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With Decentralisation, NIMC Targets 200m NIN Registration Allays fears over SIM card deactivation James Emejo in Abuja The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) yesterday shed more light on the licensing of 203 public and private sectors

agents to register people for National Identity Number (NIN), saying with the decentralisation of the process, 200 million Nigerians would be registered within five years.

It said the exercise,

which raised the number of registration centres nationwide from 1,000 to 10,000, is meant to ease the bottlenecks in capturing more Nigerians on the national identity database.

The commission explained

that adequate arrangements have been made to capture the data of 200 million Nigerians within the next five years.

It also allayed fears over the two-week deadline for deactivating Subscribers

Identity Module (SIM) cards that are not linked with users’ NIN. It added that the steps taken so far to ensure that all subscribers have NIN in their SIM cards are meant to

address the security challenges facing the country.

The commission said the telecommunication operators would be involved in the Continued on page 10

Sylva: Oil Market Players’ Survival Depends on Effective Cost-cutting Measures... Page 6 Friday 18 December, 2020 Vol 25. No 9384. Price: N250

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Despite Rising COVID-19 Cases, OPS Cautions against Fresh Lockdown PTF mulls review of further opening up of economy NEC worried about health facilities being overwhelmed Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja, Nume Ekeghe and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Members of the organised private sector (OPS) and

some economic analysts yesterday warned against a fresh lockdown of the economy as part of curbs to tackle the uptick in COVID-19 cases, which heralded the onset of a second wave of the pandemic.

The incidence reached a new high yesterday with data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NDDC) showing a new high of 1,145 new cases of COVID-19 that beat Wednesday's record of 930 positive cases.

Lagos remains the epicentre of the pandemic with 459 cases while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) followed with 145 incidents.

The warning came just as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

(SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, who chairs the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, warned at a press conference yesterday in Abuja that the federal government might review the decision on further opening up of the economy.

However, the National Economic Council (NEC), rising from a meeting, expressed concerns about the resurgence of COVID-19 cases overwhelming health Continued on page 46

Buhari Excited over Release of Abducted Katsina Schoolboys 344 freed, on their way from the forest, says Masari To be presented to president today Udora Orizu, Adedayo Akinwale, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina After nearly a week in captivity, freedom yesterday finally came the way of 344 schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara in Katsina State, who were abducted by bandits that raided their school last Friday.

The Katsina State Government confirmed their release, saying they are being returned to the state from Zamfara where they were kept in captivity.

Their release thrilled President Muhammadu Buhari who commended the state government and the military for a job well done.

THISDAY also gathered that the pupils might be presented today to the president, who is currently in Daura, his hometown, on a week-long private visit to the state.

Continued on page 10

MOURNING LOVED ONE...

L-R: In-law of the deceased, Mr. Folajimi Ayodeji; his wife, Tara; deceased’s son, Tomi; widow, Patricia; and her son, Tayo, during the service of songs for Prince Adedapo Ojora in Lagos...yesterday kunle ogunfuyi

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

Senate Passes 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP Pegs oil benchmark at $40 per barrel, exchange rate at N379/$1 Oil prices surge, highest in nine months

Chuks Okocha and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Senate yesterday passed the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). In the approved MTEF and FSP, the Senate pegged oil benchmark at $40 per barrel and the exchange rate at N379 to $1.

The passage coincided with the rebound of international prices of crude oil yesterday, surging above the $50 per barrel mark, the highest since March when the market started recording a downward spiral, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The passage of the document was sequel to the consideration of a harmonised conference report of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.

In his presentation, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (APC – Lagos West), said the Conference Report of the Senate and the House was a harmonised position of both chambers upon examination of the differences contained in the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP document.

According to the lawmaker, the joint committee, after deliberations, recommended that daily crude oil production be pegged at 1.86mbpd with oil benchmark price at $40 per barrel. It also projected a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 3 per cent; inflation growth rate at

11.95 per cent while the federal government is expected to retain N7.99 trillion of the revenue from the Federation Account.

In addition, total federal government proposed expenditure was pegged at N13.58 trillion; fiscal deficit at N5.60 trillion; new borrowings N4.28 trillion (including foreign and domestic borrowing); statutory transfers at N484.4 billion; debt service N3.12 trillion; sinking fund N220 billion; pension, gratuities and retirees benefits N520.6 billion; total FGN expenditure N13.58 trillion; and total recurrent (non-debt) N5.66 trillion.

Personnel costs for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) was put at N3.05 trillion; capital expenditure (exclusive of transfers) at N3.58 trillion; special intervention (recurrent) N350 billion and special intervention (capital) N20 billion.

strong hopes that the country’s lawmakers will pass the latest stimulus deal.

Brent crude futures, Nigeria’s preferred measure and pricing model , gained 0.92 per cent to close at $51.55 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate futures increased by 1 per cent to trade at $48.30, trading at their highest levels since early March.

The most recent US crude oil inventory numbers excited many oil traders enough to increase their buying momentum, keeping both oil major benchmarks above $48/barrel.

The last time oil traded

above the $50 region was on March 4, 2020, when it traded at $51.13 before the deadly blow dealt on the market by the lockdowns.

However, it is both good and bad news for Nigeria as crude oil accounts for half of the government’s income and about 90 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

In contrast, given historical figures since March when the market was deregulated, Nigerians may pay more for petrol at the pumps from January.

Since the end of October, oil has gone up more than 30 per cent on the hopes of the

rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which has led to a sustained recovery in demand, but the market is still facing some near-term hurdles including more supply from OPEC+ next month.

However, oil prices are expected to rise to an average of $44 per barrel next year and $50 a barrel in 2022, up from an expected $41 in 2020, the World Bank said in its latest report on Russia.

According to the bank, the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact global oil demand, with consumption still below pre-pandemic levels next year while oil

consumption is expected to remain around five per cent lower than in 2019 by the end of 2021.

Vaccinations in 2021 could put the global economy on a path to sustained recovery and to a decline in poverty, but risks are tilted to the downside, according to the bank.

To curtail the surging supply and curb the glut in the market, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in agreement with its non-OPEC member allies, had agreed on production curtailments since May, which have positively impacted the prices.

Oil Prices Rise to Highest in Nine Months The international prices of crude oil rebounded yesterday, surging above the $50 per barrel mark, the highest since March when the market started recording a downward spiral due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

However, the recent surge seen in oil prices is largely attributed to a substantial drop in the United States' crude oil inventories coupled with

EBORA OWU IN IBADAN...

L-R: Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; and Governor Seyi Makinde, during the visit of the former president to the governor in Ibadan…yesterday

Ngige Tackles ASUU over Delay in Ending Strike Exonerates self from lingering industrial action Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has again blamed the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for the delay in resolving its prolonged industrial action.

Ngige dismissed as baseless and dishonest, the statement by the University of Jos chapter of ASUU that he was responsible for the prolonged nationwide strike, now in its ninth month.

According to him, ASUU should rather be held responsible for the delay in resolving the dispute.

A statement by Ngige Media Office yesterday said out of compassion, the federal government paid ASUU members’ February to June salaries to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on its members.

He said the federal government further made "every entreaty to them to come on board virtual negotiations, with a view for an early call-off of the strike, to enable students benefit from virtual/online classes, fashionable at the time, and even now, all over the universal academic community, but ASUU bluntly refused."

Regarding the issue of getting a waiver on the government's no-work-nopay order, the minister said efforts to lift the order and to get payment approval for the outstanding salaries got stalled because of ASUU'S defiance to continue with the strike.

He said: “It is rather ASUU, which has bluntly refused to reciprocate the federal government’s offers by refusing to either teach, conduct researches or engage in other academic values for which they are paid that should be held responsible.

“Strangely, ASUU claims ‘patriotism’ as the basis for this prolonged industrial action, forcing every patriot to raise concern over this weird definition of patriotism by ASUU officials.

"November 27, 2020 gentleman agreement with ASUU is not ambiguous.

ASUU made a commitment to re-open the universities on or before December 9, 2020 while the Minister of Labour and Employment would get a presidential waiver for ASSU to be paid the rest of their salaries on or before December 9, 2020.

“Indeed, the meeting noted

that the Minister of Labour and Employment had consulted with the Minister of Education on getting a waiver on the issue of no-work-no-pay as stipulated in Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN ) 2004 but a reservation has been made concerning this request because of the continued ongoing strike

by ASUU.” Ngige explained that what the federal government expects of ASUU is to return to work while the government works on the memo for the settlement of the outstanding salaries of July to October.

“It is, therefore, preposterous for the University of Jos chapter of ASUU under Dr. Maigoro to refer to this concrete steps taken by the federal government as a "promissory note" with which Nigerians shouldn't expect ASUU to call off the strike,” he said, adding: “Scholars and academics are exemplified by thoughts purified by furnace of empiricist reasoning and not by jaundiced, warped and shallow rationalisations made worse by base media brickbats arising from subjective convictions.”

Ngige insisted that the

federal government has fulfilled all the demands over which ASUU went on strike on.

He said: “The visitation panels to the universities have been approved by the president and will swing into action once the universities re-open. The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on the other hand is also rounding off the gazetting of the panels while the National Universities Commission has received the approved list, which will be published later next week.

“Also, the revival of the Renegotiation Committee for the 2009 ASUU/FG Agreement demanded by ASUU has been set up by the Ministry of Education with Prof. Munzali as Chairman, replacing the ex-chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).

“The new committee is currently meeting.

“Similarly, government has also acceded to a hybrid payment platform, which is not hundred per cent IPPIS for the payment of salaries and earned academic allowances/ earned allowances, pending the result and conclusion of the integrity and usability test on the University Transparency

and Accountability Solutions (UTAS) by the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA)” The minister said the federal government has also processed for payment, N70 billion, comprising N40 billion for earned academic allowances/ earned allowances and N30 billion for revitalisation of the universities, explaining that the Accountant-General of the Federation at present awaits the accounts details from the federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission for the remittance.

He pointed out that the government has offset the shortfall in salaries payment to the staff of the Federal University of Technology, Akure and has set in motion through the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Ministry of Education, the amendment of the NUC Act to stem the proliferation of state universities, which is part of the key demands made

by ASUU. The minister also denied ASUU'S claim that the government was the one delaying the negotiations to end the strike.

According to him, “How for instance does the N70 billion already processed for earned academic allowances/earned allowances and revitalisation look promissory when the Accountant-General of the Federation has written twice to the Executive Secretary of the NUC to advise on account and mode of payment?

“How does government bending backwards to reconsider the plight of strikers, and stepping aside no-work-no-pay as contained in Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria( LFN )2 004 to pay the salaries of university teachers who refused to teach for nine months look absurd?

"ASUU members are not above the law of the land, more so when some of them are law teachers and industrial relations experts and are, therefore, expected to know better.

“Need, therefore, for students, parents and all Nigerians to evaluate the insouciance and so-called patriotism of ASUU against the determined efforts of the federal government towards the re-opening of the universities.”

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Sylva: Oil Market Players’ Survival Depends on Effective Cost-cutting Measures Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday stated that the survival of players in the oil and gas industry would depend on their ability to adopt lower cost solutions.

The minister, at the 2020 conference of the Nigeria Association of Energy Economists (NAEE) in Abuja, said the pandemic provided the opportunity for reducing costs as well as carbon emission that will transform the industry.

He added that the future and survival of many players depend not only on cleaner energy but also on the ability to deploy lower cost solutions and seek diversification from crude oil to cleaner energy.

Sylva said the country was proposing a post COVID-19 era where the transformed national oil firm will be swift to respond to oil prices fall and carbon emission reduction.

"Our strategy to strengthen the Nigerian oil and gas industry in a post-COVID world is to transform our national

Immigration Orders Dismantling of Illegal Checkpoints, Roadblocks Peter Uzoho On the heels of the reopening of four land borders by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammad Babandede, has ordered the immediate dismantling of all checkpoints and roadblocks not approved by the federal government.

Babandede also directed that only checkpoints of 10 kilometres from the approved border towns must be operational.

The comptroller-general, in a circular to all heads of directorates, zonal coordinators, command comptrollers and heads of other formations of the NIS, dated December 10, 2020, explained that the directive was in line with observations raised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC),

on the proliferation of security checkpoints and roadblocks on the highways.

He said such proliferation of security checkpoints and roadblocks had been identified as one of the reasons for loss of man-hours, increased prices of consumer goods and services and other items.

Babandede said: “While some of these checkpoints might be legal, most are not; hence the call by PEBEC on the appropriate authorities to curtail their activities.

“Consequently, I wish to reiterate the anti-corruption stance of the service in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda and, therefore, enjoin all officers and men to be professional in the discharge of their duties as severe sanctions would be meted out to anyone found wanting in the course of performing his legitimate schedules."

oil company into a diversified energy holding company to enable us respond swiftly to the twin challenges of future crash in crude oil prices and de-carbonisation by moving rapidly to becoming an energy holding company with more divested interests.

"Consequently, we have focused on our gas resources as a critical transition fuel to help battle global warming and function as a bridge between the dominant fossil fuel of today and the renewable energy of tomorrow," he said.

According to him, natural gas has the ability to meet the increasing global requirement for cleaner energy use and also

facilitate economic growth through domestic use.

He stated that gas will become an alternative to petrol and diesel to cushion the effects of deregulation on the people.

The minister described the discoveries of COVID-19 vaccines in Russia, North America, China and various parts of the world as a game changer, recalling that the members and non-members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had on May 20 met to decide the curtailment of oil production volume due to oversupply.

The minister said the curtailment had saved the

industry and expressed hope that the global economy would eventually recover.

The industry, he said, is grappling with over-supply issues from the US shale and struggle for market shares among producers.

He, however, said the pandemic, which is now in its second phase, had continued to dampen the structure and dynamics of the energy industry.

He stated that the impact will vary across the oil and gas industry segments, adding that while oil companies with low reserve will push to accelerate production, those with higher cost structures will struggle.

The minister said due to low revenue, there would be debate on the prioritisation of oil reinvestment and social needs while some governments would take the chance for spurring support for energy transition and diversification.

“The future survival of many players in the industry depends not only on focusing on renewable energy sources but also upon an ability to deliver lower-cost solutions.

"Our vision is to diversify into more diverse interests.

We are focusing on our gas natural resources to function as a bridge between fossil fuel and the energy of tomorrow,” he said.

HONOUR FOR TINUBU...

L-R: Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Gbolahan Ellas; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and Chairman, Lagos Mainland Local Government, Hon. Omolola Essien, during the presentation of Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters (Youth Development and Empowerment) to Essien on behalf of Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Lagos…yesterday

SEC, Firm Collaborate to Review Capital Market Master Plan Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Africa have commenced a joint review of Nigeria’s 10year Capital Market Master Plan (CMMP) to support the nation’s economic resilience amid new economic challenges including lower oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The review of the CMMP will see SEC Nigeria working with FSD Africa’s Regulator Support Programme to develop a revised 10-year CMMP to strengthen Nigeria’s

capital market and capacity for capital mobilisation.

The CMMP provides a vision for Nigeria’s capital market as well as a roadmap with objectives to meet it.

The SEC said in a statement yesterday that the process will involve an assessment of progress made since the plan’s implementation to date and engaging with stakeholders for input.

This will result in the introduction of more stringent tools to measure the plan's progress against objectives and the inclusion of new challenges, opportunities and

risks related to the current environment into the plan.

The review of the CMMP is in response to changes in the economic and market circumstances, upon which the plan was originally hinged when it was launched in 2015, and it needs updating to match the current environment.

These include the effects of lower oil prices on Nigeria’s economy as well as a slowdown in economic activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of new initiatives and products will help to improve the

liquidity and depth of Nigeria’s capital markets.

The statement said FSD Africa’s support was part of its ongoing multi-country programme to strengthen Africa’s capital markets, adding that the programme is centred on the development of capital markets master plans, conducting institutional capacity assessments and creating capacity for sustainable finance such as green bonds, helping markets to adapt to their operating climate.

Reacting to the development, SEC Director

General, Lamido Yuguda, said: “The implementation of the Capital Market Master Plan will deepen our market and improve the capital market’s contribution to our economic growth and national development.

"To this end, the review of the Capital Market Master Plan better positions the SEC to deliver on these objectives in these very challenging times. The FSD Africa and SEC Nigeria’s laudable partnership underscores our mutual goals to build financial markets that are robust, efficient and above all inclusive.”

The Director, Capital Markets at FSD Africa, Evans Osano, said: “This review will give market stakeholders in Nigeria a unique opportunity to not only take stock of the plan’s results so far, but also to grow and respond to previously unforeseen economic developments. As FSD Africa works to support and regulate financial markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are excited to be partnering with SEC Nigeria to enable them to strengthen the country’s capital markets during a time of immense upheaval."

Buhari Approves Establishment of 10 New National Parks Michael Olugbode in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of 10 additional national parks, bringing the number nationwide to 17.

Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, listed the parks to include Allawa Game Reserve, Apoi Forest Reserve and Edumenum Forest Reserve.

Others are Falgore Game Reserve, Hadeja Wetland Game Reserve, Kampe Forest Reserve,

Kogo Forest Reserve, Marhai Forest Reserve, Oba Hill Forest Reserve and Pandam Forest Reserve.

He added that to give credence and legal backing to the establishment of the 10 national parks, an executive bill will soon be presented to the National Assembly for passage into law.

According to him, the creation of the additional national parks has become imperative in view of the prevailing effects of climate change across the globe.

He said: “This action is

geared towards the United Nations policy of placing 25% of its member countries’ landmass under permanent vegetation cover for carbon sequestration to mitigate the effects of climate change and ameliorate other ecological challenges.

“It may interest you to note that Nigeria currently has 6.7% of her total landmass under vegetation cover which is grossly inadequate in line with global best practices. The creation of these parks will no doubt further create more employment opportunities,

alleviate poverty in rural areas and ultimately enhance the country’s revenue profile, especially now that Nigeria is seeking to diversify her economy.”

Abubakar explained that the 17 national parks cut across the ecological zones of the country except the marine ecosystem.

He said the national parks are areas reserved and managed for conservation of wildlife and natural resources, adding that they contain rich and diverse varieties of rare endangered species like elephants, gorillas,

giraffes, monkeys, golden cats, hippopotami, crocodiles, among other animals and some plant species.

The minister stated that the functions of the National Park Service involve surveillance, patrolling, checking illegal activities of poachers in the parks, enforcement of relevant international treaties and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, public enlightenment on the protection and conservation of plants and animals, assisting researchers and searching, arresting and

prosecuting offenders.

“It is also regrettable that most state-owned forest reserves today have become dens of criminal activities.

“In a bid to further add impetus to the current fight against insurgency as well as other organised crimes such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, banditry amongst others, the creation of these national parks will provide the much needed apparatus to ward off criminal elements living or looking for hideouts in those areas,” he added.

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PAGE TEN BUHARI EXCITED OVER RELEASE OF ABDUCTED KATSINA SCHOOLBOYS Their release came on a day protesters marched on Abuja and Katsina against the worsening insecurity in the North, especially the abduction of the schoolboys.

The Director-General, Media to Katsina State Governor, Mr. Abdul Labaran, confirmed the release of the captives to THISDAY in a telephone interview, saying the bandits freed them in Zamfara forest where they were kept.

It was learnt that top government officials, including security agents, were heading to Kankara to receive the children.

Labaran said: "Yes, the students have been released by their abductors. Three hundred and forty four of them are currently being transported from Zamfara forest to Katsina State Government House this night (Thursday)."

He, however, was silent on whether or not ransom was paid for the release of the schoolboys.

Masari, who was billed to address the media shortly on the saga, had said on Wednesday that the government was in negotiations with the bandits through the leadership of Miyetti Allah, the central organisation of Fulani herders.

Reacting to the report on the release of the schoolboys, Buhari described their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and the international community.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.

He lauded what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the governments of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’

He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for the safe release of the hostages.

“The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The armed forces know their job.

They have been well trained and properly motivated,” he stated.

On other detainees still in captivity, the president assured the people that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

He urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with insecurity, economic crisis and corruption.

According to him, his administration knows that it was elected to resolve challenges.

He said: “When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok girls.

When a similar incident of

school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show.”

The president cited the successes of his administration in dealing with security in the South-south and North-east as proof of its commitment to guaranteeing the safety of lives and property.

He stated that the Northwest now presents a challenge, which his administration is determined to deal with.

“We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have re-opened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that,” the president added.

He prayed for the full recovery of the pupils, whom he said had endured hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.

However, hours before their release, Boko Haram, which had claimed responsibility for the abduction, had released a video showing the abducted schoolboys in its custody.

The video, which could not be independently verified, followed the same pattern after the kidnap of the Chibok girls some years ago.

The video, circulating on social media, purportedly showed Boko Haram militants with some of the boys.

The trending video showed Boko Haram’s flag and a group of boys in a wood begging security forces to leave the area.

The video has not been authenticated though it bears the hallmarks of the terrorist group.

The Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen John Enenche, impugned the provenance of the video.

In the video, released yesterday by the insurgents, some of the boys, looking distraught, appealed to the government to cooperate with their abductors so that they can be freed.

“Please help us. Tell the vigilantes and soldiers not to come around,” one of the boys in the video said, adding: “More than 500 of us are in the forest.”

“Close any form of school, including Islamiyya. Please send the army back. They can’t do anything to help us. Please sir, we need your assistance,” the distraught boy said.

At the end of the video, a voice believed to be that of the Boko Haram leader, Mr. Abubakar Shekau, said that “he was doing Allah’s work.”

Masari had claimed that bandits and not Boko Haram abducted the schoolboys.

He said the state government knew the abductors of the children.

“The report we have and from the information available to us, this abduction was conducted and executed by local bandits that are known to all of us,” he had said.

When asked if there is a possible link between the attackers and Boko Haram, the governor said there are “signs” that bandits are making contact with the insurgents.

“You know over one year, there were signs that some of the elements of the bandits are making contact with some of the elements of Boko Haram or ISWAP,” he added.

Report on the release of the schoolboys first filtered out when the Director-General of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, purportedly tweeted that they had been freed.

She later deleted the tweet and disowned it.

"Please don’t credit any post on Katsina's boys to my twitter handle. I lost control of my handle in the last couple of minutes, along with my Instagram. I have recovered and changed my password," she said in another tweet.

Protests in Katsina, Abuja Earlier yesterday, protesters in Katsina and Abuja, had marched on the streets over the worsening insecurity in the country.

The protesters in Katsina, under the aegis of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), a civil society, chanted “Save Northern Nigeria.”

Members of the group carried placards with various inscriptions, among which are ‘Rebuild the North and not destroy it’; and ‘Nobody is safe in the North; End banditry now and Bring our boys.’

The group had earlier addressed a press conference during which it lampooned the federal government over its failure to provide security for Nigerians.

CNG National Coordinator, Balarabe Rufai, said: “Sensing a huge vacuum in the political will and capacity of government to challenge them, these criminal gangs have spread their activities and made life miserable for millions of people across states like Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Adamawa, Benue and literally prohibited the use of major highways in northern Nigeria.

“The insecurity along the northern highways is so high that people are afraid of travelling 50 miles from Funtua to Zaria; or the 80 kilometers from Zaria to Kaduna, not to talk of from Sokoto to Abuja or Kano.

“This frightening state of insecurity had in the last couple of weeks, escalated with the massacre of 43 rice farmers and disappearance of 80 others at the hands of

insurgents in Zabarmari of Borno State.

“The situation deteriorated to the current unacceptable level with the abduction of hundreds of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State by armed gangs that rode in and out freely without any security presence.

“Besides the loss of citizens lives on a daily basis, this dangerous situation also comes with several other concomitant consequences that include a looming humanitarian crisis with reports indicating that by the end of 2019 alone, a total of 210,354 persons were displaced from 171 towns and villages in the North-west comprising 144,996 in Zamfara; 35,941 from Sokoto and 29,417 in Katsina.

“Against the backdrop of this heightened insecurity, especially the recent kidnap of over 300 hundred students in Katsina, the CNG has inadvertently arrived at the following observations: That President Buhari and his government are apparently helpless, incompetent, incapable or unwilling to act to rescue these 300 kids currently in captivity, exposed to harsh weather conditions, torture, hostile unfamiliar environment, malnutrition, the trauma of forced separation and threat of imminent death.

“That the audacity with which the over 300 school children were abducted right under the nose of the president who was a few kilometres away in Katsina at that time, confirms fears that the government has completely lost the prerogative of providing security and therefore no longer reliable.

“That President Buhari has ultimately reneged on the pledge he made in Chatham House, London in 2015, to tackle insecurity head on across the country, including paying special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, and giving the military modern arms and ammunitions to work with."

The CNG expressed concern that the insecurity in the North is now worse than “before the coming of the Buhari administration in 2015."

In Abuja, supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday staged a peaceful protest in front of the party’s Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, to demand the safe return of the Katsina pupils.

The protesters, chanting anti-Buhari and APC songs, urged the federal government to bring back the pupils.

The protesters carried various placards with the following inscriptions: "High insecurity under APC is too much." "Buhari has failed."

"Stop insecurity in Nigeria."

"Bring back our boys now, now." "Buhari must change the service chief now."

The protesters stopped at the PDP Legacy office

in Maitama Abuja, where they were addressed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus.

He said: "Our message is simple. It is high time the government of President Muhammadu Buhari brought back our children that were kidnapped. The level of insecurity in Nigeria is getting out of hand. Bring back the boys. Enough is enough."

PDP House Caucus APC Passes Vote of Restates Demand for Confidence on Buhari Buhari’s Impeachment in Tackling Insecurity The Peoples Democratic Party Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday reiterated its call for the removal of l President Muhammadu Buhari from office over the worsening insecurity in the country.

The caucus had recently appealed to Nigerians to prevail on their representatives in the National Assembly to begin an impeachment process against Buhari.

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, reacting to the call, had dismissed it as an unpopular opinion of only the caucus leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

But, members of the caucus, led by its leader while briefing journalists in Abuja, restated the call for the impeachment of the president over the worsening insecurity.

Chinda said: "We reinstate our call on Nigerians across all tribe, religion and Political party to awaken their representatives and Senators to the realities of the moment and rescue Nigeria from this "road to perdition" by evoking their constitutional powers under section 143 of the constitution and commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari for gross incompetence and breach of section 4 (2)(b) of the constitution.

"Call on members of the Executive Council to resolve under section 144 of the constitution that the president is incapable of discharging the functions of the office."

Chinda also said the lawmakers would be heading for the court to challenge the position of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Abubakar Malami that the National Assembly lacks powers to invite Buhari to brief it on security matters.

"Malami‘s reference to Section 218 (1) of the constitution that security matters remain the exclusive preserve of the executive arm of government because of the president's power to determine operational use of the armed forces dubiously chose to ignore subsection 4 of that same section which clearly states the National Assembly has the powers to make laws for the regulation of the powers exercisable by the president as commander-

WITH DECENTRALISATION, NIMC TARGETS 200M NIN REGISTRATION exercise.

The spokesman of NIMC, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, said the government has approved the licensing of over 200 institutions to carry out enrolment of Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database (NIDB) on behalf of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Adegoke said the initiative was aimed at addressing the bottlenecks associated with the capturing of citizens data

by NIMC. According to him, the method will increase the enrolment centres from the current 1,000 to 10,000 nationwide.

He said the NIMC is desirous of scaling up its assignment to regulatory

functions after the completion of the exercise.

Adegoke, however, explained in a statement that the licensed agents were approved after successfully fulfilling all the conditions in the advertised Expression of Interest (EOI), which was done in 2019 as a first step towards the take off of the National Digital Identity Ecosystem project.

He said the breakdown of the successful licensees shows that 16 state governments, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Oyo, Ogun, Sokoto and Zamfara, were licensed to register people for NIN. “The public sector institutions licensed are the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National

in-chief of the armed forces."

When asked why they resorted to calling on Nigerians to initiate the impeachment process, the caucus said it was part of their legislative function to relate with the people.

The lawmakers said it was also incumbent on the people to evaluate their present condition and the state of the nation and make a better decision.

Pension Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria (through the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Plc), National Population Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joint Tax Board and Nigeria Postal Services,” he added.

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will lead Nigeria out of its current security challenges.

This was contained in a statement yesterday in Abuja, titled: 78th Birthday Felicitation to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR,” signed by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu.

“We acknowledge and commend your leadership, vision and commitment to a united prosperous Nigeria.

"Recognising all the difficult periods we face as a nation, we are confident under your leadership, we will be able to resolve our national security challenges and restore peace in every part of the country," the governors said.

The APC has also challenged security agencies to investigate an 'intelligence report' linking a certain North-west governor to the heightened cases of banditry, abductions and other violent crimes in the zone.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, while reacting to a protest by PDP supporters in Abuja, warned the opposition party from politicising the abduction of schoolboys in Katsina State, adding that the PDP is seeking political gains from insecurity.

Nabena who did not name the North-west governor because of the sensitive nature of the intelligence report, said the increased spate of banditry in the North-west was politically-motivated and not unconnected to the unnamed governor's alleged sponsorship of banditry and other violent crimes in the zone.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͶ˜ 2020

COMMENT

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

ARE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE?

The authorities have to do much more to secure our schools, writes Ayo Obe

S

ince the world was shocked by the massacre of school children at Columbine High School in 1999, the United States has seen a host of such school shootings. Some Americans think that the solution is to arm teachers so that should such an incident take place at their school, they will be able to shoot the attacker instead of cowering in cupboards. But others – Americans and a large proportion of people outside America – think that the solution is to restrict the availability of firearms (particularly assault and semi-automatic or automatic rifles) and to require background checks that oblige the would-be gun owner to prove their fitness to own such weapons, rather than waiting until they do something that justifies taking their weapons away or forbidding them to own any.

Either way, Americans have been unable or unwilling to address their school shooting problem, and the situation now, is that (just like the ‘winning’ they were promised by President Donald Trump but of which they saw rather less than enough to tire them) America is tired of school shootings because it has seen more than enough of them. Such tragedies now barely merit a place on the national news – the numbers are generally not high enough to push aside the daily COVID-19 count or whatever the latest presidential or ‘liberal’ outrage might be. Certainly there is no longer any sense of a grieving nation being led by a ‘Mourner-in-Chief’.

Indeed, parents of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 have had to battle the scepticism and even hostility of those who – following a political position of refusing to see any correlation between that tragedy and the US’s untrammelled access to deadly firepower – denied that any children had been killed at Sandy Hook at all, despite being given the names and photographs of the 27 victims.

Some of this will begin to sound familiar to Nigerians. We too have a problem with security (and denial) at our schools, particularly our boarding schools in the northern part of the country. Bunu Yadi, Chibok, Dapchi … Kankara. The numbers have to be pretty big, or the crime extraordinarily heinous to make the national or international news. As it happens, unlike the situation in the US, one can’t accuse our own governments of refusing to apply suggested remedies.

Force and violence, a ruthless ‘no kid gloves’ approach, intelligence, development, job creation, de-radicalization, amnesty … even the re-filling of Lake Chad: they are all on the agenda of various Nigerian governments – past and present, federal and state. So one can hardly situate the failure to solve the problem of insecurity in our schools to governments being unwilling to do so.

So I guess we come back in line with the US in being unable to solve the problem. At least, so far.

Here’s another way in which we differ from the US. Children in the US undergo emergency drills that include not just what they should do in case of fire, but what they should do in case of a school shooting. They practice. They

DAYS AFTER THE ATTACK ON KANKARA SCHOOL IN KATSINA STATE, THE BEST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES COULD SAY WAS THAT 333 STUDENTS ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR. THAT IS REALLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH. SCHOOLS SHOULD KNOW WHO IS IN, AND WHO IS OUT

practice hiding under desks, cowering in cupboards, locking classroom doors – whatever the assessment of any given school’s authorities consider is the best way to keep their pupils safe.

In 2014 soon after the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Secondary School for Girls in Chibok, Borno State, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was in the country to launch the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’. The $10 million fund pledged by business leaders here in Nigeria was to be used to make 500 schools in northern Nigeria safe for children to learn free from the fear of being murdered or kidnapped.

The idea was that as the fund grew, the business community would require matching funds from the government.

Let me not pretend to even know how many schools were ever touched at all by the Safe Schools initiative, let alone what the components of such safety were supposed to be. We Nigerians can best say when we last saw so much as a fire drill in any public building. Our hotel room may (or may not) include instructions about what to do in case of fire, but really, we’re just kidding. We are still erecting buildings from which there is only one entrance and exit, only one staircase, and of course, for good measure, burglarproof on windows set in walls that a good huff and a good puff from marauders could probably blow down without so much as a glance at the iron-decorated windows. At any rate, given our casual approach to everyday occurrences like fire, it will surprise few of us to see how unprepared our students and their teachers seem to be for attacks by insurgents, terrorists, bandits or just plain criminal kidnappers.

Once again, we have tales of panicked running here and there, attempts to scale school walls, no designated muster point … so that two days after the attack on Kankara School in Katsina State, the best the government and the school authorities could say was that 333 students are unaccounted for. That is really not good enough. Schools should know who is in, and who is out.

About four years ago #BringBackOurGirls checked the security arrangements for schools in parts of Lagos. Could one just walk in? Generally no, one would be challenged.

But by whom? Elderly retirees with barely a mobile phone, let alone the number for the nearest police authorities?

But then, that’s another way in which those in the US practising what to do should a mass shooter attack their school differ from us. They know that while they hide, a 911 emergency call will be made, and that help and rescue will be on its way within minutes. Comparisons are indeed odious, and this one – that in Nigeria, there is no such certainty – is probably the most odious of all … because it’s one that we can and must change.

Ayo Obe, a legal practitioner, supports the #BringBackOurGirls movement

FAREWELL TO A MAVERICK DREAM CHASER pays tribute to Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher of Leadership Newspapers

M

y first encounter with Mr. Sam Ndanusa Isaiah, in the middle of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term as Nigeria’s President hardly left the impression that we were destined to develop a working professional relationship, or that we would come to know each other as well as we did, before his transition to the great beyond last Friday.

I was an avid reader of ‘Last Word,’ his Monday Column in the Daily Trust Newspapers and he came across as a clever, witty and intelligent writer. I was therefore excited to meet him in Minna in December, 2002 at the instance of my big brother, Dr. Abubakar Tswanya.

Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah was a forceful, acerbic and hard-hitting crusader for social justice whose punditry on the state of the nation was the nemesis of the ruling elite.

He was President Obasanjo’s tormentor-inchief. He had declared the then president unfit to rule Nigeria. Interestingly, his damning verdict reflected the popular sentiment in the North, and because he was close to the movers and shakers in the region, his column soon became a rallying point for the search for an alternative candidate to challenge Obasanjo in the 2003 presidential poll. That was how Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign for the nation’s top job took off two years into Obasanjo’s first term as president.

So, at that first face-to-face meeting, I got the opportunity to tell him how fascinated I was with his razor-sharp, courageous and finicky assessments of government policies which were usually couched in lucid, simple but often strong opinions on those pages.

However, trouble started when I made the point that many of his articles had the imprimatur of the political establishment in the North which had had a falling out with

Obasanjo and had sworn to frustrate the president’s second term bid. Sam charged at me: “Don’t be stupid! Did anyone send you to embarrass me?”. But I stood my ground, insisting that he was on a mission to discredit Obasanjo ahead of a crucial vote. That was the first time I met Sam, and I honestly thought it would be my last time.

But that disagreement marked the beginning of a robust relationship that was to last for 19 years until he breathed his last on Friday.

For almost two decades, I interacted very closely with Mr. Nda-Isaiah whom many of his present and former staff still refer to as ‘Chairman’ and learnt tremendously at his feet. In 2004, he invited me and 10 others to start LEADERSHIP Weekly after he rested its precursor, LEADERSHIP Confidential, a newsletter that enjoyed massive subscription and readership amongst the nation’s political and business elite as well as the diplomatic community.

LEADERSHIP was conceived as a media and education company with broad objectives of providing content to its consumers while investing in its staff and in responsive newsroom tools and technologies. It was in furtherance to these objectives that the publisher of LEADERSHIP offered fresh graduates the opportunity to pursue a career in journalism at the organization while learning on the job.

Winifred Ogbebor and myself were amongst the first set of rookies to benefit from this goodwill which later became institutionalized with the incorporation of AllanWoods; an education company modeled after Kaplan, a Washington Post subsidiary. At the inception of LEADERSHIP, two thorough bred journalists who helped to set up the newspaper, Uche Ezechukwu and Demola Abimboye, took us under their wings. The duo taught us the rudiments of news writing and

reporting while the newspaper’s pioneer editor, Ibrahim Sheme and his successor in office, Mallam Shehu Dauda of blessed memory tutored us on the fine art of news judgment.

The big masquerade himself taught me different things but the one I found most remarkable is resilience. He taught me never to give up on anything without the last drop of my sweat. He was an incurable optimist who relentlessly pushed forward, time and time again, never letting trials keep him from believing in the good that lay ahead.

Chairman, who held the traditional title of Kakaki Nupe (the spokesman of the Nupe nation) was a metaphor for relentlessness in the pursuit of excellence and was never bereft of fresh “Big Ideas” even when he was hitting his head against a brick wall. Once he believed in anything, he threw everything he had at it. For him, nothing was impossible.

It was upon this never-say- die spirit that that LEADERSHIP was founded at a time nobody gave us a chance of survival.

Chairman had no money at the time, but the proceeds from the launch of the compilation of his articles written while on the Editorial Board of Daily Trust helped us set sail on the journey. The launch of the book, entitled Nigeria: Full Disclosure, raked in about N15million.

Nobody thinking logically would ever attempt to set up a national newspaper outfit with just N15m. But then, Chairman was not thinking as other people might have. He was following the burning dream and passion in his heart.

He was a serial entrepreneur. He was never anxious by the challenges confronting his businesses, rather, he was always looking for opportunities to expand the portfolio of his investments. Unlike others who may be satisfied with triumphs in certain ventures, he saw the success of one

project as building blocks for yet another venture. With him, there was no end to new boundaries to be conquered. Chairman had more than 50 registered business concerns that were up and running until he answered the call of his creator on Friday.

Lesson: Don’t put your eggs in one basket.

Aside the several titles in the LEADERSHIP Newspapers stable, the pharmacistturned- publisher, in a space of a decade, enlarged landscapes in journalism and brought exciting innovations that placed his media outfit in the prime position of national importance.

It was a reflection of his conviction that a new Nigeria was possible that he threw himself into the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2014. Although he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari, he helped to galvanise support for APC which went on to win the presidential election in 2015. This was the hallmark of an altruistic politician, imbued with patriotic fervour. Chairman loved the North and was passionate about Nigeria.

Don’t get me wrong. The late Nda-Isaiah was not a saint. He was human and had his weaknesses but I can attest that he did not dine with the devil. In fact, he kept the devil at a million miles length. He was a man with a very good heart who had the ability to see in people what they didn’t see in themselves; and to push them into achieving great feats.

Therefore, his demise at the age of 58 constitutes a great loss to the nation’s media industry and all those whose lives he had touched in his short but eventful life that was devoted to people-centred schemes.

While I am still trying to come to terms with the reality of his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his mum; his wife, aunty Zainab; his kids and his siblings.

Ndayebo is a former Commissioner for Information in Niger State

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EDITORIAL

ISSUES IN BIRTH REGISTRATION Registration of births is key to national planning

R

ecent reports from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that an estimated 19 million children are not captured in the population data of Nigeria after births should compel urgent action from the authorities. A Child Protection Specialist working for UNICEF, Sharon Oladiji, who raised the alarm during a workshop for stakeholders, media and health personnel in Kano, also stated that it is most rampant across the 19 northern states.

According to the report, 10 other countries with unregistered births THE INABILITY TO will increase GENERATE RELEVANT tremendously PUBLIC HEALTH DATA by 2050 and AND NATIONAL ESTIMATE also contribute massively to the IS A MINUS TO PROPER region’s populaPOPULATION PLANNING tion. Nigeria’s population is estimated to hit 400 million in the magic year.

The report further said that countries like Kenya and Niger Republic would contribute an estimated 50 million and Sudan with 38 million to the growing population of unregistered births. What is responsible for this state of affair and what effect does it pose on Nigeria and its population data? The answer is not farfetched.

One immediate cause of this is ravaging poverty. The challenge is rampant among children of single mothers, teenage mothers and out-of-school and uneducated girls, while parental economic poverty is blamed as another major cause. The report is alarming as it has negative consequences of a weak birth-registration system on Nigeria and other countries concerned. A critical challenge is cultural factor. For instance, in some parts of the country, without the permission of their husbands, some women would not venture out of their homes, no matter how

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

LIKE COVID-19 VACCINE, LIKE INSECURITY

T

he Kenyan government has ordered 24 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is a very small country compared to Nigeria. It has also been able to a large extent contain its own Islamist insurgency. As a result, Kenya is now relatively safer than Nigeria, which has earned it the confidence of the international community. In fact, today, Kenya is a key leader in the East African sub-region which determines much of their foreign affairs.

The UK, US, other European and Latin American and Asian countries had set the pace in the race to scoop up the anti-Corona-19 vaccines they can buy to inoculate their citizens. This is the latest trend worldwide towards containing the deadly virus.

What is Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 doing in this regard? Kenya has risen to the occasion by being proactive - going by the current international scramble for the vaccine.

But, of course, as usual, the Nigerian government will wait till the last minute before it starts a desperate search for the remnants of the vaccines after all of the world has accessed them. And then, they will tell Nigerians that they have had to

critical the circumstances. Research, however, reveals that most mothers avoid going to the hospital for ante-natal care because they cannot afford the bills. We believe it is the responsibility of government to understand the culture of its people and then adopt strategies for meeting critical challenges.

One known negative effect of poor registration of births is planning blindly. This is because the inability to generate relevant public health data and national estimate is a minus to proper population planning. Not planning with correct population data has a negative effect on Nigeria’s short-term and long-term needs. This is because child-birth registration data would help Nigeria to predict where the country will be in two or five years, as well as listing specific, measurable goals and results.

The plan should also include a specific “to-do” list that keeps everyone informed of the necessary actions and resources, as well as listing who is responsible for all the tasks.

Child-birth registration should also include a reasonable time frame for these tasks to be accomplished. Failure to plan will damage the effectiveness of the population data of Nigeria. By determining the population data up front before the actual work takes place, it will allow for the most efficient use of resources.

In place where effective child-birth registration is encouraged and sustained, it will certainly lead to good supervision and better performance of available materials, leading to effective planning for the good of all. In practical terms, where there is a poor child registration, it could result to the children having limited access to social services such as education and health needs.

So to curtail this scourge across the country, there should be some officers specifically assigned to the registration of children immediately after births in all the 774 local governments in the country. And above all, proper enlightenment campaigns must commence immediately.

spend billions more because of scarcity.

Which will be another avenue of siphoning state resources for the benefit of a few who have already fed fat from the pandemic so far.

Unfortunately, this is the way the Buhari government and its top military brass have so far prevaricated on the Islamist insurgency and banditry in Nigeria.

As a result, a few Nigerians have become billionaires from the spiralling violence in our country, to the detriment of hapless Nigerians. The Kankara abduction of innocent school boys is the latest case in point.

Can a government that has so woefully betrayed the social contract between it and the people on security be trusted to deliver this vaccine to Nigerians without, as usual, padding the costs?

The consensus among Nigerians is that, just as it’s happening in the security department, bringing the COVID-19 vaccine to citizens may most likely go the same way as the lost fight against Boko Haram and banditry.

Nigerians strongly believe that it will be business as usual. And, sadly, as this unfolds, President Buhari will be happily tending his fat cows at Daura.

Christ Gyang, chrisgyang01@gmail.com

TEACHERS COUNT THOSE FINGERS

M

ost, but not all, of the states in Australia are setting minimal standards for teachers to enter the profession. The testing of student teachers to see if they meet minimum literacy and numeracy standards is a good idea but some teachers will hope that it is not made retrospective or there may be a few more vacancies.

The setting of a minimum standard would seem obvious but it’s only a new approach as previously entry to a teaching course was based on the score a student received for their senior year and this did not require specific subject areas in most cases. At a time, the score required was below the media result although this was

partially due to the low public opinion of teachers.

Of course, the reality in the workplace is different as there are some highly qualified people who are poor teachers. The other concern is that teachers are often asked to work out of their areas of expertise. As a mathematics/ science teacher I have also taught geography, photography, woodwork, philosophy and coached sporting teams.

Fortunately, all the girls who did the woodwork class still have all their fingers.

It is reasonable to expect that your children’s teachers are qualified, and more parents should demand it but at the same stage they should support the teachers and demand that they are well paid.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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POLITICS

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

Could the lnvisible Enemy Be at the Door Again?

Magnus Onyibe, Development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA warns against an imminent second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria

A

t a point, the second wave of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic seemed so farfetched.

But with the number of cases of COVID-19 pandemic carriers ramping up as reflected by the increase in the count of people testing positive for a disease that was thought to be on its way out, Coronavirus has once again crossed our defense line and infiltrated our ranks like the invisible enemy that it truly is.

The above reality is based on the alarm recently raised by the trio of Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Minister of Health , Osagie Ehanire and Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, Director General , Chikwe lheakwazu.

While the SGF has notified Nigerians that some members of his family have tested positive to COVID-19, so he has gone into isolation; both the Minister of Health and NCDC have only last week put Nigerians on notice about the need to brace up for a second wave of the deadly disease. That’s even as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwa-Olu who has also tested positive to the virus, has gone into isolation.

But must our public servants always be reactive, instead of proactive, and is mere alarm a good enough defense mechanism against COVID-19 pandemic ?

Obviously, based on experience from other climes where oronavirusC is running rampage and they are taking extreme precautions , it is not. Let’s not forget that owing to Nigeria’s affinity to Europe by virtue of colonial ties, what happens over there trickles down here very quickly.

Are there measures in our airports to test visitors arriving from Europe and other Coronavirus hotbeds into Nigeria, as is currently the situation in Rwanda?

There is obviously no such arrangements.

And such is the none existence or forlorn fight that is being put up against a very ferocious and deadly enemy-COVID-19 pandemic that has at 15 December killed over 1,194 and infected about 73,000 in our country.

Apart from low testing rate which needs to be increased, awareness creation is abysmally low hence, there seem to be reluctance on the part of the masses to go for COVID-19 testing.

For instance , in a country of 200 million people, only about 73,000 people are confirmed as having tested positive for Coronavirus and l, 194 lives have also been claimed by the dreadful disease . The relatively low death count is a welcome relief because given the poor infrastructure condition and scandalous health care standard in our country, the death tally could have been worse, and in tandem with Melinda Gates prediction that people would be dropping dead like flies on the streets of Africa, if the COVID-19 pandemic was not tackled dexterously. But for the strategic involvement of the private sector and the deep pocketed men and women in our society that weighed in with strategy , funds and equipment using the Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV-CACOVID, the consequences might have been negatively different and thus affirm Melinda Gates’s fears.

From records made available by Nigeria’s CDC , it was on 19 June that the highest number of 745 people tested positive in one day. And that was the peak during the first wave . Since the beginning of September till date , the figure has being climbing until it reached a new daily peak of 796 on December 11, surpassing the 19 June record.

So in more ways than one , the spike in the number of Nigerians testing positive signals a bounce back, or a second wave of the dreadful disease.

Without equivocation, one can conclude that Coronavirus 2.0 is certainly back with more ferocity .

This suggests that just as the winter

months took the daily death toll to an average of 3,000 per day in the USA , the changing weather here, (harmattan) although not as severe as the winter in the colder regions of the world, is equally boosting the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease in our clime and also killing more people as well.

The view above is validated by the fact that in a period of 36 hours over last weekend, four people are reported to have passed away due to complications from COVID-19 in Abuja.

Apart from the alarm last week by Health Minister, Ehanire that isolation centers should get ready to reopen, what else is being done to combat coronavirus as the weather conditions that boosts its spread comes upon us?

Unlike the advanced societies, where experts have been issuing warnings about a second wave and the dire consequences, we seem not to have prepared for the emerging scenario here. Rather, we waited for it to sneak up like a thief.

Curiously, very low testing is happening

in our country even as the NCDC revealed that nine states of the 36 states in Nigeria have reported zero cases since February when the pandemic arrived Nigeria via the Italian construction worker who was agent zero.

How could that really be the case despite the claim by the NCDC that at least one Coronavirus testing laboratory has been set up in each state of the 36 in the country?

Is it possible that most Nigerians are not going for testing, and if that’s the case, why is that so?

According to NCDC records , only a little over 800, 000 tests have been conducted nationwide since the pandemic arrived Nigeria in February. That’s less than one million people in a country with an estimated population of 200 million.

Compare it to over 221million tests so far conducted in the USA and Russia’s 83.1 million people tested.

So what’s happening in the testing laboratories in Nigeria of which each state has at least one?

As Ndah-Isaiah Takes a Final Bow Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Businessman and Presidential Candidate in 2019 laments the loss of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Ndah-Isaiah

T

he death of Mr. Sam Ndah Isaiah, publisher of the Leadership stable of newspapers, has not only deprived the journalism profession of a committed and patriotic hand, but a Nigerian of repute whose contributions to national development within the period he lived, were of inestimable value.

As a believer in God Almighty, I cannot question why such a person full of ideas for a much better Nigeria would die,so soon.The consolation,however,was that he was very visible on the political landscape and his activities towards nation building,would ever be cherished.

I’ve personally lost a friend.

Sam was a friend, a brother and ally.

He was a fair minded man and kind.

With him and our mutual friend, the late Governor of Niger state, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure, we once worked together to create bridge of understanding across big divides. I am happy Sam died an

accomplished personality having established numerous businesses that brought people from diverse backgrounds, working together for a greater Nigeria.

We had a common goal. We wanted to offer leadership at the highest level in Nigeria. He would always be remembered as a democrat, a man of uncommon courage who never hid his passion and love to offer leadership to his motherland.

As we mourn the death of this great man, I pray Almighty God will continue to strengthen his family. To the wife and children, his larger family and the business organization he left behind, and to the Nupe Kingdom where he was the title holder of Kakaki Nupe, may Almighty God give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Journalism world has lost a trail blazer, a pharmacist who became an excellent journalist, Nigeria has indeed, lost a bridge builder and supporter of good ideas.

There is a critical factor that sticks out and it is therefore likely to be responsible for the lethargy and apathy on the part of Nigerians to test for COVID-19, particularly in the lower rung of society comprising of folks that are still in denial about the existence of COVID-19 in our country. The major culprit is skepticism.

And if it is accepted that skepticism is the principal issue, then the best cure would be enlightenment with a view to mobilizing the people via awareness creation. And that is one area that the fight against COVID-19 has grossly fallen short of expectations.

Since the entrance of the unwelcome killer disease that attacks the respiratory organs that has turned the entire globe comprising of estimated eight billion people into victims or mourners via a global death toll of more than 1.6 million people and over 72 million testing positive as at 15 December, and still counting, with the USA being worst hit as evidenced by the over 16 million that have tested positive and a death toll in excess of 300,000, so far, l have had cause to make two interventions through mass media articles on COVID-19 pandemic malaise and how to combat it.

In an article titled “Coronavirus, Liberties , Lives, Livelihood And The Threat Of A 2nd Wave” which l wrote and published widely on both traditional and online media platforms, l had tried to literarily poke relevant members of government on the ribs-, particularly the presidential Task Force on COVID-19 about the impending second wave so that our country could literarily make hay while the sun shines. But it was to no avail as it took the death toll of 745 per day during the first wave on 19 June to rise to 796 per day on 11 December (which is like a kick in the groin) to wake up those in charge from their apparent slumber.

In the earlier referenced article, l tried to make a distinction between the dynamics and spread of coronavirus in developing societies like Nigeria where liberties such as freedoms can be withdrawn without resistance as evidenced by the imposition of lockdowns and compulsory wearing of masks at the command of the authorities without much ado, and the advanced economies/societies where liberal democracy are in practice as such freedom is cherished, such that when freedoms are threatened via encroachment by COVID-19 rules like compulsory face mask wearing etc , they go up in arms. Ultimately , the Western world’s ability and capacity to curtail COVID-19 is hamstrung by their prioritization of liberties over life which is the reason COVID-19 pandemic is now growing like wildfire in the arctic regions of the world.

Here is a snippet: “That said, the fact that the legacy of public health safety that our progenitors bequeathed on us as succeeding generations after the 1918 Spanish flu , is now so difficult for our generation to fully adopt, stems from the more central role that liberty now plays in countries where the observation of the principles of liberal democracy is cardinal. That can be illustrated by comparing and contrasting the manner that the virus has been managed and controlled in China , where the coronavirus is believed to have originated, with the USA that treasures liberties.

Obviously ,being a socialist and illiberal country, has helped China in the curtailment of the pandemic compared to the wild spread of the disease in the USA that has killed in excess of 215 , 000 people , and leaving similar huge numbers of people dead in western Europe, both of which are the bastion of liberal democracy.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020

19

PERSPECTIVE

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Africans Remember Trump NCC’s Ultimatum is a Nonsensical Nuisance Taken too Far for Crass Crudity Chido Nwangwu, Publisher, USAfricaonline.com Anthony Kila questions the rationale behind the highlights the terrible and deliberate insults that demand by the National Communication Commission President Donald Trump posted against Africans for a National Identification Number as the only criteria

W

ith less than five weeks to the graceless distractions, dubious diversions, tiresome tirades and degrading twists to the certain end of his presidency on January 20, 2021, millions of African peoples across the world will remember the U.S controversial President Donald J. Trump for many things.

The first and the most notorious will be his controversial three words: “shit hole countries.” Especially as we take stock of his tumultuous four years at the White House.

The 2018 Trumpian faux pas and crass crudity of his collective condemnation of African and African heritage nations as “all these shit hole countries”, cast a long, lingering shadow over almost all other efforts on diplomatic, immigration and business relationships.

Unfortunately for him, persons and scholars of African heritage will remember Trump’s negative words far more than anything he did or intended to do in the African continent.

He drew domestic and international outrage over derogatory comments he reportedly made on Thursday January 11, 2018.

A few hours after Trump’s abrasive, condescending comments were revealed, MSNBC tv talkshow host Lawrence O’Donnell dropped his own bombshell, “Trump is a raging ignoramus.”

The acid-tongue businessman turned politician referred to Haiti and African nations as “shit hole countries” during a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators at the White House, reported first by The Washington Post.

Trump asked why America would want immigrants from “all these shit hole countries.”

Trump added that the U.S. should have more people coming in from places like Norway. He met with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at the White House, the previous day.

There was bi-partisan condemnation of Trump’s comments, including Republican Rep. Mia Love — the daughter of Haitian immigrants — who not only demanded an apology from the President but denounced it as ”unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values.”

The African Union, and African ambassadors to the United Nations expressed “infuriation, disappoint-

ment and outrage over the unfortunate comment made by Mr. Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, which remarks dishonor the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity.”

They demanded “a retraction of the comment as well as an apology, not only to the Africans, but to all people of African descent around the globe,” and stated they are “extremely appalled at, and strongly condemn the outrageous, racist and xenophobic remarks….” Regardless of the criticism of the President, I know there are some Africans who agree with Mr. Trump that many African countries have become basket cases of corruption and incompetence for almost 60 years, and more.

In order to place Mr. Trump’s comments within a historical context and comparative assessment, let me note that great leaders and presidents are usually remembered for uplifting and inspiring words and evident action. For example, Martin Luther King, jnr ‘I have a Dream’ speech; John F. Kennedy ‘Ask Not What Your Country can Do for You’; Fidel Castro on Democracy and Education; Mandela ‘The Struggle is My Life’; Azikiwe’s ‘Renascent Africa’; Winston Churchill on ‘War and Liberation of Europe’; Odumegwu Ojukwu on Biafra’s ‘Ahiara Declaration’; Leopold Senghor on the ‘African identity in Francophone Africa;’ Thomas Sankara on the Burkinabe; Ronald Reagan on ‘America as the city on a Hill’; Mario Cuomo on ‘America as a Shining Beacon’; and hundreds of others.

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly”, are the prudent and cautionary words of the late, great motivational speaker, Jim Rohn. He wrote those long before the public emergence and serial rudeness of Donald Trump at the village and city arenas.

Evidently, Donald Trump did not pay attention to those priceless pearls of wisdom. Without any doubt, these four years in the White House did not change — I meant to say elevate — the man’s mannerisms.

After all, it is said that the American presidency, like all presidencies in the world, changes its occupant. I think that Trump got worse in terms of temperament and articulating an inclusive vision of the beautiful tapestry, the mosaic of America. It would have been funny were it not so tragic and pitiful. Somehow, Trump forgot that the reckoning of history will come, so soon. Especially, beyond his control and manipulations.

He could have been a great president, taking cognizance of the challenges which this great country and the world face(d). Unfortunately, the man, giddily, squandered historic opportunities to lead.

Trump choked on his own diet of lies, provincialism, racial division, greed, insularity, partisanship and infantile eruptions.

to operate a functional telephone line in Nigeria

D

ear Readers Nonsense and nuisance have one thing in common: Against all odds they can grow in infinity. The recent outing of the telecoms regulator in Nigeria is another proof of such. Just when you think you have seen it all, someone in power will surprise you with an amazing capacity for reckless abuse and display of a seemingly pathological disconnection from reality.

There is no other way to put, the recent ultimatum given by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to telecommunications operators in the country to -in two weeks- block all SIM cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers (NIN) is vile and vexatious.

Clearly someone made that decision simply because he has no regard for obvious consequences such as timing, health and other logistical issues.

This is an example of a clear lack of regard for people, plans and project by power.

We must stop this ridiculous and annoying nonsense. It is a peculiar kind of dangerous nonsense that should not be allowed in public space.

To understand how nonsensical this ultimatum is, all you need do is to imagine and consider on one side the process that led to the ultimatum and on the other side, the most immediate and most remote consequences of the ultimatum.

The telecom sector, with all its many flaws, is arguably one of the most productive, most advanced and perhaps most organized sectors in Nigeria today, add to that the fact it serves perhaps most Nigerians than any other sector. In dealing with such a sector, you would think a government official whether elected or nominated would approach matters arising with prudence and tact if not deference and care and preparation.

Let us face things bluntly: What feat has any Nigerian minister or any DG achieved on a professional level or what telecoms knowledge have they acquired that makes them feel so comfortable to be reckless enough to give profit and operation threating ultimatums to companies that invest trillions of Naira, employ thousands of Nigerian citizens and service millions of Nigerian consumers? A quick glance at the profile of and history of these ultimatum issuers will show you that their only claim to fame, power and resultant hubris, that makes them act like some power drunk administrators of some Whatsapp group some of us belong to, is that they represent the people.

And therein lies the paradox: An ultimatum like this one does not make sense because it does not serve the people on whose behalf power is wielded. You do not need a soothsayer to tell you that the answer would have been a resounding “No”

if the government had asked the people, if they would want such ultimatum. You do not need to be a very deep thinker to project the possible consequences of this ultimatum: It is a case of heads we lose tail we lose.

Let us imagine that Nigerians out of fear of losing their numbers rush to get the required National Identity Numbers (NIN) in the next few days, what do you see when close your eyes? Queues upon queues and chaos? You are wrong, this December 2020, what you are actually seeing is a fluid and flourishing Coronavirus distribution network. Death by SIM card caused by nonsensical nuisance. Let us imagine that people care about their lives, take health waring seriously and ignore this ultimatum. Then we shall wake up one morning in less than two-week’s time to see many blocked sim cards in Nigeria.

What is going on in the minds of those managing our affairs? One is forced to ask again.

In a land of passport, BVN, voters’ card and other forms of ID, they did not even bother to think of an alternative to the National Identity Numbers (NIN). How many people do think have registered for this NIN? Where are they getting their data from? Who are these ultimatum issuers reporting to?

Who exactly amongst the elected and nominated care about how we the people feel about things anymore? As at the time of writing this piece no legislator has raised any concern or called the DG of the NCC to come and speak up about this his brilliant idea.

What about the President?

Let us face it we are all on our own.

The NCC’s ultimatum is not just senseless nuisance it is also an afront to all of us. Those who dared to think of this ultimatum are daring us to see how much we can take.

They keep springing up laws and directives that have no regard for our time, plans, project or principles.

Dear reader, I have news for you: They will not stop until we stop them ourselves it is not enough to jeer, hiss or laugh at our daily disaster anymore. We must stand up to say no in any way we know.

20

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 •T H I S D AY

21

T H I S D AY ˾ BER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

D E C E M B E R

REPO 0.50 % 0.88 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

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

1% 1% 3%

713.06 % -2.81 % -5.24 %

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

1 1 , 2 0 2 0 S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 13.78 % YEAR TO DATE 48.20 %

EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes

Norrenberger Wins Award

REWARDING CUSTOMER LOYALTY

L-R: Marketing Director, West Africa and Francophone Sub-Sahara Africa, Mastercard, Yosola Atere; overall winner at the Mastercard Restaurant Week Campaign/General Manager, Talindo Steak House, Mark Schuster, and Founder/CEO, Lost in Lagos, Tannaz Bahnam, at the announcement of the winners of the Mastercard Restaurant Week Treasure Hunt Contest held in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Customs Intercepts Textiles Materials, Smuggled Rice worth N1.42bn Eromosele Abiodun The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Strike Force Team has announced that it intercepted 564 bales of textiles materials falsely declared as machinery, foreign parboiled rice, foot wears and foreign bags worth hundreds of millions.

Speaking while unveiling the seizure in Lagos, the Coordinator, CGC’s Strike Force, Zone A, Deputy Compt. Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, said the unit also raised Debit Note (DN) on falsely declared cargoes worth N490 million.

According to the coordinator, the unit generated a whopping N1.42 billion in the last four weeks from DN and antismuggling activities.

Giving a breakdown of the

MARITIME seizure, the coordinator said other items seized were: 1,252 bags of smuggled foreign rice, 564 bales of falsely declared Ankara materials, 637 bales of foot-wears and 30,256 pieces of foreign bags.

Shuaibu, however, warned smugglers and importers of contrabands that the unit won’t allow them to turn the country into a dumping ground appealed to importers to make honest declarations always.

He said: “Importers and smugglers shouldn’t make Nigeria a dumping ground because these fabrics and footwear can be produced in Nigeria. We have textile industries employing huge numbers of Nigeria if we

keep on importing contrabands then how do we want them to remain in business?”

He continued: “These are what can be produced in Nigeria. We have Hide and Skin factories all around the country. In Aba, we have young boys doing very well producing footwear, bags that the Nigerian Army patronised them for their materials so why do we need to import or smuggle what we can produce locally.

“The message we are passing out is for people to have change of heart for the betterment of this country, our industries are moribund, youths unemployed and government need money to carry out infrastructure upgrading and we need to contribute our quota to ensure

that restiveness of our youth is reduced.”

Speaking on DN raised in the last four weeks, he said, “honest declaration is what we want, importers and their agents should come to terms with reality that anything they are bringing in should conform to rules and regulations. You are bringing in bags, shoes, things that are prohibited just for the main fact that they are prohibited and I believe that if these things are dutiable, they will not bring it in but we are sending out message to them that we need honest declaration.

“Everybody should be nationalistic in thinking, patriotic in our actions so that we can defend and protect Continued on page 22

NIS Confirms Upsurge in Emigration Chinedu Eze The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the increase in the number of Nigerians struggling to travel overseas due to economic hardship.

There has also been an alleged increase in the spate of human trafficking, which makes Immigration work more daunting at international airports, as officers must carefully identify those who meet the conditions to travel and those who attempt to leave the country illegally.

This was disclosed by the Comptroller of Immigration, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Mr. Abdullahi Usman, who said the Command was working with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure that those suspected to be victims of human trafficking are rehabilitated, while those

AVIATION behind the illicit movement are arrested and taken to court.

Usman said many of those who wanted to leave Nigeria illegally, largely women, claim to have secured jobs overseas; others claim they were going to meet with their husbands, while some said they were invited by their siblings but did not have any document to corroborate their reasons.

He said there is a body known as the Association of Recruiters who now mediates between Immigration and those who are travelling out of the country to work.

“The Nigerians who were stopped from leaving the country since international flight operations started on September 5, 2020 did not meet the given requirements for leaving the country.

“They gave unconvincing

reasons why they wanted to leave but those reasons were not backed by proper documentation.

“Some said they were leaving for employment, but somebody that is going for employment and he has no employment visa, is it not a market? That is why we refused them departure.

Somebody said they were going on visit, you ask him of his return ticket and he doesn’t have return ticket.

“Someone women said they were visiting their husbands, where are the details of the husbands? They won’t give reasonable answers. Where is the marriage certificate? It takes her time to respond.

“Do we allow those kinds of people to go? No. This one now said he is going to meet the brother, we said fine, let’s have the details of the brother whether he is resident there or not. He can’t produce it.”

He added: “Some will come

with visa officers, on profiling she will tell us that she is going for employment. She is going to Dubai for her ticket but when we are profiling her, she said is going to Egypt because she is following Egypt Air. “So all those are issues.

Those ones that have managed to say, okay they have given us the invitee there, we have seen the resident permit of the invitee, we now said okay, how much do you have to go with? He said N20, 000.

“You are going to Dubai you are calling naira and it is N20, 000. Is it good to allow that person to go? No. So we now advise them; we give them travel advisory. If you want to go for employment, make sure you have contract agreement letter. But again we have gotten a formal way of processing this kind of issues.

“The Association of ReContinued on page 22

Norrenberger Financial Group, one of the leading financial services groups, has emerged winner of the Most Trusted Finance and Investment Brand Award at the recently held 2020 edition of the Africa Finance Awards, honouring excellence, innovation, creativity, and professionalism in finance and brand practice in Africa.

The emergence of the company as winner of the award was in recognition of the group’s customer experience despite a very trying economic environment caused by the COVID-19 impact in the financial sector.

Commenting on the award, Group Managing Director, Norrenberger Financial Group, Mr.Tony Edeh said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive yet another award which attests to the fact that our unceasing efforts are being appreciated by reputable institutions & bodies. One of the group’s strategic focus is to redefine the Nigerian financial sector by setting a higher standard of excellence in service delivery while simplifying wealth creation across our clientele spectrum.

“We will continue to unlock opportunities in our society by providing cutting edge investment options and access to alternative financing which in turn will allow people to bring their innovative ideas to life, expand their businesses and achieve their objectives.”

He explained that Norrenberger is an industry leading, integrated financial services group that provides individuals and institutions with an extensive range of financial services including funds & investment management, financial advisory, structured & alternative finance, foreign exchange brokerage amongst others.

Ethiopian Appoints New GM for Nigeria

Ethiopian Airlines has appointed Mr. Shimeles Arage as its new General Manager in Nigeria. He took over from Mrs. Firihiewot Mekonnen, who has now moved to Frankfurt, Germany as Manager.

Shimeles before his appointment was the Regional Manager, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. He once served in Equatorial Guinea and also as Director Revenue Management at the Head Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

With a BA Degree in Economics and an MBA degree he has attended numerous aviation courses globally and in Ethiopia. A tested Manager, he comes to Nigeria with a wealth of experience. Ethiopian Airlines is one of the leading airlines in Africa with the youngest and largest fleet. It flies to Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Enugu in Nigeria with brand new A350, B787 and B777 Aircraft. The airline has been flying to Nigeria since Independence in 1960. It was the first international airline to fly to Enugu Airport and the only international airline to fly to Kaduna Airport when Abuja Airport was closed in 2018. In addition, it was the first airline to bring the B787 Dreamliner to Nigeria as well as the first to bring an Airbus A350 to Nigeria. In December, 2017, it organised the first all-female managed flight to Nigeria.

United to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

United Airlines is taking its most ambitious step in leading the fight against climate change by pledging to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100 per cent by 2050.

United said it would advance towards carbon neutrality by committing to a multimillion-dollar investment in revolutionary atmospheric carbon capture technology known as Direct Air Capture – rather than indirect measures like carbon-offsetting – in addition to continuing to invest in the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

With this announcement, United becomes the first airline in the world to announce a commitment to invest in Direct Air Capture technology.

“As the leader of one of the world’s largest airlines, I recognise our responsibility in contributing to fight climate change, as well as our responsibility to solve it,” said United’s chief executive officer, Scott Kirby.

“These game-changing technologies will significantly reduce our emissions, and measurably reduce the speed of climate change – because buying carbon offsets alone is just not enough.

“Perhaps most importantly, we’re not just doing it to meet our own sustainability goal; we’re doing it to drive the positive change our entire industry requires so that every airline can eventually join us and do the same,” Kirby added.

Direct Air Capture technology is one of the few proven ways to physically correct for aircraft emissions, and can scale to capture millions and potentially billions of metric tons of CO2 per year. The captured CO2 will then be permanently, safely and securely stored deep underground by Occidental, a process certified by independent third parties.

“The exchange rate has a big impact on the aviation industry because everything we do have dollar component, including spares acquistion, insurance and training” CEO of Aero Contractors,

Capt. Ado Sanusi

22

T H I S D AY ˾ BER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS TEXTILES MATERIALS, SMUGGLED RICE WORTH N1.42BN this country, contribute to the quality of the country so that Nigeria will be a better place for our children.

“We are all Nigerians, they should refrain, change and let everyone be in the same page and if they insist to do their nefarious activities, we will use our manpower, intelligence to checkmate them and until we leave this service we will continue to checkmate them and protect our borders because we are determined, encouraged and mobilised,” he said.

He, however, said that the seized items will be forfeited to the federal government after it has been condemned by the court of competent jurisdiction.

NIS CONFIRMS UPSURGE IN EMIGRATION cruiters in Nigeria is to be licensed by the Ministry of Labour. We have Association of Recruiters now in Nigeria.

So the process is that they will be licensed by Ministry of Labour.

“Then when they are licensed by the Ministry, their passengers that want to go will be screened by NAPTIP after they are screened by NAPTIP then they come to Immigration control post, where we will now look at it whether they have the requirement to travel out of the country or not,” Usman explained.

The Comptroller also confirmed that the number of Nigerians that want to leave the country, especially to Middle East and other parts of Asia continue to increase daily.

He also disclosed that under this period, from September 5 to December 15, the Command repatriated about 75 persons from different countries and mainly EU countries, Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East.

“Those repatriated based on Immigration related offenses were attended to by us, some that had drug related issues were referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Some who were repatriated on alleged cybercrime were referred to the police,” Usman added.

NEWS

FG Disburses $1.1m Grant to Boost Solar Power in Rural Areas James Emejo in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Ahmad Salihijo, said the agency had disbursed over $1.1 million to 12 solar power companies as part of efforts to boost rural electrification across the country.

This came as the federal government also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Output Based Fund (OBF) grant with seven private companies for the deployment of Solar Home Systems (SHS) to small businesses and power rural communities cut off from the national grid.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, Salihijo, said the objective of the standalone SHS component was to help millions of under-served households and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access better energy services at lower cost.

Under the agreement, the companies are also required to provide electricity to small businesses located in areas categorised as unserved or under-served in terms of power supply.

The firms which signed the MoU with the agency included Arnergy Solar Limited, Central Electric and Utilities Consortium, Cloud Energy PhotoElectric Limited, and Sosai Renewables Solar Electric.

Others included JV Solar Integrated Power Solutions

Limited, Leadsun Technologies Company Limited, Privida Power Limited.

The REA Component Head, SHS, Ifunanya Nwandu-Dozie, said the firms were selected through a rigorous evaluation process.

She pointed out that the OBF was inaugurated in April, 2019,

adding that till date the SHS team in partnership with the federal government had signed agreements with 12 companies, three of which was signed during the recent lockdown to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “We’ve also disbursed over $1.1 million to

OVERSIGHT FUNCTION

L-R: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Musa Muhammed; Chairman, Nnolim Nnaji, and Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu; during an oversight function of the committee to the Aviation agencies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

Intels: Retrenched Workers Not Our Employees Eromosele Abiodun The management of Intels Nigeria Limited has expressed concern over the ongoing industrial action by members of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), which has impacted its services at the Onne Port, Rivers State.

MWUN began an indefinite strike from Monday, December 14, 2020, over the redundancy of some 500 workers at the Onne Port.

But in a statement, Intels said the affected workers were not its employees, but staff of one of its labour contractors named Associated Maritime Services Limited (AMS).

“The management of Intels Nigeria Limited (Intels) notes with concern the ongoing

industrial action by members of SSASCGOC and MWUN which has impacted our services and wish to state the position of our company as follows: “Due to low operational activities arising from the general low activities in the oil & gas industry attributable mainly to fall in crude oil price which affected most of our clients, coupled with COVID-19 pandemic, management of Intels was

constrained to embark on a redundancy exercise recently.

The redundancy exercise affected both our direct employees and some of our labour contractors, such as Associated Maritime Services Limited (AMS), whose contract with Intels had to be partially terminated, and committed to pay entitlements due to AMS under the labour contract, ” it explained.

Intels in the statement added: “In accordance with

Eromosele Abiodun The Executive Director, Administration, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS), operator of the Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, Ibraheem Olugbade, has debunked some news reports that the terminal was not efficient in its barge operations.

Many terminal operators have adopted barge as an alternative option for cargo transfer in view of the deplorable access roads that have made transfer

through the road a nightmarish experience.

Olugbade, while reacting to the reports said Ports & Cargo terminal is one of the leaders in the handling of barges at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, going by the volume of cargoes and the investment made in cargo handling equipment.

He said: “It is not right for the terminal to be accused of not doing well in barge operations.

The terminal does an average of 800 TEUs through the barge on a

monthly basis while its dwelling time is just some days. We have invested in barges and some new equipment that guarantee improvement in our operations.

“Due to the reliable and efficient barge operations at our terminal, the empty and export containers of MSC from other terminals always find their way to Ports & Cargo terminal.

“The major challenge is that not much is happening in terms of cargo transfer through the road. The roads are not accessible.

The congestion is unbearable. All the adjoining roads and streets around the ports are blocked.

Trucks stay for weeks just to access the terminals. Even those who load in the terminal find it difficult to exit. Ports and Cargo can’t be blamed for this.”

He added: “Being a solutiondriven business, the parent company of PCHS, SIFAX Group, invested billions of naira in a new bonded facility at Ijora, Lagos in order to decongest the ever-busy Lagos port complex.”

Report Calls for Strategies to Boost Export

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James Emejo in Abuja

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

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extant laws, and the Conditions of Service applicable to employees of Intels, we engaged both SSASCGOC and MWUN in a negotiation over the modalities for the redundancy exercise as it affects Intels employees.

Following agreement reached with both SSASCGOC and MWUN, the redundancy exercise was successfully implemented in respect of employees of Intels affected by the exercise.

Olugbade: Ports & Cargo Doing Well on Barge Transfer

Group Business Editor Capital Market Editor

these companies who have sold over 105,000 systems spread across the 36 states in Nigeria.

“I am very pleased to see continued interest in this very prominent issue of tackling energy poverty in Nigeria. The Solar Home Systems team has been looking forward to this event.”

Despite the immense opportunities it presents to the economy, Nigeria currently lacks targeted and systematic strategies for exporting services.

According to a report by the Centre for Trade and Development Initiatives (CTDI) titled: “Analysis of Potentials of Nigeria’s Services Sector for Economic Diversification, Employment and Foreign Trade”, which was commissioned by the PDF II Bridge

Programme, there is need for a holistic services sector policy with strategic development plans for priority sectors.

The report noted that the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) currently directs the bulk of export promotional work to the goods sector largely sidelining the services potentials.

Unveiling the study during the recent PDF Bridge roundtable on the services sector, Prof. Abiodun Bankole of the CTDI, said policies are required to ensure that the services sector

growth is enhanced.

He stressed the need for domestic regulation that will engender the profitable production and export of services to boost the sector.

According to him, the government should be in the forefront of assisting to provide market opportunities for services firms in export markets adding that foreign road shows and trade fairs should be overhauled to include services.

He said: “There should be sector-enhancing liberalisation,

sector targeted promotion policies, development of human capital, strong institutions and provision of critical infrastructure to promote the services sector in Nigeria.”

Programme Manager, PDF II Programme, Mrs. Titilola Akindeinde, said the services sector had emerged as the highest contributor to the national output in the last decade and offered great potential to drive the diversification agenda of the government.

She said: “Bearing in mind

On port automation, Olugbade said the company was in the test phase of the process and would launch its online payment platform by January 2021.

Olugbade further pledged the readiness of the terminal as well as its parent company, SIFAX Group in finding a lasting solution to the logistics problem bedeviling the sector, adding that a speedy completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the access roads will bring the needed relief to all port users.

that this sector possesses immense capacity to absorb a large proportion of unemployed youths and help create gender parity in exploiting economic opportunities, it has become imperative that Nigeria as a nation should explore ways to expand its export of services.”

According to her, the study was commissioned by the programme to analyse the potential of the country’s services sector for economic diversification, employment and foreign trade.

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IATA Renews Call to Extend Vaccination to Aviation Workers Stories by Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has renewed its call on governments to ensure that employees in the aviation sector are considered as essential workers during the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine campaign, once health care workers and vulnerable groups have been protected.

IATA’s 76th Annual General Meeting (AGM) had unanimously adopted a resolution to this effect.

“We are not asking for aviation workers to be on top of the list, but we need governments to ensure that transportation workers are considered as essential when

vaccine rollout plans are developed.

“The transportation of the COVID-19 vaccines has already begun, and as calculations show, it will require the equivalent of 8,000 Boeing 747 freighter aircraft for global distribution.

“It is therefore essential that we have the qualified workforce in place to ensure a functioning logistics chain,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

IATA’s call was aligned with the proposed Roadmap Prioritising Uses of COVID-19 Vaccines by the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group

of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).

This recommended priority population for vaccination based on the respective epidemiologic situation and vaccine supply scenarios.

Within this framework, SAGE has included transportation workers alongside other essential sectors outside health and education sectors including police, for example.

The AGM also reiterated the vital role of air transport in facilitating the global response to the pandemic, including the timely distribution of medicines, testing kits, protective equipment and eventually vaccines around the world.

Ibom Air Reports 96% On-time Performance in November Nigerian carrier, Ibom Air has recorded an on-time performance of 96 per cent in November.

The management said the airline was steadily improving on services month after month, since the restart after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the aviation sector shut in March.

The airline throughout the calendar year has also maintained it’s above 95 per cent on the average all year round providing one of the best statistics for on-time performance on the average across board.

The airline which disclosed this on its website, compared its November performance with its previous 10 months, which showed that it recorded significant improvement until covid-19 which ensured that there were no flights in April, May or June.

The indigenous carrier said in November, it operated 676 flights with 647 on-time departures and 29 departures

later than 15 minutes after scheduled departure time giving the airline an enviable 96 per cent on-time performance In October, the statistics showed that the airline had a 98 per cent on time performance after operating 576 flights with 563 flight being on-time departures and 13 departures later than 15 minutes after scheduled departure time In July, August and September the airline said it had fewer flights but still maintained the on-time performance, the low flight operations was due to recovery from the pandemic which affected not just Ibom Air but other airlines.

Ibom Air rebounded from the lockdown and the attendant apathy, which greeted the first few weeks after flight resumption due to the health protocols now embraced by all travellers.

In July, Ibom Air recorded 199 total operated flights with 189 on-time departures, 10

departures later than 15 minutes after scheduled time and had an average 95 per cent of those flights operated.

August and September the airline recorded 424 and 545 operated flights and had 419 and 539 on-time departures respectively with 5 and 6 departures later than 15 minutes after scheduled time and a 99 per cent on-time performance for both months.

April, May and June were ruined by COVID-19 and flight operations did not take place and so nothing to compare with.

However, in January, February and March the airline operation flight figures stood at 464,427 and 393 respectively with on-time departures of 461, 420 and 391 and departures later than 15 minutes after scheduled time standing at 3, 7 and 2 respectively and statistics for these months in terms of on-time performance stood at 99 per cent, 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively.

SAHCO Assures on Capacity to Handle Temperature Sensitive Cargo Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has said it has the capacity to convey high volumes of items at specified and required temperature because it now has a total of seven cold rooms and freezers fitted with the latest technology to adapt the required temperature for any cargo.

The company said in a statement that with experienced well-trained staff to handle pharmaceuticals, it had been positioned to handle the COVID-19 vaccine, which distribution has already started.

“These freezers and cold rooms which can be used as hub for cargo from up to 12 to 15 aircrafts pallets each are equipped with temperature and data loggers which makes it easy for specified logging of the

right temperature.

“The data loggers capture temperature at all areas individually unlike the conventional cold rooms that takes temperature of everything at once. These data loggers are closely monitored by trained staff so as to prevent any anomalies in the temperature readings.

“The cold storage facility has different temperature that ranges from; +2 degrees Celsius to + 8 degrees Celsius, -2 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius, +15 degrees Celsius to +25 degrees Celsius, +2 degrees Celsius to +5 degrees Celsius,” the handling company said in a statement.

It also added, “Our freezers are below zero degree Celsius while our cold rooms are above zero degree Celsius. SAHCO’s largest cold-room is 118.9 square

meters and the cubic volume is 630.17 cubic meters while the smallest cold-room is 58.5 square meter and 5.3m high, cubic volume is 310.05 cubic meters. This makes SAHCO the only Ground Handler capable of handling temperature sensitive cargo of this capacity.”

In addition, SAHCO said it provides effective transit ground handling services to client airlines through the company’s ultra-modern transit warehouse, which is also equipped with an effective cold-room that regulates perishables at their required specified temperature to avoid denaturing. The transit warehouse is built solely to serve Airlines from West Africa for the purpose of transiting their perishables to Europe through Lagos, Nigeria.

Fadugba’s Appointment and Move to Reposition SAA Chinedu Eze The Nigerian international aviation consultant and CEO of African Aviation Services, Nick Fadugba has been appointed to the interim board that would reposition South Africa Airways (SAA), the country’s floundering national carrier.

The government of South Africa through the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) appointed Fadugba, Mr. Geoff Qhena, Mr. Peter Tshisevhe, Ms. June Crawford, Ms. Bembe Zwane and Prof. Edna van Harte, into an interim board to reposition SAA as the airline looks forward to a new beginning come 2021.

The constitution of the interim six-member SAA board would see to the restructuring of the airline for profitability and professionalism.

DPE which made the announcement through a recent statement, said Qhena would chair the board and expected to restore proper governance and oversight of the airline during the implementation of a business rescue plan.

“As a shareholder on behalf of government, the DPE is delighted that these experienced professionals have agreed to join the board of SAA. Their combination of academic, financial, legal and aviation experience, with deep knowledge of global aviation and transportation trends, will bring a new perspective as the national carrier prepares to relaunch next year.”

The appointments, the statement said, also enhances the independence and balance of the board, whilst continuing the process of transformation and renewal.

“Nick Fadugba, is an aviation professional with many years in consulting and promoting aviation development on the African continent, including leading the African Airlines Association (AfRAA). He has served as the Chairperson of African Business Aviation Association and has been involved in discussions on a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM),”said DPE. Fadugba established African Aviation Services (AAS) in 1990 with the pan-African vision of promoting aviation development throughout Africa. He believed that aviation could be a vital catalyst for Africa’s economic and social transformation. Since 1988, he has provided a wide range of consultancy and advisory services to international aviation, finance and leasing organisations and to African Governments.

He has also been instrumental in fostering business relations between Africa and the international aviation community in critical areas such as Aviation Finance, Aircraft Leasing, Aircraft Maintenance, Air Safety and Aviation Training.

Fadugba has unique experience in aviation finance and aircraft leasing negotiation, arbitration and dispute resolution. Other areas of specialty include developing airline business plans; fleet planning; aircraft leasing and finance advisory services; airline route network development; market information research and analysis; reconciliation of aircraft leasing / finance accounts and debt recovery; negotiating acquisition of airport slots and air traffic rights; and establishing London Heathrow Airport

The constitution of the interim six-member SAA board would see to the restructuring of the airline for profitability and professionalism

Fadugba operations for foreign airlines.

He was elected Chairman of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) in May 2018. He is a former elected Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA); is a Launch Member of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and Vice Chairman of its Safety and Training Committee. He is also the Chief Advisor to the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations (AATO); a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAes), UK; a member of the Aviation Club of the UK; a member of the German Aviation Research Society (GARS); the European Aviation Club; the Institute of Directors (IOD), UK; the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), USA; a Volunteer for Airlink, the international aviation charity, and a member of the ISTAT Scholarship Program for African Students.

Fadugba has helped pioneer international aviation conferences focusing on aviation finance, leasing, aircraft maintenance and aviation training, specifically tailored for Africa, providing a unique forum for African and international airlines, airports, aviation, finance and leasing organisations, industry regulators and government officials to discuss key commercial, financial and regulatory issues affecting the African aviation industry and to seek practical solutions through mutually-beneficial co-operation. In 1990, he also helped pioneer aviation publishing in Africa with the launch of African Aviation, an industry journal, to promote the African aviation industry globally.

As Chairman of AfBAA, Fadugba, currently represents Africa on the Governing Board of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), Montreal, Canada, an affiliate of ICAO. Qhena is a qualified Chartered Account and a seasoned finance executive. He is a former Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation, where he was at the helm for 13 years.

Tshisevhe is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer with extensive experience in transaction advisory services. He is a director and partner at TGR Attorneys, a leading commercial law firm in Johannesburg.

Crawford, who leads the Aviation Working Group of the South African Business Council, is a leading aviation and tourism leader and professional. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Airlines Representatives of South Africa.

Zwane is an aviation entrepreneur who is a part-owner in an aviation training solutions provider, a car rental business and an aviation logistics business. She is a former executive at Imperial Logistics and Equity Aviation.

Professor Van Harte is an academic and former dean of the faculty of Military Science at the South African National Defence Force’s military academy at Saldanha Bay and former Chairperson of the Defence Service Commission. She has served on various boards and commissions.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

X-raying Concession Models for Nigerian Airports Industry experts in this report discuss the best model of concession for Nigeria, Chinedu Eze writes.

T

he federal government has decided to concession the terminal facilities at four major airports in the country, despite the misgivings and protests by labour.

The airports include the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

PPP The federal government has also concluded that it would concession the airports under the public, private partnership (PPP), where the investor would manage the facility for some years after which it reverts to the state.

World Bank Group’s PPP Legal Resource Centre has identified different types of Private, Public Partnership, which include one, utility restructuring, corporatisation and decentralization; two, civil works and service contracts; three, management and operating agreements; four, leases/affermage; five, concession, build-operate-operate-transfer (BOT), design-build-operate (DBO); six, joint ventures and partial divestiture of public assets; seven, full divestiture and eight, contract plans and performance contracts.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) also listed factors to be considered when giving airports in concession, noting that as the Article 28 of the Chicago Convention gives states the responsibility of making available airports and navigation facilities within their territory for the provision of public services to air transport users.

ICAO monitored the first concessions in Latin America and came to the conclusion that concession in Latin America resulted in significant benefits for the states in terms of infrastructure, services, regulatory application and employment.

ICAO also noted that in a different way, concession has also had an impact on the cost of airport services and recognised that the concession process is of great help for the prompt solution of problems concerning the lack and obsolescence of infrastructure and the quality of service, which demands large investments that, in many cases, cannot be afforded by the states.

ICAO, however, stated that certain criteria needed to be adopted so that the amount of the investment would be consistent with the expected growth of air transport demand.

These include that the airports must optimise their various services and, especially those given in concession. They should also seek reasonable profits based on a commercial approach to the airport business, balancing facilitation and user security, and offering comfort and different services to all their users.

But states must have, “the unrenounceable responsibility of ensuring compliance with the standards and recommended practices applicable to public services at airports, without detriment to that stipulated in concession contracts.”

ICAO considered that concession processes, whatever the scope of the functions assumed by concessionaires, must guarantee that both aeronautical and non-aeronautical services are provided more efficiently at said airport and also observed, “according to Article 15 of the Chicago Convention, any airport that is open to public use in a state must offer equal conditions to aircraft of all states in terms of the charges levied for the use of the airport and air navigation facilities.”

It added that the abuse of monopolistic positions should be avoided both in airport concession and airport management processes.

The MMA2 Example When the old domestic terminal at the Lagos airport got burnt and the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration decided that the private sector would develop and manage a new airport terminal, not few were apprehensive about the government’s decision because Nigerians were used to having government run airports facilities.

It was that policy that gave birth to the domestic terminal (MMA2) built by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) under the PPP’s build-operate-transfer arrangement.

Since the terminal was built and became

MMA2 operational in 2007, it has remained the bestmanaged airport terminal in Nigeria, according to industry observers.

In fact, a senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recently told THISDAY that unnecessary bottlenecks and bureaucracy have made it almost impossible for airport terminals managed by the agency to work efficiently like the MMA2 managed

by BASL. THISDAY investigations also revealed that the efficiency in the way the terminal is being managed attracted even airlines that have their operational base at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), known as domestic airport terminal 1 (MMA1) and they routed some of their flights from MMA2.

Spokesman of one of the airlines that started operating at MMA2 since 2008, told THISDAY that the terminal management is bereft of the encumbrances that bedevil the operator of other airport facilities because it is private sector driven; it is business oriented and has defined standard of operation without interferences.

“There are a lot of things we enjoy at that terminal which we don’t hope to have in the other terminals we operate in. MMA2 ambience is cool, naturally it’s inviting. There has been uninterrupted power supply for over a decade.

“This is as a result of deliberate effort to deliver. The facility upgrade is done as at when due. They have well laid out plan to keep the facility in top shape. It’s a systemic arrangement. They also have modern training centre with top facilities.

“The centre was certified by the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). It is now being used even by other concessionaires, businesses around the airport for regulated training. No need to incur unnecessary foreign exchange especially with IATA, ICAO-backed training sessions,” the airline official said.

On the coronavirus pandemic prevention protocols, a BASL official told THISDAY, “Our COVID19 safety protocols were top notch. We continue to attract new airlines (with some coming on board soon). Our non-aeronautical section is doing superbly well. Despite COVID-19 challenges, we haven’t retrenched; instead values have been added to our staff; their welfare remains top priority. Our customer service is pleasantly amazing.

“We have history of lost and found items - these are usually returned to the owners.

Services at the terminal are seamless; nothing like middlemen interference here and there.

Most airlines have testified to this, particularly with their experiences elsewhere. Our customerfacing staff is courteous, always willing to help. This is also a systemic thing.”

Mind Shift Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe told THISDAY that the decision to concession the domestic terminal to

BASL was, “the best mind shift” by government and expressed the hope that the problem in the agreement that dogged the concession over the years would be resolved.

Aligbe said despite the controversy that beset the concession, MMA2 remains the bestmanaged airport terminal in Nigeria, adding, “The terminal signposts what a concession can do. I will not stop in supporting the concession of airport facilities, but it should be transparent.

“This concession of MMA2 helped us because it showed that (Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) can work. When there is nothing on the ground you will have BOT. you can have another kind of agreement when there are already existing facilities.

“We need new airport with new design, which meets ICAO standard, whereby in-bound and out-bound passengers move at different levels and do not meet. So there should be two-level structures.”

Aligbe said MMA2 has confirmed that airport concession in Nigeria can work so it should be embraced and noted that concession can drive modernity at Nigeria’s airports, remarking that Nigeria is yet to see the best airport facilities, which would be enabled by airport concession.

“But we need competences in every field of aviation. If we have local competences we go for it; whatever we don’t have we employ it from outside. Nigerians learn very fast. We can easily adopt what we don’t have because we are good learners,” he said.

Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, recently spoke about his experience as concessionaire during a webinar organised by Aviation Round Table (ART) and made recommendations on how concession of airport facilities could work in Nigeria.

Babalakin said, “When I hear about concession, all I say is that please follow the law only so that you are not exposed to phenomenal damages, especially if some of the bidders come from outside.

“I doubt if anybody who is coming from a very structured company will bid for any of those facilities because they will always ask for reference and they will be told that MMA2, though successful has been completely undermined, hindered by refusal to honour agreements.

“I also hope that when this concessioning takes place, there will be an independent body that will act as the regulator. The regulator cannot be a participant in the management of airports, it cannot. It is conflict of interest.

You cannot be a judge in your own court.”

He explained the reason why there should be independent regulator that should oversee the management of the concessioned airport facilities.

“Recently, we were trying to increase our passenger tax; we have kept the same thing

(charge) for about 10 years even with inflation and devaluation. Fortunately for us, in our agreement with government we got approval from FAAN, from the Ministry on the bandwidth that we could charge.

“We have not exceeded that bandwidth, we wrote to NCAA, informing NCAA that we will go ahead to do this; we already have authority for it. And NCAA wrote back to us that we should seek the consent of FAAN. “Why should we seek the consent of our competitor, on the same terrain who is not honouring his own side of the bargain? Why should we? We are not troublesome but this is a matter that we could all go to court and resolve in a month.

“We are not troublesome, we just want to operate in our own sphere, give hope to Nigerians that it is possible to invest in infrastructure in Nigeria and have appropriate returns,” Babalakin said.

He, however, expressed happiness that the federal government decided that it wants proper concessioning process, noting that once this concession is signed it is more important that government sticks to the rules of the game.

Capacity Speaking on the need to urgently concession major airports in the country, the Group Managing Director, Finchglow Group and former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernard said the time to concession the airports is now.

“According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there are predictions that developing countries including Nigeria will see a surge in air transport in the next 15 - 20 years.

“However, with this predicted growth in air transport, many of these countries, including Nigeria do not have the facility to manage this traffic. This situation perfectly describes Nigeria.

“With the country’s situation of having limited resources to expand its airports, the best option in view is the concession of our airports as rightly raised by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika,” he said.

Bernard said the National Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2018, Nigeria’s air passenger traffic inched up by 3 per cent with a total number of 14.82 million travellers, as against 14.26 million in 2017. In 2019, the passenger traffic in the first half of the year hit 8.48million compared to 7.56million in 2018. With passenger traffic growing at that pace, “even though we have seen some setback due to the COVID-19, air transport will soon rebound and the expansion of our airports should be a focus area.”

From the standpoint of industry stakeholders, concession can work in Nigeria because BASL has successfully operated airport terminal under concession arrangement; this has given fillip for further campaign to concession more airport facilities.

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Why Government Should Assist Nigerian Airlines

Amos Akpan

W

e must note that domestic airlines are privately owned businesses. They do not share their profits with Nigerian public. Yes! They employ Nigerians who work for their wages. On accountability, it is what they declare that stays as accountability records. As at today, there is no airline that is a public listed company. It is not easy for any government to explain giving the commonwealth of Nigerians to individual’s private concerns.

However, the growth and success of industries aggregate to economic development and national prosperity.

This is the reason governments provide enabling environment for privately owned companies to prosper in their businesses.

The aviation industry contributes to the GDP of Nigeria. Like other countries have done, Nigerian government needs to bail out Nigerian airlines from the effects of COVID-19 and the #endsars protest. The effects of these events threw the economy into recession, which reduces the ability of air travelers to afford ticket prices. This results in low patronage, which turns into low income, nil profits and loss.

Government may not be expected to give cash to the airlines. These are the ways government can support the airlines: give guarantees on aircraft insurance premiums; use bonds to secure payments through Nigerian brokers; extend repayment period on existing loan facilities; restructure new loans to maximum five per cent interest; repayment period of seven to 10 years.

Other ways government can support the airlines include: exempt them from payment of VAT; unify and gazette the implementation of duty exemption on aircraft and aircraft spares; stop granting multiple entry points to foreign airlines and give diplomatic support to Nigerian airlines designated on international routes.

Government has to be commended for activating the principle of reciprocity against those countries that introduced unfavourable policy on Nigerian carriers and Nigerian citizens. Government has to sustain this policy because it encourage equal playing field for local carriers.

Government should also instruct current operating airlines to send their payroll to banks; the federal government should pay their three months staff salaries through the bank. This can be repaid without interest in 12 months effective March 2021. Government can allocate forex at a special rate to domestic airlines so

they can pay for spare parts, maintenance, and training.

Let us address those who criticise domestic airlines for always failing and then ask government to use public funds to bail them out. These people seem to anchor their criticism on outdated/ unviable business plans by the promoters of domestic airlines. The people criticising airline operators’ business strategies seem to know so much about airline management. They even sound like they know what it takes to run an airline that will make profits and be sustained while remaining in competition with foreign counterparts. My problem is that these commentators criticise past and current operators as if they were dump and cheat businessmen. They seem to be saying the operators deliberately run their own businesses aground.

Who are these commentators? All of them are friends and associates in the aviation industry; some of them are stakeholders because they operate allied aviation businesses within the industry.

But none of these commentators have leased, purchased and operated an aircraft in history. Most of their businesses depend on patronage from government agencies, the Ministry of Aviation and the airlines. If their records are x-rayed, they do not pay accurate taxes, they do not pay multiple taxes like the airlines currently do. Their highest exposure in terms of financial loan is about N100 million.

The minimum share capital required to register an airline that will operate beyond Nigerian borders is N2 billion. Managing freight and forwarding company, a security company, a travel and tour company, or a public relations company is not the same as managing scheduled commercial airline operations.

These critics cannot determine the break-even payload of an aircraft type on a specific route. They cannot derive the revenue passenger per kilometer on a route from available statistics. They cannot factor how much is insurance per hour from the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew Maintenance and Insurance) cost analysis of an aircraft operations in a specific territory like Nigeria.

My point is that informed input is key to valuable criticism. When you say Nigerian airlines do not have viable business plans, you have to support it with acceptable data. When you say an airline should change from passenger services to cargo flight services, you support your statement with strategic depositions. Airline business modules require huge investment capital, long gestation tenure, and the operations

are 100 per cent regulated.

Currently the airlines are facing very rough business terrain. Cost of funds from our banks is high. There has been extremely low inflow of foreign direct investment this year, almost zero in aviation. Very scarce foreign exchange, which means airlines, cannot get forex to pay for spare parts, maintenance and training.

Fuel price, insurance premium, and cost of operations keep increasing. Ticket prices per seat and freight charge per kilogram is rising in response to increasing cost of operations. The problem is that purchasing power of potential air travelers has a ceiling based their economy and percentage of the population. Consequently, there is a limit to the increase on airfare and freight charges.

The government has to address the causes of rising cost of operations. The airline management has to inculcate financial discipline and acceptable corporate governance.

The airlines will not survive the current trend because fewer people can sustain buying tickets at the current prices from January 2021. This means patronage will be low, income will dwindle, and this means loss of jobs and business bankruptcy.

What the airlines are asking government to do is not an aberration. That is what other governments even in Africa have done for their airlines, which are also privately owned. The reason for their support is because those governments know that air transport is catalyst to any economy. They know that airlines employ a lot of people. They know that besides direct employment by airlines, there are thousands of other people that are indirectly employed by airlines either they are working for catering service companies, fuel marketers, handling companies, freighting and forwarding companies and many others. The economy of any nation is sustained by air travel because that is the fastest way of taking people from place to place.

Nigerian government and institutions have to decide and determine to create environment that supports domestic airlines to operate safe and profitably.

There is need to avoid the current spate of trading blames. We must note that private investors who could have invested in quicker returns yielding ventures chose to invest in our domestic air transport services. Have we considered where we would have been had these entrepreneurs not stepped into this high risk investment portfolios when Nigerian Airways went into comatose and eventually died?

It is not wise to lure investors to establish domestic airlines; yet we retain an environment set up for the business to be unprofitable.

No business will survive if it produces a can of juice for N5, 000 and sells it at N5,000 or it produces a hotel room per night at N10,000 and sells it for N10,000.

For domestic airlines currently the cost of producing a seat per one hour’s flight is above N35, 000; yet there is a limit the domestic airlines can raise the price of seat per flight because the national economic indices determines the purchasing power of the potential air traveler. We need to eliminate unnecessary cost carried by the airline because of the environment.

Urgent impediments government has to address to induce the survival of airlines include high cost of aviation fuel; cost of Forex; high Insurance Premium – same as active war zones- Afghan, Syria, Somalia; high cost of funds – Double digit interest rates on short tenor loans; multiple taxation; high cost of maintenance, as Nigeria has not Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) with sufficient capacity.

Government has to also address the unfair advantage given to foreign airlines in Nigeria.

The efforts of the Hon. Minister of Aviation to establish a national carrier is laudable. It is wise if the government can address the critical success factors in the current operating environment so that the national carrier will survive.

Domestic airlines contribute to Nigeria’s GDP. Airlines employ approximately 12,000 Nigerians not to mention auxiliary services and its multiplier effects. Every other service provider in the aviation sector survives because the airlines pull in the air traveler.

If government does not give bail out to Nigeria Airlines urgently, it will take a longer period for our domestic aviation to recover. The foreign airlines have received first, and some second, tranches of bailouts from their home governments.

We must not forget that the economic downturn faced by airlines is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is a global problem, and as stated earlier, many governments have assisted their airlines. Some have sustained the airlines so that they will not sack their workers. Retaining the workers and not allowing them to go into the labour market is a huge contribution by airlines worldwide.

That is why the International Air Transport Association has renewed calls for governments to extend financial support to airlines to help them overcome the coronavirus-induced financial crisis.

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How Powerful are Marketing, PR Professionals in Nigeria?

Abiola Bonuola

D

on’t believe all the lies they tell you about PR girls or men, we are very powerful. If you’ve ever had the time to delve into the madness portrayed by the fierce Elizabeth Sloane in the movie, Miss Sloane, you will believe me when I tell you that PR people rule the world today and Nigeria is not exempted no matter how poorly rated the country may seem.

Public relations professionals literally control a lot of things you see in the media today. Whether it is radio, TV, newspapers, social media, online communities and websites and so on, we manage everything, know everything, see everything. We are everywhere, yet our lives are so secret.

But as Sir John Dalberg-Acton once implied, having absolute power must be well managed or it will corrupt absolutely and that is the responsibility we must carry on our shoulders every day.

Definitely as professionals, we have the power of connecting people from all walks of life. Clients ask us to recommend agencies, managers tell us to bid celebrities for campaigns, celebrities seek our support for brand endorsement deals, agencies rely on us to make them a lot of money and the list goes on.

A true PR professional must be conscious of the power wield. This is why at all times, a good professional must have a thick skin because we get shut down often by criticism. Scott Signore once stated, “We enjoy much strategic and tactical success when working with clients, we also get shot

down presenting ideas for new programs or programmatic approaches”. It’s really an integral part of the job so we cannot afford to react short-sightedly to remarks from the media, clients even our line heads and managers.

Influencers, celebrities, clients, managers, agencies, the media and so on who continue to give us this power must be very careful with how we are managed. You don’t want to go to an event and insult an already overworked PR girl with your actions or words, ‘Omo you don cast be that’. The lady can as well give you a bad review

next time she finds herself in the position to recommend you to your ‘helpers’.

A popular celebrity (name withheld) I worked with recently lost her value in the marketing industry just because her manager was rude to a group of PR professionals. The Manager was quite the handful. She made several (not just one) remarks insinuating that PR managers are incompetent and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. ‘Out’, the PR group chanted and the entire industry boycotted the celebrity. Now the said celebrity needs to spend extra money, (which she doesn’t

have) to pay a PR Manager to redeem her image from the industry floor.

Still wondering what happened to those influencers that we no longer remember?

When next you find a ‘small girl’ with a laptop in front of her, typing away a list of names or working on a plan or budget, respect her because she can make or mar your career with a single word.

But what do I know? I’m just another ‘small girl’ with big dreams in Lagos.

-Bonuola is a Senior PR and Marketing Communications Consultant in Lagos

Investing in Rice Production, Processing Business Godwin Uba The Federal Government plans to make Nigeria self- sufficient in rice production.

That is highly commendable. From research it has been proven that Nigeria rice is the best rice in the world as the taste and quality is far better than the imported ones from other parts of the world.

In Nigeria today, some states produce paddy rice in abundance. Some of these states are Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Kebbi, Imo, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Cross River State and some Northern States such as Sokoto to mention but few. Therefore with serious efforts not only by Government but private companies and individuals, the self-sufficient policy is achievable.

Rice is now a staple food in Nigeria. Every household both rich and poor consumes a great quantity of rice every day. The demand for rice is very high. The huge demand for rice is further accentuated by increasing and expanding urbanization, endless social parties where rice is the main menu, Nigerians eating habits (preference for foreign rice).The preference for foreign rice should be stopped.

Of the total projected population figure of 200million, over 70% feed on rice.

Because of the demand, many Nigerians have embarked on importation of rice. This situation should not be allowed to continue forever. These importers must channel their huge resources to establishment of modern milling plants in Nigeria instead of fastening the growth of some foreign countries.

From publications made by the Bureau of Statistics and Federal Ministry of Finance the importation figures of rice amounted to about one (1) Trillion of Naira as the end of 2012.

This figure increased to over two (2) trillion Naira in 2016 and about three (3) trillion in 2018. The figure has always on an increase.

Rice importation has the greatest figure of over 60% of total import figures.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had total closure of the neighbouring borders and it became clear indication that large quantities of foreign rice come into the country through the neighbouring ports. It became clear that there was huge importation of rice through illegal means. During this period of total ban and closure of borders, it became imperative that Nigerians can actually produce enough rice to sustain itself. Nigerians had survived and are gradually adapted to eating of local

Rice farm rice. Famers were happier, local processors of rice came back to life and they all make more money with less competition with imported products. However, the prices of rice, the staple food in the country rose on top of the roof. A common man can no longer afford the commodity, both locally produced and imported. Currently a bag of imported rice is as high as between N28, 000 and N30, 000 for a bag of 50kg; while the locally made rice is between N18, 000 and N20, 000. Government must therefore have to sustain the tempo of not allowing massive importation of rice into the country, but have a relaxed but full control of rice imports. It is not advisable to impose a total ban on importation of rice without first assessing and establishing exactly what the country can afford to produce; ensure that the country can produce at least 70% of what is needed in this country.

There must be full record of what we can produce internally with projection of what our farmers can produce at full capacity.

Generally, encouraging local production or manufacturing, Agricultural production and processing is one of the good things that can happen to this country because the policy will generate more employment opportunities and put more foods in our tables.

The Federal Government has also concluded arrangements to roll out a new policy that will ensure that loans are available at single digit interest rate to farmers with effect

from this year.

Corporate organizations such as Coscharis Group have gone into production, processing and bagging of rice. More individuals are being encouraged by the Government to invest into this sector. Here we discussed on how you can invest into rice processing and packaging business.

Investors can invest in rice farming and rice processing or rice milling plant. Rice milling project will best be sited in these areas where rice is grown in order to reduce cost of transportation of the paddy. To set up this project, a minimum space of a plot of land is required to dry paddy rice after harvesting.

The components of machines required to set up this project are cleaning facilities, Dehuller, Boiling tank, Polisher, Bagger and other miscellaneous equipment such as wheel barrows, weighing scales.

These machines can be fabricated locally.

They can also be imported from Europe and some known Asian companies that specialize in the area. Prospective investors would be given details on these machine produces and specialists.

Also project vehicles and generating sets are essential for smooth running of this project.

Rice milling could be done on cottage, small, medium and large scale bases depending on availability of capital and the raw materials- paddy rice. Output could be from

2MT to 150MT per day. Generally one metric tonne of paddy rice yields about 60kg- 70kg of milled rice, depending on milling efficiency company management practice and the variety of rice purchased.

In the process of milling well parboiled rice free from sand, stones, unpleasant ordour with fewer breakages, a whole rice, broken rice and bran are obtained. Whole rice are packed and sold for human consumption.

Broken rice is further milled into ‘’Tuwo Shinkafa’’ (a flour meal) while bran is very important input for manufacturing dietary products like rice bran bread which has been acclaimed good for the decrease of blood cholesterol, rice bran oil and livestock feeds.

From rice you can also be obtained puffed rice, rice cakes, rice pudding etc.

The husks are used for the production of potassium Hydroxide solution or as fuel for milling plants. It can be seen that virtually all parts of paddy rice is useful.

The likely cost of total project will not actually be stated safely unless one knows the scope (whether cottage, small, medium or large scale) a proposed investors would like to embark upon. However, the cost ranges from N550, 000 – N10.2million for cottage level to N57million for medium size plant and over N500million for large scale. Basic factors to consider in determining the initial cost includes the capacity to produce, the source(s) of the machinery, whether to construct his own building or rent one, the location etc.

Therefore to embark upon this project, one needs a business plan (feasibility studies), with detailed costing for all the aspects of inputs, and before one can obtain the likely total estimated cost.

In conclusion, rice milling; an agro-based business is very profitable (45-55% return on investment), and sustainable. It has low capital requirement, technical know-how is not complicated. The machinery and equipment can be sourced locally. The project has a short pay–back period.

It is highly recommended for serious and aggressive promoters, local and state Governments and private investors particularly those that are thinking good for this country.

For details on comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies, investment Advisory services, funding arrangements, please contact the writer.

-Uba can be reached via 08034494437

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T H I S D AY ˾ BER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

NPA’s Scorecard Eromosele Abiodun writes that the berthing of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel at Onne, Rivers State, the improved revenue generation, planned deployment of electronic call up system to end Apapa traffic and suspension of demurrage during the COVID-19 lockdown, among others, were part of the scorecard of the Nigerian Ports Authority in 2020

T

he outgoing year can be said to be the most challenging for humankind in living memory. It is a year everything that had to go wrong went wrong.

A year in which a pandemic shutdown the world and business, governments, large corporations reeling in pains of loss of revenue and countless number of human lives. As at the last count, over 70 million people have been affected by COVID-19 and over 1.5 million deaths globally. Jobs have been lost and many companies had to shut down.

In Nigeria, the effect of the lockdown owing to the pandemic was yet to be fully felt before a movement, #Endsars, meant to protest police brutality was hijacked by hoodlums and plunged the country into further economic crisis and another recession.

However, despite these challenges, a few organisations stood out and recorded feats thought impossible. For instance, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stood out among other government agencies. From the beginning of the year up till now, the NPA, on monthly basis, recorded outstanding performance that baffled industry stakeholders.

Prominent among the many achievements are the berthing of one of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne in Rivers State, N1 trillion revenue, partnership with a private firm to deploy N7billion electronic call up system to end Apapa traffic and suspension of all applicable terminal storage fees on consignments, also known as demurrage for an initial period of 21 days during the COVID-19 lockdown etc.

The achievement did not happen by accident. In her maiden press briefing as the Managing Director of the NPA, in July 2016, Hadiza Bala-Usman had promised that the new management would strive for enhanced operational efficiency for improved revenue generation and inflows into national treasury.

The ports, she stated, are the critical arteries of the economy and it is their duty to ensure that the operators deliver ports services in line with the standards deserved in the 21st century.

She said that the new management would support President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of economic diversity.

“We will listen to our customers, importers and exporters and other agencies working in the ports to improve on our service delivery to the nation. Anything less than the world class services are simply not acceptable.

“Attaining such height is the mission to which we can all subscribe to. As a team leader, I have come to add my best efforts to yours so that we can collectively achieve result for our industry, ”she said.

She added that the new management would prioritise investments in primary equipment and infrastructure and services with commitment to fulfilling NPA’s concession agreement to hasten clearance of imports and exports from the ports.

She noted that collectively, the hard work of staff members could position NPA as a modern agency, “to function as regulator, all of us at NPA must be committed to the highest standards of performance. Let us uphold the most diligent work ethics in our individual beats as well as collective undertaking to achieve result.

“Everyone at the NPA has a role in promoting best practices in upholding good governance, standards and delivering quality services. We would jointly work hard with integrity and zero-tolerance for corruption. As the new management settles, we would be listening to your concerns and suggestions as we navigate the best options for effectively discharging the NPA’s mandate.”

Gearless Vessel Berthing As the world was scampering for help

other revenue and investment income, which forms a bulk of its revenue are yet to be available for the period under review.

Also, analysis of the agency’s six years’ revenue and remittances to CRF between 2013 and 2018 showed quantum leap in revenue and remittances despite the downturn in ship and cargo traffic as a result of certain federal government policies that are discouraging importation.

Bala-Usman

due to the COVID-19, the NPA in the first quarter of the year, announced the successfully berthing of one of the biggest gearless Maerskline vessel, calling at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne in Rivers State, Nigeria.

The Maerskline Stardelhorn vessel with Length overall of 300 metres, width of 48 metres is the biggest ever Container Vessel to arrive at any Nigerian Ports.

The vessel, which has a capacity of 9,971 (TEUs) is a flagship from Singapore.

Speaking, while receiving the vessel, the Managing Director NPA Bala- Usman said the NPA was determined to ensure that eastern ports remain attractive to shippers.

Represented by the Asst. General Manager Harbours, Captain Uduiguomen Eboreime, Bala- Usman said she was very happy for the safe arrival of the ‘Maersk Stadelhorn Vessel’ at Onne Port.

Continuing the MD said that NPA is equal to the task adding the successful berthing is as a result of five day preparation for the arrival of this vessel from Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Giving details of the vessel, Maesrkline Port Captain Kikelomo Abiola Cudjoe said the length of the vessel is 300 metres (length overall) and the Width is 48 metres and a total draught of 11.2 metres, while the vessel capacity stood at 9,971(TEUs).

The Port Manager Alhasssan Ismaila Abubaka, who received the vessel along with some Onne Port Team, said the arrival of the vessel is a milestone attained by NPA. Also speaking at the event, the Country Manager of A P Molleer Klaos Holman Laursen said, that was the biggest Container vessel to call in Nigerian Ports, saying that the vessel Length overall is 300 metres, width is 48 metres and draught of 11.2 metres.

Demurrage suspension Following appeal by stakeholders in the maritime industry and in line with global best practice, the NPA directed all terminal operators to suspend all applicable terminal storage fees on consignments, also known as demurrage for an initial period of 21 days.

The NPA also stated that the gesture was in recognition of the pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic imposes on businesses and the responsibility imposed on the authority to

relieve this burden on its customers.

Improved Revenue Generation The NPA also improved in revenue generation despite COVID-19, towards the end of the third quarter of 20202, it announced that it generated a revenue of N1.02 trillion in the space of three years under the tenure of Bala-Usman.

Analysis of the results showed that in 2016, the authority’s revenue went up to N182.42 billion against the N173.447 billion generated in 2015.

The positive revenue surge continued in 2017 when the authority generated a total of N259.99 billion, marking about 42 per cent increase compared to 2016.

In 2018, the revenue generation hit N282.42 billion while 2019 peaked at around N300 billion, making it the highest in the authority’s history.

The authority noted that its contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account had progressively increased since the current management took over in 2016.

In 2014, the NPA contributed N18.5 billion to the CRF, compared to 2013 when it contributed N13.1 billion.

The authority contributed N23.8 billion in 2016, compared to N18 billion it contributed to the CRF in 2015.

The above efforts manifested in the agency’s 2017 results as it declared a total revenue of N299.56 billion for the 2017 fiscal year.

The 2017 revenue, which exceeded the previous year’s by 84.65 per cent, was the highest generated by the agency in five years.

The NPA had in a statement stated that the 2017 figure was made up of revenues from traffic, harbours, administrative and other sources in the sums of N136.04 billion, N66.80 billion, N86.06 billion and N10.75 billion, respectively.

Last year, NPA announced a revenue of N67.19 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, representing 24.8 per cent of the N270.56 billion earned in 12 months ending December 31, 2018.

The agency’s financial profile (unaudited) showing revenue and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) obtained

by THISDAY revealed that the NPA raked in the amount via operating revenue while

Deploying electronic call-up Just last week, the NPA announced that it would next month deploy electronic call-up system aimed to put an end to the protracted Apapa traffic gridlock.

The effort, which will be financed by a private company, Trucks Transit Parks Limited under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the NPA will cost N7 billion to deploy.

When fully operational, the electronic callup system will save Nigeria a whooping N140 billion weekly economic loss and another $10 billion annual loss of agro products.

A source at NPA said:“The company presented a business case for regulated truck traffic regime, which shows that the system will save the country N140 billion weekly economic loss, 40 per cent of businesses that have left Apapa, will return, there will be an end to 7-14 days cargo reception delay; consequent damage to perishable export products and reverse the $10 billion annual loss of agro products.

“That is not all, this effort will also save our bridges around Lagos mainland, which are old and fragile and can no longer support abuse by trucks. This will also put an end to unavailability of public funding for shared common infrastructure.”

The Managing Director of Trucks Transit Parks Limited, Jama Onwubuariri told THISDAY that the effort would transform Apapa and make the port city thriving again.

He said: “Our Company, Trucks Transit Parks Limited (TTP) has partnered with NPA to provide solutions to the truck traffic challenges in Nigeria. TTP aims to decongest Apapa, improve traffic flow and ultimately facilitate the efficiency and productivity of the ports. TTP will do this through the use of technology.

“Our operation is based on an electronic call up system called Ètò , through which trucks movements will be scheduled from the originating points of the trucks to a park, then to a holding bay/pre-gate and then programmed in batches (on a first-comefirst-served basis) to access the ports. Thus, all trucks are expected to remain within approved parks until they are scheduled to access the ports or are moving from one park to another. The idea is to prohibit illegal or indiscriminate parking of trucks along the roads.

“Therefore, law enforcement agents have been set up to enforce compliance and tow or fine offending trucks/truckers. Hence, an electronic call-up system that will drive the check in and checkout of trucks from each location has been put in place to achieve this. In addition to batching and scheduling of trucks movement, TTP would also offer add-on or ancillary services such as truck wash, tyre change, truck service, accommodation etc at designated parks.”

He added that the main objectives of the company’s operations is to improve ports efficiency, decongesting traffic gridlock, improving traffic flow within Apapa logistics ring, improve accountability and eliminate extortion and improve ease of doing business.

On how it intends to achieve it, he said: “We will deploy electronic truck scheduling, park, truck and traffic management platform called Ètò, provide modern truck parks and holding bay facilities with hub amenities, use of ICT hardware such as access control, law enforcement/traffic agents to enforce compliance and registration of all ports bound trucks and drivers on Ètò.”

28

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Naomi Campbell announcing the winners

Muyishime

Kenneth-Izee

Ziva-Lagos

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08038901925

ARISE Fashion Week: A Reinvention of Global Fashion

30

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

COVER

ARISE Fashion Week: A Reinvention of Global Fashion In the last one week, one of the biggest fashion events in Africa, ARISE Fashion Week, took place right in the heart of Lagos from Friday, December 5 to Sunday 13. MARY NNAH recaptures the weeklong event that did not just reinvent global fashion but hosted 30 young fashion designers who contended for $500,000 in prize money

A

nchored on the pedestal of ‘reinventing global fashion’, the 2020 ARISE Fashion Week recently held in Lagos.

This year, the famous ARISE Fashion Week, known for breaking records, raised the ante even further by celebrating a new brand of designers ‘30 under 30’ with a cash prize of $500,000 shared amongst the winners.

The weeklong event hosted 30 fashion designers who contended for the prize money. The list which includes designers from not only Nigeria but other parts of Africa and Europe, boasted of fresh talents alongside some acclaimed international names in fashion.

The ARISE Fashion Week event kicked off on a Tuesday with an exclusive press brunch with stakeholders in the industry, followed by a welcome dinner on Thursday night after which was the runway presentations by the designer through the weekend with top African designers showcasing their pieces for the Spring/ Summer 2021 season.

The Arise Fashion Week 2020 was held virtually and was broadcast to a worldwide audience on the ARISEPLAY streaming service and other ARISE and THISDAY digital platforms which include an array of social media channels.

Day one of the runway show started with star-studded celebrity appearances from Naomi Campbell, Wizkid, Wurld Wavy the Creator, The Cavemen among others.

Among the list of the 30 selected designers drawn from across the world in alphabetical order were: BIBI, BLOKE, BOYEDOE, CLAN, COLRS, DNA BY ICONIC INVANITY, ELFREDA DALI, FRUCHE and GETO. Others include ILHAM.G_NG, JAWARA ALLEYNE, KENNETH IZE, KIKO ROMEO, LADUNNI LAMBO, LAGOS SPACE PROGRAMME, MAZELLE STUDIO, MOON BY ME, MMUSO MASWELL, MUYISHIME, ONALAJA and PEPPER ROW. Completing the line-up of precocious talents were RE LAGOS, T.I. NATHAN, TJWHO, TZAR STUDIOS, VICNATE, WEIZ DHURM FRANKLYN, WUMAN, and ZIVA LAGOS. After days of sweat breaking race on the runway, Kenneth Ize emerged winner of the 30 Under 30 competition. Ize, a Lagosbased designer reinterprets traditional West African fabrics and Nigerian craft with his namesake label founded in 2013.

Ize is a LVMH Prize 2019 finalist.

He grew up in Austria and studied fashion and design at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Upon graduation in 2013, he launched his eponymous label at Lagos Fashion Week but took a two-year hiatus while doing an MA at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.

The designer relaunched his brand for Spring/Summer 2016.

Working from his studio in the Lagos suburb of Sabo Yaba, Ize collaborates with artists and design groups across Nigeria in Kwara, Kogi and Lagos, as well as supporting a small community of weavers local to Lagos. Ize is also influencing the creative arts curriculum in

Geto

Elfreda-Dali.

Elfreda-Dali.

Tzar-Studios

local schools to create traditional fashion.

His brand he says is reviving, reinterpreting and giving new context to artisan techniques that have given meaning to West African identity.

In 2019, the brand introduced womenswear and currently counts Ssense, Browns and Machine-A among its stockists. Ize

was a finalist for the LVMH Prize 2019 and a joint winner of the Arise Fashion Week Award for “Designer of the Year.”

Ize was announced winner by Naomi Campbell, while Ré Lagos and South African Mmuso Maxwell were announced runners-up respectively.

The three winners were picked from

Re-Lagos.

eight designers who made it to the semifinal stage; they included Lagos Space Programme, Ziva Lagos, TJWho, Onalaja and Ajabeng.

The grand finale which featured the monetary award, first in the history of the Arise Fashion Week, brought the 2020 Arise Fashion Week to a close.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

ͱͯ

Group Mobilises Women for Political Posts Ahead of 2023 Elections Stories by Mary Nnah A non- governmental organisation (NGO), ElectHer, has concluded plans to engage women that are interested in running for elective positions in the political space of the nation in free training sessions.

This is just as they intend to hand out empowerment packages to mark the one year anniversary since the group was inaugurated.

The event which would be celebrated today, December 19, 2020, would draw women from all walks of life, ranging from the corporate world, those in politics and to ordinary women in trade at the marketplace.

According to the organisers of the event, women are under-represented in the political climate of the country and need a platform for behavioural change to put an end to the relegation of women to the background.

The conveners of the initiative,Abosede George-Ogan and Ibijoke Faborode, explained that a lot of issues that bother

L-R: ElectHer stakeholders, Ibijoke Faborode, Abosede George Ogan, Omobola Emmanuel at the press briefing to mark the organisation’s one year anniversary

women are truly neglected and most of the bills written do not see the light of day.

In order to change the narrative, the idea cropped up to prepare and empower women who have decided to run for political positions They noted that it is not to discriminate against the men but to bridge the gap of inequality when it comes to governance in Nigeria.

“We are aware of the bias

associated with women participating in politics that has affected the development and growth of our society.

“The glass ceiling that relegates women to the background especially in political space where women are not allowed to participate fully in governance and slots given to women is women leaders that handle food and aso-ebi, the women want to be better representation for Nigeria to

attain a better socio-economic progress and nation building.

“We launched the Decide to Run Network, the first ever digital network and national recruitment platform for women aspiring to run for elective office in the nation.

“Also, we hosted a monthly Webber series, a thought leadership platform that engages experts and major stakeholders through topical discussions on issues that affect women in politics to identify the challenge and proceed the solutions.

In order to enlighten women, we advocated and launched “When She Leads” a virtual talk show that addressed misinformation and under-representation of women by the media as well as the curative journey of women who are currently in elective office and those that are not in the elected office.”

However, the duo added that they already engaged stakeholders and citizens in their first ever consultative forum and town hall meeting respectively.

Elder Anthony Akwarandu Nwadu for Burial Tomorrow The Nwadu family of Ogbodi Umuoriloku Umuahia South, Abia State has announced the funeral arrangements of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Late Elder Anthony Akwarandu Nwadu who passed on to glory on August 22, 2020.

The deceased will be lying in state at his residence Anthony Nwandu’s Compound, Ogbodi Umuoriloku Umuahia South, between 9.45-10.30am on Saturday December 19, 2020.

The burial service will commence at 11 am at Ogbodi

Late Nwadu

Oriloku Community hall, Umuahia South.

Born on July 15, 1929 to Nwagwu and Nwugo Onuoha

in Ogbodi Oriloku in present day Umuahia South LGA,Abia State, late Nwadu began his career in the Cameroons after secondary education with the UAC from where he moved back to Nigeria and Lagos in particular to join Dunlop Ind. in 1962.

He got married to Roseline Atulomah in December 1963 and had four children - Ijeoma, Obinna, Ud, Eze whom they successfully raised.

In 1983 Anthony retired from Dunlop after an illustrious career and ventured into business where he also succeeded.

He retired home (Umuoriloku) in 1999.

A community leader who contributed in no small way to the growth and progress of his community, he en couraged his wife to establish the first World Bank assisted integrated processing mill in his community.

Also an astute and practising Christian he propagated the gospel everywhere he could, beginning from his village.

Aquintessential family man, he will be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and many more whom he impacted

Winners Emerge inThree Crowns’ Family Dance Off Three Crowns milk, the heart friendly, low cholesterol dairy brand from the stable of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, has announced the winners of its #TCFamilyDanceOff and #TCCookAlong online contests.

The former was an exciting and colourful family challenge while the latter was an Instagram-live cooking challenge built into its ongoing ‘Jara’ campaign.

Winners of the family challenge identified by their social media handles are: @biddy_pre, @pamstar0413 and @dami. specialy12. According to @ biddy_pre, The family challenge was held all through September 2020 and was staged digitally in line with the protocol restrictions of COVID-19. Dance choreography in traditional attire was showcased on the brand’s social media handles as a guide.

Consumers were then invited to recreate online their own videos showing their mums and family members performing dance steps in their preferred attire. Properly tagged and posted videos were then collated and judged. The top five entries were picked and posted on the brand’s page for followers to vote for their top three winning families.

Three Crowns

The Instagram live cooking session gave an opportunity for mums and their families to prepare healthy breakfasts with expert chefs - #Geenafoodiesandspice and #TheKitchenMuse.

Entries were judged based on creativity and meal presentation and winners were rewarded with shopping vouchers and other exciting gifts.

The winners of the cooking challenge also identified by their social media handles are: @unque.mum.b, @gina.rine, @ chuga_pearl, and @Djabites.

In her post @unque.mum.b, stated “I have always been fascinated by the uniqueness of Three Crowns milk, especially its love for and celebration of

mums across Nigeria.

I have always benefitted from its various initiatives. Winning this time further cements my relationship with the brand and Three Crowns already has an ambassador in me.”

More than 900,000 Instagram users who viewed and responded to the #TCCookAlong challenge preferred Team #Geenafoodiesandspice while 750,000 favoured Team #TheKitchenMuse.

According to the Marketing Manager, Three Crowns, Omolara Banjoko, “The Family Dance Off Challenge was a unique and very significant part of the “Jara to the Heart of the Home” campaign,

which Three Crowns recently executed and through which it has been showcasing its unique care for all mothers across trade channels including the open retail market and neighbourhood stores in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Aba, Benin and Enugu.”

She added that the Family Dance-off Challenge highlighted how Three Crowns milk cares for the heart and, in particular, mums’ hearts through dancing while strengthening family bonds.

On her part, Chioma OtisiIgwe, Brand Manager, Three Crowns, stressed that the Family Dance Off was, among other things, “an expression of the brand’s desire to keep mums’ hearts healthy through active lifestyles and healthy nutrition”.

Three Crowns ‘Jara campaign ran from July through October 2020 across all trade channels including the open retail market and neighborhood stores in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Aba, Benin and Enugu.

Over 40,000 shoppers participated in the “Jara” offer across the selected locations and stores, and this attracted almost two million participants to the #TCFamilyDanceOff and #TCCookAlong challenges.

Siju Iluyomade’s Arise Women distributing food items to over 2000 household in Epe recently.

Siju Iluyomade’s Arise Pink Bucket Hits Epe, Beneficiaries Shower Praises The much talked about ongoing distribution of food palliatives by Dr Siju Iluyomade’s mobilised Arise Women, tagged Arise Pink Bucket, has moved to the expansive city of EPE in Lagos State.

The initiative, which is in continuation of the act of giving succor to the needy, is part of Arise activities in celebration of its 12th year anniversary of impacting many lives across the country through different empowerment, skill acquisition, enlightenment programmes and so many activities to support the effort of the government.

The Arise Pink Bucket comprises food stuffs like rice, spaghetti groundnut oil, tomato paste etc. The distribution in Epe follows the earlier ones distributed in Lagos Island and Surulere.

Expressing joy and appreciation over the gesture, some of the beneficiaries showered encomium on Dr Iluyomade and the Arise team for the gesture, while also urging other well-meaning individuals and bodies to emulate the yeoman’s job spearheaded by the delectable lawyer of 35years of experience.

TeeMacSuesPrettyOkaforforN100M Former PMAN president, Tee Mac Omastola Iseli has sued factional PMAN president, Pretty Okafor to court for N100million over allegations of libel, defamation and character assassination.

The suit was filed on Tuesday, December 7 at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Speaking with newsmen after filing Tee Mac the suit, Tee Mac said: “Everybody is aware of the antecedents of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) issues which have been personalised by the self-styled factional leader of PMAN in the person of Pretty Okafor, who has made it his pastime over the last five years to drag my name in the mud for cheap publicity despite knowing his allegations are based on lies about the PMAN land matter.

“After presenting the evidence with the original documents and a legal search report done by the Federal Capital Territory Administration that the land was an offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy and not a Certificate of Occupancy to the court, Pretty Okafor continues to give false statements to blogs and newspapers.

“Now, I am saying enough of that and that is the reason I am filing this suite today, Monday the 7th of December 2020 for a N100million libel suit against Pretty Okafor for defamation of my character.”

Among others, in the suit filed by Tee Mac’s lawyers, the flutist is asking for the sum of N100m as exemplary and General Damages for the Defendant’s act of defamation by the publication of libelous words which includes malicious and defamatory statements about Tee Mac which has cast aspersions on the character and integrity of the Tee Mac and lowered him in the sight of persons who hitherto held him in the highest regard.

In the suit, the lawyers also state that the defamatory statements have exposed him to hatred, contempt or ridicule and caused persons to shun or avoid him thereby discrediting him in his Office, Trade or Profession and this will injure his financial credits.

Among others, the claimant is requesting an order from the court directing the Defendant to write a Letter of Apology to be published in at least three national newspapers circulated in all parts of Nigeria.

Tee Mac through his lawyers is also requesting An Order directing the Defendant to forward a letter tendering unreserved apology to the Claimant within seven days of the judgment of the Honourable Court and An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendant from further publishing or causing the defamatory words to be published.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

IstheUproarbyNigeriansagainstOmahLayandTemsArrestinUgandaJustified?

VANESSA OBIOHA argues that the arrest of fast-rising Nigerian musical acts Omah Lay and Tems in Uganda recently is not worth the accompanying brouhaha

T

he outrage over the recent arrest of fast-rising Nigerian singers Omah Lay and Tems in Uganda dominated the news cycle this week. The duo were arrested alongside Benjamin Kabura organiser of the unauthorized gig held in Ddungu Resort, Munyononyo, Kampala Capital City where they performed on Saturday, December 12.

Others who were equally arrested include Manager of the resort, Ivan Ddungu; Prim Kasana, the event manager, who contracted Omah Lay to sing and three policemen.

The Ugandan Police Force confirmed their arrests stating that they flouted the country’s COVID-19 rules.The artistes were handcuffed and remanded in custody until their release onTuesday following the intervention of the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and some well-meaning Ugandans.

For most Nigerians, the news was a bitter pill to swallow. Social media raved with protests and insults on Ugandans.The perceived impression by many, even within the music industry is that Nigerian music acts are envied by their Ugandan counterparts.

It is no news that Nigerian music dominates the African continent. Be it the revered Afrobeat or other forms — Afro-pop, Afro-fusion, etc.— the most listened to, the most-streamed, the most talked about is arguably Nigerian sounds. It wasn’t always like this.The most dominant sound in Nigeria over a decade ago was certainly not Afro-pop, rather, Nigerians danced to South African House music and Hip-hop. Of course, the Western music adulation was omnipresent but the struggling Nigerian artistes then had a hard time stamping their identity on different soils in the continent. Today, there is no breadth of the continent that doesn’t celebrate the upbeat sounds of Afrobeat. Such towering

Omah Lay and Tems

fame and dominance is bound to wake up the green-eyed monster.

But that doesn’t mean that Uganda lacks music superstars.Take, for instance, the 2019 party hit ‘Parte After Parte’ by Ugandan rap artiste BigTrill which became an anthem at Nigerian clubs and gigs. Bebe Cool is one of the popular acts from Uganda. Another notable voice is the musician, activist and politician Bobi Wine whose 2016 song‘Kiwani’ was featured on the soundtrack for the Disney movie ‘Queen of Katwe’.

In fact, according to Wikipedia, Uganda is ranked number three in the continent music and entertainment industry. Recently, it was the ideal choice for ViacomCBS Networks Africa to hold the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). Despite its few successes, Uganda is still far behind Nigeria.

Adichie’s Americanah Gets Mention in New Netflix Spanish Series The critically acclaimed novel ‘Americanah’ from Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie was referenced in a scene in the new Netflix Spanish Series‘The MessYou Leave Behind’. The series is a suspenseful tale about a literature teacher Raquel (Inna Cheats) who came to a high school to replace another teacherViruca (Bárbara Lennie), — who allegedly committed suicide — only to be entangled in the mysterious events surrounding the death of her predecessor.

In the fourth episode, Raquel who’s been under pressure by unknown persons blackmailing her suspects her unyielding students. But none of them admits to being behind the mysterious threatening texts.

During a class, while returning the scripts of their tests, Raquel applauded Nerea (Isabel Garrido), one of her students and a feminism activist (and a possible suspect) for her answers.

She says:“Second question, ‘name any book and author you feel like’, Your answer: ‘Americanah, by Chimamanda’. You even spelled it correctly.” In a subsequent scene, a tense Raquel refers Adichie in a meeting with teachers and students to mark the International Women’s Day, regarding her as“one of the most interesting voices in today’s feminism. She explains in very simple terms what’s it’s like to be a woman in a country like Nigeria…

She’s the one that says you can wear high heels and be a feminist, right?”

She is briefly interrupted before continuing“You can’t pretend you are someone else to call for equality, right?”

In recent times,‘Americanah’has been on the spotlight.

A TV adaptation featuring Lupita Nyong’o — who was in the country earlier in the year — was planned for HBO Max but for the pandemic that upended many things, the production was axed.

As interesting as this storyline is, it should never be the basis of argument over the arrest of Lay and Tems. As clearly pointed out by Wine,“Truth is Omah Lay‘s arrest isn’t about COVID. No! It’s an act of shame by a corrupt regime that operates on double standards.”

And thankfully, the diplomatic conflict has been resolved by the responsible heads in charge of that.

Nigerians must, first of all, understand that COVID-19 is still a threat to many countries in the world, even if Africa has been spared of devastating numbers and nightmarish incidences. In Uganda, the number of COVID-19 cases as at the time of filing this report stand at 28,168, with 225 deaths and 10,005 recovered cases, a far cry from Nigeria’s over 60,000 infection cases.

If Uganda has laid down rules to prevent

Zik is the New Voice from Edo Isaac Imafi, a young versatile artist from Esan, Edo State is gradually making waves in the music industry. He recently released ‘Bad Belle’, a wave-making song on Osaretin Festus Isibor-owned DeepEnd Records.

Zik started his entertainment sojourn as a comedian while in primary school. However, the spotlight was focused on him after he won a music talent competition tagged ‘The Dance Hall King’ in secondary school.

Zik would later join a music crew The Soultunerz.

The group broke up after their first album and Zik later joined a showbiz crew called Braineyez.

In 2006, he became a music producer after studying an online course in music production. He joined the Deep lEnd family in 2015 first as a studio engineer, a producer and later signed as an artist on the record label.

Zik

“Bad belle is a song that educates the people about envious friends and relations,” he said in a statement.

DeepEnd Entertainment consists of recording studio, film and television production studio, record label, photo studio, editing suites, graphics and production equipment rentals.

further spread of the disease, the onus is on the authorities to ensure that those rules are enforced and appropriate punishment is given.

Like Uganda,Nigeria has such rules in place during the peak of the pandemic and those who defaulted were punished, irrespective of their social status.

For example, Funke Akindele and her husband were charged to court when they flouted the Lagos State’s lockdown guidelines. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State arrested Caverton Helicopters pilots for disobeying the travel ban in the state.The governor even carried out the irrational act of demolishing hotels found guilty of disregarding the lockdown rules, an act that was greatly pilloried.

If Uganda has such rules in place to protect the lives of Ugandans, the least Nigerians can do is to respect the rules. It is a cardinal rule that the laws of any land should be obeyed by a foreigner. Moreover, the artistes’ managers and organisers of the event should have considered this before proceeding with the gig.

The Ugandan authorities also should have aborted the event immediately they noticed the publicity. It is unfair that they waited till the last minute to make scapegoats of the organisers and the artistes. But again, we are talking about Uganda, a country notorious for maltreating foreigners. So it doesn’t matter if it is a totalitarian ruler like the late Idi Amin or a civilian government in power, the attitude towards foreigners in Uganda is still the same.

While Nigerians are calling for the boycott of the upcoming MAMAs in Uganda, they may want to have a rethink. It makes no sense that the thousands of fans of Nigerian music in Uganda should pay for the sins of a politically motivated attack.The anger shouldn’t be directed at these harmless ones rather to the politicians wielding their power for their selfish gains.

WurlD, Oxlade Perform at Tiger Street Food Festival Music meets gastronomic experiences at the recent Tiger Beer Street Food Festival in Abuja.

The event saw the artistes performed to a large crowd who convened at the venue to sample the sumptuous and mouth-watering grills and finger foods on display by top Abuja-based food vendors like Chopsbymayy, Splurgeon foods by the Chef Lin, Egrills and Boli, 876 Jam Rock Grill, The Junkyard, Vhorgers Burgers and Yum while enjoying the refreshing taste of ice-cold Tiger beer.

GFX and graffiti artist Osa Seven was also on ground to add colourful flavour to the festival with his graffiti and neon paintings.

“The Tiger Beer brand is helping local food and drinks outlets to tide over these difficult times. Many of them had been forced out of business during the lockdown. Therefore, the

WurlD at Tiger Street Food Festival

Tiger Street Food Festival is our own way of supporting our street food market and creatives to generate more cash and keep their business afloat while still observing the social distancing regulations,”said Tiger Beer Brand Manager, Chinwe Greg-Egu. Tiger beer has, since its launch in Nigeria, resonated with myriads of creatives who are changing the world with their passion. Artists, chefs, designers, artistes and entrepreneurs who dare to pursue their passions by making impacts with their clear-cut bravery share this uncaged spirit that is an embedded quality of the brand.

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Transparency for Sustainability as Sprite Takes on New Form People remember the 70s for different reasons.

Some remember it as the time members of the famous English rock band, The Beatles, officially broke up with members going solo. Also, the world had to deal with the loss of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, seven years later.

For movie buffs, it brings back memories of the award sweep by “The Godfather” movie at the Academy Awards in 1973 and the 1976 premiere of Charlie’s Angels. For geeks and nerds, they are reminded of the birth of today’s tech giants, Apple and Microsoft.

In Nigeria, that era holds memories of an arts and culture boom, starting with afrobeat and rock band prominence across the country and culminating in the month-long fanfare of FESTAC ‘77. The period saw the emergence of Fela Ransome-Kuti as the great Anikulapo, ushering in a different style of delivery for his music with his Afrika 70 band which gave the country hits such as ‘Water No Get Enemy’, ‘Zombie’ and the widely remixed ‘Lady’. As he thrived, so did bands like The Funkees, SemiColon, Aba Rock City, The Hykkers, The Lijadu Sisters and Grotto.

Lovers of the environment on the other hand remember the decade for very different reasons.

They remember it for the many strides made towards curbing waste around the world. First there was the launch of the ‘Mobius Loop’ logo for recycling, then the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency in December of 1970, the opening of the first plastic recycling mill in 1972, which let people submit their plastic waste for recycling and subsequently more bottle banks opening up around the world.

These moves from the 1970s set in motion a worldwide consciousness about the amount of waste we generate due to our daily consumption. Unfortunately, today, the average person generates at least 1.5tons of solid waste per year.

When multiplied by the world’s teenage to adult population alone, the number becomes quite large to imagine.

As with many issues around consumption, people often point to the companies manufacturing the products that people use as the major culprits. This has led most companies to adopt at least one green initiative in support of the world’s sustainability drive, even if it is just to check a box. On the flip side, some companies are making it their mission to see that their produc-

tion processes are as sustainable as they can be, taking things beyond product packaging down to how they impact the environment after its initial use.

Coca-Cola is one of such companies that takes its commitment to the environment and its consumers seriously. While it continues to adhere to and succeed at its mission to refresh the world, becoming the world’s leading beverage company, its strategy towards combating waste has seen it birth a number of brilliant initiatives that lay out a blueprint for the right way to care for the environment.

In 2018, the company launched its ambitious campaign tagged “World Without Waste”, with the aim of helping to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one it sells by 2030. As part of its sub-goals, the 12-year plan includes making its packaging 100 per cent recyclable by 2025 and using 50 per cent recycled material in its bottles and cans by 2030.

Before this vision came into play, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited along with its bottling partner Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, had already made good progress towards the recyclability of its bottles with its investment in Alkem back in 2005, which saw more than one billion PET bottles collected and recycled within 6 years.

Coca-Cola also fostered an industry coalition of like-minded companies to form a producer responsibility organisation known as Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), a coalition of forward-looking companies that has seen the recovery and recycling of over 100 million bottles since its inception in 2018.

Given how audacious the company’s goal

towards waste management is, it recently announced the transformation of the Sprite beverage bottle, from its iconic green bottle to a transparent new bottle, completing the transformation of its three flagship beverages.

The Sprite beverage, first launched in 1958, is losing its signature green bottle due to research findings that have shown that coloured plastic wastes are harder to recycle and have limited re-use value compared to clear plastics.

As with most of its waste management initiatives, Coca-Cola continues to lead the way towards building environmental sustainability.

Research shows that this move won’t be beneficial to Coca-Cola alone, but to everyone in the recycling value chain. This transition to clear bottle focuses on increasing the value of the post-consumer PET bottle as well as helping to reduce the complexity of the recycling process, thereby increasing recycling rates.

Presently, nearly 5000 people are directly and indirectly employed across various recycling schemes funded by the Company and its Foundation in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, one of Africa’s biggest markets, Coca-Cola reaches a multitude of people who consume their products daily, and they have repaid that brand loyalty with diverse forms of partnerships that ensure this large consumption doesn’t result in considerable plastic waste materials ending up in nature.

These partnerships range from building industry alliances to funding of non-profits for waste collection and even investment in collection equipment, drop off centers and receptacles that aid recycling businesses.

Budweiser to Gift Consumers Mercedes Benz, PlayStation 5 In Smooth Kick-off Promo Ayodeji Ake To celebrate the kicked off football season, Budweiser the American style premium lager also called the King of Beers, is exciting consumers with the campaign tagged ‘Budweiser Smooth Kick-off Promo’.

The under-crown promo invites consumers to send the code under the crown cork to 20050 or enter it into Budweiser online platform to

stand a chance to win great prizes when they buy a 600 ml bottle of Budweiser.

According to a press statement syndicated to newsmen, the Marketing Manager, Budweiser, Jumoke Okikiolu said: “We are known as the King of the Beers, and we are set to prove it once again with the Budweiser Smooth Kick-off Promo which will see three lucky consumers win the grand prize of a brand-new

Mercedes Benz A200 each and 24 consumers will win the newly launched, ultra-sophisticated PlayStation five Console while other lucky winners would get a Budweiser Football Jersey each signed by Lionel Messi”.

The Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc., Tolulope Adedeji noted that Budweiser is keen to elevate football viewing experience for consumers.

“We know that our consumers

choose Budweiser when they socialise with friends during these football games and we want to reward them in a way that has never been done before, fit for Kings.

“Our sponsorship of premium football leagues, the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga, as well as the FIFA World Cup, have further endeared us to the hearts of our teeming consumers whose weekends are never complete with-

out a combination of their premium football and their premium beer.

We want our consumers to end what has been a challenging year on a high note,” Adedeji said.

The Budweiser Smooth Kick-off Promo will run for eight weeks as it opened on November 2020 and is expected to wind down on January 2021 and is only open to individuals who are 18 years and over.

So Fresh Celebrates 10 Years of Inspiration, Enriching Lives Rebecca Ejifoma So Fresh Neighbourhood Market Ltd, a proudly Nigerian company founded by winning couple, Goke and Bimbo Balogun, celebrated their 10 years anniversary on November 6, 2020.

With 10 outlets across the nation, So Fresh is making healthy food easily accessible thereby ensuring good health and wellbeing for Nigerians.

According to the CEO, Olagoke Balogun, “So Fresh will continue to play its part in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 and 3 in Nigeria, as we expand our reach across the nation”.

He spoke further that their quest is to inspire people to live healthier and happier lives by enriching them with fresh, wholesome, nutrientrich and delicious meals.

The COO, Abimbola Balogun highlighted the values she shares with her husband, the CEO, a feature that makes it easy for them to work as a team.

Her words, “We share so many things in common. But most importantly, we share similar values. That helps us to negotiate work together.

“It’s been a journey of commitment, commitment to agreeing to work together. Even when we have disagreements and conflicts, we are still able to navigate and focus on where

we want to be.”

Abimbola listed the issue of agreement and commitment to the same goal, adding that So Fresh was born out of their love for eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

“That common experience that we both had in our separate families was a very strong connection,” she noted.

Nollywood actress and fitness enthusiast, Kate Henshaw also commended So Fresh’s growth over the years.

Henshaw, who is the animated role interpreter, said: “It is not easy to be able to make fresh food every day for people; you will have food that will get spoilt. But they

are committed totally. Since then, they have been supporting me.”

Recalling that when she had her first fitness event, So Fresh supported her. “It is just amazing to see the growth and even the lives of the staff transformed.”

While describing the brand as strong and affordable, providing fresh healthy meals, the Nollywood diva hinted that when “you invest in people, and make them part of a company they are going to want to stay”.

Meanwhile, over the next seven years, So Fresh is bent on investing over $10 million in the west African region, as it drives her expansion plans to surpass 100 stores.

FG Targets Collection of 200,000 Tonnes of E-waste Rebecca Ejifoma The federal government has revealed plans to collect 200,000 tonnes of e-waste (electronic waste) in the country to reduce the environmental impact for a safer and cleaner environment.

This was made known at the five days training for enforcement officers and value chain for the Expanded Producers Responsibility (EPR) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project.

The training aims to reduce the environmental impact of e-wastes by ensuring that producers take responsibility in the management of wastes from their products.

According to the DG/CEO National Environmental Standards and Regulations

Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Aliyu Jauro, “we know that e-waste is becoming an environmental problem people tend to dispose equipment any how.

“We also have informal recyclers that collect e-wastes, and recycle them anyhow. In the process of recycling, it impacts on the environment, because electronic waste contains a lot of hazardous substances ranging from heavy metals.

“Most of these recyclers do this in an informal way; thereby, impacting on the environment and on the workers.”

Consequently, the NESREAboss hinted that the regulators will go round to ensure that everything is done in a sound environmental manner.

On the importance of the training, Jauro

mentioned that “Nigeria received support from the United Nations Environment Programme through the global environmental facility for us to showcase how this recycling of e-waste should be done.

“We have a pilot project here in Lagos. We are targeting collection of 200,000 tonnes of ewaste so that we will showcase the best way to go about it”.

Afterwards, the Jauro outlined that they hope to replicate the initiative in other states across the country. “This is the first country where this will be showcased for the first time.”

In his reaction, the Director Corporate Affairs and SON Consultancy, Dr Justin Bartholomew Nickaf, commended the training.

“The programme is a laudable one that puts responsibility of products on the producer even after the product has outlived its useful life.

“They should take accountability throughout its life cycle in ensuring that at the end it is safely disposed of in a manner that is environmentally responsible.”

In his view, the training will give the regulators the capacity to evaluate the compliance of this electronic products’ manufacturers to this programme objectives.

As the director of corporate affairs, he said SON would also benefit from the programme because “we are part of the Nigerian society.

A cleaner environment is what we all want to bequeath to our next generation”.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Milkmaid Movie: NFVCB Dispels Sabotage Rumours, NOSC Clears the Air AsTheMilkmaidmovie,Nigeria’ssubmissionfortheInternationalFeatureFilmCategoryatthe 63rdAcademyAwards,getsnodsofapprovalfromrespectedveterans,Yinka Olatunbosun reports on the hurdles that the movie had overcome and the question of artistic freedom

“I

have nothing against Milkmaid movie,’’ Mr Adedayo Thomas, the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board said in a long telephone conversation with THISDAY last weekend.

Those words were very important given the hurdles that the movie ‘The Milkmaid’ had crossed to be classified and censored on November 16, 2020. It was an eventful journey for Milkmaid movie having been scrutinised by the Department of State Services (DSS), Islamic groups filmmakers and human right lawyers. While explaining the delay in approving the movie for public view, Thomas remarked that the entire process was routine, not an attempt to sabotage the movie.

In a letter dated November 2, 2020 addressed to the Chairman, National Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC), Thomas stated that the rules guiding the 93rd Academy Award are subject to the laws of Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NFVCB Act makes it an offence to exhibit films or video works that are unclassified and unapproved by the board. The Milkmaid was refused classification due to its sensitive content and its treatment,’’ he stated.

When THISDAY probed further to establish why the movie was reviewed several times before its classification, Thomas cited its depiction of Islamic marriage. For him, the portrayal of insurgency was not a problem having classified “Voiceless’’ another movie with insurgence theme; the board anticipated the backlash that could come from some of the original scenes. The Milkmaid story, however, depicts how insurgents hide under the guise of religion to perpetrate evil. But from what a film critic, Dika Ofoma observed in his review published on November 28, 2020 in The Continent titled ‘The Movie that’s too honest for Nigeria’s Censors’, not all of all Milkmaid’s raw unflinching portrayal of terrorism made it into cinemas.

The case of ‘Milkmaid’ movie raises the question of artistic freedom to imagine, create and distribute diverse cultural expressions without

Pragma by Donna Duke

Noire Art Unleashes All Female Exhibition in Lekki Rebecca Ejifoma

A scene from The Milkmaid Movie

political interference, governmental censorship and pressures from non-state actors. According to the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Freedom and Creativity, “the rights of artists to express themselves freely are under threat worldwide.” This is so especially where artistic expressions contest or critique political ideologies, religious beliefs and socio-cultural preferences. Artistic Freedom is protected under international law such as the United Nations 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Meanwhile, THISDAY investigated how Milkmaid movie, directed by Desmond Ovbiagele qualified for the Oscar selection despite the closure of the NOSC portal for submission on November 2. Reliable sources from the NOSC referred to the new eligibility rules published on the official website for the 63rdAcademyAwards which gave room for movies to be screened for seven days, not later than November 31, 2020.

This new provision was made to accommodate movies that could not be screened during the closure of theatres and cinemas in adherence to the COVID-19 regulations in many parts of the world.

Also, the approval of movies rendered in

pidgin English for this category necessitated the reopening of the portal on October 29, closing on November 2. In addition, the Academy Awards did not restrict the screening of the selected movies to its home country. Prior to the closing date for submission, ‘Milkmaid’ had been reportedly screened in Cameroon and Zimbabwe.

The 12-man NOSC is headed by filmmaker and education administrator, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi. The committee is made up of respectable members of the movie industry namely Chairman, Audio-Visual Rights Society (AVRS) of Nigeria, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Filmmaker and Talent Manager, Mildred Okwo; Filmmaker-author, Charles Novia; veteran actress and filmmaker, Ego Boyo; Director-Cinematographer, Adetokunbo ‘DJ Tee’ Odubawo; Theatre Practitioner and Head of Production for M-NET West Africa, Yibo Koko.

Others are the Group Executive Director of Filmhouse Cinemas and Managing Director of Film One Entertainment, Moses Babatope; CEO of Legend Box Office, BruceAyonote; Filmmaker and Founder, In-Short Film Festival, Victor Okhai; actress and movie producer, Omoni Oboli and journalist-film critic, Shuaibu Husseini.

With ‘Hyperflux,’ Retro Africa Hosts Williams Chechet’s Solo Show Yinka Olatunbosun The Abuja-based contemporary art gallery, Retro Africa is a choice destination for art collectors and enthusiasts as “Hyperflux’’ a solo exhibition which features works by Wiliams Chechet kicks off. The show is described as the first major comprehensive display of Chechet’s professional practice spanning over several decades.

His iconic works include portraits of Nigerian cultural leaders which resonate with references to pop art by Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Born in Kano and raised in Kaduna, Chechet initially pursued a career in Industrial Design with a degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria.

Spending his formative years in Northern Nigeria, his art is culture sensitive.

“I want my art to serve as a visual stimulus, capable of creating emotional reaction to its complexity,’’ he remarked. Hyperflux emulates beauty in distortion and shows Chechet’s ability to meticulously execute artworks that merge figuration, abstraction, motif design as well as selected images that encompass lifestyle, text design, architecture, nature and heritage.

“The works showcased at this exhibition are centered on the theme of self-identity and are oddly reminiscent of the work of artist Roy Lichtenstein. Chechet creates a visual

One of the works by Williams Chechet

distortion while simultaneously keeping the illusion of coherence in the observed image which speaks to a sense of character and identity. Some of the works include, “Black Excellence,’’ “Her Worth” and “Kill the Hype.’’

In his remarks about the show which runs till March 14, 2021, the President, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Oliver Enwonwu noted that “Hyperflux is an apt description of the fast-rising contemporary artist’s rapidly evolving practice-his creative process largely spontaneous and involving the isolation of photographs on a coloured and flattened plane. Second, his constant oscillation from the past to the present through a depiction of traditional leaders and personages, as well as an appropriation of indigenous aesthetics and iconography mostly from Northern Nigeria pivotal to the shaping of the country’s political history.

Third, and perhaps the most obvious is the apparent contradiction in his adoption of digital collage, a medium that ends itself easily to the contemporary, to interrogate historical subject matter,’’ he said.

Chechet’s art has been widely exhibited across Nigeria, South Africa, Morroc, London, New Yord and featured in international art fairs including ART X Lagos, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. In 2018, he emerged as one of the finalists of the ART X Prize in partnership with Access Bank.

Retro Africa has been a trailblazer in promoting emerging and established artists through a range of creative outlets such as curated exhibitions, art fairs, intercultural dialogues and online media.

Inside Were Studio, Lekki rose yet another girl-power show with the theme, ‘Growth of A Black Female Artist.’ The two-day Noire exhibition and art sales which held on December 11 and 12 was a parade of bustling creative energy from six young female artists using different media. No fewer than 40 art pieces lined the walls with digital paintings, oil on canvas, print, photography collage, mixed media amongst others. The Noire exhibition is an experience founded by black women to encourage the appreciation and understanding of their art, promote the representation of their lives, aspirations, relationships, culture and feelings in art.

The featured artists include Donna Duke, Zida Kalu, Blossom Oyeyipo, Pamela Oma, Fiyin Koko and Nneoma Ndukwe.

Zida Kalu, born in 1998, is a self-taught digital artist inspired by portraits of black women and range of colours. Formally taught as a business administrator. Using her mobile phone and her fingers, she creates abstract pieces using lines and geometric shapes.

She displays black women as powerful, tireless, versatile, passion-filled beings whose beauty can be expressed in varied forms. Some of her pieces at the show include ‘Julieta’, ‘Zikoro’, ‘Emily Got A Rose’, ‘Sweet November’ ‘Unwind’ ‘Honey’ ‘Psychedelic I’ and ‘Pray for the People.’

Blossom Oyeyipo, a visual artist living and working in Lagos, Nigeria was formally trained as a builder. She graduated from the Department of Building Technology, Covenant University Ota in 2019. Very passionate about visual storytelling, Oyeyipo’s works raises existential themes. Her works include ‘Struggling artists’, ‘Cut from the Same Cloth Series’, ‘Name Tag.’ Fiyinfolowa ‘Fiyin Koko’ Tunde Onadele is a figurative painter, influenced by her mother who is a painter. Her work is inspired by all facets of womanism and encapsulates the unerring beauty of black women. Fiyin expresses their feminine resilience in a delicate often humorous and ethereal style while focusing on the prime use of symbolism to capture her personal experiences, hopes and dreams. Fiyin koko’s works include ‘Marun,’ ‘Mefa,’ ‘Abefe,’ ‘Ore,’ ‘Name Tag,’ ‘Ina,’ and ‘Ejima.’

Pamela Oma is a self-taught digital designer currently exploring different aspects of design, most especially illustrations and brand design. Naturally inquisitive, her vision is to empower women with her body of works. With the use of software such as Adobe illustrator and Photoshop, she keeps a physical sketch book where she lays the foundation for her designs that she uses software to manipulate. Pamela Oma’s pieces at the show include ‘Name Tag’, ‘Beautiful Chaos’, and ‘It’s Okay to Cry.’ The 22-year old Donna Duke showcased pieces in digital print on texture matte paper, 24k gold leaf, copper leaf, pelé té bité fabric, resin on wooden panel, media on canvas, and digital oil print among others. Art, to her, is a vehicle to communicate her culture, feelings, and heritage. Her six works at the show are “Pragma”, “Crimson and Clover”, “Ojongo”, “The Beautiful Sufferer”, “Okay”, and “Till Life Do Us Part.”

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ENTREPRENEUR

Harmattan, Opportunities and Beauty/Spa Industry Harmattan season is one season that comes with several changes and challenges especially on the skin. Alex Enumah in this interview with a skin/beauty specialist, Pastor Deborah Omale, sought to know how best to take care of the skin as well as opportunities in the industry

W

hat should we know about you?

I am Pastor Deborah Omale, the CEO Beauty Secret Skin Care and Spa. I am also the Visioner of Divine Women in God’s Service DWINGS, a mother and a wife.

What do you do outside ministry and family?

Outside ministry and family, I run a spa. A med spa that has a lot of things running under one roof. We just wanted like a one stop shop for everything that you will want to do from your head to toe. A situation where you want to do your hair and your nails you come here. You have medical issues, advance medical issues, we have a dermatologist, we have doctors that are here to cater to those medical skin and hair conditions and a lot of other things that we do here.

How is the industry like?

The industry is beautiful and it’s something I love. I have always loved everything that has to do with how you present yourself, how you take care of yourself as a man, as a woman, from your hair to your toe, looking neat, looking well-kept and looking healthy. So, for me I will say the industry is one of the best you can find yourself. Anything that put smile in other people’s faces I find so much joy in it. Some people come here with so much complains and by the time they are leaving you see they have a huge smile in their face, that itself gives me a lot of joy.

Many people feel that taking care of your body and even the skin is meant for just the rich. I want to know if this is correct and if it’s not, how can this perspective be changed?

Let me start by saying it’s not correct. I think everybody should take care of themselves. You know there are different grades of treatment and there’s a category for everybody. So, no matter the little you can do, it’s better to do them, than do nothing. We are going into the age and time when people are more interested in your physical appearance than anything.

Before I get to know that you are a nice person, what I see at first, forms a basis for my impression of what I feel about you. So, that in itself is already sending a message even before we speak. So, looking after yourself is a must for everybody especially with what is happening now. All of a sudden everybody is washing their hands but this is something we should have been doing, it should be a norm.

You just talked about hygiene and emphasised on hand washing bringing to fore the COVID-19 pandemic. So, how has the pandemic impacted the beauty industry?

It has impacted a huge deal. But if there is one more thing that I have run with from the very beginning of my business, it is hygiene. For us here hygiene has always been the number one priority. So, we had a lot of clientele that understand that fact because they have experience it and so even when a lot of businesses were struggling to get their hands sanitizer in places and ensure that their places where cleaned at all times, our own customers are used to it from day one.

So, in as much as it was a little bit of a struggle because of the fear of the spread, I think that was what kept a lot of people away from businesses including ours fear of the spread and not even the hygiene part of it because that already has been sorted out. So, a lot of people were not coming out just because of fear, that they might get infected and all that and we were

Omale

closed for all through that time the virus was just going round, we were not even opened. We opened our doors when the government said it was okay to open and then we put extra measure in place to make sure that as you are coming in you are wearing a face mask and sanitize your hands so it did affect us, but I won’t say too much because we had consistent people who were sure that if they come here they are in a safe hand and safe environment.

It is Harmattan season and it comes with several changes and challenges including skin, what is the import of this to Nigerians and how can it be handled?

For harmattan season, I think something that is synonymous with the weather is dry, flaky and dehydrated skin. So, some of the things we do here is, when customers come in, we advise them on the right type of treatment that is good for the weather. Because what works during the raining season for instance will not work during the Harmattan season.

We do something here called the Moroccan Hamman, it’s the best form of exfoliation that your skin can enjoy because it is a treatment that is done with herbs completely and is a treatment that scrubs you from head to toe, so that way you find out that a lot of people suffer from dead skin cells dur-

Invest, invest and invest in the beauty sector. The only sad thing is that half of the things we have to use here are sourced them from abroad because there’s no form of regularisation for our products here. So, people just need to invest and know that there is potential in it as you can make money out of it

ing the Harmattan season, especially people that have dry skin, the weather worsens it. So, with things like Moroccan Haman, we do proper exfoliating and then we advise you on the right kind of product to use. We also advise you on the kind of treatment steps to use, for instance we will tell you this is not the weather for cold water, this is the weather for lukewarm water. This is not the weather where you use soap that dry up your skin, that are very hash. This is the weather where you used moisturising soaps and creams.

What role do beauticians play in the Nigeria economy?

First of all, we are a large source of employment for people. For Beauty Secret, now we have over 50 staff and this staff include expatriate and these expatriate are paired with Nigerians who in turn are giving knowledge to the people they are paired with. So, you see we are providing job opportunity for a lot of people that would have been out there in the street. We are already solving a large chunk of the problem we are having in Nigeria which is unemployment.

We are also a great source of inter country relationships, because for instance most of the people we employed are Moroccans, their government knows that they are here. So, you see there is a lot of friendly relationship. In fact, recently, Nigerians are allowed to travel to Morocco without visa because a lot of spas employ Moroccans. So, you see, we are playing very important roles; providing employment, succor and comfort because a spa is a place that you can come in and your whole day has just been upside down, you are stressed, you are angry from the traffic and from everything and then you come into a spa and then you are happy. There’s one part of the spa I loved personally, like couples’ therapy. We have a lot of treatment and rooms here that caters for two people, in fact 90 per cent of our treatment here are for couples.

From what you have said, the industry has great potential. How well has Nigeria really exploited

these opportunities?

We have not really exploited these opportunities! we haven’t. Nigeria is so rich in culture and Nigeria have so many places of tourism. There is nothing wrong if we merge our natural resources as part of tourism.

We spoke earlier on about the harmattan season, our sheer butter is like a miracle in a jar, our coconut oil, the black coconut oil, if I tell you what it does for hair and for skin that is why when we are talking of skin care is not being expensive. These are things you can get in the market for N100, N200 and N500 and it will serve the whole family and it’s one of the best things you can lay your hands across.

There’s nothing wrong if Nigeria have a large med spa that will infuse culturally with what we have and when you come there, everything that will be used on you are products that are made, sourced and used by Nigerians. I don’t know but, I don’t think we have any factory in Nigeria that is government owned that are producing natural herbs product for Nigerians and even those in diaspora because there is this notion on spa that it is just to go and do massage, do hair, but massage in itself is a therapy and it’s medical. There are certain things you go to the hospital for that three or four sessions of massage can relieve but it is not seen like that, unfortunately.

So, what is your message to Nigerians and also the government?

Invest, invest and invest in the beauty sector. The only sad thing is that half of the things we have to use here are sourced them from abroad because there’s no form of regularisation for our products here. So, people just need to invest and know that there is potential in it as you can make money out of it. There are a lot of organic things that we have in Nigeria that other countries cannot boasts of and other countries like Morocco that have it are making the best use of it.

They are known for having best herbs, great skin, great hair, because of what they have and their government makes it easier for them to trade with other people.

nting

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

36

NAF Decorates DOPRI, Other Newly Promoted Senior Officers Stories by Chiemelie Ezeobi The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently decorated 16 Air Commodores and 31 Group Captains, who were recently promoted to their next higher ranks of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) and Air Commodore (Air Cdre) respectively, by the Air Force Council.

Among the newly promoted officers was Director of Public Relations Officer (DOPRI), Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola.

The decoration ceremony, which took place at the NAF Officers’ Mess and Suites, Kado, Abuja, was witnessed by a limited audience, with attendance strictly by invitation due to restrictions occasioned by COVID-19.

While presiding over the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), charged the newly promoted and decorated senior officers to rededicate themselves to the service of a better Nigeria as they prepare for higher challenges.

According to the HMOD, “Promotion, especially to air rank, is highly desirable and motivating. It is equally rewarding, albeit very demanding.

“It is demanding because, as officers of air rank, the service has offered you all manners and levels of training required to stand on your own and lead from a more holistic or strategic point of view”.

Having so equipped them, he said the service, and indeed the entire nation, now relies on them to bring to bear all the knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and critical thinking capacity that they have garnered over the years to foster a greater Nigeria.

Magashi further stated that, as the newlydecorated senior officers are aware, not all of those presented for promotion were fortunate to be elevated.

He therefore reminded them that, amidst the fanfare and jubilation, they must not lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism/ banditry and other forms of criminality, as it is their mandate to preserve national security and territorial integrity.

Speaking further, the HMOD stated that the

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Mrs. Daramola decorating NAF Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola

Federal Government, under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained committed to supporting the Nigerian military.

He noted that the Armed Forces expects the newly-promoted senior officers to contribute to the evolution of new strategies to contain the challenges facing the Nation in order to ensure safety and security of citizens.

While congratulating the newly promoted senior officers on their well-deserved promotion, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal SadiqueAbubakar, in his opening remarks, stated that promotion is a management tool that is used in virtually all organisations, including the military, to enhance productivity by recognising hardwork, commitment and diligence.

He said it equally motivates and inspires others to work harder. He further disclosed that, in the military, promotion is usually a painstaking procedure that involves the selection of the ‘best out of the best’ for elevation.

“You have all therefore been found worthy of this advancement. As such, bear in mind that you don’t get promoted only for doing your job really well but also for demonstrating potentials to do more, especially at higher levels.

I therefore enjoin you to see your promotion as the beginning of another phase of your career in the service, with greater responsibilities. “ Thus, I am particularly elated because this ceremony is indicative that the NAF now has more strategic and analytical minds in our pool of manpower resource to bring to bear their knowledge and experience on how to tackle the

security challenges facing the nation”, he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks while addressing the newly promoted senior officers for decoration, the Chief of Administration (COA), AVM Aliyu Pani, noted that every elevation comes with higher and added responsibilities.

Accordingly, he said, it is incumbent on all of the celebrants not to betray the confidence reposed in them. He therefore enjoined them all to be more diligent, dedicated to duty, resourceful and selfless in service to the NAF and the Nation, as a whole.

Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary MOD, Babangida Huseini; Representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs; Director Air Force Affairs MOD as well as other senior officers and family members of the newly promoted AVMs and Air Cdres.

...As Navy Decorates Commodores, Captains and Commanders The Western Naval Command (WNC) recently decorated 21 newly promoted senior officers including five captains who were promoted to commodores, six commanders to captains and 10 lieutenant commanders to commanders.

According to the Command Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Commander Thomas Otuji, shipping of stripes is an age-long naval tradition that is dedicated to the Royal Navy and has now been adopted in most navies of the world. In the early days of the navy, he said it was the core practice of the officers to wear stripe on the curve of their uniforms jackets.

“Upon promotion, a new stripe will be added to the curve. The new clean stripe will also stand out from the older more whether stripe.

The wedding of the the stripe was often an attempt to get the new stripe to match the older stripe so that the promotion will not look recent.

“Today, an officer will usually replace all stripes upon each promotion with an attempt to maintain a more professional uniform appearance. The NN like other navies of the world still maintains and cherishes this unique tradition.”

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, while addressing the promoted officers, reminded them of the need to remain disciplined.

Acknowledging that promotion comes from God, Daji however noted that the officers’ diligence and exemplary qualities also played a role in their elevation.

He urged them to remain loyal to the navy, dedicated to duty and ensure that they leave impressive footprints in their places of deployment.

“Going through your list in the promotion signal, it was evident that your hardwork and dedication played a major role in your elevation. So you must redouble your effort to justify the confidence reposed in you by the NN and distinguish yourselves in all

The newly decorated officers

subsequent courses and appointments.

“You must develop yourselves academically and professionally as well as exhibit the highest standards of discipline in order to make it to the pinnacle of your career.

“To whom much is given, much is expected.

So, the service would expect loyalty, total commitment and diligence in the discharge of your responsibilities. Nothing short of these will be acceptable.

“You must be guided by the core values of

the NN which are integrity, professionalism and team work and must exhibit the highest standards of accountability and make judicious use of all resources entrusted in your care.

“You must not be routine officers but leave legacies anywhere you find yourself as this is what will speak for you years after. This is the surest way through which we can take ownership of the resources and move the NN forward.

“Your promotion also comes with financial benefit, so we expect that this should reflect in the upkeep of your respective families. So the spouse of the promoted officers should please note. Let them perform rather than give you excuses,” he said.

The vote of thanks was given on behalf of other promoted officers by Commodore Adamu Yahaya, who expressed appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas for the promotion.

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

POLSCOPE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

Dear Mr President,

H

is Excellency sir, I have chosen to write you an open letter, because it appears you have not been reading all that we have been writing.

I am not even certain that you would read this either. But I trust that my friends, Femi Adesinaand Garba Shehu, your spokesmen, would read it and hopefully draw your attention to the issues herein raised; hoping the courage to do so would not fail them.

Sir, let me start by stating that I was one of your avid enthusiasts right from 2014 till last year.

Among other factors, I had assumed that with your military background and no-nonsense posture (at the time) you will literally be the messiah to redeem Nigeria from the grip of those who have held it down for years unend. Like many of your supporters, I campaigned for you , assured people that you are the man for the job, citing history, your ascetic and reticent virtues.

We were too sure that in no time, many of the troubles plaguing us as a nation would be cleared.

How naïve we turned out.

Like the soldier that you are, we thought you’d start by rescuing the kidnapped Chibok school girls. But no. It got into lengthy negotiation with the criminals, wherein some huge sums in foreign currency was paid to secure the release of 82 girls, even as the federal government also released many arrested Boko Haram terrorists as condition for the release of the 82 school girls.

While we hoped for the release of the other remaining Chibok girls, more students were again kidnapped in Dapchi, Yobe State.

Although all of them were later released, save Leah Sharibu, the degree of insecurity in the country has been going from bad to worse.

Till today, Leah Sharibu is still in captivity, that is if she is still alive.

And just a week ago, 333 school boys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. It is a vexatious irony that the greatest kidnap not only hit your own state, but also on a day you arrived Daura, your home town.

Daura, I hear, is about 20 minutes drive from the Kankara. The kidnappers literally took the battle to you. This is ultra sad sir. Thankfully, they were rescued last night.

But sir, as at Wednesday afternoon, you have not even bothered to visit the school or the scene of crime, even when it is literally within a shouting distance from your Daura abode. But you had time on Tuesday to go check on your cows. That seemed rather callous sir.

We are worried sore that you have refused to listen to the cry of Nigerians, especially as it concerns the need to change the service chiefs sir.

Everybody except you and perhaps your Chief of Staff has begged you to let the tired Service Chief to go, so we can try the skill and ideas of another set of people. But you have bluntly refused to let them go, even after you had long declared that they (Service Chiefs) have tried their best but that their best is not good enough. What other verdict is keeping them in office sir? Even if their continued stay in office is the effect of Black magic, does it not expire? How many more killings and security embarrassments would be needed to review the security architecture of the country?

What else is governance if there is no security of lives and property?

Your intransigence is frustrating even your supporters. You make their defence of your government most difficult. That is why even the National Assembly seems to have come to their wit’s end in their bid to defend and positively project your

Buhari

government. How can they keep defending you when their people are being killed everyday and you do not seem to care? Your eventual refusal to address them last week was a big minus, no matter the casuistic argument of MrMalami, your Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

Already, four states have announced the shut down of all private and public schools . The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) is contemplating shutting down all schools in Nigeria if teachers and pupils are no longer safe in their schools.

Earlier, farmers in most parts of the north have shut down because of fear of being beheaded in their farms. The consequences are all so telling.

Food inflation is at roof top now. Nigerians are groaning. In the south, kidnappers have besieged our forests and communities. Just everywhere, the plague of insecurity is strong and overwhelming.

You cannot or should not be aloof from all these.

Your stance of indifference to all these calamities is annoying. Sir you got to do something henceforth.

We don’t all have to die before you wake up. It is the raison d’etre of your being in office. We cannot say it louder!

His Excellency sir, do away with this ‘kinetic’stubbornness and free the service chiefs.

Let them go. There are many others with greater ideas of how to secure Nigeria and Nigerians.

These ones have tried, but they have not saved the nation. Their failure is robbing off on you and it is scoring your government very very low. Or is that you really don’t care what the world thinks about you? Think about the lives of the next victims of insurgency and banditry and do something

sir and promptly too. It could be anybody next.

Let me however commend you for finally ordering the re-opening of closed land borders, even though the gains thereof are hardly visible. It may have swelled the revenue inflow for Customs, but sir, it really did not stop the inflow of small arms.

For the sevneteen months of the closure, we did not witness less cases of violent crimes. Where did the arms and ammunition all come from?

The re-opening will not only promote interregional trade, it will also improve the economy of many Nigerians.

But Mr President sir, life is getting more brutish and nasty with the 14,8% inflation in the country.

We hardly can see or even understand what the managers of the economy are doing to make life less burdensome. The culture of saving has been crumbled by the CBN. With banks now giving zero interest for savings or even on Treasury Bills or Fixed Deposits, who is still bothering about bank savings?

The socio-economic interventions by government are far too small and narrow to assuage the harsh and wide effects of the economic crunch Nigerians are facing.

The after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protest have jointly combined to further make life and living even more tortous for many Nigerians. Jobs have been lost, salaries have been cut, businesses have either shrunk or closed altogether; sources of income have also shrunk,purchasing power weakened, yet cost of living is even getting higher in the face of all these changes.

What Kind of Christmas Are We Expecting?

It’s Christmas next Friday. But what kind of Christmas shall we be having?

Where are the signs of Christmas in the air?

Four land borders including the popular Seme border have just been opened.

That should offer some reprieve.

It is a time young and old have great fun. Children wear new and colourful clothes. I don’t know how many children will be clothed this Christmas by economically-pummeled parents.

Even the usual staple of rice may b e a l u x u r y. O n i o n a n d t o m a t o e s have suddenly become like diamonds.

O n l y the very rich can afford them. With a 50kg bag of rice costing between 27 and 35,000 Naira (depending on the type of rice), access to Christmas rice meal will

be more like a privilege, than a given.

But we can and should share. That is the spirit of Christmas: Love and sharing!

Year 2020 is a peculiar one. Perhaps we should focus less on the appendages of Christmas and be grateful that we are among the living. In a year where the notorious Corona Virus pandemic claimed many lives, EndSARS protests wrecked many lives and businesses, we should just be grateful to our makers for sparing our lives. There will be many more Christmases ahead.

Let us look at the jar of life as being half full and not half empty, and chose to still make merry with even our clean old clothes.

That is why I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead.

Santa Claus

But sir, the above is the narrative of the poor and hapless masses. The people in government ,including you sir, do not go through what we are experiencing. And that is why it is needling us.

They flaunt their wealth and comfort at us, to our pain. They still go in convoys of long motorcades, live large and spend recklessly, all at our collective expense.

The weakening of the Naira has not helped matters. We understand our foreign reserve is shrinking too.With less earning from oil, the US Dollars has become like gold.

Even the exorbitant cost of onions and tomatoes is blamed on the cost of dollars.

Mr President, you may not be an economist, but it is clear that the poor handling of the economy is making Nigerians to suffer. Already we have slipped into another recession, the second time under your government. The downside of these developments are wrecking our economy. You must intervene decisively and rescue the soul of the economy from the hands of these trial and error “experts”.

Mr President, even your much talked-about anti-corruption stance is also being tainted, with many cases of glaring heist among your appointees.

It is no longer a question of Thou Shall Not Steal, it is now Thou shalt not be caught. It is tempting to say nothing has changed in terms of how public funds are being mismanaged and even outrightly stolen by top government officials. Mr President, there are many thieves in your cabinet and many more in the system. Open your eyes a little wider and you’d see them all.

On the political front, you have also not done well. You are to far from the centre. You are rather aloof and detached .

All the hue and cry on restructuring the polity has not received any comment from you.

You have been stuck in the Villa, as it were. You hardly meet Nigerians. That is why you do not know what Nigerians are going through. We are not sure if your advisers are mot misleading you with wrong information.

You do not undertake state visits. You do not entertain media chats. You do not get the benefit of having independent feedback. This style has not helped your public profile.

Your response level on most national issues is slow. Very slow. Sometimes you do not even respond at all.

Even in your own political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) you watch events unfold like an uninterested spectator, not like an iconic referee Ever since you intervened last year in the crisis rocking the APC leading to the sack of Adams Oshiomhole, as National Chairman, we have not heard anything again from you in the management of the party. Recently the interim status of the national APC Chairman, Alhaji Mai Mala Buniwas extended by another six months.

With the 2023 race technically begun, there is no clear indication of where Mr President is standing .Sir, who would succeed you? Yes, you must ensure a level-playing field among prospective aspirants, but we cannot yet decode anything from your body language. It has not booted. Will it ever?

Finally, Mr President, you have a chance not only to redeem your image this coming year by becoming a listening President, but also reinforcing the confidence of your supporters. They have suffered huge humiliation in the hands of the many critics of your administration.

Sir, let that be your new year gift: that when we speak, you will listen. That your connect with the people will be reworked in the years ahead such that we can be sure that we have a president who knows us, hears us and likes us.

His Excellency, let me wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New year in advance.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Banks Pivotal to Success of AfCFTA, Says Akinwuntan Obinna Chima The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan has said the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will rely heavily on the financial services industry’s ability to facilitate the liberalisation process.

Akinwuntan, who made this submission at a webinar titled: “Exploring Nigeria’s Readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area,” organised by Deloitte, maintained that the banking industry in Nigeria was ready for the implementation of the AfCFTA. The continental deal, according to the Ecobank boss would be responsible for facilitating transactions, mobilising savings, allocating capital funds and monitoring managers so that

the funds allocated would be utilised as envisaged, as well as managing risks.

Akinwuntan said: “Nigeria banks have strong capital and their operating synergies have been tremendous for the past five years particularly in the digital banking space. Nigeria is a leading player on the continent in payments required to facilitate trade; mobilisation of savings required to galvanise the economy; focus on the SME segment, which is the largest employer of labour especially in the critical industries such as agriculture as Africa is a continent that is rich in commodities; education of our teeming population and health.”

Furthermore, the Ecobank Managing Director said for financial institutions to adequately play their expected roles, they

would need to drive value creation by developing new technologies, scaling its payment infrastructure and methods to a pan African play to serve the diversified economies expected from the agreement.

Continuing, a statement quoted him to have added: “Africa’s financial services sector will also be relied on to provide the credit and support necessary for certain industries to move forward particularly the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, which will be at the centre of Africa’s development goals following the AfCFTA enactment.

“Nigerian financial service industry has the basic platform to enable African financial services to contribute significantly to the trade area. The BVN innovation in Nigeria is unique, more like the social security number in USA.”

L-R: Managing Director, Kairos Capital, Sam Chidoka; Non- Executive Director, Abbey Mortgage Bank, Nonso Okpala; Chairman, Emmanuel Ivi; Company Secretary, Geoff Aghereonu, and MD/CEO, Madu Hamman, during the signing ceremony of the company’s rights issues at the bank’s head office in Lagos…recently

‘What RSA Holders Should Consider in New Transfer Window’ Many Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders have been asking about the modalities of the pension transfer window that was announced by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), recently.

According to a statement, some of their questions bothers on what distinguishes a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) from the other, and what should influence choice and movements.

Owing to this, the Managing Director, ARM Pension, Wale Odutola, was quoted in the statement to have provided insights into the key differentiating elements that are likely to influence choice of one PFA to the other.

According to him, these elements becomes the competitive qualities that PFAs are going to work on, which brings additional value to the RSA holder and for

the larger pension industry.

Odutola said, “For every RSA holder planning to make a move, I’ll advice that such a person seeks out a PFA with an excellent management team, a good investment track-record and notable years of experience.”

“RSA holders should not ignore the history books. Ensure that the PFA you move to have rigorously managed pension fund assets and remained consistent with paying out higher returns to the retirees whose fund they manage,” he added.

According to him, ARM Pension has since inception delivered consistently positive returns on retirees’ funds irrespective of the economic situation of the nation.

“Skilled with an experienced and competent management team, ARM Pensions has recorded historical annual returns on managed retirement funds

with average returns significantly higher than the long-run average inflation rate of 12 per cent,” he added.

With ARM Pensions equipped with the ISO certification for information security, he believes that after years of hard work, an RSA holder should not put the safety of their data and funds in jeopardy. He advised strongly on choosing a PFA with an airtight information security protocol in place.

In addition, Odutola advised RSA holders to, “do business with a PFA that has a responsive customer relationship team that you can reach easily, online and offline, and aside from providing core functions of managing your pension funds, your PFA should go above and beyond to provide you with retirement planning tools, tips, and more to help you prepare for a fulfilled retirement.”

Rainoil Wins Business Leadership Award Rainoil Limited, an integrated oil and gas company operating in the downstream sector has won the ‘2020 Downstream Company of the Year Award “ at the Nigerian Business Leadership Awards (NBLA) 2020 organised by the Businessday Newspapers group.

In the presentation of the award, Rainoil Limited emerged

the winner amongst leading peers for the category.

While expressing his joy at the development, the Group Managing Director, Rainoil Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, said the award was an acknowledgement of the group’s consistent focus on, “strategic and value-driven investments,” in energy sector

of the Nigerian economy.

He stated that the award was particularly gratifying, coming at the time the company was making great effort in contributing to the economic development of the country with its sterling efforts to ensuring in-country utilisation and deepening of gas penetration in the nation.

H&G Strengthens Capacity with New Appointment Investment and advisory firm, Hamilton and George Advisers Limited (H&G) has announced the appointment of Mr. Lekan Olatoke as its Group Head Institutional Sales.

While making the announcement, the Co-founder and Lead Strategist at H&G, Mr. Joseph Edgar, stated that with the immense potential currently being under-utilised especially in the area of capital placement and distribution the need for H&G to strengthen its capacity has more than ever before become imperative.

According to Edgar the firm in the coming new year would redirect its efforts towards working assiduously in the SME space leveraging its expertise to

better advise same as they seek to build enduring businesses.

He said in this regard, Olatoke’s appointment signposts this resolve.

Olatoke currently leads the Institutional Sales subdivision of Corporate Finance and Advisory business of H&G. He joined the firm as a senior associate in the Corporate Finance & Advisory Division, where he has participated in various deals and transactions, including debt capital market issues, structured financing, capital restructuring and capital raise via private placement.

He is an astute development finance expert and together with his team, have advised on corporate

and structured financing of companies in Energy, Infrastructure and Real Estate Development, Alternative Investments, Agriculture value chain, Micro-finance and Fintech space. He combines his financial advisory background in capital restructuring, financial analysis, financial modelling and valuation, and capital markets to guide the overall delivery of business advisory mandates to achieve clients’ ultimate objectives.

Olatoke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from University of Ilorin, an MBA in Finance, and Post Graduate Diploma in Economics both from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

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

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $50.12 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $49.61 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), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ 2020

Equities Market Rises Further by 2.1% as Bulls Consolidate Hold Goddy Egene The equities market witnessed further growth yesterday as buying interest in bellwether stocks continued. Gains by Airtel Africa Plc, Dangote Cement Plc and Zenith Bank Plc boosted the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) by 2.1 per cent to close higher at 36,239.62. Similarly, market capitalisation added N390.2 billion to be at N18.9 trillion.

All the sectoral indices appreciated led by the NSE Insurance Index by 2.4 per cent, trailed by the NSE Industrial Index that grew by 1.3 per cent. The NSE Banking Index went up by 1.1 per cent while the NSE Oil & Gas Index gained 0.6 per cent.

The NSE Consumer Goods Index added 0.2 per cent.

A total of 29 stocks gained compared to 17 that depreciated.

Airtel Africa Plc led price gain-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

ers with 10 per cent, trailed by Ardova Plc with 9.9 per cent as some investors reacted to the news of the petroleum products marketing firm launching fully solar powered filling stations across the country. The first one was launched in Lagos last week and the Chief Executive Officer, AP Plc, Olumide Adesoun, said the wholly solar powered station is an indication of their mission to champion the transition to clean

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

energy in Nigeria.

“I am certain that customers who come to this station and every other AP service station will notice that we had more than a facelift, we built future ready stations that are a pleasure to be in for customers while we provide excellent service in catering to their needs.”

According to him, their goal with the newly rebranded AP stations is to take their customer experience to a whole new level

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

by offering them a one-stop-hub tailored to satisfy their energy needs, while progressively adding other energy products beyond conventional fuels. “ We will continue to add interesting products and services that are certain to delight our customers. We are highly committed to becoming Nigeria’s leading provider of clean energy.

With our Oniru station, we are providing a glimpse of the direction in which we are

O F

headed,” he said.

Market operators said this is positive development that is capable of increasing the firm’s market share and eventually lead to more value creation for shareholders.

Meanwhile, Omatek Ventures Plc and Coronation Insurance Plc led the price gainer’s chart with 9.0 per cent apiece.

Champion Breweries Plc shed 8.9 per cent, just as University Press Plc lost 7.2 per cent.

1 7 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

ABC Transport Forecasts N1.4bn Earnings in Q1 2021 Goddy Egene

would post a turnover of 2021. The transportation firm operating expenses of N1.006 added that profit before tax N1.409 billion for the first notified market operators and billion and administrative will be N47.192 million while ABC Transport Plc said it quarter ending March 31, shareholders that it would incur expenses of N327 million. It profit after tax of N28.315 million.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Dec-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

The company plans to raise N1.4 billion through rights issue to boost its operations.

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 1.06 1.08 17.91% ACAP Income Funds 0.86 0.86 11.45% 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 1.87% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.59 3.72 46.97% 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 0.89% Anchoria Equity Fund 128.23 128.69 20.51% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.39 1.39 17.99% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 18.01 18.55 17.55% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 398.45 410.46 15.35% ARM Ethical Fund 33.71 34.73 15.91% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.22 1.22 21.85% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.11 11.04% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.17% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 122.46 123.32 27.46% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.51% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.21 2.21 17.81% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.20 2.24 41.08% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.72% Paramount Equity Fund 15.41 15.65 22.96% Women's Investment Fund 130.36 131.76 18.18% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.38% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 127.40 128.19 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 127.40 128.19 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 0.65% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 25.66% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.68 1.68 26.13% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 0.89% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 0.89% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,203.73 1,222.32 8.69% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 183.14 184.50 24.74% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.35% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 121.29 121.65 7.42% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 121.46 121.82 7.03% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 148.12 150.39 13.82% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,741.48 3,781.33 22.75% Coral Income Fund 3,267.28 3,267.28 6.43% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.14% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.36% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 126.88 127.41 17.26%

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 2.03% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 27.68% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 155.78 156.70 8.73% 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 1,151.54 1,151.54 10.65% 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 1.58 1.61 28.25% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.12 12.23 7.65% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.82% PACAM Equity Fund 1.49 1.50 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.85 111.22 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 128.90 131.85 13.01% 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 1.02 1.02 9.00% 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 23.16% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 6.40% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 25.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 7.45% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 30.06% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.33% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 23.00% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.22 1.22 5.42% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.90 110.90 6.42% 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 1.36 1.38 13.84% United Capital Bond Fund 1.88 1.88 8.83% United Capital Equity Fund 0.84 0.87 19.94% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.19% United Capital Eurobond Fund 116.81 116.81 6.86% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 1.21% 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 12.07 12.22 17.46% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.37 13.51 15.12% Zenith Income Fund 24.99 24.99 10.01% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.87%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.08

6.95%

52.16

0.21%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.57 113.57 87.62

11.67 116.04 89.26

37.23% 20.24% 16.64%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.06

4.10

18.09%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

5.69

5.77

-3.77%

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

15.79 1.00 15.88

15.89 1.00 16.08

31.21% 2.27% 52.37%

218.41

220.41

16.49%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

41

42

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

43

44

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

45

46

FRIDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS DESPITE RISING COVID-19 CASES, OPS CAUTIONS AGAINST FRESH LOCKDOWN The OPS members, in separate interviews with THISDAY on what the second wave of COVID-19 portends for the country, however, urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols to avoid another lockdown of the economy and its attendant negative impacts on socio economic activities.

They noted that another lockdown will severely hurt the economy that is presently in recession, the second in five years.

The representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said the government must take the second wave seriously and tackle it frontally without jeopardising the economy.

They added that experience from the initial lockdown showed that shutting down the economy again would be detrimental to the country.

They said what is needed is for the government at all levels to intensify public awareness on the COVID-19 protocols and muster the political will to effectively enforce protocols enunciated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

They also demanded the provision of hand washing facilities in public places for people to use.

The Acting Director-General of MAN, Mr. Ambrose Oruche, said the initial lockdown impacted negatively and is still hurting the economy judging by the economic statistics that are coming from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Oruche said: “So, another lockdown will not be advisable despite the fact that we know that COVID-19 is real and its challenges are real and its impact on health is real. But we knew that we would also look at the economy. It will be worse for everyone if the economy is down because the structure of the country depends on its economic wellbeing.

“I don’t think the Nigerian economy will be able to survive a second lockdown. I will suggest that the government and its machinery should enforce the NCDC protocol that has been established and confirmed ways to checkmate the spread of the disease by emphasising that people should wash their hands."

He added that another lockdown would be counterproductive because people would not obey it.

“You cannot ask somebody that is dying of hunger to stay in-house. He will disobey the lockdown rather than dying in his home.

“The first lockdown created a lot of hiccups on the economy that includes loss of jobs.

Yesterday, statistics said that 7,000 people lost their jobs in the banking industry alone within nine months. So locking down again will impact negatively and people who are hungry will use every opportunity they have to steal, loot and destroy.

The #EndSARS protest created an opportunity for them to vandalise and loot,” Oruche stated.

The Director-General of the LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, explained that a second lockdown would not be advisable.

He said: “The social and economic environment is

NEW NORMAL...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presides virtually over the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja...yesterday too tense and fragile to withstand the shocks of another lockdown. The economy is already in recession; there is a lull in economic activities, unemployment is on the increase, poverty situation is not getting better and the economy is struggling to recover from recession.

“What needs to happen is to intensify the sensitisation and awareness on COVID-19 protocols. There should be a strategic enforcement of the protocols to improve on compliance. There is also a need to accelerate the process of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The Director-General of NACCIMA, Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, noted that the government and Nigerians should strive to curtail the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, this could be done by promoting and enforcing non-pharmaceutical measures such as social distancing, the use of face masks, regular hand washing and all other guidelines prescribed by the NCDC. “Our last experience with lockdown did not work. It had devastating effects on the economy with attendant social crisis as reflected in the #EndSARS crisis and attack on locations where palliatives were stored.

“Our economy, which is already in recession and gasping for breath, cannot afford a lockdown. Let's seriously implement regulations on reduction of crowding.

In this situation, religious establishments should be advised to suspend their usual huge end of year gatherings.

If necessary, suspend their activities and go back to religious activities on line.

Schools may also be closed earlier and the resumption date in January extended for now. We must take this second wave seriously and tackle it frontally without jeopardising the economy,” Olukanni said.

The Head of Consulting, Agusto Consulting limited, Mr.

Jimi Ogbobine, also warned against a second lockdown, stressing that the emphasis on healthcare protocols should be enforced.

He added that a second lockdown would have socioeconomic impact that could lead to unrest.

He said: “If the country goes into another lockdown that would possibly prolong the recession into 2021. And because our outlook is that we may have a slight growth in the first quarter of the year, another lockdown would indicate that we may be going back into another recession."

The Head, Research United Capital, Mr. Wale Olusi, stated that the current realities do not favour another lockdown.

He said: "To be honest, we cannot have another lockdown. What we can do is to simply enforce social distancing measures, reduce congressional gatherings, non-essential movement, etc.

There must be emphasis on wearing a mask, washing hands and personal hygiene.”

FG Mulls Review of Opening up Economy However, the federal government yesterday indicated that it might review the decision to further open up the economy in view of the resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

It also tasked Nigerians on the dire outcome of failure to comply strictly with nonpharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19.

The SGF, represented by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the country is in a potentially difficult phase of the COVID-19 resurgence.

Mustapha was represented by Sirika as he was in self- isolation as a precaution after some members of his household last week tested positive for the virus.

He appealed to the public that the gains of the hard work of the last nine months should not be allowed to be

lost during the second wave of the pandemic.

According to him, if the public adheres to the protocols and the government steps up testing and early detection, the loss of lives would be minimised and the rising curve would begin to flatten out.

“The events and statistics of the last two weeks within and outside Nigeria have been very mixed. On the one hand, the cheering news of the COVIDvaccine while on the other hand, we have witnessed spikes in the number of infections at home and abroad.

“The real threat is upon humanity and the progress made in the global health sector in the last five decades or more. In Nigeria, the indication is that we have entered a second wave of infections and we stand the risk of not just losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months but also not losing the precious lives of our citizens,” Mustapha said.

The PTF chairman said that vaccines alone cannot cure the virus, but rather a combination of initiatives, including the NPIs. He urged Nigerians to cancel all non-essential trips ahead of the festive season and to also avoid large gathering events.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it is taking proactive measures to arrest the health challenge.

Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the centre would work round the clock to ensure that tests are carried out and that the laboratories and isolation centres are put on high alert to handle the rising number of cases.

He added that as part of efforts to provide all round testing services, staff of NCDC have been barred from observing the Christmas public holidays.

NEC: New COVID-19 Outbreak Overwhelming Health Facilities The National Economic Council

(NEC) yesterday expressed concern over the recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Nigeria, lamenting that the country's facilities are now being overwhelmed.

The virtual council's meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, called for the strict enforcement of advisories to contain the spread of the disease.

The council, in a statement

by Osinbajo's spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, said: "It is alarmed that the current trends are now approaching or surpassing the levels reached during the lockdown imposed at the height of the epidemic earlier in the year."

It enlarged the membership of its ad-hoc committee on COVID-19 and mandated it to urgently come up with additional measures to contain the spike in the infections.

"The country is now experiencing a huge resurgence of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and the existing health facilities are fast becoming overwhelmed," it stated.

According to the statement, the NEC's ad-hoc COVID-19 committee, chaired by Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, which hitherto had the governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Anambra and the FCT minister as members, has now been enlarged to include the governors of Ogun and Kaduna States, the Minister of Health, Minister of Information and Culture as well as the Minister of Youth and Sports.

The statement added that health and information commissioners in the states would also be co-opted into the assignment.

The council, which blamed the upsurge in the recent cases of infections on non-compliance with COVID-19 protocols, passed the following resolutions: "Restrict all physical gatherings and instead opt for virtual meetings, whenever possible. If physical meetings must be held, ensure there is adequate ventilation of the

room, limit the number of attendees, wear face masks, maintain a physical distance of at least two metres and adhere to other public health measures.

"No mask, no entry, no service - all staff members, visitors and customers entering workplaces, shops, entertainment or business premises must wear a face mask that should cover the mouth and nose at all times, and should not remove them, especially if speaking to another person in close proximity.

"Temperature checks must be carried out on all employees and customers entering office and business premises (any person with a temperature 38 degrees Celsius or above, should be denied entry and advised to go for a health check).

"All office and business premises must have a handwashing station with running water and soap or hand sanitiser at the entrance.

Employers and business owners have a responsibility to ensure hand sanitisers are always refilled and soap and water always available."

Members of the council also commiserated with families of abducted students of Government Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State and empathised with the people and government of the state.

According to the resolution, NEC expressed outrage over the abduction, condemning what it described as the brazen act of the abductors as not only criminal and lawless but also a deliberate attempt to sow seeds of fear in people.

The statement added that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, reported the balances in the federation accounts as at 17th December 2020 to the council.

She listed such balances as $72,410,574.08 in the excess crude account (ECA), N26,433,355,427.91 in the stabilisation account and N156,690,002,234.58 in the natural resources account.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

NEWS

N’Assembly Adopts NDDC’s Budget, Lifts Ban on Commission Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Assembly yesterday resolved to lift the ban it earlier placed on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The lawmakers also adopted the 2021 budget proposal of the commission.

These resolutions were reached at the joint budget defence session which had in attendance members of the Committees on Niger Delta and NDDC in the Senate and House of Representatives, where both chambers agreed to work with the NDDC led by a sole administrator.

The meeting had in attendance the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Peter Nwaboshi, and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Hon. Tunji Ojo. Making his maiden attendance before the committee, the newly appointed interim sole administrator of the commission, Mr. Effiong Akwa, had in a letter addressed to the President of Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, indicated his commitment to transparency, honesty and accountability in the discharge of his duties.

On accountability, Akwa explained in the letter his awareness of the implications of spending funds outside budgetary allocation and appropriation.

In view of the objective of the letter, Senator James Manager moved a motion for the NDDC budget proposal to be adopted by the committee.

The motion was subsequently seconded by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and it was followed by a unanimous resolution by members of both Houses to receive the commission’s budget.

Prior to the resolution, Nwaboshi had in his remark charged Akwa to see the gesture by the committee as a privilege.

He urged the new sole administrator to remain firm in his words and actions, and not to take undue advantage of the privilege given to him by the committee.

According to the Delta State senator, “The motion on the floor moved by Senator Manager and seconded by Hon. Benjamin Kalu is in view of the new administrator’s humble disposition and in line with the letter he wrote telling us that

he understands the implication of spending money without it being appropriated.

“I want to thank the Senate president for lifting the ban placed on them for incompetence and some of the infractions the IMC committed.

“Before you take your leave, this is a rare privilege, and I am happy that journalists are here, so let us hope that you will stand and live by your words.

“However, we have lawyers, accountants and auditors here, and we have the power to invite you again in a joint session and in that joint session, you may have to present this budget again.

“We are allowing you to go as a mark of respect to you and because of the humility you have

exhibited here.”

In his remarks on the letter, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, rallied his colleagues to lend their support to the new administrator of the commission.

Kalu said: “Given the letter that distinguished Senator Nwaboshi read, the letter was written to the Senate president, and I think that should give us some hope. We are not in this hall to be fighting every day.

“Let’s give this gentleman the benefit of doubt. He will come again, and we are going to thoroughly scrutinise this budget.

Let’s give him the benefit of doubt, and work on the budget.”

On his part Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Ojo, drew Akwa’s attention to the

issues which had bedevilled the commission under the erstwhile Interim Management Committee (IMC).

He urged Akwa to seek alternative means to funding the commission, saying: “It is imperative to draw attention to some of the concerns that we have consistently raised during our interactions for the purpose of reiterating the objective of NDDC which is to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

“It’s a proposal we would like to propose to you, and advise that the NDDC has to look at alternative means of revenue generation, and hopefully 30 percent for partnerships and joint ventures agreement; 50

percent for capital development projects, and 20 percent for the completion and payment of existing projects.”

The Senate in plenary on July 23, 2020, resolved that the IMC be disbanded and made to refund the sum of N4.923 billion.

However, as a result of the series of petitions against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, President Muhammadu Buhari on December 12, 2020, appointed a sole administrator to run the affairs of the commission.

Akwa, who has been the acting executive director, finance and administration in the NDDC, “is to assume the headship of the commission till the completion of the forensic audit.”

LEADERSHIP Chairman, Nda-Isaiah, for Burial on December 28 The remains of the Chairman of LEADERSHIP Group Limited, publishers of LEADERSHIP Newspapers and National Economy, Sam Nda-Isaiah, will be interred on December 28, 2020.

A statement yesterday by the management of LEADERSHIP Group Limited added that Nda-Isaiah would be buried in Abuja.

The statement also disclosed that a service of songs for the late media mogul would hold on December 27, 2020 at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja by 3p.m.

Recall that Nda-Isaiah who held the traditional title of Kakaki Nupe, died on Friday,

December 11, 2020 in Abuja after a brief illness. He was aged 58 years.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other prominent Nigerians, including former presidents and elder statesmen, had paid glowing tributes to the late publisher over his enormous contributions to the media community and national development.

While the Senate observed a one minute silence in respect of Nda-Isaiah on Wednesday, various institutions and foreign countries have also sympathised with his immediate family and the entire LEADERSHIP family, noting his passion for a better Nigeria.

PEOPLE’S AWARD…

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) being surrounded by officials of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing after he was presented with the Heroes Award as the best and most peaceful governor in the South-east at the Government House, Enugu…yesterday

Reopened Borders: NIS CG Orders Dismantling of Illegal Checkpoints, Roadblocks Peter Uzoho On the heels of the reopening of four land borders by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammad Babandede, has ordered immediate dismantling of all checkpoints and roadblocks not approved by the federal government.

Babandede in the same vein, directed that only checkpoints

of 10 kilometres from the approved border towns must be operational.

The comptroller general in a circular to all heads of directorates, zonal coordinators, command comptrollers and heads of other formations of the NIS, dated December 10, 2020, explained that the directive was in line with observations raised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), on the proliferation of security checkpoints and roadblocks on

the highways across the country.

He maintained that such proliferation of security checkpoints and roadblocks had been identified as one of the reasons for loss of manhours, increased prices of consumer goods and services and other items.

According to Babandede, “While some of these checkpoints might be legal, most are not; hence the call by PEBEC on the appropriate authorities to curtail their activities.

“Consequently, I wish to reiterate the anti-corruption stance of the service in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda and therefore, enjoin all officers and men to be professional in the discharge of their duties as severe sanctions would be meted out to anyone found wanting in the course of performing his legitimate schedules.

“Kindly ensure the content of this circular is widely circulated and monitored strictly, please.”

honour of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu.

He said the most important aspect of dealing with the challenges facing the country is leadership, adding that the myriads of challenges in the areas of security, economy and political instability are not really new only that they have taken a new dimension.

According to him, “There are many challenges in Nigeria today.

There are challenges of security, economy, political stability among others. These challenges are not really new, except that they have taken a different dimension.

“But human challenges are meant to be solved or overcome by human beings which means that all hands should be on

deck. I believe that the most important aspect of dealing with all the challenges we have is: one leadership, two, coming together, that is, all hands being on deck.

“We all have to come together. But then, there must be leadership to get everybody to work.”

When asked to speak on the increasing call for the sack of the security chiefs as a means of tackling the insecurity issues in the country, the former President, said “I did not appoint security chiefs, how can I ask that they be sacked.”

While requested to offer ‘fatherly’ advice to the security chiefs and the president, he said, “If I have a fatherly advice for the security chiefs, I will not

give them through the media.”

Governor Makinde speaking earlier while playing host to the former president, lauded Obasanjo for his efforts at national development, highlighting his various steps to transform and improve the country, especially in the areas of agriculture, security, education and health.

According to him, “We want to welcome you to Ibadan. We have done quite a bit to follow your footstep because the major areas of focus for the government of Oyo State are in the areas of health, education, agriculture, physical infrastructure and security. And agriculture for us is the only way to take Oyo State from depending on federal allocation.

US Cautions Citizens against Travelling in Nigeria Nigeria Needs All Hands to Tackle Insecurity, Says Obasanjo Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The United States Embassy in Nigeria has again asked American citizens to exercise caution while travelling and residing in Nigeria.

In a security alert published on the Embassy’s website on Wednesday, the mission said “crime was endemic throughout Nigeria ranging from petty street crime to carjacking, and crime levels tend to increase during the holidays”.

It noted, “Terrorist organisations and individuals inspired by extremist ideology exist throughout Nigeria.

“Shopping centres, airports, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, street markets, and other

public venues frequented by Westerners are common attack targets.”

The statement titled, ‘Holiday security alert,’ further said that criminal and other elements often infiltrate large gatherings.

It noted that public demonstrations which it said were common, could inhibit flow of traffic.

The mission admonished Americans to be aware of their surroundings, keep a low profile and carry proper identification.

The advisory advised them to “stay alert in public places and locations frequented by tourists/Westerners; review your personal security plans and use caution when driving at night and avoid walking after dark.”

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said for solution to be proffered to the various challenges facing the country, all hands must be on deck aside from having a leader who can provide the needed leadership to coordinate the efforts.

He said this yesterday in Ibadan while fielding questions from journalists after paying a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, at the Agodi State Secretariat, Ibadan.

The former president said he was at the governor’s office to pay a belated condolence visit on the governor on the demise of his mother as he was in the state to attend a book launch in

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Telcos May Lose Licences over New SIM Card Registration Policy Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja Telecom operators, who fail to comply with the new SIM card registration policy may have their licences withdrawn, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), has warned.

A statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said this was part of the decisions taken after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, the statement said, has already set up a ministerial task force to monitor the implementation of the new registration policy of the federal government.

According to the NCC, from the decisions reached at the emergency stakeholders’ meetings, any telecoms operator in violation of the directive risks possible licence withdrawal.

Yesterday’s statement by the

NCC said: “All SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks. And that the violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licence.”

“A Ministerial Task Force comprising the minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.”

The federal government had on Tuesday directed all telecommunications companies to ensure that every SIM card in the country is tied to the National Identity Number (NIM) of their subscribers between December 16 and 30. 2020. SIM cards without NIN link are to be blocked at the expiration of the deadline.

The statement said: “Following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa

FG, ASUU to Resolve Strike Soon, Says Fayemi Victor Olakitan in Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, said yesterday revealed that the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would soon resolve their ongoing crisis.

Fayemi, who said he had the opportunity to be part of negotiations between government and ASUU in his capacity as NGF chairman, said that in view of the successes recorded so far, “We are nearer to the resolution of the of the crisis than people think”.

The governor, who spoke during the 24th Convocation Ceremony of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, where 11,437 bagged various degrees, appealed to labour leaders in the institution to always embrace peace and give room for dialogue in resolving many of the issues that might come short of their expectations.

He advised Nigerian graduates to develop capabilities to generate uncommon innovation and ideas, describing it as the best catalysts

to success in a 21st-century economy.

Fayemi said, “This is a period when academic curricular of our citadels of learning should be tailored towards meeting the realities of our contemporary Nigeria and the antidote for its various challenges.

“It is a generally accepted norm that only qualified staff and students could innovate and steer the ship of our university system as well as Nigeria as a nation to our expected shore. Therefore, I challenge the graduating students of today to see themselves as the future of Nigeria. The earlier the responsibility of leadership is embraced by their generation, the better for them as a people and to us as a nation.”

The 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, who was on the occasion, inaugurated the institution’s pro-chancellor, said, “This appointment will only further encourage me to continue joining hands with him (Fayemi) as we seek to make contributions to resolving some of the intractable issues currently facing this country”.

APC Govs Felicitate with Buhari at 78

All Progressives Congress (APC) governors under the platform of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a role model and a source of inspiration to the nation.

In a congratulatory message to the President on his 78th birthday anniversary in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the nation is proud of the patriotic leadership commitment of the President.

According to Bagudu, “the Progressive Governors Forum joins His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his family to celebrate his 78th birthday.

Together with all Nigerians,

we celebrate this special day with you and your family.

“We acknowledge and commend your leadership, vision and commitment to a united prosperous Nigeria.

Recognising all the difficult period we face as a nation, we are confident under your leadership, we will be able to resolve our national security challenges and restore peace in every part of the country.

“As we wish you a happy birthday and also say a big thank you for your selfless service to our dear country, we reaffirm our commitment to work under your leadership with the abiding faith and belief that the initiatives of our APC Federal Government will meet all the expectations of Nigerians. We are very proud of your patriotic leadership.”

Pantami convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.”

“The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.”

The NCC said this was as a

result of the conclusion reached

by Pantami last Monday.

It added that “at the meeting, the need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all

stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.”

According to the NCC, decisions were taken for immediate implementation by all network operators.

A NEW CHANCELLOR IN TOWN…

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Edward Olanipekun; Former Emir of Kano/Chancellor, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II; Governor Kayode Fayemi; and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Bamitale Omole, during the 24th convocation ceremony of the university and investiture of Sanusi as Chancellor in Ado –Ekiti…yesterday

PDP BoT Chairman Appeals to Aggrieved Members to Sheathe Their Swords Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jibrin, has called on all aggrieved members of the party to sheath their swords, promising that peaceful means will be explored to find amicable solutions to the various issues.

Jibrin specifically appealed to the aggrieved members to remain in the party in view of the fact that the leaders of the main opposition party are working hard, looking for the way forward.

The Chairman BoT of the PDP made the appeal in a

statement personally signed by him yesterday in Abuja.

Jibrin pointedly declared that he and other leaders of the party are doing everything possible to find solutions to the various contending issues.

According to him, “In my capacity as chairman of PDP BoT, the conscience of the party, I am watching very keenly the recent developments in our great party with a special call on all aggrieved members to remain in the party with a view to looking for the way forward.

“As the father of all, I have decided not to pay deaf ears to group or individual grievances to enable me play a neutral and

fatherly role in order to harmonise the views expressed with a view to taking necessary action.

“I wish to call on the aggrieved members to shelve their sword while we explore all peaceful means to find an amicable solution.

“I want to state that it is very normal for any member or groups to air their views, but we must use the various reconciliation strategies in order to make the party the strongest. “ I want to further state that PDP has come to stay with no shaking and determination to bring our detractors and enemies to shame,” he said.

The BoT Chairman appealed

to all the organs of the PDP including the national caucus, BoT, National Executive Committee, and the National convention to leave up to expectations and be guided by justice and fairness without any sinister motives or personal aggrandisement.

He also urged the governors elected on the platform of the PDP to continue to use their positions to keep the party alive.

He similarly called for support for the Governor Bala Mohammed and Senator Bukola Saraki’s committees on post 2019 post-election review committee and national reconciliation and strategic committee respectively.

2023: Atiku Inaugurates Campaign Support Groups Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has inaugurated Atiku Support Groups across the 36 states of the federation.

The Atiku Support Group was launched in Abuja under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kabir Babawo as Director General and Atiku Aminu Mohammed as Chairman of the organisation.

The mission of the organisation is to project the former vice-president’s visionary idea of sustainable national development as he prepares to formally declare

his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The North-central coordinator, Hon Anngu Orngu said, he accepted the appointment whole heartedly to join the Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) because of the Visionary mindset the former vice president has for the country and Nigerian youths.

Orngu said: “Improving the livelihood of Nigerians is of utmost priority to Atiku Abubakar. He has demonstrated this in numerous capacities which is why we the Nigerian youth want him to be president

come 2023.

“We will not rest till he is elected the president of Nigeria.

If he is elected as the president of Nigeria, he will be pro-active in addressing the insecurity challenges facing the country, attract foreign investments and give support to millions of small and medium scale enterprises in addition to 40 per cent youth inclusiveness in government”.

Orngu further lamented on the poor state of economy, insecurity and hardship witnessed by Nigerians under the Buhari government.

Those who emerged as

state Coordinators and Zonal Exco’s includes: North Central Zonal Coordinator, Hon.Comr.

Orngu Anngu, Deputy Zonal Coordinator, Hon Isiaka Mogaji, Women Leader, Hon Mabe Ameh, Benue State Coordinator, Comr. George Odoo Ezekiel, Niger State Coordinator, Hon. Hassana Shuaibu Dada, Kwara State Coordinator, Hon Segun Olawoyin, Kogi State Coordinator, Hon Ocheni Titus Okayi, Nasarawa State Coordinator, Hon. Abubakar Agwai, FCT Coordinator, Hon. Agajo Daniel, Plateau State Coordinator, Hon. Solomon Ballason Shitnan.

Lagos Orders Public, Private Schools to Vacate Today Segun James The Lagos State Government has asked public and private schools in the state to vacate on Friday.

This was contained in a statement yesterday, titled ‘LASG directs schools to vacate on Friday, December 18, 2020’.

In the statement, the Director General, Office of Education

Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Mrs Abiola SerikiAyeni, said, “the 2020/2021 first term academic session for public and private schools comes to an end on Friday 18th December, 2020”.

“The Lagos States Government has directed public and private schools in the state to vacate on Friday 18th December, 2020.

“Therefore, all public and private schools below tertiary level in the state are to close for the Christmas and New Year holiday on that day. Schools are to resume back on Monday, January 4, 2021 in compliance with the Lagos State harmonized academic calendar.

“It is important to note that boarders are to resume on Sunday, January 3, 2021 while

academic activities commences immediately,” the statement read in part.

The government advised parents to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols at home while all school proprietors and school administrators were enjoined to also ensure compliance to COVID-19 safety protocols when schools resume for 2nd term.

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Adamawa Guber Candidate Drags Buhari to Court over Insecurity Seeks sack of service chiefs, N100bn compensation for victims Alex Enumah in Abuja The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 governorship election in Adamawa State, Alhaji Said Uba, has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order of the court to compel the president to sack all service chiefs for their alleged failure to curb insecurity in the country.

Uba, who sued Buhari on behalf of himself and the affected victims of insecurity in the northern region, is also praying the court to order the federal government to pay a whopping sum of N100 billion as damages to the victims.

In the suit instituted in Abuja, the AAC governorship candidate contended that the law making protection of lives and property as a major function of Buhari has been grossly violated as

occasioned by the alarming rate of insecurity.

Apart from Buhari, other defendants in the court action marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/625/2020; are the Attorney General of the Federation, National Assembly, Senate President, Chief of Army staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector General of Police as 1st to 8th respondents respectively.

Uba is seeking the following reliefs from the court: A declaration that the respondents have failed in their responsibility to protect the lives and properties of Nigerian Citizens which led to the deprivation of lives and indiscriminate destruction of properties in the country.

“A declaration that the rights of the citizens to movement as enshrined in section 37 of the Constitution has been hampered due to the failure of the respondents to adequately

Again, Ortom Calls on FG to Grant Individual Licensed Weapons George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has again called on the federal government to grant licence to Nigerians to own guns and protect themselves from criminal groups in the country The governor made the call yesterday at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, when he received members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Makurdi branch, who were on a solidarity visit over the recent assassination of their member by suspected herdsmen.

He reeled out recent killings in the state, including the killing of a lawyer and his

wife; an Agro Ranger who was allegedly murdered by herdsmen in a forest and his decomposing body discovered 10 days later, and the killing of a university professor among others.

Ortom said: “In Adaka community in Makurdi Local Government Area, herdsmen went after an Agro Ranger, and when they could not find him, they killed his wife while another one had his father killed. How long shall we continued to be killed and the federal government remains silent?”

He added that if guns were licenced, the people can defend themselves against criminals carrying dangerous weapons.

address the insecurity challenges in almost every part of the country thereby restricting free movement.

“A declaration that the continuing bombing of the citizens properties particularly in the northern part of the country without curbing or putting an

end by the respondents is a gross violation of the rights of citizens to own properties.

“An order directing the 1st respondent to immediately relief the 5th to 7th respondents of their duties for their inability to curb insecurity which is claiming lives and destroying

properties of citizens.

“An order directing each of the 1st to 8 respondents to tender a written apology to the Applicant within seven days of the granting of this order in three major national dailies.

“An order directing the respondents to pay the sum

of N100 billion jointly and severally to the applicant as aggravated and exemplary damages for the unwarranted killing, kidnapping, banditry, inconveniences which the Applicant is still being subjected to by the incompetence of respondents.

IGR CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS...

L R: Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning and Chairman, Forum of Commissioners for Finance of Nigeria, Mr. David Olofu; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Director General,Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Asishana Okauru; and Commissioner for Finance, Jigawa State, Mr. Ibrahim Babangida, during the sixth Internally Generated Revenue Conference in Abuja...recently

Lamido: Only PDP Can Solve Nigeria’s Problems Udora Orizu in Abuja Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has declared that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds the key to solving the country’s myriads of problems and unlocking its potentials for prosperity.

Lamido who spoke in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State after the conduct of the local government congresses across the 27 local government areas, expressed optimism that Nigerians would vote for the party during the

2023 general election after all the wailings, hunger and poverty they have suffered in the last five years.

Lamido said: “Nigeria is at a crossroad, people are wailing all over the country, the insecurity, the poverty, the culture of hatred, there is lack of love in Nigeria we need a party like PDP which is rooted in people’s heart which is not owned by the people not by any individual, the party understands Nigeria. What you see here shows that PDP is going to win the election it

is going solve the problem of Nigeria. So we should look at the deep problem we are in, we must make sure we put in the party that can restore Nigeria and restore our land, our trust, our stability, our economy, restore our safety. There is no way you can run the country, restore human development if there is no peace.

“The present ruling party told lies about security, told lies about corruption and we were flushed our and they are now in charge you can see the difference judge for yourselves.

When you talk about a party like PDP which is a heritage and a history it means it is very reasonable and responsible. Any gathering of PDP you find peace, understanding and love among the media members. It is a family thing, there is no acrimony. What you see today shows we are a family and the local government congresses have been well conducted no animosity.”

On the crises that truncated the congress earlier, he said there was no where in the world where there is no crisis.

Cross River By-election: Appeal Court Affirms Sokoto Closes Boarding Jarigbe as PDP’s Candidate

Schools over Katsina Abduction The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of 16 boarding schools over insecurity.

This development comes two days after Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, ordered the closure of boarding schools around the state’s borders with Katsina and Sokoto states.

Last Friday, over 300 schoolboys were abducted by gunmen in Kankara, Katsina state.

Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, disputed the claim, saying the kidnappers are bandits and not members of Boko Haram.

In a statement yesterday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, said the decision was reached at the state’s 17th security council meeting held at the government house.

He quoted Governor Aminu

Tambuwal as saying “the schools were to be closed, temporarily for two weeks”.

“This followed the brief received by the Council from the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammad Bello Abubakar Guiwa on the security situation in the affected areas and the threats this portends,” he said.

“The affected schools are: Government Girls Model Secondary School, Illela; Sultan Muhammadu Tambari Arabic Secondary School, Illela; Gamji Girls College, Rabah; Government Secondary School, Gada; Government Secondary School, Gandi and Government Secondary School, Goronyo.

“Others were: Government Secondary School, Isa, Government Secondary School Sabon Birnin Gobir, Boarding Primary School, Isa, Boarding Primary School, Balle and Boarding Primary School, Jabo.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Court of Appeal, Abuja yesterday affirmed the declaration of Agom Jarigbe as the duly elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Cross River North senatorial by-election that held on Saturday, December 5, 2020.

Justice Binta Mohammed of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had in her judgment declared Jarigbe as validly nominated by the PDP for the by-election.

Dissatisfied, an aspirant, Mr John Alaga approached the

Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the trial court.

However, in a unanimous judgment, the appellate court dismissed the appeal as frivolous, vexatious and abuse of court process.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Peter Ige held that having not participated in the primary election of the party, the appellant lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

“The appellant lacked the locus standi to institute the suit in the first place. I wonder why the trial court did not make pronouncement on this. Only a

person who participated in the primary election of a political party that has the power to challenge the outcome of the election and not a third party who did not participate in the election.

“There is no evidence before the court that the appellant participated in the primary election. He only exhibited his party card and no other exhibit.

The action of the appellant is a gross abuse of court process.

Justice Ige further held that the facts stated by the respondents to the appeal in their affidavit evidence are well founded and

have not been contradicted by the appellant.

“The materials put forward by the 1st and 2nd respondents have dislodged the evidence adduced by the appellant. The court also held that the appellant did not prove allegations of forgery which is criminal in nature and needed to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.”

The court accordingly dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and award a cost of N250,000 against the appellant in favour of the 1st respondent and N100,000 in favour of the 2nd respondent.

Strike: FG, ASUU Keep Mum after Meeting Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Unversities (ASUU) last night held another round of negotiations over their lingering industrial action embarked upon by the university lecturers.

The meeting, which took place behind closed-doors at Conference

Room of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, ended with no word from both sides on its outcome.

Both parties after the discussions for over three hours, left the venue of the meeting without uttering a word to anxious journalists who waited for the outcome.

Earlier, while welcoming

the delegation of ASUU to the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, advised the union to be considerate over the plight students that have suffered from the long closure of the universities due to the strike.

He said that expectations are that ASUU would accept the offers made by government and agree

to suspend their strike so that universities can reopen latest January.

In his remark, ASUU president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, also expressed optimism that the federal government would show understanding of the predicament of the lecturers and shift ground by paying them all their salary arrears to date.

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Pan-Yoruba Group, Majeobaje, Carpets S’West Governors over Insecurity Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The governors of the South-west states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo Oyo and Osun, have been accused of grossly abdicating in their primary constitutional duty of protecting the lives and property of their citizens, judging by the escalating security crisis in the region.

A pan-Yoruba group, the Majeobaje Movement, levelled the allegation in a ‘save our souls’ letter to the Chairman of the South-West Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, which was copied to the other five governors.

The movement in the letter dated December 12, 2020, described itself as an alliance of professionals, entrepreneurs, policy specialists and academics concerned about and working for improved governance in Nigeria.

The letter was signed on behalf of its general membership by its steering committee members including Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, Sir Gbenga Adebusuyi, Revd.

Muyiwa Bamgbose and Mr. Ibukun Fakeye.

Other signatories are Dr.

Dolapo Sikuade, Mr. Deola Kumapayi, Mr. Yomi Layinka and Mr. Ayo Oyerinde.

The group decried the spate of killings, kidnappings, rape and sundry criminal activities ravaging the region under the governors’ watch, with the attendant loss of lives of many illustrious citizens and the destruction of their livelihoods.

It wondered why the much-trumpeted South west Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, is yet to be effectively pressed into the service of protecting the lives and property of the citizens of the region, against the high expectations of the citizens.

It also highlighted several unresolved security breaches in the region especially in different parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, which had caused anguish to many families.

The group said it was worrying that little or nothing had been done by the government of these states to mitigate the sufferings of residents in the hands of violent herdsmen, kidnappers, rapists and armed robbers or to bring the band of criminals to justice.

The release read in part, “Insecurity in the SW has now

reached a crisis point, partly because the Federal Government refuses to act decisively, and also because our SW governors are failing to use Amotekun effectively.

“Because banditry has overwhelmed the Northwest, Fulani herdsmen are fleeing desertification, victims of Boko Haram in the Northeast are seeking refuge, and the unemployed from all parts of Nigeria are looking for work, these people are now streaming mostly into our SW states.

“They often do so with a high level of aggression including bearing of AK47 rifles with which our people are being raped and killed with scant regard to the sanctity of life, our culture or the rule of law.”

The group in a five-point recommendation then called on the governors to act decisively in stamping out criminal activities within the region and ensure that citizens sleep with both eyes closed, especially now that the end-of-the-year festivities have peaked.

The recommendations include, “That the six governors should urgently allocate more funds to Amotekun so the outfit can be fully equipped and recruit more personnel to improve its operations, especially by the deployment of Surveillance Drones and Forest Rangers.

The ongoing assistance to conventional security agencies should be enhanced and sustained. “Use new and existing laws to revamp Neighborhood

Associations and to strengthen LGA Security Committees to include Traditional Rulers, Amotekun/Police and Vigilantes. These two units will help document residents, deter criminals, and collate data to monitor the activities and welfare of itinerant workers such as Okada riders, farm workers, herders and others.

“Encourage the setting up of private security companies that will specialize in intelligence gathering services as well as the imperative use of drones for aerial surveillance and the investigation of kidnappings.

“Set up or reboot a Security Trust Fund in each state in such a way that will encourage and compel the private sector to support with funding and

management of these security initiatives.

“Demonstrate leadership by physically leading the charge to secure your states, by mobilizing resources at the front lines, and by rekindling the hopes of our farmers, their families and other residents to demonstrate that their governors have not abandoned them to the impunities of marauding forces.”

The movement cautioned that ‘before Apocalypse arrives,’ Governor Akeredolu and his brother governors must urgently act so that the long suffering people of the six states are not left with no option than resort to self-help, the consequences of which can only be imagined for both leaders and the led.

S’East Leaders Move to Prioritise Igbo Demands for Presidency Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Political leaders and think tank groups in South-east have taken steps to resolve the dilemma facing the zone in choosing a priority agenda between Igbo demands for presidency and restructuring of the Nigerian polity.

The answer to this nagging question is expected to emerge after three days of brainstorming sessions at the sixth edition of the World Igbo Summit scheduled to kickoff today at Gregory University Uturu (GUU), Abia State.

Chairman of the organising committee, Dr Romanus Umeh, told journalists at a press conference in GUU that the present state of Ndigbo in the contemporary Nigeria equation was worrisome hence the need to harmonise and prioritise their demands.

He said that it was in consideration of the parlous state of affairs that the theme of the summit was chosen as ‘Enduring future for Ndigbo: Expectations and Challenges’, with a view to x-raying historical. and contemporary issues affecting Ndigbo.

Umeh stated that Ndigbo were concerned about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, #EndSARS movement and their resetting agenda on the socio-economic and political landscape of Nigeria, adding that the summit would x-ray the issues and chart the way forward.

“The Igbo have an opportunity in this summit to harmonise their views and gain sharper perspectives on the trending issue of Igbo presidency, which is the other way of calling for a Nigerian president of Igbo

extraction,” he said.

Umeh described the demand for an Igbo person to occupy Aso Rock as “legitimate quest of Ndigbo” with the central issue of justice irrespective of the angle it is viewed.

“We believe that equity and justice should speak for us, and when they do, as they are doing at the moment in many fora and through various voices, the rest of Nigeria had better listen,” the organising committee chairman said.

On restructuring, Umeh said that Ndigbo believe that devolution of power is in the best interest of Nigeria in general as it would engender growth and development across the nation.

He regretted that opponents of restructuring have deliberately misinterpreted it with the aim “to shoot it down and delete it completely from the consciousness of the people”.

According to the university don, the strident call for restructuring has continued to enjoy widespread support not only in the South-east but also in South-south, South-west and Middle Belt hence the progressive idea should be allowed to prevail.

“Those who sincerely want to understand what restructuring represents, only need to return to Nigeria’s republican constitution which was close to fiscal federalism in which devolution of power and resource control held sway,” he said.

The summit would also feature a special convocation of Gregory University during which the outgoing President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo would be conferred with an honourary Doctorate Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.

FOR FALLEN HEROES…

Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Ogborun Chichi (left), and Governor Nyesom Wike, during the inauguration of 2021 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund to mark the forthcoming 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt...yesterday

Two Lawyers Jailed over N24m Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentencing of two lawyers, Sogo Akinola and Feranmi Akinluyi, before Justice

Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The convicts were arraigned sometime in October 2018 on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing to the tune of N24m.

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them, thereby leading to their full trial.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution, through its counsel, Spiff Owede, called five witnesses and tendered several documents that were

admitted in evidence by the court.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Taiwo found the defendants guilty of the offence and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N1 million.

Another House Member Defects from PDP to APC Udora Orizu in Abuja Another member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, yesterday announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Onuigbo’s defection which was announced at the plenary by the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was received with a standing ovation by members of the APC family in the House and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who was admitted into the chamber to witness the

ceremony.

In his defection letter, Onuigbo said he decided to join the APC as a result of crisis and lack of internal democracy and outright impunity within the PDP. But, the defection of the lawmaker who is one of the oldest members of the House, created uproar from members of the opposition in the House who insisted that the constitution has been breached and therefore his seat should be declared vacant.

One of the opposition lawmakers, Hon Solomon Bob, described the action as a charade as there was no crisis

within the PDP to necessitate the step.

He said, ‘’Mr. Speaker, I know that you a leader and you know what to do. What we are doing here is nothing but tramping on the constitution we swore to protect. If somebody write to you claiming he was leaving the party that sponsored him to this house because of crisis, it is your responsibility to investigate that before accepting his letter.’’

On his part, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, asked the House to invoke the provisions of section 68 and declare the seat vacant;

pointing out that the claim of a crisis within the PDP was false.

Elumelu said the National Organising Secretary of the PDP hails from the same local government with Hon. Onuigbo, adding that there can never be crisis in the party there.

Responding, Gbajabiamila said, ‘’some years ago, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House decamped to the PDP. Did you asked for their seats to be declared vacant? Now, that former Speaker has left the PDP and rejoined the APC. Are you saying I should declare his seat vacant?’’

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

House to Investigate Viability of Scanners at Seaports, Border Stations Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Customs and Excise (CCE) to investigate the total collapse of the multimillion dollar scanners in all the sea ports and border stations in the country and report to back within six weeks for further legislative actions.

The committee would also investigate duration of the scanners in Nigeria and the contracts associated to them, their management, cancellations, re–awards and

operations.

The House also urged the federal government to provide viable scanners for Nigerian ports and boarder stations.

It also advised the government to involve relevant stakeholders such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) from the inception of negotiations on matters concerning the provision scanners.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the ‘’Need to Investigate the Lack of Transparency in the Transfer

of Technical Know-How from Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited to Global Scan Systems Limited,’’ which was sponsored

by Hon. Leke Abejide.

Abejide noted that the CCE should embark on a week–long oversight of Zone A of the NCS to ascertain its level of revenue generation and challenges in order to find a way of addressing them through the NCS’s 2021 budget.

He said that the committee visited to all the commands of the NCS and discovered anomalies that would lead to the collapse of the Nigerian

ports if they are not tackled.

The lawmaker said that he was appalled at the sight of non-functional scanners that were meant to detect arms and ammunition concealed in containerised cargoes rotten away in the ports.

He was also worried that the process of physical examination is delaying containers for weeks and months at the nation’s seaports due to sluggish clearance procedures.

This development, according to him, has increased the cost of importation of goods into the country in millions of Naira as businesses pay

rent to terminal operators and demurrage to shipping companies for not clearing their goods within a specified period due to the slow and cumbersome nature of manual inspection of containers at the seaports.

Abejide said: ‘’In 2006, Nigeria acquired cargo scanners worth more than $120 million and retained the service providers on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) terms. The contract also provided that the service providers were to provide training services and technical support to the NCS

on risk management, valuation and classification. By the end of 2013, the transition process from Cotecna, SGS Scanning Nigeria Limited, and Global Scan Systems Nigeria Limited, the former service providers, were completed and the scanners were handed over to the NCS. ‘’But the intended modernisation in the NCS did not last long. The scanners stopped functioning a year after the handover and Nigerian ports and borders were once again returned to the analogue era of 100 per cent physical examination.

FG to Review Labour Laws Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has said it has commenced plans to review the labour laws to bring in tune with what obtains globally and in line with the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said this in his office while receiving the Deputy Chief Mission of the United States in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGbbon and Labour Attaché, Carolyn Parker.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director and Head of Press, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, quoted the minister as saying that the reviewed labour law will be sent to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.

“We are amending our laws to become contemporaneous with what obtains globally. We have done a labour law review. We

CHANGE OF I formerly known and addressed as AMARA GRACE EZENWA, now wish to be known and addressed as AMARA G. EZENWA ONYERIONWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

will send it to the parliament.

ILO is assisting us. But we are doing what we can with our own small resources,” Ngige said.

He noted that the federal government has done so much in the labour sector, especially in the area of occupational safety and health.

“We have Occupational Safety and Health Department in this Ministry. The department engages in labour inspections to make sure that the working places are okay, and conform to decent work standards.

“We also have two types of insurance for workers. We have insurance against death, which is called the Group Life Insurance. We also have Employee Compensation Act, by which a worker is insured against any accident, injuries and death that may occur in the course of work.

An agency of this ministry, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is managing it.”

CHANGE OF

I, formally known and addressed as EMMANUEL IFEANYICHUKWU CHRISTOPHER, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL IFEANYICHUKWU NWEKE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as FAVOUR AGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as NZOR-JOHN FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SUNMON FUNMILAYO ANU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODUGBOSE OLUWAFUNMILAYO HANNAH. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formally known and addressed as RASHIDAT OMOWUNMI ADEKUNLE, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOWUNMI RASHIDAT OLUDARE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OSAMUYI EBOHON, now wish to be known and addressed as OSAMUYI BENJAMIN. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formally known and addressed as ABBA AHMADU, now wish to be known and addressed as ABBA AMODU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

My account name was wrongly written as OKOI ROBERT CLETUS and the BVN name is OKOI CLETUS OKOI. Thus, my correct name is OKOI CLETUS OKOI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formally known and addressed as ÀLUGO-IYAPO BOSEDE GANIYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as IYAPO BOSEDE GANIYAT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formally known and addressed as BLESSING OGHALE ANIH, now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING OGHALE OMASHEYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

This is to notify the the general public that the bearer of these names; NWAGBARA EDWIN O., NWAGBALA EDWIN OKWU, NWAGBALA EDWIN OKWUDILI, NWAGBALA EDWIN OKWUDILICHUKWU, NWAGBALA EDWIN O. T., NWAGBALA EDWIN OKWUDILI .T., NWAGBALA EDWIN T. O., EDWIN OKWUDILI NWAGBALA, EDWIN TIMOTHY OKWUDILI NWAGBALA, EDWIN TIMOTHY OKWUDILI NWAGBALA, all refers to one and the same person. Henceforth, i wish to be known and addressed as “EDWIN OKWUDILI OKOYE”. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MARKING HEALTH WEEK...

L-R: Member, Cross River State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo-Bassey; a baby, Cynthia Okon; and Director-General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, during the inauguration of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in Calabar...yesterday

Kwara Issues Cheques to 48 Businesses Looted During #EndSARS Protests Hammid Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday presented cheques of varying amounts of non-refundable grants to 48 businesses whose shops were looted following the October #ENDSARS protest in Ilorin, the state capital.

The government had in November engaged an independent insurance adjuster and empanelled an 11-person committee, including civic groups and representative of the business owners, to fact-check claims submitted by 342 businesses who filled an online form to benefit from a N500m SME Recovery Fund establish to support the victims.

Of the 342 firms who registered, only 64 turned up for verification out of whom the committee established 48 for compensation while eight injured vigilantes manning the looted Cargo Terminal were also captured for some support.

The governor presented cheques to all the affected businesses on Wednesday in the Ilorin, with the highest beneficiary getting a grant of N17m, the middle earner getting N15m, and the lowest getting N100,000 as recommended by the adjuster and the committee.

The total grants awarded stood at N180,775,000 in line with the recommendations of the committee.

“We really sympathise with you and we regret that such a thing

ever happened to businesses. We do not have the capacity to give you everything you have lost but this is our token of support to encourage you not to give up,” AbdulRazaq remarked just before handing them their cheques.

He said the government is always willing to help businesses to grow as part of its efforts to build an economy outside of the civil service that is currently the biggest labour demographics in the state.

“The trouble emanating from #EndSARS incident has come to pass but it left a lot of victims behind and you are some of the victims. It is not your fault that your businesses were damaged but as an entrepreneur, we believe in what you are doing,” he said.

“We want to turn Kwara from being civil service state to be an enterprising state and entrepreneur like you must be encouraged. We want more people to do what you are doing and if we give you the confidence to stay and rebuild your businesses in Kwara, more people would be encouraged. You are pathfinders, you are setting pace and showing the ways to others who want to achieve in life.

“Government cannot provide all the jobs but it should be providing the right atmosphere for ease of doing business. That is why we feel very strongly about encouraging you to achieve what you need to do. So, those of you that have started repositioning yourselves, we wish you well and thank you.”

Physically Challenged Persons Protest at National Assembly over Neglect Udora Orizu in Abuja Several physically challenged persons from the Niger Delta region laid siege at the National Assembly complex in Abuja yesterday to protest the neglect they have suffered from their representatives in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The physically challenged persons forced their way into the National Assembly Complex despite resistance by security operatives at the gate.

Their invasion disrupted various activities at the parliament as they ran round the complex chanting, “We no go gree, you

must kill us, stop neglecting us and so on.”

However, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, led some lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly to address the aggrieved protesters.

Their spokesperson of the physically challenged protesters, Mr. Amos Etim, explained to the lawmakers explained that they came to demand their rights from their representatives.

He lamented that all efforts they have made to reach their representatives for help proved futile.

Etim said: ‘’We came all the

way from Niger Delta to Abuja because we do not have access to our representatives. Even when they come to the village, they use entourage. It’s very hard. We are from various states across the nine Niger Delta region. We wrote a letter to the deputy senate president Omo-agege, ‘’We demanded to meet with one of the Niger Delta Senators, Senator Manager, and he asked us what are we doing in this place, that we don’t have any right to come to Abuja. A whole senator is telling us the less privileged to our face to go back to the village.

Senate President advised us that we should copy the letter we

gave to Omo-agege and share it to all the Niger Delta senators to enable them look into it and do something tangible. ‘’We are angry. Christmas is coming and this week is their last week to sit and after that chambers will be closed till January. So we decided it’s time to take the law into our hands. We came and met the Senate President car and sat on it so he won’t be able to move.

“But he told us that all the Niger Delta Senators would meet with us yesterday and asked us to exercise patience and allow him to go. He gave us N50,000 for transport and we listened to him and left.

˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Birth and Lineage of the Virgin Mary Jerald F. Dirks/IslamiCity The books of the contemporary New Testament offer very little substance with regard to the background of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The only readily available information can be seen in Luke, where Mary is said to have been a relative of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and where it is stated that Mary spent three months of her pregnancy in the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. In contrast, the Qur’an offers a great deal of information regarding Mary.

Behold! a woman of ‘Imran said: “Oh my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: so accept this of me: for Thou hearest and and knowest all things.” When she was delivered, she said: “O my Lord!

Behold! I am delivered of a female child!” - And Allah knew best what she brought forth - “And no wise is the male like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the evil one, the rejected.” Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?” She said: “ From Allah: for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases, without measure.”(Q3v35-37) Three points emerge from the foregoing Qur’anic quote. First, the reference to “a woman of ‘Imran’ appears to be a statement that the lineage of Mary’s mother traced back to the Biblical Amram, the son of Kohath, a member of the Levite tribe of Israel, and the father of Moses.

As there was a pronounced tendency among the Israelites to marry within their own clan/tribe, in all probabilities, Mary was of the Levite tribe. Second, the quotation specifically states that Mary was miraculously “supplied with sustenance” from Allah. Third, the same passage from the Qur’an distinctly says that Mary was placed in the care of Zechariah, while Luke merely says that Mary visited Zechariah and Elizabeth for three months during her pregnancy. As an additional fourth point, and referring back to a previously quoted passage from the Qur’an, it is noted that several individuals cast lots with arrows to see who would be entrusted with the care of Mary.(Q3v44).

The above four points find specific support in the so-called New Testament apocrypha. The Gospel of the Birth of Mary, preserved in a reference given by Faustus, the Bishop of Riez in Provence, directly states that Mary was a Levite.

Further, a passage from the New Testament apocrypha says that angels fed Mary during her stay at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Third, regarding Mary being entrusted into Zechariah’s care, the New Testament apocrypha provides support, by noting that Zechariah petitioned the High Priest about Mary. Further, two passages in the New Testament apocrypha provide evidence for such an event, with Joseph being the one who was chosen to succeed Zechariah in taking care of Mary….(The Gospel of the Birth of Mary In Platt RH, Brett JA).

all of them, Mary said noting in defense, but pointed to her infant child. Thereupon, the infant Jesus spoke, defending his mother’s honor and preaching to the onlookers.

When she brought the infant Jesus to her people, they reacted sharply: “O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste!” But she pointed to the babe. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He said: “I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelations and made me a prophet; and He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live: (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;…”(Q19v27-32) The foregoing account of the birth of Jesus does not appear in the current New Testament. However, the story of Jesus speaking while still an infant in the cradle is preserved in the New Testament apocrypha…(The Gospel of the Birth of Mary and The Protevangelion of James In Platt RH, Brett JA).

Jesus and the Clay Pigeons Two different passages in the Qur’an refer to Jesus fashioning a clay bird, and then,

by Allah’s will, making it come alive.

She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ‘Be’, and it is! And Allah will teach him the book and wisdom, the law and the gospel, and (appoint him) a messenger to the children of Israel, (with this message): ‘I have come to you, with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird

by Allah’s leave: and I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you if ye did believe;..’ “ (Q3v47-49) Then will Allah say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! recount My favor to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the book and wisdom, the law and the gospel. And behold! Thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird,

by My leave, and thou breathest into it, and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! Thou bringest forth the dead by My leave.

And behold! I did restrain the children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear signs, and the unbelievers among them said: “This is nothing but evident magic.”(Q5v110) The story of Jesus causing, by the will of Allah, a clay bird to come to life is not found in the contemporary New Testament. But, this story in the Qur’an can be found in the New Testament apocrypha…The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ In Platt RH, Brett JA.

Jesus Speaks in Infancy

Summary and Conclusions

In a moving passage, the Qur’an describes the reaction of people to Mary having given birth to Jesus. Apparently, they were all too ready to think the worst about this righteous young woman, her pregnancy, and her subsequent child. To

Taken together the Bible and the New Testament apocrypha offer dramatic parallels to many passages in the Qur’an.

Such parallels suggest that Christians are well advised to explore the substantial interface between Islam and Christianity….

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Lewandowski is FIFA’s Player of the Year Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Poland and FC Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski, was last night named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2020 for the first time in his career.

Lewandowski piped both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to football’s top honour.

At The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020 ceremony which held as a virtual event at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Liverpool’s Manager, Jürgen Klopp claimed the Men’s Coach of the Year award for the second consecutive year, having steered the Reds to the English Premier League title for the first time, 30 years after their last top-flight success.

Klopp was declared the

winner after a close race with Hans-Dieter Flick of FC Bayern Munich with the outcome decided on voting by the national-team coaches.

Germany and FC Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer was chosen as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

Thousands of football players from around the world cast their votes for this year’s FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World11.

Those selected include; Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker (Liverpool FC); Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool FC); Alphonso Davies* (FC Bayern München); Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool FC).

Midfielders: Thiago Alcântara (FC Bayern München/Liverpool FC);

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City FC) and Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern München).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC); Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern München) and Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona).

Speaking shortly after he was pronounced winner of the men’s top honour Lewandowski said: “I feel fantastic. I am very proud and happy to be honest this is a great day for me, and also for my club and colleagues.

“This award also belongs to

my colleagues, the coach and Bayern Munich in general. It is an incredible feeling, a lot of emotions.

“If you win such an award and share that title with Messi and Ronaldo, that is unbelievable and it means so much to me. A long time ago, I remember I was longing for something like this and now I can win such and award.

This really means, regardless of where you come from, all that matters is what you put into it.

“For the entire world this

year was difficult, the greatest highlight was winning the Champions League final - such a special day and evening, that was an incredible feeling. That was a great moment.

“Then we won the cup and got every title we could possibly win. We have a great coach, great team and we all work towards one goal,” he concluded.

In the women’s category, defender Lucy Bronze is also a maiden recipient of The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award after rounding off

an impeccable spell with Olympique Lyonnais in style before returning to England to play for Manchester City WFC. France and Olympique Lyonnais’ Sarah Bouhaddi capped her amazing career with Women’s Goalkeeper Award.

Current Netherlands women’s national-team boss Sarina Wiegman was named women’s coach of the year for the second time in her career following her 2017 success.

MRI Disqualifies 40 Eaglets Three Weeks to U17 AFCON Qualifiers Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets preparations for next month’s Under-17 AFCON qualifiers in Benin Republic has run into troubled waters as 40 of the 60 players penciled to prosecute the tournament have failed the mandatory MRI age test barely three weeks to the tournament.

This development, THISDAY learnt has thrown the team’s coaching crew led

by Fatai Amoo into deep crisis with just three weeks to select a brand new squad to fly the country’s flag at the WAFU B qualifiers scheduled to begin on January 5.

Only 20 players passed the mandatory tests. Out of these players only five of them are in the main team with only two in Amoo’s preferred starting line up.

“From what I gathered, 40 of the 60 players who did the MRI test failed and they were mainly the players the coach was seriously banking on for the competition,” a top source told SCORENigeria.com Some of the affected players include even those from the national U16 team, who featured at an invitational tournament in Japan last year.

They will now have to pack out of the team’s hotel in Abuja and head home completely devastated after their hopes were dashed.

This will not be the first time the Eaglets have suffered such setback as the country does not have a credible

database of junior players just as the desperation for players, parents and agents to get their wards into the national team at this level of the game has led to age-cheating.

Sources at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hinted that it was to avoid Nigeria being embarrassed at major tournaments that it pegged Grade 1- 4 as the benchmark for the age test to ensure registered players are not disqualified to lead to the disqualification of the entire team by CAF. “With CAF’s new rule, once a player or two is disqualified in a team, the entire squad is knocked out of the competition. This I believe is what the NFF is trying to avoid from happening to Golden Eaglets,” observed the credible source.

It was also learnt that there have been strident calls for Grade 5 to be accepted as the benchmark as was the case previously.

Some of the country’s top stars like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho used the U17s as a springboard for lucrative transfers overseas.

Earlier, the country’s top Stars like Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro and a host of others similarly used the cadet competition to raise to stardom.

Golden Eaglets are drawn in Group B of the U17 qualifiers along with rivals Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Coach Fatai Amoo...Golden Eaglets Coach

Robert Lewandowski...FIFA’s Best Player of 2020

Plaudits for Ndidi as Everton Pick Maximum Points at Leicester Ancelotti: Iwobi playing his best game since I arrived Everton Femi Solajae Despite Leicester City’s 0-2 loss to Everton on Wednesday night, team Manager, Brendan Rodgers believes Wilfred Ndidi’s impressive performance in central defence remains a big positive for the Foxes.

The Super Eagles defensive midfielder is just returning to form after two months on the sideline due to a groin injury.

But with the duo of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu out with injuries, Rodgers was forced to play Ndidi in central defence against the Toffees and the Nigerian star performed

admirably.

“Yeah. A lot of the season we’ve been struggling with injuries and whatnot to defenders, and I thought the two centre-halves were outstanding, Wesley and Wilf,”Rodgers said after the game. ”For Wilf (Ndidi) to go in, you think he’s played there all his career. He’s playing against a top-class striker who has made great improvements in Calvert-Lewin and I thought they gave away very little.

Wilf was outstanding in the game but I thought Wesley was very good too.”

The 23-year-old has made five

league appearances for the Foxes this season and scored once.

Similarly, Ndidi’s Super Eagles teammate, Alex Iwobi got good ratings from Everton’s Manager Carlos Ancelotti.

Iwobi provided an assist for the visitors’ opening goal netted

by Richarlison in the 21st minute.

“It’s his (Iwobi’s) best moment since I arrived (at Everton).

He is showing confidence, is really good in one-versus-one situations and is working hard,” Ancelotti told the club’s official website.

“The key is to work hard – the team is working hard. I said to the players that we have to

be satisfied for tonight but we have to work and we have to improve.”

As against the wing-back position the Nigerian has been made to occupy over a month ago, Iwobi was switched back to his conventional attacking midfielder on Wednesday night and the performance helped the club to secured a massive win.

The 24-year-old operated as a right wing-back for Everton with full-back Seamus Coleman out injured.

Iwobi has made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season and provided two assists in the process

Players Talk Tough Ahead 2nd Valuejet Para Table Tennis Open Players competing at the second edition of the annual Valuejet Para Table Tennis Open have started boasting as the three-day championship officially kicks off tomorrow at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

With today’s registration deadline, some of the players that are already in Lagos for the tournament believe they would want to end the challenging 2020 on a good note.

From Victor Farinloye to Olufemi Alabi who are Tokyo 2021 bound, the battle for the

top prize is becoming tough with the emergence of new players from outside Lagos.

Farinloye who qualified for Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games following his triumph in the men’s class eight at the 2019 African qualifiers in Egypt, is eager to affirm his supremacy in the country.

For Olufemi Alabi, it is battle to finish in the men’s class 9-10 with keen competition from Tajudeen Agunbiade.

“I am happy that we are having this kind of tournament to end the year particularly this

2020 that has been challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has prevented us from competing internationally.

“But with the staging of this tournament we are happy that the sponsors and organisers are keeping faith and I am looking forward to showing my class in the competition. Also to show that my qualification was not a fluke,” Farinloye said.

However, Alabi, a gold medallist at Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games is excited that they are competing again after the lockdown which

prevented them from competing both locally and internationally.

“1I am excited that we are competing again particularly in this trying year.

It will surely put us in good shape going into the year of the Paralympic Games. I know my class is tougher and this will surely bring out the best in us. But I am sure I won’t disappoint my fans,” Alabi said.

The Coordinator of the tournament, Sunday Odebode, this year’s entries have been overwhelming despite being a national event.

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Price: N250

MISSILE Appeal Court to Justice Abang “Ordinarily, someone who is accused of an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This man was not charged and a lot of things indicting and convicting him were found in this judgment. It is in this respect that we believe that his complaints cannot in any way be faulted” – The Court of Appeal setting aside the indictment of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), by Justice Okon Abang.

ATEDOPETERSIDE GUEST COLUMNIST

Dapo Ojora (1962- 2020) I

was not fortunate enough to meet Dapo Ojora from childhood days; we met later in life. Ours was therefore purely an adult friendship. The beauty of adult friendships is that very often you both know exactly what you are getting.

There is often mutual acceptance of the fact that, invariably, personalities have already been formed and are unlikely to change significantly.

Even in polo circles, our friendship was a mystery to many. Dapo started riding horses and playing Polo from a young age. I had turned 30 before I ever climbed a horse. Dapo was already the highest handicapped polo player from Southern Nigeria before I ever climbed a horse. He watched me learn how to ride a horse at the Lagos Polo Club and he watched me carry a polo stick for the first time. He therefore watched my progress through playing for the Cafenol Cup (which my IBTC team won in the early 1990s) and then he saw us play for the Low Cup which we lost in the final to a Kaduna team.

Dapo was the commentator for some of the IBTC team matches in these low goal tournaments.

After the Low Cup final, Dapo congratulated me for making remarkable progress from beginner to Cafenol Cup to Low Cup. I shocked him by telling him that I was not playing low goal polo again and that next year my IBTC team would start playing high goal polo. Dapo could have laughed at me or snubbed me or asked me if I was crazy. Instead, he asked me how I was going to do that. I replied by giving him the first option to join my IBTC team entry for the Lagos Open Cup in next year’s Lagos Polo Tournament.

To cut a long story short, Dapo promptly agreed to play for the IBTC Polo team if I was serious about the offer. I told him I was serious. Polo players who thought I was kidding about high goal polo realised it could not be a joke when Dapo told them he had agreed to play in my IBTC Polo team. We played for the Lagos Open Cup and won it on the first try. That was the beginning of many tournaments in the 1990s with Dapo and I as the two permanent fixtures in the IBTC High Goal Polo team, whilst other players came and went.

At the Lagos Polo Club on Sunday, December 13, 2020, we gathered to honour Dapo and I recounted how two or three different polo players warned me, at the beginning, that I would spoil my friendship with Dapo by trying to play competitive polo in the same team with him. They advised that it would be a short experiment that would end badly on account of a possible clash of egos because I was the Patron of the IBTC Polo team and the Captain and that Dapo would not fit in easily.

It would suffice to say that this supposedly “bad experiment” turned out to be so pleasurable that Dapo ended up playing

Late Ojora

for the IBTC High Goal polo team in the 1990s in ALL the major competitions that we ever participated in across Nigeria. These included the Dickenson and Georgian Cups in Kaduna, the Open and Majekodunmi Cups in Lagos and the Patron’s trophy in Abraka. No other polo player except Dapo and I played for IBTC in these five different high goal tournaments. Dapo and I even played together with Albert Esiri at Ham Polo Club in Richmond Park on the outskirts of London.

Dapo was by far the better Polo player but my joke with him was that I could manage pressure better than him on the Polo field.

Dapo eventually “confessed” to me that

he loved playing for IBTC because there was very little pressure on him when he played for IBTC except the one he brought unto himself. In effect, Dapo felt he played some of his best polo wearing an IBTC polo jersey because I took pressure off him, rather than heap extra pressure on him as some other playing arrangements did. A firm bond was established between Dapo and I through travelling and playing together in very competitive high goal tournaments. Patricia (Dapo’s wife) became my friend also and Dudun (my wife) was also Dapo’s friend and they were constant companions in the commentary box during tournaments at the Lagos Polo Club. Dapo

I thank God for giving me a worthy friend.

I thank him also for giving so many others the opportunity to associate with a remarkable human being like Dapo. For family and friends alike, let us remember Dapo for the very good times he gave to each and every one of us

and Yinka Akinkugbe often took turns in the commentary box, whilst Dudun was a time-keeper.

I am about six years older than Dapo and so I was also older than Gbegi (his elder brother). The age gap never deterred Dapo. If anything, the age gap strengthened our friendship because he deferred to me naturally in some areas and I also did the same in several areas. Dapo knew more about my polo ponies than I did. Indeed, I once admired a pony from a distance at the Abraka Turf Club, only for Dapo to tell me that the pony belonged to me; he had the eye of an eagle. There were numerous other jokes like that.

Dapo paid me the ultimate compliment when he approached me one day and told me that he could not think of any other close friend that he would rather have as a Godfather to his first son (Tayo) than I. He wondered aloud whether I would accept that. I told him that, if that was the joint wish of him and Patricia, then who was I to refuse? He phoned Patricia and told her that I had agreed to be Tayo’s Godfather. The rest is history.

Dapo was a close friend. I understood him and he understood me. That was what mattered to both of us. I gave him space when I thought he wanted space, but then he also knew that I was only a phone call away. When he had the ghastly motor bike accident, I was at his bedside in the hospital in Lagos from the night of the accident and also showed up at his bedside in the London Clinic a week after he was transferred to London for complicated surgery. I feared that it would be a life-changing accident because very active sportsmen often find it difficult to come to terms psychologically with accidents that threaten their physical mobility.

I spoke about the accident only when Dapo wanted to speak about it and dropped the subject whenever he dropped the subject.

I told Dapo I could feel his pain. He told me it was impossible for a third party to feel all of the pain because imagination could only go so far. In my heart of hearts, I knew he was right and I told him so.

It is easy for people who have never experienced the pain that a horrific accident can bring to sit down and theorise or trivialise the experience.

I thank God for giving me a worthy friend. I thank him also for giving so many others the opportunity to associate with a remarkable human being like Dapo.

For family and friends alike, let us remember Dapo for the very good times he gave to each and every one of us.

Remain blessed my friend and rest in perfect peace.

Peterside, CON, is the founder of Anap Foundation, a non-profit organisation that is committed to promoting good governance

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