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Banker’s Award: Zenith Bank Emerges Bank of the Year 2020 Nume Ekeghe Zenith Bank Plc said it has emerged ‘Bank of the Year in Nigeria’ in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020.

According to the bank, this was on the heels of its

awards as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria and the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital

by The Banker won earlier in the year.

The award, which was announced yesterday by The

Banker Magazine, Financial Times Group, the United Kingdom during the virtual awards ceremony, was based on individual banks’ ability to deliver returns, gain strategic advantage and serve their markets, a statement explained.

Regarded as the industrystandard for banking excellence, The Banker’s Bank of the Year awards is contested by the world's leading financial institutions, with winners chosen across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central

& Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/ CEO of Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said:

“It is a thing of joy for us in Zenith Bank to have been recognised by The Banker, Financial Times Group, as the Bank of the Year 2020 in Nigeria.

Continued on page 8

Gbajabiamila: Buhari Committed to Honouring House’s Summon... Page 6 Thursday 3 December, 2020 Vol 25. No 9368. Price: N250

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CBN Directs Banks to Close Naira Accounts for IMTO Proceeds Naira strengthens on parallel market to N460

Obinna Chima

Following its new policy that grants unfettered access to forex from Diaspora and other

money transfer remittances, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday directed all banks to close all naira ledger accounts opened

for receiving International Monetary Transfer Operators’ (IMTOs’) proceeds.

The central bank, in a circular with reference

number: “TED/FEM/ FPC/GEN/01/013,” dated December 02, 2020, jointly signed by its Director, Banking Supervision, Dr. Bello Hassan,

and the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji, obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, demanded an immediate

compliance with the directive.

The letter, addressed to all managing directors of Continued on page 8

Again, Sultan Laments Worsening Insecurity, Says Nowhere is Safe Govs: We are frustrated, military overwhelmed Tinubu writes Zulum, says more efforts needed to win anti-terror war Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna For the second time in a week, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed concern about the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

The sultan, who last Thursday described the North, ravaged by terrorism and banditry, as the worst place to live in Nigeria, said yesterday that nowhere is safe in the country.

The sultan, in a statement by the apex Islamic body, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), in reaction to the killing of over 43 rice farmers in Borno

State, enjoined Islamic clerics nationwide to embark on special prayer sessions against insecurity five times daily.

However, governors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), have attributed the flagging efforts at combating the security challenges to the fact that the military is overstretched and overwhelmed.

They are also planning to meet President Muhammadu Buhari over the security crisis confronting the country.

Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday wrote Borno State Continued on page 8

FG Reverses Autogas Policy, Charges N250,000 for Conversion... Page 5

ON MATTERS OF STATE...

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (left), and National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), at the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja...yesterday

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NEWS FG Reverses Autogas Policy, Charges N250,000 for Conversion

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Dike Onwuamaeze The federal government yesterday backtracked on its policy to bear the cost of converting vehicles from running on fuel to running on gas.

Contrary to the earlier promise by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, in September that the conversion will be done free of charge for all Nigerians to cushion the effect of the hike in the pump price of petrol, the government yesterday fixed the conversion cost, to be borne by each vehicle owner, to between N200,000 and N250,000 for cars.

However, the cost for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), would be higher, Sylva's Technical Adviser on Gas Business and Policy Implementation, Mr. Justice Derefaka, told interviewers on a breakfast programme on a Lagos-based television yesterday.

Under the policy, launched

by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, the federal government is targeting to convert no fewer than one million vehicles – mostly passenger and haulage vehicles that run on Nigerian roads to start using gas instead of petrol or diesel by the end of 2021.

The policy is aimed enthroning gas as a preferred fuel for the domestic economy because it's cheaper. While a litre of petrol, under extant price regime, goes for between N163 and N169 per litre, the

federal government put the cost of same measure of autogas at N97 per litre.

The federal government had expressed optimism that the N250 billion financial facility recently earmarked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund the autogas programme, amongst other gas initiatives in its National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), would help fasttrack vehicle conversion and deployment of required infrastructure for the initiative.

For the second time in two days, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign, saying he has failed to secure Nigerians.

NEF spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this last night in a live television programme.

He said it is disappointing that after over five years of being in office, Buhari still hasn’t delivered on the promises he made to Nigerians when he was first elected in 2015.

Baba-Ahmed noted that Buhari had asked his predecessor, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, to resign in 2013 over growing insecurity in the country and so, it is not out of place to demand that he resigns over the same security challenge.

He said: “We will continue to ask that he (Buhari) resigns.

He is a democratically elected president. We wish he is doing better but he is not. Ordinarily, under a democratic system, a leader is supposed to deliver, he is supposed to do two things – he is supposed to secure citizens and he is supposed to facilitate their economic welfare. He (Buhari) hasn’t done the first and he

Resources will put in place to ensure that any Nigerian who has to convert his car will get it done for free.�

However, Derefaka sang a different tune yesterday, saying owners of the vehicles will bear the cost of the conversion.

But he added that the federal government is working out a financing scheme to ease the burden of the conversion cost on vehicles' owners.

According to him, vehicles' owners can partner with their

banks to choose a convenient payment plan or go for a different approach. “The owner of the car basically will decide to say I want to run on autogas or CNG or LNG and like the honourable minister had mentioned before, conversion has basic strands; you can partner with your bank and the bank will now agree with the conversion centre to convert your vehicle, not for free entirely. “The installer will now put

some form of mechanism that each time you buy the gas; a certain amount will be deducted to pay for the conversion kit. Some people will say it is too expensive but I don’t think it is because within a period of five to seven months, you’ve already paid off the cost.�

He stated that the cost of the conversion varies according to the cylinder of the vehicle, adding that autogas is cost- effective compared to petrol.

ROYALS AND JAGABAN...

L-R: Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Akinruntan; All Progressives Congress National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; leader of the delegation & Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Okun Ibibio, Nteyin Etuk; and Eze Imo, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, when a delegation of National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria visited Tinubu in Lagos‌yesterday

Again, Northern Elders Tell Buhari to Resign Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Also at the launch of the autogas scheme on Tuesday, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari, who spoke on the financing, had said: "You bring your car to a location and then we fit in the things you need to call the gas and also to receive the gas into your car. “All the one million cars that we promised will be done through a structure that the Ministry of Petroleum

is not doing the second.

So, explain to me on what basis President Buhari should continue to be our president? “However, it is his right to continue to be the president even if Nigerians are unhappy and unsatisfied with what he is doing, that is his right but we will not keep quiet; we will continue to speak up that he has failed Nigerians, he is failing Nigerians and under a democratic setting, we have to raise our voices and say, ‘Mr. President, you are just not good enough for this country’.

That is just the simple truth. “We have respected the President, we understand the difficulty he is facing and we understand how difficult it is to tell him to resign but we also have the democratic right to tell him, ‘Sorry sir, you cannot run this country, you have been given five, six years to do so and the situation is just getting worse and we believe that you have nothing new to offer and the only way is for you to resign’. We believe we are speaking for millions of Nigerians.�

Earlier, the northern elders said life has lost its value under the Buhari regime while condemning Saturday killing of at least 43 rice farmers by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

FEC Approves N120.7bn for Road Reconstruction, Others Okays N768.077m to purchase vehicles for promoted immigration officers Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N120,717,387,596 for the execution of various projects in different parts of the country.

Of the total amount, about N117.5 billion was approved for the reconstruction of roads and bridges in different parts of the country.

Briefing reporters at the end of the 26th virtual FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhamadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fasola, said he presented three memoranda to the council for the approval of N117,485,081,325.

According to him, two memoranda contained approval requests for rehabilitation of various roads and bridges while the third memorandum was for the procurement of application software for Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) transactions.

Giving a breakdown of the approvals, Fashola said: "Council approved a total sum

of N18,923,846,198.47 billion for roads and bridges. First is the rehabilitation of 26 kilometres of Kano - Kazaure - Daura - Mai'adua Road in Kano-Jigawa-Katsina States at N8.767 billion, Omor Umulokpa Road in Anambra and Enugu at N1.712 billion.

"Rehabilitation of Oye Oranto off Enugu Express Dunukofia in Anambra at N2.504 billion; Okpokwu bridge along Ogoja - Okuku Aliforkpa-Benue Road in Cross River at N1.057 billion; bridge at Kilometre 22 +700 meters along Bida -Zungeru road in Niger at N1.022 billion; Nkwumi bridge linking Abia and Enugu states at N1.072 billion, and Chalawa - Runku - Sawa - Kayi Road in Kombotso, Kano State at N2.787 billion.

"The other memorandum relating to roads is for the total sum of N98,73,840,842.81.

The roads are Rijiya - Gusau Road in Zamfara - N1.799 billion; Jega - Kwanar Sanagi - Kebbi - Gunmi Road in Kebbi - N31.539 billion; Koko- Mahuta Road in Kebbi - N19.713 billion; Kukar Babangida - Gangara Road

in Katsina - N11.731 billion; Ihiala-Orlu -Umuduru Road to Uko at N16.750 billion; Oye Ama-Etitti road to Umuawulu road in Anambra at N2.155 billion and rehabilitation in Bichi Road in Kano State N8.34 billion.

"The third memo was the procurement of a core banking application software for Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in the sum of N487, 394,285.71 for Messrs FINTAX software to enable the Federal Mortgage Bank to provide all the frontline services that other banks now provide across its branches nationwide.

"Unlike other banks, Federal Mortgage Bank is still unable to send automated notices, statements and all of those to national housing fund contributors. "This application will now enable the federal mortgage bank to provide those kinds of services and do a lot of automation and reconciliation loan and credit processing when fully installed."

In his own briefing, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said his

ministry presented two memoranda to FEC, seeking the approval of the council for N2,100,080,759.65 to furnish the newly completed technology building, including N768,077,08 million for the purchase of 44 operational vehicles for newly promoted Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officers and patrol duties.

He described the building as data and communication command and control centre.

The ranks of the promoted officers are comptrollers, assistant comptrollers-general and deputy comptrollersgeneral.

He said: "Council also approved contract for the furnishing of the technology building, that is the data and communication command and control centre. It will also serve as the service headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service. The award is in favour of Messers Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the total sum approved is N2,100,080,759.65 billion.

"Council approved the Continued on page 9

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NEWS

Gbajabiamila: Buhari Committed to Honouring House’s Summon Explains why president ignored previous invitations Omololu Ogunmade and Udora Orizu in Abuja Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to honour an invitation from the lower chamber of the federal legislature to explain what he is doing about the rising wave of insecurity in the country.

He told State House reporters yesterday in Abuja, after leading a delegation to a meeting with the president,

that they came to convey the resolution summoning him to appear before it.

The House, on Tuesday, had considered a motion, moved

by Hon. Satomi Ahmed, on behalf of 10 other Borno State federal lawmakers, to summon Buhari, and to amongst other things, declare a state of emergency on security matters.

The motion was informed

by Saturday's killing of over 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari village, near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

If he keeps his promise,

OPEC: How April Agreement Saved Oil Market Says demand contracted by 10m bpd in Q1-Q3 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has again revealed the huge role played by its members and OPEC+ in saving the international oil market from total collapse since March when prices began a downward spiral.

The international oil cartel in its November bulletin, however, cautioned oil-producing countries not to lose guard, advising that the long-drawnout battle to return the global market to the path of stability had not been won.

According to the organisation, between the first and third quarters of this year, demand contracted by at least 10 million bpd as the spread of Covid-19 disrupted the global oil market balance in 2020, pushing global oil inventories to a record high.

It said: “In the first three quarters of 2020, the massive global stock build came as oil demand contracted sharply, by 10.7 million barrels/ day, compared to the same period in 2019, outpacing the 5.4m b/d decline in global oil supply during the same period. “The decline in global supply was due to OPEC member countries voluntarily reducing their average production by 3.5m b/d, compared to the same period a year earlier, and non-OPEC participants in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) voluntarily reduced average production by 1.2m b/d. “At the same time, other non-OPEC countries reduced their supply by about 600,000 b/d. Despite these production adjustments in April 2020, global inventories have registered a sharp build as a necessary and timely response to the urgent need to support market stability.�

The organisation stated that despite these production

reduction efforts, global supply has recorded a sharp build, resulting in cargoes getting stuck at destination ports waiting for discharge orders.

It noted that the high conformity levels of the DoC participating countries to their voluntary adjustments have gradually scaled back high oil inventory levels, but cautioned that with renewed lockdowns, the market situation requires vigilance.

However, the report stated that global economic growth forecast continues to show a contraction of 4.3 per cent for 2020, while the 2021 forecast is revised down to the growth of 4.4 percent, down from 4.5 per cent forecast of last month, with all numbers now based on the newly-implemented 2017 purchasing power parity (PPP) levels.

Also, the organisation said it had revised down the the global oil demand forecast for 2020 by 300,000 b/d, given weaker-than-expected demand and the recently announced additional Covid-19 containment measures by various governments.

For world oil supply, it said that the non-OPEC liquids production forecast for 2020 is revised marginally lower by 60,000 b/d from the last month’s assessment, to now show a contraction of 2.4m b/d.

Globally, the bulletin disclosed that refining margins gained limited ground in October, with a positive performance seen at the middle and bottom of the barrel, impacted by lower processing rates, amid peak maintenance season and lower overall offline capacity year on year.

The oil cartel is expected to meet today (Thursday) to continue deliberations on its crude oil output for January, having failed to reach a consensus during a meeting held between November 30 and December 1.

this will be the first time since he came to power on May 29, 2015, and after his re-election in 2019, that the president will honour such a legislative summon.

However, the House spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, yesterday shed light on why Buhari had ignored previous invitations from past legislatures, saying it was because they withheld his budgets.

Gbajabiamila told the reporters yesterday that aside from conveying the resolution to the president, they also had the intention of fixing a date for his appearance. But they later declined to fix the date in deference to the president's office.

He added that they eventually reached an agreement with the president on the date he would appear before them. But he declined to make the date known, adding that it will be communicated

to journalists later.

He said: "We came to see the president on developments in the country. He was so willing to listen as typical of the president.

"The usual democrat that he is. What we basically sought was to convey the resolution of the House and to fix a date which we did not fix out of respect for Mr. President and his very tight schedule since we don't know what date will be convenient.

"We have agreed on a date and he will meet with the House to address the situation.

We have a fixed date but we will communicate with you.

He is a perfect democrat.

He will come to the House to address members in the nearest future."

Asked what was his perception of the president's handling of security threats ravaging the country, Gbajabiamila said the president was concerned about the

worsening insecurity.

He said he would, however, avoid pre-empting the president until he appears before the House.

According to him, when Buhari appears before the House, he will not be there to address only the lawmakers, but will use the platform to address the country.

"I think he is more concerned than me and you.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. We will leave everything until when he comes to the House. Let me not pre-empt him. All I can tell you for now is that he is fully committed to the security of lives and property of Nigerians,� Gbajabiamila said.

Ahmed's motion which was the fallout of the heinous killings of 43 farmers on their rice farms in Zabarmari by Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday, also demanded a declaration of a state of

emergency by the president on security matters in the country.

Ahmed had disputed the claim that the number of people killed was 43, saying the exact number was not yet known.

He had recalled how the insurgents tied up farmers and slit their throats.

However, Ahmed had in his motion deliberately omitted the prayer summoning the president, prompting one of the co-sponsors of the motion, Hon. Ahmadu Jaha, to raise a point of order, drawing his colleagues' attention to one of the prayers in the motion which Ahmed had failed to express.

According to Jaha, all sponsors of the motion agreed that Buhari should be summoned to tell the House what he's doing about the security situation in the Continued on page 8

MOURNING THE DEAD‌ L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum; and Sokoto State Governor, Hon, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the forum’s condolence visit to Zulum in Maiduguri‌recently

RMAFC Engages Heads of Revenue Agencies over Outstanding Operating Surplus James Emejo in Abuja The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Elias Mbam, has sought the cooperation of revenue regulatory agencies in the commission's current drive to recover outstanding balances into the Federation Account.

The agency had in September announced plans to launch a nationwide verification and reconciliation exercise on revenue inflows and remittances from organisations to the appropriate government treasury.

Mbam had said the exercise, which would commence in October, would be assessing transactions carried out from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019.

However, at a meeting with heads of the revenue regulatory agencies on Tuesday, he said it was important for the commission to acquaint the various agencies with its mandate and activities and to seek collaboration, particularly in its ongoing recovery efforts.

Mbam, in a statement yesterday by RMAFC spokesman, Mr. Nwachukwu Christian, said it is the

responsibility of the commission to monitor all the accruals of revenue to and from the Federation Account while blocking leakages.

Mbam explained that in order to achieve the goal, the commission has engaged the services of consultants as well as collaborated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He stated that while inaugurating the new members of the commission in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari had charged them to use all legal ways and means to

strengthen its monitoring mechanism and block all leakages of revenues to the Federation Account.

He added that in pursuit of this and to ensure optimal results, the commission deemed it necessary to collaborate with all the regulatory agencies of revenue collecting agencies.

Mbam, therefore, called on the heads of the respective agencies to ensure that MDAs under them co-operate with the consultants who are currently in the field by releasing their books and records to enable them to monitor the exercise.

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PAGE EIGHT CBN DIRECTS BANKS TO CLOSE NAIRA ACCOUNTS FOR IMTO PROCEEDS deposit money banks was titled: “Re: Amendment to Procedures for Receipt of Diaspora Remittances.�

It said: “Following our Circular Ref. No. TED/ FEM/FPC/GEN/01/011 of November 30, 2020, regarding operations of diaspora remittances, all banks are hereby directed to close all naira ledger accounts opened specifically for the purpose of receiving IMTO proceeds with immediate effect. “In addition, please note that IMTO beneficiaries/ recipients are to receive their proceeds in foreign currency (USD) or have it deposited in their domiciliary account in a Nigerian bank. “It is at the sole discretion of

the recipients to either choose foreign currency cash or have the proceeds deposited into their domiciliary accounts in Nigeria. Please confirm compliance with this directive to the CBN by close of business today, December 2, 2020.�

Also, yesterday, the central bank, in a separate circular, clarified its new rule on receipts of forex inflows from Diaspora remittances.

It made the clarification in a circular titled: “Re: Amendment to Procedures for Receipt of Diaspora Remittances,� dated December 2, 2020, which was signed by Nnaji.

It said: “Further to the Circular Ref. No. TED/ FEM/FPC/GEN/01/011 of November 30, 2020, on the

above subject, we wish to reiterate and clarify to all IMTOs the following: IMTOs must ensure that all funds in favour of beneficiaries/ recipients in Nigeria be deposited into the agent banks’ correspondent account. “Agent banks (deposit money banks) in Nigeria will be responsible for all payment to beneficiaries/ recipients either in foreign currency cash (USD) or into the beneficiaries’/recipients’ domiciliary account in Nigeria. “The mode (if payment either in cash or transfer is at the sole discretion of the beneficiaries/recipients. Please ensure strict compliance and be guided accordingly.�

These policies came less

than 24 hours after the CBN introduced special bills to support economic recovery and deepen the financial market.

The 90-day special bills are expected to avail the monetary authority additional liquidity management tool.

The CBN stated in a circular addressed to all banks, dated December 1, 2020, signed by Hassan that the features of the special bills include tenor of 90 days, zero coupon, applicable yield at issuance to be determined by the CBN; the instrument will be tradable amongst banks, retail and institutional investors.

Also, it added that the instrument shall not be accepted for repurchase

agreement transactions with the CBN and shall not be discountable at the CBN window. The instrument will also qualify as liquid assets in the computation of liquidity ratio for deposit money banks. “The CBN will continue to ensure optimal regulation of systemic liquidity and promote efficient financial markets in support of economic recovery and sustained growth,� it added.

However, the new monetary policy by the CBN has started impacting on the value of the naira, which appreciated on the parallel market yesterday.

The naira, which went for N480 to a dollar on the parallel market on Tuesday, appreciated to N450 to a dollar

yesterday, before it weakened to N460 to a dollar at the close of business.

The CBN had explained that the new regulation was part of efforts to liberalise, simplify and improve the receipt and administration of Diaspora remittances into Nigeria.

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

take positions that will help them achieve the desires of Nigerians.�

On the budget, he said the members were able to round up some of the targets they set for themselves as committees and the ones set by the leadership of the House, to make sure that before the end of the month, it will be done so that from the beginning of January, they are going to have a budget in place.

On why the House is not making use of its legislative powers to ensure some revenue generating agencies make their budget public, Kalu said: ''For the first time, NNPC came and presented their budget openly. That needs to show you the commitment of the Ninth Assembly we believe that certain things are not achieved just by flexing

of muscles and boxing each other. Now on CBN and FIRS, on the need for them to be more transparent is true.

"As a people’s parliament, we’re on the side of the people. If the people want to get details as taxpayers of what is being done with their funds, I think it’s the right call and the feedback I’m taking from this is that we are going to speak to chairman banking and currency committee to look into this.

"For FIRS, I’m sure the chairman, finance committee, will also look into that. If we have missed it in this budget, maybe they’ve presented their report. I am sure, in the coming budget it’s going to be looked at, it’s a promise.''

He said the Committee on Special Duties will also look into service wide vote.

with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions.

As a testament to its resilience and market

leadership, Zenith Bank announced an impressive result for the year ended December 31, 2019, with profit after tax (PAT) of N208.8 billion, achieving the feat as the first Nigerian Bank to cross the N200 billion mark.

prevalence of illicit drugs intake amongst the youths is getting out of hand. “These and many more similar gestures may not immediately bring insurgency to an abrupt end, but will reassure the masses and calm frayed nerves seeing that the authorities are truly on top of the situation,� the JNI added.

Fayemi, who led a delegation of governors to Maiduguri, on Tuesday to console Zulum, said: “We are here, Your Excellency, first to express our condolences to the families and loved ones of our lost citizens, and also to the good people of Borno State

GBAJABIAMILA: BUHARI COMMITTED TO HONOURING HOUSE’S SUMMON country.

Jaha's point of order, calling for the House's resolution summoning the president received the backing of the majority of members, but some opposed it, thus throwing the House into a rowdy session.

Gbajabiamila had to intervene by calling for the dissolution of the House into an executive session to resolve the dispute.

It was after the executive session that the House ratified the demand to summon the president.

Well-meaning Nigerians and groups, including Afenifere and Northern Elders' Forum, had thrown their weight behind the House’s motion to summon Buhari, lamenting how insecurity had become a norm in the country.

House: Why Buhari Ignored

Summons by Previous Assemblies Earlier yesterday, the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, had expressed optimism that Buhari will honour the invitation by the lawmakers to speak on the rising insecurity in the country.

He added that the president ignored the summons of the previous National Assembly sessions because they withheld his budgets.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, Kalu said Buhari has no reason not to honour the invitation, as the current legislature, unlike the previous ones, is not at war with him.

Kalu said: ''The president has been invited so many times, but he was invited by those who were at warfare

with him. Remember the people who invited the president before were the ones who held his budget for six months and then you invite him and expect him to come? You want him to answer questions on issues he was supposed to use the money that you’re supposed to appropriate when you’re holding the money and you’re inviting him. But this Assembly has not held the budget of Mr President; we have given Mr. President his budget in good time; so, he has no reason not to oblige the request of the Nigerian people.''

He, however, said the invitation is not as important as the declaration of a state of emergency on security.

Kalu added that the legislature also gave the

president the backing to declare state of emergency so as to be able to use other sources and mechanism to solve the security problem of the country.

He said: "Unless there’s a declaration of a state of emergency on security, Mr President’s hand will be tied to do what the former President Jonathan did, which was asking for external help and bringing in external help such as mercenaries and the rest of them to make sure we fight to clear the issue of security.

"The constitution will not allow Mr. President to act in this direction and that was why through legislative intervention, to tell you that resolutions are not dramas, they are the open doors that invite the executive to formulate policies and

BANKER’S AWARD: ZENITH BANK EMERGES BANK OF THE YEAR 2020 “I dedicate this award to our staff for their commitment, doggedness, creativity and very outstanding talents. It is in the talents of our staff that the bank has continued to build dynamic competencies and capabilities that are driving

our business for continued superior performance.�

He also expressed his gratitude to the Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, for the pioneering and foundational role he played in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring

and a very successful institution, the Board for the deep insights and outstanding leadership they provide, as well as the Bank’s teeming customers for their support which has enabled the Bank to prove to the market what it can deliver.

Zenith Bank has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offering, unique customer experience and sound financial indices. The bank has remained a clear leader in the digital space

AGAIN, SULTAN LAMENTS WORSENING INSECURITY, SAYS NOWHERE IS SAFE Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, to condole with him and the people of the state over the farmers' killing.

Tinubu decried the gruesome murder of the farmers and said more efforts would be required to win the anti-terror war.

The sultan, who on November 26 at the fourth quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, had lamented the high rate of insecurity in the North, restated yesterday that bandits now rule in some communities in the North.

He called on the federal government to rise up to its responsibilities and go beyond the traditional condemnation and payment of lip service to security matters.

The statement, signed by the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, said: “Wanton killings, acts of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, high rate of unemployment amongst the youths, rape and all forms of terrorisms have now become the ‘New Trend’ in our communities. “Nigerians have become so much terrified, as nowhere is safe; the home, the farms, and the roads. Bandits now rule in many communities, they set rules that must be

obeyed.�

The sultan condoled with the government and people of Borno State over the massacre of the rice farmers in Zabarmari in Jere Local Government.

He said: “Forty-three human beings as reported by the media were slaughtered without any intervention by the security forces in the area. The senseless act stands condemned in the strongest of terms. “Unfortunately, the common man is now caught in-between two contending phenomenon; when he goes to the farm, he gets killed; and when he stays at home, he dies of hunger.

It should be known that this singular act of Zabarmari was a calculated attempt to instill fears among farmers and jeopardise the frantic efforts of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their localities by the Borno State government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umar Zulum. “For how long, would we continue to live a life in fear?

For how long, can we continue to wait in vain? For how long, shall we continue to condemn acts of terrorism without any concerted efforts in ending it? For how long, would we

continue to remain indolent?

And for how long can we continue to remain hopeless in a precarious situation such as what we are in presently?�

He sent his heartrending condolences to the families of those martyred in the Zabarmari massacre, the people and government of Borno State and Nigeria in general.

The sultan faulted the lethargic reaction of the federal government to the incident.

According to him, "All that was needed immediately the incident occurred was a proactive measure(s) by the federal government of Nigeria, such as a prompt visit within 24 hours to the affected areas.

"This will assuage the affected communities to have more confidence in their leaders, seeing that they are not left alone in their ordeal and it will also send a strong signal to insurgents that the government is ready to go to any length to protect its people."

The JNI suggested ways the federal government could handle such an incident in the future to reassure the people of its commitment to their safety and wellbeing.

It said: "We call on the government to: Always

identify with victims and places of attacks by being physically on the ground to commiserate with the people.

A national broadcast after the visit is very necessary.

"Reprimand/prosecute officials that are found wanting in the discharge of their assignment(s), so as to serve as a deterrent to other nonchalant officials. “Collaboration with relevant security agencies with a timeline to bringing an end or at best decapitate all security threats bedeviling the country and also mop small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in the hands of criminals or else Nigeria will continue to witness the rise in arms proliferation for self-defence amongst Nigerians since the government failed to do so."

It urged the federal government not to spare efforts in supporting all affected communities since many people have been turned into internally displaced persons (IDPs). “We note with dismay that our societal values have been relegated to alien norms, thus parents and community leaders must be very vigilant and always remain to introspect over their wards and/or children, as the

Continued on page 9

Govs: We're Frustrated, Military Overwhelmed Expressing worry over the inability of the nation to effectively tackle insecurity, state governors said yesterday that they were frustrated by the situation.

They said the nation’s security challenges are beyond the military, which is overstretched and overwhelmed and cannot single-handedly handle the crisis.

The NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, spoke on behalf of his colleagues and said the various security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, affecting many parts of the country, have overstretched the military.

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NEWS

Court Suspends NDDC Interim Management Alex Enumah in Abuja A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted an order restraining Prof.

Kemebradikumo Pondei, Mr. Cairo Ojougboh, and others from performing the functions of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In suit number ABJ/ CS/617/2020, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling on

an application by a Civil Society Organisation, Forum for Accountability and Good Governance, restrained them from parading themselves as Board members of the NDDC. Justice Mohammed also granted leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review for an order of mandamus compelling the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), sued as the 9th

defendant in the suit to investigate the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the five members of the board over allegations of N3 billion contract fraud.

The court granted leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review of the powers of the President or the Minister of Niger Delta to appoint Prof. Pondei, Dr. Ojougboh, and others in an interim capacity as members

of the NDDC board.

By this order of the court, the members of the NDDC Board are restrained from performing the functions of the board pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice which is fixed for December 8, 2020.

The plaintiff in the suit said it had notified President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation (SGF), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and ICPC of the interim vacancy in the commission.

The plaintiff also urged that the most senior civil servant or administrator in the commission be appointed and prayed that the suspended officers are stopped from accessing the commission’s

offices and files.

This, according to them, is to prevent them from tampering with evidence which could be used by the ICPC in its probe.

Parties joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate, Minister of the Niger Delta, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

Others are Dr. Joi Nunieh, Mrs. Caroline Nagbo, Cecilia Bukola Akintomide and ICPC.

FG Delivers Relief Materials to Families of Slain Borno Farmers District head says 100 people still missing Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has delivered food relief to the bereaved families of over 43 farmers massacred in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State as well as the community.

The relief was delivered yesterday by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq Umar, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Umar, who led a sevenman delegation to deliver the palliatives, expressed sadness over the incident.

In her remarks, Umar described the killing as gruesome and unacceptable to any religion.

“Your Excellency, I am here to convey the sympathy of the federal government to the government and people of Borno State over the sad incident, which occurred on Saturday 28th November 2020 in Zabarmari community in Jere Local Government Area of the state where innocent citizens

were gruesomely murdered

by Boko Haram insurgents.

“It is shocking to imagine this act of gruesome murder by the insurgents. This cannot be justified under any guise. We are all aware that our religion is against what has happened to the innocent and hardworking farmers that were not only working to feed themselves but contributing to the food security of the nation.

“His Excellency, the President and Commanderin-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, is saddened by the attack and has directed me

to come here to deliver relief support from the federal government to families of the victims and other affected persons,” she added.

Responding, the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, thanked Buhari for the gesture and appealed to him to implement the recommendations made by the state to stamp out insurgency in the North-east.

“I also appeal to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to develop a roadmap to help tackle the menace of insurgency in the country.

“We don’t have good

roads networks and this has impeded the state’s efforts in fighting the insurgents, so we appeal to you assist the North-east by developing a roadmap that will see to the end of these senseless killings,” he stated.

The minister visited the Zambarmari community mosque to sympathise with the community leaders and later handed over 13,000 bags of 12.5kg rice, 13,000 bags of 12.5kg maize, 13,000 bags of 25kg beans, 1,300 kegs of vegetable oil, 2,116 cartons of seasoning, 1,083 cartons of tin tomato and 650 bags of

salt to the state government for onward distribution to the families of affected persons and people of Zabarmari community.

Apart from the 43 persons who were confirmed dead and subsequently buried on Saturday, the District Head of the community, Lawan Abba Umar, stated that more than 100 farmers were still missing after the incident.

According to him, a combined team of the military and other security agencies has launched a search party for the missing people.

Adamu explained that the irrigation system used to be powered by diesel generators "but because of deregulation and with diesel it has become so expensive and not sustainable.

"So, we have to look for other ways and means to power irrigation systems.

We are looking at both national grid and solar. In this case, we have an interim arrangement to extend power from national grid power to irrigation scheme and in the future before it is finished,

we will take it to solar.

"The capacity coverage is about 3,000 hectares and right now about 1,300 hectares have been finished but because of lack of power we cannot irrigate the land. Also the land is only being used for rare... irrigation."

In their own briefing, the Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume and Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, reported the outcomes of their visits to

their home states of Benue and Nasarawa respectively in compliance with a presidential directive asking all ministers to interface with stakeholders in their states following the outbreak of #EndSARS protests in October.

Both ministers who told reporters that there was no single act of vandalism in the two states during the protests, adding that they equally secured the cooperation of stakeholders during the engagements.

confiding in THISDAY that they all lamented how the insecurity is affecting their states.

Earlier, a statement on Monday by Head, Media and Public Affairs, NGF, Alhaji Abdulrazaque BelloBarkindo, had said the 22nd NGF teleconference meeting would hold yesterday with governors of the 36 states seeking to evolve a new national security order that will ensure safety of lives and property nationwide.

"As part of the effort, beginning at the subnational level, the forum will be receiving zonal updates on SARS and internal security at its Wednesday meeting.

"Similarly, the forum will also revisit the issue of CACOVID palliatives with updates on its current status’ in all the states."

Zabarmari by Boko Haram insurgents.

In a letter to the governor made available to journalists by his Media Office, Tinubu said: “The cold-blooded murder of these innocent citizens, toiling to eke out a living for themselves and their families and provide food security for our nation is not only callous but satanic.

“I recall your strident sacrifices to ensure that millions of displaced Borno residents are resettled in their ancestral homes and return to their various occupations.

These efforts have not only helped in increasing agricultural output but have also given joy to the displaced.

“Your Excellency, this unfortunate incident despite your spirited efforts in complementing the efforts of the federal security forces is a sad reminder that the war against these desperate and blood-thirsty insurgents will require more efforts to win.

“My hope and prayer are that Allah will give you the courage to continue to provide succour to your people even in the face of this rather depressing event."

FEC Approves N120.7bn for Road Reconstruction, Others procurement of operational vehicles to enhance efficiency in the service for those who have been recently promoted in the Nigeria Immigration Service, comptrollers, assistant comptroller generals, deputy comptroller generals as well as patrol vehicles.

"The council approved procurement of 44 operational vehicles at total contract sum of N768,077,08 million. The beneficiaries are messrs PAN, Kawra and Wanla Motors Nigeria Ltd. "While the final phase of

consultancy was given to Messers APTECH Practice Ltd, an architectural design consultants. The ward is a total sum of N163,956,232.03.

The duration of the project is four months."

Also briefing, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the council also approved N200,192,200 for some irrigation projects along the banks of River Niger.

He said the duration would be 36 months, including 12 months of liability.

"It was 24 months plus

12 months extension plus 12 months liability period, making it 36 for a total sum of N200,192,200 million inclusive 7.5 percent VAT. These are high priority projects along the banks of River Niger and have the potential to improve production in the country especially rice production," he added.

Suleiman also said the council approved the award of contract for a dedicated power line for middle OkeOgun irrigation project phase one in Iseyin, Oyo State.

Again, Sultan Laments Worsening Insecurity, Says Nowhere is Safe and yourself as the leader of our people here.

"But what happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily with.

"I know there is an element of fatigue that will creep into this. Every time this happens, we never let you rest on your phones, expressing sympathies.

We come here as a delegation; you speak to us about your genuine believe in what could help us tackle this challenge that is depleting our country and we pledge to take steps to engage the leadership of our country. So there is very little we can say to you now that we haven't said before as your brothers.

"There is nothing new that you haven't told us, that you haven't told the delegation from Mr. President yesterday.

We have all heard directly from you, your six-point agenda. We have read it and you have just expressed it to us in our private conversation.

All I can say to you sir is that we fully and wholeheartedly endorsed every single point on that agenda.

“I personally as a security

scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.

“It is not a criticism of our military. If one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries which are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country if that were to happen and this certainly something that we as your colleagues and brothers will put before Mr. President."

However, when THISDAY contacted the military to react to Fayemi's claim that its personnel are overstretched, a source he craved anonymity since he didn't get clearance to speak on the issue, said: "He's on his own. He is entitled to his own opinion.

We do not want to take issue with political officeholders."

Fayemi was accompanied to Maiduguri by the Governor of Sokoto State and the Vice Chairman of the forum, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu and that of Niger State, Abubakar Bello.

Fayemi also described their visit to Borno as an expression of their frustration for not being able to make any meaningful headway in the security problems facing the country, despite many attempts.

He said: “This is not a visit to gratify ourselves that we have come to you; no, it is expression also of our own frustration that we have not been able to make changes because we have held series of meetings. You have been present at these meetings; some with Mr. President, meetings with security chiefs.

We have highlighted all the issues. You have spoken frankly on all those occasions, but we are still where we are.

"We can't bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency."

According to him, despite the problem, the NGF will continue to support the government of Borno State in engaging appropriate authorities to find solutions to the insecurity.

"We need to stand solidly with you, assist in whatever

way you want us to, ensuring that our government takes the right position in order to tackle this problem. I want to assure you that we shall not relent as your brothers in conveying this to the appropriate authorities," Fayemi said.

Zulum, who decried the continuous attack on innocent people, said: "We need to address the underlying causes of the insurgency. While appreciating the efforts of the federal government in implementing some policies that are geared towards addressing poverty in the entire nation, Borno State deserves more.

"We have said all; there is nothing new that I can say.

But when shall we end this insurgency? That's something very important.”

Governors Seek To Meet Buhari THISDAY, however, gathered yesterday that NGF, after a meeting yesterday resolved to book an appointment to see the president on the insecurity in the country.

The 36 state governors had met on insecurity in the country with a source

Tinubu Writes Zulum, Says More Efforts Needed to Defeat Terrorism In the meantime, the APC National Leader, Tinubu, has commiserated with Zulum and the people of Borno State over the killing of farmers in

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ 2020

COMMENT

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

A PLEA FOR CHANGE

Persons with disabilities deserve better attention, writes Ifueko Karibi-Whyte

T

he United Nations has proclaimed today, December 3rd, as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

According to the global body, it’s a day set aside to “promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities and to take action for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development�.

This year, says the UN, will be commemorated in conjunction with the 13th session of the Conference of States, Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The theme is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World�.

While some countries take the day seriously, the same cannot be said for Nigeria. Being a person with disabilities is, quite frankly, the worst thing that could happen to someone in Nigeria. Evident in the tragic fact is that Nigerians with disabilities are not awarded the same courtesies as those without.

Most are regarded as subhuman. Parents are made to feel shame, as their children are seen to be the result of some curse or affliction. As a result, not much is expected of them, and thus, nothing is put in place for them to thrive in their community and indeed the Nigerian society at large. This is a sad reality founded upon bitter truths.

You’re disabled if you have a physical or intellectual impairment. That impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out mundane day-to-day activities. According to the World Health Organization’s 2011 World Disability Report, about 15% of Nigeria’s population, about 25 million, have a disability. That is: 25 million Nigerians who have to contend with stigmatisation and non-inclusion in the larger society; 25 million Nigerians who have to pay for services that are free to disabled citizens of a fellow African country like South Africa; 25 million Nigerians whose physical or intellectual impairments cannot be accommodated in most of our public schools, whether primary, secondary or tertiary; 25 million Nigerians whose essential housing and welfare needs are not met, since they are not the priority of the government of Nigeria; 25 million Nigerians whose society expects nothing more of them than to be a beggar on the streets.

Since the signing into law of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 (after almost 10 years of relentless advocacy) the federal and state governments have gone right back to sleep, once again turning a blind eye to the daily struggles of their most afflicted citizens. Shame!

With little to cheer, I expect that this year’s

SINCE THE SIGNING INTO LAW OF THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PROHIBITION) ACT, THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE GONE BACK TO SLEEP, ONCE AGAIN TURNING A BLIND EYE TO THE DAILY STRUGGLES OF THEIR MOST AFFLICTED CITIZENS. SHAME!

International Day of Disabled Persons will again pass by with the federal, state governments and local governments in Nigeria without any form of acknowledgement. At best, it will be lip service as usual.

The lot will fall squarely on international organizations and the disabled community to create awareness to the plight of the disabled in Nigeria.

The sad part is that Nigeria ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008 and its Optional Protocol in 2010.

The aim of the CRPD is to stop viewing persons with disabilities as “objects� of charity, medical treatment and social protection and see them more as “subjects� with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent. The goal is to make persons with disabilities become active members of the society.

The Nigerian disabled community, are you aware that the largest minority group worldwide are persons with disabilities? Because of the myriad of disabilities you are also the most diverse minority group in the world. Numbers and diversity are on your side. So you are very powerful.

Persons with disabilities deserve better from their fatherland. They deserve to have their fundamental needs met. You all need to come together, stand with one voice and self-advocate. I urge you to use your diversity as your strength and not your weakness. Advocate for your common needs. Advocate for your fundamental needs, advocate for some form of financial relief.

The Nigerian government has not done what they signed up with the International community to do for you. Our government signed up to providing a level playing field for you, a chance to make something of yourself in this country. But they just simply have not yet followed through.

You all need to self-advocate, lobby the members of Federal House of Representatives and the Senate.

For instance, you can ask them to pass a bill excluding disabled adults and parents of children with disabilities from paying taxes. Advocate that until such a time that the government is able to provide the services that you are entitled to under both the UN Convention on the CRPD in 2008, it’s Optional Protocol in 2010 and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, persons and the parents of disabled children should not pay tax. This is very fair. On the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons, I urge you all to find your voices and start to speak up as one. rKaribi-Whyte is a Disability Advocate and Mother of a child with special needs

REALITIES AND BATTLE AGAINST RECESSION Arize Nwobu argues that the central bank is putting in everything to ďŹ ght the recession

A

ccording to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the economy had slipped into another recession, the GDP having contracted for the second consecutive quarter by 3.62 per cent in the third quarter (Q3) 2020.

Recession is characterized by business cycle contraction, general slowdown of economic activity when output falls, unemployment rises and government borrows more.

The current recession is the second in five years. It was preceded by that of 2016 which was caused by the great tumble in global oil price, a development which reduced government revenue drastically and destabilized its projections.

It also resulted to dollar scarcity which impacted businesses adversely and exchange rate volatility which weakened the naira to an all-time low because of wide scale speculative activities by opportunistic dealers.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rose to the occasion. The apex bank evolved innovative policies which included the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) FX Window, for both the management of the demand and supply of dollars.

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

Within six months the Window

attracted inflows of US$10 billion and generated a turnover of US422.85 billion at the end of December 2017.

The economy regained traction but recorded slow growth up to 2.2 per cent in 2019.

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

The current recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was anticipated and inevitable. In a report, CBN had noted that the ‘’economic damages are unprecedented on several fronts: crude oil prices have declined drastically to as low as US$17 per barrel by the end of March, even before applying the discounts many oil exporters are offering; stock valuations for the NSE-ASI, NIKKEI, Dow Jones and FTSE 100 have declined by an average of 23.8 per cent between January and March 2020. ‘’Global airlines have lost about US$252 billion in revenue and across the broad range of industries from hospitality to services the pain is growing. These outcomes have expectedly thrown the global economy into a recession.’’

Nigeria is not alone in the recession. And the development does not call for unnecessary criticisms especially those with political undertones which may be distracting to the efforts of the government and relevant institutions in battling the malaise.

Many highly developed economies including Germany and UK are not left out. According to reports, the German economy contracted by a ‘’nearly unprecedented’’ 10 per cent quarter to quarter from April to June because of the pandemic. But it rebound from July by a record 8.2 per cent. As noted by one analyst, ‘’German economy is capable of releasing growth forces under the conditions of the pandemic.’’ The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, in a press report noted that the ‘’nation’s economy is forecast to contract 11.3 per cent this year, the worst performance in more than three centuries’’. But it was projected to rebound by 5.5 per cent next year and 6.6 per cent in 2022.

Other countries that are battling economic contraction include Austria, Belgium, Canada and Denmark.

Others include Finland, Italy, Hungary and Estonia. The US economy did not fall into recession but it faltered.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, all the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) reportedly witnessed real GDP in Q2 2020 and

the real GDP for the nation decreased at an annual rate of 31.4 per cent.

The current recession re-echoes the persistent message of CBN and which had influenced the apex bank’s policies towards restructuring the economy and engendering selfsufficiency.

In a paper titled ‘’Turning the Covid-19 Tragedy Into an Opportunity for a New Nigeria’’, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele noted as follows: ‘’For a country of over 200 million people, and projected to be about 450 million in a few decades, we can no longer ignore repeated warnings about the dangers that lie ahead if we do not begin to depend largely on what we produce locally, because the security and well-being of our nation is contingent on building a well-diversified and inclusive economy.’’ As a proactive measure, CBN had developed a Policy Response Timeline to battle the recession and reboot the economy. The timeline is in three phases: immediate-term policies, short-term policy priorities and medium-term policy priorities.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed had projected that the country would emerge from the recession by the first quarter of 2021. rNwobu, a Chartered Stockbroker and Business Journalist wrote via arizenwobu@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ 2020

EDITORIAL

DEALING WITH COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS The regulators should impose stiffer punishment for copyright violations

T

he recent removal by the President of the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Copyright Commission has brought to an end the needless bickering in a critical agency. But we wait to see how that will impact on the exploitative activities of pirates that have remained a serious problem for movie makers and music producers in the Nigerian creative industry.

This violation of intellectual property rights has rendered many creative arts practitioners bankrupt and also inflicted devastating blows on the entertainment industry with the attendant revenue loss estimated at billions of naira.

Aside the producers and other artistes, government is also feeling the impact of this illicit activity through loss of AS A THRIVING SECTOR tax revenue as those engaged in WITH HUGE POTENTIAL, piracy do not pay THE ENTERTAINMENT tax from their INDUSTRY SHOULD BE sales. Besides, WELL REGULATED TO as a thriving sector with huge ENABLE IT FULLY EVOLVE potential, the AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE entertainment NIGERIAN ECONOMY industry should be well regulated to enable it fully evolve and contribute to the Nigerian economy. A report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the creative industry generated $7 billion in 2016. The report said the sector accounted for 1.4 per cent of the Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is responsible for direct employment for over one million people.

Unfortunately, this growth is not encompassing as only a few individuals, engaged in deleterious production of pirated and substandard materials, milk a fortune at the expense of diligent movie makers and producers. We also find particularly disturbing a revelation made by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) concerning the effect of piracy on the creative sector. According to NCC, Nigeria has since 2013 been losing $1 billion per annum to pirates who clone copyright works

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into CDs, DVDs, VCD and other audio-visual formats, and selling them at cheap prices through their distribution network. The report also claimed that between 2011 and 2018, regulators confiscated 749,316,187 units of pirated works and impounded 28 containers of pirated copyright protected works valued at over N10 billion.

However, in the face of this criminal act that portends grave danger for the economy, regulatory bodies are hamstrung in controlling copyright infringements and making violators accountable.

Indeed, as we have stated on several occasions, our laws on piracy appear too lenient. Rather than deter the criminals from their unholy act, they have only heartened the pirates, who believe they will always be given a mere slap on the wrist. It is outrageous that section 18(1)(c) of the Copyright Act only imposes a jail term not exceeding five years or a fine of N1,000, or less on every pirated article, on a person convicted for pirating cinematographic films, musical works, sound recordings, among others.

We propose stiffer punishment for any act of copyright infringement. Regulators should also introduce other institutional structures to block areas of leakages, make more revenues for government as well as the artistes to reap from their labour. We also propose the introduction of a compulsory Bar Code on all original works, to discern them from imitation, thus preventing buyers as well as radio and television stations from patronising pirated works.

In addition, regulators should register and license all filmmakers, marketers, distributors and film shops. They should also make meaningful arrests, enforce all anti-piracy laws and ban the sales of creative works on the streets and in the traffic. We also call on government to design a tax scheme on each copy of movie or music sold as a way of tracking all sales activities in the industry. Government should also transform the sector into a viable economy and encourage private sector investment in production and postproduction studios as a deliberate effort to curb capital flight to countries with hi-tech production gadgets.

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

UMAHI’S CHAPTER ONE r$ontinued from the backpage

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ollowing his defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress ((APC), Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi has been in confrontation with top politicians in his state who refused to join his political adventure. He is particularly at war with former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim who was also Secretary to the Government of the Federation under President Goodluck Jonathan. With the latter responding in kind to Umahi’s vitriol, we have heard juicy stories of blood, killings, spell and ritual receptions on the streets of Ebonyi. And while we enjoy the entertainment, Governor Umahi has also dropped hints about our politics in what he called only chapter one of his book of revelations.

Let’s take it from Umahi: “I was a deputy governor. Somebody occupying the highest position from the South-East (meaning Anyim) went and arranged for a N5billion loan for me to prosecute the presidential election for his

government. I had to sell many of my properties to pay back that money‌All these people that came together to fight me, they collect contracts, they collect monthly pay, they collect vehicles. And when they are asked to bring people that worked for us, they will bring their wives, children, and relations. Now, they are dressing words for us. We are in chapter one, in chapter two, I will publish all that I have done for the leaders of this state.�

When the late Dele Giwa wrote that ‘Nigerians have been shocked to the state of unshockability’, he was being prescient. That is because we run a system without any modicum of accountability and where politicians with no public service roles can collect ‘monthly pay’ and vehicles. But this lack of accountability is not restricted to Ebonyi. For instance, Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State is saddled with the assignment of caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Yobe, which is one-half of the old Borno State, is also challenged by the Boko Haram insurgency. But its governor stays only three days in a month in the state and spends the rest scouting for defecting

governors he could present to the president. “On the issue of staying, there is no way I can spend a month without spending three or four days in Yobe state�, said the APC Caretaker chairman. That a governor would publicly admit to such irresponsibility is because he knows there are no consequences for bad behaviour in our country. But let’s return to Umahi’s ‘Chapter One’.

A public official took a loan of N5 billion from a bank to prosecute a political ambition (for someone else).

How would he recoup such ‘investment’ if not to steal public money?

What does this say about our banking sector and the ‘projects’ they fund? And if these revelations are just ‘Chapter One’ in Umahi’s ‘introduction’ to the looting of Ebonyi State, we wonder what the promised ‘Chapter Two’ will offer. In all, we can see why politics remains the most lucrative enterprise in the country. And unlike the rice farmers of Zabarmari who put their lives on the line to cultivate an essential staple crop, you don’t need the permission of the military to do politics in Nigeria! t0MVTFHVO "EFOJZJ "CVKB

THE FBI ARE THE GOOD GUYS

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he never ending, well until Jan 20, presidential denial of the election outcome is getting more extreme each day as each court case fails. The latest from a Trump interview is “This is total fraud and how - the FBI and Department of Justice, I don’t know, maybe they’re involved.�

Surely, the FBI and DOJ are beyond reproach, as their basic purpose is to protect America and its way of life. They serve the President and the country, irrelevant of who it is.

The 1960’s TV portal of the FBI starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. may have been over the top, but the good guys are still working for the FBI and the country, not against it.

Shame, President Trump! t%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020

POLITICS

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

‘The 2023 Contest for Presidency is Open to All in APC’ The Director General of Progressive Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman in this conversation with Adedayo Akinwale insists the All Progressives Congress has not zoned the 2023 presidency

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overnor David Umahi’s defection is the current conversation in the polity today. It is the hot political issue on the front burner now. Don’t you think the governor has indeed stirred the hornets’ nest?

Whatever you call it, we see it as mere hot air. But beyond that, you will agree with me that what has been the frustration in Nigeria is that real political contestations are not taking place, and in recent times All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be the only party where political contestation is taking place.

And I tell you whatever anyone will say of President Buhari, one positive thing he has done is to provide a level playing field in the party. Nobody can tell you that Buhari has called them aside and said this is what the party must do, which is what doesn’t exist in PDP where before you go to any meeting, you decide on what would be the decision. I dare say, as the Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and this is the point people keep missing that does not happen here for which I celebrate our governors. They respect the fact that I’m a party member and they give me the recognition that I can have my own view that is independent of their own view.

That way, it’s up to me to decide whether I want to take the risk to publicize my view with the full knowledge of the danger that it may conflict with the position of some governors.

That is like striking a delicate balance?

It’s a very delicate balance that can be deep sometimes. This also tasks my job description here as the intellectual think tank and situation room of the party. Most times, it comes with its inherent risks, so you have to do your diligent risk assessment. To that extent therefore, the call I have to make is whether the position I’m canvassing is self-serving to me or it is, in the long run, beneficial to the party I’m serving as an institution. Once I make the call that in the long run it is beneficial to the party which means every party member including the governors would benefit from that position, I can then go ahead and take the risk. It’s up to me to prove that it’s not going to be beneficial to me but I think on the whole you can easily see from the argument whether one is making a self-serving or altruistic argument.

How do you then situate this position with the current run of events in the party?

That is the issue and that is why, for instance, everybody could see that the place is open whether you call it with reference to 2023 or reference to any election, it’s about the fact that the spirit of political contest in the party is now very high. It means that if you want to negotiate as a good negotiator, if you want to canvass as a good canvasser for a specific interest, the party is up to you. The pertinent point to make here is that nobody can say President Buhari has decided or there is a decision on the party, this is where it would go. That Is why in the whole speculation out there in the public, you’ll see that there are so many names that are being put in the public space which means that in 2023 there would be a contest in APC. And if you’re a politician, what are you looking for, is it not contest? So you go to where you know that if you play your card very well, there is a 50-50 chance that you can get what you want, when you want it and where you want it. That is the message now which the President has nurtured and popularised in the APC. By extension, it serves a death knell that marks the end of foreclosure in political contests in the Nigerian politics. What we are saying is that foreclosure in our political contests is dead.

How enforceable is this in practical terms?

It is enforceable and it is being enforced.

Sound politics is impossible where there’s a foreclosure. In APC today, I can assure you that it is not going to be where you can tell that

Muhammadu Buhari. So who will take decision without reference to him? Now this is it, whatever anybody would say, this is the attraction in APC and for me as an individual, I see more of the potential that anybody who is courageous to take risk and can canvass for position, there is ample space for you in APC. That’s the attraction.

But in Gov. Umahi’s case, we heard that strategic stakeholders such as the senators, House of Representatives members and state assembly members from that state have distanced themselves from him indicating that he is on his own.

How do you explain this?

You see, for me, it even raises the profile of Governor Umahi, making it more appealing because he does not come across as a politician who has not come through as a leader who imposes himself on others. Rather, he places premium on the power of conviction which is very critical in political engineering where mass appeal is the goal.

Lukman there is a foreclosure. So, this is the attraction in APC and that is why it is significant for us in APC in spite of all the slander that APC is anti-South East not withstanding all the initiative of the federal government in terms of the sound and credible development initiative currently in place in the South East. That is why you now see a governor of the calibre, competence and credibility of Governor Umahi in the South East saying ‘no, no, where I am there is no justice.’ He has not said where he’s going he’s guaranteed of justice but he’s absolutely sure that if he plays his card well in his new environment, there is the likelihood that he will get adequate justice.

Because of the level playing field which our leader, the president has diligently nurtured and popularized. This level playing field has been well conceived, nurtured and now gaining more traction by the day. It is the result of the President’s sincere desire driven by patriotic fervor running on diligent thought and efficient and clinical execution.

You will only need to watch as we progress towards 2023.

What makes you so sure about this?

I am very sure because the idea is propelled by sincerity, diligence and efficiency.

Above all, it is people-oriented and that is what makes it desirable and attainable. This is the point we are making. You can only grant it to him (Buhari) after our experience

in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where the president is everything. We have had a situation in this country where if you want to contest for house of assembly position, you had to come to Abuja and once you are endorsed by the president or the party headquarters, it’s automatic. There is no political contest whatsoever at all, your name will just be given. And in some respect bringing the matter down home now, the battle in APC against the leadership of Comrade Adams (Oshiomhole), who I must say I am close to, and you know it, was informed by that danger that already, the cardinal principle and process of political contest was being lost. When Edo was mismanaged the way it was mismanaged you could see there was the potential and fear that even Ondo was going to be mismanaged. A semblance of gate keepers were being created, structures of the party were not meeting and then you talk of party supremacy whereas party supremacy derives from the decision of organs.

Do you imply that the slogan party supremacy was a just a mere ruse and a hoax?

Why is party supremacy when the processes that makes it supreme are missing? It is supreme because it is the decision of organs, not the position of an individual no matter whom he is. In any case, who is the most senior person in the party? It is President

In APC today, I can assure you that it is not going to be where you can tell that there is a foreclosure. So, this is the attraction in APC and that is why it is significant for us in APC in spite of all the slander that APC is anti-South East not withstanding all the initiative of the federal government in terms of the sound and credible development initiative currently in place in the South East. That is why you now see a governor of the calibre, competence and credibility of Governor Umahi in the South East saying ‘no, no, where I am there is no justice.’ He has not said where he’s going he’s guaranteed of justice but he’s absolutely sure that if he plays his card well in his new environment, there is the likelihood that he will get adequate justice

You think so?

Yes I think so, I believe so, I see it so, and that is the message from this, that although he has taken his personal political decision, he didn’t take it as a governor. He could have taken every step to ensure that he comes along with others but my view is that even those who made those declaration there is the potential that once they see how good he is managing his politics in APC they would be attracted.

So it’s a good development that we are seeing and I’m sure that this would go a long way in changing the dynamics and political profile of APC, not just in the South East but across the country. That is the way I see it.

There are views being raised out there that with Gov. Umahi’s defection, it is another practical evidence that your party is a power-grabbing machine and a real danger to Nigeria’s democracy. How do you respond to this?

My straight answer to that is this: you see we tend to hold some views which unfortunately are not logical. What is politics without power?

Politics without power content is empty. What is power, I dare ask? Power is the capacity to influence others. This is the thing. That APC is powerful to the extent that we are able to influence the decision of a nationalistic, progressive-minded, credible and leading political leader such as Governor Umahi, is a Tsunami. And there is more. It is a major achievement for our party to win over such a strategic political asset who sees the party as a viable platform to canvass his politics as a leader of his people. They cannot run away from the fact that the coming of Umahi into APC is the beginning of an electoral Tsumani for our party in the South east. The challenge and this is the point that stares us in Nigeria, we need to change and raise our competitive age because presently we are not competing enough we end up competing for the wrong thing. The PDP had Umahi as their governor, why should they allow themselves to lose him in such a cheap manner. It’s pure management issue. In APC too, we have also had similar problem out of our own recklessness as a party that we lost governors in Benue, Kwara, Sokoto, name it.

So your party has learnt its lessons and is getting its act together?

Definitely, we are still learning our lessons and getting our act together, that’s what I will say and I have the confidence that our leadership and caretaker committee would take every step necessary to consolidate on this new development and especially now we are moving into the arena of membership registration, this is the best way to go. And we wouldn’t just be registering members; we would end up registering more leaders.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020

POLITICS

‘We Are Asking Buhari to Give us an Account of the Loss of Lives of Nigerians’ Udora Orizu holds a discussion with the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson on contemporary issues, including his suggestion on how to end insurgency and why 2023 presidency should be zoned to the South

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n the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari to explain the security situation of the country, there was a drama, that played out, the House was divided on that issue and the insistence

by Hon. Jaha that it is not the prayer of the motion as agreed by Borno lawmakers, why would that happen?

The 9th Assembly is the peoples parliament.

The leadership encourages us to have very robust debates and there was a motion on that day by Hon. Satomi, Hon. Jaha interjected and insisted that the motion requesting for Mr President to come should be adhered to, some members felt that there was no need for Mr President to come because the prayer itself has a declaration of state of emergency, so some members felt that that was more important than asking Mr President to come and give account. We debated back and forth and there was a unanimous resolution to invite President Buhari and that’s what played out.

So, Mr President is meant to appear before the parliament within the shortest possible time.

What happens if Mr President doesn’t show up?

If he doesn’t show up, as we all know our resolutions are annoyingly only advisory but I think we’re not asking him to come and tell us about football games, we are asking him to come and give us account of the loss of lives of Nigerians and this has been happening for long. It happens in the west, south west, north west and everywhere so somebody should come and tell us when this will stop. We are not asking for something out of the ordinary.

Do you think it is right for the President to continue keeping the Service Chiefs?

Personally, the parliament has spoken, but the type of constitutional democracy we practice gives the powers to appoint and sack service chiefs to Mr President. Tthat’s where we find ourselves.

wants to be a Boko Haramist, it’s because of the lack of opportunities, hopelessness that they have that they are doing what they are doing. We need to find a strategy of reducing insurgents naturally by giving them a sense of belonging. We haven’t been able to do that.

Benson Would you say that the Service Chiefs and the President are incompetent?

I would not say incompetent, I will say that the challenges we face are not challenges that you can use security to cure. I will always say that you cannot use security to kill poverty.

Poverty, insecurity, lack of good governance in those areas, you know youths don’t have jobs in those areas, so that feeds the devil’s workshop. And those youths are indoctrinated easily by bad guys and when indoctrination comes, you become determined, tenacious to those beliefs that they indoctrinated you in. That’s the problem we’re facing, we’re facing very oppressed, suppressed, depressed Nigerians who don’t see any hope in Nigeria.

I think we need a whole new strategy. It’s the Chinese military strategist that said, the skillful general is not that which wins 100 wars but the one that wins virtues and wars without going into a battle. How can we win this war without going into a battle?

We need to provide governance, employment opportunities, we need to treat that area with a special status, we need to find a way of getting those youths and giving them hope so they know there’s hope for them. Nobody

The government has said repeatedly that Boko Haram has been defeated, with the fatalities recorded, do you, in your own estimation think we are close to defeating Boko Haram?

We haven’t. Boko Haram is still out there and I have always said it, as long as there’s hopelessness, lack of governance lack of infrastructure and so on, as long as those things are not optimal we will always have insurgents. I have always said to people, the civil war was fought for three years, but we’ve been fighting insurgency for 12 years, without any end to it. I think it’s only good governance that can defeat it. I don’t believe that Boko Haram has been degraded or defeated in any way.

The Federal Government recently attributed the delay in defeating Boko Haram to global powers blocking Nigeria’s moves to acquire weapons to fight terrorism, what do you have to say about this and what should be done?

I have news for Nigeria, those global powers I think will still continue to block, because they sell arms based on human rights records.

The EndSARS protests that happened will further give them excuse to delay or not to sell weapons to us. I think we need to have a rethink, we need change our strategy to be able to eradicate this. Relying on western powers as we speak and based on our poor human rights records, will still make us struggle.

We need to either build the alliances, or be very strategic.

Igbos are jostling to get to power in 2023, Do you think they should be given a chance?

I have a bias towards the igbos, because my family started out from NCNC and NPP, the late T.O.S Benson, the first Minister of Information and Culture. He was a strong Zikist. I always have a bias for them, I even call them the Messi of Nigeria. You know when you have a football team, you know Messi can dribble and create doors and score, but in the Nigerian nation, we put our Messi as a goalkeeper, we have not been able to unleash the strength, the industry of the igbos.

If we do that , Nigeria will easily transform into the Taiwan of Africa. So if you ask me, the agreement, if it’s going to oscillate to the South, yes there can be a keen competition between the southerners to choose who the best candidate is, that’s the whole part of the equality in fact that I’m talking about. The north has done it, zone it to the south, let there be a competition, the best person from the south should win. I’m also an advocate of the South-east having a new state to make it six, that’s how to force inclusion.

How will that play out, is it through constitutional amendment?

There’s constitutional amendment, there’s lobby. I haven’t seen the South-east create a lobby platform yet maybe they are still strategizing but I want to see them have a strong push to ensure that happens. I think Nigerians, the Igbos should look out for the Yorubas and Yorubas should look out for the Igbos, the Hausas should look out for the Igbos and Igbos should do same. If we can work Nigeria out like that, have a conversation about looking out for each zone, I’m sure Nigeria will be a better place.

How would you best describe the relationship between the Yorubas and the Igbos?

Very cordial, there’s inter-marriage, there’s election in my senatorial district on Saturday, most of the igbos are rooting for the All Progressives Congress candidate. I believe it’s cordial and I believe we can get better.

‘Bayelsa is Blessed with Major Revenue Derivable Resources’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong explores the possibilities of Bayelsa State earning substantial revenue from its endowment in mineral resources with the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Ebieri Jones

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n what ways would you say your background has prepared you for this assignment?

I am a chartered banker and I have been in the banking industry for years and rose to the position of a senior manager. I have worked in the insurance industry. I have a lot of experience in the banking and financial sector and aside that, I did my PhD in accounting so I am a chartered accountant and before now, I have been in a research institution. I have been a lecturer for over six years after my banking career. I lectured at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. The Governor, His Excellency Douye Diri deemed it fit for me to be in this area. I think he went through my Curriculum Vitae (CV). I believe in his wisdom; he finds me necessary to be here and because we are having issues from revenue from the oil sector. I feel he didn’t make a mistake. I have only been here for a few months and I am beginning to realize what prompted him to make me the Commissioner and I want to thank God for it. It is a new area and it is also very challenging but for the kind of pedigree I have, it is good for me and I love challenges. I will ensure that part of his Prosperity Agenda is fulfilled within the ministry. With time, a lot of things will come and Bayelsans will see what has been happening within the ministry.

What mineral resources are there in Bayelsa State?

Outside crude oil, there is a lot of deposit of clay in Bayelsa untapped. We have a lot of silica sand, which is used in the production of glass and you can use clay in producing ceramic. We

Jones have silica sand in about six local government areas in large quantities. I recently held a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and I found out that the ministry is not having equipment and if the resources are not there, we have little we can do but I know that the Miracle Governor has written a memo so we can get that equipment.

Before now the monetary value of those minerals were not known but now the Governor is aware and willing to invest in those minerals.

Bayelsa State is blessed with major revenue derivable resources like natural gas, salt and silica sand. These are largely under-utilised or untapped. The governor has directed that the state must look outside oil to grow her economy.

This ministry has the ability to generate revenue outside oil.

I don’t see taxation coming in here because

the petroleum profit tax is paid to the Federal Government but when we talk about gas, we hardly convert gas to liquid, you know we have a high deposit of gas across the nation, Bayelsa is one of the states having a high deposit of gas. I belong to the school of thought that government should not involve itself in business but should be able to attract investors into the state and the country. We are making interface. In Gbarien Phase3, their gas plant will soon start and we want to see how they will be able to use that to feed some other areas of the state. Also, His Excellency is aware that the Phase3 will be on soon and I have interfaced with them. They will come and brief the government on how that will be achieved, by the time that is through, I think the light situation will improve beyond what we see now.

Is your ministry involved in making sure the host community benefit from the gas industries?

There are certain things the state can not do, because the laws guiding the industry are been made by the Federal Government. Things will change with the Petroleum Industry Bill. It’s for us to influence that law to see how gas flaring will stop and how it will benefit the state because that is the only thing we can do. As a Commissioner, I have been in touch with two states but I have not spoken to Akwa Ibom and Cross River and Edo states but I have spoken to my colleagues in Delta and also in Rivers states.

My intention is that we should take it as a regional thing because I don’t see one state having the weight to influence that but if we come up as a

region, we can do something.

The state has to pay the oil companies for natural gas to boost for its electricity needs. Incidentally, gas is being flared and wasted daily. What is the middle ground to benefit all parties?

I have been speaking with a German. Though, he is third party but, in a position, to attract a lot of investors. As a little boy growing up in Brass local government area, I saw people cooking salt and over some days salt will come out. Now we are looking for how to mechanize it and improve on that and there is no way the ocean water will finish or go down. One of my duties is to market all of this investment opportunities. Silica sand has a wide range of usability. It is used for production of glass, filtration of water for both regular usage and agricultural purposes, ceramics, construction work, metal casting and production, paints and coatings, sports fields and golf courses, industrial abrasives and also in oil and gas.

Who needs oil when we have such a rich deposit of this natural mineral resource? If the state can just concentrate on her other resources, no doubt, we can earn enough revenue to become very prosperous. How do we make silica sand a major revenue earner for the state? I learn by observing what is happening in the world first hand and also by asking questions and getting a feedback. To set up this glass industry is not expansive.

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

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ 2020

FEATURES

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

In New Book, Ekanem Dissects Trump Tirade Against Africa In WhatAfrica Stands to lose, a book that x-rays Trump's rhetoric onAfrica, Nigerian-American journalist, Ekanem Williams, offersnewinsightintohowAfricacanchangethenegativenarrativearounditsdevelopment,writesChiamaka Ozulumba

Ekanem

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t’s the last days of the world’s most powerful man and America’s 45th president, Donald Trump. But his views on Africa continue to be a subject of debate. For many, his tirade against Africa revealed ignorance about a continent that has contributed to the building of the United States.

Yes, Trump is not just your regular U.S President.

He prides himself as an anti-establishment crusader and a honest straight-talker. But his actions and statements on international issues are beyond the norm in international relations.

In January 2018, the U.S media reported that the President had described Haiti and many other African nations as “shit hole countries� in a closed-door meeting about immigration. Even for Trump, the disparaging comment was a touch too heavy.

Nigerian-American journalist, Williams Ekanem, in his latest book ‘What Africans Stand To Lose’, analyses the origins and weight of Trump’s statements on Africa and how his administration has, more than three years after its inauguration, has engaged with African countries.

The US remains the world’s largest economy and boasts of, arguably, the most sophisticated military on earth. Its position on Africa matters, justifying Ekanem’s effort to understand the Trump factor vis-Ă -vis the continent’s fight to escape the ‘developing’ tag imposed on it by the rest of the world.

No doubt, negative comments from the US President about Africa is bad public relations for the continent. But is it always a losing proposition?

What lessons can Africans draw from Trump’s rhetoric for the continent? And what tools are available to re-imagine the future? These are some of the questions Ekanem grapples with in ‘What Africans Stand To Lose’.

Ekanem begins, in chapter one, by detailing America’s gradual introversion which, although accelerated by the Trump presidency, has been decades in the making. He traces Trump’s distaste of Africa to a speech the US President made at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. “I have so many friends going to your countries, trying to get rich,� Trump said at the meeting, which was attended by African leaders from Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda. “I congratulate you, they’re spending a lot of money.

It’s really become a place they have to go, that they want to go.� Since Trump had cast Africa as a ‘wealthy place’, Ekanem reasons, the US President would be less inclined to offer more

developmental assistance. This, the author argues, is an advantage for Africa to rely more on Africans. “As it is now, Trump has pulled the rug from under their feet as the largesse would not be coming in as usual,� Ekanem writes. “It is therefore a time for African leaders to be more discerning to their environment.�

In chapter two, the author takes a deep dive into Trump’s shit-hole comments and meticulously documents the media backlash and ripostes that followed. African leaders responded with strong words of their own; US diplomats on the continent were summoned to offer clarifications, and Trump himself was forced to apologise via a letter. “In the letter,� Ekanem notes, “Trump offered his deepest compliments to African leaders, noting that US soldiers were fighting side by side their African counterparts against extremism on the continent and that the US was working to increase free, fair and reciprocal trade with African countries and partnering to safeguard legal infrastructure.�

The apology was followed by a commitment to do better by the continent as the then US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson announced an African tour; he would be the first senior Trump administration official to visit the continent.

The third chapter details Tillerson’s ill-fated trip to Africa which was cut short after the former oil and gas executive was fired on Twitter by Trump. Ekanem writes that during the trip, which started in Ethiopia, Tillerson did a “good job in de-escalating the damage caused by President Trump’s indiscretion� but his sack ensured the gains disappeared, like dust. “It was, indeed, a lost opportunity because diplomatic observers were so hopeful that the Tillerson trip would be the pedestal from which a meaningful dialogue for an acceptable US-Africa policy would be developed for the administration.�

Without a solid plan for Africa in the first two years of his Presidency, how was the Trump administration faring in its treatment of the continent, compared to other past US administrations? To answer that question, the book’s fourth chapter turns to history to examine how former US Presidents, from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, engaged with Africa. Worthy of note is George W. Bush’s assessment, which was lauded for its deep contributions in the continent’s healthcare, democracy and human rights. Quoting Bob Geldof in Time magazine, Ekanem notes that Africa is the “triumph of America foreign policy and is the Bush administration’s greatest achievement.� Barack Obama, too, was noted to have made four trips to Africa - the most by any

United States president - but “the substance of Obama’s presidency may not have been what many Africans had hoped for.�

Briefly, in chapter five, Ekanem touches on the subject of foreign aid, a system of benevolence which has been criticised, by some, of feeding corruption in developing countries and perpetuating a culture of dependence. With well-marshalled arguments for and against foreign aid, the author notes that the consensus is that “foreign aid should be less about giving out money, but more about the collegial engagement of donors and recipients of aid to achieve the desired objectives.�

Very few books on international relations published today can avoid the China subject.

In chapter six, Ekanem looks at the prospects of China in Africa. With the US having shaped its foreign policy in Africa as a response to Chinese engagement on the continent, the subject takes even more outsized importance. Ekanem draws on an abundant scholarship to argue that China’s position on the continent is largely desirable. The world’s second-largest economy has, in the past two decades, ramped up foreign aid and investment on the continent; it also offers cheap loans to many African countries to build much-needed public infrastructures such as rail-lines, roads, airports, bridges and power stations. The author, however, doesn’t shy away from the problems - unfair labour practises, predatory lending - usually associated with China’s play in Africa. But, compared to the US’ African policy, which has been described for its “lack of substance�, the Chinese seem to be doing quite well.

The seventh chapter, named after the book’s title, brings to fore what Africans stand to lose from Trump’s inaccurate portrayal of the continent.

Well, the Trump administration has proposed foreign aid cuts to the continent and has imposed visa restrictions, making it harder for people of African origin to immigrate to the US. In 2018, the administration unveiled a new Africa Strategy, part of which included Prosper Africa, an initiative that seeks to boost trade and investment between the US and African countries. But, Ekanem, in his rich analysis of the situation, notes that the new strategy has “generated more criticisms than commendations.� One, the strategy was announced by the office of the National Security Adviser, not the US State Department, which is responsible for such diplomatic interventions. Two, the rhetoric from the US government called for African countries to either choose the US or China, a throw-back to the days of the cold war; simply put, a degression of the international relations

theory of multilateralism.

In the eighth chapter, Ekanem examines the origins of Trump’s stereotypes which, like Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, emerges from the vision of Africa as a vast, uncultivated forest inhabited by sub-humans who require western civilisation to be considered full homo-sapiens. Africa’s problems of corruption, violence, crime, war, poverty are not unique to it. “Another reason for the unending stereotype is the fact that most people in the western world do not travel outside their countries of origin,� Ekanem writes.

The last chapter focuses on Africa’s growth potential, with ample statistics to show that the continent’s trajectory points upward. The figures are backed up the number of young people and avalanche of natural resources available across Africa. The book ends carrying a torch of hope, offering a new way to look at the continent beyond Trump’s myopia and the consequent retrogression of America’s foreign policy, a country once vaunted as leader of the free world.

Ekanem’s triumph with ‘What Africa Stands To Lose’ lies in his almost dispassionate handling of the material before him and a sticky penchant for balance, putting two contrasting ideas in a box and allowing them fester till the truth - or something close to it - escapes. These qualities are, no doubt, influenced by his journalism roots.

(He worked for many years as a Business/ Financial Editor in Nigeria and has reported from the White House, the US Capitol and the World Bank in Washington D.C.). Still, his faith in Africa is bare on the page, from start to finish. Ekanem understands - perhaps unwittingly - that good arguments are woven around reason but have their roots in solid faith.

A bit of more storytelling would have softened Ekanem’s stolid narration of Africa’s fate under the Trump presidency. For stretches, occassionally, the writing is too muscular, even repetitive, threatening to undermine the exciting underbelly associated with most analysis of a ‘Trumpian’ universe. Ekanem does tell a personal story, at the start of chapter eight, but it’s not enough. ‘What Africans Stand To Lose’ comes at a perfect time, even as the Trump administration faces a reckoning in the November US presidential election. But the book is beyond Trump and speaks to Africans’ visualisation of their place in the world; it doesn’t shy away from the continent’s stark realities, but it works to provide an alternative view of the future, one that places the continent’s hereafter in the hands of its own peoples.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ 2020

21

#THISISNIGERIA –Aisha Yesufu

WE MOVE!

F

irst of all, I would like to say that may the souls of all our #EndSars soldiers we have lost in this fight rest in peace and may healing come to Nigeria. It is very important for us all to look at the question and ask ourselves "how did we get here?" And I'm going to put six points forward just on the way that we got here We got here because of our lack of empathy.

We got here because of the lack of understanding of our shared humanity and social contract with the government. We got here because of our refusal to occupy the Office Of The Citizen. We got here because of our misplaced anger. We got here because of our short term memories and we got here because of our refusal to take part in governance. #EndSARS is a rallying call and I see a lot of people today say to us all, that the fight to #EndSARS is the fight for the soul of Nigeria and it reminded me of all the times that we would say that the fight for Chibok girls is a fight for the soul of Nigeria at the #BringBackOurGirls movement.

Let us look at the issue of lack of empathy, Dr Oby Ezekwesili says that we have been a country that has never cared for one another when anything is happening to any of us and that different regions have had to fight different fights and the other regions looked away and she is right in that assessment. Let's start with the South East when Biafra happened, the rest of the regions looked away and didn't do anything and because of that, the stage was set for inhumanity to be perpetrated on the different regions with no outcry and rallying from other regions. When the Niger Delta, South-South, were fighting their own issue, the rest of our nation looked the other way and indeed, nobody bothered. Then it was the turn of the South West. The South-East had done their own, the South-South had done their own, the South West – it was their turn, June 12 happened but what did the rest of the nation do? As usual, Nothing! We didn't think about empathy and shared humanity. The rest of us looked the other way. South West finished their own then the North Central felt the pangs of the brutality in a more sustained manner than it had ever been. The farmer-herder crisis and all of that happened and has continued to plague that region and the rest of us, as usual, looked away. Then Boko Haram happened in the North East and a lot of people said it was the fringes and we looked the other way.

Today, we have banditry happening in the North West and what do we still do? A lot of us are still saying, "it's still some people " because we have gotten to a place where we are a nation where we do not show empathy for one another and we have allowed all of these to continue to happen. What did we do? We rather would ascribe religion and tribe to different places and forget that we indeed have to have empathy and we have a shared humanity and a social contract with our government. It doesn't matter whether we like someone or not. We have to realise that injustice to one is an injustice to all. Terrorist attack to anyone anywhere is a terrorist attack to everyone everywhere.

Today, a lot of us are aghast at what happened on 20th of October, 2020 that today, the government is trying to deny. Is it the first time that it happened? No, it's not. In 2014, April 14 to be precise, 276 children were taken away, daughters were taken away from a school in Chibok. What did the rest of us do? Did we all come together to rally and say "No, that must not happen" and go after the perpetrators, and as a nation, stand together? We didn't. Some of us said that "oh, it didn't matter" and then the government said it didn't happen and then a lot of people believed that it didn't happen.

Today, we have a repetition of the government trying to tell us that what happened at the Lekki toll gate, the massacre that happened there, did not happen. Is it only Bring Back Our Girls? Is

it only Chibok girls? No. We watched as Shiites, over the years, have been killed. In December 2015, official record – over 300 were killed; Unofficial record – over 700 were killed, but the rest of us looked the other way because we didn't understand that we had shared humanity and a social contract with the government and it didn't matter whether we liked each other or not, what mattered was our shared humanity, and that must be respected. And of course, IPOB. Over the years, IPOB members have repeatedly been killed. They've been killed by soldiers, they've been killed by police. The rest of us looked away. This is how we got here.

We also got here because of our refusal to occupy our Offices Of The Citizen.

I will again quote Dr Oby Ezekwesili who severally says the highest office in the land is the Office Of The Citizen and the highest political office in the land is the office of the President.

Most of us have refused to occupy our Office Of The Citizen and because of that, we have looked the other way when things were happening. We refused to make demands. We've never had that critical mass but today, we have #EndSARS and we're united and people who would always say to us that in Nigeria we cannot come together to fight for a cause...now know better. We did it when we did the Bring Back Our Girls movement. It was all about a singularity of purpose and today again, we have a singularity of purpose and that singularity of purpose is #EndSARS. Nigerians came together, Nigerians rallied together. Just see what happened when we decided that we are going to occupy our Offices Of The Citizen when we decided we would no longer leave only a few people to speak on our behalf when we decided that every one of us is a citizen, every one of us... we have a stake in this country and we came together – what happened? We got our critical mass and of course, they had to listen.

We also got here because of our misplaced anger.

We are angry at the people who are our friends and then we love the people who are really our enemies. The people who stand for us against all odds, who against their own personal interests, stand for the people and fight for them, we're always against them. We're always looking for those people who never care about us because we feel, as people who are in an abusive relationship, that we have to tow in the lines of those who are abusing us. We forget that indeed, we are citizens in this country and no Nigerian is more Nigerian than any Nigerian. We got to where we are today because the few people who dared to speak for us, we mock them, we abuse them, we insult them, then the people who never speak for us are the people that we are loving, the people we are calling to come and then when they say one thing, we're jumping all over it. We are not discerning enough to appreciate those who speak for us no matter the personal cost. We jump to hail those who only speak when it is convenient for them to speak. Until we begin to make ourselves matter, I'm sorry, we'll continue to have a situation where we are taken for granted as citizens and brutality meted out on us with impunity. That has to stop.

We also got to where we are today because of our short term memories. We easily forget the atrocities of yesterday and the perpetrators. We do not remember the people who weren't there for us. The people who were silent when we were being brutalised. When it is convenient for these people they talk and we jump all over it for the cycle of brutality to be meted out once again. We do not look at the consistency. And also, I will quote Dr Oby Ezekwesili who said that integrity is not complete until it is consistent.

Today, you have somebody who, yesterday, was a sycophant and defended every atrocity in government. When they speak today, we jump on it forgetting the role they played in the brutality we endured. If they ever find themselves in government again they will continue the brutality because their bad behaviour was rewarded. We do not reward good behaviour. We rather punish good behaviour and we reward bad behaviour. We have to be consistent in our values and the values we expect from anybody. We have to be consistent in insisting that Nigeria must be a nation where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. We have to be consistent about the people who truly stand for our nation and not just a few who are concerned about themselves, who do not care about the abuses that we go through and are only focused on themselves.

Finally, I would say our refusal to take part in governance is one of the reasons why we got here.

I also would go to Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Some of you would say, "oh, why are you always quoting her" because in the last few years I have seen her as someone who has stood for Nigeria. I call her the single parent of Nigeria even against all the abuses that she receives, she stands strong, she marches alone, she pushes us, she pushes Nigerians and she is always there and she said there are two sides of governance: the demand side and the supply side. Sadly for us, most of us are more focused on the supply side and we think we do not take part in the demand side.

The reason why we got here today is because of the fact that we have not understood that we need to be at that place where we are constantly making demands. Where those we put into office will know that they are the public servants, they are there to serve us, they are there to ensure that Nigeria works. When we sit down and we are more tasking and demanding of individuals who owe us nothing and allow the people who we have voted for, to abdicate their responsibilities, it is the reason why we are here today.

What has happened now, as painful as it is, sadly is not the first time that it is happening.

It has happened before, many times over but because we did not care, we did not decide to take our own part of governance – the demand side of governance, we looked the other way. We allowed them to abdicate their responsibilities and sometimes, we even praise them. When Shiites are killed, we say we don't like them and we support the government. When BBOG members are attacked, we say we don't like them and we support the government. When IPOB members are killed, we say we don't like them and we support

the government and guess what? This support given to them when they mete out atrocities on fellow citizens is one of the reasons why we are here today, why all of us are crying. If we had said "enough is enough" and that we would not allow this to happen, guess what? Today would not have happened and that's the reason why I say "yesterday's victims were once survivors, today's victims were yesterday's survivors, and tomorrow's victims would be today's survivors."

The question is, who is next? Many of us think it will never happen to us. Many of us think that we pray. Nigerians think that they have the patent of prayers and they think it would never be their portion. They're covered in Jesus name, Insha Allah it will not happen to them, but you forgot something, the people that it happened to, they also prayed and it did happen to them. I say something also and I say it with every sense of fear that I can be the next victim and I say, the victim card is going around Nigeria and being a victim in Nigeria today is no longer a matter of "IF", it is a matter of "WHEN", and the question I would like you all to ask yourselves is that, who is the next victim? It can be me, it can be you, it can be anyone.

I always say to us that those who have been killed before will not be killed again. The next to be killed are those of us that are alive and we have to do something so that we do not become victims, we have to ensure that we hold our government accountable. We have to start now. There is always time for anything and everything. There's a saying in Africa that it is when you wake up that is your morning and today, Nigerians have woken up. #EndSARS has given us some voice, it has allowed us to know that indeed, we are citizens in this country, that we're not slaves.

It has allowed us to know that we matter. It has allowed us to know that with a critical mass, we can bring the changes that we are looking for and we would get it. And I say to every one of us here and the whole of Nigeria that we have gotten our voices back and it will never be shut down. We will keep our voices out there. And you know what makes me so happy is that I see myself in the future sitting down in a park in a beautiful part and I'm sitting with my grandchildren – if God gives me that – and I'm saying to them, you know what? There was once a Nigeria where the child of nobody could not become somebody without knowing anybody. I would tell them about Nigeria where we did not have 24/7 electricity. I would tell them about Nigeria where the president would go abroad for treatment. I would tell them about Nigeria where many people sent their children abroad because there was no quality education in Nigeria. I would tell them about Nigeria where the child of the president and the child of the policeman didn't have the same access to quality education. I would tell them about Nigeria where getting quality education was dependent on the economic status of one’s family. I would tell them about Nigeria where we didn't have quality health care, where it was only the rich that had access to good health care abroad then the poor would die and they say that "oh, it is their time". I would tell them about Nigeria where the place you came from mattered more than the capacity of what you had to give. I would tell them about Nigeria where we put the worst to represent us and good people did not go into politics. And you know what I would expect to hear?

I would hear my grandchildren say, "No grandma, you're lying" my grandchildren would say "grandma, you're lying" because the Nigeria that my grandchildren will know about is Nigeria where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.

-Aisha Yesufu is an Entrepreneur and An Active Nigerian Citizen NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

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

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Quick Takes Digital Encode Wins Awards

BOOST FOR RURAL ELECTRICITY

L–R: Managing Director, Cloud Energy, Theophilus Nweke; Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba; Managing Director/CEO of Rural ElectriďŹ cation Agency (REA), Mr. Ahmad Sahilijo Ahamad; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe and Member Representing Ikwo LGA, Chinedu Ogar, during the inauguration of 100KWP solar hybrid mini grid in Eka Awoke community in Ebonyi State...recently

Marketing Communications Operators Groan as Recession Bites Raheem Akingbolu Players in the Nigerian marketing communications space are currently concerned about the performance of the sector since the economy slipped into a second round of recession in five years.

But despite the fear expressed that the industry may be facing a ‘twin crisis’ as the challenges inherited from many months of lockdown were yet to abate, top industry leaders who spoke to THISDAY cautioned brand owners from doing away with advertising.

President Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, told THISDAY that before the recession, many developments in 2020 have already stressed the business environment.

Among others, he listed;

ADVERTISING COVID-19, #EndSARS protests, insurgency and decline in oil revenue as some of the challenges the economy has contended with in the last 10 months. “Before we got to this stage, there have been a lot of developments that have had negative consequences on businesses –not only within the marketing communication landscape but in the overall business environment. “One thing must be noted; marketing businesses thrive when other businesses succeed. We entered the year and confronted a global pandemic which led to months of lockdown that redirected the workings of marketing communication agencies. “Consumption pattern changed and creative agencies

had to re-jig to help their clients talk to consumers wherever they are. Meanwhile, some agencies lost businesses due to the dwindling fortune of their clients. Just as the market was heaving some signs of relief, the #EndSARS protest broke and crippled some businesses,� he said.

Babaeko, who urged Marketing Communications practitioners to henceforth adopt the Boys Scout Motto, ‘Be Prepared’ was also of the opinion that the fall in the oil revenue, first as a result of a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia and overproduction, which sent the oil prices on a downward spiral, also weakened the nation’s economy.

The AAAN President though admitted that navigating through business environment at a time like this may be tough, he is optimistic that brand owners

would still work closely with the marketing communications agencies to sustain their businesses.

Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, also agreed that the recession may compel some businesses to cut expenditure, including research and advertising. But he was quick to add that some smart businesses would leverage on the period to give their brands visibility through advertising, public relations and other legs of marketing. “During an economic downturn, it may seem logical for organisations to cut off expenses because in those times, saving is much more important than spending. But on the other hand when the companies cut back Continued on page 24

Connectivity Gap Between Urban, Rural Communities Worries ITU Emma Okonji The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations (UN), responsible for global telecoms regulation, is worried that the internet connectivity gap between urban and rural communities across the globe, has continued to widen.

ITU is of the view that if the trend is not addressed, it could jeopardise the full attainment of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global digital transformation agenda.

In Nigeria, the telecoms industry regulatory body, the

TELECOM Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had since noticed such trend in Nigeria, and had therefore set up the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), to fund telecoms operators who have the capacity and are willing to roll out services in underserved and unserved communities across the country.

This was in addition to the licensing of Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) in seven locations across the six geopolitical regions of the country, by the NCC, while mandating the InfraCos to rollout broadband internet services across the

country, including rural communities in order to bridge the digital divide and address the connectivity gap in the country.

According to a new report tagged: ‘Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2020, “connectivity gaps in rural areas are particularly pronounced in least developed countries (LDCs), where 17 per cent of the rural population live in areas with no mobile coverage at all, and 19 per cent of the rural population is covered by only a 2G network. But virtually, all urban areas in the world are covered by a mobile-broadband network.�

The report further cited 2019

data report, which stated that globally about 72 per cent of households in urban areas had access to the internet at home, almost twice as much as in rural areas that is 38 per cent.

Worried about the development, ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao, said: “How much longer can we tolerate the significant gap in household connectivity between urban and rural areas. In the age of COVID-19, where so many are working and studying from home, this edition of Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures, sends the Continued on page 24

ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ?Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ě™ Ă™ Ěš ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓËÖÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă–Ëœ ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? à ÙÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ăž ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ?Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă? ÞåÙ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂšĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë? ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ë› Ă™ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?â Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă?Ë› ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă—Ă?ÞÒÙÎÙÖÙÑã Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ͱ;͎͎ͯ Ě™ ̚˞ Í°ÍŽÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ě™

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͎͎ͯ͡ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă–Ă?Ă™Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù̋ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă˜Ă?ÙÎĂ?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœË› Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŁĂ“ Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽË› ĂœË› ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ËŤ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽËŹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ̋ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜Ě‹ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ęś Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœËœ Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?ÖÖÙå ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă’ Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă?ÖÖÙå Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă?ÖÖÙå Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™

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Google Launches New Initiative

ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ë› Ă?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ËÖÖÙå ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ÞÙ Ă‹ ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’

Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă– ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?ÞËÓÖĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ ÚÚĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă‹Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ăž ÙÙÑÖĂ?Ëœ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“ĂŽĂ? ËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ËŤĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁËŞĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ăœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂŽ Ě? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžË› Ă™Ăœ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ?ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ò˛ˏ ÙÙÑÖĂ?ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ËŞĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ě‹ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ě‹ ÞÙ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ëœ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ËœËŹ ËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË› Ă˜ĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹ ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ Ă?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ó×ÚÖã Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ËŤĂ‹ĂŽĂŽ Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ËŹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—ĂšĂžË› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽ Ă‹ ĂšĂ’Ă™ĂžĂ™Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁËŞĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽË› Ă˜Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă? ËÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?Ăœ ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœË› ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă• ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÖã Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Þ˛ ËŤ Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂĄ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÒÙå ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœËŹ ËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË›

AIICO Pledges to Partner Media

Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ù̚ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë›

Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—Ëœ ĂœË› Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă”Ă?Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă&#x;Ă˜Ëœ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă’Ă?

ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂŽËœ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ëœ Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ÞÙÙÖ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÚÙà Ă?ĂœĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ?ĂŽ

Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ëœ ËŤĂ Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ËŹ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË›

“The advocacy efforts of NCS, which is geared towards achieving sustainable development in Nigeria, will not be complete without recognising excellence and exceptional professionals who are using technology to make significant impact in the industry and society�

President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS),

Prof. Adesina Sodiya

T H I S D AY Ëž DECEMBER 3, 2020

24

BUSINESSWORLD MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS GROAN AS RECESSION BITES advertising expenditures, they become less visible to public.

Businesses should be aware of the opportunities that a recession can provide. “Since the rivals reduce marketing efforts, there may be an opportunity for the businesses to come clear on the eyes of its target market by maintaining a strong advertising campaign during a recession. “There may not be a better time to advertise than this, since many others’ tendency is to reduce advertising spending. Thus, when advertising aggressively in the economic downturn, an organisation might drive and maintain awareness, build a greater market share, with a more solid brand image,� Fadolapo stated.

Also speaking on the challenges ahead, the Chief Executive Officer at Media Edge, a Public Relations firm, John Ajayi, also admitted that it is a challenging moment for all but pointed out that innovative players in the marketing communications industry would excel. “With the lessons we took home from the months of lockdown on the new ways of doing business, I think agencies will only require buckling up in the area of creativity and innovation.�

CONNECTIVITY GAP BETWEEN URBAN, RURAL COMMUNITIES WORRIES ITU clear message that accelerating infrastructure rollout is one of the most urgent and defining issues of our time.�

Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said this edition of ‘Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures’ was released at a challenging time as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on lives, societies and economies around the world.

According to BogdanMartin, “For the first time, our research contains estimates of the connectivity status of small island developing states and landlocked developing countries, in addition to least developed countries. This is a very important milestone in our efforts to achieve sustainable development for all.�

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

NEWS

Stakeholders’ Collaboration Key to Attaining Digital Economy, Pantami Insists Stories by Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami has stressed the need for partnership and collaboration among industry stakeholders, in order to achieve Nigeria’s digital economy dream faster than imagined.

Pantami gave the advice during this year’s National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA), organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), which held recently in Lagos.

Pantami who was represented by the Head, e-Governance Strategy, at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the country’s digital transformation agenda, using digital tools, cuts across all sectors of the Nigerian economy and that no sector can claim monopoly of it and no particular sector can achieve it alone without collaboration with other sectors. “So there is need for partnerships between government and the private sector, and among the private sector players, to achieve digital transformation much faster. The effect of COVID-19 has forced technology solution developers to come up with innovative ideas and solutions to cushion the effect and to help Nigeria achieve her

digital transformation agenda, so collaboration becomes key. “Government on its part, is doing everything possible to ensure hitch-free digital transformation agenda, through the launch of various initiatives like the National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy, which the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is currently implementing,� Pantami said, adding that Nigeria must tap from the global digital economy policy that is worth over $11 trillion, through col-

laboration.

The Managing Director of First Bank, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, who chaired the award event, but was represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Banking at First Bank, Mr. Remi Oni, said he could attest to the fact that the bank owed its survival largely to Information Technology (IT), stressing that technology, which is driven by professionals who are largely from NCS, no doubt, has enhanced businesses in the financial sector and across other

sectors of the Nigerian economy. “Therefore, the idea of NCS to award Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the growth of IT development in the country, is commendable.

First Bank will continue to leverage technology to better serve the large population of its customers and we have initiated various ideas, using technology to move millions of Nigerians to our online activities. We will continue to use technology to offer seamless services to our growing customer base,�

Adeduntan said.

In his welcome address, the President of NCS, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, said: “Annually, NCS, through NITMA, recognises and celebrates excellence and commitment in IT profession. The advocacy efforts of NCS, which is geared towards achieving sustainable development in Nigeria, will not be complete without recognising excellence and exceptional professionals who are using technology to make significant impact in the industry and society.�

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: Human Resources Analyst, FirstBank, Olayemi Olorunsola; Head, Talent Management, Muyiwa Olulaja, receiving a certiďŹ cate from Vice President, Peculiar People Management, Mrs. Delia Omatsola, when FirstBank won two awards at The Great Place To Work Awards held in Lagos...recently

Unstructured Market, Bane of MSME Development, Says Experts Experts in digital business development have identified myriad of challenges affecting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, which include unstructured market place, lack of funding and proper book keeping training.

They however proffered solution to address the challenges.

The experts who spoke at the virtual launch of Excite Enterprise into the Nigerian market with various simplified innovations, designed to

lead MSMEs on the pathway to success and sustainability, said they have designed a business platform to facilitate solutions to the many problems faced by MSMEs in terms of low productivity, inability to access funds, legal difficulties involved in business registration, and reaching the right customers through influencer marketing.

Director at Excite Enterprise, Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, said MSMEs have faced a lot of problems in Nigeria especially in the area of funding and other logistics

because the government cannot reach out to all of them, hence the urgent need for Excite Enterprise to lead the way to the development of the country’s economy through the proliferation of viable SMEs. Okusaga, who is also the CEO of Precise Platforms, said Excite would deliver on its promise to revamp the MSME sector through its partnership with organizations across countries that are willing to support entrepreneurs in the country.

Excite Enterprise, he explained,

would provide innovative services to develop and deepen markets for MSMEs, thus providing entrepreneurs across the business space an opportunity to reach consumers, boost brand names, sales, competitiveness, and improve rendered services.

These businesses will not only be able to access funding to scale up their potentials, they will also have entry to a bigger market, he added.

Another Director at Excise Enterprise and CEO of Mobinet, Hong Kong, Mr. Andrew Otiko,

asserted that the platform’s sole aim was to make life easy for SMEs through technology usage as he is of the firm belief that if the sector is well organised, there will be massive employment in the country.

He said, “Excite platform has the sole aim of using technology to make life easy for SMEs. It will also facilitate funding from some of our partners that are involved in providing grants and also facilitate other services that will mitigate challenges faced

by MSME.�

Group Advocates Favourable Online Policies Members of the newly elected executive of the Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter have called for policies that will help realise the full potential of the internet, and make online connectivity seamless.

According to them, nearly half the people in the world remain unconnected. Those who are connected face new and growing challenges to fully realising the internet’s potential.

“Even as more people come online, it is critically important that the internet be a platform that enables people to connect, communicate, and innovate. “It was on the backdrop of this that the Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter, a non-profit organisation was founded on January 19, 1998 to provide leadership in internet-related standards, education, access and regulatory policy advisory.�

The Chapter members recently elected new members into its executive arm to pilot the affairs of the organization for another three years.

Earlier, the chapter was rejuvenated in 2017 after a long period of inactivity. This birthed the constitutional 3-year tenure of the outgone executives which came to an end on November 10, 2020. Hence the need for the election of new executives to

continue the work of piloting the affairs of the chapter.

In a keenly contested election organised for the Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter by a constituted Election Committee led by Akinloye Okinbaloye; Caleb Ogundele was elected President, while Olorundare Kunle was elected the Vice President. Other members of the executive council are Adebunmi Akinbo, Secretary; Bukola Oronti,

Treasurer; Chinwe Ogbujah, Program Secretary; Igba Priscilia, Financial Secretary and Ahmed ‘Bola Tijani as Public Relations Officer.

The handing over ceremony, which was conducted virtually recently, was presided over by the outgoing President Mr. Dewole Ajao who in his welcome remarks, congratulated all the newly elected executive members.

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

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Perm Sec Charges Stakeholders on Digital Transformation The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Musa Istifanus has charged stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector to evolve a workable synergy in line with the change agenda of President Buhari to

re-examine the present status to formulate new strategies towards realising the vision of a Digital Nigeria.

He stated this during the just concluded 8th National Council on Communications and Digital Economy, with the theme “Leveraging the Digital Economy Policies and Strate-

gies for Economic Recovery in a COVID-19 Era and Beyond,� which took place in Owerri, Imo State.

The Permanent Secretary said, the theme was very apt and a step in the right direction considering the impact of the pandemic and government’s stance in achieving a globally

competitive economy, with digital technologies.

According to him, “Nigeria, like most developing nations have come to recognise the importance of ICT as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development. This is why we chose the theme�.

He explained that the CO-

VID-19 pandemic, which has affected economies globally, compelled the ministry to make some far-reaching policies like the Development of the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institution and facilitation of Virtual Federal Executive Council Meetings.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

Report: Over One Billion People Will Access 5G by End of 2020 Stories by Emma Okonji With barely few weeks to the end of the year, the latest Ericsson Mobility Report has predicted that over one billion people globally would have access to fifth generation network (5G)

coverage by the end of 2020.

Although some countries of the world, including Nigeria, are still considering the rollout of 5G, most countries of the world had since rolled out 5G network, despite the perceived health risk associated with 5G

Group Reacts to Blocked #EndSARS Websites Paradigm Initiative, an advocacy group, is concerned about the alleged secret blocking of the domain names of #EndSARS related websites by the Nigerian government.

Websites related to the #EndSARS campaign have been inaccessible as reported by many Nigerians and from independent checks carried out by Paradigm Initiative.

According to the advocacy group, the attempts of blocking the websites would be resisted because they are unacceptable violation of constitutionally and globally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression and access to information.

The group therefore called on the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to rise in defense of the Nigerian citizens.

In a statement issued by the group, it said: “In a similar development that occurred in October 2017, we monitored and challenged the Nigerian government’s censorship directive through the Nigerian Communications Commission, an agency which is supposedly independent. “The NCC must not continue to offer itself to be used by the federal government under any guise to intimidate citizens who engage in legitimate protests and exercise their digital rights by

leveraging digital platforms for the protest.�

While commenting on the development, the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said: “Paradigm Initiative has sent a Freedom of Information request to the NCC to answer key questions such as who ordered the recent blocking of websites, the reason for the blocking, disruption, or restriction on these websites. “We want to know under which legal provision this is being carried out and if the NCC authorised the blocking, disruption, or restriction of these websites. We also need to know if the owners of the websites were informed that their websites will be blocked, and if they were given an opportunity for a fair hearing.

Another question that must be answered is: Did the NCC act independently or was it acting on behalf of other government institutions?�

Sesan further stated that “in a country with increasingly closed civic spaces and one that must do more work to protect freedom of expression and press freedom, a dangerous precedent could be set if the NCC continues to carry out the restriction of access to websites that are critical of government or that support citizens’ right to contribute to our democracy.�

CIO Awards Honours Nigerian Tech Executives Men and women working behind the scenes to drive technology use in various firms in Nigeria, have been recognised at the maiden Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards.

The winners of the awards, who were said to have distinguished themselves by deepening technology use at their various organisations were selected by a jury of tech experts chaired by the Executive Director of Information Technology and Operations at Access Bank, Mr. Ade Bajomo.

Some of the winners of the CIO awards include: Okechukwu Iroegbu of Stanbic IBTC; Sina Ayegbusi of GTBank, and Richard Amanfonye of Wema Bank, all in the banking category. In the Fintech category, Ezra Olubi of Paystack, Musty Mustpha of Kuda, and Wale Onawunki of Appzone also emerged as CIO of the Year.

Others are: Olusanjo Shodimu of AIICO Insurance, Kola Okunola of Federal Inland Revenue, Olugbenga Senbore of Guinness Nigeria, and Obinna Ukonu of Nigerian Bottling Company. A former Minister of Communications, Dr. Omobola Johnson was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Edniesal Consulting and Chief Organiser of the awards, Mrs. Abiola Oleseinde, said CIOs had overtime been responsible

for delivering top-of-the-line innovation and business value within their organisations while also being at the forefront of decision making and strategic change. This class of business leaders, she said, is hardly visible nor celebrated in most organisations, adding that their role has increased in importance over time as they evolve from information to innovation and leading the digital transformation initiatives. “It is therefore Edniesal’s commitment to recognise individual and enterprise excellence in innovation and technology across different sectors. It is indeed the celebration of the individuals and talented teams behind business transformations across different sectors in Nigeria,� she said.

Explaining how the finalists were selected, Laseinde said calls for entries for the different award categories were opened from 4th August 2020 to 30th September 2020. “Afterwards, the shortlisted nominees were reviewed and evaluated by a team of independent Jury. The Jury members are leaders carefully selected across sectors with expertise in their respective fields. Entries from nominees were reviewed based on business innovation and outstanding leadership. Special consideration for nominees who are leveraging leading-edge IT practices to produce measurable results,� she said.

network rollout.

Considering the number of countries that have rolled out 5G network, the Ericsson Mobility Report, predicted that over one billion people would have 5G network coverage by the end of the year.

According to the report, the pace of introducing new 5G functionality had increased in 2020 in both the network and device domains, despite uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report forecasted 220 million global 5G subscriptions forecast by end of 2020, with China accounting for 175 million, representing almost 80 per cent.

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is now offered by nearly two thirds of service providers globally. FWA connections are forecast to grow more than threefold, reaching more than 180 million by the end of 2026 and accounting for a quarter of all mobile network data traffic.

3.5 billion 5G subscriptions forecast by the end of 2026 estimated to account for more than 50 per cent of mobile data traffic at that time, the report said.

Ericsson projected that four out of every ten mobile subscriptions in 2026 would be 5G. The report added that current 5G uptake in subscriptions and population coverage confirmed

the technology as deploying the fastest of any generation of mobile connectivity.

Ericsson has raised its yearend 2020 estimate for global 5G subscriptions to 220 million, as service providers continue to build out their networks. The increase is largely due to fast uptake in China, reaching 11 per cent of its mobile subscription base. This is driven by a national strategic focus, intense competition between service providers, as well as increasingly affordable 5G smartphones from several vendors.

North America is expected to end the year with around four per cent of its mobile

subscriptions being 5G. Commercialisation is now moving at a rapid pace and by 2026, Ericsson forecasts that 80 per cent of North American mobile subscriptions will be 5G, the highest level of any region in the world.

Analysing the report, the Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson, Fredrik Jejdling, said: “This year has seen society take a big leap towards digitalization. The pandemic has highlighted the impact connectivity has on our lives and has acted as a catalyst for rapid change, which is also clearly visible in this latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report.

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Airopay Brand Ambassador, Richard Mofe-Damijo; Mr. Tony Amaechi; Chairman, Airopay, Friday Osanebi; Managing Director/ CEO, Charles Oyakhilome; Emeka Okonkwo; CEO, Nedcomoaks Limited, Mr. Kennedy Okonkwo and Managing Director, Ceecon Energy Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Chima Anyanso, during the oďŹƒcial launch of Airopay App in Lagos...recently

Firm Launches App to Enhance Cashless Transactions Airopay, a payment infrastructure solution company, has launched a digital payment app that will allow its users, both individuals and businesses in Africa and around the world to transact locally and internationally from the comfort of their mobile devices.

The app seeks to address customers’ continuous frustration during financial transactions at various pay points, despite the myriad of digital payment apps in Africa.

Airopay was designed as a one-stop app to enable payments for users when at home or abroad as it provides users the ability to directly pay bills

in Nigeria, make transfers and also receive cash regardless of their geographical locations at super fast speed from a mobile phone.

Speaking during the launch, Airopay Chief Executive Officer, Charles John Oyakhilome, said the whole idea of the app was to digitize payments in Africa and beyond. “The ultimate goal of the brand is to make mobile payments across borders very easy,� he said.

The Director of Strategy and Business Growth at AiroPay, Kelechi Mbah, said: “Airopay has many unique services to offer in the Fintech space as we are set to ensure a life made

easy. While it may look like the market is saturated, there are still many gaps which Airopay has carefully designed its services to fill. Also, the Airopay App is set to give the general public a unique experience of ease and swiftness for both international and local fund transfers with zero per cent downtime. The platform will provide economic empowerment for entrepreneurs, merchants and retailers.�

The Chief Financial Officer at Airopay, Mr. Adedayo Johnson, said : “Our users will enjoy an unbeatable interest rate of 16 per cent on savings, access to Loans within 24 hours and bill

payment transactions, different from what the general public has experienced.�

Explaining how the app works, Oyakhilome said customers could download the app from Google Play Store for Android users or iOS for iPhone users, before signing up and move cash from their personal accounts to the Airopay e-account. “Users will be able to easily fund, withdraw, save, transfer money and pay for goods and services, locally or internationally with their mobile devices, after funding the Airopay e-account,�

Oyakhilome said..

e-Commerce Platform with Tech Services Launched Hicolumn, an e-Commerce tech platform that connects consumers to their choice stores close to their neighborhood, has been launched in Lagos.

The unveiling of Hicolumn, which comes with unique technology services, offered those present at the launch to witness a drone delivering the Hicolumn package to a Nollywood celebrity, Tayo Sobola, popularly called Sotayo Gaga, which underscores the technology built into th3 Hicolumn e-Commerce platform.

Highlights of the launch includes free shopping vouchers to fans of the celebrity and the online shopping she made, which was delivered swiftly within 20 minutes, an attestation of Hicolumn’s prompt delivery service.

The e-Commerce Tech, which is a mobile app, is designed to give visibility to neighbourhood stores and connect them directly to customers anywhere, anytime.

It comprises the Hicolumn customers, merchants and delivery apps respectively, which are connected together and work as one enterprise resources programme.

Speaking during the launch, the Chairman of Hicolumn, Benjamin Madu, said the eCommerce Tech platform was designed to revolutionise the online market in Africa, and offers stores, merchants, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with existing and verifiable businesses, the chance of participating on the platform by downloading the app within 30 minutes, and

absolutely free of any registration charges.

According to him, the platform would give users the opportunity of leveraging the internet to serve or sell to their existing and prospective customers without the customers physically visiting the shops. “Merchants can register and setup their stores for free without difficulties and start getting orders from consumers. They don’t need any delivery facility, but they need to have goods available in stock for packaging after receiving payment from consumers,� Madu explained.

He said Hicolumn would enable merchants to have online presence without having a website or delivery facility, as consumers who have made

purchase on the platform would have prompt delivery of goods within 20 minutes, with same quality, same price and faster than physically being at the stores. “The e-store, the first of its kind, is designed to make a difference in the e-Commerce sector. Also, over 100,000 jobs are expected to be created before the end of 2021, that will bring about large-scale youth empowerment and increase in the patronage of locally made goods,� Madu said.

Hicolumn’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Uche Elekwachi, said the platform would transform the online market in Nigeria and Africa with its innovative mobile app that would give merchants the ability to sell their goods to widely dispersed customers.

26

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

As SON Leverages on Metrology for Competitiveness Oluchi Chibuzor writes on the benefits of strengthening the country’s national metrological infrastructure

E

xperts have often attributed the level of economic growth of any country to the amount of metrological infrastructure put in place. Therefore, for Nigeria, through the instrumentality of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) there has been the imperative of developing, strengthening and upgrading the national metrological infrastructure so as to facilitate trade, promote export, accelerate economic development and protect the environment.

The Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim has been upbeat concerning the agency’s preparedness to harness the huge investment in the building of National Metrology Institute (NMI) located at Enugu, Enugu State capital. The SON boss was at the NMI recently to assess the progress of the project.

Actually, apart from developing the NMI project, the agency’s other task has been to create awareness to stakeholders and operators on the importance and benefits of metrology services towards economic development and global competitiveness.

Insiders claim that the idea and maxim behind the development of the NMI has remained, “Once Measured, Accepted everywhere.�

Apart from driving the national quality infrastructure project, SON also represents Nigeria in African Metrological Services (AFRIMETS) as well as in other continental and global standardisation bodies.

As a matter of fact, Salim has promised to complete the NMI project started in 2015 within next few months for value addition towards economic growth Investigations showed that with the active support of development partners like United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), SON has made huge investments in developing human capacities in the field of metrology.

Economic analysts believe that the NMI project when fully operational would clearly demonstrate that Nigeria has come of age in industrial development.

With Metrology which is simply defined as the science of weights and measures, fair trade, accreditation and conformity assessment are assured, analysts further claim.

Metrology remains one of the components of Nigeria’s national quality infrastructure project needed for industrial growth through improved competitiveness of locally made products. Indeed, members of the Organised Private Sector have often restated that the federal government should provide the infrastructure to support manufacturers such as metrology in order to boost trade and global acceptability of made in Nigeria products.

Indeed, economic globalisation which nations across the world now strive to attain, has its own opportunities, prospects and challenges. National and sub-regional and continental trade appears to be shrinking with the tendency of transforming centralised global market where products and services that meet global standards and quality are surviving while sub-standard and poor quality goods have no market share especially in European Union (EU) markets, American and other advanced climes.

Salim

Now, Nigeria’s embrace of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which would in turn translate to an African common market, imposes on Nigeria, bigger challenges concerning products quality and standards.

Experts believe that Nigeria stands to gain immensely from global trade if she would harness properly the potentials and opportunities offered by Continental Trade pact.

Locally made products need to be generally accepted everywhere across Africa and beyond. Local manufacturers therefore need to key into certain best practices and industrial processes in order to grow and expand their companies and businesses.

One of the major tools which analysts say should be of essence for business, trade and industrial growth in Nigeria has been metrology.

Indeed, calibration services in metrology are seen as the springboard for global competitiveness and acceptability of products and services.

Producing goods and services that meet global standards for consumers has remained sine qua non as well as imperative for operators and industry players. However, putting in place standard goods and services requires the right quality infrastructure which in turns calls for stupendous and robust public-private partnership.

The public sector avails or provides the infrastructure while private sector players patronise such facilities. This re-shapes and grows the national economy.

Interestingly, the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, New 8th Edition defines the world ‘‘calibrate’’ as simply, “to mark units of measurement on an instrument such as a thermometer so that it can be used for measuring something accurately,� while “calibration� refers to “the act of calibrat-

ing; the unit of measurement marked on a thermometer or other instrument.�

In other ways, calibration services could be deployed to boost trade, investment and growth across the country.

By the way, metrology which is the umbrella of calibration services has been described as the “science of measurement which is applicable to all sectors and aspects of life, be they social, economic, health, environment, manufacturing and so on.�

Essentially, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, a key regulatory agency set up by the federal government with Decree 56, 1971 as amended by the Act No. 14 of 2015, has been vested with the responsibilities to conduct tests and advise all tiers of government and consumers on matters relating to standards and quality of products and services.

Therefore, the agency’s mandate and tasks are to ensure compliance to specific products standards, undertake investigations concerning the quality of facilities, materials and products in Nigeria as well as establish quality assurance system including certification of factories, products and laboratories geared towards benefiting all stakeholders and operators.

Insiders at SON maintain that the nation’s quest for economic diversification, trade facilitation and business growth could be attained if there is accuracy of measurement of products/services standards for either local or global market.

In collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), research institutes, Universities, Manufacturers Group, Weights and Measures Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as calibrating institutions, SON has since developed the National Metrology Institute of Nigeria (NMIN), located at Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu, Enugu State.

According to Salim, ‘‘we are developing and upgrading the NMIN to be the best and biggest in the West African sub-region in terms of meeting global standards conformity levels, while all sectors of Nigeria’s economy get quality assurance services from the Institute.�

Findings showed that the structure is a 19-unit laboratory facility, harbouring 24 laboratory rooms as well as administrative block. Salim disclosed that the NMIN is responsible for the dissemination of measurement standards, provides traceability and accuracy of measurement to industries, laboratories, trade and commerce, aviation, oil and gas, agriculture, health, education, automotive, mining, power and other sectors of the economy.

In fact, the motto of NMIN is ‘‘once measured, accepted everywhere.’’ The institute is being prepared to be the chief guardian of National Measurement Standards with the highest measurement reference in Nigeria through traceability to SI units.

SON officials also disclosed that there are over 12 calibration services which the NMIN laboratories are offering.

They included small and big mass with density, torque, acoustic, electrical, time and frequency, hardness, vibration, radiometry, photometry as well as metrology in chemistry.

There are also mobile calibration services to remote areas with state of the art mobile calibration equipment.

Apart from the various capacities and technical components of the laboratories, with these accredited testing and calibration laboratories in place, traceability of measurement locally is assured while at the same time helping the country to conserve hard-earned foreign exchange hitherto paid to other countries’ metrology institutes.

As a matter of fact, experts claim that calibration laboratory services enhance consumer protection and safety even as they ensure level playing field, fairness and equity in trade and commerce.

Other measurable benefits of calibration services laboratories include providing confidence-booster to exporters and exports due to reliability of the products; safe environment by providing accuracy in measurements; And improvement of the health of citizens.

It also includes provision of straight valves to other components of National Quality Infrastructure such as standardisation, accreditation, certification and testing; among others.

Calibration laboratories services therefore provide the vehicle for arriving at global competitiveness, trade facilitation, business industrial and economic growth.

The Director General, SON, has continued to appeal to industry players, public and private sectors operators, individuals and corporate organisations to patronise the agency’s calibration services.

He stated that plans are being put in place towards installing mobile calibration laboratories to reach the hinterlands and rural communities across the country even as efforts are being intensified to have adequate trained staff.

US Soybean Export Council to Establish Excellence Centres in Nigeria Oluchi Chibuzor and Hamid Ayodeji The United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (ASA/WISHH) and the US Grains Council (USGC) have jointly expressed their dedication towards supporting and enhancing the development and growth of the African feed industry as well as long term commercial trade development.

They said their commitment was on the back of the realisation that African feed industry is generating solutions to enhance the continent’s soybean value chain.

In addition, they disclosed plan to establish Soy Excellence Centres (SECs) starting with one in Egypt and that the site planned for

Nigeria was already in the works.

They also said they plan to invest in emerging markets; identify factors like growing populations, improving economic conditions to address protein deficiency among populations.

Regional Director for South Asia and SubSaharan Africa, US Soybean Export Council, Kevin Roekpe, during an interview with journalists disclosed that the centres were designed to provide training, resources and education to all members of the soy value chain, including farmers, animal protein integrators, feed millers, animal nutritionists and local academic resources.

Hence, helping build awareness of the benefits of soy in animal feed, aquaculture and human consumption through teaching and highlighting best practices which

includes demonstration equipment used to show the production of soy, thereby enabling the organisations to expose participants to all the available options in the production of high-quality soymeal and soy.

According to USSEC, depending on credit availability and many other factors, Nigeria could become a two to four million metric ton (MMT) market for US Soy in the medium to long-term.

The Regional Director indicated that currently, the country crushes about one million metric tons yearly.

He also estimated an immediate need for 50 to 100,000 MT to fill the current demand gap within the country, adding that because of its growing population and low consumption of soy, Nigeria has been

identified as a market that represents a growth opportunity for US soy and that the country could emerge as one of the top three growth markets by 2030.

Roekpe, whilst answering a question concerning the sort of policies and regulations that could be generated and enforced

by African governments in order to upscale the continent’s agriculture value chain, said lack of credit and under-utilisation of GSM credit guarantees had been long-standing constraints on sales of U.S. soy products to Africa.

As part of its initiative to develop the multimillion-ton market for U.S. Soy in Africa, USSECbrought together key stakeholders this past September to address the credit issue head-on.

27

T H I S D AY ˾ DECEMBER 3, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

Afreximbank Launches Africa’s Digital Due Diligence Repository African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially launched the operations of ‘MANSA’, a pan-African customer due diligence repository for financial institutions, corporate entities and SMEs, developed to address the perceived risk of doing business in Africa and with Africans.

MANSA is a single source of the primary data required for Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks on African entities, including financial institutions, corporates and SMEs, in accordance with best practices.

The platform will also serve to address key trade related challenges facing the continent, including, the lack of market information, the high cost of doing business in Africa and discovering African counterparties.

The launch of MANSA operations was announced at a virtual event hosted by Afreximbank that featured a panel discussion involving President of Afreximbank, Prof.

Benedict Oramah; Group CEO of Ecobank, Mr. Ade Ayeyemi; Financial Sector Development Department at the African Development Bank, Stefan Nalletamby; Governor’s Advisor, African Affairs, Central Bank of Egypt, Dr. Naglaa Nozahie, and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Engr.

Mansur Ahmed.

Speaking during the event, Oramah was quoted in a statement to have said: “Globally, regulators are toughening their stance as well as the severity of

their sanctions for breaches of customer due diligence compliance regulations instituted to prevent various financial crimes and related activities.

“This has dramatically increased the cost and complexity of satisfying Customer Due Diligence and Know Your Customer requirements. We have created MANSA as the solution to the negative impact on Africa, such as de-risking, the withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships and cuts in trade finance and investment financial flows to Africa.

“In a fragmented continent of 55 countries that hardly traded among themselves since they became colonies, MANSA offers an opportunity to begin bringing down the borders and support the realisation of the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).”

The platform was named after Mansa Musa, the Emperor of the Malian Empire in the 1300s, who was responsible for opening up trade across Africa and believed to be the only person ever to control the flow of gold between Africa and the Mediterranean.

In this initial phase of implementation, MANSA is now open to African businesses to onboard their corporate profiles to the Repository.

Following an onboarding and validation process in keeping with the Platform’s compliance requirements, African entities will have their profiles listed and made available to users of the Repository.

NEWS

Proposed Medical Free Zone to Curb Capital Flight, Says NEPZA Boss James Emejo and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Process (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba has said the proposed medical free zone project will revolutionalise the healthcare sector and put an end to medical tourism in the country.

He said state governors who had already assessed the benefits derivable from the proposed project are currently jostling to have the zones located in their respective states.

Speaking when he received the President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi who paid him a courtesy visit, in Abuja, Adesugba said the several approaches from state governments to skew the location of the country’s novel medical free

zone to their states had been overwhelming.

He said the federal government through NEPZA was prepared to sight the project in a state that met all the requirements, adding that the authority would not relax any of its guidelines in the process due to the sensitive nature of sector.

He stressed that the push by the states already demonstrated the acceptability of the project premised upon its viability adding NEPZA is however, exploring the possibility of situating the project in more than one state.

He explained: “Deliberations on modalities for the creation of the zone have reached an advance stage because we indeed drew members of the committee from the right places. Medical experts, zone experts, industrialists, medical equipment

manufacturers, are among those on the committee and this explains the speed of our progress.

“This project is dear to our hearts as it is aimed at ending the about $1 billion expended on medical tourism annually by Nigerians. Our aim is to bring to Nigeria, some of the best hospitals in abroad that our people spend this huge amount of money to the zone.”

In a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh, NEPZA MD said:”We are expecting a total of 15 world class foreign hospitals and a handful from within the country that could deliver impeccable services at take-off by 2021. Already we have captured the project in our 2021 budget.

“The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria has some of its affiliates that are already

buying into this great opportunity to invest in. Aside from the fact that zone operators have 100 per cent return on investments, no investment made in the medical zone in Nigeria will evaporate.”

Ajayi, however, said that the proposed zone when developed would repositioned the health sector, adding that such a destination would ignite healthy competition between local and foreign healthcare providers.

She said: “We must begin to encourage Local Direct Investment (LDI) and reduce the hype on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as far as this project is concern.

“Doing so would reduce the country’s human capital flight in the medical sector and also encourage those that had left to return home.

Indian did it and Indians are reaping bountifully from such political decision.”

Fidelity Bank, Okonkwo Win Awards Fidelity Bank Plc said it clinched the award of the Commercial Bank of the Year at the 2020 edition of BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) awards held in Lagos recently.

The bank won the award in recognition of its support for economic activities in the real sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly for its consistency in enhancing the development and competitiveness of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank at the presentation ceremony which took place in Lagos, Fidelity Banks’s Executive Director, Corporate Bank, Mr. Obaro Odeghe dedicated it to the bank’s teeming customers, whom he said are central to the bank’s overall strategic intent.

“The reward for hard work they say is more work. We are encouraged to continue to do more for the benefits of our customers and the overall economy” he stated.

Also, on the night, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo was honored as the banking sector CEO of the Decade for, “transforming Fidelity Bank into one of the fastest growing

and most trusted financial services brands in Nigeria.”

The organisers specifically noted some of his key achievements to include the rebranding project which drove an increased youth appeal; revamping of the bank’s performance management culture to instill a culture of performance; technology refresh and digital transformation in furtherance of the digital retail strategy he implemented.

Leveraging on the realigned and repositioned operating structures, re-energised workforce and a more appealing brand, the bank recorded a consistent growth in financial performance under his leadership. Specifically, profit before tax growth of 236 per cent was recorded, from N9 billion to N30.4 billion in 2019; RoE rose from 5.5 per cent to 13.3 per cent; customer deposits grew by 68 per cent, from N806.3 billion to N1.35 trillion and savings deposit rose by 275 per cent.

The award was received on behalf of Okonkwo by the bank’s Executive Director, Operations and Technology, Mr. Gbolahan Joshua who dedicated it to all stakeholders including, customers, shareholders, Board of Directors, Executive Management and staff.

GHANA TELECOMS’ AWARDS

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Instinct Wave , Organisers of 10th Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA), Akin Naphtal; Acting Country Manager, Inlaks, Yacoba Amuah, and Acting Head of Financial Business, Inlaks, Joseph Agyeman-Badu, at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards , held at Accra, Ghana…recently

NGO Explores Technology for Civic Space Ugo Aliogo The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) has taken non-profit leaders and civil society actors across the country on a resourceful exploration of digital rights, technologies, trends and techniques to engender a digitally robust future for the sector.

A statement by the NNNGO said a workshop was organised recently at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital with support from the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) to discuss, share experience on the theme: ‘Understanding How Cyber/ Digital Laws and Policies, AI, ML Big Data and Other Digital Technologies Impact Nonprofit Operations in Nigeria.’

The event was said to be imperative as the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent times has necessitated the need

for government, business, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to be proactive, “responsive and inclusive in using the internet and digital technologies to do their work as we have never seen in time past.”

The statement noted that the hybrid workshop which was attended by over 70 civil society organisations from across the country.

It also noted that the event featured presentations all delivered by seasoned Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts and learned nonprofit experts drawn from across Nigeria and other African countries.

In his remarks, the keynote speaker, Executive Director, Freedom of Expression Hub, Uganda Catherine Anitte, highlighted the current trends and realities around the use of technologies across the world.

She disclosed the importance of localising and

mainstreaming technology in Africa in ways that bring these issues around digital civil society to the fore within the third sector.

She said: “As Artificial Intelligence (AI), and ML gain traction in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, the enjoyment of digital rights, has been hindered by an arbitrary regime of policy, legislation and an overzealous regulatory framework.

Censorship, surveillance, blockage of content, unnecessary persecution and prosecution are threatening the enjoyment of rights online and adversely affecting civil society organisations advocating for these rights.”

She expressed the need for CSOs to have a clear understanding of the policy, legislative and regulatory framework of digital rights, including the opportunities and challenges that AI and machine learning may pose to the broader enjoyment of human rights.

On his parts, the Executive Director, NNNGO, Oluseyi Oyebisi, said: “AI, ML and big data will cause the most significant shift in the way nonprofits do their work as we have never seen in times past.

“If civil society organisations are to play a critical role in decades to come, they must adopt a more radical approach to how they understand and interpret the pros and cons of AI, ML and big data to civic space and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This event has come at a time when we are seeing the need for technology now, more than ever, especially with the need to stay distant but connected during this global pandemic and it is vital that civil society adapts to technological advancements so as to remain relevant in resolving the many challenges we face.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ DECEMBER 3, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Delivering Comfort Raheem Akingbolu

I

n a market that is dominated with products of similar attributes, superior brands are known to show clear differentiation with innovative ideas that come with them.

This, perhaps, explains the reason why many corporate organisations launch distinct innovations to set them apart from the crowd.

In the water heating sector, one organisation that has demonstrated this trait over the last few years is the Ariston Thermo Group.

Determined to prove that its product offerings can deliver comfort even in the most extreme weather conditions, Ariston Thermo Group conceptualised and executed the ‘Ariston Comfort Challenge’ (ACC). The delivery of this real-life mission has continued to reverberate in the minds of its target consumers.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge proved to be the best campaign to express the Group’s core vision of delivering sustainable comfort for everyone, everywhere in the world, which includes innovation, comfort, sustainability and efficiency.

The Ariston History While Ariston Thermo Group was founded in Italy in 1930, starting with the production of weighing scales, the company witnessed intense growth and metamorphosed into a big brand 30 years after, producing gas cylinders and electric water heaters.

Having enjoyed acceptance in the market where it operated, the company consolidated its leadership position in the Italian water heater segment by expanding into Western Europe’s main markets. Years after, it began to make inroads into the heating sector, producing boilers. The Ariston brand, the most international brand of the 90 years old Ariston Thermo Group, is an Italian brand with a strong heritage and history.

The group, a manufacturer and marketer of heating and hot water products, systems and services offers energy-efficient solar, electric and gas water heaters and components such as electric heating elements and thermostats in the thermal comfort market for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces Ariston Thermo Group has grown to become a global brand establishing a huge presence in both emerging and frontiers markets located in different parts of the world. Currently, the group has maintained a leadership stronghold in the global thermal comfort market for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces operating in three different sectors with leading brands and an extensive range of solutions and services. In Nigeria, the company has entrenched its name in the mind of its relevant target segment through different product offerings.

Over the years, the Ariston brand appears to have worked along the line of thought that each market has its behaviours, cultural nuances and consumer trends, which calls for specialized variations of this original brand identity.

Director, Central Africa, Ariston Thermo Group, Mr Gaurav Bisaria

Through some corporate identity elements, such as brand values and logos, which have been maintained across all countries, Ariston local departments have also been given enough power to adapt products and messaging to appeal to their consumers. Analysts have since described this as a fine balancing act between creating a shared brand experience worldwide and being adaptable enough to remain relevant in each specific country.

The positive side of all these is that the Ariston brand has remained a strong brand in the water heating industry and has remained a worldwide expert in water and environmental heating, providing innovative solutions to its consumers.

The products are characterized by comfort, exclusive design, efficiency and quality and features at the same time very competitive price.

For instance, in some countries, including Nigeria, Ariston LYDOS ECO, which was also recently introduced into the market, is believed to be the best solution for the user who wants a product that would guarantee energy-saving and at the same time maximum performance and maximum safety, is believed to be changing the market. WaterPlus technology provides up to 16 per cent more hot water. According to experts, some of its unique selling points are; simple installation, safe and environmentally friendly construction.

New Brand Communication Campaign Like a scene from an epic thriller, the recently premiered global campaign of the Ariston brand comes with suspense, anxiety and curiosity. Through adventurous elements in the campaign, the promoters successfully enthralled their consumers.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge is though meant to further boost the profile of the Ariston, the leading and the most international brand in the Ariston Thermo Group, by highlighting its global mission of bringing sustainable comfort, even where it seems impossible to find but it will be achieved beyond that, considering the creative ingenuity explored in the campaign.

The Ariston Comfort Challenge focused on ensuring thermal comfort could reach anywhere in the world. Through this mission, Ariston has donated a warm shelter to a group of scientists from the University of Copenhagen involved in climate change studies in the remote and icy Island of Disko, in Greenland (Arctic).

Thanks to this mission, Ariston brand has also had the chance to give evidence to its product quality, which can work even in Extreme Conditions.

Director, Central Africa, Ariston Thermo Group, Mr Gaurav Bisaria explained that a safe and sheltered house, heated and provided with hot water for the maximum comfort even during Polar winters would have not been possible

without our commitment to quality.

He noted that the success of the Ariston Comfort Challenge ‘Greenland Mission’ is another proof of the company core value of superior quality of Ariston products, which could be seen in the efficiency of the output of the product even in the extreme weather condition.

“We are really glad about launching this amazing campaign on the 90th anniversary of Ariston Thermo. The Group is a is a global leader in thermal comfort solutions for domestic, commercial and industrial spaces and “The Ariston Comfort Challenge - Greenland Mission” is a campaign that makes us very proud as it testifies to the commitment to product quality in the quest of bringing comfort to everyone, even where it seems hard or impossible to find. Our new breed of water heaters introduced into the Nigerian market will help us embrace a completely new and different way to bring our purpose and mission to you” he said.

He averred that the different ranges of Ariston Water Heater are of great quality which has endeared many customers to the brand. He noted that specific features in the products have continued to give the brand the edge in the marketplace. He listed the features to include high PUF insulation, Ultra-strong tank among others.

“We are not known for compromising quality for all our products. It is the same quality of Water Heater installed in developed markets that you see available in Nigeria. Apart from that, the Water Heater acquired ten years ago is as good as the new one.

“I can say that we have kept strictly to European standards in terms of the components and the maximum requirement for power consumption.

Our Water Heaters are designed to withstand heat and rust. With Ariston Water Heater, you can keep water warm for a long period even when it is not in use. This is made possible because only Ariston has high PUF insulation and Ultra Strong tank that enables it to withstand high pressure and keep water hot”, he said.

Speaking on safety, Bisaria stressed that all Ariston products have inbuilt protection that reduces chances of any accident or hazard arising from usage. According to him, each product comes with a safety valve which when properly installed protects it and the end-user against high pressure. Also, he stated that the product has a thermostat that protects the Water Heater against power surge which is seen by cutting off heating when it reaches the desired temperature.

To further prevent human or material losses, Bisaria explained that users must take precautionary measures by ensuring they engage the service of skilled personnel for installations.

Speaking on the effort made to bridge the capacity gap in the area of installation, he noted that Ariston had taken huge steps to improve on the number of skilled personnel. He further disclosed that the company had embarked on refresher courses and training to increase the pool of installers needed.

Coca-Cola Partners GiveFood.ng, Pledges N19 Million Raheem Akingbolu Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has pledged its support to GiveFood.ng, an emergency food relief platform, through a donation of N19 million to feed vulnerable families in its host communities.

Following Coca-Cola’s endorsement of the platform in May 2020, the platform has since provided over 200,000 meals to Nigerians.

It is expected that with this donation, the platform’s capacity will be bolstered to provide considerable aid to families in vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

The GiveFood initiative comprises a coalition of partners focused on reaching the most vulnerable people with a target of providing

over one million meals to the underserved in communities.

The coalition is made up of leading federal and state government institutions; Nigeria’s largest food companies, including Coca-Cola; a vast network of supermarket outlets; and leading media, finance, and technology firms; who are all committed to this cause.

Announcing Coca-Cola’s partnership with GiveFood.ng, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, explained that the organisation will be providing monetary support to the initiative, leveraging the vast distribution network built by Give food.ng to ensure this food relief reaches those in need.

“The current economic climate presents a

level of hardship for many Nigerians who struggle to make a living. To help address this growing concern, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited along with its bottling partner Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has pledged its support to the GiveFood.ng initiative. Through this donation, we believe the platform will be able to feed over a million Nigerians impacted by the pandemic, while leveraging our robust distribution network” Speaking on this collaboration, Mr. Kola Masha, Managing Director of Babban Gona, the Lead Coalition Partner for GiveFood.ng explained, “There is an urgent need to help our neighbors in dire need at this time. The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the strife of individuals, families, and communities

across the nation.

“It is an honor to partner with Coca-Cola, an organisation with objectives that align closely with ours, to leverage our proven distribution and logistics technology expertise to make a positive lasting impact to a large population who are in desperate need of our help.”

Coca-Cola remains committed to doing business the right way and sustainably; this commitment is mirrored across all its operations in its host communities, with key focus on its four sustainability pillars – women and youth, water, waste, and wellbeing. Over the years, the company has invested in these areas, driving major impact and development for beneficiaries and the larger community.

Nutritionists List Health Benefits of Capri-Sun Capri-Sun has launched a national consumer awareness campaign to reiterate its all-natural ingredient recipe as a healthier option that supports the long term growth and development of children.

According to a statement issued by the company, this was amplified nationwide with an effective media campaign on print publications,

television, out-of-home, and digital, targeting parents who want the best for their children.

Leading on from this, a few health nutritionists were said to have lent expert opinion on the nutritional benefits of Capri-Sun Fruit Drink.

They emphasised the importance of CapriSun’s ‘Clean Recipe’ that ensures the use of only premium natural ingredients extracted

from the best of fruits, thereby guaranteeing optimal retention of fruit contents as superior to chemically manufactured fruit drinks lacking in nutritional value.

A dietitian and nutritionist with Hopewell Nutrition, Kemi Lawal, stated that in the case of fruit drinks, using natural ingredients means that most nutrients from its original state will

be present in the product.

“As nutritionists, we always recommend the consumption of food and drinks made with all-natural ingredients because of its numerous health benefits. Capri-Sun falls into this category for kids with its unique processing that ensures no artificial colours, no artificial sweeteners, flavours and preservatives,” she noted.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

IMAGES

L-R: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Council Members: Dr. Deji Awobotu; Chief Oye Akinsulire; President of ICAN, Dame Onome Joy Adewuyi and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the ICAN President’s courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche and his wife, Nneoma Florence Kanu-Uche during the 60th birthday thanksgiving service for Florence held at Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos... recently

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

L-R: National president,Professional E-hailing drivers and private owner Association(PEDPA), Comrade Idris Shonuga Oluwaseun; Managing Director,Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Olukayode Pitan and President Ladies on wheel Association of Nigeria(LOWAN),Anyagwa Nkechi Toluwani during the oďŹƒcial launch of “Transport Support Scheme under the MSME Survival Fund held in Lagos...recently

L-R : Chief of Naval Standards and Safety, Rear Admiral Kamarudeen Lawal; Chief of the Naval Sta, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ibas; Flag OďŹƒcer Commanding Eastern Naval Command ,Rear Admiral David Adeniran, and Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of the Naval Sta, Lieutenant Commander John Rimfat, during inspection of the projects in Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, Cross River State‌ recently.

L-R, Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, NB Plc, Kehinde Kadiri; , Lead, Business/ Brand Management, Noah’s Ark, Olajumoke Akinyele and Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Elohor Olumide-Awe displaying the Malt Brand of the Year:won by Maltina at the 2020 Brand Communicator Awards in Lagos...recently

L-R; Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State ; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Emir of LaďŹ a Emirate, Ambassador Shehu Bage at the Emir’s Palace while the Vice President on one Day OďŹƒcial visit to Nasarawa State on Tuesday(01/12/2020).

Minister of Women Aairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen; decorating Ekiti State First Lady, and Chair, Nigeria Governors’ Wives Against GBV (NGWA-GBV), Erelu Bisi Fayemi; with the 16 days activism ribbon, during a courtesy visit on the Minister by some members of NGWA-GBV at Women’s House, Abuja, FCT‌ on Monday.

L-R: Director of Finance CBN, Dr. Chinedu Zeph; Managing Director Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Rural ElectriďŹ cation Agency, Mr. Ahmad Saiihijo, and Technical Lead, Solar Power Naija Programme, Suleman Babamanu, during a press conference on the solar power Naija enabling ďŹ ve million new connections in Abuja... Yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

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T H I S D AY ˾ ,DECEMER 3, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Making Case for Protein-centred National Nutrition Policy Chiemelie Ezeobi writes the recently held Protein Challenge Webinar 6 was targeted at making case for a protein-centred national nutrition policy, which would inturn curtail the rising incidence of protein deficiency and general malnutrition across the country

T

Some common sources include chicken, beef, lamb and fish, and legumes like beans, soy and lentils.

“When people do not get adequate amounts of protein from their diet, it leads to protein deficiency which is today a major cause of malnutrition, especially among children.

In Nigeria, protein deficiency poses not only a major health problem, but also an economic and a social burden. “ It is the most important risk factor for illness and death, with millions of pregnant women and young children particularly affected. The goal is to encourage and indeed help Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace regular consumption of proteins regardless of the source – ALL protein is good protein,” they posited.

o give impetus to the growing but fragmented efforts to combat and curtail the rising incidence of protein deficiency and general malnutrition across the country, the Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign, a Protein Pull media campaign supported by the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and other partners to create awareness about the prevalence, status and impact of protein deficiency in Nigeria, was recently held.

Put together by MediaCraft Associates Limited, the webinar, which is the sixth if its series, sought to draw attention to the urgent need for a protein-centred national nutrition policy in Nigeria, as well as explore and draw government’s attention to the urgent need for a protein-centred national policy on nutrition.

Themed “The case for a protein-centred National Nutrition policy”, it was also targeted at initiating conversations around the essential features and elements that such a national policy should cover; inspire a conversation amongst stakeholders in the health/nutrition sector; and promote strategies that would help alleviate protein deficiency, with emphasis on protein-rich local food sources.

Position of Experts During the webinar, nutrition experts stressed the urgent need for a protein-centred nutrition policy, stating that such a policy would guarantee and produce sound leaders that the country would be proud of.

For Public Health Expert and Co-founder and National Chairperson Women in Global health, Nigeria, Dr. Adepeju Adeniran, there is need for concerted effort towards ensuring that the entire population enjoys a measure of good health.

She listed key factors responsible for protein consumption habits in Nigeria to include the availability of food source, affordability of the food, taste of the food, knowledge of its nutrition value and personal choice or preference of the buyer.

Quoting studies that have shown that most of those who consumed protein in Nigeria depended on animal protein, she said “78 per cent of households that consumed protein consumed meat/fish/poultry; 31.25 per cent of households that consumed protein consumed nuts and seeds; 20.28 per cent of households that consumed protein consumed a dairy product, cheese, yoghurt or milk; 16.15 per cent of households that consumed protein consumed eggs; 72.9 per cent of households that consumed protein consumed dark green vegetables; while 7.47 percent of households that consumed protein consumed insects or other small sources of protein”.

According to her, data extracted from the Nigerian Protein Deficiency Survey reports showed that about 51 per cent of the survey respondents did not have access to protein-rich food because of cost, adding that those most affected by protein deficiency are children, women of childbearing age, the elderly and the immune-compromised without inadequacy of protein in their diet.

Elucidating on the Nigerian palate, she said population malnutrition and undernourishment in Nigeria can be demonstrated from the successive national surveys done in both the adult and children population, noting that protein deficiency was responsible for both stunting, chronic anaemia and protein energy malnutrition figures in adult females.

She further disclosed that in Nigeria, priority is often placed on a carbohydrate with protein considered second-best in what makes up the regular Nigeria palate- this she attributed to attitudes and cultural norms.

Also speaking, MD of Pinecrest Specialist Hospital, Dr. Omadeli Boyo, revealed that Nigeria has assumed the status of a country with the second-highest rate of children with stunted growth for children under five adding that two million children in the country currently suffer from acute malnutrition with the government

Protein Awareness Campaign Protein Challenge is the tag of The Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign, a Protein Pull media campaign supported by the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and other partners to create awareness about the prevalence, status and impact of protein deficiency in Nigeria.

The campaign aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger – which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

This gave birth to the Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign and in this project, USSEC acts as a knowledge, technical and promotion partner and will work with relevant stakeholders across a broad section of the economy, from academia to healthcare, NGOs, agriculture, agro-processing and government, to proffer solutions that will enable everyday Nigerians overcome the risk of protein deficiency and live healthy, productive lives.

Mission The mission of the campaign is to create massive nationwide awareness of Nigeria’s protein deficiency situation so as to help mitigate occurrences everywhere in the country, with particular emphasis on soy as a cost-effective source of protein.

Objectives The highlighted objectives for the campaign is to create widespread awareness of Nigeria’s protein deficiency situation, focused on the (health) importance of regular intake of protein in the diet; contribute significantly to efforts to improve the quality, quantity and consistency of the different types of proteins consumed across Nigeria; position soy beans as the most cost-effective protein source that is available, not just for humans, but also as feed for livestock, poultry and aquaculture; and foster and promote a culture of knowledge, experience and data sharing among key actors across the agriculture value chain.

The speakers at the webinar

only able to reach two out of 10 for treatment.

While calling for nutrition-based education, he noted that the pandemic can be taken care of if the population is well-fed with nutritious food instead of the billion spent on combating it with drugs.

In canvassing for nutrition-based education in schools, health centres, and hospitals, he stressed that pregnant women must be made aware of the importance of a protein-based diet.

Head of Department, Home Economics, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Dr. Beatrice Oganah-Ikujenyo, while identifying barriers to effective nutrition policy, she posited that nutrition being viewed as a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary issue should not be so, rather nutrition should be viewed as a priority and must stand alone.

Stressing that “there should be no conflict of interest “, she said the current situation where nutrition is in the Ministry of Health and also Agriculture presents a challenge. She further stated that implementation becomes easier when there is a Ministry of Food.

Import of Protein According to Protein Challenge, protein, which is one of the classes of food, is widely regarded as an essential building block of life. This is not surprising, as it is found in literally every cell of the body. It is a macro-nutrient, that is one of the three nutrients found in food that the body needs in large amounts. The other two are carbohydrates and fat.

“Protein is an important ingredient used to build, maintain and repair body tissues and muscles.

Blueprint The protein challenge blueprint www.proteinchallengeng.com was set up as knowledge platform to promote protein in general and soybeans in particular. The website is positioned as the ‘go to’ place for everyone interested in understanding the importance of protein to health and wellbeing. It warehouses the latest protein, nutrition, and agriculture content, both news and blogposts, boasts of a wide range of protein and soybeans-based recipes and a growing archives of photo and videos.

This will be augmented by the publication and prompt distribution of a bi-monthly newsletter – ProteinChallenge – to a constantly growing database of stakeholders and partners.

Essentially, www.proteinchallengeng.com will be the platform to boost, not just awareness of the importance protein in every diet, but one to equally foster collaboration among stakeholders, that would bring about lasting change in Nigeria’s protein deficiency narrative.

T H I S D AY Ëž ,DECEMER 3, 2020

31

NEWS

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

FG Targets 15 Million Retirees for Health Insurance Cover HYPERPROLACTINEMIAAND Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The federal government has mapped out plans to bring 15 million elderly Nigerians and retirees under the health insurance scheme.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee special committee for the provision of health insurance for the retirees and elderly ones last Monday in Abuja, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the aim is to examine options for the provision of health Insurance for retirees and the elderly in Nigeria.

He said the move underscored the resolve and commitment of the federal government to improve access to healthcare and promote the wellbeing of ageing citizens of our country through provision of health insurance for the elderly and retirees. “We are here today for

an activity that could bring help to the elderly in our society and it is to inaugurate members of committee. The president subscribes to the view that elders who have served their country be treated with respect and dignity and commits to investing in older persons in recognition of the contribution they continue to make to family, community and nation,� he said.

According to the minister, elderly and retirees of 60 years and above, make up six to seven per cent, (15 million) out of Nigeria’s population, adding that it is about the size of some countries. Ehanire said the elderly population may be facing glaring health challenges beyond the wear and tear of aging, and additional strain from financial challenges and psycho-social issues of adjusting to a retiree’s life.

Among the terms of reference given the committee

Rotary International to Build Prostate Cancer Centre in Ogun State Sunday Ehigiator The newly elected District Governor of Rotary International, District 9110 Nigeria, for the 2020/2021 rotary year, Rotarian Bola Oyebade, has revealed that his tenure is committed to deliver a state of the earth prostate cancer centre for the benefit of the people of Ogun State.

This is even as he has commenced free prostate cancer screening targeted at over 2000 men, and disbursement of N50,000 empowerment fund to community members within the district.

He made this known recently while addressing the media in preparation of his investiture that held last weekend. “We want to screen about 2000 men that are above 40 years old. We are screening them for free. As of today, after spending about four months, we have screened over 700 already. So we still have about 1300 left to screen. “On the other part is the prostate cancer center. We have a plot of land that has been donated to us by the Ogun State government. The land is seated at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

Newly elected District Governor of Rotary International, District 9110 Nigeria,for the 2020/2021 Rotary Year, Rotarian Bola Oyebade

“On that land, we are constructing a prostate cancer center. We have started already.

We laid the foundation early November, and we hope we will be able to complete it by the end of April, 2021. i1SPTUBUF DBODFS JT B HFOFSJD issue suffered by men, and treating it is just one thing I feel we can support the members of the community with. A lot of men die and they do not know that their death was caused by prostate cancer.�

On the cost of the centre, he said, “according to the estimate we did before bags of cement went up about three weeks ago, the building was going

to cost us over N82 million. “Right now we are trying to reevaluate the total cost, but for now we can only say it is far more than the N82 million earlier estimated.�

On how he intends to source funds for the project, he said, “We are sourcing for the project through friends.

Rotarians are donating, our friends are donating from all over the country. We also have corporate bodies that are supporting us.�

Speaking on the empowerment project, Oyebade revealed that the N50,000 would only be given to traders whom the money would have a significant impact on their business. “Another project which we want to do for this rotary year is empowerment to members of the community. We plan to give N50,000 each to any deserving indigent persons that are into one trade or the other which this amount would have significant impact on their trade “So far, we have given about 26 persons, and we have about 34 persons ready to be empowered on November 28, when we would be having my installation. A total of 100 persons will benefit from this for the rotary year,� he said.

Onwumere, Ifijeh, Others Win Nordica Media Merit Awards 2020 in The Nordica Media Merit Awards has announced the winners of its 5th edition of the journalism awards for the year 2020.

Odimegwu Onwumere of The Nigeria Voice won with his article in the Online category, without a match.

Isioma Madike of New Telegraph Newspaper came first JO UIF 1SJOU DBUFHPSZ XIJMF Martins Ifijeh of THISDAY Newspaper came as first runner up. *O UIF TBNF 1SJOU DBUFHPSZ

%BZP 0KFSJOEF PG 1VODI Newspaper came as second runner up.

The Electronic category went to Oluwayemisi Adesanya of EbonyLife.

The awards presentation was held at Nordica Fertility Center, Ikoyi, Lagos, in a low key, due to the COVID-19 observations.

Only the winners were allowed to attend the awards presentation while informed society participated in the ceremony via zoom.

INFERTILITY Part (Part 2 )

were to assess the current situation of health Insurance coverage and access to health care for retirees and senior citizens (over 60 years) in Nigeria, to develop a National Framework for the effective Health Insurance Coverage of Retirees and Senior citizens The committee is to make recommendations to the Minister of Health on the potential resource mobilisation as well as other mechanisms for the successful implementation of the framework and also undertake any other activity that will facilitate the Health Insurance Coverage of Retirees and Senior citizens in Nigeria.

The Committee Chairman is Mr Linus Awute, a retired GPSNFS 1FSNBOFOU 4FDSFUBSZ BU the Federal Ministry of Health while one of the m members BSF 1SPG .VIBNNBE /BTJSV Sambo, Executive Secretary NHIS/Co- Chair.

However, the winners had been notified of their win since June 11, waiting for the pandemic to go down, in a mail sent by Mr. Chukwudi Eze of the fertility centre.

Meanwhile, in October, Onwumere won the “Stay at Home� journalism awards hosted by Merck Foundation, Germany. He also won the inaugural Nordica Media Merit Awards in 2016, in its Online category, and has won numerous journalism awards, including finalists.

EFFECT OF HYPERPROLACTINEMIA ON FERTILITY IN WOMEN ncreased levels of prolactin in women can suppress the secretion of gonadotrophinreleasing hormone (GnRH). This will in turn affect the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), thus inhibiting ovulation. Both of these hormones are necessary for the development and maturation of eggs within the ovaries before they can then be released during ovulation and available for fertilization. Ovulation which is the release of an egg from the ovary, is an essential phase of the menstrual cycle. If an egg is not released, fertilization cannot take place, thereby making getting pregnant impossible. Women with the mildest cases of high prolactin levels may ovulate regularly but may not produce enough of the hormone progesterone after ovulation. This is known as a luteal phase defect. Deficiency in the amount of progesterone produced after ovulation may result in a uterine lining that is less able to have an embryo implant. Some women with this problem may see their period come a short time after ovulation. Hyperprolactinemia can also interfere with the normal production of other reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. It can stop the ovaries from producing the normal level of estrogen required by the body for regular ovulation and periods.

Low estrogen levels in turn can also cause vaginal dryness and low libido.

I

EFFECT OF HYPERPROLACTINEMIA ON FERTILITY IN MEN High prolactin levels may affect the production of testosterone which is the major sex hormone in men that regulates fertility. Too little or absence of it may affect normal sperm production in the body, thus leading to infertility. Hyperprolactinemia is not as common in men as it is in women. However, men suffering from abnormal prolactin levels may encounter male factor infertility. The issues they may face include poor sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and poor libido. Therefore, diagnostic tests for hyperprolactinemia are to be included in the checklist for male infertility treatment too. In addition to affecting sex characteristics, high levels of prolactin in men can lead to other problems related to the lack of testosterone. Fatigue, which is a common effect of low testosterone, also loss of muscle mass and strength. If left untreated, high levels of prolactin can lead to loss of bone density, which greatly increases the chance of breaking or fracturing a bone.

TREATMENT OF HYPERPROLACTENAMIA r 1SFTDSJQUJPO NFEJDBUJPOT TVDI BT CSPNPDSJQUJOF and cabergoline help the brain produce dopamine to control high prolactin levels. These medications are effective for most people with prolactinomas and are well tolerated. Bromocriptine is taken 2-3 times a day and Cabergoline is long acting and

Ç‘Ç ÎŤË›ĆžÇŠÇˆ

used twice weekly. The prolactin level returns to normal in about 90 percent of women who take bromocriptine or cabergoline. Eighty-five percent of women taking these medications ovulate, and of those who ovulate, 70 to 80 percent get are likely to be pregnant. The doses must be determined and adjusted appropriately as prescribed by the physician. t 4ZOUIFUJD UIZSPJE IPSNPOF Recommended doses can return the prolactin levels to normal if the underlying cause is hypothyroidism. r 4VSHFSZ In cases where it has become impossible for medication or hormones to treat the tumor,the managing clinician may recommend surgery. When this cause of hyperprolactinemia is being treated, it is imperative for the specialist to first figure out a patient’s pregnancy status and pregnancy intentions. This is because some of the medications that are used for the treatment of such tumors may negatively affect pregnancy or a developing fetus. t 3BEJBUJPO 5IFSBQZ In cases where the tumor cannot be controlled with medication or surgery, radiation therapy is used although this is rare. Radiotherapy can be given in one of the following ways; Conventional external-beam radiation therapy or Stereotactic radiation therapy which involves the photon beam, gamma knife, linear accelerator, or proton beam. t .FEJDBUJPOT If medications such as antidepressants, psychosis medications, high blood pressure medications are the causes of hyperprolactinemia, new medications should be prescribed. t %JFU In addition to taking medications, diet is also important in lowering prolactin levels in the blood. Foods high in zinc such as shellfish, beef, turkey and beans may help to lower prolactin levels. Also, consume foods rich in vitamin B6 which contains prolactin inhibitors.

Examples are potatoes, bananas, wild salmon, chicken and spinach. t 3FMBYBUJPO 5FDIOJRVFT Such as breathing exercises, massage, music or art therapy, can have a major positive effect in lowering prolactin levels for stress induced hyperprolactinemia.

Most women should not have trouble conceiving once their prolactin levels normalize, as most prolactinomas respond very well to medication.

These medications are usually stopped during the course of pregnancy. Hyperprolactinemia may hinder pregnancy if untreated, but it does not permanently cause infertility in both men and women. Once the underlying cause of the high prolactin levels in the blood is diagnosed and effectively treated, the chances of conceiving would greatly improve.

3FGFSFODFT ZPVSIPSNPOFT :063 *7' +063/&: $0. *7'

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ,DECEMER 3, 2020

FEATURES

Giving Succour to Visually Impaired Persons in Katsina Francis Sardauna writes that Noor Dubai Foundation in synergy with Katsina State government is eliminating avoidable blindness and visual impairment bedeviling citizens of the state

I

n April 2019, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based non-governmental organisation, Noor Dubai Foundation signed an agreement with the Katsina State Government which led to the establishment of Comprehensive Eye Care Center in the state.

The four-year (2019 to 2022) sustainable comprehensive eye care programme, is aimed at improving the quality of life and socio-economic status of people in the state and in neighboring states through improved access to quality eye care services.

The foundation started as a personal initiative

by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and was launched with the vision of a world free of preventable blindness.

It provides therapeutic, preventative, and educational programmes to treat and prevent blindness in developing countries on a regional and international scale, thereby bringing light back into the lives of those in need, particularly the most vulnerable persons in the society.

The rapprochement for the implementation of the programme in Katsina which took place in the office of the Wife of the President, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Khalifa Almehrzi; the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary state Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabir Mustapha, among others.

The programme plan was said to be developed after wide consultations and stakeholder meetings with Katsina State government and potential partners. It was built on the World Health Organisation Eye Care Service Assessment Tool and a population based survey conducted to determine cases of blindness in the state.

With budgetary provision of $2 million, the programme is projected to provide a socio-economic yield of $8 million in increased productivity as well as tackling major cases of visual loss, including cataract surgeries, free healthcare screening, human resource development, rehabilitation support services for the permanently blind persons and health education.

The choice of Katsina, according to the international charitable organisation, resulted from a survey conducted across the state, which revealed that there were at least 122,000 visually impaired people in the state, out of which 25,000 were blind with only four ophthalmologists spearheading the affairs of its eye care centre.

Miffed by the menace, the organisation in collaboration with the state government and other non-governmental organisations in October 2019 commenced the free humanitarian services that encompasses free cataract surgeries, eye screening and provision of free eye glasses to patients in three senatorial zones of Katsina, Daura and Funtua.

Noor Dubai Foundation targeted to conduct cataract surgeries for 12,000 people to restore their sights and 37,000 people are to be screened and treated for eye related diseases. While 320,000 school children will also undergo eye screening and treatment and 1,000 people with permanent

Eye surgeons treating patients at the theatre

visual loss will be rehabilitated in the state.

Accordingly, as of November 28, 2020, the organisation conducted 2,454 successful cataract surgeries and eye screening for over 5,238 patients in Katsina, Daura and Funtua general hospitals.

The intervention is greatly reducing the spate of blindness in the state.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, the Programme Manager of Noor Dubia Foundation, Mr. Shehu Suleiman, added that the foundation had sponsored 10 nurses in the state for nurse refractions training at the National Eye Centre and were given the needed equipment to work with.

He reiterated that over 2,313 visually impaired persons had been treated with either medications or eye glasses, six ophthalmologists and optometrists and one optician had been employed to boost efficient and effective service delivery in the state.

Suleiman, who was monitoring the eye surgery at the State Eye Care Centre, said: “We have operated 2,454 cataract patients since the commencement of the programme. This number would have been much doubled if not for the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic that has stopped everything for about four months.

“Also, we are currently training 250 community health extension workers drawn from the three senatorial districts of Katsina state, namely; Katsina,

Daura and Funtua. These health personnel will be assigned to different healthcare facilities in communities across the state.

“The programme is aim at improving quality of life and socio-economic status of people of the state through improved access to quality eye care.

It will cost about $2 million with the Katsina state government contributing additional 20 per cent in kind”.

Suleiman added: “The uniqueness of Noor Dubia foundation is that we don’t demand money from the government, our only demand was that government should recruit more eye doctors, eye nurses, optometrists and opticians. So, the demand is in kind not in cash and the government has fulfilled its own part of the obligation”.

One of the beneficiaries, Ahmed Hassan, who spoke in an interview with THISDAY, commended Noor Dubia Foundation, development partners and the Katsina state government for embarking on what he termed first-ever service for blind people in the state.

The 65-year-old man said: “I have been suffering from blindness for more than six years, but today with the assistance of Noor Dubia Foundation I can now see everybody and even how Katsina city is. I thought they will ask me to pay after the surgery but the doctor told me that is free. I

lack words to express my appreciation”.

Another beneficiary, Fatima Buhari, who could not controlled her emotions while expressing her gratitude to the non-governmental organization for the free eye surgery, called on the foundation to extend it services to villages and communities in the state in order to incorporate rural dwellers who are suffering with the same illness.

Also, a 52-year-old Tanimu Usman who got free eye service from the foundation, described the programme as a life saving experience for thousands of visually impaired persons in Katsina State. Usman, who said that he had the need for reading glasses for sometime but was not able to afford it, could not hide his joy after he was tested and given free reading glasses and some drugs for his eyes.

“It is only God that will bless them for us, more grease to their elbows, I also pray that others get this opportunity and I pray government increase this outreach farther into the hinterland,” he said.

Meanwhile, as a member of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, Noor Dubai aims to fulfil the objective of Vision 2020 – The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness.

UNILAG Student Wins N1M as ISN Laboratory Scientist 2020 Rebecca Ejifoma A Medical Laboratory Scientist from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Medical Centre, Abiola Fashina, has won N1million as the winner of ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist 2020.

Fashina was among the 10 finalists shortlisted at the grand finale which held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

While Anayo Chidobu emerged the first runner up to clinch N700,000, Yahaya Usman from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria got N500,000 as the second runner-up.

Flagged off in June, the

award aims to recognise and reward the unsung heroes – Medical Laboratory Scientists – across the country by the ISN Products Nigeria Limited.

The award further aims to give clinicians peace of mind and improve confidence of patients in the health sector.

The Executive Director of ISN, Mr. Felix Ofungwu, said the award was to encourage laboratory scientists who play important and unnoticed role in the medical field.

He said: “For us in ISN, we always believe that proper management of any patient is achieved by the accuracy of the diagnosis; the responsibility of that diagnosis is largely done by the medical

scientists.

“What they do is so vital, but go unrecognised. That is why we came up with the idea of recognising these unsung heroes of medical practice – the medical laboratory scientists.“ In his remark, the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, described laboratory scientists as very important components of the healthcare system.

Mamora, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Dr Adedamola Dada, said Nigeria was able to make diagnoses of COVID-19 because of the Laboratory Scientists among others.

He hinted: “I’m happy that

this company has taken it upon itself to recognise excellence. I am pleased with the very detailed efforts, processes, and the quality of the people that chose the winners.”

Addressing the top 10 finalists, Dada urged them to strive to work more to ensure that they remain at the very apex of the profession.

The Chairman of the panel of judges, Elochukwu Adibo, said the choice of the award would go a long way to encourage medical laboratory scientists in the country.

“This will help them dedicate more time, efforts to excellence, and conformity to laboratory quality management system (QMS) in line

with international standard – ISO 15189:2012.

“Being the basis of which this assessment was predominantly made, knowing that such output will be recognised and rewarded.”

He further noted that the winner will be the Brand Ambassador of ISN and Medical Laboratory Science practice in Nigeria for the period.

Adibo, who suggested that the competition be made annual, implored other wellmeaning organisations to tow this commendable route to encourage improvement of quality standards in medical laboratory service delivery in our country.

Meanwhile, the winner, Fashina, thanked the organisers of the award, his institution, and his family.

“This award will further promote the practice of laboratory quality management system, this will further give clinicians peace of mind and improve their confidence of patients in the healthcare sector,” he added.

While acknowledging that the ISN has planted a seed of greatness, he vowed that, “we will continue to save lives.

We will continue to practice quality, and do all within our power to improve the life and well being of the nation through implementation of quality”.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 • T H I S D AY

33

34

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

WorldRemit Lowers Cost of Fund Transfer to Nigeria Goddy Egene WorldRemit, one of the leading global digital payment companies has launched its new zero per cent pricing for international transfers to Nigeria.

The new lowered price allows customers to send more to family and friends in Nigeria with absolutely no fees and foreign exchange (FX) margins.

According to the company, the major price drop formed part of a new pricing restructure and represents the largest pricing reduction in terms of the number of corridors for the business, adding that the new zero per cent pricing is in line with its commitment to supporting remittance flows to Nigeria and helping the Diaspora community

to supplement and support family and friends back home.

Speaking on the development, Country Manager, Nigeria and Ghana, WorldRemit. Gbenga Okejimi, said: “As a forwardthinking company, WorldRemit continues to seek opportunities and innovative ways to keep people connected around the world while offering them a top-class fast, safe and simple way to send international remittances. “We believe in helping our customers to access and enjoy the rewards of their hard work and this initiative will ensure they are able to access value even as COVID-19 has financially affected those in both in the diaspora and at home.�

Also speaking, Director of Pricing at WorldRemit, Sam Talukdar, said: “One of our

goals is to accelerate financial inclusion by reducing transaction costs to Sub-Saharan Africa, which remains the most expensive region for remittances. In the last 12 months, we have witnessed a strong uptick in new customers using our platform, which in turn has helped to drive down our overall costs. We are committed to making remittances more affordable, so we have shared our savings with our customers, allowing them to send more money for less.�

The global payments company enables senders in 50 countries to send money via the app or website to recipients in over 150 countries, where they can choose from multiple payout methods including bank deposits, Mobile Money, mobile airtime top-up and cash pick-up.

L-R: Head, Client Coverage, RMB Nigeria, Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo; Marketing & Communications Manager, Oluwayemisi Ogunbodede, and Client Coverage Analyst, Adaobi Onanuga, at the 2020 edition of the BusinessDay Banks and other Financial Institutions Awards ceremony where RMB Nigeria was awarded Merchant Bank of the Year for the third consecutive time and Debt Arranger of the Year for the second consecutive time, at a ceremony held in Lagos‌recently

UBA’s African Subsidiaries Win Global Awards Six subsidiaries of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc have been named ‘Bank of the Year 2020’ by the Banker Magazine, a global finance news publication published by Financial Times of London.

For the second year running, UBA stated that its multiple initiatives which it listed to include its investment in digital technology, adherence to world-class customer services offerings and financing critical projects were recognised by the organisers of the award as UBA Benin, UBA Cote D’Ivoire, UBA Chad, UBA Liberia, UBA Sierra Leone and UBA Zambia emerged best bank in their respective countries.

A statement from the bank revealed that the 2020 edition of the awards ceremony was held virtually and the recognition was the second time ever in the history of the banker awards, that any banking group would be clinching as many as six wins in the same year.

CEO, UBA Africa, Oliver Alawuba, expressed delight over the recognition from The Banker saying, “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,�

He added, “Following the multiple awards won by UBA

Group and five of our subsidiaries in 2019, this year’s award is another testament of our hard work and increasing effort by the UBA Group to impact the African continent, positively. “This award comes at a very auspicious time due to the Covid-19 global pandemic but the UBA Group has been able to stand strong and resilient in its mandate of delivering excellent financial services to over 21 million customers, across 23 countries of operations. Alawuba dedicated the awards to the over 20,000 staff of bank, adding that, “we believe that this award will spur us on in our renewed commitment to exceed customers’ expectation,

Digify Africa to Graduate 80 Digify Africa has announced plan to graduate 80 young Nigerian graduate with superb digital skills.

According to a statement, on October 5, the current cohorts graduating this Friday commenced their digital transformation journey. “It has definitely been an exciting time of learning, growth and digital transformation as participants were increased to 40 per cohort, and simultaneous lectures took place for all 80 participants through 100 per cent online learning and participants joined daily from 17 different Nigerian cities.

Digify Africa, a non-profit organisation with support from Facebook equipping young graduates with skills to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. “Supported by Facebook, Digi-

fyPRO Initiative of Digify Africa is an eight-week intensive digital skills training programme including paid internship supported by Facebook. The programme equips smart youngsters with skills to enter the digital workplace. “Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all cohorts in 2020 have fully online classes. Participants were trained on practical handson digital experience and covered topics such as: digital marketing; agency processes; client services; account management, analytics and measurement; social media management; brand reputation management; content creation; email marketing; user Interface & experience; paid advertising; Facebook marketing; Instagram marketing; search engine optimisation; personal branding; and various other technical plus soft skills,� the statement added.

The graduation ceremony will

be fully virtually, the Programme Director for Nigeria, Florence Olumodimu explained. “Despite being 100 percent online classes we were able to achieve the same intensity and results we would normally achieve if it was an offline cohort. “The major difference there was no physical interactions for the participants. But with the online training we were able to admit participants from different cities and states (17 different cities during these two cohorts) which would not have been possible in a physical class. “During the course of the training, we also had weeks our participants connected with Kenya and South Africa in joint sessions and we had experts from different agencies plus different countries having sessions ending with weekly live briefs for participants,� she added.

LASAA Unveils 2021 Mobile Advert Sticker The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has unveiled the mobile advert sticker for 2021.

The initiative seeks to satisfy clients and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to excellent customer service delivery at all times.

Speaking at the public presentation of the stickers recently, the Managing Director of LASAA, Adedamola Docemo, said the yearly public presentation of mobile advert stickers was part of a tradition that has helped to ensure a cordial relationship between the agency and its clients.

He said LASAA has always made improvements on the security features of the stickers since its introduction, remarking that clients should also expect to see improvements in the 2021 Mobile Advert Sticker being unveiled.

According to him, the 2021 mobile advert sticker has been enhanced with better internal control mechanisms, including a hologram-finish, specialised bar codes and serial numbers readable with only special devices.

He said the anti-counterfeit

properties and authentication system of the 2021 Mobile Advert Sticker protects it against fraud and secures it on a database platform.

Docemo said with the upgraded sticker, all branded vehicles statewide would be easily captured for mobile advert permits, thereby making the agency’s monitoring, compliance and enforcement job easier.

He said the incidence of fraud will be reduced to the barest minimum and non-compliant vehicles will be easily identified and impounded.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $46.72 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $46.43 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

35

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

SEC , SON to Collaborate on Commodities Trading Ecosystem Goddy Egene The Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda, has called for collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), saying there should be a speedy approval and publication of standards relevant to the commodities trading ecosystem.

Yuguda stated this during a

meeting with the SON management in Abuja yesterday.

According to him, as part of its implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan, the commission constituted a Technical Committee on commodities Trading Ecosystem whose mandate was to identify challenges of the existing framework and develop a roadmap for a vibrant ecosystem. “A committee comprising

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

various stakeholders including the SON was set up to drive the implementation of the report. One of the recommendations in the report identified development of grading and standardisation system in line with international best practice,� he said.

Yuguda stated that it is globally recognised that a unique feature of a commodities exchange is the standardisation of the commodities traded on

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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its platform. “However, the determination of these grades and standards is dependent upon approved local standards which should take into cognisance internationally accepted standards. Imbibing international standards for export commodities cannot be compromised if the exchanges have to play a pivotal role in export promotion,� he said.

He noted that the establishment of relevant standards would

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

be transformational for the Nigerian commodities trading ecosystem. “Standards provide consumers with an assurance of fitness of purpose, processors with commodities specifications, and serves as reference point against which features of commodities can be compared. Other benefits include increase in value to smallholder farmers due to premium paid on high quality commodities, reduction of post-harvest losses due to

O F

standard post-harvest handling, packaging and storage, as well as increased employment opportunities through the setup of warehouses and assaying companies to provide quality assurance services,� he said.

In his remarks, the DG of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim said the agency is excited to collaborate with the SEC as it seeks to develop the capital market in Nigeria and the Nigerian economy at large.

0 2 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

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QUANTITY TRADED

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Agusto & Co. Assigns ‘A’ Rating to Fidelity Bank Plc Goddy Egene

‘A’ rating to Fidelity Bank Plc, by its leading position in the rating also considers the bank’s capitalisation and satisfactory reflecting the bank’s strong tier 2 banking segment. good liquidity position, strong asset quality.

According to Agusto & Co, the ability to refinance, adequate “We have also factored Agusto & Co. has assigned an industry position as evidenced A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 01- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Dec-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

in Fidelity Bank’s good staff productivity and experienced management team,” it said.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.04 1.06 15.90% ACAP Income Funds 0.86 0.86 11.35% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.06% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.80 3.93 55.20% 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 0.90% Anchoria Equity Fund 130.06 130.52 21.63% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.46 1.46 21.92% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 18.16 18.70 18.53% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 401.44 413.55 16.21% ARM Ethical Fund 33.73 34.74 15.97% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.20 1.21 20.37% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 13.10% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.26% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 123.82 124.69 28.88% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.49% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.30 2.30 21.78% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.26 2.30 51.97% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.58% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 126.92 127.71 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.40 108.40 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.33% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.11 1.12 19.66% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.75 1.75 31.72% 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 N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,486.37 1,488.11 25.11% FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund 111.73 111.76 11.73% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.54% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 120.20 120.62 6.51% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.39 120.81 6.14% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.02 151.32 14.52% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Treasury Bills Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.07% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.32 127.85 18.46%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.99% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.82 2.88 29.08% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.87 156.79 8.80% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.39 1.41 23.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,146.35 1,146.35 10.19% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.60 1.63 29.77% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.09 12.19 7.36% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.02% PACAM Equity Fund 1.53 1.54 PACAM EuroBond Fund 107.36 109.69 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.38 135.33 11.65% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 8.68% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 26.38% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 6.24% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 26.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 7.38% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 30.88% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.63% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 23.52% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 5.18% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.70 110.70 6.23% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.38 1.40 15.27% United Capital Bond Fund 1.88 1.88 8.58% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.88 21.59% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.74% United Capital Eurobond Fund 116.49 116.49 6.58% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.08 1.91% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.16 12.31 18.38% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.53 13.68 16.53% Zenith Income Fund 24.86 24.86 9.42% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.94%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.00

6.88%

52.10

0.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.61 118.11 88.94

11.71 118.11 90.61

37.76% 23.70% 18.41%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

N/A

N/A

N/A

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

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

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Interpol Raises the Alarm over Fake COVID-19 Vaccines in Nigeria, Others UK first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for mass roll out

Davidson Iriekpen The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has alerted Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 190 other countries of threat from organised criminal groups during the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, including fake vaccines and the theft of supplies.

The alert came as the UK yesterday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.

The need for a vaccine has become more urgent globally and nationally with Nigeria recording over 67,000 COVID-19 infections and over 1,000 associated fatalities, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has so far identified 49 “candidate vaccines” at the stage of clinical trials in humans.

Hopes are high that shots could be ready for use before

the end of the year as two frontrunner vaccines – by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer – already reported that phase 3 trials for their mRNA vaccine showed 95 per cent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers.

Interpol, however, observed that there is a rise in the activities of criminals who have started advertising and selling fake COVID-19 vaccines, especially online.

Interpol Secretary General, Jürgen Stock, therefore, stressed the need for coordination between law enforcement and health regulatory bodies to ensure the safety of individuals and wellbeing of communities are protected.

In a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Interpol warns of organised crime threat to COVID-19 vaccines’, Stock stated, “As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains.

“Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.

“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why Interpol has issued this global warning.”

According to him, 3,000 websites associated with online pharmacies are suspected of selling fake medicines and medical devices.

He advised residents of Interpol 194 member countries to take special care when going online to search for medical equipment or medicine.

Meanwhile the UK has become the first western country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.

The vaccine has been authorised for emergency use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), before decisions by the US and Europe.

The MHRA was given power to approve the vaccine by the

government under special regulations before 1 January, when it will become fully responsible for medicines authorisation in the UK after Brexit.

MHRA Chief Executive, June Raine, at a news conference yesterday said: “Everybody can be confident that no corners whatsoever have been cut.

“The public deserve nothing less,” she said, stressing her agency’s certification process was no different to counterparts in the United States and the European Union.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

hailed the “fantastic” news, while urging the public to remain cautious on the day that England exited a four-week lockdown and re-imposed regional curbs.

“It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again,” he said.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said that starting with care home residents and health and care staff, Britain’s state-run National Health Service will begin with 800,000 doses “early next week”.

19 Die of Lassa Fever in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi No fewer than 19 persons have died of Lassa fever between January and November 2020 in Toro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

This is as the state confirmed 22 positive cases of yellow fever in Ganjuwa LGA out of the 63 samples tested.

Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made the disclosure yesterday while giving a situation update of Lassa and yellow fever in the state.

Mohammed also said the state has already has received 4 million doses of yellow fever vaccine from the federal government adding that vaccination will be

conducted in January 2021 with the target population of ages 1 to 44 who are vulnerable.

The BASPHCDA chairman added that efforts are on to ensure that the yellow fever outbreak did not spread to other LGAs in the state as well as neighbouring states of Kano and Jigawa.

He said further that the vaccination for yellow fever will be conducted in 19 LGAs in the state with the exception of Alkaleri which had its vaccination in 2019 due to the outbreak there.

Rilwanu Mohammed, however, lamented that the Agency is worried because of the apathy being exhibited by people who are refusing to be vaccinated in spite of the education and enlightenment programs embarked upon by the agency.

Obasanjo: Why I Rejected Gani Adam’s Request to Visit Me Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he had no quarrel with the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams.

The former president said he had refused to grant Adams’ request to visit him when he was president and after he left the office.

Obasanjo said he had a reservation for Adams’ past way of life, which he said, was not in accordance with his standards and principles.

Obasanjo said his meeting with Adams at the residence of a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Lekki was not on a reconciliatory mission.

Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, said he paid a visit to Adebanjo, but, met Adams there.

The statement was titled “No fight to warrant reconciliation

with Adams – Obasanjo”.

The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to some publications reporting an acclaimed reconciliation between Gani Adams and myself at the residence of Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos today.

“It is true that I paid a personal visit to Chief Ayo Adebanjo at his residence in Lekki Phase 1 on December 2, 2020 and I met Gani Adams there.

“I have no quarrel with Gani Adams, but for his past way of life which was not in accord with my standards and principles. I have in the past, both in government and out of government, refused to grant Gani’s request to visit me.

“If at all anybody feels I have a quarrel with him or her that needs reconciliation, such reconciliation will, no doubt, take place in my residence in Abeokuta only.”

PREPARING FOR FEC…

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a virtual Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers, State House., Abuja...yesterday

Senate: National Assembly Can’t Produce New Constitution Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Senate yesterday asked Nigerians who are agitating for a brand new constitution in the country to perish the thought as the National Assembly lacks the powers to do so.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, stated this when he hosted members of the -Alliance of Nigerian Patriots, led by Ambassador Umunna Orjiako, in Abuja.

Omo-Agege, who is the Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, gave the explanation in a statement by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja.

He explained that the National Assembly had no powers to replace the current

Constitution but that it could only amend it.

He said the advanced democracies like the United States of America where Nigeria’s presidential system of government is fashioned after, also engage in piecemeal amendments.

He also said Sections 8 and 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), equally made provisions for piecemeal alteration of the Constitution.

He, therefore, urged those calling for a new Constitution to channel their energy towards participating actively in the ongoing amendment of the Constitution by the 9th Assembly.

He said, “One of the issues you raised is the replacement

of the 1999 Constitution.

“I am not so sure that we as a Parliament have the power to replace the Constitution.

“We can only make amendments. And it is explicit in Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution on how we can do that and the requisite number of votes required.

“I say that because there are some top attorneys in this country, who for some reason, keep saying that we don’t even need any of this, that we should just bring a new Constitution.

“We can’t do that. What we are mandated to do by law is to look at those provisions and bring them up-to-date with global best practices, especially to the extent that it tallies with the views of the majority of

Nigerians.

“So we are not in a position to replace this Constitution but we can only amend.

“But, like I said, most of the issues you have raised here, like zones replacing states, that’s another euphemism for going back to the regions. We will look into that if that is what majority of our people want.

“You talked about devolution of powers. The preponderance of views we have received so far is that those 68 items are very wide and need to shed some weight and move them to the Concurrent Legislative List”.

He also expressed his opinion on the call by some persons for the scrapping of the upper legislative chamber.

Nigeria Needs Collective Efforts to Tackle Insecurity, Says Yusuf Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie Former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof Usman Yusuf, has said President Muhammadu Buhari led government has failed in tackling the growing insecurity in the country, insisting that the situation calls for collective efforts of all Nigerians to put an end to brutal killings of Nigerians.

Yusuf who spoke yesterday on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast

arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said: “It is clear to everybody that the government has failed to protect us but I am glad the nation is now paying attention.

What happened recently in Borno State, where rice farmers were killed in their numbers, had been happening in the Northeast in the last twelve years and all across the North-west for the last five years. It’s now we are getting media attention.“ According to him, “The government and all Nigerians must agree that things are not

working and the government must involve the people . The way security is done in this country is that things come from Abuja without involving people. We are in big trouble, the insecurity in this country has increased in recent times with killing of people, raping our women, cattle being rustled, and villages burnt. Its high time the federal government puts this nation on war footing and mobilise every body.

“We have been at war for the last twelve years, the southern

part of Nigeria didn’t even know there was anything happening.”

Yusuf however explained that there were not enough soldiers and policemen to handle the country’s insecurity, saying it is not a shame.

He suggested that communities and the military should train our youth to fight against killings, kidnapping and banditry.

No nation can call itself secure if it does not have control of it’s airspace, waterways and highways and forests.

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Saraki Cautions Secondus against Interfering with PDP Reconciliation Drive Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has cautioned the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, against interfering with the party’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Saraki warned that himself and other members in the

reconciliation committee would not hesitate to resign if Secondus and his colleagues in the National Working Committee (NWC) failed to give members of the committee a free hand to operate.

Saraki said: “We are however very clear that our most important partner in this assignment is the NWC. Therefore, we seek your

Akerodolu: We Must Restructure Nigeria to Make Progress The Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has reiterated his call for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation as the sure path to unlocking and harnessing the nation’s full potential.

Akerodolu, who is the Governor of Ondo State, said this in his remarks at the 39th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, where he was honoured as the association’s “Worthy Ambassador,” in Abuja, late on Tuesday.

He said, “There is no doubt that the country experiences serious socio-economic challenges in virtually every part. While a sizeable chunk of these problems is attributable to the global crises, there are others which call our attention, urgently, to an appraisal of the fundamental issues which define nations.

“It is unprofitable to resort to a facile description of the current upheavals in Nigeria without looking at the factors which militate seriously against our quest for nationhood. We must

analyse these issues with a view to determining the workability of the current structure. We must seek solutions to the endemic problems bedeviling the country.

“The over-dependence on oil revenue is retrogressive.

Modern economies don’t thrive on monoliths. The country must pay more than passing attention to the issue of diversification.

“In addition, the federating units should, progressively, assume distinctive identities discernible in the economic activities’ peculiar to them and for which they are best suited to undertake.

“The current structure promotes indolence and kills ingenuity. Every part of the country must be encouraged to develop according to its potential. There must be deliberate devolution of responsibilities to the States.”

Earlier, the national chairman of the association, Dr. Samuel Adekola said, the unrivaled development of the health sector since creation in 1976 by the Akeredolu administration in Ondo State earned the governor his appointment as a “Worthy Ambassador.”

Learn from Ghana, US and Give Nigeria Credible 2023 Elections, PDP Tells Yakubu Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday advised the reappointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, to go to Ghana and United States and do a study from their electoral bodies on how to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

The PDP told Yakubu not to resort to excuses but to use the more than two years ahead of the 2023 general election to rejig the electoral commission and work out legislations and operational rules that will guarantee a free, credible and all-inclusive electoral process.

The party charged Yakubu to learn from the Ghana electoral commission, which is making more room for a more allinclusive electoral process by kick-starting special voting system to enable personnel of critical service providers cast their ballots days ahead of the December 7, election date.

According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola

Ologbondiyan, the party also advised the INEC Chairman to study how the United States credibly conducted a keenly contested 2020 presidential election without government interfeence and use of security to suppress the wishes of citizens as expressed at the polling units.

The PDP urged the INEC Chairman to engage political stakeholders in legislations, rules and field procedures, so as to curb violence, ensure the security of electoral materials and guarantee the safety of voters.

The party said: “The INEC Chairman should initiate processes and procedures that will guarantee prompt arrival of ballot materials, rapid accreditation and voting; instant transmission of results from polling units as well as seamless collation of figures.

“Our party demands Prof. Yakubu to improve on legislations that restrict the involvement of security agencies in voting and collation processes, check underage and alien voters, vote-buying, alteration of results and manipulation of voter register”.

support and cooperation to ensure the success of this committee on its Herculean assignment.

“As members of this committee, we have decided to do only what is right. We do not have any personal interest and will not allow any interest other than of the party and what represents the truth, equity, objectivity, unity and peace to influence what we will do.

“The NWC must also give

us free hand to operate. I want to make it very clear that we will put in our best. That is why we seek the cooperation of the NWC. “However, if we see any sign that the NWC is working to undermine us or that we are not working in sync in the performance of this assignment, with all sense of responsibility; we will not hesitate to tender our resignation. That is what the members of the committee have asked me to convey to

you, Mr. Chairman”.

Dr Saraki issued the warning in Abuja yesterday shortly after the reconciliation committee was inaugurated by the party chairman.

The committee, which is mandated to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP across the six geopolitical zones, is chaired by Saraki.

Members of the committee include former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema; former Gombe State Governor,

Ibrahim Dankwabo; and forrmer Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke.

Others are former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; and a former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mrs Mulikat Akande.

Saraki’s warning may not be unconnected with speculations that the NWC, particularly the party chairman, has been taking sides with PDP factions in some states and geopolitical zones where such factions exist.

RUBBING MINDS…

L-R: Minister of State for Power, Chief Goddy Jedy-Agba; Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, Ms. Lauretta Onochie; and Minister of Industry,Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, during the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House in Abuja... yesterday STATE HOUSE

CBN Denies Freezing #EndSARS Promoters’ Accounts Alex Enumah in Abuja The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has faulted claim that his bank obtained court orders to block accounts associated with promoters of the #EndSARS protests.

Emefiele’s position was stated by his lawyer, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) while appearing before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Aondoakaa is the CBN

Governor’s lawyer in the case, marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1384/2020)of CBN v. Bolatito Rachael Oduala and 19 others in which Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted an order freezing the accounts of the defendants for 90 minutes in the first instance.

The former AGF spoke while reacting to remarks by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), lawyer to Albert A. Ugochuwu and others, whose accounts were also frozen in similar circumstance by another judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/12000/2020.

Aondoakaa, who insisted that his client acted within the provision of Section 60 (b) of the Bank and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), allows the CBN to apply pending for a freezing order pending conclusion of investigation.

The ex-AGF faulted claim

by Adegboruwa that the CBN was going about filing multiple cases to freeze people’s accounts, including those linked with the #EndSARS protests.

He said the CBN did not apply for the freezing of any accounts because of the owners were

associated with the #EndSARS protests.

Aondoakaa stated that his client only applied to have the accounts frozen on suspecting questionable transactions in the accounts.

He noted that none of those affected by the orders have claimed, in the processes they filed, that they are #EndSARS protesters.

Arguing earlier, Adegboruwa accused the CBN of filing multiple cases to freeze accounts of people indiscriminately. He cited the case of those associated with the #EndSARS protests.

Abdulaziz: There Were No Spare Parts in TCN Stores When I Resumed Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Acting Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, yesterday lamented that many projects carried out by the wholly governmentowned company were delayed because there were no spare parts in the stores to execute them before he resumed.

Briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Abdulaziz also

explained that last Sunday’s nation power grid collapse was the first in the last six months since he took over, noting that it took only 40 minutes to fix.

He added that though grid collapses were not strange occurrences worldwide, the steps taken when they happen should be of utmost importance, reiterating that as of now, the TCN has the capacity to wheel all the power generated within the country.

“Since I came , there has been no system collapse apart from the one that happened around 11.45am on Sunday and it was one of the fastest collapses to be fixed at such a fast pace. Within 40 minutes, the system was restored again.

“In every country, you have system collapses and it’s not something that’s strange just like war. People have been talking about it. We don’t want it to happen, but it does

happen.

“The most important thing is the steps taken when it happens and six months is a long period because for six months , there was no system collapse. In these six months , we have had a lot of achievements,” he stated.

Abdulaziz stressed that he has now been able to acquire some spare parts, reason some projects in Akure, Lagos and Jigawa were recently commissioned.

Yultide: FCT Police Read Riot Act to Criminals Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

As the Yultide approaches, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command yesterday warned criminals operating in the territory to desist from their nefarious activities or face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking at a media briefing at the command, the FCT Commisioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, warned criminals to

steer clear off the territory or face the consequences of their actions.

He also warned against the use of fireworks within the territory.

He said the command had deployed personnel in and around FCT to ensure law and order.

“The security of the Federal Capital Territory remains the crux of our mandate as an institution,

hence, we have mapped out strategies to effectively perform our responsibilities especially in view of the approaching Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“In this regard, the command has massively deployed personnel to flashpoints in and around the FCT. As a follow up to this, we have intensified vehicular and foot patrols, diligent stop and search

operations, intelligence-based crime fighting strategies and constant raids on blackspots especially drug spots”, he said.

He maintained that in line with the global paradigm shift in policing, the command has continued to improve upon its community policing strategies by regularly engaging the community to provide actionable intelligence for proactive policing within the FCT.

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Universities to Reopen Soon, Says FG Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government yesterday said public universities

in the country would soon reopen for academic activities like their private counterparts.

Minister of Education,

Umahi Sacks Appointees from Anyim’s LGA Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki T The feud between Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Pius Anyim, has taken a new dimension with the governor sacking most of his political appointees from Ivo Local Government Area of the state.

One of Umahi’s former allies, Anyim, is from Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area.

The sack comes barely 24 hours after Mr Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, wrote an open letter to Umahi and copied President Muhammadu Buhari and heads of security agencies in the country.

In the said letter, Anyim accused Mr Umahi of plotting to kill him, among other issues he raised.

The letter was a reaction

to an earlier accusation by Mr Umahi that Mr Anyim, who is also a former senate president, was plotting with other top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the state to unleash violence on the state.

Mr Umahi had last week named the other persons allegedly in league with Mr Anyim as Obinna gba and Sam Egwu – both serving senators – and Acting Southeast Zonal Vice Chairperson of the PDP in the Southeast, Ali Odefa.

He said they were plotting with cultists and IPOB members to make the state ungovernable.

The governor and his former political allies have fallen out following the governor’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The sack of the appointees appears to be a fallout of the brewing feud between the duo.

Adamu Adamu, said this at the inauguration of the federal government team to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement between the government and universities – based unions yesterday in Abuja.

The committee is headed

by Prof Munzali Jibril, ProChancellor, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities.

The minister said significant progress has been recorded in its negotiations with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and others, to resolve the outstanding issues that led to the current industrial action in public universities.

He said the present administration was committed to finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the education sector, and most especially, the university subsector.

According to the minister, the federal government is determined, within available

resources, to provide the requisite environment, infrastructure as well as improve the conditions of service for all categories of staff in Nigerian universities.

“As you are quite aware, the federal government and relevant stakeholders, in the past months, have been neck deep in several meetings with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and others, to resolve the outstanding issues that led to the current industrial action in public universities.

“It is noteworthy that although most of residual issues were part of the comprehensive agreement reached with the previous administration, I can report that significant progress has, so far, been recorded and there is an opportunity that our public universities, like their private counterparts, will soon reopen for academic activities.

“Let me re-affirm the commitment of the present administration to finding lasting solutions to the

challenges confronting the education sector, and most especially, the university sub-sector. Government is determined to, within available resources, provide the requisite environment, infrastructure as well as improve the conditions of service for all categories of staff in Nigerian universities.”

The minister stated that government, like other stakeholders, was worried about the “vicious cycle over the years of the myriad of industrial actions by one staff union or the other.”

Adamu added: “The cumulative effect has been the obvious loss of productive and precious man-hours direly needed by the universities to fulfill their tripod mandates of teaching, research and community action. All these have impacted negatively on our learning outcomes and the reputation of the Nigerian brand, which hitherto was the pride of the nation.

“The federal government team

is expected to take another look at the 2009 Agreements reached with the university-based Unions and work with each Union towards making farreaching recommendations that would reposition the Nigerian university system. It has also become necessary and urgent that all hands must now be on deck to restore the confidence reposed in university education by students, parents and the general public.”

On his part, Jibril assured the minister that the team would deliver on the assignment.

He said: “I will like to assure you that with this revamped, reinvigorated team, we shall swing into action immediately and within the shortest possible time we shall deliver on the assignment.

“The period of our assignment will be very brief because we have done a substantial amount of work and all that needs to be done is to conclude the negotiation and submit a report.

NASU Laments Delay in Conclusion of Negotiations with FG Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of universities has expressed worry over the delay in the conclusion of renegotiations between federal government and unions in the tertiary institutions.

The concern by the union came just as it said that its members working in federal government-owned research institutes in the country might be forced to commence industrial action if after two weeks, government fails to pay the 12 months salary arrears owed them.

Addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that took place yesterday, the National President of NASU, Makolo Hassan, said that it had become necessary to urge federal government to prevail on the renegotiation committees to conclude negotiations in various sectors.

“The committees constituted by the federal government for the universities and inter-university centres, the polytechnics and the Colleges of Education have refused to conclude their assignment several years after they were constituted. This is unhealthy for the sustenance of industrial peace and uninterrupted academic calendar in our tertiary institutions,” he said.

Hassan said that for over 10 years now, federal government has failed to honour the agreement it freely entered into with the Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU) as contained in the year 2010.

Among the unresolved issues are payment of 12 months arrears of 53.37 per cent salary increase, earned allowances, implementation of 65 years retirement age for research staff as obtainable in the universities.

Burial for Tunji Kolawole The remains of the late Mr. Tunji Kolawole, who died on October 26, will be interred tomorrow in Lagos.

The funeral rites began yesterday with a service of songs at the Holy Trinity Anglican church, Ilasamaja Road , Mushin.

Today at the same church a Christian wake will take place before tomorrow’s funeral service and the interment which will be at Abaranje Road, Ikotun Lagos.

The late Mr Kolawole, 67, worked as an Administrative/ Personnel manager with the Daily Times in the late 1970s till the early 1990s when he left for private business which he

engaged in until his demise.

He left behind his wife and three children among others.

Mr.Tunji Kolawole

WE NEED OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left) and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, after Ogie’s swearing-in at the Government House, Benin City...yesterday

Assistant Commissioner of Police Axed to Death in Calabar An Assistant Commissioner of Police serving in No. 73 PMF Squadron, Magumeri, Borno State, ACP Egbe Eko Edum, has been reportedly axed to death in Calabar, Cross River State capital by unknown men.

The attack took place in the early hours yesterday at

about 1:00 am along Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar by Pepsi depot, sources said.

Police Public Relations Officer of Cross River State Command, DSP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident saying that the late officer came into Calabar to see his family but

arrived late at night hours.

“He dropped off from a public transport and had called his wife to pick him up before he was attacked by the unknown men. We are investigating the incident and the family has recovered the body from the seen,” the PPRO explained.

She reiterated that the deceased “is an Assistant Commissioner of Police who serves in Borno State; he is not serving here. I think he was coming to see his family here in Cross River, he arrived in Calabar at about 1am when the incident happened.”

Emir to Osinbajo: We will Follow You Wherever You Go The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd), has conferred on Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo the traditional title of Madugu Jihan Nasarawa (Leader and Captain), saying that that the people of Nasarawa have resolved to following him to anywhere he goes as a worthy leader and true democrat.

Speaking when he received, in his palace, the vice president, who was in the state for a working visit, the monarch said that the traditional title conferred on the Vice President followed due consultation with the state traditional council, describing Osinbajo as worthy recipient of the title.

He said: “After due consultations with all brothers that are seated, we have

decided to confer on you a traditional title, please accept it. And the title that is carefully selected, in Hausa, it is called Madugu Jihan Nasarawa.

Madugu means a leader and a captain. Today, you are the captain of Nasarawa State; as you pilot the affairs of Nigeria, you also pilot the affairs of Nasarawa State as the captain of the state.

“As from today, we will continue to follow you wherever you go as our leader and the captain of the state.

Thank you for accepting this honour and I will take this singular privilege to decorate you a little with some part of this traditional title conferred on you.”

Responding to the honour, Osinbajo commended the Nasarawa State Traditional

Council for the honouring him, noting that though “our country is in a period of great challenges because of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and also on the aspect of security, this is a time of great opportunity; everywhere we look, the potential is there and we surely can reap this potential.”

The vice president said that his visit to Nasarawa State was in support of the State’s realization of its aspirations of becoming a better place, adding President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is doing a lot to better the lots of most Nigerians.

The VP said: “We are here to do a number of things just as the governor has said. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have realised the importance

of healthcare and there is no gainsaying the fact that we need more sophisticated institutions, better equipped medical facilities; we just need more and more.”

Meanwhile, the Vice President who also commissioned a number of projects including the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic and Research Centre in the state during his working visit, expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome all its challenges.

According to him the conceptualisation and completion of the world class centre for infectious diseases diagnosis and research, wholly by indigenous experts is a landmark achievement and yet another proof that Nigeria can be ranked among great and prosperous nations.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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#EndSARS: Traditional Rulers Push for Dialogue to Resolve Youth Grievances Sanwo-Olu receives delegates from national council of traditional rulers Traditional rulers across the country have lent their voice to the call on the youth who staged the recent nationwide protests against police brutality

to embrace dialogue in resolving their grievances.

The monarchs, under the aegis of Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers, said

Okoracha: Nigerians are Angry with Their Leaders Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The senator representing Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Chief Rochas Okoracha, yesterday said Nigerians were angry with their leaders, hence there was no peaceful coexistence for decision makers to make the right decisions.

Okoracha stated this in the Government House, Lafia while fielding questions from journalists shortly after commiserating with the government and people of Nasarawa State over the murder of the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Philip Tatari Shekwo.

Describing Shekwo as a kind gentleman, the former governor of Imo State added that the good thing was that the culprits behind the murder of the late APC chieftain have been arrested.

He said: “There seems to

be a separation between the govern and the governed. The governed are so angry against the govern and for that reason, there is no peaceful coexistence and so decision makers can not make the right decision.”

“Most frankly, what happened in Borno is an insult to the nation. I see it as an insult to our nation and the nation should do anything it can to stop such killings.

“So we must wake up as a nation, as a people, as a government and tackle this security issue for once and for all so that this type of insult does not continue to repeat itself in this generation.”

The federal lawmaker advised President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt hire and fire style of governance so that those who are not doing well should be fired, and those who are doing well should be kept.

although the protests were organised for good reasons, the violent outcome of the demonstration, they submitted, pushed the nation to the edge and threatened the peace.

The council of traditional rulers stated its position on Wednesday when its delegation paid a solidarity visit to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the destruction in the State.

Etsu of Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who led the delegation to the State House, Marina, said the visit to Lagos - the epicentre of the EndSARS protest - followed

the decision reached on the November 3 meeting of the Council jointly chaired by Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife, noting that the Council was disturbed by violent attack on traditional institutions and the level of destruction visited on the government- and privateowned assets.

The monarch said the nation had learnt both good and harsh lessons in the violence that followed the protests, urging the protesters and political leaders to dialogue.

He said: “We have come here to express our concern about the violent event that

erupted from the EndSARS protests in Lagos and to also put our feelings forward to offer suggestions on the way forward. We acknowledge that there are a lot of shortcomings and misgivings in the system, but misinformation and negative bias that accompanied the agitations fueled the violence we witnessed.

“The reason for the protest was very genuine and reasonable. Unfortunately, the demonstration was overtaken by groups who didn’t believe in peace and unity of this country.

So many lessons were learnt both in positive and negative

ways. As leaders who believe in peace, we owe people of this country a duty to ensure the lessons are taken by the political class. It is on this ground that we come physically to show our solidarity to the governor over the losses.”

Abubakar said that despite the violence, the government had not reneged on its promise to grant the five-point demands of the protesters. This commitment, Etsu of Nupe pointed out, should be seen as an olive branch to the youths to embrace dialogue rather than returning to public protests to press home their demands.

Constitution to Recognise Magistrates as Judicial Officers, Says Gbajabiamila Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured that the House would address the reason why magistrates are not referred to as judicial officers in Section 318 of the Nigeria’s constitution.

Gbajabiamila also pledged the readiness of the House to address some of the challenges faced by magistrates across the

country.

He explained to a team of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) that paid him a visit yesterday that situation where magistrates have poor working conditions would not augur well for the judiciary, considering the enormous task before them.

He said: ‘’We just started the amendment (of the constitution).

We’ll look at it and bring it in conformity with the best

practices in the world. We would do everything we can to address that issue. ‘’I’m just surprised at your condition of work. Obviously, something needs to be done.

Based on what you said, something clinical has to be done. I wonder why the situation is like this. We know your work.

We know how much you put in this profession. ‘’You talked about the fact that your laws are obsolete.

We will work with the relevant committees to begin to look at those laws. Help us write something so that we can review it. We need your inputs.

In terms of your salary structure, that’s very important because of the sensitivity of the work you do. All the issues that you brought up are important to the administration of criminal justice. The earlier you get these things across to us the better for us all.”

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Pope, Diri Condemn Borno Killings Pope Francis and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday condemned Saturday’s massacre of farmer in Borno State.

“I want to assure my prayers for Nigeria, where blood has unfortunately been spilled once more in a terrorist attack,” he

said in his weekly general audience.

Remembering those who he said were “brutally killed” by Boko Haram insurgents, the Pope said, “May God welcome them in his peace and comfort their families, and convert the hearts of those who commit

IMF: Corruption Hinders Humanitarian Relief to Developing Nations

similar atrocities, which gravely offend his name.”

“With evangelical dedication, and running great risks, they were bringing food and medication to the displaced and were helping poorer families.

These women lived their faith with great generosity. They are an example for everyone to become faithful missionary disciples,” he said.

On his part, Diri described the killings as unconscionable The governor in a condolence message to Governor Babagana Zulum and the people of

Borno State, said the mindless massacre of defenceless citizens of the state was highly condemnable.

His spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that the governor commiserated with the people of Borno over the unfortunate loss of lives.

He noted that the bloodletting in the North East and Borno in particular was of concern to other sections of the country and indeed the Niger Delta.

Diri called on the military and other security agencies to

redouble their effort in order to end the scourge of insecurity that is ravaging that part of the country.

He further noted that security is too important to be politicised as all hands and efforts needed to be galvanised to make the country safer for everyone.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, I extend our deep sympathy to Governor Babagana Zulum and our brothers in Borno State.

“The mindless and unconscionable massacre

of over 40 rice farmers by bloodthirsty terrorists in Zabarmari community in Borno State is highly condemnable.

“The bloodletting and human carnage in the North East, and Borno in particular, is of serious concern to us in the Niger Delta. We share in your pain. Insecurity has no borders.

“Human life is precious.

Those who take pleasure in destroying what they cannot create have a date with the owner of our lives,” Governor Diri said.

World Bank updates to enforce gender-based violence rules Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has restated the defective role corruption plays in denying poor people in developing nations access to humanitarian relief.

The Fund’s Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva stated that corruption is a barrier to poor nations for humanitarian relief, adding that it weakens the impact of governance policies.

The IMF chief spoke at the 9th International AntiCorruption Conference (IACC) in South Korea with the theme, “Designing 2030: Truth, Trust & Transparency.”

The conference focused on the role of transparency in the fight against pandemics.

She warned that the world is in a period of mass distrust of government, citing people refusing to respond to Covid-19 measure, even as she quoted a former World Bank Group President, James Wolfensohn, who said “corruption diverts resources from the poor to the rich, increases the cost of running businesses, distorts public expenditures, and deters foreign investors.

She stressed that corruption is a barrier to inclusive development in developing nations.

“It erodes the constituency for aid programmes and humanitarian relief. And we all know that it is a major barrier to sound and equitable development,” she said.

The IMF chief added that focusing on transparency is important in the fight against the

pandemic since it has worsened economic recoveries globally.

Every dime has to be counted for by developing economies.

Georgieva disclosed that the IMF was taking up the role in the fight against corruption, especially during the pandemic.

She stated: “And we have sought to balance the need for accountability and transparency against the need to disburse financing very quickly so doctors and nurses can be paid, and the most vulnerable people can be protected. Some of you may have heard me saying, spend what you need but keep the receipts. Accountability cannot take a back seat in this crisis.

“First, all countries receiving emergency financing from the IMF must accept a safeguards assessment of the central bank.

This is an IMF assessment of a central bank’s governance and control framework to ensure that it can manage IMF resources properly,’’ she said.

According to her, the IMF has six areas where it helps in the fight against corruption, including fiscal governance, financial sector oversight, central bank governance, market regulation, rule of law and anti-money laundering “They are fiscal governance, financial sector oversight, central bank governance, market regulation, rule of law and anti-money laundering. We also look at transnational aspects through assessments of national frameworks to limit opportunities for corruption through foreign bribery or laundering of proceeds of corruption.

Insurgency: NAF Takes Delivery of New Helicopter Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of a second Mi-171E Helicopter acquired by the federal government from Serbia.

The Ilyushin 76 Strategic Airlifter aircraft that brought the brand new helicopter touched down at NAF Base Makurdi at exactly 3.15p.m. yesterday.

The Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Olusegun Philip, received the new aircraft on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

A combined team of NAF personnel and technical support staff from the equipment vendor were also on hand to assist in offloading the new aircraft, some parts of which came in

crates.

In addition, officials of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service were present to ensure necessary documentation.

The new aircraft which is the second of 2 Mi-171E helicopters procured by the current federal government, brings to 23 the total number of brand new aircraft acquired since 2015.

A statement by NAF said the new aircraft would undoubtedly boost NAF’s contributions in the fight against insurgency, armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country.

It said the new aircraft would be assembled in Makurdi by a team from the equipment vendor, assisted by NAF technicians, prior to test-flying and formal induction into the NAF.

I FEEL YOUR GRIEF...

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN (left). and former Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, during the governor’s condolence visit to the former senator over the death of his wife, Amaka, in Calabar…yesterday

#EndSARS: Panel Summons Yerima over Alleged Connivance, Torture, Detention of Trader Alex Enumah in Abuja The Independent Investigative Panel on alleged human rights violation by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police yesterday summoned former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Ahmad Yerima, over alleged complicity in the alleged violation of the human rights of businessman.

Yerima is to appear before the panel on January 12, 2021

to answer to allegations that he mobilised some Police Officers to arrest, torture and detain a Katsina State businessman, Alhaji Musa Wapa over a claim of N23million.

The summon was sequel to an application for joinder by the complainant, Alhaji Wapa.

According to the panel, Yerima’s name was mentioned severally in Wapa’s complaint before it, hence the application

by Alhaji Wapa on the need for the Sanator to join him

as a necessary party is hereby”granted as prayed”.

The complainant testified how Yerima used the IGPIntelligence Response Team to deny him the payment of N25 million for three trailers of maize he supplied to his farm, Rufai Poultry (Nigeria) Ltd. In his examination before the 11-Man panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd), the complainant, informed the panel that Yerima owed him the sum of N25m even as he

admitted that he (Wapa) also owe the Senator N23m.

Continuing, he quickly added that while Yerima’s debt was due for payment, the obligation to pay his own debt is not yet due as at June 30th, 2020 when the Senator allegedly paid N3m to the police team comprising of Abdullahi and Zakariyya of Area Command Kano State and IGP-IRT Panteka, Kaduna state to torture and detain him for six days.

Bullion Van Attacks: Odumosu Warns Bank Officials against Conspiracy, Others Chiemelie Ezeobi Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned officials of the various commercial banks against conspiracy and other security lapses that have led to armed robbery attacks.

He specifically warned Cash In Transit (CIT) officials mostly suspected to have exhibited some unprofessional conducts in the attacks of bullion vans

in Lagos recently.

The police boss was said to have addressed the officials on Tuesday at the police command in Ikeja, where he frowned at the lackadaisical attitudes of banks and financial institutions to securing their facilities and cash in transit.

According to a statement by spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Odumosu recalled the attack on a bullion van at Langbasa-Ajah area of Lagos

State recently, where there was no adequate and/or official deployment of men for such movement.

“The two policemen allegedly on the escort movement were procured illegally and without the knowledge of the command.

This kind of a movement is condemned and unacceptable in totality.

“Moving forward, the police boss stressed that security must be provided for all bank facilities

and CIT movements as the command will not tolerate kangaroo security arrangement for cash in transit in the state.”

Adejobi added “The police boss also directed that Standard Operating Procedure on Species Escort (movement of valuables) must be sustained; noting that there must be minimum of two operational vehicles conveying fully armed policemen escorting a bullion van which must be fully armoured.

Amotekun Arrests Suspected Killers of Ondo First Class Monarch James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Security Agency, Amotekun, yesterday announced that it has arrested the suspected killers of the Traditional Ruler of Ifon, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Isreal Adeusi, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

Adeusi was killed last Thursday by suspected kidnappers between Elegbeka and Ifon on Owo-Benin

Highway, while returning from a meeting in Akure.

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the arrest of the suspects while briefing journalists at the Akure office of the security agency.

Adeleye said the identity of the suspects would not be made public because of ongoing investigation into the killing.

He said the suspects, were arrested by a combine team of

security operatives that stormed Elegbaka forest after the killing of the monarch.

The commander also disclosed that four kidnap victims were rescued during the pursuit of Oba Adeusi’s killers.

Adeleye also debunked the insinuations that his men were not in the bush, adding that surveillance has been mounted at the farm of Mr. Olu Falae to prevent further attack on the

farm by suspected herdsmen.

He explained that the “Operation Clean Up,” which was launched on Tuesday had led to the arrest of more than 20 suspects from various black spots in Akure and its environs.

Some of the suspects, according to him, were caught in the act of committing robbery, insisting that the operation was meant to take the war to the criminals in their various hide outs in the city or the forest.

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THURSDAYDECEMBER 3, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

European Teams Do Not Trust African Goalkeepers, Says Aiyenugba Nigeria’s Dele Aiyenugba, who won two African Champions League titles with Enyimba, said yesterday that European clubs do not trust black goalkeepers previously but admits things are gradually changing.

The 37-year-old believes there is a misconception that black keepers lack technique, which has made it difficult for Africans to get signed by clubs in Europe.

Like Vincent Enyeama, Nigeria’s most-capped and successful goalkeeper, Aiyenugba established himself in Israel during a 13-year stint but was not able to follow his compatriot with a move to Western Europe.

“It’s not as easy as people think, because I tried leaving

Israel but faced the usual problem about lack of trust,” Aiyenugba, who is now back in Nigeria with Kwara United, told BBC Sport Africa.

“The big challenge is that European clubs don’t believe in African goalkeepers.

“We are blessed with great positioning and reflexes, but they often say we don’t have great technique. Back then things were difficult because you pack power in your legs but lack the required technique to excel.

“You also had to be playing in the national team to earn some attention or respect but now it’s much better.

“You can play a youth tournament and catch the eye but the lack of trust was

obviously a big challenge.

“You often have to work extra hard to make it to European football then you find out on getting there that it’s not so easy to convince top European clubs.”

Aiyenugba is now back in the Nigerian Premier League with Kwara United, where he began his career before enjoying success at Enyimba during a six year stint.

He was in the Enyimba squad which won the African

Champions League in 2003 and 2004.

The hero of the continental success in 2004 when Enyimba defeated Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in a penalty shoot-out to equal the 36-year-old record of Tout-Puissant Englebert as the only side to successfully retain the Champions League title.

He moved to Bnei Yehuda in 2007 as a replacement for Enyeama and played for Hapoel Ashkelon, Hapoel Iksal

and Hapoel Afula before his departure in January.

Aiyenugba believes things are gradually changing thanks to the black African goalkeepers now playing in top leagues in Europe.

“I think now things are changing. You can see African goalkeepers making waves in other top European league unlike in the past,” he added.

“Chelsea’s first choice (Edouard Mendy) is a Senegalese. Ajax have had a

Cameroonian (Andre Onana) in goal for a while now.

“It’s a positive sign that things are beginning to look up for African goalkeepers.

Now a lot of academies are springing up in Africa and emulating Cameroon who have always produced top goalkeepers.

“You just need to keep pushing yourself and show what you’re capable of doing to earn trust and confidence.”

Pinnick to Hand over Sporting Facilities to Hussey College on Friday President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, will on Friday donate brand new sporting facilities and blocks of classrooms to his alma mater, the famous Hussey College in Warri, Delta State.

The ceremonial handing over is expected to be witnessed by top personalities in sports and government.

Pinnick, in his second term as President of the NFF, a former 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and presently Member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions, is presenting the facilities to his former college as part of activities to mark his Golden Jubilee anniversary.

“Hussey College has an intimidating pedigree when it comes to sports. The school has produced a long list of the nation’s real icons in football and other sports, as well as juggernauts in other fields of human endeavour. I am proud to be able to do something for this great institution.

“On Friday, I will be presenting to the school a new football field with a sitting pavillion that has plastic seats, as well as a new volleyball court and two fully –furnished blocks of classrooms,” Pinnick said.

In addition, Pinnick will also be presenting to the school authorities four sets of Hussey College customised football jerseys and balls, as well as

Amaju Pinnick...hoping for glory days of Hussey College

four sets of volleyball jerseys and balls.

Hussey College, one of the most renowned secondary institutions of learning in the country, has churned out distinguished personalities in sports, banking, commerce, education, law, engineering, entertainment, the military, economics, media and persons who went on to become monarchs.

Former Nigerian international players Thompson Usiyen, Jossy Dombraye, Clement Temile, Mike Obiku, Morten Owolo, Ebiyon Dediare, Ogbein Fawole, Kenneth Nwamuocha, Victor Ighedosa, Humphrey Djebah and Makpor Dibofun all passed through Hussey College.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Krasnodar 1-0 Rennes Sevilla 0-4 Chelsea Dortmund 1-1 Lazio Club Brugge 3-0 Zenit Ferencvaros 0-3 Barca Juventus 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv Basaksehir 3-4 Leipzig Man Utd 1-3 PSG

EUROPA LEAGUE (Today) CFR Cluj Roma Arsenal Molde Nice Sl’Prague Benfica Rangers Granada Omonia AZ Alkmaar Sociedad AEK Athens Zorya AC Milan Lille Qarabag Sivasspor LASK Antwerp CSKA Feyenoord Crvena Gent

v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

CSKA Sofia Young Boys Rapid Wien Dundalk Leverkusen B’Sheva Poznan S’Liege PSV PAOK FC Napoli Rijeka Braga Leicester Celtic Sp’Prague M’Tel Aviv Villarreal Tottenham Ludogorets Wolfsburg D’Zagreb Hoffenheim Sl’Liberec

Dele Aiyenugba...believes European clubs don’t trust black keepers

CBN Governor’s Golf Tournament to Comply with PTF Protocols Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja The 13th edition of the CBN

Governor’s Golf Tournament, scheduled to tee off at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja on Saturday will be organised in conformity with the sports codes and protocol approved by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for the resumption of non-contact sports in Nigeria.

The assurance was made yesterday by the Acting Director Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Osita C. Nwanisobi while briefing the media on the annual golf tournament.

The protocol put in place are meant to gradually restart

sports after over eight-month of abrupt disruption to sporting activities by the pandemic.

In line with the protocol on prevention of Covid-19, organisers of the tournament said provision will be made for soap, running water and alcohol- based hand sanitisers on the golf course, while players are to observe two metres physical distancing rule.

Also, infrared thermometers will be made available for screening of players and guests at the club.

Nwanisobi expressed the pleasure of management of the apex bank that the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup has become an important feature

in the calendar of events of IBB Golf Club.

“Though the global sporting calendar for 2020 has been greatly disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, I am glad to note that it has not affected the scheduling of this year’s edition of the tournament.

“However, in organizing the tournament, we shall abide by the sports codes and protocol approved by the PTF for the resumption of non-contact sports in Nigeria,” he assured.

He stressed the objective of sponsoring the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup, which began in 2007, is to create an ambiance for recreation for distinguished personalities in government, the organised

private sector, elder statesmen, and members of the diplomatic corps, who are golfers.

The various categories in which trophies and prizes will be competed for by golfers include include Men’s Category 1 (Handicap 0 – 14); Men’s Category 2 (Handicap 15-28); Gross (Men); Ladies’ Category 1 (Handicap 0 -20); Ladies’ Category 2 (Handicap 21 -30); CBN Staff Category, CBN retired staff Category and CBN Guests Category.

Others include: Veterans Category for men and ladies; Auxiliary prizes for Nearest to the Pin for ladies, Men and CBN Staff; Longest Drive for ladies, men and CBN staff.

The overall winner will carts away the best nett prize.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Porto Coach Heaps Plaudits on Sanusi, Others over Draw with City FC Porto Coach Sergio Conceicao has praised Zaidu Sanusi and other players who helped the Portuguese champions to qualify for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League only on their debut.

Porto held Manchester City

to a goalless draw Tuesday night to guarantee runners-up spot in the group with 10 points from five matches.

“We achieved qualification with an impressive series of games on our part,” praised coach Conceicao.

“We cannot forget to look

at our XI and see Nanu, Zaidu, Manafá, Evanilson, Fábio Vieira…to see all these people with little experience in the Champions League and where they were a short time ago.

“There is a great organisation to my team; our goal was

achieved on full merit.”

Zaidu was again impressive for Porto Tuesday and even cleared on the goalline to ensure another clean sheet for his team.

Last week, he netted his first Champions League goal at Olympique Marseille.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Ndume to Federal Government

“You pay and people don’t have the arms. I can tell you that people fighting war are sharing ammunition. They have no arms or proper kits. I have gone round. I have not seen a Nigerian soldier holding a new AK47. Last week, some people came to me in Abuja and asked for money to help them pay their dues to Boko Haram terrorists before they can harvest their crops” —Senator Ali Ndume lamenting the insecurity in Borno State

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Zabarmari Turning Point T

here is no worse position for a leader than when ardent supporters and implacable opponents sing from the same hymn book. That precisely is where President Muhammadu Buhari is today. On Tuesday, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) demanded the president’s resignation for his inability to tackle mounting security challenges in the country. “In civilized nations, leaders who fail so spectacularly to provide security will do the honourable thing and resign,” they said in the strongly worded statement signed by spokesman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

When NEF and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) join ‘Afenifere’ and ‘Ohanaeze’ in the company of ‘Wailers’, you know, as the saying goes, that ‘Water don pass garri’! On top of that, both the President of Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan and the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila have also jettisoned conventional wisdom that to whom you can whisper, you do not need to shout.

That is the import of the resolutions passed by the two chambers of National Assembly on Tuesday. Following the Senate resolution, Lawan warned in an uncharacteristically stern note: “These are not frivolous or imaginary resolutions. They are based on the reality in the country. Enough of excuses; those who have nothing to offer in terms of securing the country should be shown the way out.”

Senators are well aware that the power to hire and fire lies with the president and that their resolution is meaningless in the context of the constitution we operate under.

But they know what they are doing. The resolution was more for the public record which is why they are asking that it be implemented “immediately”. The senators also demanded a restructure of the nation’s security architecture while calling on the president to institute a probe into allegations of corruption against military top hierarchy.

The House of Representatives on its part has asked the president to appear before them in plenary to explain what he is doing to address the worsening security situation in the country.

As the president continues to dig in, there is no likelihood he will take any of the options proffered by the National Assembly. But he is not helping himself by staking the security of the nation on four men who, in the estimation of Nigerians, have failed to justify their extended tenure. It’s worse for the president given insinuations as to why these men are untouchable, even when they serve at his pleasure. We may need to look to other climes to understand what is going on. The factors that drive appointments in a presidential system of government, according to Jeff Neal, a retired Chief Human Capital Officer for the United States Department of Homeland Security, may make firing an appointee messy. “For example, firing someone whose appointment was made to appease a particular special interest may create a political backlash for an administration.

Appointees know that, and sometimes push the boundaries because they know it gives them some small degree of job security,” Neal wrote.

We do not know the nature of the relationship

Governor Zulum of Borno state, leads kinsmen to bury the slain farmers between the president and these military officers but it is not likely that he will act on the recommendation of the Senate or that of the majority of Nigerians who believe that they have overstayed their welcome.

Yet, following the massacre last weekend of dozens of rice farmers in Zabarmari at the outskirts of Maiduguri, something has to give. The immediate former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shetima who sponsored the motion in the upper chamber said 67 farmers were beheaded. The only ‘crime’ committed by these farmers was that they were trying to earn an honest living for themselves and their families.

Whether the president realises it or not, a vast section of our country is gradually being ceded to sundry criminal cartels. Sadly, all we hear are excuses without any serious attempt to address the challenge. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told the BBC on Monday that the slain farmers required military clearance to farm and never secured one. Here are his words: “The government is sad that this tragic incident has happened.

43 or thereabout of innocent farm workers, most of them had their throats slit by a heartless band of terrorists. People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area. Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields.”

Asked by the reporter whether he was blaming the farmers, Shehu responded: “Not exactly but the truth has to be said. Was there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activity? I have been told by the military leaders that they had not been so advised and certainly, therefore, it was a window that the terrorists exploited…The military is not present in every inch of space in that area. Even if the people are willing to go back, a lot of those areas have been mined

and mine clearance needs to be carried out and those areas must be cast as being ok for human habitation or agricultural activity.”

While Shehu has clarified his statement and reassured Nigerians that he was not blaming the victims, and I believe him, it is also clear that the presidential spokesman was regurgitating excuses offered by a military high command that has failed. A situation where citizens will need military clearance to engage in legitimate business is the ultimate vote of no confidence in a democratic leader.

There is a discerning pattern that makes many question the judgement of the president.

Tackling insecurity was one of his three cardinal promises before he was first elected in 2015.

The second is fighting corruption. In the first, he has saddled himself with incompetent and seemingly irreplaceable military officers. The same way he failed to relieve ‘Mr Transmission’ of his job as Inspector General of Police until Nigerians were poised to carry placards. On the anti-corruption front, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not had a substantive chairman in the past five years. Now we have an acting chairman acting for a suspended acting chairman! Weeks after a panel set up to investigate the suspended acting chairman submitted its report, there is no word from the president.

But the issue at hand is national security.

More than anybody else, one would expect President Buhari to understand the implication of an indefinite tenure for any military officer.

In a regimented service, as I also wrote last year, there is no greater incentive for professional excellence than one’s aspiration to reach the top. Yet from 2016 to date, well over 100 Major Generals and their equivalents in both the Navy and Airforce have been retired due to a lack of vacancy at the top. It is worth repeating that after 35 years, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin should have retired from the army on 18th December 2016 (four years ago). The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar, ought to have retired on 15th May 2017 (three and a half years ago) while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas should have left the Navy since

1st January 2018 (three years on first day of next month). The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai was also due for retirement on 17th December 2018.

These clearly are not motivated officers. They are people who have nothing to lose, which is reflected in their priorities. As I wrote last year, victory on the battlefield depends on the commander. If he is one that can inspire hope, has earned the trust of his troops and is committed to their welfare, the battle is half-won. The converse is the case if the commander is neither motivated nor trusted by his troops. In the years since Nigeria has been engaged in a war against the Boko Haram insurgency that is ‘technically defeated’, we have focused on (and derided) the capacity of our fighting troops. Commanders have been allowed a free pass, despite sundry allegations of impropriety against many of them. “If the president insists that the security chiefs are doing their work well, then the logical implication of such assumption is that the president himself as the constitutional commander-in-chief of the country has failed in his most rudimentary assignment of securing the nation”, Senator Shettima said in his lead debate on Tuesday.

With many of the northern governors reduced to undertakers whose main schedule of duty is to bury innocent citizens killed by insurgents or bandits, they are also strident in putting the blame for their woes on the federal government. That means inaction is no longer acceptable on the part of President Buhari. These were the words of Shettima at the Senate: “Last weekend’s beheading happened about 20 kilometers from Maiduguri.

Boko Haram insurgents are virtually ruling all our rural areas. They kill and abduct people at will. They’re targeting farmers and this will create hunger in the North.

Government officials keep saying that Boko Haram has been technically defeated. This claim is not true.”

The Governor of Katsina, the home state of the president, has expressed similar sentiment following several killings and abductions of innocent citizens by bandits. It is the same in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

Since security is the primary responsibility of government, no excuse is good enough for the current state of our nation that is practically under the gun.

Leadership, according to Stanford University Emeritus Professor, James G. March, “involves plumbing and poetry” because the basic job is to inspire and influence. Doing both does not require a huge effort but President Buhari seems too disinterested to care. He appears intentionally aloof and almost always distant, leaving others to make excuses for him or fill the gap. When a leader maintains a chasm between himself and the people he governs, as President Buhari has done for most of his tenure, it will be difficult for him to build trust with the people. And once a leader loses the trust of his people, all is lost for him.

For Nigeria, the amber light is on. Whether it will turn green or red depends on the choices President Buhari makes now.

NOTE: Please see ‘Umahi’s Chapter One’ on page 15

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