lack refinement, decorum and the polish that should come with high public office.

Overall, a certain absence of leadership tutelage and often deficient basic education has combined to inflict on Nigerians some of the most atrocious wielders of state power at practically all levels.

It is therefore no surprise that when the people of Benue State demand accountability of their governor, what they get in return are insults.

Now, can someone pass me my bottle of beer?

Goodnight, Tony Uranta

F

or more than ten years that he served on THISDAY editorial board, I related very closely with the late Tony Ipriye Uranta (TIU), and I found in him a friend and brother. He was also very purposeful.

From Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) and other groups involved in fighting for the Niger Delta, Uranta led from the front, until he developed health challenges a few years ago. Born in Opobo, Rivers State, on 7th December 1953, Uranta attended International School, Ibadan, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, and University of Ibadan, where he obtained a first degree in economics. And for much of his adult life, he was involved in the struggle for justice and equity, not only for the people of the Niger Delta but also for the entire country. He was a worthy Nigerian patriot who will be greatly missed.

May God comfort the family he left behind.

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